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an important nugget of information, don’t you think? ‘By the way, I changed my mind about seeing the world with you...’”
    Breath caught in my throat. I did sound mad. Which I wasn’t. “Anyway, I’m not mad anymore. You blindsided me, but that was ages ago.”
    He didn’t look convinced.
    “Now, I’m home for five seconds and you want me to help you beat a murder rap.”
    “I didn’t kill Brady. I need you to believe me.”
    I deflated an inch. I’d squared my shoulders in preparation for his excuses for having left without cluing me in: I was a freak. I had bad breath. He deserved better than an uptight child of hippies. Anything. I’d racked my brain for years trying to make sense of why someone would do that to someone else. But even after I spilled my guts, his only comment was about Brady’s murder.
    Excellent explanation he had there. It wasn’t me. Bet that would hold up in court.
    “Who cares what I think? I just got here.”
    “I care.” With that, he turned on me. The quarters were tight to begin with, but now we were inches apart and face-to-face. Adrian braced his palms against the wall over my head and leaned down toward me. “I care that someone killed Brady and I want to know who did it. It wasn’t me. Help me find out who did this.”
    His pale gray eyes confused and excited me. His steady gaze skewered me to the wall. My mouth opened and closed without a sound. Heat radiated off him, hit me in the chest and ran south. My mind scrambled. What was I doing again?
    “You. You’re supposed to be in jail,” I said. “You don’t get to pick when you go. You just go. It’s the law.”
    “There’s something else going on here. Brady was always kind of a douche, but you should’ve heard him yesterday.”
    “Before or after you beat him up in front of half the town?” My fingers itched at my sides. I balled them into fists to keep from touching him. “Is it hot in here?”
    He straightened and walked into the next room. I followed.
    “That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Brady and I bantered a lot—we weren’t friends, but we weren’t enemies. Then yesterday he went berserk, yelling at me about a pass I missed eight years ago. I don’t even remember what he was talking about.”
    “Uh-huh.” My fingers waded through the giant purse I brought to haul flyers around the island.
    “Now what are you doing?”
    “Looking for my pepper spray.”
    “What? You got tired of hitting me with your computer already?”
    “I can’t afford a new one. I’m unemployed.”
    “The way I hear it, you work for the FBI. That’s amazing. I’m really proud of you.”
    I stamped my foot. “First, I was in HR. They downsized me. Second, you don’t get to be proud of me. You don’t have any claim to me.” Ticking off my fingers, I stopped on the second one and waved the finger between us. “Don’t you forget it.”
    He raised his palms in defense. “You’re right. I’m sorry, but I’m not turning myself in. So, what do you say? Will you help me find Brady’s killer? Clear my name? Think about it—two good deeds in one. You always were a Girl Scout. Can’t pass that up, right? Plus, you see through people. I used to think you could see a liar coming a mile away.”
    “Not all of them.” I lifted my chin an inch.
    “Please? This island has made up its mind about me. They think they know all they need to, but they don’t. I didn’t do this.” His voice grew soft and pleading. “Patience? Please.”
    I hated the power he still had over me. Those eyes. That dimple. Too much history. My resolve softened, and curiosity reared its ugly head. I slid a thumbnail between my teeth, a habit I immediately regretted. Adrian knew I was considering his words. “Where are you staying?”
    “Nope. Not until you promise me you’ll help. You must still have contacts at the FBI. At least talk to people around here. Someone had to have seen something. You’ll be able to learn more doing