Dixon studied him for long enough that he wanted to move away from his boss’s scrutiny, but he held his ground like a good marine.

“I’m not trying to be a hard-ass here, Tony,” Dixon said. “But I want you to remember two things. First, you’re a detective and you’ve got a murder to close. Second, Sara Morgan is vulnerable right now. She’s going to go for the first safe port in the storm. Don’t jeopardize your case or your career just to get your heart broken.”

Mendez worked the muscles in his wide jaw, embarrassed at the whole conversation. Jesus. He felt like a high school kid getting dressed down by some girl’s father for trying to unhook her bra in the movie theater.

“No, sir,” he said.

Dixon, sitting on the break room table with his arms crossed over his chest, looked completely unconvinced.

“You’re not to be alone with her,” he said.

“Yes, sir.”

The sheriff heaved a sigh. “Darren Bordain is waiting for you in two. I want you to take a few minutes and get your head where it needs to be, then you and Bill go have a talk with him.”

“Yes, sir.”

Dixon gave him a fatherly pat on the shoulder as he left the room. Hicks came back in with a Snickers bar from the vending machine down the hall and the same raised-brow expression he had left the room with.

They both sat down on the table and stared at the television monitor. Vince was still talking with Sara, asking her questions about Marissa Fordham.

“Did Marissa ever hint or let on to you that she and Steve might be involved?”

“No. She was never anything but friendly and kind. It’s hard to describe Marissa. There was always this feeling of openness about her, and yet, you knew there was something more going on deeper down. I’m sure that doesn’t make sense.”

“No, I think I know what you mean,” Vince said. “Some people have a lot of layers. Only the top one looks uncomplicated.”

She nodded.

“So, even though Marissa wasn’t giving off that vibe, you still had that feeling something was going on.”

“From Steve. He avoided talking about her. He was secretive about meeting with her.” She paused, weighing what she was about to say next. “Steve and Wendy and I ran into Marissa and Haley during the music festival, and Haley looked at Steve and called him Daddy.”

The admission clearly hurt her. Vince patted her shoulder.

“Don’t take that too much to heart, Sara,” he said. “Haley has some confusion about the daddy issue.”

Turning from the monitor, Hicks gave Mendez a sideways look. “You going back in there?”

“No.”

“You need a cup of coffee?”

“I need a drink.”

“Later.”

“Damn straight.”

“Bordain is in two waiting for us.”