Page 145 of Irreversible

“I’m serious, Luke.”

Tanner waves over a fellow detective, who approaches with an exasperated sigh. “You need to go. We can talk later. I’m in the middle of an appointment.”

“Another innocent victim you’re harassing, I’m sure.” She holds a hand up to the detective, an offer of compliance. “I’m leaving. No need to send your bodyguards after me.”

“I would never.” Tanner crosses his arms, eyes flickering with emotion. “I’ll be the one putting those handcuffs on you.”

“Your wet dream.” A smile paints her lips as she gazes up at him with otherworldly jade eyes. Then the smile morphs into hard steel. “Stay away from me, Luke.”

She storms off, her leather-clad hips and flaming-red hair sashaying behind her.

Tanner stares after her, tapping a hand on his thigh, before returning a moment later, looking rattled as he rubs his forehead with two fingers. “Sorry. Old friend.”

“Seemed very friendly.”

“You were on your way out?”

“Nope. Just got here. Tell me what you know.”

Tanner’s lips vibrate as he blows out a long breath and collapses into his work chair. Swiveling it from side to side, he studies me, brushing the pad of his index finger across his lips. “Okay. Fine.”

My eyes flare.

A surge of hope sweeps through me as I go still, waiting for what he’ll say next.

“You know, these unwarranted, excessive visits really did light a fire under me. I found him for you.” He pulls open a drawer, sifts around inside, and tosses a manila folder on the desk. “You’re welcome. Please never return.”

Bending forward, I rush to open the folder, my heart rate tripling. Then my eyes narrow with disdain when they land on the photograph inside. “You’re an asshole.”

“What? Why?” He feigns outrage. “It’s Isaac.”

I slam the folder shut. “Isaac Maurice Nottingham is ancient. He’s clearly in his late eighties. Minimum.”

“Ninety-one.”

“I hate you.”

“You said he was likely older than you. I’m not one to rule out a potential suspect based on how society perceives age gaps.” Leaning back in his chair, he folds both arms over his khaki button down and smiles with faux charm. “His family reported him missing for a few weeks about a year ago. The timeframe checked out.”

“He was probably napping.”

A noncommittal shrug. “Well, he stood out. He was found on his boat. Women love men with boats.”

“He’s missing all his teeth.”

“Teeth are overrated. Boats are not.”

“You’re ridiculous.” Huffing, I gape at him with fury in my eyes. He thinks this is a joke. “You’re making a mockery out of this. It’s not fair.”

Tanner’s lips part to speak, but nothing comes out. He falters, and I swear a flash of guilt skates across his face. “Everly, I’m sorry. I don’t know what you want me to say.”

“I want you to say what you know. Tell me the truth. I didn’t make this man up. He was real. Isaac, Nick, whatever his name was.”Isaac—his real name was Isaac. “Dark hair. Brown eyes. Rough around the edges. Over six feet tall with a muscular build.”

He sighs, looks away.

I step closer to the desk. “He wasn’t my imaginary friend; he was myrealfriend. And if he’s dead…please, just tell me. I can’t live with these unknowns. They’re horrible, and they’re rotting me from the inside out.” My voice wavers. “It’s bad enough that my captor is still out there…I need closure.”

He cups a hand over his jaw and scratches at his stubble, his eyes glazing with sympathy. “I wish I could give you that. Truly. We’re still tracking Leonard Vincent. My team hasn’t stopped. But for now, that’s all I can promise.”

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