Page 451 of Dark Love

Why would Cormac want to meet here? There’s nothing around but a reception hall full of semi-drunk wedding guests.

That’s another tradition that makes no sense to me. What’s the point of a wedding? You spend a ton of money so other people can eat terrible food and get drunk. If you want to spend your life with someone, just do it.

A couple walks out the door hand in hand. The woman pulls the man in for a long, passionate kiss right there.

See, that’s exactly my point. They could be in the privacy of their home right now, not standing out in the cold.

People make no sense.

“This better be important.” Cormac sits down on the bench next to me. “You pulled me away from my niece’s wedding.”

“My condolences.”

Cormac laughs. “That’s what I told the groom right before I married them.”

“You performed the ceremony?” Cormac was known for getting into trouble back in his youth. Way before he became a cop.

“Sure did. I was almost the best man. But Maddie thought since I was her uncle and his commanding officer, I should run this whole shindig. Having a massive family is tiresome.”

I wouldn’t know.

“So, what is this all about?”

“Do you know a cop named Eamon Plant?” Give me the answer I want.

“What do you want to know about Eamon?”

“Just answer the question.”

“Sure, everyone knows Eamon Plant. Great guy. He’s inside the hall now, having some of the best cake you’ve ever tasted. Want me to get him?”

And that was the worst possible answer. “Is it a cop thing to invite everyone? Or is this guy a close friend?”

Cormac twists his body to face me instead of the street. “Why would you ask that? What did you hear?”

How much do I trust Cormac? “Is it a cop thing? Or is he a friend?”

“Eamon is everyone’s friend. We aren’t close, but I’ve known him for decades. Eamon is one of the good guys. He’s always there when you need a helping hand. The guy even volunteers to stand guard at a women’s shelter on his nights off.”

Well, that must be convenient for him. This just got trickier. The cops won’t help. They’ll just close ranks and protect one of their own.

Cormac usually does the right thing. Give him a chance. “What do you know about his girlfriends?”

“Ahhh. That’s what this is about. Everyone knows Marlie. She’s crazy. Literally insane. I’m shocked the judge hasn’t locked her up. She’s been stalking Eamon.”

“That’s not what I heard.”

“Of course it isn’t. Marlie sells it well. I believed her in the beginning. Until I saw the damage she did to Eamon’s car. Then she broke into his house and wrote threatening messages on his mirrors. Eamon had to get a restraining order, and even that hasn’t stopped her.”

Dyce is never wrong. Not once has her intuition been off. This guy is dirty. “Thanks for clearing that up for me.” I stand up.

“You don’t ask random questions about people.”

“No, I don’t.” I start to walk away.

“Vex?”

Cormac is going to ask a question he doesn’t want the answer to. “Yes?”

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