Page 133 of The Dollmaker

“I can promise you, she’d not have wanted this for you. She adored you.”

“I can’t make any promises about our future until I catch this killer. I understand myself well enough to know I won’t be much better of a person than I was a year ago.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do.”

God, but she loved this man. She’d told him often enough when they’d first married, but he’d seemed to brush her words aside. Leaving for Southeast Asia had been a last-ditch effort to get him to react, and when he hadn’t, she left. Now Tessa was back, trying to hold them together.

“God hates quitters, Agent Sharp.”

That prompted a half smile.

She took his hands in hers, half expecting him to pull away, but he did not. “You’ve taken a lot of bad people off the streets. You’ve given so many families closure.”

“What’s the saying? The cobbler’s wife has no shoes. He can do for others, but he can’t do for himself or his family.”

“You’re getting closer to this killer, Dakota. You’ll catch him.”

“It’s not coming together fast enough. Especially if you’re next on his list.”

“What about the boy who delivered the drugs? You’re nearly certain the drugs came from Dr.Bailey’s office.” The clean scent of soap mingled with his scent, and for the first time in a while, no traces of cigarette smoke.

“The office manager is still not talking, but I’m going to press her hard today. She’s coming back to the station with her attorney.”

“You can be a pretty scary guy.”

He traced his thumb over the back of her hand. His touch was so soft and gentle, it would be easy to convince herself he’d not touched her. “I don’t want you to ever be scared of me.”

She smiled. “I’m not.”

“Good.”

She squeezed his hand. “What about Veronica Hayes?”

“Veronica is working with the sketch artist, and we’re expecting an image soon.”

“Let’s hope she remembers enough for a good sketch.”

“Yeah.”

Her office phone rang and she glanced at the display, annoyed. She pressed the speakerphone. “Dr.McGowan.”

“Carol Knox is returning your call. Line two.”

She glanced up at Dakota. “Thanks, Sarah.” She ended that call and explained to him, “Carol Knox is the chief’s daughter. His ex-wife died six years ago.”

His demeanor chilled in a blink. “I’d like to talk to her.”

“Sure.” She picked up line two. “Ms.Knox, this is Dr.Tessa McGowan, with the Virginia Medical Examiner’s Office.”

“It’s about my father, isn’t it?” Her voice sounded sad, resigned.

“Yes, it is. I’m sorry to say he passed away yesterday.”

“How?”

“We’re still trying to determine that. Do you mind if I put you on speakerphone, Ms.Knox? I have Agent Dakota Sharp with the Virginia State Police with me, and he’d like to ask you some questions.”

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