Bullshit, Joel thinks, and though he doesn’t say it, it’s plain on his face. Ellie’s a bad liar, but it’s Tess that sends others to cover for her. He stays right where he is, waiting.

It’s difficult to not be paranoid sometimes, especially when Ellie turns on a dime.

She’s been so quiet with him lately.

“You go on to the kitchen, then,” he says, lifting his hand from the railing so she can pass. “I’ll creep up there real quiet, get what I need, and come back down.”