Dylan froze.
His eyes widened instantly, shock exploding across his face. "Holy cow," he breathed, completely abandoning professionalism. "How could he?"
Collins chuckled softly, clearly pleased with the reaction. He patted Dylan's shoulder like a proud mentor. "Yes. Yes," he said with amusement. "You're wearing the exact same expression I had when I figured out the case. Even the same curse."
Dylan stared at him, still processing. "Are you absolutely sure?"
Collins' tired eyes somehow managed to sparkle with pride. "Of course I am. A hundred percent, no doubt. The evidence is clear. Painfully clear."
Across from them, Axel remained silent. But the silence was terrifying. He slowly lowered the iPad and placed it on the coffee table.
Axel's gaze lifted again, colder now, sharper, burning with a dangerous intensity that made both Dylan and Collins instinctively straighten.
