He picked up the dog, which tucked nicely under his arm, and strode toward the back door. No alarm sounded as he opened the door and moved at a steady, even pace, all the while scratching Charlie’s head. She was wagging her tail by the time they got to his truck. He settled her on blankets he’d arranged on the front passenger seat and quickly started the car. He drove off, glancing in his rearview mirror and catching the reflection of Betty standing at the emergency door, searching for them.

He started to whistle. “I can’t wait for you to meet Leah. She’s gonna love you.”

Charlie looked up at him and wagged her tail. Her pure love and devotion bolstered him like a tonic. “You’re a good girl. And I like you.”

She wagged her tail.

“But you’ve got a job to do, little lady. You’ve got to make Leah fall in love with you.”

She barked, with excitement.

“She’s gotta fall for you, hook, line, and sinker and when she does, then I’m gonna test that love, use that love.” Gently, he rubbed her between the ears, and when he spoke, his tone was gentle. “I’m counting on the fact that she’ll crumble when she sees me holding a knife to your throat.”

The dog edged closer to him, and he allowed her to sit beside him. “Yes, ma’am, you’re gonna work out just fine.”

It took a few phone calls to track down the man who’d last worked with Latimer as a partner. Gary Gilbert was a uniformed officer who, today, had been assigned the East Nashville beat. Alex called his sergeant and arranged to meet the officer in a coffee shop.

When Alex arrived, the officer was sitting in his car outside the shop, the motor running. When he saw Alex he frowned, shut off the engine, and got out.

Alex extended his hand to the man, who reluctantly took it. “Officer Gilbert.”

“Agent Morgan.” Gilbert appeared to be in his late twenties. His build was slim and his hair dark, but his eyes held the wariness of a man who’d seen more than most. “I understand you have questions about Philip Latimer.”

“That’s correct. I was told you were his last partner before he tried to kill his wife.”

Gilbert rested his hands on his hips. “That’s right.”

“What can you tell me about the man?”

“I was a rookie when I was partnered with him. He was good to me.”

“I’m more concerned with how he treated his wife.” Experience kept his tone neutral.

As Gilbert shifted, the leather of his gun belt creaked. “He loved her.”

Alex dropped his voice a notch as he clung to the reins of his anger. “He stabbed her twenty-three times. If you’ve never seen the crime scene photos, I’d be glad to share.”

Gilbert paled. “That’s not necessary.”

“Tell me about Latimer.”

The officer glanced from side to side, clearly wrestling with loyalty to a fellow officer and what needed to be said. “After she left him, he couldn’t stop talking about her. He became obsessed.”

“He stalked her.”

“He never talked about that stuff in front of me, but there were plenty of times he’d call her while we were on a lunch or dinner break. His messages never sounded threatening.”

“What would he say to her?”

“That he was thinking about her. That he loved her.”

“Did you know what he was planning?”

“Shit no.” The words blasted out, as if fired from a gun.

“He gave me the impression they were gonna renew their vows on their anniversary.” He shook his head. “He told me they had a special date planned. He took the night off. Was excited.” The officer met Alex’s gaze, all traces of annoyance gone. “If I’d have known what he was planning, I would have reported him. I met his wife a couple of times, and I liked her. She was nice. How’s she doing?”

“Remarkably well. She’s a vet now.”

That prompted a smile. “She was planning to go to school before he attacked her. I never heard. Glad to know she’s doing well.” He tapped an index finger on his belt. “Why all these questions after all this time? Latimer died in a car accident.”

“That’s what the reports say.”

“What’s that mean?”

“He was a smart guy, from what I’ve gathered.”

“Yeah, real smart.”

“Could he have faked his death?”

Nervous laughter burst from Gilbert. “Yeah, I suppose. Do you think he’s still alive?”

“I have no idea.” He relaxed his stance, shrugging as if he’d tossed a Hail Mary pass. “Just following up on a longshot, crazy idea. I follow all the leads, even the odd ones.”

Gilbert adjusted his hat. “I attended his funeral. A lot of cops did. We all agreed he’d lost his shit that night when he went after his wife, but he’d been a good cop. He’d saved a couple of guys, made clean busts, was well respected on the streets.”

“I never questioned his work as a cop. It was exemplary until his commander threatened him with suspension after Leah Carson filed the restraining order. I’m here about the man, the husband.”

A cold wind blew, making the officer turn away from the chill. “He didn’t have much family. A grandmother and a cousin, and there was Leah and the force. Losing either Leah or both would have been a hell of a blow.”

“And he’d have done anything to keep both.”

After a wary hesitation, he nodded. “Yeah.”

When Leah got out of surgery it was late in the day, and her back ached. It had been a tough surgery she’d assisted with Dr. Nelson. She checked her phone and noted a missed call and voice mail from Alex. She hit Play as she stretched backward and forward. “Leah, I want to talk to you about the case. I have more questions.”

She lowered the phone from her ear and hit Redial, quickly finding herself in his voice mail. “Alex, returning your call. Leah.”

“So, what’re your plans for tonight?” Gail asked.

“After we close up here, I’m headed home. Hot bath.”

“Ordering in?”

“No. I’m not a fan of takeout.”

Gail laughed. “Good Lord, why? I would have starved to death years ago if not for the pizza place near me.”

“I like to cook.” Sort of true, but she really didn’t like having delivery people showing up at her front door. Even if she were expecting them, they were strangers, wearing uniforms and ball caps that hid their faces too easily.

“What’re you cooking?”

“I went to the market on Sunday. I’ll likely make a minestrone soup.” She fished her phone out of her purse and saw that David had texted. WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU. DINNER?

“That isn’t a happy expression,” Gail said.

“Guy I know from a running group wants to talk to me.”

“Think he’s the one who sent the flowers? Maybe his card really meant happy one-month anniversary in the group.”

“No. He didn’t send the flowers. We both knew Deidre, but other than that we’re just acquaintances.”

“You don’t think those flowers are romantic? They were expensive. A guy really likes a girl when he’s willing to spend money on her.”

“I think sending flowers and not signing the card is creepy.” Once, Philip had left a single rose on the driver’s seat of her car. She’d always locked the car, and the flower was his way of telling her he could get to her anytime.

“You gonna text him back?”

“Of course.”

Her fingertips hesitated over the cell phone keys.

“Just say you have surgery tonight.”

Tempted. “What about tomorrow?”

“You’ll be busy then, too. It happens a few times, he’ll get the message to back off.”

“Assuming he’s the kind of guy who operates under normal boundaries.”

Gail cocked her head. “Sounds like experience talking. Your late husband wasn’t a nice guy?”

Leah sighed. “He wasn’t, but you’d never have known it when you first met him. So charming. And then it was either full-on romance or anger. Little in between.”

“Was it terrible for you?”