JUNE 5          

DAKOTA

It was pouring rain.

The windshield wipers of my old Mercedes-Benz were a blur of black as they whipped back and forth across the glass on the highest setting, but I still could barely see through the downpour. You'd think that after essentially spending my entire 18 years of life in Washington that I'd be used to the notoriously dreary and chilly month of June, but I wasn't. It still succeeded in pissing me off.

For starters, the rain ruined my hair. The dark curls had a mind of their own, and absentmindedly raking a hand through it wouldn't make them look any less unruly. The rain also tended to amplify my stormier emotions, especially now when the sky seemed to be crying.

Sighing, I regretted not appreciating the predictability of the weather in Los Angeles. The sight of the sun made the bad days a little better. But Washington's weather wasn't the only thing that was pissing me off, though. It didn't even start to scratch the surface. I might've written a mystery for television, but I'd never had any interest in solving real ones. Until now, apparently.

My conversation with Mike Bennett had cast a new dark shadow over Apex and my bond with Conrad Kane. In a perfect world, I would confront Conrad, but there was something sinister in the water and I didn't want to make any waves. After all, the main reason why I chose to partner with Conrad was because I trusted him. Vague accusations and rumors weren't enough of a reason to justify straining our relationship. Not yet, at least.

There were several parts to this mystery that I was missing, but understanding the individual parts wasn't enough. They couldn't exist independently. The whole was greater than the sum of the parts.

That was one of the reasons why I had decided that it was time to uncover Allix McGovern's obscure role in all of this. Allix was notoriously good at keeping her guard up, but I spent my days surrounded by quality actors and actresses. I could spot an act when I saw one, so I considered the playing field to be pretty damn even.

By the time I pulled into the McGovern's driveway, it was a little after ten o'clock. I killed the engine, the windshield wipers freezing in the middle. After taking a moment to absorb the melodic continuity of the nighttime rainfall, I hopped out of the car and braved the downpour.

Allix was already standing out on the covered front porch, having acknowledged my intentionally vague text with one of her own. Her blue eyes drilled into mine, concealing whatever concern or lack thereof she had for our situation.

"I usually don't show up places unannounced, but I needed to talk to you," I said, scaling the steps and leaving a comfortable distance between us.

"I don't mind," Allix replied, toying with a loose string on the sleeve of her oversized gray cardigan. The fabric hung off the sharp angles of her shoulders. "Is everything okay?"

"That's what I'm trying to figure out," I admitted and hesitated for a beat. I knew this conversation would disrupt the balance in our relationship, but dodging the question wouldn't get me anywhere. I didn't have another option, another avenue to pursue. "What do you know about Conrad Kane's personal life?"

If I caught Allix off-guard, she didn't show it. Even with the porch lights illuminating her sharp features in soft golden hues, the mask she appeared to be wearing this summer was icier than ever.

"You're asking the wrong person," she answered flatly.

"Really? I don't think I am."

Allix's mask cracked. Her jaw locked in a show of annoyance, something she rarely directed at me. But it was an indication that I was closing in on an explanation for her recent behavior.

"Look, Dakota," Allix sighed, folding her arms. "I don't know why you think I'm lying when I know absolutely nothing about Conrad. I've never even met the guy."

"I never said anything about thinking that you're lying," I pressed and braced myself for verbal impact.

Allix's shoulders tensed, a movement that triggered her collar bones to protrude even more than usual. "You didn't need to say anything. What's your problem?"

Screw it, I decided.

Allix was already inside my head, so I might as well say what I exactly mean.

"You know what? You're right. I do think you're lying." Allix's eyes briefly darted away from me as the rain picked up - falling in blinding sheets. The noise hid the sound of my blood boiling. "That's the problem. Since when did you go out of your way to lie to my face?"

"Since when?" Allix echoed, her voice cold and accusatory. "How can you stand here, look me in the eye, and accuse me of lying when you're responsible for putting me in this position? Because, and correct me if I'm wrong, you were the one to call me when that orca washed up at the cove. I didn't ask to be involved in any of this, but here I am, helping you and too many other people out like a guardian angel."

"Allix, that's not what-"

"So, I really don't owe you an explanation," she interrupted.

I sighed.

Allix glared.

The rain kept on falling.

"This isn't about owing each other anything," I said eventually, trying to take the defensive edge out of my tone. "I just thought you knew you could trust me."

Allix expelled a bitter laugh. "It's funny how these things happen sometimes. We think we're the exception to the rule until someone has to tell us that we aren't."

Then she slammed the door in my face.

I remained exactly where I stood, frozen and partially stunned. Before I could start to regret coming here in the first place, I shut the emotion down. There was nothing to be gained by clinging to regret, and it didn't suit me. Not anymore.

Just as I turned to leave, the front door swung open, and blue eyes flashed in my peripheral vision. There was a split second in which I thought Allix had returned, but the girl now standing in front of me was taller with softer facial features.

"That didn't sound productive," Rowena McGovern informed me as she closed the door softly behind her.

"At least we put on a good show," I replied, noting that while Rowena's eyes were a lighter shade of blue than Allix's, they were equally intense.

"She's in a mood," Rowena explained but then paused. "And honestly, so are you. A lot is going on for both of you, so I'm sure you know not to take it too personally."

I scoffed. "Yeah. Because that justifies everything."

"Has anyone told you just how self-absorbed you've been lately?" Rowena demanded with a pointed look. "When was the last time you actually showed up somewhere for Allix? Hell, where were you on New Year's Eve when she needed a friend?"

Her last few words knocked the wind right out of my lungs. New Year's Eve was the last time anyone saw Allix before she allegedly jetted off to Ireland. It was also when everything fell apart with Maud, so I wasn't exactly free to dive into the volatile ocean of somebody else's personal problems.

At least that was what I kept telling myself. Allix was hiding something, that was obvious, but I never wanted to pry into that sector of her private life.

Denial was an intoxicating religion.

I swallowed hard. "Allix never..."

"Asked for help?" Rowena supplied, her voice suddenly a harsh whisper. "We're talking about Allix McGovern, aren't we? Asking for help is her definition of failure. You can't expect her to simply tell you, especially when it's sensitive."

"I'm not a mind reader," I dryly told her. "How am I supposed to help-"

"Don't try and write yourself in as a savior," she interrupted. "That's not what she needs."

"Then what does she need?"

My question summoned a small smile to Rowena's lips. In fact, she appeared pretty damn pleased with herself.

"Figure it out for yourself, Dakota," she instructed, before slipping back inside with the front door shutting and then locking with a soft click.

I didn't stay a second longer. I was halfway to my car when the rain abruptly stopped as if it was only an illusion manipulated by fans and low lighting.

As if it was all just an act.