“We may ask Ragnar to go,” Mark said.
“Okay, so what next?”
“We’ll see what Angela has discovered about boyfriend number two, the author. If he wasn’t in New York at the time Dierdre was kidnapped...”
“And if he was?”
“Then he’s off the hook.”
“And you’re still certain Carver didn’t slip out of the house and kidnap Dierdre?”
Mark shook his head. “I just don’t think so. I could be proven wrong, but...”
Their salads arrived. Mark glanced at his watch.
“Worried about Red?” she asked.
He grinned. “No. Red has stayed in the offices all night a few times. He has a bed there and dog food, and someone is always there, twenty-four-seven. Red is fine. I’m more worried about you.”
She laughed softly. “I told you. Megan is a big girl.”
“But you want to see her, right?”
“I do. I love my siblings. Trust me, we were normal siblings. When we were kids, we would fight over the usual silly things, but we’d stand against the world if one of us was under attack. We’re close as adults even though we’ve all followed our passions to different states. Yes, I want to see her and I will see her. She’s staying with me for a few days. But we respect what we all do, so...”
“And Megan hasn’t met Brant Pickering, the author?”
“No, I told you. She’d love to.”
“Maybe we should arrange for that.”
Their food arrived.
They’d both opted for tuna steaks.
Mark thanked their server and waited until they were alone again before asking, “Will Megan mind if we ask her to meet him and talk to him?”
“Mind? She’ll be thrilled.”
“Except she’ll know her hero is under suspicion.”
“Megan will be fine. We’re investigating—she understands that.” Colleen hesitated. “My family is all...weird. She’s amazing at what she does because she knows what people really mean when they’re trying to write something down. Or when they’re speaking, but not finding the right words.” She hesitated. “And well, you know. She speaks to the dead. That’s thrilled her beyond measure too. Some of her favorite authors have...remained.”
Mark smiled. “She sounds great.”
“She is,” Colleen assured him, smiling.
“I’m going to try to arrange something for tomorrow morning. Will that work?”
“I’ll ask her. She’s here for work, but I don’t know when her meetings are. She just said she was coming, and I said she should use her key.”
“Let me know. I’ll need to get to Pickering too, but I’m assuming he’ll be hanging at the hospital as long as they let him. Then again...”
“If he’s a guilty man, he’ll be out on the prowl,” Colleen murmured. “What did you think of our sketch man?”
“I think he’s just a guy who saw a pretty girl, noted her, and went about his business. What do you think?”
She grimaced. “I think you’re right.”
“How’s the tuna?”
“Obviously pretty good since I have none left.”
“Yeah. The eating here part of tonight has been all right. Let’s get going. I’ll drop you off and go get Red.”
He paid the check and they headed out.
“Red is great. I’d love to have a dog. But I haven’t thought it would be fair to be working or studying all the time and have a dog. I do have a cat. A really scruffy-looking rescue. Jensen. But he’s very independent. Okay, so I do leave the TV on for him—Animal Planet.”
Mark laughed. “It’s true. Cats are just more independent. Dogs do need a lot more attention. Luckily Red is usually with me; and even at the office, he’s loved.”
“Maybe one day,” she said.
“Well, Red thinks the world of you, so for now...”
They’d reached the car. She managed to get into the passenger’s seat before he could come around to open the door.
She smiled at him. “No need to be chivalrous. We’re partners.”
“Sorry, I was just raised to be polite.”
“And that’s a great quality,” she said. “And I may be a little too...”
“Too?”