“Wouldn’t that make him a good suspect?” Dani asked, ignoring Ivy’s antics.
“It would be if Regina had been killed in a different way.” Spencer sipped his coffee. “But an insulin overdose doesn’t really fit that kind of person. I’m not a profiler, but I took the course, and strangulation during erotic asphyxiation or a whipping that got out of control would seem more his speed.”
“And I’m out of here.” Ivy jumped to her feet and dashed into the house.
“Shit! I’d better go check on her.” Spencer rose from his chair. “She’s so damn smart that I forget how young she really is.”
“She’s fine. Just a little embarrassed.” Dani recalled some of the conversations about sex she’d overheard among Ivy, Starr, and Tippi. “It’s not the topic so much as it is having her uncle talk about it.”
“Sorry.” Spencer blew out a breath. “Too many years in law enforcement.”
“I imagine it’s difficult to change your habits,” Dani murmured.
“It is.” Spencer’s voice deepened. “I hope I didn’t embarrass you.”
“Nope.” Dani shook her head. “My job in HR wasn’t quite as bad, but as you can imagine, it would be hard to remain too innocent.”
“I suppose.” His blue eyes sparkled. “But somehow, I think you’ve managed to cling to the best part of innocence—the willingness to trust people and the sweetness that makes you want to help them.”
Dani’s breath hitched as she stared at his handsome face. The porch light’s yellow bulb cast a pale glow that left the corners in shadow but created a halo around Spencer, making him seem almost magical. His assertion was the nicest thing anyone had said to her in a long, long time. Her stomach fluttered. Did he really see her like that or was he playing her so she’d let down her guard?
She chose her words carefully. “Well, that’s certainly very flattering.”
Her track record with men stank. Her father, her boss, and her boyfriend had all ended up mistreating her. None of them had ever physically harmed her, but they sure as heck had wrecked her emotionally.
“Dani.” Spencer scooted his chair until it faced the swing where she sat, then leaned forward and took both her hands in his. “I’m not trying to charm you or smooth talk you into anything.” He waited for her to stop staring at their fingers and to look at him before he continued, “I promise you I won’t lie to you.”
“That would be a refreshing change,” Dani blurted, then quickly added, “What I mean is, a lot of people either fudge the truth or omit the relative facts and tell themselves they aren’t liars.”
“I can’t argue with your assessment of our society.” Spencer chuckled. “But between us, let’s have a no-bullshit policy.”
“Whenever possible,” Dani qualified, then eased her fingers from his grasp. There were matters she couldn’t discuss and she certainly didn’t owe Spencer any explanations.
“Okay.” Spencer continued to stare at her. “But I think we both want the same thing.” He raised a brow. “To make sure Mikeloff doesn’t set up either you or Ivy for Regina’s murder.”
“Agreed.” Dani nodded and told him about her morning visitor. She didn’t see how telling him about the reporter could be an issue for her, and sharing that information with him might lull Spencer into trusting her more.
“There are two ways to approach the problem.” Spencer tapped her knee, refocusing her attention. “One, we get Mikeloff removed from the case.”
“By proving he’s a dirty cop?” Dani asked, then recalled her other idea. “Or suggesting some kind of conflict of interest?”
“Yes, but it probably wouldn’t work. A lot of suspects claim the cops are targeting them unfairly and we don’t have any concrete evidence to prove he’s really doing that to you.” Spencer’s nostrils flared. “I can put a bug in the chief of police’s ear, but even if she believes me and investigates, Mikeloff could really jam up you and Ivy in the meantime.”
“So what then?” Dani asked, annoyed that what she thought were two pretty darn good plans apparently wouldn’t work.
He didn’t answer. His lips pressed together as if he had tasted something bad.
“You don’t want to say it,” Dani prodded. “But the best way to clear my name and prevent Ivy from becoming Mikeloff’s next target is—”
“For us to figure out who killed Regina,” Spencer said, finishing Dani’s sentence.
“And you hate the idea of civilians interfering with a police investigation,” Dani guessed, then added, “But you’re a civilian too.”
“Yes and no.” Spencer crossed his arms. “I may no longer have a formal connection to a law enforcement agency, but I do continue to have some ties. And I also have the training to deal with bad guys. You do not.”
“Still,” Dani argued, “I’m the one with the most to lose if Mikeloff frames me for the murder.”
“True.” Spencer inhaled deeply, then added, “And even more than I hate involving a private citizen, I hate the idea of someone who’s innocent being convicted and someone who’s guilty getting off scot-free even more.”
Chapter 12
Spencer had slept poorly. An unrelenting drip-drop-drip from the kitchen’s leaky faucet, noisy neighbors—the curse of a town house in a college town—and unsettling thoughts about Dani had kept him awake all night. He’d tossed and turned, alternating between staring at the ceiling and the digital clock on his nightstand.
He’d finally given up on the hope of sleeping, and by 5:00 a.m., he was already showered, dressed, and leaving for work. It looked as if yesterday’s weather had been a signal for a change from the pleasant temperatures they had been enjoying. Today was predicted to be hot and even more humid, which meant the security force would be miserable in their polyester uniforms. Another issue for Spencer to address on his unending list of changes that needed to be made.
Along with their discomfort about their personal attire, the security staff would have to deal with another sticky problem. In the summer, the students spent a lot more time outdoors on the quad, and they often
