“Yeah, we heard it too. I looked out. I didn’t see anything.”

“Me either.”

Harper stepped back, knowing that Officer Sorrell—the desk clerk guy—was technically off duty. His replacement was already behind the desk, idly flipping through his phone.

“I guess we look through the surveillance video and see what the hell it was you missed.”

“I swear, nobody came in. At least not in a vehicle.”

They’d chosen this particular motel not only for its meager occupancy rate but because it was horseshoe-shaped with only one entrance. Apparently, if Officer Sorrell was to be believed, their stalker had slipped in on foot.

Harper rubbed her eyes as they went back outside. The doll was still on the car, and she turned away from it.

“Do you have an evidence bag?”

“Yeah, there are some in my car.” He touched her arm. “What’s wrong? You look a little freaked out by that thing.”

She glanced back at the doll. “Had a case in Tucson. Serial killer. Left a Raggedy Ann doll at each scene.” She turned away from the doll again. “Bad memories.”

“Okay. I’ll take care of it. You want to watch video with Hernandez?”

“No. I want to check on Dani. I’ll meet you back in the office. Have Hernandez take this thing to the lab. Maybe we’ll get lucky this time.”

She watched Reid for a minute, then turned away when he reached for the doll. She tapped quickly on their door, hearing Dani on the other side.

“Is it you?”

“Just me.”

Dani released the chain, then opened the door, her eyes first meeting Harper’s before traveling to the lot…and the doll. She then took Harper’s arm and tugged her inside.

“I’m so sorry about the doll, Harper. Of all the dolls he could have picked—”

“I know. Reid is going to get Hernandez to take it to the lab. I’m fine.”

Dani nodded and Harper knew she didn’t believe her. “If you say so.”

Harper held her questioning gaze, softening her expression some. “Dani…I’m fine. It just…it was a shock, that’s all. It’s a doll, part of his game, nothing more.”

They stared at each other for a long moment, then Dani surprised her by moving closer and pulling her into a tight hug. There was nothing professional whatsoever about their relationship any longer and she didn’t pretend that it was. The position that she found herself in at that moment was far too intimate to pretend. She relaxed, letting Dani hold her for as long as she wanted. There was no guilt, no images of Jan flashing before her eyes. There was just this woman who was offering her comfort…and something more.

She closed her eyes, pulling Dani a little tighter against her, then she gently pushed her away. Now wasn’t the time to explore this.