So no physical harm had been done, other than a slight injury from the knife.

Thank you, God!

Yet a horrifying episode like that was more than sufficient to leave emotional scars for life.

No wonder she carried a gun and had a beefed-up security system.

“Did the police find him?”

“No.”

Not surprising. Those kinds of hit-and-run assaults often went unsolved.

The scenario she’d outlined also suggested the attack had been a crime of opportunity. That the guy who’d jumped her hadn’t known who she was or been targeting her specifically. He’d just been waiting for the next potential victim to walk down that alley. Yes, he’d learned her identity from the documents in her purse, but she’d never had any further trouble—and New Mexico was a thousand miles from rural Missouri.

Grace’s assessment was spot-on. The odds of that incident being related to what was happening here were minuscule.

“Was your older sister already a cop?”

“Yes.”

“What was her take on the incident?”

Grace shifted and traced the pattern in the afghan with an unsteady finger. “I never told her or Eve.”

Major disconnect, but he did his best to mask his surprise. “I got the impression the three of you were close.”

“We are. Too close sometimes.” She exhaled. “After my mom died when I was fifteen, Cate and Eve took charge of me. Especially Cate. She was like a mother hen. If I’d told either of them about that night, they’d worry and fuss more than they already do. Besides, they couldn’t change what had happened. So I decided to put it behind me and get on with my life—with a few modifications.”

“Like getting a concealed carry permit and investing in top-notch security.” The answers to other questions began to fall into place too. “Were safety considerations why you took a job here rather than in a big city? Because from what I understand, forensic pathologists are in short supply. Someone with your credentials could get a plum position in a place far more exciting than rural Missouri.”

“Safety was a factor, although I do like the county. But rural Missouri is proving to be plenty exciting. Too exciting.”

“That could be what the person who left the doll wants you to conclude.”

“You’re thinking they’re trying to scare me off? Force me to leave?”

“That would be a logical conclusion.”

“Which brings us full circle. Why?”

“I don’t have that answer yet. I’m going to send the doll to the state police lab for analysis. There could be trace evidence on it.”

“Why do I think whoever is doing this is too careful to leave a clue behind?”

He couldn’t disagree.

“Criminals do make mistakes, but I won’t discourage you from adding a few exterior security cameras to your setup here.”

“First item on my list for Monday.”

“What’s on your schedule for tomorrow?”

“Church and another cooking session for the meal program. We didn’t quite finish today.”

He stroked his thumb over the back of her hand. “Where does fun fit into your schedule?”