Page 72 of Fatal Betrayal

"I'm fine," she said, but he couldn't help noticing that she looked a little unsteady as she walked back to the couch.

He sat down next to her. "Caitlyn brought us a lot of food."

"I'm not hungry. I'm frustrated and pissed off. And I'm stumped as to who would have done this and why."

"What's your gut telling you?"

"Nothing," she said with annoyance. "Which is unusual. I always have some idea, but my brain is empty."

"Maybe because your ears are still ringing. I know mine are. That was close, Andi, too close."

She met his gaze. "I know."

"I feel like it's partly my fault that you were so close to the door."

Her eyebrows shot up. "Why would it be your fault?"

"I kissed you, and you couldn't get away from me fast enough. You didn't want to stay in the house. You wanted to go out front and wait for the truck."

"I wasn't running away from you. I was just impatient to get the delivery and mad that they were going to be late after we raced back to meet them. That bomb wasn't your fault, Cooper. If anything, it was mine. I missed something."

"Like what?"

"Whatever I said or did that got someone thinking I know more than I do," she replied.

"You've talked to a lot of people, but it's not like you accused anyone of anything. You just asked questions."

"And got very few answers." She paused. "I don't think someone followed me home last night or today. I always look in my rearview mirror. It's automatic for me. It's like fastening my seatbelt. I never forget to check for a tail."

Her words reminded him what different lives they led.

"So, someone knew where you lived and wanted to send you a message."

"The car last night was a message. This was more. This was attempted murder."

A shiver ran down his spine. He'd spent most of his adult life talking to criminals, reviewing details of some of the most heinous crimes, but he'd never been a victim. He'd always been a spectator, an analyst, a critical observer. But today, he could have died. And Andi could have died, too. He shook his head in bemusement. "Remember when we were kids, and my mom said that sticking our noses into other people's business could get us into trouble. She was right."

"She was. But to save lives, it's a necessary risk."

"Have you been in danger a lot?" he asked curiously.

"Depends on your definition of a lot."

"That sounds like a yes."

"It's part of the job."

"You always had a hell of a lot of courage, Andi. Even as a kid. When you were determined to right a wrong, you were not going to stop, no matter what obstacles you faced."

"I don't know any other way to be. I just wish I knew what I missed, because I obviously present a danger to someone."

"Maybe Daniel and his friends. They seem the most likely suspects. We know he's connected to the gym, and the car that almost hit us is also connected to the gym. Daniel's drug problems, his inside information on Neil's house…" He shrugged. "He's at the top of my list."

She nodded in agreement. "We need to find him."

"I don't think we're going to do that, at least not tonight. Unless you're planning on bailing on our safe house?"

"I was considering it," she admitted.

---