instead of for her own safety.

Why couldn't she just stay put for a few more days?

There was an intense manhunt on for Taylor.

A few more days might make the difference in his capture and then she would be free to do what she wanted.

As would he.

There was a great deal he wanted to discuss with her, a great deal he'd had to put off because of Taylor's escape.

Graham blocked her path.

"What do you mean, fair?

You're not exactly on a vacation.

"No-I'd enjoy a vacation."

She fixed him with a hard look as she pushed him out of her way.

"Look, you didn't want to marry me originally because you didn't want

to place your mother and son in jeopardy. Well, having me here does

just that."

"Which is exactly why there's a squad car posted right outside, and one patrolling the area."

He wasn't about to take foolish chances, the way she obviously wanted to.

"I thought you just said you thought he was gone."

He would catch that.

She frowned.

If she didn't get out, she was going to scream.

"People with cabin fever tend to contradict themselves. Now, I'm going to work."

She crossed to the front door.

"You can follow me or not, that's your choice, but unless you're placing me under arrest, I am leaving."

Right after the game last week, Caitlin had been certain that they were

on the brink of a breakthrough.

Something was finally clicking into place between them.

But then Jeffers had called and everything had fallen apart.

News of Taylor's escape had brought everything to a sudden, screeching

halt.

They were right back to where they had been after the hearing in Harrison's chambers.

Square one.

Graham was out being a detective again, and she was home without him.

Except now she didn't even have her work to help hold her sanity

intact.

But she couldn't stand doing nothing anymore.

There was just so long she could put up with watching summer reruns.

If she watched one more game show, she was going to throw something at

the television set.

"So, if you're not going to arrest me," she challenged , "I've got a shop to run and a baseball game to coach later."

God, was she out of her mind?

Wasn't almost getting dragged away once by that maniac enough for

her?

, 'You can't go to the game.

She drew herself up on her toes, still over half a foot shy of him.

"What's he going to do? Sneak up on me and shoot me in the middle of a

crowd? How's he going to get to me?There's no cover.For two cents he'd throttle her."Ever hear of a rifle with telescopic sights? Snipers can hit a gnat from half a mile away."@ " Well, I'm not a gnat and this guy likes to

be inches away, watching the life ooze out of his victims.

" She'd heard the pleasure in Taylor's voice when he had shot the man in the alley. It gave her nightmares." I don't think he'd settle for long-distance thrills.

Graham looked at her.

Either she was very brave or very stupid.

At this moment he wasn't about to bet which.

"You know that and you're still willing to go out?"

"Gray, I can't live my life hiding. Not from anyone. Not for

anyone."

She looked at him pointedly.

If he would just say something to her that she could cling to, it might

help.

But he was so distant, almost obsessed with his work.

She was beginning to think she had fooled herself into thinking that

there was still something there between them.

"Now get out of my way. Some of us have places to be."

She had guts, he'd give her that.

His mouth softened.

"You've turned a damn sight more stubborn than when I last knew you."

She shrugged, her back to him as she slipped the strap of her purse on

her shoulder.

"Yeah, well, maybe I grew up."

Yes, he thought, she had.

A great deal.

The fire in her eyes made her even more incredibly appealing than she

already was.