"You're not. Looks to me like you're all up in it, and her."

Nathan had Avery pinned before anyone could react, slamming him against the drywall hard enough that a plaque clattered to the floor. "I've had enough of you, Dalton. Hate me all you want, but it's your duty to treat this woman with respect. I'm not going to allow you to talk about her like she's trash."

"Stop." She pulled hard on his arm. "Nathan, don't get in trouble for me, please."

Nathan released Avery with a jerk. "I'm sorry. This is your workplace. I shouldn't have lost my temper."

"It's all right. Just sit back down with me."

Nathan knew Ronson was watching their interchange and no doubt noticed Emilie's hand lingering on his arm.

"What would Uncle Jimmy say, Madigan?" Avery adjusted his collar. "All these years spent making up for his death just to throw it away on a woman?"

Jimmy's last moments flashed into Nathan's mind. The knife still stuck in his chest, blood oozing from Jimmy's open mouth and turning the rain-soaked streets a garish pink. His uncle's eyes faded and closed as Nathan begged him to hold on.

"Be a good boy." Jimmy choked, spitting more blood. "Make me proud."

But Jimmy was long gone. All Nathan could see was Dalton Avery's hateful smile. His right fist connected with Avery's skinny lips. The detective stumbled back before losing his balance and landing on his a.s.s.

"You'll be suspended for this." Avery clutched his mouth.

"I need a vacation."

Nathan had managed to screw up his career and embarra.s.s Emilie at work in the same day. He turned to her. "I'm not sorry this time."

"I know."

"Out!" Ronson grabbed him by the elbow. Employees scattered in an effort to pretend they hadn't been watching. Outside, Ronson unleashed on Nathan.

"Are you stupid?"

"He had it coming."

"Of course he did. Doesn't mean you had to stoop to his level. And you will be suspended, you know that, right?"

"Yeah."

"That goes on your record, Nathan. Your career advancement could be affected, and all over a p.i.s.s-ant like Avery?"

"It's not about him."

"Right. It's about Emilie Davis."

"We're just friends."

"You both want to be more than that," Ronson said. "You think I can't see it?"

"Sia, I swear to G.o.d, we've done nothing wrong." Nathan flexed his aching hand.

"But?"

"You're right. We've discussed it and agreed to be friends until the case is closed."

"That could be a long time."

"I'm going to catch him."

"How? You're not officially on the case, and you're going to be on a vacation now."

"Five days at most. That gives me plenty of time to look for Snake."

"You're going into the tunnels? Alone?"

"Chris is going with me."

"That's not authorized."

"Off the clock. Just exploring."

"Nathan, you're a great cop. You've got some of the best instincts I've ever seen. But you're not thinking clearly. You're doing this to be with Davis."

"I'm doing this to make her safe," Nathan said. "You know as well as I do that unless the Taker makes a mistake, Snake is our best chance."

"I'm not going to talk you out of this, am I?"

"No."

"Then I'm going with you," a new voice said.

Rocks settled into Nathan's stomach. Emilie stood in the doorway, arms folded across her chest and a look of determination on her face.

Emilie glared out the window of Jeremy's office. The jagged edges of her once-smooth nails dug into her bare arms.

"Em, please listen to them," Jeremy begged. "It's not safe."

"Sitting around on my a.s.s isn't safe. At least I'll be doing something."

"What?" Jeremy demanded. "Offering yourself to the Taker?"

"I'd rather do that than wait around for him to make his move."

"You're not doing it," Nathan said. "It's out of the question."

Emilie glanced at Avery, waiting for the insult, but none came. He glowered at Nathan and rubbed his jaw.

"You're not going into the d.a.m.ned tunnels," Nathan repeated. "I won't let you take that risk."

His words meant more than she wanted to admit, but she couldn't back down. "It's not your decision, is it?"

"You're clearly not capable of making this one."

"And you've got no right to make it for me."

"Madigan, I brought you in here you to talk some sense into her, not p.i.s.s her off," Ronson said. "Stop acting like a caveman."

"I just want her to be safe."

"I know you do," Emilie relented. "But I have to do this."

"Why? What good could possibly come of it?"

"I need to face him. He's got the upper hand right now because he believes he's in control of my life."

"And you think going into the tunnels will prove him wrong?" Nathan said. "All it's going to prove is you're reckless."

"This is my decision. You can't stop me."

Ronson turned to Nathan. "She could be an a.s.set. Maybe seeing her in person will get people talking, make them want to help. If she was accompanied-"

"She is standing right here," Emilie cut in. "I realize you're just trying to help, but put yourself in my shoes. I'm scared of every shadow. I have no control over my own life. That stops now. Maybe it won't do the investigation any good, but going into the tunnels will d.a.m.ned sure help me."

She looked straight into Nathan's eyes. "I'd rather have firsthand experience if I end up in the shark pit."

"Sharks can see better in murky waters." Nathan's voice softened. "He'll still have the advantage."

"At least I won't be completely blind."

They stared at each other. Emilie's right foot jerked forward as her body begged to be close to his. His anguished expression was almost more than she could bear.

"I'll take you," Ronson finally agreed. "But there's one condition."

"Name it."

"Nathan and Holt guide us. And it's extracurricular for them, so I can't give the order. They've got to agree."

Emilie's heart sank as she watched Nathan grit his teeth. He wasn't going to give in. "Please. Do this for me."

Chapter Twenty-Seven.

"You want some coffee?" Sarah asked. "Juice? Cereal?"

"Not hungry." Even the safety of the Vance's large kitchen couldn't quell the shock of yesterday's events. Otis prowled around the room, sniffing his new territory and whining about the transfer. "Jeremy take the kids to school?"

"Yep. Just you and me." Sarah sat down across from Emilie and sipped her coffee. "You okay?"

"How can the Taker be that close and no one see him?"

"He's mastered the art of blending in with the crowd. Lots of people probably saw him. They just didn't realize it."

"I shouldn't be here. I'm putting all of you in danger."

"Stop. We've got a security system and there's a cop stationed outside. This is the best place for you. Unlike the d.a.m.ned storm drains. You're not seriously going in there?"

"I've got to, Sarah. Please try to understand."

"I can't. But I'm not going to try to talk you out of it. You've got b.a.l.l.s, I'll give you that." Sarah dumped a packet of sugar into her coffee. "I'm just glad Nathan's going with you."

Emilie kept silent. Avery's accusations kept tormenting her. What if she ruined Nathan's career?

"Don't run from him," Sarah said. "He's good for you."

"He is. But I'm not good for him."

"Bulls.h.i.t. You're amazing. Nathan's smart enough to see that."

"He's suspended because of me."

"No, he's suspended because that p.r.i.c.k Detective Avery insulted you, and Nathan stood up to him. Sometimes breaking the rules is worth the reward. Avery had it coming."

"If I hadn't-"

"Stop your pity party. You needed him, and you called. Guess what? That's normal. Pushing people away and pretending you're happy by yourself isn't. But after Claire's visit, I totally understand why you do it."

"I still can't believe it," Emilie said. "Meme died thinking she'd finally left me with the truth, but Claire kept the worst to herself."

"What about your biological father?"

"I doubt he ever had a clue. And from the sound of it, I'm not sure Claire even knew his full name. Guess I'll never know."

"You could always ask her," Sarah said.

"Not a chance in h.e.l.l. I finally said my piece. She and I are officially through. That door is finally closed."

"Pain's still there, though. You're going to have to deal with it someday."

"I know. But not today."