needed to keep his head straight, remember what he was trying to do, not go off on mental tangents like pondering Sylvieâs smile.
Next to him, Sylvie focused on Red, nodding understandingly. âIt sounds like you would know everything that went on in her life.â
âNot everything.â
âMaybe enough to help us find her. To help us save her.â
The kid drew himself up. Like any red-blooded guy with a crush, he liked the idea of being a knight in shining armor to Diana Galeâs damsel in distress. And with Sylvie asking for his help, too, how could he refuse? âHow can I help? What do you need to know?â
Bryce had to hand it to her. Heâd cross-examined many witnesses successfully in his day, and this wasnât one of his best performances. But with just a few words, Sylvie had tapped into Louis Ingersollâs vulnerabilities immediately. He stood back and watched, letting her take over.
âYou said Reed wasnât good enough for her,â she reminded.
âHe wasnât. He was there in the room where she disappeared, right? And he didnât protect her. I would have protected her.â
âHow did you know Reed was there?â
âThe detective last night. He told me.â
Sylvie frowned.
Bryce knew what she was thinking. Perreth hadnât been overly eager to share information with them. Why would he have confided that detail to Dianaâs next-door neighbor? A next-door neighbor nursing a serious crush.
The uneasy feeling resumed its creep up Bryceâs spine. He could see exactly where this was leading. Thanks to Tyâs penchant for helping abused and vulnerable women, heâd seen more than his share of injured male pride and thwarted male desire. This kid had it bad for Diana. And Diana was to marry another man. All the elements for disaster. âYou could have done a lot of things for Diana Gale, couldnât you?â
The kid stuck out a freckled chin. âYeah.â
âBut she wouldnât let you.â
The chin hardened. âHey, itâs not my fault if she was fooled by that whole cop thing.â
âYou think Reed fooled her? You think thatâs why she wasnât interested in you?â
âWhat do you know about it? Diana and me were close. We talked all the time. I knew things she didnât tell anybody else. Not even that cop.â
âLike what?â
âYou think Iâd repeat them to you?â
Sylvie stepped forward and laid her hand on his arm. âWill you tell me? Will you help me find my sister?â
Bryce watched the kidâs defiance fall apart like a bad court case. First the chin receded. Then his eyes softened from flint to the consistency of that sweet pink creme inside fancy chocolates.
The unease crept over Bryceâs shoulders and wrapped around his neck like a cold hand.
âDid Diana ever mention the name Dryden Kane to you?â Sylvie asked.
âSure. I used to save clippings for her from the newspaper. She was fascinated with him.â
âDid she say why?â
âShe didnât need to explain. We have always been on the same wavelength.â
âCan you explain it to me?â
âDryden Kane is powerful, smartâ¦â He shrugged. âA lot of people find serial killers interesting.â
Sylvie shook her head as if she couldnât understand the comment and refused to accept it would include her sister. âDo you think he has anything to do with her disappearance?â
âHow could he? Heâs in prison.â
âDo you know why he would want to hurt Diana?â
âWhy do you think he wants to hurt Diana?â Shaking his head, Red offered her a reassuring smile. âNo one would want to hurt her. Everyone loved Diana.â
The unease encircling Bryceâs throat gave a squeeze. Maybe everyone didnât love Diana, but this kid sure did. To the point of obsession. And judging by the way he was