Officer Matthews sidled over while I watched them. “Is he your boyfriend?”

I couldn’t mask my surprise. “Who, Ronan? No, he’s my boss.”

Although we may have muddied the water on that score with the kiss last night.

She pulled a face. “Awkward. Sorry. I thought I sensed a vibe between you. My mistake.”

“No problem.” I tried to dismiss the comment, but it unnerved me. The truth was, Ronan had been the yardstick I’d used to measure every man I met, and I wanted for there to be something more between us.

“I’m sorry this is happening to you,” Matthews added.

I caught her eye, surprised once again. “Oh?”

She shrugged. “Seems unfair that you’re a target because your brother doesn’t take responsibility for his actions.”

I narrowed my eyes. The young cop barely looked like she’d left high school, yet she sounded more mature than Tom ever had. “How old are you?”

She laughed. “Twenty-two, but Joanna says I’m an old soul.”

I could see that.

The office door swung open, and Detective Lee re-entered. “We have the results from fingerprinting the photographs.” She crossed the floor and held up her phone to show me the screen. “They came back to this guy. Do you recognize him?”

I studied the image. The man—Mark Orlov, according to the name beneath the mug shot—had close-cropped brown hair, a brutish face, and a mean glint in his eye. “I don’t, sorry.”

“Are you sure?”

I looked closer. “I have a good memory for faces. Dad drilled it into me. I don’t know him. But the men who attacked me wore masks.”

She pursed her lips. “Could he have been one of them?”

“Maybe.” I didn’t want to commit to anything when I hadn’t seen any faces. “He’s the right build.” I felt useless and hated it. I racked my brain. “Perhaps if I could hear him. All three men spoke last night, and I definitely remember their voices.” I shivered. “I can’t get them out of my mind.”

“Good idea.” She smiled, and I felt vindicated after how supremely unhelpful I’d been so far. “The fingerprint is enough to bring him in for questioning, and I should be able to get a recording of his voice to see if you can identify him.”

I nodded. “Let me know as soon as you do.”

“I’ll be in touch.” She jerked her chin at Matthews. “Do you have everything you need?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Was it just me, or had Detective Lee’s nostrils flared at the word ma’am? I hid a smile.

“We’ll be on our way then.” She tipped her head to Ronan and Zeke. “Keep me informed if you learn anything.”

“You got it, Jo.” Zeke winked at her, and she gave him a schoolmarm look. “See you soon.”

Then she and Matthews left.

“Do you have to toy with every person you meet?” Ronan asked Zeke.

Zeke shrugged. “Only the ones who need to loosen up.” He turned to Ronan. “I need to talk to you.” He glanced at me. “In private.”