heard me say to Garth, I meant. I don’t believe there’s a connection. Equally critical for you to understand is that no matter why I do what I do, hurting you isn’t on the agenda.”

      She made a mistake and ruthlessly scratched it out. Then, because that made an even uglier mess, she ripped up the form and tossed it away. Her rigid stance told him that only pride was holding her together.

      “Look at me, Mike.”

      She ignored him.

      “Then do me a favor—go home. I’ll have someone collect Buck and bring him to the house, too. You’ve been up all night. You can’t—”

      “Don’t!” she ground out. “Just find my sister. That’s all I want from you. Find Faith, and then leave me the hell alone—!”

      “Chief? Chief!”