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The tightness in my chest returned. “She ran away on Tuesday.”

“Oh, fuck.Freyja? Oh no.”

I rubbed my forehead. “I looked everywhere I could think of.”

“Did you try the pound?”

“Yep.”

“Local vets?”

“I tried everywhere I could think of.”

“Dog rescues?”

“Yeah.”

“Hell.” He wandered over to the window, looking out at the main house. After a moment, he asked, “How’s George?”

That was quite the segue. I considered Dax, considered that question. “Not great. Grieving.”

“No more than you.”

Andthatseemed an even odder comment. “It’s not a competition.”

Dax grimaced, turned from the window. “Have you seen Dudley Do-Right?”

“I’ve seen him,” I said shortly.

He grunted. “Anyway, I came by to see if you want to go out tomorrow night? Grab dinner, have some drinks? I’m buying.”

I shook my head. “Not really. I’m not in a party mood.”

Dax rolled his eyes. “I didn’t say a party. I said you and me having dinner and a couple of drinks.” He met my eyes. “You don’t want to look like you think you have something to hide.”

“I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks.”

“Duly noted.” Dax’s grin was lopsided. “All the same, what better way to make that point than letting the assholes see you out enjoying your well-deserved freedom.”

I scowled, although I did see his point.

“Happiness is the best revenge. Am I right?” Dax wiggled his eyebrows.

“I think revenge is the best revenge.” But I sighed. “Yeah. Okay. Why not?”

“That’sthe old Casper.” Dax headed for the front door. “I’ll call you tomorrow.” He stopped. “Do you—you still have your cell?”

No. Presumably my cell phone was still in an evidence locker at LCPD. It had been confiscated early in the investigation—which had to have been excruciating for Raleigh, given how much we’d texted each other. Probably another reason he’d been so hell-bent on proving he could be objective where I was concerned. Maybe some people thought that was admirable. But when your back is against the wall, you don’t want your significant other to be objective; you want them on your side, believing in you, fighting for you.

“My new phone’s supposed to arrive tomorrow.”

“Okay. You call me.”

I nodded, already regretting my agreement to go out.

Dax must have seen it because he said, “Come on, man, it’ll be like old times. You’ll see.”

“Sure.” I already knew the old times were over and nothing would ever be the same.