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go.
    "I’m sorry," he said, then destroyed his own apology by adding, "But you’re not going anywhere. You started this, and you’re not walking out in the middle."
    "I didn’t start anything. Whether I saw you and Erica in a vision has nothing to do with the fact that she approached you last night and allegedly drugged you. She did that on her own."
    "There’s no ‘allegedly’ about it," he said sharply. "It happened, and you need to help me figure out why."
    "I don’t need to do anything."
    "Okay, that wasn’t the right word."
    "Or the right tone," she told him.
    He let out a sigh and tipped his head. "I apologize again. I know you don’t have to help me, but I really wish you would."
    Indecision danced through her eyes. "Is Erica your girlfriend?"
    "Hell, no, she’s not my girlfriend."
    "But you had a relationship."
    "We’ll talk about this later," he said, cutting her off as Deputy Barnes returned. "Are we done?" he asked the officer.
    "Looks like it. I can give you a ride to the lodge now," the deputy said.
    "Thanks anyway, but my friend will drive me back," Dylan said.
    The deputy nodded. "All right. Detective Richardson will get in touch with you later today."
    "I’m sure he will." Dylan blew out a breath as the deputy left. He needed a little time to think, and he finally had it.
    "I’ll take you to the lodge; then you’re on your own," Catherine said.
    "Not so fast," he said as she started down the hall.
    She paused, tapping her foot impatiently. "What now?"
    "I’m hungry."
    "You’re hungry?" she echoed, as if she hadn’t been expecting such a prosaic response.
    "Yes, and I think better after I’ve eaten. Let’s check out the cafeteria."
    She hesitated, a frown crossing her lips. "There’s a restaurant at the lodge."
    "And it will be crawling with cops. I need to catch my breath, get my wits about me. Come on, I’ll treat you."
    "Fine, but after that I’m done."
    "Right." Dylan shrugged back into his coat. As he did so he realized Catherine was staring at his arm. "What’s wrong now?"
    "You’re missing a cuff link," she said, her voice tense.
    He glanced down at his sleeve. "It must have come off."
    "It did," she agreed, meeting his gaze. "In Erica’s cabin."
    "How do you know that?" His gut twisted at the certainty in her eyes.
    "I walked by her cabin on the way to my car. I assume it was her cabin, because there was yellow tape on the door and the police were going through it. Detective Richardson showed me a cufflink and asked me if I recognized it." She paused. "I said I didn’t."
    "You lied?" he asked, surprised by the admission. "Why?"
    "I don’t know," she said with a confused shake of her head. "I shouldn’t have. Don’t you have some friends or family you can call? Surely there were people at the wedding yesterday who would like to help you out."
    "The people at the reception were mostly Jake’s friends, his coworkers. The few family members who were there left last night."
    "Maybe you should call Jake, then."
    "On his honeymoon? I don’t think so. I’ve screwed up a lot of moments in my big brother’s life. This isn’t going to be another one."
    "What about your father?" she asked as they headed down the corridor toward the elevator. "I know you told me your mom left years ago, but couldn’t you ask your father for help?"
    "My father wouldn’t throw water on me if I were on fire," he said. "So it looks like it’s just you and me."
    She frowned. "For breakfast. Then you’re on your own."
    * * *
    Catherine ordered a sizable meal, all healthy items, of course. Her veggie omelet was made of egg whites, accompanied by a bowl of fruit and a cup of green tea, while his pancakes were covered with syrup, and his side of scrambled eggs and bacon was guaranteed to clog his arteries. He topped off his meal with a mug of strong, caffeinated coffee.
    As Dylan ate, the