He had first met Anne during the investigation of the See-No-Evil murders, when she had been a schoolteacher at Oak Knoll Elementary. Pretty, quietly strong, and fiercely protective of her students, he’d had a mind to ask her out when the case was over. But Vince had swept into town and swept Anne off her feet—and he never let Mendez live it down.

At a glance they seemed an unlikely couple. Now fifty-two, Vince was twenty years Anne’s senior, but they were absolutely soul mates, and had the strongest marriage of any couple Mendez knew. Watching them with their growing family, he had to admit he envied them.

“I understand we have a new acquaintance in common,” Anne said as they went into the big bright kitchen. “Lauren Lawton.”

“She called you?” he said, surprised. “I gave her your card, but I didn’t think she’d use it.”

“She didn’t. I met her through Wendy. Wendy has become friends with Lauren’s daughter. They ride horses together.”

“What do you think of her?”

“Lauren? I think life hasn’t been very kind to her,” she said diplomatically.

“No. Is she going to see you professionally?”

“I wouldn’t look for that to happen any time soon. She’s too busy trying to hang on to the ledge to reach out for help,” Anne said. “We’ve talked. She knows I’m available when she’s ready. That’s the best I can do for now.”

“I don’t see how she can heal while those wounds are still open,” Mendez said. “Until the case is resolved one way or another, she’s left hanging.”

Anne nodded, her expression sad. “I remember watching the news coverage when her daughter was abducted. That’s the worst thing I can possibly imagine as a parent. And then she lost her husband too. It’s heartbreaking. It’s like watching somebody drowning and not being able to do anything for them.”

She shook her head as she opened the refrigerator. “Wine or beer?”

“I shouldn’t,” he started.

She gave him an arch look, a smile tugging at her mouth. “I know you’re not on duty.”

Mendez scowled a little. “I’ll have a Dos Equis then, thanks.”

“Hey, hothead. What are you doing in my kitchen with my wife?”

Vince Leone had come up the ranks of the Chicago PD and, while he had long ago left the Windy City, its accent had never left him.