Silent Fall

the attack. "Dylan, stop."
    "You want to dig into my life, then I’ll dig into yours." He felt a twinge of regret as pain fluttered through her eyes. He knew he was taking out his frustration and fear on her, but he couldn’t stop himself. She’d brought him to a place he didn’t want to be, and he didn’t know how to get out.
    After a moment Catherine straightened in her chair. She lifted her chin, her eyes refocusing on his. "Nice try. You do know how to go for the jugular, don’t you? But I’m not going to stand in as a punching bag for your mother. So stop attacking me. I didn’t hurt you. She did."
    He let out a sigh. "I’m sorry."
    "You should be." She stood up and took her empty food container to the counter. "Do you know where the trash bags are?"
    It was such a mundane question and an abrupt change of subject, it took him a moment to catch up. "Under the sink, if there are any."
    She pulled out a white plastic bag and opened it, then dumped her container. Crossing the room, she cleared off the rest of the table and set the bag on the floor. "We should remember to take this out before we leave, since no one may come here for a while."
    "Good idea." He paused. "I am sorry. You’re right. I jumped on you, and I shouldn’t have, but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m very curious about your background."
    Something wavered in her eyes. "I never talk about my past, not with anyone."
    "I’m not just anyone," he told her.
    "I know," she admitted. "But right now we have to think about Erica and how to find her." Catherine sat down at the table. "What about Erica’s friends? She might have told one of them something."
    "I’ve been thinking about that. One of the other Metro Club hostesses, Joanna, lived next door to Erica. She was probably the closest to her. Although I’m not sure what happened to their relationship after Erica ratted out Ravino. I know the club kicked Erica out. She may have lost her girlfriends there as well. No one likes a snitch."
    "Erica risked a lot to talk to you," Catherine commented.
    "Because she feared for her life. She thought Ravino could come after her, but in the end I guess she did give up a lot." He was surprised he’d never considered that before. He’d been so intent on getting the story he hadn’t really thought about Erica’s involvement beyond what she could do for him. He’d used her to get to the truth, and the realization left him with a bad taste in his mouth. Maybe there was more of his father in him than he’d realized. That disturbing revelation made him pick up his beer and drain it to the last drop.
    "You didn’t make her talk," Catherine said.
    "Trying to let me off the hook?" he drawled. "Why don’t you say I’m a ruthless, selfish bastard?"
    Catherine smiled. "I don’t have to, because you just did. But whatever the reason, Erica did the right thing by telling the truth. If Senator Ravino killed his wife, then he deserves to pay. And you should be glad you got involved. I’m just wondering if the fallout affected Erica in such a way that she had to go along with this plan to set you up. Someone has to know what she’s been up to the last two months. I think we should talk to Joanna."
    "I agree. We’ll go to Erica’s apartment and kill two birds with one stone."
    Catherine frowned. "It’s a risk, don’t you think? What if the police are watching her place?"
    "Doubtful. Even if they did a drive-by to check on her, they wouldn’t have cause to break in, especially since she’s been gone less than twenty-four hours. I think we have some time. But if you want to stay here, I understand."
    "Are you kidding me? I’m not staying behind. Where you go, I go. Besides, if you’re thinking of knocking on Erica’s neighbor’s door, I might get farther than you. If Erica suffered repercussions from her snitching, I can’t imagine that you would receive a warm reception from anyone who worked for the Metro Club."
    "Good point."
    "Thank you," she said with a smile. "And I have another idea. I think you should wear a disguise. You’re on television. You’re very recognizable, and right now that’s the last thing we want. Do you think your grandmother’s husband left any clothes behind?"
    "I can certainly check," he said, smiling back at her. Catherine was definitely pulling her weight as a partner. He was