I had done a little research before my arrival, so even if I hadn’t witnessed the demonstration, I knew how well-trained these dogs had to be. Still, this was nobody’s cocker spaniel. Never having owned any dog, I didn’t know what to do.

“You can pet him,” Teo said.

“He won’t eat my hand? A little evening snack?”

“Only if I tell him to.”

I leaned over and held my hand out for Bismarck to sniff before I carefully reached over his head and scratched behind his ears. “He’s beautiful.”

“My best friend.”

I wondered if that meant there was no woman in his life. “My mom’s not a fan of dogs, so I’m a dog novice.”

“You don’t have one now? I bet you don’t live at home anymore.”

“Actually I do, but just for the summer. While I’m here interning at the paper.” I looked up and flashed my admirable dimples. “And the paper’s the reason I’m standing here. I’d love that interview.”

His gaze held mine. “I’d love to give it to you. But I just found out I’m working this evening.”

“Can we set up another time then?”

“We could do it over dinner tomorrow.”

There were many times and places for a quick interview. I knew that. He knew that. But I didn’t hesitate. Because the idea of sitting across the table from the deputy who had found John Quayle in a tree stand was promising.

Even more so? Finding out about Mateo Santiago was irresistible.

CHAPTER TWELVE

My tea was cold, and apparently so was I, because I was shivering. I was just wrapping a chenille afghan around my shoulders when the doorbell rang. I wondered if a miracle had occurred, and the cops had arrested my attacker and were now at my front door to gloat. I knew better, of course, since at best I’d probably be called down to the local sheriff’s office to identify the guy in some kind of lineup. But hope is like a worm peeking out of its hole in the spring when hungry robins are everywhere.

A quick peek through my own peephole brought the second surprise of the day.

“Sophie?” I flung open the door and grabbed one of the two cloth bags loaded into Sophie’s arms before I gave her a quick hug. “I told you none of this stuff was necessary.” The bag in my arms held folders about potential cold cases. I hadn’t expected to need them because I’d foolishly assumed, or hoped, my stay would be short.

“You know the coffee date I told you about?” Sophie stepped over the threshold and let me lock the door behind her.

“Isn’t that today?”

“In about an hour. Here. Or almost. Just down the road.”

“You drove four hours to have coffee with a stranger?”

Sophie was sparkling more than usual, enough that I had to blink. I hoped the guy liked rhinestones and sequins. Her billowing chiffon blouse, worn low over her shoulders, was crusted with them. To tone it down, she wore plain skintight jeans. Her hair was pulled back with multiple butterfly clips, which exposed hoop earrings wide enough to play ring toss.