Yet that didn’t add up.

If someone had realized she was here to investigate Stephanie’s disappearance, why stop at mere intimidation? Why not take her out? Her attacker had had more than sufficient opportunity to finish the job after she was woozy from the blow to her head.

Cate shifted in his arms, and he dipped his chin to find her watching him, her expression unguarded . . . and filled with longing.

Thanks to her foggy mental state, it took her several seconds to realize what she was conveying and to correct that telling look.

But she couldn’t erase the warmth that filled him in its wake.

She still cared for him far more than she was letting on—and it wasn’t just hormones.

Her heart was involved too.

That was the best news he’d had in months.

Make that years.

For now, though, he’d tuck away the encouraging evidence she’d given him and put all his energies into getting to the bottom of the illegal activities at Ivy Hill.

Because until both their cases were solved, he couldn’t let himself be distracted by the woman in his arms.

Even if that was where she belonged.

12

WHAT A DAY.

Cate grunted as she tried without success to find a more comfortable position on the examining table in the urgent care treatment room.

“Hey. You okay?” Kayla popped up from the chair against the wall and crossed to her.

“I’ve felt better.” She massaged her forehead, where two rock bands were dueling it out. “Sorry I’m such lame company.”

Kayla waved her apology aside. “Like you’re supposed to be Miss Personality after everything you’ve been through.”

A knock sounded on the door, and the physician’s assistant who’d examined her entered.

Zeke left his sentry post in the hall and hovered at the door.

“You can both come in.” Cate struggled into a sitting position and swung her legs over the edge of the table.

The woman smiled. “You look like you want to ditch this place.”

“Guilty.”

“We aren’t going to hold you up. I checked the X-rays, and the ribs are bruised, not broken. That’s the good news. The bad news is they’re going to hurt for three to six weeks. We can prescribe medication to help with the discomfort.”

Cate started to refuse.

Rethought that decision.

Pain could be distracting, and it was essential she be fully alert going forward.

“Thanks.”

“The staples in your scalp should come out in about seven days. We can do that here, or your own physician can take care of it. We’ll give you care instructions before you leave. The cut may throb or feel tender, and you could have a headache. That’s normal with staples and/or a mild concussion. We’ll also give you a list of more critical symptoms to watch for. You’re a boarding student, right?”

“Yes.”