Brent joined him. It took a few seconds to identify the location of the aerial photo—but the instant he did, his stomach bottomed out. “That’s the park where the Young Republicans group is holding its picnic . . . and where Eve is speaking. Check out the time at the top.” He pointed to a handwritten notation of 1:00 p.m. “That’s when her speech starts.”

“That could be enough to get us our warrant.”

It better be.

Because every instinct in his body was blaring a red alert.

“Why don’t you call Sarge about the warrant while I try to reach Eve—and see if he’ll put security on her.”

“You got it.” Colin pulled out his phone.

Brent thumbed in her number. “Tell him she’s scheduled to speak at one o’clock. And County should give someone from the Republican group a heads-up that they may have to alter their scheduled programming. Alert him I also sent that photo I took. Facial recognition software may be able to flag someone in the database.”

“It’s an old photo.” Colin gave it a doubtful scrutiny.

“Can’t hurt to try.”

“I’m on it.”

While Colin exited the room to place his call, Brent punched in Eve’s number.

After four rings, it rolled to voicemail.

He tried texting her.

No response.

She was probably tied up at the meet and greet, shaking hands. Her phone must be on silent mode.

Brent blew out a breath.

Headquarters would get through to someone on site, and given the large police presence at the picnic there shouldn’t be an issue assigning a security detail to her for the duration of the event.

But he wanted to talk to her.

Scratch that.

He wanted to be there with her.

The officers assigned to her would do their best, but they didn’t have a vested interest in keeping her safe. Their blood wouldn’t run cold at the mere thought she could be in danger. Fear wouldn’t twist their stomachs into a knot. Their pulse wouldn’t pound like a jackhammer or—

Wait.

Brent squinted at the aerial shot on Olivia’s desk and massaged his temple.

Would a man whose heart was atrophied experience all those emotions?

No.

Meaning Eve had been right during their discussion a week ago. There wasn’t a thing wrong with his heart.

And despite his concerns about subjecting a woman he loved to the risks and rigors of his job, maybe Adam’s take on that score was correct. Maybe not all women would cave in the face of crisis, as Karen had.

As for Colin’s more recent advice—to stop overthinking the issue, let people do what they were called to do and put the rest in God’s hands—that was also astute.