Page 79 of Faultlines

I still think I’m overreacting.

Sloane: That’s what someone says right before discovering something important.

Lucy: Or it’s what someone says when they’re overreacting.

Sloane: Your negativity is hurting the investigation.

Lucy: We are not private investigators.

Sloane: Then explain the notebook. It’s full of highly professional observations. Exhibit B: The suspect continues making poor decisions.

You have a notebook?

Sloane: Of course.

Lucy: She labeled it with a magnifying glass.

Please tell me you’re joking.

Lucy: I wish I was.

What does it say?

Lucy: Don’t answer that.

Sloane: Operation Waterfront.

A faint groan escapes my lips as I slap a hand on my forehead.

Lucy: I warned you.

You’re forty.

Sloane: And thriving.

Sloane: New question.

Lucy: No.

Sloane: You don’t even know what it is.

Lucy: Experience has taught me that’s irrelevant.

Sloane: Has Ethan mentioned Seattle since he got back?

I stare at the screen longer than I should. The playful energy of the chat vanishes as if a switch was flipped.

Not really.

Sloane: Interesting.

Lucy: Not interesting.

He was tired.

Sloane: Suspicious people are often tired.

Lucy: Everyone is tired.