The door closed quietly behind her.
He felt the weight of Samantha's stare on him. Rolling back his shoulders, he glanced her way.
"She's right," Samantha murmured. "Her ties in this city could be an asset to us."
"Anthony Deveraux has ties. His partner, Torez, has ties. Every damn cop in this PD has ties we can use."
Her head inclined toward him. "True, but the killer is after her...and that means he'll be focusing on the people close to her. People that ‘every damn cop' won't know."
His jaw locked. "I want her safe," he gritted.
"Because your emotions are involved. That's the problem. And I worry it's too much of a problem." Samantha folded her arms across her chest and peered straight at him. "Blake Gamble and I don't work cases together any longer."
He knew Blake. One fine FBI agent-and Samantha's lover.
"We don't work them together because we're too connected. Our emotions can get in the way. Instead of placing priority on victims..." Her lips twisted. "When we're together, we worry too much about each other's safety. That makes us a liability in the field."
"You think I'm a liability?"
"That's what I'm asking. I'm asking you-are your emotions controlled when you're around Dawn Alexander?"
No. He'd already crossed a line and slept with her-and he'd do it again if he had the chance. "She matters."
Samantha's gaze turned assessing. "Matters to the extent that you won't be able to do your job?"
"She is the job." He blew out a frustrated breath. "And Dawn isn't going to stay on the sidelines. Even if we turn her over to the PD for protection, she's going to be determined to get involved in this investigation. It's better if she stays with us, works with us... That way, I can keep an eye on her."
///
"It's a slippery slope," Samantha warned him. "The longer you're with her, the deeper your connection to her may become. I knew this was a risk when you came down here. But I thought since you hadn't seen her in so long that the ties were gone."
He wasn't sure his ties to Dawn would ever be gone.
"You're a target, too. I agree one hundred percent with your assessment there. This perp wanted you down here-he wants you in his crosshairs. He sees both you and Dawn as his targets."
The guy had been smarter than Tucker anticipated that day-he'd deliberately divided them, trying to take Dawn away.
"This killer has already proved he won't hesitate to kill a man. Dawn may not be the next target-you very well could be. If this guy was working with Jason Frost, then his anger could be more focused on you. Potentially, Dawn could just be a means to an end."
Fuck, he didn't like where this was going...
"You're a good profiler, Tucker, so I'm sure you've considered the fact that this man...may want to hurt Dawn simply as a way of getting to you."
He swallowed. "That was why Jason targeted her."
Sympathy flashed on her face. "I know."
My fault. If she hadn't been with me, she would have been safe.
"I know that's why Jason went after her, and none of us can afford to overlook the possibility that this killer is doing the same thing. His rage could be more targeted on you than her. After all, you're the man who pulled the trigger. You are the one who killed the Iceman." Her gaze was unflinching. "This guy could want to destroy you and Dawn could be the means to that end."
I won't let it happen again. She won't be hurt because of me.
"You and Dawn are the ones he's after. So you know what I need you to do, Tucker?"
He waited. If she told him to stay away from Dawn...
Her face tensed. "Find the bastard before he has a chance to hurt anyone else. Use Dawn and her connections. Use everything that you both know. And find him."
* * *
"YOU ALL RIGHT?"
Dawn glanced up at the slightly hesitant question and found Detective Torez shuffling toward her. His dark head was bent forward and she could see the concern etched on his face.
"Just a few scratches." She offered him a wane smile. "Would have been a whole lot better if we'd caught the bastard."
He grunted. "I'm...sorry about Jinx."
She had to swallow twice before she could reply. "Thank you. I'm sorry, too." Sorry. Angry. Hurt.
He sat beside her on the little bench just outside the meeting room. Bowen stood a few feet away, watching them. Someone always seemed to be watching her these days.
"Cutting you out would be a mistake on their part." Torez's voice was low. "I think so, Anthony thinks so, hell, the whole department thinks so. You get shit done-we've seen it before. And if some guy is gunning for you, then I think you deserve the chance to hunt him."