“Or someone else didn’t want her to be tracked.”

“Why not just leave the phone at her home, then?” Gavin grinned knowingly about the answer.

“Because this way Gabrielle can still be the number-one suspect in her own death as well as that of her son. She would have taken her phone with her. Especially since she and her son were missing and alive five days prior to their deaths on day six.”

“I like the way you’re learning to think about crime, Val.” Gavin smiled and grabbed her hand in a warm embrace. He held on for a second or two before slowly releasing, his thumb sliding across her palm. Val’s pulse exploded. His smile, she’d seen it more than once in their conversations. But the touch, that was different. And deliberate. “Some days I’m convinced you rival the best.”

“I’m learning from the best.” Val’s chest flipped with a prickly, hot upsurge of the emotions that lead to desire. She’d become pretty good at pushing her feelings for Gavin to the side, but every now and then he’d do or say something that reminded her how she felt and how hard she had to work to keep him out of her personal thoughts, and in her professional world. This man was not hers for the taking and she sat back, composing herself. He’s a colleague not a potential boyfriend, and especially not a fling for the night. Val swallowed hard, thinking of something to say because Gavin was sitting back casually swirling his glass, smiling at her. It all made her lose her train of thought.

Something sensible finally popped into her mind, breaking the spell. “Hey, what about Bridget Morgan, Gabrielle’s sister. Have you heard anything more about her?” Val blurted out, exhaling, thankful that she found something, anything to say.

Gavin picked up his glass, which was now almost empty. “Perry Logan, Gabrielle’s ex-husband, has his own opinion about Bridget Morgan and it’s very different than what we heard from Mr. and Mrs. Morgan. Sorry I didn’t tell you this earlier.”

“Welcome to The Chop House. How are you two doing this evening?” the waiter said. “I’m Aiden and will be taking care of you tonight.”

Both Val and Gavin awkwardly turned their attention towards this man as he told them about the specials. She took another sip of wine and set down the glass, which was almost gone. “Can I get you another drink while you decide?” Aiden asked.

“Sure. We’re both having the Malbec,” Gavin said before Val had a chance to protest.

“Can we order some appetizers now?” Val managed to get out before Aiden could dash off to another table. Food, Val definitely needed some form of food.

“Of course,” Aiden said.

Val ordered. “I’ll have the mussels in white wine sauce.”