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“Threats I get—men who look sleazy or something like that—but saviors?”

“Big men who look like they would kick ass for an unknown woman in trouble. Women have a gut instinct for that sort of thing. At least my sisters say they do. Women have to do twice the work to ensure they’re safe compared to us. Driving alone, living alone, running alone—like I said, exhausting and sometimes demoralizing. Which, if you want to hear my theory, is one reason women are so drawn to you. They see you, a big-ass man and protector, and immediately know they’re safe when you’re around.”

“And here I thought it was my money and fame,” he said with a smirk.

“I’m sure that helps.”

“And my huge cock.”

I shook my head and turned at the movement on the second level, finding Detective Savage waving for us to come up.

“You know,” I said as I trailed behind Slade up the stairs, “you have a strange fascination with your cock and people wanting to touch it.”

He chuckled. “Isn’t that a guy thing?”

“Touché.”

All humor vanished the moment we walked into the small apartment. Sitting on a tiny cream love seat, perched on the edge, the woman we came to see glared at us with a defiant look in her hard gaze.

“Ms. Rogers, I’m Special Agent Bend.” I flashed her my credentials, then pointed to Slade, who showed his badge. “And this is Detective Taylor. We wanted to ask you a few questions about an accusation you made several years—”

“So now the police give a shit?” she hissed. “Years have gone by with those two assholes free to do the same thing to others as they did to me.” She stood, wobbling a little. I fought the urge to reach out and steady her. As if feeling my internal debate, she swung a glare my way. “And now that they’re dead, you come asking questions, believing me.”

“Ma’am—” Slade started, but she slashed a hand through the air, cutting him off.

“No, I didn’t do it. I work too many hours to squeeze in the time to murder those bastards. But I sure as hell am glad someone got them. I’ll sleep a little better at night knowing—” Her voice cracked. After clearing her throat, she shot a tentative peek at Detective Savage. “I changed my mind. I won’t answer any of your questions, sorry. You three need to leave.”

With no resistance or complaint, Slade and I hurried back out the way we came. At the bottom of the stairs, we stopped to wait for Detective Savage, who no doubt stayed behind to do damage control.

“Did you catch that?” Slade mumbled under his breath in case anyone was listening.

I nodded. “Yep.”

At least the visit wasn’t a complete waste.

We now knew one of the other murder victims was the additional attacker she’d mentioned in her original statement.

Why else would she say she was glad someone killedthem?

24

RAIN

“And that’s the last of it.” The shopping bag handles slipped from my fingers, tumbling onto the already crowded bed. “I’m ready for a bath and sleep. In-person shopping is exhausting. Ordering everything online is way easier.”

“Exhausting but instant. Now you don’t have to wait for things to be delivered,” Slade said at my back.

I smiled over my shoulder, smothering a laugh at him peering around the tall stack of shoeboxes and searching for space to set them down.

“Did you get something for your court appearance tomorrow?” he asked.

I jerked a thumb toward the closet where a new pantsuit waited inside the black clothing bag. Testifying in court or being called upon as an expert witness was not my favorite aspect of the ME job, but it happened frequently, and having a sharp outfit or two on rotation was a must.

My fingers fumbled through the tissue paper in a Nordstrom bag, searching for my new soft pajamas, when my stomach growled loudly. Looking up through my lashes, I found Slade’s standard scowl directed my way.

“What?”

“Rain. Did you eat lunch?”

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