Page 95 of The Last Close Call

“The way he looked at you when you two were here together.”

Rowan didn’t comment.

“Are you going to try and tell me you haven’t even kissed him?” She studied Rowan’s face. “See? I knew it. So, what’s going on with you two?”

“I don’t know, really. It’s kind of up in the air.”

Dara watched her closely, obviously hoping for more details.

“I like him but... he’s a cop, so he basically lives and breathes his job.”

“Well, then you have something in common. And speaking of, tell Jack I’m still working on the alias for him. I spent some time on it this morning but didn’t get anywhere. But I haven’t given up yet.”

Rowan felt relieved for the change of subject. She popped a chunk of cinnamon roll in her mouth. It was warm and spongy, and the brown sugar melted on her tongue.

“How’s the investigation coming?” Dara asked.

“I don’t know.” She dusted the sugar off her fingers. “All I know is that they’ve shifted focus to San Marcos. Jack and his team have been there since Sunday.”

“Doing what?”

“I’m not sure. I guess subtly flashing Anderson’s picture around? Or staking out the library? I don’t really know. Jack doesn’t exactly share all the details with me.”

Dara’s expression turned serious. “I figured out what this is, you know.”

“What do you mean?”

“I saw it on the news how they’ve linked the West Campus Rapist to that murder in San Antonio. That’s what this is about, right? William Anderson is their suspect?”

“No comment.”

“I can’t believe this is the case you wanted my help with. It’s all over the news! I assume you told Jack about Olivia?”

“No.”

Dara looked surprised. “You didn’t tell him your friend was one of WCR’s first victims?”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Well, isn’t that why you agreed to help him after telling everyone you were done with police work?”

“I don’t know. Probably. But I might have done it anyway. He was pretty determined about getting my help.” Rowan sipped her coffee. “He’s very persuasive when he wants to be.”

“I can imagine. So, are you thinking of going back now?”

“Back?”

“Police investigations. The stuff you were doing before.”

“I’m really busy with my adoption work. My referrals are getting off the ground.”

“Well, do you want to go back to it? Do you miss it?”

“No.”

Dara’s eyebrows arched.

“Well, maybe a little. I miss the helping-detectives part. I don’t miss the stress and pressure of being immersed in violent cases. It’s a lot—especially now.”

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