Harper nodded. “He thinks that…well, that a man could do a better job of protecting you.”

Dani rolled her eyes. “He said he thought I’d be more comfortable with Detective Springer…safer.” She met Harper’s gaze. “He sort of insinuated that you’re not doing your job.”

“I know.”

“Why? It’s not your fault the guy keeps finding us.”

“I know.”

Dani lowered her voice even more. “I don’t like him very much.”

Harper laughed. “Good. Because he doesn’t like me very much.”

“Why?”

Harper shrugged. “His wife left him for another woman.”

“What does that have to do with you?”

“I guess I’m a reminder. The woman she left him for was a detective.”

“Oh. But still…”

“Doesn’t matter.” Harper glanced toward the office too. “So what did you say?”

“I told him I preferred to stay with you. I hope I didn’t offend Detective Springer. It’s nothing against him.”

“Reid will be disappointed, not offended.”

She leaned back in her chair. “So what do you think the new plan of action will be? I’m kinda hoping they’ve run out of safe houses. How about a five-star hotel?”

Harper smiled. “That would be nice. But I’m not sure anything has changed. Keep you safe is the goal.”

“Until I leave.”

“Until you leave.”

“I wonder if—”

“Harper? In here.”

Their eyes met at the sound of Lieutenant Mize’s voice, then Harper stood, pausing to touch her shoulder as she walked by her. Dani turned, watching her until Harper closed the door. She took a deep breath, wondering what she would have done if he’d insisted that she change from Harper to Detective Springer. For that matter, she wondered what Harper would have done.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Harper kept her face expressionless as Mize stared at her. She could feel Reid shifting uneasily in the chair beside her.

“So, Ms. Stevens wants to stick with you. Apparently, for some crazy reason, she’s been charmed by you or something.” He folded his hands together. “Is all of this weighing on your conscience, Harper?”

She frowned. “Are you insinuating this is my fault somehow?”

“Well, we’ve been playing this your way. It hasn’t worked so far.”

Her eyes widened. “What? You were the one who sent us to the safe house. That wasn’t my idea,” she stressed.

He looked over at Reid, then back at her. “The rape victim notwithstanding, we need to get her out of Dallas without anyone getting hurt. Or killed. Priority number one.”

“Then let’s catch this guy. We’re not acting like goddamn cops! We’re on the defense. Hiding. Let’s go after this guy.”

“We’re not using her as bait. She’s a Hollywood actress, not a cop. We’re not putting her in the line of fire.”