“Good. And keep—” His voice rasped, and he cleared his throat. Tried again. “Keep tonight’s discussion under wraps until we know more about Jackson’s culpability.”

“Got it.”

After a moment, he looked away—with obvious difficulty. “Let’s eat.” He pulled out her salad and set it in front of her.

She opened the disposable container and poured her dressing over the greens, shooting Brent a sidelong glance. The diligent attention he was giving his meal suggested he was either hungry or anxious to be on his way.

And if it was the latter, that was fine—now that she had the answer to the question that had plagued her since Saturday night.

She hadn’t scared him off. He might be running scared, but he wasn’t running away.

That was the best news she’d had all day.

Make that all week.

Except for the fact that the case appeared to be almost solved.

Maybe, if all went well, the danger would be gone by the weekend, as Brent had suggested.

Besides, if Steve was the culprit, once he realized the police were on to him, he’d be crazy to do anything else to implicate himself.

And with Brent and the police watching her back, she’d be safe until this wrapped up.

There was no need for further worry.

The danger was over.

14

YOUR GUY IS NO BOY SCOUT.” Colin swiveled around in his chair as Brent entered their office.

Thank goodness his colleague had followed through on his promise to help with the case. Digging up Jackson’s background had been a slower slog than he’d expected.

“What’ve you got?” Brent propped a hip on his desk.

“Did you know he’d been married before?”

That was a new piece of information.

“No.” But since he’d been focusing on current events while Colin researched the man’s history, it wasn’t surprising his coworker had been the one to uncover that fact.

“Uh-huh. In Texas. Four years ago. Six months later, his wife filed for divorce and took out a restraining order against him.”

Brent let out a soft whistle and folded his arms. “I wonder if his current wife knows about that?” Not likely, if what Eve had said about Meg being a straight arrow was accurate. A woman with principles wouldn’t hook up with a guy like Steve if she knew his background.

Then again, love could make people behave in uncharacteristic ways—as he’d told Eve.

“His wife would have to answer that question.” Colin leaned back and crossed an ankle over a knee. “I have more. Before he lived in Texas, Jackson called Seattle home. There was a restraining order against him there too.”

“Another wife?”

“Not that I can see. Must have been a girlfriend. Both orders were for alleged abuse and stalking.”

“What a prince.”

“More like a frog.”

“Eve would agree with you on that.”