His careless smile disappeared along with her. “You do that,” he murmured, then began warming the meal his mother had left, still thinking about Susannah.
On the way to his apartment, she’d received a call on her cell phone from Gretchen French, who’d scheduled a press conference for tomorrow afternoon. “You might want to talk to her,” she’d told him when she’d hung up. “She still thinks Kate Davis shot her.”
“You’re sure you want to do this?” he’d asked. “Once you sit with those women in front of a bunch of microphones, there’s no going back.”
She’d gone very still. “Once I stepped on the plane yesterday morning, there was no going back, Luke. I knew that then. I’m all right with this. I’ll do what needs to be done.”
He’d been struck with a respect so profound… And on its heels had come a desire so intense it had taken his breath away. It wasn’t her face, or the quiet elegance of her manner. It was deeper. She was, quite simply, what he’d always been looking for.
Now, standing in his kitchen, he knew it didn’t matter what he’d wanted or what he’d believed he’d found. In front of the ER she’d been shaking like a leaf. Still she clung to him, trusting him. She was here now, trusting him to keep her safe. But until she trusted him with that soul she claimed not to want, nothing else mattered.
He’d put dinner in the oven to warm and was pulling the cork from a bottle of wine when the doorbell rang. Leaving the wine to breathe, he went to the door and looked through the peep hole. And sighed. “Talia,” he said when he’d opened the door.
Talia Scott held the leash of Judge Borenson’s bulldog. “You forgot the dog.”
“I’ve been a little busy.”
Her smile was sympathetic. “I heard what happened at the ER. Sorry.”
He sighed again. “I guess I should ask you in.”
“Oh, thank you,” Talia said dryly. “Such hospitality.”
He opened the door wider. Talia and dog came inside, the dog plopping down on Luke’s feet with an even bigger sigh, and Talia laughed. “Her name is Darlin’.”
He rolled his eyes. “Of course it is. Does she have food?”
Talia pulled a Ziploc bag filled with kibble from her backpack. “Enough to last you till tomorrow. Here’s her leash and bowl.”
“Nobody wanted her?” Luke pressed as she pushed the dog’s things into his arms.
“No. Borenson had hunting dogs the neighbors wanted, but nobody wanted Darlin’. I smell food.” Then she saw the table set with the china. “But you have company. I’ll go.”
She started to leave and he grabbed her jacket. “Susannah Vartanian’s here.”
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
“It’s not what you think. You should stay. Come on in. I’ve got a bottle of wine.”
He went to the kitchen, the dog literally on his heels. Every time he stopped, the dog lay at his feet. Every time he moved, so did she. “I can’t keep her. I’m never home.”
Talia sat at the counter. “Then she goes to the shelter. Then, who knows?”
Luke scowled. “You’re a cruel woman.”
She laughed. “And you’re a sweet man.”
He shook his head. “Don’t let it get around. Did you meet with Mr. Csorka?”
She sobered. “I did. He came with dental records, DNA samples, and pictures of Ashley with her trophies. She’s a swimmer. She’s earned a full college scholarship for next year.”
“It’s been more than twenty-four hours now. They could be anywhere.”
“True, but now we’re broadcasting the face of one of the missing girls to every PD in the Southeast. She’s seventeen for another few weeks, so I set up an Amber alert.” She leaned over, squeezed his hand. “It’s better than we had yesterday.”
“I used your-” Susannah stopped short, damp towels folded neatly in her arms, her gaze fixed on their joined hands. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know anyone else was here.”
Smiling, Talia extended her hand. “I’m Talia Scott. I work with Luke and Daniel.”
Susannah shifted the towels to one arm so that she could shake Talia’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you. You talked to Gretchen French.”
“And all the other victims,” Talia said. “Except you,” she added gently.
Susannah’s cheeks darkened. “I gave my statement to ASA Hathaway.”
“That’s not what I meant. I spoke with all the women, making sure they understood their rights and the resources available to them.”
Susannah’s smile was brittle. “I’m a prosecutor. I know my rights. But thank you.”
“You know how to tell other people their rights,” Talia said, undaunted. “You might not think about them for yourself in the same way. You can call me any time if you’d like to talk.” She held out her card, her easy smile still in place.
Reluctantly Susannah took it. “Gretchen speaks highly of you,” she said quietly. Then she lifted her brows at the bag of kibble on the counter. “Is that dinner?”
Luke looked down at his feet and scowled again. “It’s hers.”
Susannah’s face lit up in a smile that made his chest hurt. “Oh, look.” She dropped to her knees, setting the towels aside, petting the dog’s head. “Is she yours, Talia?”
Talia chuckled and winked at him. “Nope. She’s Luke’s.”
“I don’t like you,” he muttered, and Talia chuckled again.
Then Susannah looked up at him, the smile still on her face. “She’s yours? Really?”
He sighed. “Yeah. I guess so, until I can find her another home. She’s Judge Borenson’s. If he turns up alive, she goes back to Judge Borenson.”
Susannah turned back to the ugly bulldog. “I have a dog. At home in New York.”
“What kind?” Talia asked.
“Sheltie. Her name is Thor.”
Talia laughed. “A sheltie named Thor? That sounds like a story.”
“It is. She’s in the kennel, probably wondering when I’m coming back to get her.” The dog licked Susannah’s face, making her laugh, and the small sound of joy took the pain in his chest and gave it a twist.
“What’s her name?” she asked.
“Darlin’,” he said softly, and she looked up, meeting his eyes.
“That’s nice.” Her smile faltered. “Do you always take in strays, Luke?”
“Not usually,” he said, then, aware that he’d been staring, looked away.
“We’re having wine, Susannah,” Talia said, taking pity on him. “Want some?”
“I don’t drink, but you go ahead. Dinner smells wonderful. Are you staying, Talia?”
“Yes,” Luke said.
“No,” Talia said at the same time. “I have to be getting home.”
“You’re sure you can’t take the dog?” Luke asked under his breath.
“Nope,” Talia said cheerfully. “My roommate said no more when I brought home the fourth one. I think she means it this time. So it’s you or the pound, Luka.” She reached over the counter, patted his cheek. “Just think what joy a dog can add to your home.”
Luke had to laugh at the sparkle in her eyes. “You’re enjoying this.”
“Walk me to the door. It was nice to meet you, Susannah. Call me any time.”
Luke walked Talia to the door, Darlin’ at his heels once more. “What?” he asked.
Talia shook her head, her lips twitching. “Oh, baby, you got it bad. And she’s not Greek. What’s Mama Papa going to say?”
“Who do you think set the damn table?”
“Interesting.” She sobered. “Have Susannah call me if she needs me.”
“She’s just like Daniel,” he murmured. “They both just shove it all back down.”
“I know,” she said. “When do you want to leave for Poplar Bluff?”
“It would be easier to get Kasey Knight’s friends during a school day, but we can’t wait till Monday. Let’s leave right after morning meeting. We’ll be there by eleven.”
“That’s during church.” Talia considered it. “Poplar Bluff’s a small town. Let me contact the minister and see if they go to his church. That might be the best place to catch them after all. I’ll see you tomorrow. Bring me some leftovers, okay?”