“Yes.” Deidre turned from stirring the fragrant brew to study her daughter. She wore a black yoga outfit with a bright blue jacket, her short blond hair ruffled and her cheeks rosy. “I heard there was a body found by the river today. Is that your case?”

“I take it the media has already caught the story?” Laurel walked to the cupboard to remove water and wine glasses. When her mother didn’t answer, she set the table. “Yes, that’s my case. I don’t know the identity of the victim as of yet, but she was definitely murdered.” It was unnecessary at this juncture to worry her mother by telling her that Abigail Caine might be involved. Again.

Her mom ladled chili into ceramic bowls. “Toppings?” “Cheese and sour cream,” Laurel said, reaching for a bottle of Opus One Cabernet. Her mom might love clipping coupons and saving money, but she had expensive taste in wine.

“Sure. I’ll throw in green onions and my spinach dip just to keep you balanced,” Deidre said, doing just that. She brought the steaming bowls to the round country-style kitchen table and sat. “The news said that Fish and Wildlife was on the scene with the body. You’re not having to work with that Huck Rivers again, are you?”

Laurel sat and sipped her wine, humming at the rich taste as it slid down her throat. “The captain is a good officer, Mom.”

“Huh.” Her mom sampled the chili and then smiled. “Right. I know you had a night with him, and I know he didn’t call you afterward.”

“I didn’t call him either.” Laurel ate some of the chili and let her stomach warm. The spinach dip mellowed out the spices nicely. “He was shot protecting me from a bullet, so I’d think you’d like him a marginal amount.”

Her mom sipped the wine, her green eyes thoughtful. “That’s a good point. I guess taking a bullet for you gives him some cred, even though he hasn’t called. Why haven’t you called him?”

Laurel shrugged. “What would I say?” She truly had no idea. They’d worked a case together, had one night of excellent sex, and then he’d gotten shot as they’d closed the case. She’d spent some time visiting him in the hospital, and they’d seemed to be starting a friendship, but then things had fizzled out. Or rather, she’d headed back to DC to work another case, and he’d disappeared into his lonely cabin in the woods with his dog. “We’re just work colleagues.”

Deidre nodded. “That’s a good thing. No offense, but that man needs saving, and you have no clue how to save a man.”