Huck nodded. “I know we can’t prove it, but I think she helped cover for her brother’s crimes until she shot him to save you.” He sighed. “Based on her past—being taken from her father, who’s apparently a bad guy, then being thrown into college at a young age by herself—I can see her wanting to protect family.”

“Yes. She didn’t have the security and love that I did.”

“You feel sorry for Dr. Caine?” He liked to keep Abigail in the doctor category because every instinct in his body told him she was dangerous.

“Yes. I often wonder who I’d be if I’d grown up alone like she did,” Laurel said softly.

He glanced her way. “You’d be exactly who you are. You fight evil, Laurel. That matters.”

She fiddled with her earring again. “Don’t you wonder why I chose this field? I do, and I haven’t delved deep enough to really understand my motivations, if they can even be understood.” For a second, she sounded lost.

The bewildering complexity of the woman made him feel relieved that they’d decided to just be friends, but he sympathized with her unease about Abigail and the pastor. Both were the kind of brilliant that could lead to crazy. He pulled to a stop in the parking lot of a luxury condominium complex. They’d have to continue this discussion later.

* * *

Laurel scrutinized the messy kitchen in the condominium. “She left in a hurry.” Cupboards had been left open and their contents spread over the countertop.

Huck kept his gloves in place as he snapped pictures with his phone. “The crime scene techs did a good job cleaning up after themselves. They caught some prints but nothing very interesting, from the sounds of it.”

“Agreed.” Laurel moved to a partially open drawer and pulled it out. Just wine corks. A lot of them. Her gloves in place, she opened the cupboard door beneath the sink to find a garbage can smelling like wine, gin, and vodka. The scent of red wine wafted up. “It looks like Dr. Rox enjoyed her alcohol.” Or perhaps she was self-medicating because she was terrified of her stalker.

“Maybe.” Huck looked at the open-concept area, standing in the kitchen and studying the living room. “She liked calm, soothing colors.”