Page 11 of Deadly Sins: Envy

“For what?” Dale asked.

“Your narcissism.”

“You and your labels,” Dale said. “If I’m a narcissist, what are you?”

Coop looked at me and gestured toward the door.

I followed him outside.

“I can’t sit around here doing nothing,” Coop said.

It was also clear he couldn’t tolerate his brother unless it was in small doses.

“Why don’t we talk to the boyfriend?” I said.

Coop shook his head. “You heard Murphy. We can’t jeopardize our relationship with the police.”

“You’re used to doing things by the book,” I said.” The way I operate is a lot different.”

“You never seem to have a problem breaking the rules.”

“I’d like to think I bend them rather than break them. I’m good at what I do. What if I go to the hospital myself? If I get caught, I’ll say it was my idea and you had nothing to do with it.”

He paused and then said, “I need to think on it.”

“Come on, Coop. You saved my life once. Let me help you save hers.”

CHAPTER 5

“I can’t risk going against Murphy before tonight plays out,” Coop said. “If it goes sideways, I’ll consider it. For now, we’re playing it safe.”

I’d hoped for a different response but didn’t really think I’d get it.

“All right,” I said. “We won’t go to the hospital. Murphy never said we couldn’t talk to the other member of her band.”

“I’m sure he would have if we asked.”

“He didn’t, though. What harm would it be to ask her a few questions?”

Alfred walked outside and stood between us. “Heard your conversation. Window’s open. If you sit here doing nothing, you’ll get more wound up than you already are, son. Go see what you can find out.”

Coop hesitated and then nodded. “You’re right. I can’t stay here. Sloane, let’s go.”

We got in the car and drove in silence for a time before my curiosity got the best of me. “What did you do to upset Gran?”

He shrugged. “I dunno. Maybe you should ask her.”

He knew what he’d done.

I could tell.

I had a sneaking suspicion it had to do with me.

“I take it you’re not close to your brother,” I said.

“We’ve never been close. But I’ve been in Willow’s life ever since she was born. I call her almost every week to check in.”

“We’ll find her.”