Page 43 of Firefly Effect

For the first time since Gabe got here, I empathize with him. He’s right about how Carley’s death affected us all. We’re broken by it as much as we are connected. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have compared your pain to mine. Of course what happened to that man tears me up inside. I haven’t stopped thinking about the murder, about Carley.” I swallow against the lump in my throat. “But I have nothing else to tell you that can help your investigation. I’m sorry.”

“What about where you went that night after you ran off?”

The accusation in his tone causes my breath to hitch sharply into my throat.

“W-what?”

His eyes narrow. “You know what I’m asking, Evie. I read all your interviews and watched your deposition about your side of the story. Something doesn’t add up.”

I shake my head, eyes squeezing shut. “Stop it, Gabe. I’m not going to do this.”

I can practically feel the anger rolling off him in waves. “You conveniently blacked out between the time you left Carley’s body until the police arrived,” he says. “An entire hour went by before you found someone to call the cops. Why’d it take you so damn long, Evie?”

Panic whips through my body and steals my breath. My hand flies to my chest as I try to calm myself. I can’t even begin to think of how to answer that question. “Stop,” I try to say, but this time, my word is barely a whisper.

I open my eyes to see his expression beginning to soften.

“I’m not accusing you of anything,” he says, his tone gentler than before. “But whatever you can remember will help me find whoever keeps doing this to keep him from doing it again.”

The way he uses the word “me” like he wants to be the one to crack this major case. It’s not even his case to solve—it’s been linked to the Firefly Man, and the FBI took over that case after Carley’s murder.

“I. Don’t. Remember.” I unclench my teeth and inhale deeply.

Finally, Gabe sighs. “Fine.” He takes a step away. “Thank you for your time, Evie. If you think of anything, please call the station.” His formal demeanor cracks as worry covers his features. “And please be careful with Lincoln.” Genuine concern beams from his eyes. “There’s something off about the guy, and it has nothing to do with you developing feelings for him even if it does drive me insane. Just… be careful.”

He doesn’t wait for me to agree. He doesn’t look for a reaction. Instead, he bows his head, lets out another sigh, and walks away.

Luckily, I choose that moment to grab my phone in the office, hoping for a quick distraction, because a message from Lincoln lights up my screen.

Lincoln: You made Lucy’s whole day. Thanks for saying yes.

My heart warms, and I can feel my deep frown smoothing into a smile.

Evie: And what would I have done instead? Break a little girl’s heart? I think not.

Lincoln: Nah, Lucy’s resilient. She would have been okay. The only heart you would have broken was mine.

Biting back a laugh, I type my response.

Evie: You put her up to that, didn’t you?

Lincoln: No way. That was all Lucy. Well, I might have suggested dropping it off tonight, but she thought to invite you.

Evie: Impressive.

Lincoln: Which part?

Evie: All the parts.

He doesn’t write back again for a few minutes, so I make my way out to the bar area to check on things before settling into a cozy chair near the main window.

Lincoln: Looked like we interrupted something when we walked in earlier. Sorry about that.

My frown returns, and the heaviness that weighed down my heart during my altercation with Gabe returns like a slow drip into my veins.

Evie: Gabe was questioning me about my whereabouts the other day.

Lincoln: You okay? I didn’t like leaving you there with him.

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