“We’re trying to piece that together. She might have encountered someone on the road, maybe a stranger. Or maybe she was meeting someone out there.”

She watched him steadily, and he knew she wanted more.

“We’re looking at all the possibilities.” He paused. “You think she might have taken off with someone?”

“She wouldn’t do that.”

He just looked at her.

“I know my sister. She wouldn’t run off with someone, not without telling me. Not without taking her phone and her wallet. It doesn’t make sense.”

He agreed, it didn’t. Especially considering the pool of blood not far from the car. But he hadn’t told Kate about that. It was one of the key details they were keeping under wraps.

She looked out the window again. “The thing is . . . there’s been something going on with her.”

He waited. This was why he’d come here—to get more than just yes or no answers.

“I wish I could pinpoint it. She’s been, I don’t know, withdrawn lately. Stressed. We haven’t been talking very much, but I was too busy to really notice until this happened.”

“Did she say what was wrong?”

“I asked once, and she dodged me, so I let it go. I know—selfish, right?” She looked at him, her eyes filled with guilt. “I’m her sister. I should have pinned her down.”

*   *   *

Brandon pushed through the door of the police station and was surprised to see Leigh. She was a block away, but there was no mistaking the high heels and the confident stride—not to mention the phone pressed to her ear. He stopped to watch her. Where was she going? He had a hunch he knew, and his hunch was confirmed when she noticed him standing there and ended her call.

She stopped in front of him and smiled. “Hey, just the man I was looking for.”

He felt a warm rush of attraction, same as the last time he’d seen her.

“Why were you looking for me?” he asked.

“Do you have a moment?”

“Not really.”

“It’s about the case.”

He’d figured as much, so he reached for the door he’d just walked through. He followed her into the lobby of the police station and gestured toward an empty bench near the reception counter.

“I only have a couple minutes,” he said as she sat down. “I’ve got an autopsy at five.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh God. Is it—”

“Different case.”

She closed her eyes, clearly relieved. He took a seat beside her, leaving plenty of space between them but not enough to keep him from noticing her subtle perfume. She smelled good—much better than the bullpen where he’d spent the last two hours typing up reports. And a hell of a lot better than the place he was going next.