Amarok rubbed his face with both hands. He didn’t have the emotional reserves he usually did. He didn’t have any reserves at all. “If you ever see him again, let us know where he is and then get out before he can spot you, okay?”

“How was I supposed to know he’d recognize me?” he cried, stung by the criticism.

Amarok gave him a level look. “He stole your car, which meant he might’ve seen you park it. If he was smart, he’d be keeping an eye on the parking lot, looking for someone who was just going in, because that would mean they wouldn’t be coming out right away.”

“We don’t know that for sure,” Dax grumbled.

“Why take the chance, you idiot?”

McGowen put a hand on Amarok’s shoulder. “Take it easy. We’ll keep looking for him, let you know if we find anything.”

Amarok nodded. The lump swelling in his throat kept him from saying more. The fatigue that had been held at bay by the brief but powerful belief that this nightmare might soon be over was crashing down on him like a fifty-foot wave.

He had to get home and go through Evelyn’s files. That was all he was left with; there was no time to stick around here and rail at anyone or lick his wounds.

But when he swayed while trying to walk back to his truck and nearly lost his footing, McGowen came jogging up behind him.

“Hey, you’re not getting behind the wheel right now, are you?” he asked tentatively.

“What do you think?” he asked. Wasn’t it obvious? He had his keys out.…

The cop’s eyebrows jerked together. “Looks that way to me. But it also looks as though you’ve been drinking, so—”

“Drinking?” Amarok echoed in shock.

“I bet it’s lack of sleep,” Dax spoke up, also hurrying over. “Like I told you before he got here, he’s kinda ragged around the edges. And did you see his hand? Look how it’s swelling! My brother told me he went berserk in his truck earlier, punching everything. That hand’s probably broken.”

“I suggest you keep your mouth shut before I show you that I can still use it,” Amarok bit out. He knew better than to behave like an asshole, but the retort was triggered by his frustration and exhaustion. He’d lost all restraint.

Hearing that, McGowen scowled. “Why don’t you get in the back of my cruiser? I’ll drive you over to the hospital.”

Amarok started walking again. “I’m not going to the hospital. I’m not going anywhere until I find Evelyn.”

McGowen hurried to catch up. “Your hand should be X-rayed.”

“So? It’s my hand. I’ll deal with it.”

“That wasn’t a request, Sergeant.” McGowen caught him by the arm and tried to stop him. His blue eyes were steely, as though he meant business. But Amarok didn’t care. He was too far gone to care about anything anyone could do to him. And Makita didn’t like anyone interfering with him. Unwilling to allow Amarok to be threatened, he growled, showing his teeth, and McGowen immediately let go.