Page 77 of Shadow Sabotage
“So,” I said, forcing the words past the lump in my throat. “I guess we need to make a plan for moving forward.”
He was silent for a beat. Then he straightened, putting on the professionalism he’d worn when we first met. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I crossed a line. It won’t happen again.”
“I meant on the case,” I said, rolling my eyes. “It was just a kiss, Vance. And in case you don’t remember, I’m the one who kissed you. It doesn’t have to be a big deal.”
Even though it was.
“Right. Not a big deal.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, looking weary. Then he stared off into the distance.
“The case,” I reminded him. I felt desperate to get back on steady ground. Desperate for proof that my impulsive act hadn’t ruined our partnership for good.
He blew out a breath. “Well, I don’t trust Sheriff McGrath right now.”
“Me either.” I breathed a sigh of relief that we were moving in the right direction again.
“There was no indication that he was lying,” he said slowly. “None whatsoever. No tells, no body language I’d flag. But I don’t know him well. And he might be an exceptional liar. What do you think?”
“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “I’ve always assumed everything he’s told me was the truth, and he’s never given me a reason to think otherwise.”
He nodded. “But the things he said to you raise a hell of a lot of red flags.”
“Agreed.” That sense of betrayal washed over me again, feeling even worse now that I knew that Vance was leaving.
This was the worst day ever.
Vance put his hands behind his head, stretching his legs out underneath the table as he contemplated it. “I want Sheriff McGrath to think you’re on his side,” he said finally. “He needs to trust you so he’ll keep talking. We need his guard down.”
I swallowed hard. “So I have to wear a mask.”
“Yes,” he said grimly. “Which you’re not very good at.”
“I can do it.”
“Any real conversation about the case happens here,” he decided. “No talking at the office. But we need to make regular appearances there so he doesn’t think we’ve gone off grid. I’ll figure out information you can feed him so he thinks he’s being kept in the loop.”
“Alright,” I agreed. “So, what’s our next move?”
He was silent for a moment. “Back when Katelyn left town, there wasn’t any reason to get warrants for her cell phone and laptop. No probable cause, since it was a voluntary disappearance. The landlord eventually packed up her things, including those, and sent word to her mom.”
I leaned forward. “But you put in for warrants, right? You mentioned that you would.”
He nodded. “Yeah. I put in warrants for the phone, the laptop, social media—all of it.”
“You should have those by now, right?”
“Takes about a week to get the digital request back from the tech companies. We’ll have that in a few days, hopefully. But a judge in Albany County signed off for the physical items right away.”
“And?” I glanced around, half expecting to see Katelyn’s laptop somewhere.
“It took them some time to track her things down. Katelyn’s mom never picked them up. The uncle eventually showed up to get them right before the landlord was going to throw them out. I got a text this morning from a deputy in Albany County that they secured them.”
“Great. When will they get here?”
He had a guilty look on his face. “They’re short-staffed and their courier can’t get here until Monday, so I said I’d drive down after our interviews and get them. But that was before.”
“Before I fell apart.” I filled in the blank, disgusted with myself.
He put his hand on the table like he was reaching for me again but stopped himself. Withdrew it. “I can stay here.”
