Whitney.

What did she want? After her futile search for Lexi, they had driven home in silence. There was no need for words. Her eyes reflected a deep, inconsolable grief. It was impossible to gaze into those green eyes and not be touched.

As attracted as he was to Whitney, Adam refused to be drawn into this any more than he already had been. He’d convinced himself he possessed the good sense to realize Whitney was still emotionally attached to her ex-husband.

Adam did not want any more trouble. He’d spent the last hour sorting through his uncle’s papers. He needed to keep his focus on investigating Calvin Hunter’s death. Let Whitney attend to her own problems.

He was half tempted to let the machine pick up the call but he’d told Whitney to phone him immediately if anything happened. From the cottage she could see that his lights were on and would know he was still up.

“What’s happening?” he asked as Jasper leaped up onto his lap.

“Good news,” she cried, the sound of tears in her voice. “A jogger found Lexi.”

“At this hour?”

“Yes. He’s bringing her home right away.”

“That’s great. I’ll be right down-”

“Don’t bother. You’ve done enough.” There was a slight pause. “I’m sorry for imposing on you. Thanks so much for all your help. Good night.”

She hung up before Adam could respond. He stared at the receiver for a moment, relieved but still bothered by the late-night reappearance of the retriever. His police training made him question the situation even more. Kicking himself for not minding his own business, Adam trudged out of the house and down the path to the cottage that had once belonged to a full-time gardener. Jasper scampered along beside him.

Whitney must have heard his footsteps on the wooden porch. She flung open the door before he could knock. Her happy smile evaporated as soon as she saw who it was.

“Oh, I was hoping it was the guy who found Lexi.”

Adam stepped inside with Jasper underfoot. He nearly stumbled over the little dog who’d become his constant companion. “I didn’t want you meeting some strange man so late at night. There are all kinds of people around. It’s good to be cautious.”

The crunch of tires on the gravel driveway made Whitney charge by him. Adam followed a few steps behind her. A tall guy in a blue T-shirt and khaki pants got out of a Camry that had seen better days. He had sun-streaked blond hair and a bronze body. His biceps said he could snap a man’s neck like a toothpick.

“Lexi!” Whitney raced toward the car as the man opened the back door and a Golden retriever jumped out.

The dog tugged on the leash and whirled in a circle, barking. Whitney dropped to her knees, arms outstretched, and the dog lathered her with kisses. Tears of happiness streamed down her face.

The guy flexed his powerful shoulders, his version of a shrug, and grinned at Adam. “I guess it’s her dog, all right.”

“Looks like.” Adam stepped off the porch, still a little suspicious. He tried for his good-old-boy tone, the one he’d once used to put potential criminals at ease when questioning them. “Where’d you find her?”

“Down on Memorial Drive. I was out for a run and noticed her in the bushes.”

“A little late to be running, isn’t it?”

The buffed-out guy smiled, revealing California-white teeth. “I was helping out a buddy at Boomerang’s, bouncing kids with phony IDs.”

Adam remembered the place from his days on the police force. It was a punk hangout that had been busted numerous times for serving liquor to minors. As much drug dealing went on in the joint as it did over the border in Tijuana.

“I was kinda keyed up, so I went for a run on my way home. Spotted the dog, then she started following me. I checked her tags, then called the number.”

Whitney wouldn’t let go of the retriever. Her tears had stopped but her voice was still shaky. “Thanks so much. I’ve been out of my mind worried.” She unhooked the leash attached to Lexi’s collar. “I’m Whitney Fo-Marshall.”

“Preston Block.”

“Adam Hunter,” he said. “I’m Whitney’s friend. I live right there.” He gestured toward the house on the rise behind them. For reasons he didn’t have time to analyze, he wanted this guy to know he lived nearby.

Block pointed at Jasper. “Is that eyesore a dog?”

It took Adam a second to realize the jerk had insulted Jasper. He stepped forward, ready to cut loose with a smart comeback. He had to admit Jasper wasn’t winning any beauty awards, but the little dog belonged to him now.

Whitney came to Jasper’s defense. “Jasper’s a Chinese crested. He happens to be the international champion.”

Don’t say he’s worth a fortune, Adam silently cautioned. We don’t want another dog to disappear.

“Really?” Block responded with a smile. “Coulda fooled me.”

Adam battled the urge to whack him. Who was he to criticize Jasper?

“Let me give you a reward for returning my dog,” Whitney offered, standing up. “You have no idea how grateful I am.”

Good move, Adam thought. Block must have recognized the address on the tag as one of the more upscale neighborhoods and expected some money. That had to be the reason he was so anxious to return the dog in the middle of the night.

Block shook his head. “Nah. I don’t want a reward. I’m just glad I could help. I know if my dog wandered off, I’d be outta my friggin’ head.”

There you go. What a sweetheart of a guy.

“What kind of dog do you have?” Whitney asked.

“I don’t have one right now. I’m in an apartment, but I grew up with German shepherds. I’m getting one as soon as I can.”

“German shepherds are great,” Whitney said, stroking her own dog’s head. “I’d better feed Lexi. She missed dinner.”

“I’m outta here,” Block said.

“Goodbye. Thanks again. I’m really grateful.”

From the other side of the car, Adam watched as Whitney gave Block a grateful hug and thanked him yet again for returning her dog. Lexi followed Whitney up the steps toward the door of the cottage.

Adam kept his voice low, asking, “Do you always keep a leash in your car?”

Block had his body half in the door of his car-a tight wedge, considering his size. “Nah.” He held up the leash. “I picked this up along with a Red Bull at the Stop ’N Go on Harborside. I thought I might have to walk her around for a while. There’s an old biddy in our complex. Goes ballistic if she even sees a dog visiting.”

“Gotcha. Some folks aren’t dog friendly.” Adam turned toward the cottage, Jasper at his feet. Whitney had already taken Lexi inside. “Thanks again for your help.”

“No problem,” the man said through the open window.

Adam watched Block back down the driveway. He had returned Lexi on a cheap nylon leash, the kind a minimart would sell, but something nagged at Adam. He wasn’t sure what was bothering him. The guy seemed to be telling the truth. Adam noticed the Camry had a California plate and memorized the number.