Jordan’s first reaction was to say no. She did not like Avery being exposed to her work. Then she reminded herself Avery had lived more in her twenty-four years than most young adults. “That would be great. Any and all help is welcome. But please be careful.”

“I’ll be careful.” Avery took the bag and glanced inside. “This looks amazing. Better than the frozen pizza I was considering cooking for us. You really need to go to the grocery store.”

“I just rarely have the time.” Jordan shrugged off her jacket and hung it in the entryway closet. “Serve us up a couple of plates, and I’ll change.”

“I saw Mr. Rawlings at the food bank the other day,” Avery said. “Seems like a good guy.”

“Seems?”

A half smile quirked her lips. “You know I have trust issues.”

Jordan laughed. “Join the club.”

In her bedroom, Jordan stripped off her boots, shirt, jeans, and bra, which she swapped for shorts and a T-shirt. She would eat, cut the grass, and then go into her garage and work out on the CrossFit system she’d had installed last year.

Avery set up two place settings and folded paper towels for napkins. “I thought given the takeout from Thompson’s, we should make it special.”

“I could do that.” She went to the refrigerator and grabbed two sodas. Another late-afternoon anomaly, but why not? She’d sweat it off cutting grass.

They each served up a healthy portion of chicken and potatoes. Avery took a bite and closed her eyes, moaning softly. “So good. You’ve made my day.”

“Glad I could make somebody’s.”

“So, what case got you in hot water with Captain Lee?”

“The boss gave my case to the Rangers. He thinks we have a serial killer.”

“As in Tammy was killed by someone like that?”

“Maybe. I don’t know. She fits the profile.”

“Tammy worked at Thompson’s Market.”

“I know. How was that?”

“I guess fine. She never said.” She stabbed a potato. “Why would Lee give your case away?”

“The ranger in question has experience in cases like this. The captain doesn’t want an unsolved serial killer case on his record.”

“I can’t think of anyone other than you who would want to solve it more.”

“I can’t, either, but in the end, the captain’s opinion is what matters.”

“Sucks.”

“Yep.”

“Can’t you run fingerprints or DNA or something on these bodies?”

Jordan pushed a potato around with her fork. “Not enough of the first one left to get a fingerprint. And DNA takes time. We might have better luck with the second.”

“Dental records?”

A slight smile tugged at Jordan’s lips. “I’m rubbing off on you.”

Avery shrugged. “Maybe.”