Did love turn to hate so quickly? Looking at Piper, he thought maybe it did.

“So, Dylan. Let’s head on back to the whiteboard.”

This came from Cubby.

“We need to work this through, and while I don’t like not having your police chief here with us, as we’re kind of going behind his back, we need to get this as clear as possible before we approach him.”

Dylan nodded, and then felt a hand on his shoulder.

“I need to talk to you.” Joe nudged him across the room away from the others. “I’m not saying sorry for hitting you. You deserved it.”

“I don’t expect you to, and likely it’s me who should, but at the time I reacted without thinking.”

“Likely it is. My cousin is a good person, Dylan, and deserved your belief in her, especially considering what’s between you two.”

Piper’s eyes were on the whiteboard; he knew this because he hadn’t taken his off her since she walked in the room.

“She’s hurting, and angry, and if there’s one thing I know about my cousin it’s that she can hold on to anger better than most.”

“I’m not used to this, Joe.” Dylan went for honesty. “Coming back to Ryker has been like an emotional roller coaster for me, and I handled things badly today.”

“Yeah, it’s the whole friends-in-your-face thing here, and the harder you fight it the harder they push.”

Joe didn’t look quite so angry now.

“I really am sorry, for what it’s worth. You and your family have been nothing but kind to me since I arrived.”

“Do you still believe her capable of poisoning your mom?”

Did he?

“No, but you have to remember that I deal in facts, and the evidence suggests it was her, so it took me a while to believe otherwise.”

“My cousin’s important to me, Dylan, so when she’s hurting, I am. What you did today rocked her because she cares deeply for you, and she wouldn’t do that without believing you’re a good man. Today, in Pip’s mind, you proved her wrong.”

“I didn’t come here for this. I came to see my dad, and all the rest happened.”

“Well take my word on this, bud, there’s no going back now. So let’s get this shit cleared away, and then you can grovel to my cousin. But,” Joe raised a hand, “only if you’re serious about her. Otherwise, let her keep hating on you.”

Dylan watched as Piper flicked her hair behind her shoulder. He felt something strong for this woman, but was it love? It had to be, because he’d never in his life experienced the pain he did today when he thought she’d lied to him.