Page 69 of When He Defends

“She’s had extra security over the years.” Grudging. “Some of the security personnel…perhaps caught sight of someone once or twice. But he vanished before they could get close enough to apprehend him.” The lines near his mouth deepened. “However, we have no reason to believe anypotentialattack from her youth?—”

“Potential, my ass,” Gray cut in.

“—may be tied to any other…incident in her life.” Again, he surveyed the street. Always seeming to stay on guard like a good SEAL.

Gray wasn’t impressed. “Really? You gonna say that bull right to my face?”

Owen centered his focus on Gray. “Emerson likes to study dangerous people. It makes sense that some of those people might develop an attachment to her. Case in point…” His stare raked over Gray.

“I’m definitely dangerous. And attached. Good for you to realize it.”

“Does Emerson realize it?”

He wasn’t going to touch that, not yet. “Your extra guards saw someone tailing her, but you just thought that was—what? Recent psychos? That’s the story you’re going with? The woman just collects psychos the way some people collect stamps?” Did anyone even still collect stamps these days? Was that a thing? Collecting psychos certainly wasnota thing.

“Psychos.” Owen laughed. The sound held little amusement. “Is that really an appropriate, technical term for an FBI agent to use?”

Gray shrugged. “It’s a term that I use for some jackass who gets off on terrorizing Emerson. You got a problem with it? With me? Prepare to be shocked, but I don’t really care.”

Owen nodded. “I like you better than the weak-willed shrink she took up with a few years back.”

“The one currently in town?”

Owen gave a slight start.

“Oh, didn’t you realize Nathaniel had come to Atlanta? Surprise, surprise, he’s here. Skulking around. The senator called him. Sent him running to do her bidding.”

Owen’s gaze darted to the limo.

“Your loyalties are with the senator,” Gray said. “Mine are with Emerson. Understand that. I can’t be bought. I can’t be bullied. I can’t be pressured. I’m not Nathaniel Hadaway.”

“Duly noted.” Owen rolled back his shoulders. “Navy?”

“Marines.”

“Huh.”

“Now that we’re acquainted tell me this…who all was on the property the night that Emerson’s father died?”

Surprise flashed on Owen’s face. There one moment. Gone the next. “What?”

“Who all was on the property the night her father died?” The question had been perfectly clear the first time.

“Why the hell do you want to know that?” A definite edge.

And that tells me there is more to that night than meets the eye.“Because I’m a curious bastard. Also a tad bit obsessive. A character flaw. My new obsession is Emerson, and I want to learn everything about her. Particularly about the incidents that have left a mark on her over the years. So I’ll repeat, third time being the charm and all of that, who all was on the property the night her father died?”

Owen crossed his arms over his chest. “Ask Emerson.”

“She was seven. I figured someone who’d been an adult at the time might have a stronger recollection.” He waited a beat. No answer was forthcoming. “So odd the way you won’t answer such a basic question for me.”

“Fine. I’ll answer your question. But, in return, you have to answer one for me.”

He caught sight of Rylan lingering near the entrance to the FBI office. Gray waved him on. After a brief hesitation, Rylan turned and entered the building. When Rylan was gone, Gray told Owen, “I’m feeling generous. Let’s make the trade.”

“Maxine was there. Both of Maxine’s parents. Emerson. I was there. Two other guards.”

“And no one tried to stop the man heading straight for the cliff’s edge, eh?”