“You mean other than the new ground we broke Saturday?” Why dance around the elephant in the room?

Soft color rose on her cheeks as she gripped the textbook in front of her. “I was talking about case news.”

“So was I.” Sort of . . . but the skeptical peek she slanted at him suggested she wasn’t buying his response. “We’re continuing to keep Eduardo and his brother-in-law under surveillance, but neither has done anything suspicious. My gut tells me Hernandez could lead us to key people, now that we have him in our sights . . . thanks to your unfortunate experience in the woods. How are the ribs?”

No reason to ask about the gash in her scalp, visible for all the world to see. It was nasty—but appeared to be healing without complications.

“I’m coping.”

In other words, both injuries hurt like blazes.

Cate had always been a master at understatement if any question arose about her physical or emotional condition.

Much as he’d like to wrap up this investigation ASAP, he could tolerate a few quiet days on the case if that helped her heal.

“Try to take it easy.”

“Yeah. You have anything else?”

“No.” Not case related.

“Short meeting.” She twisted her wrist. “I can’t leave yet. That would be too fast for a tutoring session.” She pulled out a notebook. “Guess I’ll have to tackle my Spanish homework. You can pretend you’re coaching me.”

With that, she dived into the assignment he’d given in class today.

For the next twenty minutes, she played her role to perfection. Not until the clock on the library wall flipped to the half hour did she close her book.

“I’ll let you know what happens with Evans.” She tucked the weighty tome into the backpack on the table, secured the latch, and stood. “Watch your texts. If I think we should talk sooner than Thursday, I’ll use the code word somewhere in my message.”

“Got it.”

She slid the backpack onto her shoulder, and though she didn’t wince, the sudden tautness in her body spelled pain in capital letters.

Given the extent of her injuries, she should be on medical leave.

But that wasn’t Cate. Never had been. Not if she was in the middle of a case.

And suggesting she stick close to her room for a few days wouldn’t endear him to her. She’d always thought he was too protective.

“See you around.” She walked toward the door, posture stiff. As if moving hurt.

No doubt it did.

“Count on it.” He let his voice go husky.

Her step faltered, and she gave him her full attention. “Don’t push me, Zeke.”

“I’m not. I’m just letting you know where I stand.”

“You already did that—on Saturday.”

“So did you. We were both all in.”

Faint color stole over her cheeks. “That was hormones.”

“Believe that if you want to. For now.”