Page 8 of Girl, Reformed

Okay, you're right. Logic. Facts. We cando that.’

Ella squeezed her shoulders once morebefore letting go. ‘Damn straight we can. Now, walk me through last night.When's the last time you saw Martin?’

Mia ran a hand through her hair, eyesdistant. ‘Around midnight, I think. When we went to bed. Everything seemednormal. Or at least…’

Ella cocked her head, zeroing in on thatflicker of hesitation. ‘You thought? Something happen? You two have a lover'sspat?’ She tried to keep it cool, because deep down, there was a part of Ellathat wanted to believe Martin was innocent. Maybe he’d been framed, or it washer paranoia running rampant. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d convincedherself of something that wasn’t true, even though she was all but convincedthat Martin was their killer in angel’s clothing.

Mia shook her head, but there was atightness around her mouth that hadn't been there before. ‘No, no fight. It'sjust....’

She trailed off, worrying at her lowerlip. Ella waited, letting the silence stretch. Sometimes, you had to give aperp enough rope to hang themselves. With any luck, Mia could arrive at thesame conclusion Ella had.

‘He was going through some old files,’ Miasaid finally, words tumbling out in a rush. ‘Right before we turned in. Said hewas looking for something.’

Ella's pulse kicked up a notch, but shekept her face carefully neutral. ‘Files? What kind of files?’

‘I don't know. Old cases, probably.Martin's always elbow-deep in paperwork. I didn't think anything of it at thetime.’

Ella hummed, mind whirring. What hadMartin been looking for? Evidence of his extracurricular activities? Proof thatElla was closing in? Or something else entirely, some piece of the puzzle shehadn't even considered?

She pushed down the frustration bubblingin her gut. They were grasping at straws here, chasing shadows and maybes. Theyneeded something solid, something real.

‘Let’s look through his files, then,’ Ellasaid. ‘There could be something in there.’

‘I don’t know where they are. I searchedthis place high and low.’

Ella's jaw tightened, molars grinding.‘What about his car? Have you tried tracing it?’

‘Put a request in at HQ, but nothing sofar. No pings on any traffic cameras.’

Ella's phone pinged. A second later,Mia's did the same. They both glanced down, matching frowns on their faces.Ella checked it.

William Edis wanted to see them.

‘Director wants us in the office,’ Ellasaid. ‘Stat.’

Mia shook her head. ‘No chance. I'm notsetting foot out of D.C. until I find Martin. The director can wait.’

Ella's heart twisted at the pain in Mia'seyes, the desperation etched into every line of her face. This was tearing herup inside, eating her alive. And Ella was just standing there, watching ithappen.

She took a deep breath, steeling herselffor what was coming. It was now or never. Not only was this eating Mia from theinside out, but Edis was no doubt about to unload another case on them. Theycould be gone for days, weeks. Ella couldn’t let Mia torture herself while theywere on the road.

Time to rip off the Band-Aid and face themessed-up truth.

‘Mia...’ she started, the words likebroken glass in her throat. ‘Have you considered... I mean, is it possible thatMartin could be... responsible for all this?’

Mia's head snapped up, eyes blazing.‘What?’

Ella held up her hands, palms out. Aplacating gesture, like she was trying to soothe a snarling dog. ‘Just hear meout, okay? Think about it. All these people, anyone who wronged us, droppinglike flies.’ She trailed off, letting the implication hang in the air like anoose. Mia stared at her, mouth agape, a vein throbbing in her temple.

‘You’re not seriously saying this, areyou?’

Even as she said it, Ella could see thedoubt creeping in, the awful realization dawning in her eyes. Because deepdown, Mia had to know. Had to have considered the possibility, even if she'dshoved it down and locked it away. It could be ignorance, obliviousness,stubbornness. But a part of Ripley had to have considered thepossibility.

‘He had access, Mia,’ Ella pressed, hatingherself for every word. ‘He was the only person that knew about Nash, Carter,Ben, Trevor. Tell me if I’m telling lies.’

Mia turned away and overlooked the lake.‘No. There’s no chance. Martin is…’

But her voice was wavering now, theconviction leaching out of it like blood from a wound. Ella could see thecracks forming, the foundation of Mia's world crumbling beneath her feet.

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