“Go ahead and send her in, Harper. And ask Springer to come in too.” He paused. “You can take a break. Grab some coffee or something. I know it’s been a rough morning for you.”

My God, was he really so blatantly patronizing her? Suggesting a man could do a better job? Telling her to take a break because she’d had a rough morning? But she nodded obediently before taking her leave. Arguing would do no good. Dani was sitting at her desk, and she looked at her questioningly. Reid was just walking in with a cup of coffee.

“Lieutenant wants to see you,” she said to Reid. She turned to Dani. “And you.”

Dani’s brows drew together. “What’s going on?”

Harper shrugged. “I’m not really sure, to be honest with you.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Dani sat down next to Detective Springer, uncomfortable in the room without Harper. Lieutenant Mize offered her a reassuring smile, but she thought it looked forced.

“Ms. Stevens, we’re thinking about making some changes.”

“Changes?”

“Yes. I thought perhaps you might feel more comfortable—safer—if we placed you under the care of Detective Springer.”

Her eyes widened. “In place of Harper?”

“Yes. It’s been a rather eventful few days for you. Detective Jeremiah…well, she hasn’t been able to totally shield you from this guy. I think—”

She stood up quickly. “No. I don’t want to change.” She glanced at Detective Springer. “No offense to you, but I would not feel more comfortable or safer with someone other than Har—I mean, Detective Jeremiah.” She glanced out of the office window, hoping to see Harper, but she was not at her desk. She felt her hands shaking and she feared she was about to have a panic attack. What if they really made the change? Then what? Would she be forced to do it? What were her options? Leave Dallas?

“Ms. Stevens, I assure you, Detective Springer is fully capable of—”

“I don’t care.” She met his gaze. “I prefer to stay with Detective Jeremiah.”

“Are you sure, Ms. Stevens? Because—”

“I’m sure.”

He stared at her a moment, then finally nodded. “Very well. It’s your decision, of course, but I wanted to give you the opportunity to change.”

“Thank you, but I’m fine with her.”

He stood. “Well, I guess we need to get Harper back in here then. Thank you,” he said dismissively, waving a hand toward the door. “I’ll come get her in a moment, if you could let her know.”

With a quick glance at Detective Springer, she left them, closing the door behind her. She was relieved to find Harper back at her desk. She sat down beside her, flicking her gaze toward Lieutenant Mize’s office.

“You won’t believe what he wanted,” she whispered to Harper.

Harper smiled. “So does that mean you’re not ready to ditch me yet?”

“You knew?”