“May I offer a suggestion?” Colin linked his fingers over his stomach. “For all intents and purposes, the threat from Jackson is over. He’d have to be a lunatic to try anything else—as I’m sure his lawyer has counseled him. Step back and let the prosecutor try to get a conviction. In your shoes, I’d focus my energy on finding out who wrote the last note to Eve. Did your canvass of the neighborhood turn up anything?”

“No. None of the neighbors saw anyone suspicious on Sunday afternoon.” Brent stood and began to pace.

“It could have been a one-off perpetrated by a sicko who got a vicarious thrill by tagging on to the string of threats. Eve may never hear from him again.”

Colin’s theory was plausible. Copycat crimes weren’t uncommon, and there were people who jumped into the fray simply to get a taste of the action.

But that wasn’t what was going on here.

Someone else was targeting Eve—and it wasn’t for fun and games. The danger was real . . . and getting closer with every hour that ticked by. He could feel it in his bones.

“You’re not buying that theory, are you?” Colin tapped his index fingers together, watching him.

“It’s possible—but my gut is telling me to be on red alert.”

“Then go with your gut. If you’re wrong, worst outcome is you get a few gray hairs. If you’re right, you’ll be more prepared to handle whatever’s coming.”

“Problem is, I don’t know where to go from here.” It killed him to admit that, but it was the truth—and Colin wasn’t the type to rib him about being a rookie. “The note came back clean from the lab, no one saw the person who left it, and the threat is too vague to address.”

“Those are the negatives. On the plus side, the note was left four days ago and nothing else has happened, correct? No one’s bothered Eve or her sisters or you?”

“No—but that doesn’t mean they won’t. And I don’t want to sit around waiting for this guy’s next move.”

“You may not be. Did you see the memo Sarge sent out an hour ago?”

“No.”

“Check your email. There could be trouble brewing at a political event this weekend. FBI intel says that anti-government Antifa factions may turn out in force. Groups from several states are apparently planning to crash the venue to demonstrate and disrupt. County is going to have a large uniformed police presence.”

“How are we involved?” Brent sat again. Most situations of this type were handled by patrol officers, not detectives.

“We’re on standby in case the situation goes south and extra hands are needed to investigate.”

“When is this happening?”

“Saturday.”

“Where?”