Page 43 of Trap ’N’ Trace

Kat made a face. “That’s twisted.”

“It is twisted.” Dayne acknowledged Kade, Markus, and Jaime coming in the front door. “They enjoy the pageantry of watching law enforcement at the crime scene. Makes them feel important. Seeing the distress of their victim’s family at the funeral turns them on, gives them a sick rush of excitement.”

“Speaking of which,” Paulson added, “I’ve had a patrol unit watching the Garman Investigations building. So far, no one’s come by except the press.”

“And no one’s been skulking around the Canine Haven,” Dayne added. “There’s a three-man guard unit stationed on the property at all times.”

She touched her fingers to her throat, grateful that the pink marks had all but disappeared.

Marks left by the man who tried to kill me. Donnelly? Or someone else? Someone they had yet to identify? Either way, it was impossible not to keep reliving the moment when she’d nearly died.

The first two nights after the attack, she’d had listless nights with little sleep, waking up and feeling as if she were choking to death. Last night had been her first dreamless night since it had happened.

“Let’s go.” Dayne directed her back into the crowd.

He stopped briefly to introduce her to his supervisors, Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Peters and Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Lydia Barstow. They were about to enter the reception room when someone called his name.

A woman whose face she couldn’t see hugged Dayne, intimately rubbing his back. When the woman pulled away, Kat’s pulse raced. Was this Dayne’s wife? Until that moment, she hadn’t considered that he might be married.

Feeling as if she were spying, she turned away and took a fortifying breath. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that his wife was there, and it shouldn’t bother her so much that she was. Any loving wife would support her husband when his friend or colleague had passed away.

“Kat, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

She turned back just as he wrapped an arm around the woman, tugging her to his side.

Her heart thumped harder. The idea of meeting Dayne’s wife made her anxious. Sucking up the awkwardness, she pasted on her best protocol face.

“Kat, this is Lily.” He gave Lily an affectionate squeeze. “My sister.”

“Your—” Sister?

“Hello.” Lily held out her hand. Numbly, Kat shook it.

Dayne’s sister was beautiful, with dark brown, almond-shaped eyes set against the most perfect ebony skin she’d ever seen. Her African heritage was obvious, but it was her genuine smile that had Kat forming an instant liking for her.

“I’m—”

“Katrina Vandenburg,” Lily cut her off. “I’ve seen you on TV and in the social pages. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“You, too.” She smiled back—a genuine one, this time.

“I can’t stay,” Lily said. “I have to get back to the shop, but I wanted to be here for you.” She looped her long, graceful arms around Dayne’s neck then pressed her lips to his cheek.

“Thanks for coming, Lil,” he said.

Lily cast a quick glance at Kat. “Can you make it to Mom and Dad’s tomorrow night?”

“I’ll do my best,” he promised.

“Try.” She pointed an admonishing finger at him then left.

“She seems very nice,” Kat said.

“She’s the best.” His voice held a warmth she’d never heard before. “C’mon. We’re not waiting in this line.”

He led her to the front of the receiving line, politely excusing himself along the way for cutting in front of everyone. Near the casket, which was closed, stood a man with graying hair, his face haggard and his eyes red-rimmed. Rebecca’s husband, she assumed. Beside him stood two younger couples in their twenties. One of the women held the hand of a little girl of about six, with the prettiest head of blond curls Kat had ever seen.

Dayne swung the child into his arms, twirling her around before kissing her on the cheek. “Hiya, Suzie.”