“It’s one of those truths that make humans so exquisitely predictable,” Lacey said. “Children only want a toy when someone else has it. Asher couldn’t just let Cash play with his toy, now could he?”

Mia cringed. “Asher wasn’t like that. You made him think that.”

“I simply offered him a sympathetic ear.” Lacey shrugged. “Is that really such a terrible crime?”

“You planted suggestions.” Just like Lacey had been doing this whole investigation. Again, she said, “You made him think that.”

“Everyone has buttons you can push.” Lacey lazily shrugged one shoulder before pinching Robert’s earlobe hard enough to make him wince. The gun still didn’t waver. “You just have to find the right ones.”

“What are yours then, Lacey?” Mia asked.

“Oh.” Lacey let go of Robert and slid off the counter. She edged around the table until she was close to Mia but not within arm’s reach. Her eyes were dark, dilated. Mia flushed hot, her pulse thrumming in every soft spot on her body. “That was actually a good question, Detective. I’m almost impressed.”

Mia pressed her lips together so that they wouldn’t tremble as she inhaled through her nose. The slip of oxygen along her throat steadied her. “Enough to answer?”

Lacey laughed, the serrated edges of it slicing into Mia’s skin. She tried not to recoil.

Without warning, Lacey reached out, her hand catching the back of Mia’s neck. Her breath was too warm against Mia’s ear. “Boredom.”

She was gone as quick as she’d come, before Mia could even react. Dancing away, giggling.

“Boredom,” Mia repeated, fighting the urge to swipe at the smear of lipstick that Lacey had left behind on her skin.

“That summer was so fucking boring,” Lacey said, hopping back up on the counter. “Don’t you remember? But you all . . .”

She trailed off and tipped her head back, an undulating shiver running through her body. “All of your petty drama and big eyes and fragile emotions.” She met Mia’s gaze, her own lashes heavy. “Delicious.”

“Was Cash supposed to be there that night?”

For the first time since she’d walked into the kitchen, Lacey’s glee flickered. “He was supposed to be. I don’t know why . . .” Lacey paused, shook her head. Thrown for the first time all night. When she continued, it was soft, more to herself than to Mia, her eyes on the floor. “But then I saw him.”

It was a button to push, and it helped Mia wrap her arms around her own fear, helped her press it down. “Not quite as in control as you thought, huh? You couldn’t get him to do exactly what you wanted?”

Lacey’s nostrils flared. Anger. That was so much better than the odd high Lacey had been riding. Anger made people lose control.