Angelina’s chin lifted. “He’s at work.”

“No, he’s actually not,” Tom said. “We’ve just come from there.”

“Well, he isn’t here. Leave, or I’ll report you for trespassing and harassment.”

Tom wanted to roll his eyes, but he held his smile. “We’re merely trying to get information on one of his business associates. Maybe you know him? Roland Kowalski?”

The woman’s nostrils flared and her jaw tightened. “Leave. Immediately.”

“Mommy?” a little boy’s voice asked uncertainly.

Angelina instantly changed from vicious to warmly maternal as she turned to the child who was hidden behind the door. “It’s all fine. These people are salesmen and are leaving.”

“I’ll make them leave,” the boy said, and Tom could picture the child’s chin lifting just as his mother’s had.

“No, sweetheart. Let Mommy handle this.”

“Call the police, Mommy. My teacher said so. I’ll call them. I know the number—911.”

“Smart kid,” Croft said, and Angelina glared at her.

“Go find Carmela, baby.”

A small foot stomped. “I am not a baby.”

“She’s got cookies,” Angelina said, ignoring the tiny tantrum. “Chocolate chip.”

“Okay!” The child ran, his footsteps growing softer as he raced toward cookie goodness.

Angelina turned back to face them, teeth bared. “Leave.”

Tom took a measured step back. “You should be protecting your son. With all due respect.”

“I am,” she snarled. “From the likes of you.”

“You know what your husband is,” Tom said softly. “You know the kind of enemies he makes. We’re trying to warn you about one of his enemies.” He didn’t know if that was true yet, but he had no doubt that DJ would turn on Kowalski’s family if he were cornered. “His name is DJ Belmont. You might know him as John Derby. He’s killed before and he’ll kill again. Don’t make the mistake of believing that he’d spare your child.”

The woman was breathing shallowly, her eyes flickering in fear for a moment before she shuttered her expression. “I’ve asked you nicely. Now I’m calling the police.”

Tom followed her quick glance skyward and noticed the security camera mounted above the door. She knows her husband is listening. “Well, if you think of anything or have any concern that this man will hurt you or your little boys, please call us.” He gave her his card and watched her rip it into pieces.

But she kept the pieces clenched in one closed fist. He hoped she would be able to reconstruct his number later. That would have to be enough for now.

“Thank you for your time,” he said. “We’re sorry to have troubled you, but this man is very dangerous.” He ventured another smile. “And your sons are very small.”

The door slammed and Croft shrugged. “Let’s go.” Back in the SUV, she belted up and turned to him. “Well?”

“She was being watched. There was a camera above her head.”

Croft nodded. “I caught that, too. Think she’s taping those pieces of your card together?”

“I hope so. Although she might be flushing them.” He checked his watch and made a decision. “Can we stop by the Sokolovs’ place on our way back?”