Jack… the events of that night created a crack, one large enough for Val to see him differently. Her attraction to Gavin was only wasting her time. Val wasn’t getting any younger and she was pushing away men far better suited for her. Jack was available. He was attractive… well no, that wasn’t correct. He was downright one of the sexiest men Val had ever seen in person.

He had taken her breath away the first time she saw him, even though she had also hated him then. He was so arrogant. Hell, he still is arrogant. Would he tear at her heart though? Like Gavin did.

Jack had been waiting for her when she got home after dinner with Gavin. He teased her about her choice of clothing and asked where she’d been.

‘I went for dinner with Gavin,’ she told him.

Jack’s only response had been to say, “We need to talk with the Ballards.”

“The who?” Val had questioned. The name didn’t immediately ring a bell.

“Gabrielle Morgan’s next-door neighbors. The wife was the last person to see Gabrielle alive.” Jack raised his eyebrows, as if he were surprised Val didn’t know this. “Val, when investigating a case, you ought to know who your witnesses are—”

Val had cut him off. She was in no mood for his pontificating. “I know the neighbor was the last person to see Gabrielle alive. I just didn’t remember the name was Ballard. What about them? Does the husband know something too? You said Ballards. Plural.” Val made a point to show she had caught the distinction.

“Mr. Ballard tended to be left home alone—a lot—while his wife worked late-night shifts. The neighbor across the street told me that. The neighbor across the street also told me that Gabrielle Morgan’s lights seemed to be on later than usual on those nights. Could be neighborhood gossip but I think we should look into it. Anyway, it’s late. I’m heading to bed. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

Val had just stared at Jack as he climbed the staircase. He kept his gaze forward, not looking back at her. “By the way,” he had said, “I should have mentioned it earlier, but that dress looks great on you.”

“Val, we need to go!” Gwen poked her head into their office.

Val eyed Gwen’s dark suit and checked her watch. She herself needed to change out of the scrubs she was wearing. “Give me five minutes.”

“I’ll be in the car.”