Page 46 of The Other Side
“Why did you lie?” I asked.
“Because I didn’t want anyone to know I was a Roberts. And I’ve never gone by Alexander. Chance is my middle name—it’s what everyone has always called me.” He crossed his legs at his ankles. His posture was so casual, it almost made me want to laugh.
“And what about Claire?”
“I’d never even look at a student like that, let alone touch one.” He grimaced at the thought, and his sentiment felt genuine. “She was dating my cousin—Daniel Graham.”
On cue, so many pieces fell into place. And while I didn’t have every single detail figured out, things slowly began to come into focus.
“You came here to try and figure out what happened to him?” I guessed.
“Took quite a bit of money to bribe Jennings to retire early and recommend me for the position,” Chance admitted.
My lips parted in shock.
“But if he’s your cousin, why was he on a scholarship?”
“It’s complicated. My family didn’t know about him for a long time, and because they didn’t like his mother, he doesn’t—didn’t have access to the same things I did.” Chance winced as he corrected his tense. “I only got to know Daniel a couple years ago, but we got close really quickly. And then suddenly he just disappeared off the face of the earth and wouldn’t respond to any type of contact. It wasn’t like him. I don’t care what the police think. I knew something was very wrong.” He leaned forward, running his hands over his face. “Claire was helping me…then whoever got to Daniel found out and took care of her too.”
I blinked. The photos, the laptop, it all made perfect sense then. “Was he working on an article that got him into trouble?”
Chance nodded. “I think so.”
“You’re not a very good detective,” I said indignantly. “I knew from the get-go there was something off with you.”
Chance gave a humorless laugh. “That’s fair—you’re much more perceptive than I ever gave you credit for. I won’t make the same mistake again. Here I thought the only reason you disliked me was because I couldn’t manage to tell you the truth about working here the first night we met.”
“There are a lot of reasons.” I glared at him.
Chance laughed again, this time with a bit more mirth. “I look forward to hearing each and every grievance you have with me.”
I huffed.
“You make it so easy to push your buttons, and you’re adorable while doing so—I can’t help myself.”
“You’re a jerk.”
“Just a shitty detective, like you said. Now will you sit down so I can get you up to speed?”
“You want to work together?” I asked incredulously.
“Yeah.” He shrugged, his brow furrowed as a result of my reaction.
“But I still don’t trust you. And none of what you’ve said explains the stalking.” I hazarded a glance back at the bathroom. I wasn’t nearly satisfied. “What kind of a creep takes pictures like that, Chance?” I demanded.
“Well, before we met, I suspected you might be involved,” he admitted begrudgingly.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I shouted. “I was trying to help! Was the whole thing in the bar a setup!?”
“No, no!” He waved his hands at me. “That was a coincidence. I swear!”
“But you already knew who I was when we met.”
“I knew your name before coming into town, but I didn’t know it was you when I saw that asshole slip something in your drink.” He shook his head. “And then when you told me your name and I realized who you were, I—I was intrigued. I saw it as an opportunity to talk to you without you being suspicious.”
“You let me kiss you,” I growled. “You took advantage of me being drunk.”
His jaw ticked at the accusation. At least he had the decency not to outright deny it.
