“Something about the wording leads me to believe the writer was female,” Sean said.
Tess slowly raised her gaze to his. “You really are still on the case.”
Sean didn’t mention that her ex-cop brother was, as well. “Someone did die, Tess. Nothing’s happened since. Whoever wanted to get revenge on you got it with Tanner’s death.”
“So you’re saying I’m being unreasonable to think that same someone might try again.”
“I’m saying you need to stop torturing yourself.”
“What do you mean?”
“With guilt. You’ve been overwhelmed with it all these months.”
“He was crossing the street to see me when he was hit. I’m going to feel some guilt about that, Sean. It’s a human emotion.”
“You weren’t the driver.”
She rubbed her neck and turned away. “It wouldn’t be hard for someone to track me down with my last name matching the name of this mission, and someone did try to break down my door last night. You heard the noise yourself.”
Sean had known she’d been more shaken up by that intruder than she would admit to him. He’d thought she was doing better, and he had told Gerard to keep watch on the house last night.
Not only did Gerard have thoroughly vetted help on his small ranch, but he had a state-of-the-art alarm system and two protective Dobermans who lived indoors, adored Tess and would never let a stranger close to her. Romper, the male, would barely even let Sean close when he drove out to the house for a visit, though both dogs were affectionate with him, as well.
He put an arm around her and walked her farther from the clinic entrance and into the larger rooms toward the back. “There’s no reason to think a simple outbreak of food poisoning could have anything to do with Tanner’s death. It wouldn’t match the M.O. Poison would be a whole new profile.”
“Not necessarily. Didn’t you once tell me that sometimes a killer simply uses whatever’s at hand?”
Sean paused. “You know what we’ve discussed about Tanner’s reputation before,” he said quietly.
She gave him a querulous look.
“He was a rising country music star,” Sean said. “He had the bad-boy persona. You told me yourself that before the two of you became an item, he left a trail of broken hearts. That’s why you kept your engagement quiet. He also got into a few fistfights at some late-night establishments.”
“Staged. I told him not to do that, but he wanted that kind of publicity.”
“The multiple romances—often at one time—weren’t staged, were they?”
“You think he might have dated a killer?”
“At least he finally had the sense to know a good woman when he saw her,” Sean said, rubbing his knuckles over her cheek. “You’re an amazing woman, Tess.”
She swallowed daintily and looked up at him, her olive complexion deepening a shade. She didn’t say anything, just looked at him.
A woman walked past them toward the connecting secondhand store and drop-off facility, and the moment was gone.
Sean straightened. “But Tanner also aligned himself with unsavory people of both sexes, if you ask me.”
“Been reading the rags?”
“Let’s just say I did a few background checks.”
“While I was engaged to Tanner?”
He nodded. For a moment, he couldn’t bring himself to reveal what he’d discovered.
She tilted her head, obviously intrigued. “You never told me this stuff.”
“You weren’t the one who made enemies—he was.”
“The crime wasn’t solved, Sean.”
“An entertainer doesn’t behave the way he did without making enemies. You’re not being fair to yourself. I don’t like to accuse a man who isn’t here to defend himself, and I certainly don’t want to hurt you, Tess, but Tanner lived a self-indulgent life and he didn’t give two cents for who he hurt.”
“He cared about me.”
“His actions didn’t back up his words or the ring he put on your finger.”
“You’re saying he dated another woman when he was engaged to me?”
For some reason, she didn’t sound surprised. Had she guessed? She also didn’t sound devastated. “Women. Plural.” Sean studied her expression, confused. “I’m sorry, Gerard and I had decided not to burden you with some of the information we dug up about him, but in my opinion, the guilt is proving to be more destructive to you than a broken heart.”
But he saw no signs of a broken heart. What he saw was a brief whisper of, what—simple sadness?
“There’s no danger of that,” she said, confirming his suspicion. Intriguing.
More people walked past them. The drop-off and the store were getting busier.
“Want to go upstairs?” Sean asked. “Maybe we should discuss this further.”
“Megan needs help.”
“She has a very efficient nurse, two more techs just walked in to help Mamie, and you brought her the supplies she needs. I’m not saying there is any more danger from Tanner’s killer, but if there is we should see if we can get to the bottom of it.” Or at least divert her attention from the break-in and dial down the stress a few notches.
Tess hesitated, then sighed and nodded. “Don’t you dare tell Gerard I’m doing this.”
“Doing what? Struggling because you see people suffering?”
“Don’t tell him I’m being paranoid. Again.”
At least she was admitting it. Sean pulled two keys from his pocket, gave Tess one and used the other to unlock the door to the administration offices. “Changed the locks myself at first light this morning.”
She took hers from him, took his hand, looked up at him. “Thank you, Sean. How can you be so many places at once?” Her voice was suddenly soft, tremulous. Some light had returned to her eyes.
“Believe me, I wish I could be.”
“You’re always there when I need you. You always have been.”
His skin felt the warmth of her skin, and he couldn’t resist losing himself, for just a moment, in that vulnerable, dark gaze. “Ever think that’s a touch from God?” he asked.
She smiled, then nodded. “I think that’s exactly what it is.”
It seemed an appropriate time to reassure her. He pressed a light kiss on the top of her head. “Don’t want to miss my calling.”
Her smile widened. She pulled out her key ring. As they went up the steps, she switched the new key for the old one on her ring, and Sean watched her steps for her. He was being overprotective, and he knew it. She’d pick up on it soon if she hadn’t already, but doggone it if she hadn’t settled over his heart like moist, rich chocolate frosting on a dried-up cake.
He unlocked his door and drew her inside. His office was the largest in Admin, with extra chairs. This was where they held their meetings, and this was where he or Gerard interviewed potential employees. Gerard also insisted on background checks on those volunteers who might be working with the homeless for a long period of time. He was protective of his people, and he’d grown especially