“Not sure those are the words I’d use to describe you.”
“Fun and adorable?”
“When have I ever used the word ‘adorable’ in my life?”
“I’ll be honest, probably never. But I’m a first for everything.”
“Including the limits of my sanity.” She rubs her temple and nods to Tommy. “Who are we looking for?”
I glance between them. “What exactly is the plan here?”
“Perry said you were looking for someone. We’re here to find that someone.”
“Carson Alexander?”
The vibes in the room go tense.
“Nah,” says Everett. “I’m out.”
“Wait. Why?”
“Because no one has ever seen the guy, and the ones who have don’t live to talk about it.”
“That sounds … villainous.”
Tommy’s attention is on his screen. “Thatishis whole deal.”
“It’s not him I want to find anyway,” Perry says. “We’re looking for Colin St. Clare, and we might have a lead.”
“Colin St. Clare?” Arlie snaps. “You want help finding the guy Luther’s got every person at his disposal trying to find? He’s a ghost at this point.”
Perry’s sweet eyes find mine for a second before moving on. “W-what do you mean?” he asks.
Arlie looks as confused as I feel when she turns to Perry. “I thought you told Luther you weren’t handing him over?”
“Luther wants you to hand my brother over?” I ask him, heart beating faster. “Why?”
“He doesn’t!” Perry looks like he’s been cornered. “He wants me to hand you over. I would never.”
Arlie eyes me. “Whoareyou?”
“Reilly,” I say, almost defensively. “St. Clare. Colin’s brother.”
“Oh.” In her defense, there’s a hint of apology in her tone. “Sorry you had to find out like this, I guess. Perry was hired to kill him, botched the job, sent your brother into hiding, and accepted his payday anyway. Now our boss is furious with him and is doing everything he can to find your brother.”
I whirl on Perry, heart thunking along like it’s lost the rhythm it’s always held. “You lied? You said you had nothing to do with his disappearance.”
“No!” Perry shoots to his feet. “I didn’t. I’ve never seen your brother.” His wild eyes fling back to Arlie. “I was hired to kill St. Clare.”
“Yes,” she says, but he’s already shaking his head.
“ReillySt. Clare. Him.” He thrusts a hand my way like I haven’t just confirmed my name.
Arlie’s expression morphs from its usual disinterest into pure pity. “No, honey. You weren’t.”
The thunking in my chest gets harder and faster. “He wasn’t?”
Tommy breaks out into cackles, and Lars starts forward, but Ever raises his hands and diverts my attention.
