“No.” He wasn’t sure if Lassiter was alive and he had no clue whether the new killer was really targeting his team. “I don’t know crap, Millie. To be on the safe side, I’d just like for you to get away from here.” Until he found the killer.

She pressed her hands on her hips. “If you’re worried, there’s a bad guy out there. In that case, you’re not the type to head back to your cabin.”

God needed to spare him from intelligent and insightful women, damn it. “You’ve read me wrong. I’m gone,” he said.

Roscoe bounded over, and she ducked to hug the dog one more time. “We could’ve done a lot of good if the team had stayed together,” she mumbled before standing.

Yeah, and he might’ve seen another pretty blonde in the morgue. The image of his sister would never leave him, and the last thing he wanted was to see Millie that way. He had to figure out who was behind the latest killings. “’Bye, Millie.” He patted her shoulder, whistled at his dog, and then jumped into his truck.

It’d be him against this guy. Period.

* * *

Nari stepped out of her car in Pippa’s driveway with her mom’s Waldorf salad in her hands. She needed a girls’ night now more than ever, and she was probably early, but she didn’t care. After her disastrous meeting with Vaughn she’d spent the day getting caught up on the El Salvadoran gang. By the end of the day she was as shaky as a new colt. Would Vaughn’s attitude toward her be matched by the rest of the team?

While Angus hadn’t liked her working with his operatives, he had still been polite. Well, usually. Even when he was cranky, he had a kindness in him toward the team that had made her feel welcome. Or at least safe.

There was only one other finished house in the cul-de-sac where Wolfe and Dana lived. Another house was under construction across the circle, where Raider and Brigid were building. The whole team seemed to be taking over the cul-de-sac, and a pang hit her heart dead center.

She’d never be part of that team again.

Shaking it off, she walked across the porch and knocked on the door of Pippa and Malcolm’s charming cottage.

Pippa threw open the door, and the scent of cookies wafted out. “Nari.” The taller woman enfolded her in a hug. “I’m so glad you came.” She drew Nari inside, looking at ease in a light yellow sweater, blue jeans, and brown leather boots.

“Me too.” Nari glanced past the living room toward the kitchen. While Pippa often baked, she somehow smelled like cookies even if there weren’t any around.