Page 86 of Firefly Effect

She has me. She doesn’t know how or why, but she found her bargaining chip and isn’t afraid to use it. I consider my options.

I could tell her what I’m hiding and relieve myself of all secrets, but who does that put at risk?

I could turn around and walk back out that door, but then I lose Evie and my chance of digging further into her memory for answers.

Sighing, I nod. “Okay.” I look around the empty bar. “But not down here.”

Her eyes are still narrowed on me. “Wait here while I shut down, then we can go upstairs.”

I pull out my phone to send Francine a warning that I might be home very late. She assures me she’s got it.

Then I send another, more troubling text.

Lincoln: I have to tell her.

Dylan: I warned you this would happen, man. This is why you never should have gotten involved.

Lincoln: You know I didn’t have a choice.

Dylan: Yeah, but you’re comprising the whole operation.

Lincoln: How? She agreed to help me if I tell her what I’m hiding.

Dylan: Jenkins probably said something to her.

I dwell on that thought for a second, knowing Dylan had seen her go around to the back of Jenkins’s home. Just as Dylan was coming to scare her away, she ran away like a crazy person.

Lincoln: If he did, she’ll tell me. This needs to happen.

Lincoln: I need you to keep an eye on my house. I’ve got things covered here for the night.

Dylan: All right, man. You got it. Good luck.

After I stick the phone in my back pocket, I look up to find a rattled-looking Evie. She does a half-assed job of cleaning before she tosses the towel onto the nearest table. Then she locks up behind me and walks straight up the spiral staircase to her bedroom behind the wall of books.

It’s not until we’re both inside with the door closed that she turns and speaks to me. “You should know, I went to see J.D. today.” She stares me down like she’s waiting for my reaction, but I have none. I already knew.

“Did you talk to him?”

Her eyes narrow at me, and for a second, I think she might know a hell of a lot more than I’ve let on. “What do you think?”

It’s my turn to narrow my eyes. “I think… if you expect honesty from me, then you need to be honest with me too.”

She blinks, her brow creasing slightly. “That’s fair. But why do I get the feeling you already know the answer to your question?”

I let out a heavy breath. “Because I do.”

Anger flashes in her eyes. “What the hell, Lincoln? You followed me to his house, didn’t you?”

“No. I didn’t follow you.”

“But someone did.”

The silence is enough to answer her question.

“Who?” she asks.

I shake my head. “Evie, I promised to tell you everything, and I will. As long as I have your word that you’ll help me in return.”

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