"I'm strong," she said again, "and I want in on this investigation."
It took a moment for her words to register. Then he could only blink and shake his head. "What?"
She pulled her ID out of the small bag that was slung over her shoulder. She advanced toward him and her scent-soft, vanilla-wrapped around Tucker, reminding him of things he should forget. Of things he had no business remembering right then. "I'm a PI now. A damn good one. I know this city, I know the people here and I want in on the investigation."
He glanced at her ID, but he'd already known she was a PI. He'd researched her... He'd peeked into her life many times over the years. He'd always thought that, one day, he'd check up on her and discover that she was married. That she had a family. That she was happy.
///
He'd both longed for her happiness and feared it. Because I couldn't imagine her with anyone else.
"I want in," Dawn said again, her expression determined.
Tucker shook his head. "It's a preliminary investigation. And right now, the local authorities are handling things. We're here in a backup capacity, just in town long enough to prove that the killer isn't Jason Frost...and to assist the NOPD in finding the man who murdered that victim."
Her delicate jaw hardened. "What makes you so sure?"
He didn't understand her question.
She took another step toward him even as she shoved her ID back into her bag. "They didn't find his body. His body was never found."
He could hear the drumming of his heartbeat. That dull thud seemed to shake his eardrums.
"What makes you so sure this isn't Jason? Your partner was talking about a copycat, talking about some guy who might just be taking advantage of Jason's MO..." Another step toward him.
Tucker locked down his muscles, refusing to move so much as an inch.
"Tell me, Tucker. The truth. Why don't you think it could be Jason?"
He couldn't believe she was saying this to him. "Because he's dead, Dawn. Jason Frost is dead." The idea that she still thought his brother might be hunting-
Oh, Dawn. I am so sorry. So sorry for the pain he is still bringing you.
"No body, no proof." Her stare was unflinching.
She was absolutely serious. "You think my brother is still alive?" He reached out and his hands curled around her shoulders. She stiffened and immediately pulled away.
He let go. Just like he always did.
"No, Dawn." He made his voice flat with an effort. "I shot him that day. I killed him. He is gone."
"I thought so, too, but..." Her lips parted, as if she'd say more.
A knock sounded on the door. "Tucker..." Macey's voice drifted through the closed door. "The coroner just called. She wants to see us."
"Let me work this case with you," Dawn said. Her voice was almost pleading. He hated for her to plead. Dawn should never have to beg anyone for anything.
But Tucker shook his head. "This case could be about to end with the coroner's report."
Her eyes turned to angry slits. "I don't like being shut out."
There was no choice that he could see right then. He couldn't pull her in, not with the local cops running the show.
She spun on her heel and yanked open the door. Macey hurriedly stepped aside.
"Dawn!" He couldn't let her go like this. God, I missed her. So fucking much.
She paused.
"After I meet with the coroner, I want us to talk again." I'll share what I learn. He could give her that much. He hoped that she could see the message in his eyes.
Her head moved in a grim nod, and then she was gone, cutting through the station and leaving him behind.
Macey didn't speak until Dawn was long gone, and then she let out a soft sigh. "That did not go well."
Fucking understatement.
"Could have gone worse," Anthony noted as he joined their little group. "Dawn has one hell of a temper when you get her going."
Dawn? She'd never had a temper before. Seven years ago, she'd been the most easygoing woman he'd ever met. Always sweet to everyone. Always kind.
And why the hell was the detective speaking as if he knew her so well? Intimately?
"Ah, right, we haven't been officially introduced yet." Anthony offered his hand at Tucker's questioning glance. "Detective Anthony Deveraux."
Tucker shook his hand. The guy had a solid grip.
Anthony smiled at him. "You're his brother, huh?"
"Yes," he gritted, "I'm his brother."
Anthony's smile dimmed. "When I first met Dawn, I made a point of...learning everything about her." His stare was assessing as it slid over Tucker. "I don't think she was happy to see you."