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The cameras were rolling as Browne opened my door, took my arm, and helped me from the vehicle. I flinched at the touch of his fingers. He had no idea how hard what he was asking was for me. It was what Christian had said he wanted—a weak, lean-on-me female. But only after he’d broken everything inside her that made life worth living.

Browne stood close, blocking me from the camera view. “At least act like you’re happy to be with me. You know how to do that, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I know how to act.”

The questions started flying. “Miss Dale, do you believe Christian Salyer is still alive? Did he kill Angelina Clark?”

I pasted on a smile before turning to answer the question. “No, I believe Salyer is dead.”

Another microphone was shoved in my face. “Do you believe the current murder impacts on his innocence?”

“Gabriel and I believe we have a lead on the killer for Angelina’s murder. The person tried to be a copycat but overplayed his hand. Salyer’s work was never as professional or artistic as this killer. In fact, this guy makes Salyer look like an amateur artist.”

A pretty blonde pushed her way to the front. “Is there something going on between you and Detective Browne? How long have you known each other?”

Danger. The word echoed inside my head as I met the blonde’s gaze. My back stiffened. The media had been vicious after Christian’s death. Even after Max’s testimony, a few had continued. I took an immediate dislike to the blonde and her haughty attitude. She wasn’t interested in Christian Salyer’s guilt or innocence. She was only interested in destroying me. She wanted a story, so I would give her one.

I gave one of those silly laughs I’d always hated, the high-pitched, squeaky kind that grated on my nerves. It was the kind of laugh I suspect the blonde would have made if asked the same question. “It doesn’t take long to know a real man when you see one, honey.” I sent a dazzling smile Browne’s way. “We’re friends with benefits.”

“Hate to cut this short, guys, but Dakota and I have a lot of work to do before the day is over.” The glance he gave me was heated. He seized my arm above the elbow as he turned us back to the vehicle. “We’ll be happy to do a full press conference once the killer is behind bars.”

The reporters continued to hurl questions as Browne opened the door, pushed me inside none too gently, and rushed around to hop in his seat.

“What’s your problem? We wanted to flush Salyer out. The easiest way to do that is to humiliate him and make him believe I’m interested in someone else, giving them what I refused to give him.”

He started the car and sped off, sending dirt and gravel flying. “Are you deliberately trying to get someone killed?” He slammed a fist on the wheel. “What do you think Salyer is going to do if he sees that news conference?”

I shrugged, not quite understanding his issue. “If Salyer is behind this and takes the bait, then James Day will wind up dead. Amanda won’t ever have to know what a complete idiot she was. She also won’t have to live the rest of her life with the knowledge and guilt that she’s responsible for her sister’s death. If we watch Day, we can catch Salyer when he shows up.”

Gabriel slammed on the brakes and pulled to the side of the road. The eyes he turned on me were glittering with rage. “That’s only one scenario, Dale. You’d better hope he takes it. Otherwise, he’s going to come after you or me or, God forbid, take his anger out on that poor girl he kidnapped.”

“You made me angry, Dakota. You shouldn’t have done that.”

A trembling started in my feet and worked its way up one inch at a time until it reached my lips. “I have to find her.”

6

I cringed as the door was flung open. Each time he’d entered, I’d gone through a new hell. My stomach somersaulted as he pushed the metal stretcher in front of him. “This is why you should never make me angry, love. I do such horrible things when you make me angry.”

The contortions of her face told me the pain she’d suffered. “Please, Christian, take it away.”

“Sorry, darling. I have to go out for a while. Might be gone a day or so.” He patted the bloody head. “I didn’t want you to get lonely. The lovely Simone will keep you company while I’m gone.”

“I’ll have the information on the missing girl dropped off.” Browne parked behind our van. We’d finished the drive in silence. Instead of returning to the police station, he’d taken me back to the house.

“You’re wrong, you know. I do get angry. I try to control it because… I always screw up. I don’t really want James Day killed.”

“I’ll put surveillance on him.” Browne took a deep breath. “And I’m sorry about what I said. It was my idea to use you to flush out Salyer. I screw up when I get mad too.”

“You were right. If Salyer has the missing girl, he’ll torture her anyway, but because of what I said, she’ll suffer more. Unless we find her, that suffering is on me.” The inability to cry didn’t stop the pain behind my eyes. I felt every tear as it flowed backward into the river gathering below. Someday, a flood would come, and I would drown in the aftermath. “Max is really good at uncovering information. We’ll let you know if we find anything.” My hand closed around the door handle.

“Don’t go out without letting me know where you’re going.”

Before Salyer, his statement would have angered me. I could take it two ways: he was ordering me not to go out without his knowledge, or he wanted to know where I was because he was afraid something would happen to me. His face was unreadable. I chose to believe he’d said it because he was concerned for my welfare. “I don’t plan on going out. If I change my mind, I’ll call you.”

I didn’t look back as I made my way up the walk. I needed Max and a good stiff drink. Even Gabriel’s cigarettes held a certain appeal. He’d called them vices, but in truth, they were crutches—things we used to prop us up for one more day.

“I’m in the dining room,” Max called as I closed the front door. His voice was my sanity, and I drifted toward him like a moth to the flame.

“Only place I could find that held all my equipment.” He took one look at my face and understood. “Sit down. I’ll pour you a drink.”

“Bring the bottle.”

Max returned with two glasses, a pitcher of ice, and a fresh bottle of bourbon. “You’re not going out again, right?” He filled a glass with ice and topped it off. “Because otherwise, this is all you’re getting.”

I downed half the glass. “I think I’ve done enough damage for one day.”

He refilled the glass, poured a drink for himself, and sipped it slowly. “Tell me about it.”

I finished the second glass as I recited the events of the day. “Browne said he’d have someone drop off the information on the missing girl. That has to be our priority, Max. We have to find her.” I reached for the bottle.