“Not a Henry.” She grinned. This was the most fun she’d had in a while. “Snookums?”
Did he just roll his eyes? No. She was imagining things. “Fine. We’ll name you later. For now, let me get back to work.”
He just watched her.
She watched him back. Usually, she talked to herself when trying to figure things out, but what the heck? “I think there’s a killer out there who might want to finish the job his partner started.” It made sense that if she had been Delaney’s target, she’d be his partner’s, as well.
The wolf tilted his head.
She leaned toward him and scratched behind his ears, unable to help herself. His fur was thick and silky. He closed his eyes, and a low rumble of pleasure came from him. “Yeah. I’ve kept off the radar, but I can’t do it forever. It’s easy to find people these days.” She kept petting the wolf. “Unless I’m wrong.”
He opened his blue eyes.
She nodded. “I could be wrong. The killer might not have had a partner, which means that any new cases are the work of a copycat and have nothing to do with me. But a similar case could get me back into the FBI.” She leaned back.
The wolf yawned.
Man, those canines looked sharp. She rubbed her neck. “If I even want to go back to the FBI. It has been my goal, but perhaps I could work out of the Seattle office.” Yet to do so, she needed to get back in and find success. “I don’t want to go back to DC to do this, but it might be the only way.”
The wolf sneezed again.
“Bless you.” She looked down at her myriad notes. “I’m not sure I could leave my mom and aunt.” Then she grinned. “Even if they’re under your watchful gaze.”
He panted again, almost looking like he was grinning.
Well, she had a willing listener. “All right. Let’s talk this through.” She started at the beginning of the case and ran through everything, making more notes as she drew connections between the victims, but coming at the situation from the point of view of Delaney’s submissive partner.
The wolf listened intently as if actually paying attention. In fact, he was the best listener Mia had ever worked with, and when she wound down, the case was clearer in her mind than it had been even a month before. Finally, she gathered all her new notes to put with the others. “I still don’t have an answer, but gut instinct says this isn’t a copycat.” She had no proof of that statement, but she felt it in her bones.
The wolf gave a short nod.
She chuckled. It was as if the animal actually understood. She’d need to buy him treats if he kept coming around. He deserved it. She glanced at her watch and then jolted. Seth would be there in less than thirty minutes. She had to hurry.
Chapter18
Mia borrowed another dress from Gena for dinner—this one a straight, black, backless sheath. She paired it with whimsical red pumps, a pretty golden cross necklace, and simple gold earrings. The shoes were Gena’s and the jewelry Dotty’s. Maybe someday she should go shopping for her own clothing and accessories.
Upon hearing Seth’s truck roll to a stop outside, she hustled through the door and down the walkway to the vehicle. Now was not the time for Seth to meet Gena and Dotty. Never would be a good time. They’d returned from shopping and were putting away their new clothing.
He’d stretched from the truck and met her at the passenger side door. “You look beautiful.”
Maybe. But he looked better. Black slacks encased powerful legs, while a white dress shirt emphasized his strong chest. With his blue eyes and dark hair, he looked like something out of every girl’s fantasy.
“Thank you.” She accepted his hand to step up and into the truck.
He leaned in and brushed his lips over her cheek. “Relax.” The door closed with a soft click.
Okay, so she may be a bit tense. Unclenching her hands on her lap, she visualized her body relaxing from her shoulders to her feet. They were well on the way around the lake road before she finally felt like herself.
She took a deep breath. “Tell me about this restaurant.”
He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, a relaxed smile sliding across his face. “A retired couple from New York opened it. He’s Greek, and she’s Italian. They have the best food in the county.” Seth winked. “And they’re proof that opposites attract.”
Mia fought a snort. “I’d hardly call them opposites.”
“Neither are we.”
Man, this was a bad idea. There was no way she could justify the fancy dinner to herself—her accepting his invitation had nothing to do with the Ruby Redbird case. She needed to ask him to take her home so she could get back to work on the Delaney partner case.
