“There’s more to this case than I thought,” she told Javi. “I’m getting sucked in.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “I can’t imagine why.”

It was a reference to Brandon, but she ignored it.

“Gertie Soltis finally called me back,” she said. “She remembered Vanessa’s case. She was arrested for shoplifting when she was nineteen, but the charges were dismissed.”

“Gertie remembers that? Sounds routine.”

“She remembers it because Vanessa’s mom had just died, so her sister shepherded her through the process, apparently, and later helped her get her record expunged so she wouldn’t have it hanging over her head. Gertie said Vanessa was kind of a basket case, and she felt sorry for her.”

“Is she still a basket case?” Javi asked.

“I don’t know. But I think she may have had a stalker.”

“Why?”

“Red flags everywhere. She changed her number, changed her address. She’d been under stress right before she disappeared.”

He steepled his hands under his chin. “Ex-boyfriend?”

“I’m looking into it.”

“Sounds dangerous. Why don’t you leave that to your detective?”

She shot him a look. “He’s not my anything. And I feel like he needs my help. I’m familiar with these types of cases.”

“You mean these types of psychos.”

“Well, I am. You are, too. Most people don’t deal with the sort of toxic assholes we handle on a daily basis. I feel like I can offer some insights.”

“Well, don’t offer him too much. Remember, he’s a cop.”

She crossed her arms. “So?”

“So, when have you ever met a cop that wasn’t bossy and controlling? Those guys are alpha with a capital A. I thought you were done with that. What happened to Yoga Man?”

She rolled her eyes. “Jonathan was never serious. That was, like, a couple of dates and we had no chemistry.”

“You bought a freaking Lululemon wardrobe for the guy.”

“I did not. I bought it for me, and I’m still going to classes. Whenever I get time.”

Which hadn’t happened in weeks, but whatever. Javi was needling her. He didn’t like that she’d been distracted from her other clients—ones who paid. She didn’t take it personally, though. He cracked the whip on everyone.

“You need to watch out for yourself,” he said. “Leave the policework to the police.”

“You sound like Brandon.”

“Oh yeah? Told you he was bossy.”

A knock sounded at the door, and Bella leaned her head in. “Oh, hey, you’re here,” she said to Leigh. “I thought you were out today.”

“I was at the courthouse. What’s up?”

She stepped into the office and handed a FedEx envelope to Javi. “This just arrived.” She turned to Leigh. “And that detective called earlier. Brandon Reynolds? He needs you to call him. As soon as possible, he said.”

Javi shot her a look. “See?”

“See what?”

“Controlling, just like I said.”