When she exited out the back door, he moved to fill the cups. In the corner of the kitchen was a white cane. “How do you take it?”

“Cream and sugar.”

“I wouldn’t have figured it.”

“I treat myself to both when I’m under stress or tired. And I’ve checked both those boxes this morning.” She felt around for the barstool in front of the kitchen island and sat.

He set the cup in front of her. “Cup is at twelve o’clock. Six inches from your right hand.”

“I appreciate specifics more than ever.”

He sipped his coffee, savoring the flavor. “It’s good coffee.”

“Avery works in a café. Which I consider a real perk.”

He stood on the other side of the island. “Can I hear the message again?” She had played it for him over the phone, and he had called dispatch and reported the possible kidnapping.

She fished her phone from her back pocket and opened it with her thumbprint. “Have at it.”

He hit play and listened. “Detective Poe, this is Emma Powers. You don’t know me, but he wanted me to call you. He’s going to let me go. He told me so. But he wanted you to know he’s sorry he hit you so hard. He didn’t mean to hurt you. Also, he hopes you like the roses.” Emma hesitated and then added, “Casey is alive and doing fine.”

“It could be a hoax. Both you and Casey Andrews have been mentioned in the news.”

“Maybe. But it shouldn’t be hard for you to track down Emma Powers in Austin.”

“Did you receive roses?” he asked.

“Yes. Avery said it’s a dozen yellow roses.”

“Where are they?”

“On the back porch. I didn’t want them in the house after I heard the message. No surprise, there’s no card or florist’s name attached.”

The killer knew where Jordan lived, and he wanted her to know it. Spencer suspected any warnings to Jordan now would fall on deaf ears. Instead, he recapped for her what he knew so far about Emma Powers. “She has light-blond hair and a small frame like Tammy Fox and Casey Andrews.”

Jordan nodded slowly, but it was hard for him to read her expression. She raised the cup to her lips and gently sipped. “Good work.”

“This killer is keyed in on you, Jordan. Do you think he knows about your vision?”

“Anyone hanging around the hospital could figure it out. My occupational therapist walked me around the halls. Lady likes her tough love.”

“Did you hear anything that might have troubled you during these walks? Did your OT mention anyone suspicious? What about Sunday?”

“Sunday never came back. And honestly, I wasn’t on my game at the hospital. It was all overload for me.”

“Fair enough.”

“Any other odd things happen?”