He didn’t feel comfortable discussing his personal life with this man. He had a great respect for Brian Maddox—he was one of the good cops, one of the people Matt felt he could trust, though Matt wished he took this threat more seriously. But Matt liked to keep his personal life to himself.

As if Maddox sensed what he was thinking, he said, “I’ll read over your notes. Talk to Julie. Send her to visit my parents in St. George. Or down to Scottsdale—my boys love baseball, and they’d love to get out of school for a couple of days to watch spring training.”

“So far, the killer hasn’t gone after families, but we definitely don’t want to risk anyone. I can put a patrol on your house, or an agent inside.”

“Kara said she’d watch my back. She’s a good cop, Matt. You can trust her.”

“I’m sure she is, but she’s here on vacation. Pulling bodyguard duty for a couple of days?”

Kara walked up to them.

“I’m doing it,” she said. “I wasn’t joking earlier.”

Matt hadn’t seen her step out of the house.

Brian laughed. “A patrol will be sufficient, Kara.”

“Like hell. Your house is remote. Access from all sides, including the backyard and a thousand acres of open space behind you. I’m good, I’m not letting anything happen to you. I think Costa’s right—and I think you’re a fool if you don’t think so.”

Brian was irritated. “I already told Costa that I’m sending Julie and the boys away.”

“Good. I’m going to Em’s. I’ll explain to her I’m moving in with you for a day or two, and I’ll be here bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the morning. I’m your partner in this, I owe you.”

“You don’t owe me, but—”

“You think because I’m a girl I can’t watch your back?”

“Of course not.”

“Then shut up.”

She glanced at Matt and he wanted her to wink at him like she’d done the other day, but she didn’t. All he saw was the cop Kara. Because that was all she wanted him to see.

She walked over to her car and drove off.

“Are you sure this isn’t overkill?” Brian asked seriously.

“It’s not. I can put the agents on you.”

“I trust Kara. She knows what she’s doing. I don’t think she ever stops working. But having a couple agents to relieve her or watch the house—if you really think I’m the target, I won’t object. I don’t have a death wish,” Brian said.

Matt needed to go, but Brian Maddox was probably the only person in Liberty Lake who knew Kara Quinn—really knew her. “What does Kara owe you for?”

“Nothing.”

“Because you convinced her to become a cop?”

“She’s always said if any other cop had arrested her after she trashed the rapist’s Corvette, she would have turned to a life of crime.”

“Arrested? How could she be arrested and still be on the job? She told me you detained her.”