“Ryan. It needs to happen now. I told you—you could still be exposed. Do you want that to happen? Do you? Just let me see the data from the phone.”

“No, get lost. Too many people have been hurt already.”

“I agree, Ryan. Damn it.” His voice rose higher than I’d ever heard it. His eyes were misted by emotion. “Just . . . Can you just do this for me? I know I’ve asked for a lot. Okay? I know I’ve stirred up a whole shit storm. I get it. And if you don’t ever want to see me again when this is over, then so be it. Okay? Just do this for me. Okay?”

I’d never heard him plead that way. Never heard him being so achingly sincere.

“Are you in more trouble?” I asked. “Are you okay?”

“Just let me in. Then you can be done with me.”

I wanted to say no, but I couldn’t. I just couldn’t.

“Okay. But get out of there before we come back.”

I went over and unlocked the back door. When I turned, he still leaned against the garage.

“Come on,” I said. “I’m in a hurry now.”

He pushed off the garage and came over, his steps slow and deliberate. He looked like a kid on his way to the principal’s office.

“What’s wrong with you? Aren’t you off the hook now?”

He nodded, some life and energy returning to his body. “Sure. I’m just tired. It’s been a hell of a night. And day.”

“Come on.”

He followed me in, down the hallway, and to the office. While I opened the laptop and entered the password, he sank into a chair. I pointed at the screen.

“It’s all there. Everything from her phone. Texts, contacts, social media messages. You should check out the ones from Facebook. Somebody was threatening her. Big-time. We have to tell the police about that. In fact, you should call them right away. Or I will when I get to my in-laws’ house.”

He nodded. Calm. He seemed unbothered by the threats.

“Call me when you’re finished. I’m going over there to get Amanda.”

I started to go, but by the time I reached the office door, he still hadn’t said anything.

“Did you hear me?” I asked. “You’ll call?”

“Yeah,” he said. “I’m on it.”

I left, but his voice stopped me again.

“Seriously, Ryan,” he said. “Thanks for everything. You’re a good friend.”

“Are you feeling sentimental or something? What gives?”

“I’m just thanking you. Okay?”

My phone chimed again. I locked the door behind me and took off without saying anything else.

CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE