Sylvie added a background check on Erin Abbott to her to-do list. For now, though, she could offer some unorthodox advice. “If I have a reason to take Kenneth Bernard into custody, I can work out a way to keep him there.”

Gabriel glanced at Erin. He noticed how her knuckles tightened in her lap. She was teetering on the brink, and he realized a puff of air could blow her over. “I’ll do a story about him. About how it’s come to the attention of the Ledger that his name has been mentioned in connection with the ABC Murders.”

“That’s not true,” Sylvie objected. “He could sue the paper for libel and win. You could lose everything.”

“I could lose my sister. I could lose Erin. That’s enough reason.”

Moved, frightened, Erin turned to Sylvie for help. “He could have known all of the victims. Why isn’t that enough?”

“It’s just a theory, Dr. Abbott. We need proof.” Sylvie simply gathered her bag and stood. “But I’m not here to hear what Gabriel’s planning, I don’t know a law’s been broken. But,” she said to Gabriel, “you hurt him and I’ll have to arrest you, too.”

“I understand.” Over Erin’s continuing protests, he summoned Peter and Kelly to his office. Gen would come, too, and she wouldn’t like what she heard. But his family was at risk. He would do as he must.

PETER FIXED ERIN with a glare. She hesitated to approach him, unwilling to engage the direct hostility. His dark eyes seemed to measure and dismiss her in a fleeting glance, and he towered over everything in the building, including Gabriel. But where Gabriel was lean and sleekly muscled, the giant was broad of shoulder, a solid mass of cynicism and distrust.

To prove her sense of his hostility wasn’t a product of her imagination, he grumbled, “What the devil is she doing here?”

Blindly seeking an ally, or at least a warmer reception, Erin turned to the other person who had come in behind Genevieve. Kelly watched her with curiosity rather than the dark-eyed suspicion emanating from Peter. She bounded up to Erin, who shifted a few steps away.

Kelly paid little attention to Erin’s retreat and grabbed her into a friendly hug. “Ignore the office curmudgeon,” she warned, sotto voce. “He blames you because he actually has to do some work around here.”

“Impudent brat,” he said in a low, rumbling growl. “You wouldn’t know a hard day’s work if it walked up and bit you on the—”

“Peter. Kelly. To your corners, please,” Gabriel ordered. “Erin, meet my crack management staff. Peter is the managing editor here at the Ledger. Kelly runs the business department.” He settled into the deep leather chair and clasped his hands behind his head. “I want to run a story on the website as a lead for the daily.”