"A patrol might stop folks from just busting inside a crime scene," Anthony murmured.
Her cheeks reddened at that not subtle hit. "I found a witness and evidence that we can use on this case. Evidence your guys missed. Do we really want to play the blame game now?"
He shook his head. "Just tell me you were carrying." And worry was there, creeping into his voice. "You go alone into a place like this, with no backup in sight... What in the hell were you thinking?"
"I was thinking that I didn't want anyone else dying by this man's hand." Her chin notched up. "I was thinking that I'm a licensed PI who, yes, does carry a weapon. I've been to scenes a whole lot worse than this before and I will be at them again." She wasn't going to back down and play the helpless victim.
That won't be me again. She'd sworn that to herself. Her gaze darted around the group and she caught the dark look exchanged between Tucker and Macey.
Alarm bells went off in her head.
I am not going to like what's coming.
The detectives headed back to their vehicle. She knew they were calling this in to headquarters and, hopefully, getting an all-points bulletin out for Red. Macey inclined her head toward Dawn. "There anything else about the scene you think we should know?"
"Red is our key." And I wish I'd caught him. But Red knew this area too well. He'd been able to disappear between the maze of buildings, snaking away and vanishing like a ghost. "He said the killer came to see Jane-Heather," she quickly corrected. "The guy left his gloves and Red took them."
"Why didn't he report what he'd found?" Macey shook her head.
"He was afraid." Once more, her gaze swept the building. "This was his home. If he called the cops, they'd force him out." And that was the same reason she was worried about the APB. "He's going to stay far away from cops. I should hunt for him. I have some contacts in the homeless community. I can put out the word about Red and see what turns up." She was betting she'd get a hit faster than the NOPD.
"Do it," Tucker said. "But do it on your way home." His hand curled around her elbow. "I want to talk to you and your friend Jinx."
He...he hadn't talked to Jinx yet?
He led her to her vehicle as the detectives called out for Macey once again. She knew he was angry, but his touch was incredibly gentle on her. "You didn't flinch this time," he murmured.
They were beside her car. She looked up at him, frowning.
"When I touch you, you usually flinch away." His fingers slid carefully down her arm. She could feel the calluses on his fingertips. "You didn't this time."
"Tucker..."
"I'm worried you're a target."
She'd been worried about the same thing ever since someone had slipped into her home.
"I need you safe, Dawn. I will do whatever is necessary to ensure that safety."
Her gaze searched his. "Why do those words give me such a bad feeling?"
He looked away. "I'll follow you home. We'll talk there."
She didn't want to go home. She wanted to pound the pavement and find Red. She wanted to find the jerk out there who'd killed Heather Hartley. She-
"I can pull rank and put you under protective custody right now. I can have you in a safe house within the hour."
Her jaw dropped. "No. Absolutely not." She wasn't going to be shut away. Now she was the one to grab on to him and hold tight. "You're not serious."
He looked down at her hands, then back up at her face. "When it comes to you staying alive, I absolutely am." He inched closer to her and his body brushed against hers. "Haven't I proven that already? That I will do anything to keep you alive?"
Even shoot his own brother.
She looked away, her emotions too tangled for her to understand, and she saw Anthony, frowning at her. He took a step toward her but she shook her head. She was okay. She didn't need him riding to her rescue. She didn't want anyone doing that. I can save myself.
"Dawn?"
Her gaze was pulled back to Tucker's. She gathered her emotions and when she was sure she could speak calmly, she said, "You aren't pulling rank. We're working this case together."
His eyes glittered at her. "Your friend Jinx didn't show up for work."
He'd said he hadn't talked with her yet, but she'd just thought maybe he'd gotten sidetracked. "Jinx always goes to work. That job means everything to her."
"Her boss tried calling her, but Malone said he only got her voice mail."
And Dawn had gotten her voice mail, too.
"I'm not liking this shit, okay? You think someone's been in your home, another girl from our hometown is already a victim and now your downstairs neighbor is suddenly off-grid."