The explanation was given shortly after they’d first been partnered and they’d taken a string of burglary reports in a neighborhood. The detectives had been working it, but it was Greg who, after setting up his board and marking locations and patterns, had broken the case. It had turned out to be what they called “buddy burgs,” burglaries committed by a supposed friend of the teenager living in each house. The kid had cultivated the fake friendships for exactly that reason, to get into the house for a look at the layout and for anything worth stealing.

Before he could answer her Quinn and Cutter arrived at the back door. And he supposed he should be grateful for that, but he wasn’t sure he was.

“It can’t hurt,” Quinn said later, as they sat over the breakfast Amanda had prepared and she told him about the whiteboard idea.

She smiled, and sipped her coffee. Then she set down the mug rather purposefully.

“I’ve been thinking,” she began. And stopped abruptly when Adam choked on a swallow of coffee and coughed. He gave her a darting look that made her ask, a bit miffed, “Something funny about that?”

“No, I—” he coughed again “—it’s just that...” He hesitated, then looked away as he said softly, “Your dad always used to say some of the most challenging moments of his life started with that phrase from you.”

I’ve been thinking, Dad.

Uh-oh.

How many times had it happened, that loving teasing? Countless. And she couldn’t stop the sudden welling of moisture in her eyes.

Adam swore under his breath. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

He stopped when she held up a hand. “Please. Don’t apologize. Too many people are afraid to even mention him, like they want to forget he ever existed, and it just pounds home even harder that he’s gone.”

“I will never forget him,” Adam said quietly, meeting her gaze then and holding it. “After my own dad, he’s the best man I’ve ever known.”

“Thank you,” she said, meaning it with her whole heart.

Quinn had tactfully let the exchange play out, but now he asked, “What, dare I ask, were you thinking?”

She shifted her gaze back to him, this man who had taken the last bullet meant for her father, and then taken down the man who had fired it. “That maybe you should leave.”

Quinn blinked. Glanced at Adam, who looked as shocked as he did. She realized suddenly that Quinn was wondering if she and Adam were on the outs again, and went on quickly.

“I just meant pull back, let them think I’m alone, maybe draw them out.”

“You want to be bait?” Adam asked, sounding incredulous.

“Aren’t I already?” Amanda countered. “They’re coming after me anyway.”