Page 108 of Broken

“Hi, Nathan. I have some information for you. Sorry it took so long, but you said it wasn’t urgent and things have been hella busy around here.” She lets out a breath. “Anyway, that was some rabbit hole you sent me down.”

“It was?”

She laughs. “I haven’t worked that hard for a long time.”

“Shit. I’m sorry if it took up too much of your time.” Until I saw her name on my phone a few minutes ago, I’d almost forgotten I asked her to look into Luke Edison’s murder a few months back.

“Please don’t apologize. I love this stuff. But accessing records from seventeen years ago isn’t as easy as getting information on more recent stuff, is all. There were so many red herrings to follow. Whoever covered this up did a hell of a job.”

My interest piqued, I head to my office and close the door. “Okay, give me everything you got.”

“How’s Mel?”Elijah places the tray containing our coffees and two bear claws on the table before taking a seat.

It’s been over a week since she lost the baby, and we’ve settled into a routine where she watches god-awful TV or reads while I work on the sofa beside her. Each day I see a little more of her laughter and light. Having her sister home certainly seems to have lifted her spirits. “She’s doing as well as can be expected, I guess.”

He arches an eyebrow. “And you?”

I shrug. “I’m good.”

“Don’t lie to me, Nathan.”

“What? I’m okay. I mean, it was… the baby was a part of her, Elijah. She lost a part of herself.”

His brown eyes soften. “It was a part of you too.”

I swallow down the knot of sadness in my throat. “I know. But I’m okay.”

“And this thing between you and Mel?”

I frown. “What about it?”

He shrugs. “Seems like you two have been getting along well. Is she back for good?”

I shake my head. “Only until her cousin gets back to town next week.”

He takes a sip of his coffee. “And how do you feel about that?”

“Jesus Christ, Elijah, is this some sort of therapy session?” I ignore the disapproving look from the woman at the table next to ours.

He rolls his eyes and leans forward, completely unaffected by me snapping at him. “I fucking care about you, asshole. Sue me.”

I snort. “If I did sue you, I’d win.”

“Yeah, the Iceman is a real shark.”

I roll my shoulders. “Yeah, don’t forget it, buddy.”

He smirks and gives me a pat on the shoulder. “Seems to me like the ice man has thawed for his veterinary nurse.”

I grind my jaw and glare at him.

He cocks his head. “Touched a nerve?”

“Fuck you.”

“Nice,” he mutters.

“If you really want to be a good brother, you can come for dinner tonight.”

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