“No thanks—and no apology necessary. You have more important things to think about.” He settled on the stool and angled toward her.

“And worry about?” She picked up the elastic band and scrutinized him.

“Maybe. We should assume that anyone who would risk a prison sentence to put that package on your porch isn’t playing games. The message inside would suggest the culprit is a disgruntled listener.” He linked his fingers on the cool granite. “How much of the negative feedback you get is general—like this—versus focused on your position on a particular topic?”

“Doug and Meg at the station would be the ones to ask about that, but my sense is that most listeners who call and write want to talk about a specific issue. As I told you earlier, we hear from a few regulars, but they’re in the minority.”

“Do you know who they are?”

“Only first names.”

“We may want to get a court order for a phone trap on the calls coming in to your program.”

“Doug will be happy to cooperate—but I think that’s a dead end. My regulars are mouthy, but they seem like ordinary people who are taking advantage of the opportunity to vent.”

Brent rested an elbow on the island. “Yet the message suggests it’s from a listener.”

“Suggests.” She gave him a keen look. “You’ve used that word twice. Are you thinking that could be a red herring?”

The fear she was struggling to control hadn’t short-circuited her brain.

“It’s possible. Do you have any enemies in your private life?”

“No. I stay off the grid and do projects like this.” She waved a hand around the kitchen. “I also exercise, and I volunteer with a couple of organizations. I’m not at odds with anyone in my private circle.”

“No serious ex-boyfriend who may not be happy about a breakup?”

She played with the stretchy band, watching him. “I thought you did a background check.”

“I didn’t go that deep.”

“I’ll save you the trouble. I have one serious ex. We went out for eighteen months but parted amicably two years ago—a breakup he initiated. He was a lawyer with his eye on a political career and was concerned the controversy I attract could derail those ambitions. So no issue there.”

Her ex had dumped her because he couldn’t take the heat generated by her profession? Had put his goal of an elected office above a personal relationship?

What a loser.

And definitely not worthy of the woman sitting across from him.

He and Eve Reilly may have met less than three hours ago, but it didn’t take long to recognize character. She was the real deal—strong, intelligent, principled, courageous, caring . . . not to mention beautiful.

Too bad he wasn’t in the market for a relationship.

But even if he was, dating someone who was part of an investigation was a no-no.