Page 47 of Five for Silver

He avoided her gaze. “I know that, but evenso, he put a stop to Marc hurting me. I wouldn’t be here now if itwasn’t for him. Coincidence or not, he did save me, in the physicalsense at least.”

“Not in the psychological sense?”

“I’m still,” he tilted his hand, “notexactly on stable ground, but I know for certain I didn’t get anykind of sick pleasure from what Marc did to me.”

“Was she angry?”

“Huh?”

Keeley leaned forward and looked into hiseyes. “The argument—was Ally angry?”

Chad nodded. “Yeah, she was mad. She didn’twant me to be involved in finding Harriet.”

“People say things they don’t mean whenthey’re angry. They lash out, especially when they’re scared orthey’re concerned.”

Chad took a deep breath. “She replied to mymessage and told me not to contact her until this case is over.” Hebit his lip. “She’s cut me off.”

Keeley averted her gaze, and that hit Chadhard. They didn’t speak. The audio track changed from a gentle seato the patter of rain.

“Not all friendships last.” Keeleywhispered.

His mind went back to Gareth, once his bestfriend. They hadn’t spoken in almost three years. They’d been closeonce. A long time ago. Close enough for Chad to ask him to be hisbest man.

“I know.”

“And sometimes it’s better to let go ofthese friendships, let go of that reliance, and that safety net,especially when they become detrimental to our health.”

“I don’t want to let go of Ally. She’s goodfor me. I need her.”

“I know how much you value yourfriendship—”

His thoughts trailed off as a damningrealization took over. “Wait…”

“What is it?”

“She wants to let go of me.” Chad’s eyebrowsscrunched together. His heart thumped. He glanced at Keeley forhelp. “I’m the one who’s detrimental. That’s what you mean, isn’tit? Ally needs to letmego for her to be happy.”

“That is not what I said. She hasn’t closedthe door on you. She specified while you’re involved with Vincentshe wants no contact, but after—”

“What if she realizes she’s better offwithout me?”

“The best thing you can do is give Ally somespace and concentrate on your other relationships. With Frank, andJosh.”

He nodded, somberly. “I’m seeing Josh afterour session.”

Keeley smiled. “No doubt he wants to meetMerc.”

“Yeah,” Chad laughed softly. “He’s beentexting me every day for pictures of him.”

Keeley stood up and stepped across the roomto the kettle. “Do you think you’ve made him dog broody?”

“One hundred percent. I’m half convincedhe’s going to stage a kidnapping at the park and take Merc homewith him.”

Chad fiddled with his fingers.

“What is it?” Keeley asked.

“There’s something else Ally said that’sbeen on my mind.”

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