Bunker bent over to retrieve the envelope that Rafe had thrown back at him. “I just wanted someone to give this to Miss Callahan.”

“I caught him trying to come up the front walk,” Erin said quietly. “I called Tom Hunter to verify what he said, and Tom did. I should have called you too, Rafe. I’m sorry.”

Rafe took the envelope from Bunker. “I’ll see that she gets this. And I’ll tell her what happened before I do. If she wants to see you, how should she contact you?”

Bunker patted his pockets. “Mom, you got a pen?”

His mother rolled her eyes. “Yes, Jeff. I have a pen. I have paper, too.” She found the items in an enormous handbag and gave them to her son.

Bunker scrawled his name, e-mail address, and cell phone number on the paper and handed it to Rafe. “I really am sorry. When I saw that the guy trying to take her at the airport was the same guy I saw coming out of Miss Romero’s apartment, I . . . well, I guess I froze.”

“He’s a dangerous, terrifying man,” Gideon said quietly. “It’s best that you didn’t confront him. Did he see you?”

The color that Bunker had regained in his face drained once again. “I don’t think so.”

“Is my son in danger?” his mother asked, her face also growing very pale.

Rafe wanted to shake them both. Duh. Burton’s only killed five people in the last two days. That they knew of. “It’s possible. It depends on if he knows that you’re the one who turned him in for Quill Romero’s murder. If he figures out you saw him, then yes.”

“Can you give him protection?” his mother asked, fear in her eyes.

There was quiet for a long, long moment. “I can talk to my lieutenant,” Erin finally said. “It would be best if you found a place where you could lay low for a little while.”

“I have to work,” Mrs. Bunker protested. “I can’t just leave town.”

“Don’t panic until I have some more information,” Erin soothed. She turned to Rafe. “We square, partner?”

Rafe nodded. “Yeah,” he said, relieved that it was true. “Thank you.”

Irina tipped Bunker’s chin up and to the side, studying his throat. “Are you all right, son?”

Fucking hell, Rafe wanted to groan. What had he nearly done?

“I’m okay,” Bunker said again. “And I’m not going to sue, so don’t worry about that. If Miss Callahan were my sister or my . . .” He searched Rafe’s face. “Whatever she is to you. Girlfriend? And if I were Miss Romero’s family? I’d do the same thing.” He waved his hands airily. “Again, if I were the Incredible Hulk. Otherwise, I’d just pen a letter to the editor.”

If the kid had been being sarcastic, Rafe would have been able to hold on to his anger, but Bunker was so damn sincere. “Thank you,” Rafe murmured. “I’m sorry.”

Bunker tentatively smiled. “It’s okay. You’ll explain to Miss Callahan?”