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But the thought of someone assaulting and murdering sweet, innocent Allye Jessup was more than disturbing. It made him want to vomit.

His phone vibrated on the desk, and he unlocked it to find a text from Bryce.

Early dinner at my place if you’re interested. Steak

Busy with a case

More like a dozen. Despite his hours sifting through notes and brainstorming theories today, he hadn’t made any headway with Ashley Harrison’s case. Or finding Dion. And between his search for the missing teen and following up on Allye’s incidents, he’d gotten behind on the others over the last few days. Kincaid’s size and budget had only allowed for one detective position, which meant he had to cover everything from vandalism to homicide. In the theoretical case of a homicide anyway. The only ones he could remember ever happening in Kincaid were in connection with the guy stalking Corina last fall.

You need a break

Bryce was probably right, much as he hated to admit it. Eric stared at the pile of scribbled notes in front of him. He wasn’t getting anywhere. Maybe cutting out and actually taking a few hours off would give him fresh eyes for the morning. Technically, he was only supposed to be on call today anyway.

What time?

4:00

Will try. No promises.

See you then

AFTER TAKING A ROUNDABOUT ROUTEto drive by Dion’s house again, Eric arrived at Bryce and Corina’s house. The couple had married this past spring, then settled into Bryce’s childhood home across the street from Corina’s father. Those two had been through a lot in the past year—really the past decade or so. But they’d come out the better for it.

He parked on the street and turned off the engine.3:58.Right on time. The scent of grilling meat wafted toward him as he approached the porch.

He knocked on the door, then turned to scan the neighborhood. Everything seemed quiet. The house where Corina’s stalker had set up headquarters last year remained empty, but the For Rent sign was gone. Hopefully, the new tenants would be upstanding citizens this time.

The breeze shifted, redoubling the scents of charcoal and beef. The door opened just as his stomach rumbled.

Corina grinned. “Hi, Eric. Glad you could make it. And that you brought an appetite.” Houston, Corina’s German shepherd, poked his snout around her legs and woofed.

“Thanks for the invite. Smells wonderful.”

“Locally raised steaks with Bryce’s secret dry rub. Come on through. He’s out back with Wesley.”

He followed her inside, pausing to give Houston’s head a pat. As they entered the kitchen, he spotted Hailey Nieland, baby propped on one hip while she assembled a salad with her free hand.

“Eric, hey!” She dumped a jar of olives into the large bowl of greens. “It’s been a while.”

“Guess it has. How have you been?”

“Oh, pretty good.” She added tomatoes to the mix.

He noticed Jenna was staring at him, so he attempted a comical expression. The baby giggled, exposing a toothy grin. A smile stretched across Hailey’s face. She got her daughter’s attention and signed something, pointed to Eric, then made the same sign again.

“What was that?”

“I told her you were funny. She doesn’t know that one yet, so you’re a great object lesson.”

“Thanks.” He flattened his tone, but he really didn’t mind. He made the face again and copied Hailey’s hand motion. Jenna rewarded him with another giggle.

“Not bad, Detective.” Hailey reached for another ingredient.

“Want me to take her so you can finish up?”

“You can try, but she’s being clingy today. I think she’s got another tooth coming in.”

Eric held out his hands, but the baby buried her face in her mom’s shoulder. “I think that’s a no,” he said ruefully.