“It’s okay, Alex. I was hurt, but you did what you believed you had to do. The only thing you could do, and you’re keeping me in line.”

He wasn’t sure he’d done that at all, but he wouldn’t argue. “You enjoy being on your computer, in your element, don’t you?”

Something sparked in her eyes as she smiled. “While I enjoy navigating systems, stepping up to the challenge, there are other things I enjoy as well.”

She winked and left him standing there as she turned and approached her sister, who had moved to look out the picture window with Erin.

Had Mackenzie been referring to their kiss? The thought stirred his insides, and he wasn’t sure he appreciated the reminder, especially in the middle of this crisis.

He grabbed his oversized duffel bag—last night he’d tucked the drone tech that Keenan had sent him inside it—and rushed after Nathan and Jack, who climbed into one vehicle. Alex got into the back seat. Once they got to the river, he would call Lynch. Would Alex be completely shut down, leaving Mackenzie and Nora high and dry? He also had much more to report—everything he learned from Mackenzie and Nora after he’d already talked to Lynch.

On the drive over, Nathan stopped by the county offices to retrieve his diving gear. Equipment stowed in the back, he drove them to the location on Grayback River where the body was to be retrieved. Alex had been so absorbed in trying to unravel the convoluted threads, he’d barely noticed when they finally arrived. Nathan parked near the river next to other county and emergency vehicles.

Neither detective got out.

Instead, Nathan shifted in his seat to look back at Alex. “You’ve been lost in thought, man. Something bothering you?”

Alex was surprised at the question.

Before he could respond, Nathan added, “I’m asking as a friend. I speak for the both of us.” He glanced at Jack, then back to Alex. “We don’t have to be in detective mode all the time.”

Alex liked the sound of that.

“And as your friends,” Jack said, not sounding nearly as convincing, “we’d like to know what’s really going on.”

Alex wasn’t sure what he could and couldn’t say yet. He cracked his door. “We can talk later. I believe your recovery team is waiting for you.”

While Nathan grabbed his gear, Alex followed Jack to meet up with Detective Trevor West next to another set of vehicles. Two other men were already getting on their dive gear, and Nathan joined them. All three county detectives were here, which could be considered a good thing. Not a lot of other demanding investigations. At least nothing more pressing than dragging a body from the river.