She wished there had been more.

No one deserved to die like that, in an alley, no matter what he had

done.

"The man with the gun had his back to me for most of it."

From Graham's perspective there was a more important question that had

been left unasked.

"Did he see you?"

Reluctantly Caitlin looked at Graham again.

His question sounded almost like an accusation.

What right did he have to even be here?

Detective or no detective, if he had a shred of decency left within

him, he would have taken himself off the case as soon as he knew she

was involved.

Had curiosity urged him on to come see just what he had thrown away so cavalierly in exchange for fifty thousand dollars?

A lot, Graham.

You threw away a lot.

She raised her eyes to him defiantly, barely holding on to her anger.

She told herself that was all it was.

Only anger.

No more hurt, no more pain.

Those feelings, along with the love she'd had for him, were dead.

She shook her head.

"I don't think he saw me."

She didn't think so.

But there was always a chance.

Graham didn't like leaving anything to chance.

Chance was far too whimsical to suit him.

If the killer had seen her and thought she had seen him.

He didn't like the direction his thoughts were taking.

Damn, any second they were going to draw pistols and aim, Jeffers

thought.

He laid a settling hand on Caitlin's arm, drawing her attention away from the line of fire.

"Would you be up to coming in and looking at some mug shots for us?"

She didn't think there was much point in that.

And she was behind in her schedule as it was.

"I already told you, I really didn't get that good a look."

Jeffers nodded, his voice mild, soothing.

The way he saw it, there was a great deal of damage control required

here.

"I understand, but sometimes memories can be jarred by outside influences." Without meaning to, he glanced at Graham, the action underscoring his words.

"You know how it is."

"Yes," Caitlin agreed quietly.

"I know bow it is. All right, I'll go. I-et me just get my purse."

"Take as much time as you'd like," Jeffers encouraged, his smile

light.

He debated his next move, then made up his mind.

"Would you excuse us for a moment?"

Caitlin nodded, relieved by the unexpected, momentary respite.

Jeffers was already turning toward his partner.

"Mind if I have a word with you, Gray?"

Graham didn't answer.

Instead, he turned on the heel of his well-worn boot -and started

walking.

He continued walking until he was just outside the entrance to the store. Standing before the door, he-took a deep breath, savoring it like a man who had been in danger of suffocating.

The air was hot.

Yet it was still better than being inside, breathing m her fragrance,

sharing the air with her.

Jeffers circled Graham' until he stood in front of his partner.

Silence was a tool in Graham's hands.

He could use it and be more comfortable with it than anyone Jeffers had

ever known.

But silence gave him no answers and he wanted them.

Jeffers gestured behind him toward the shop.

"What the hell was going on in there?"

Fathomless eyes regarded Jeffers for a long moment, undercutting his

annoyance.

"We're handling an investigation," Graham answered in the same mild tone he would have used in announcing the temperature. "If you don't know that by now, I'd say the city's wasting its money on you."

He was in no mood for drollness.

"The hell with the city.

You know what I mean.

" Jeffers moved closer, lowering his voice as two women, walking into the store, regarded him with passing interest." I've never seen two people cross swords like that.

It was like being in the middle of Star Wars with Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader battling it out with light sabers.

I felt like I was going to be cut down at any second by a stray blow.

A hint of amusement entered Graham's eyes.

"Then you should have moved."