The memory of the other time he’d heard that same question asked of his mother set all his mental alarms off. Had Zeddied?
Rafe put a bracing arm around Ahri’s shoulders just in time. She jerked and her knees gave out. He eased her to the ground, and she buried her face in her raised knees. Dropping beside her, he picked up the phone and made sure the call hadn’t been disconnected. He put it on speaker.
“My name’s Rafe Davis. I’m a family friend.”
“This is Officer Warwick of the Phoenix Police Department. I’m afraid I have bad news. Mr. Meisner’s body was found yesterday.”
Just what he’d been afraid of. “Do you think it was foul play?” Rafe asked.
“It appears likely.”
Beside him, Ahri stirred.
“Is Mrs. Meisner in any danger?” Rafe asked, and she straightened.
“Possibly,” the officer said. “It’d be wise to assume she is, as a precaution.”
“I’min danger?” she asked, her voice soft.
“He said it’s just a precaution.” Rafe didn’t want to treat her like a child, but he didn’t want to overwhelm her either.
“Yes, just a precaution,” Officer Warwick agreed.
“You’re aware she left the state to stay with her brother after the break-in.”
“Yes, she informed us.”
“I’ll have my head of security get in touch with you.” Rafe waited for the inevitable question.
“Your head of security?”
“I own a business in the state where she’s staying.” Rafe didn’t know why his gut told him to play it close about Ahri’s whereabouts. Maybe he’d seen too many movies where the local police had a leak. Regardless, he didn’t think it necessary to offer information that might put her in danger. “Here’s my number. My guy’s name is Bill Ryze, and you’ll be hearing from him.”
“I’ll look forward to his call.” Warwick disconnected the call.
Rafe put down the phone, not sure what to say. He forced his shoulder muscles to relax because they’d started to cramp. He wanted to offer her comfort, support.Something. And Kayn needed to know.
Before Rafe could reach for his phone, Ahri leaned her head against his shoulder. He put his arms around her again, and she turned into his chest, crying at last. He held her, feeling helpless. Weren’t there some magical words out there that would help ease her pain? He remembered all the platitudes people had said to him and his mother after his father’s death.
Ahri’s husband had beenmurdered. Had whoever’d done thatgotten what they needed from the apartment, or had the neighbor interrupted the search before they found it? Could she really be in danger now?
“Please tell me this is a nightmare.” She straightened, wiping her eyes.
“I wish I could.” Rafe brushed aside a strand of hair from her cheek.
“I just don’t understand. Why would anyone kill a lowly CPA?” Ahri looked up into the sky like she was seeking help from the heavens. “He keptbooks, for heaven’s sake.”
“I know. If he had a gambling debt—youdidsay you were worried about that, didn’t you?” When she nodded, he said, “It wouldn’t make sense to kill him.”
Ahri nodded and rubbed her temples, a crease between her brows.
“We need to let Kayn and Bill know about this.” Rafe dialed the number, the phone still on speaker.
“I was about to call you,” Ryze said without a greeting.
“I’m at my mother’s with Ahri.” Rafe explained about the call from the police.
Bill swore softly. “That makes my news even worse.”
