"I think I would have if I thought it would have made a difference, but I dont think hes the kind of guy to actually care one way or the other," she responded. They rode a few miles in silence and she began to wonder why she had even mentioned her errant thought to Dash in the first place. It wasnt a lie, it had crossed her mind, but two things had kept her from saying it to Carlo. One shed shared with Dash, but the other was that the lie would have rolled easily off her tongue-so easily, in fact, it made her wonder if it was the truth. She and Dash hadnt talked about the whole marriage thing since their first night together, but for the first time in her life, she could actually bring herself to consider the possibility. Not that it was going to happen as fast as his family seemed to think, but she wasnt as freaked out by the idea as she expected. Now, she actually felt open to considering it, open to the possibility that spending the rest of her life with someone could be a decision she would want to make.

"Youre awfully quiet over there," Dash said as he pulled onto her road and headed toward her house.

Matty shrugged. "Just thinking about my book," she lied.

He pulled to a stop in front her house and turned toward her. "Liar," he said, but with a smile. "Youre thinking about getting married, arent you?"

"No," the words were out of her mouth faster than a bullet.

Dash laughed. "You are. Admit it."

"I wont." Great, now she was sounding like a petulant child. But still, Dash laughed. Then he pulled her toward him and kissed her properly. When he pulled away, he still held her face close to his.

"I have a few errands to run today and then I need to check in with the clinic this afternoon."

She leaned forward and kissed him again because, well, because she wanted to. When she pulled away, he grazed a thumb down her cheek.

"I have some work I need to do on my book. Im almost done and I just want to finish up a few things, double check a few things, before I send it to my editor," she said.

"So youre going to stay home?"

She nodded and brushed another kiss over his lips. "Maybe Ill even cook dinner."

Dash smiled and released her. "Dont bother, why dont we go out tonight?"

Matty agreed and opened her door. She was about to slide out of her seat when Dash grabbed her hand. "Call me if you need anything."

"Thanks, but Ill be fine. Hopefully, Ill get the book done today and then Ill be home free for at least a little bit-while my editor tears it to shreds, all in the name of making it better."

After one last kiss, she closed the truck door behind her and though she would normally wait for Dash to leave before entering her house, she knew hed want to wait until she was inside before he left. And so she waved and entered the house. It was quiet inside, all the dogs having flooded out when shed opened the door, but inviting. She was looking forward to finishing her book. She wasnt sure what she would do once it was done, but it was so close that she just wanted to tie up the loose ends and launch it into the next step in the publishing process.

But an hour later, she still wasnt feeling it. Something was nagging at her brain and she couldnt quite place it. It wasnt something about her book, although there were a few areas she thought needed cleaning up. And it wasnt about her last conversation with Dash. Sighing, she propped her chin on her hand and stared out the offices big picture window at the cows.

They had finally ventured away from the barn and were out grazing in the field. The scene was peaceful and comforting, like something out of a Monet painting. Which made it that much more amusing when one of the cows suddenly got what Matty assumed was a figurative bug up its behind and launched itself into the air in a frolic-y little dance. She couldnt help but laugh as the less-than-graceful animal arched and bucked and trotted around the field. The fact that the other cows simply stood and watched the show only made it funnier.

She was still chuckling a few minutes later when the cow finally settled down and resumed eating. It was a far cry from the graceful moves of Short Stuff, but still as entertaining, if not more so.

Short Stuff. Thinking of the foal reminded Matty of Carlo. Grabbing hold of the thread that was now taking shape in her brain, she pulled out the copies of the photos Brad had left in the book for her and thumbed through until she found the picture of the young woman, the picture with no name.

Fingering it, an idea came to her. Picking up her phone, she dialed Vivis number.

"Matty," Vivi answered. "Everything okay?"

"Yes, thanks, but I was thinking. Do you have an ID on the woman in the photo yet?" Matty asked.

Vivi paused and Matty heard her typing away. "Hmm, no, thats interesting."

"Whats interesting?" Matty asked.

"We ran her face through the drivers license database using facial recognition and nothing came up."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning she doesnt have a drivers license. Which is unusual for someone her age."

"Is there a database of jockeys?" Matty asked.

"Jockeys?"

"Yes, I just met one today and it struck me, he was built like the woman in the picture-tiny frame, not very tall. I know its probably a long shot, but it just struck me that maybe shes a jockey and the picture was taken at the track. It would make sense given that Brad also left the racing form."

"Hmm," Vivi said again, typing something else. "There is a database of jockeys since they have to have a license to race. It will take some time to run the recognition program, but its worth a try."

"I could just be seeing connections where there arent any," Matty said cautiously.

"But you never know," Vivi countered. "Right now we have nothing else to go on with respects to the picture so well take any direction that seems reasonable, and this seems more than reasonable."

They chatted for a few more minutes, catching up on the case. Though the lab had released Brads body, they were still processing evidence and trying to come up with and track down leads. Vivi was confident they were making progress, but backlogs at the lab were making it hard to move as fast as any of them would like. They ended the call with a promise to get together for dinner in the next few days.

When Matty returned to her laptop, she realized focusing on her book was now much easier. And focus she did. She plugged away for several hours and when she finally sat back there were just three or four points she needed to clarify, and for those shed need Chen.

Thirty minutes later, Chen pulled up her drive, bringing his sleek car to a stop. Matty had thought to just call him and talk over the phone, but when she had, hed offered to come over, saying he was out and about anyway. When he arrived, she greeted him on the patio and invited him in. They spent a few minutes discussing the funeral plans for Brad. Douglas had won out and the service was scheduled for the following weekend at the church in Windsor where Brad had only occasionally attended services but had often volunteered. The burial itself would be attended by Brads parents and immediate family only. Douglas had asked that Matty come, Brad had even mentioned it in his will, but she had yet to decide whether or not she felt comfortable with the idea.

Sandra was intent on not holding a reception in Windsor, so Matty assumed Brads parents would be leaving immediately after the burial for a reception of Sandras choosing. Matty, on the other hand, was debating whether or not to host a reception in town for Brads local friends. She hadnt landed on an answer yet, but figured shed have a day or two to sort it all out.

After talking about it all and sharing her indecision, Chen offered his place for a reception should she choose to host one in Windsor. She thanked him, but as she was not prepared to make any further decisions, she changed the topic to her book, the original reason shed called him over.

They were going over the second to last point she wanted his input on when her phone rang. Seeing it was Vivi, she excused herself and answered.

"You were right," Vivi said without preamble. "She was a jockey."

"Was?" Matty asked, her stomach sinking.

"Her name was Courtney Carol, twenty-six years old and a jockey for a number of the local farms. By all accounts, she was good, very good, but not great. And she was killed nine months ago."

Matty swallowed. "How?"

"A single gunshot wound to the head. Up on an exercise track used for the horses about an hour north of Albany."

Mattys eyes sought the quiet view of the cows in the field as her mind processed this information. "Any ties to Brad?"

"Were looking into it. The bullets dont match those we pulled out of the victims in Windsor, so we know she wasnt killed with the same gun. But whether or not it was the same shooter, or if she had anything to do with Brad, or even if she knew him at all, are answers that we will need to find. Now that you have a name, have you seen it anywhere in Brads things?"

She mentally went through all the paperwork shed read through, all the files, and shook her head. "No, it doesnt ring a bell. But given what we know about the other people in the pictures, is there a chance she might have been involved in something like that?"

"Fraud or skimming funds?" Vivi responded, more mulling it over than asking a question. "We didnt find anything in her bank statements to indicate that, but youre right, given the company she was keeping, or rather the company her picture was keeping, well look into it a bit more. And given she was a jockey, we may want to look into the gambling aspect of it as well, fixing races and things like that."

Matty wasnt sure what to think of the new information and, after a few more minutes, they said their good-byes and ended the call.

"Everything okay?" Chen asked from the door between the kitchen, where shed left him, and the office, where she now sat.

She frowned. "Im not really sure. Vivi, who works in the crime lab in Albany," she clarified for Chen. "She just IDd someone in a photo."

"Someone involved in Brads death?" Chen asked, straightening away from the door.

Matty shrugged. "Hard to tell. She was a jockey and she was killed nine months ago. Vivi said they dont have any obvious ties between her and Brad, but they are looking into it."

Chen frowned. "I vaguely remember something about this. Was she shot?"

She looked up at Chen in surprise and nodded. "How did you know?"

Chen lifted a shoulder. "My family has horses, we race them around here sometimes. It was a big deal when it happened because there had never been such a seemingly cold-blooded murder in the racing community up here before. By all accounts, she was a good jockey, no rumors floated around about her or anything like that. That was what made it such a memorable event-not only had nothing like that ever happened before, but no one could think of any reason why it had happened to her," he said.

"Did you know her?" she asked.

Chen shook his head. "No. I dont get too involved in that part of the family business. My sister is really the one who is most heavily involved in the stables and with the horses, but I asked her about it after it happened. She knew Courtney but had never used her as a jockey for any of our horses. Though she did ride for a few friends of ours," he added.

"Do you know if she knew Brad?"

Again, Chen lifted a shoulder. "I never saw them together, but Brad knew a lot of people, its possible he knew some of the owners she rode for and maybe met her through them? My sister might know."

To Matty, anything was possible. But the world of horse racing and jockeys and owners and trainers wasnt anything she knew much about.

"Do you want to go to the track and ask around? I can take you, if you like," Chen offered.

For a moment, she considered his offer. He was an owner and would have access to places she wouldnt if she ever went up to ask around on her own. But what would she find? What would she even ask?

She sighed and shook her head. "Thanks, Chen, I appreciate it, I really do. But I think Ill leave it to the professionals," she answered.

He studied her for a moment, as if expecting her to change her mind. When she didnt, he took a step back and gestured back toward the kitchen with his arm. "In that case, and if youre ready, perhaps we should finish this up and then maybe we can celebrate the completion of your next best seller."

At that, Matty let out a small laugh. She had no thoughts as to whether her book would be another best seller or not. It was true, she had several to her credit, but she preferred not to think about it too much and just produce the best book she could every time. But she could definitely get on board with the rest of Chens suggestion. So, joining him in the kitchen, she got back to work. But not before putting a bottle of champagne in the refrigerator to chill.

CHAPTER 23.

DASH TOOK THE NEXT DAY OFF and he and Matty were having a leisurely and late breakfast on her back porch when Mattys phone rang. Dash saw her glance at the number before she looked back at him.

"My father," she said as the phone rang again.

"Are you going to get it?" he asked. He knew she and her father had spoken a few times, but he also knew that she wasnt entirely sure what to make of the situation-not that he could blame her. That she didnt trust Douglas was obvious, but she wasnt unwilling to listen to him either.

Matty quietly debated as the phone rang in her hand then lifted a brow at him, silently asking if he would mind. He shook his head and she rose from the table, answering the call as she walked back into the kitchen and into the office. He watched her retreating figure for a moment then began to clear the table. He was just about to run the hot water in the kitchen sink when the dogs erupted in their usual early-warning style. Matty popped her head into the room, still on the phone, but he gestured to her that he would take care of it. When she disappeared back into the office, he made his way to the door.

Two cars pulled up as he stepped onto the patio. Both looked like rentals, though one was decidedly more sleek and expensive than the other.

A tall man with dark hair, dark eyes, and a dark suit emerged from the first, more utilitarian car; Dash pegged him as a government man. The second car produced an almost equally tall, stunning woman. She looked to be of mixed ethnicity, definitely some African-American heritage, but also some Caucasian, Asian, and maybe even Spanish. Her long, straight, black hair was pulled back by a clip at the nape of her neck and she wore the kind of outfit that looked like it cost more than Dashs entire wardrobe. The tailored skirt hugged her hips and long lean legs, and her blouse seemed made specifically for her, whispering across her body. And then there was the jewelry-a thick gold rope necklace and matching bracelet and diamond studs that could probably blind a man if caught in the light the right way.

The two men eyed her as she walked toward the patio. Aside from her general appearance, which was beyond striking, Dash couldnt help but be impressed by the way she navigated the gravel driveway in heels that should be illegal without appearing to give it a second thought.

Dash cast the man a look, silently asking if they were together. The man shook his head and stepped forward.

"Im Special Agent Damian Rodriguez with the FBI and also a friend of Ian MacAllisters. Im here to see Mathilde Brooks."

Dash glanced at the woman who had now joined them on the patio. A look of distaste had flashed across her face at the mention of the FBI, and whoever she was, she did not look like a woman youd want to displease.

"And just what do you want with Matty?" she asked the agent before Dash could do the same.

Special Agent Rodriguez turned his gaze, one that was only slightly higher than the womans, toward her. As he watched the two eye each other, Dash realized he now understood the phrase "tension so thick you could cut it with a knife," and for a moment he wondered if these two had known each other before arriving on Mattys doorstep.

But then Agent Rodriguez looked away. "Its FBI business, maam," he said. The woman looked at the agent for another long moment before turning to Dash.

"Im Charlotte," she said. "I hope youve heard of me because Ive certainly heard a lot about you."

Dash saw the agents eyebrows go up. There was no mistaking the tone of sisterly conspiracy in Charlotte Lareauxs voice. And that was what Dash knew her to be: Mattys closest and oldest friend-close enough to be her sister.

"Charlotte, its nice to meet you," Dash said, holding out his hand. She seemed to debate for a moment how to respond to him, then manners apparently got the better of her and she took his hand in hers. "Matty didnt mention you were coming up," he added.

"Thats because Matty didnt know," Matty said, stepping out from behind Dash to give her friend a huge hug. "Not that Im not glad to see you, but what on earth are you doing here?" she asked as she pulled away, still holding onto Charlottes hand and giving it a quick squeeze before stepping back beside Dash.

Charlotte inclined her head and smiled. "Your mom was fretting about, well, you know," she said with a not very subtle nod of her head toward Dash. "And since she promised not to come until after the funeral, I offered to make the trip myself. Well, actually, it was me or my mom and I figured that, even though Im nowhere near as good a cook as she is, Im definitely more fun."

Dash watched Mattys face as Charlotte spoke and saw the kind of smile he didnt often see her wear, one of complete joy and comfort. It spoke volumes about just how close the two women were, and despite the surprise, Dash was glad Charlotte had come-was glad to be seeing this part of Mattys life.

He cleared his throat and Matty laughed. "Charlotte, this is Dashiell Kent; Dash this is Charlotte," she made the formal introductions. And then, acknowledging they werent alone, Matty turned a questioning gaze on Agent Rodriguez.

The agent introduced himself to Matty just as Ian and Vivi pulled up.

"Whats this about?" Matty asked when Ian and Vivi joined their group.

"Perhaps we can go inside and have a seat somewhere?" Ian suggested after Matty introduced Charlotte to the couple.

"After you introduce me to Damian," Vivi said. Dash saw Ian blink, as if he couldnt believe the two didnt know each other, then made the introductions. To Dashs surprise, Vivi stepped forward and gave the agent a long hug. Dash, who was standing closest to Agent Rodriguez, heard Vivi say, "I know what you did for Ian when he got back. Thank you."

When she pulled back, Rodriguez gave her a long look before releasing her back to Ians side. Dash looked at the man, then at Ian, and though they were physically different in size and coloring, he could see some similarities-in their builds, in the way they carried themselves.

"You two served together?" he asked. Both men shared a look then nodded. Dash didnt have a clue what sorts of things they had done as Rangers, but it was clear the bond between them was strong, and based on what hed heard Vivi say, Rodriguez must have been with Ian when hed come back to the US. Must have been one of the people whod helped Ian put his life, and body, back together before hed come back home to Windsor.

In an obvious effort to lighten the mood, Damian grinned and gestured with his head toward Vivi, "See, MacAllister, I told you shes a dead ringer for a young Sophia Loren. Only she looks a lot happier now than she did in her FBI photo I saw a few months ago."

Dash had never seen Ian look even remotely embarrassed, but he saw a faint rise of color on his friends cheeks now. Which made Agent Rodriguez laugh.