Page 134 of Skeletons in the Closet

Costa examined my face, likely seeking honesty. “Give me a call.”

“I will.”

And I would. It was time to mend those bridges with my cousin. It may not be easy to forgive and forget. The memories still stung, but he’d shown a different side of himself lately, and if I could embrace Diem’s rough exterior, then it seemed only fair I look beyond Costa’s past mistakes.

It was close to one when they let Diem go. I jumped to my feet and met him as he came from the room. Doyle and Fox snuck off with a nod of acknowledgment, leaving us alone.

“Hey.”

Diem looked everywhere but at me. “What are you doing here?”

“Thought you might need a place to crash tonight.”

“Oh.” He shifted his weight. “Yeah. I’ll figure things out.”

“D, it’s no big deal. You can stay with me.”

But it was a big deal. I saw it plain and should have known sooner how uncomfortable my suggestion might be for a man who struggled with physical contact. When I’d spent the night at his place, he’d been incapable of sharing the bed. It had caused him enough anxiety he’d resorted to smoking after having quit.

“Where will you stay?”

“Motel.” He shrugged.

I didn’t argue, but I was disappointed.

“Can you take me to my Jeep?” he asked, briefly glancing up.

“I can sleep on the couch. You can have my bed all to yourself.”

“Tallus…”

“Never mind. Yes, I can take you to your Jeep.”

Diem was too big for my car. Even with the seat pushed back, his legs were scrunched, and his head brushed the ceiling.

The drive was quiet. I had so many things I wanted to say but no idea how to express them. When I pulled into the lot across from his building and parked, he didn’t get out.

“They’re interviewing Faye in the morning,” he said to his knees.

“Okay. Good.”

“She admitted to me she killed Noah. She killed Beth too. She didn’t say it, but I know.”

“Natalia and Olivia?”

“Yeah. I think so.”

“Why? I don’t get it.”

“She was after the women she thought slept with her husband.”

I puzzled it a moment but still couldn’t understand. “But Natalia?”

“I asked her if Noah knew or had been in recent contact with Professor Shore, only I didn’t specify which Professor Shore, and she ran with it, inventing her own reasoning.”

“Oh shit.”

“Yeah. Doyle said he’ll keep me posted. If you want…” The sentence went unfinished. He wrung his hands, still not looking up.

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