Page 77 of In Cold Blood

“C’mon, Alicia. You don’t have to do that.”

“No, I overstepped the line just like I did back in the day. See you around, Noah.”

Noah sighed. He could have tried to convince her to stay but he just didn’t have it in him. The last thing he needed was to get emotionally involved in another relationship before he left.

Alicia hadn’t been gone morethan thirty minutes before Noah’s phone rang.

He scooped it off the kitchen counter and glanced at the caller ID.

Noah rocked his head back at the sight of the name and hit accept.

“Parish. I know. I know. I should have told you but you’ll get your hands on it all tomorrow.” He was referring to the box. He assumed that’s what he was calling about. To rub his nose in it. To give him the third degree about holding back evidence. Hewasn’t. He had every intention, whether he stayed longer or not, of handing it over, he just wanted a day or two to rummage through it.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Listen, we need to talk.”

“Go ahead.”

“In person.”

Noah glanced at the clock. “Parish. It’s late.”

“Meet me at Ridgeway Lodge and resort. Room 30. I need to show you something.”

“Can it wait until tomorrow?”

“No.”

Noah pinched the bridge of his nose. “If it’s related to the case, speak with Thorne or Roberts. I’m not being reeled into your games so you can get back at me for the past.” Noah hung up. His phone rang again, but he let it go to voicemail. He’d had enough surprises for one night.

20

Friday, June 10, 2022

Noah awoke to a barrage of thumps and Axel barking.

He lifted his head, exhaustion clinging to him like molasses as he reached over and flipped his phone to see what time it was. It was just after seven.

“Axel. Quiet!”

Axel continued barking with another thump.

Noah swung back the sheets and climbed out of bed, scratching his ass as he ambled over to the window and looked down. Outside was an Adirondack County Sheriff’s SUV. He couldn’t see who was at the door because of the porch cover.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming,” he yelled.

He slipped into some jeans, donned a long sleeve white T-shirt, and made his way down. Axel was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

“You know the saying, someone’s bark is far worse than hisbite, they coined that after you, Axel,” he said jokingly as he made his way to the front entrance.

Opening the door, he was greeted by the sight of Deputy Hendrix.

Noah pawed at his eyes. “Hendrix?”

“Morning. May I come in?”

“Sure.” He stepped to the side. “What’s this about?”

Hendrix eyed the place as he strode in, only stopping to stroke Axel.