But everything she’d been feeling since she’d arrived in these woods was somehow … different.

He had stopped just beyond the trees. He was looking at her.

Excitement again.

Don’t let him see it. “Are you going to stand there and gape at me? I promise I don’t have any explosives strapped to me tonight, either, Nalchek.”

“How do I know that?” He came toward her. “You’re an unknown quantity. Eve may trust you, but I don’t.” He stopped a few yards from where she sat. “And I don’t know how she can trust you, either, with what little she knows about you.”

Margaret chuckled. “We have a sort of history, and I was able to help her when she needed me. That must count for something in the balance.” She tilted her head. “Haven’t you ever run into a situation that warranted a little faith in the face of suspicious circumstances?”

“No.”

“I think you have.” She studied him. He was all lean hardness, and his eyes were cool and intent. But there was a barely contained explosiveness beneath that restraint. She knew how strong he was, and she could sense that at the moment, he was barely able to stop himself from lashing out. “Maybe not lately. Why are you here, Nalchek?”

“Because you’re here.” He dropped to his knees beside her. “I could ask you the same thing. You know you shouldn’t be in these woods.”

“And how did you know I was here?”

“I assigned a man to watch the hotel and report if you left it.”

“Why?”

“Because I wanted to keep my eye on you.” He added roughly, “And you hitchhiked here again, dammit. How stupid can you get? That’s inviting an attack.”

“I’m a pretty good judge of character.” She smiled. “And I can take care of myself.”

“I didn’t notice that last night.”

“You surprised me. Besides, I knew right away that you were probably no threat.”

“Then you were wrong. I am a threat to you.”

She went still. The fear was back. Her gaze flew to his face. Then she relaxed. “You’re bluffing. You just want to be in control. You wouldn’t hurt me unless you had to.” She paused. “But I’m surprised you would want me to believe it. I don’t think it’s what you’d ordinarily—” She nodded suddenly. “You want something from me, and you’re not sure I’ll give it to you. What is it?”

His expression didn’t change. “What do you think I want?” He reached out and touched her cheek. “Yes, I do want to be in control. Why do you think I became sheriff?”

Her cheek was tingling beneath his fingers. She could feel a tightness in her chest. “Because you’re one of the good guys?”

“How do you know? Oh, that’s right, you’re such a great judge of character.” His hand moved down to cup her throat. “Bullshit, Margaret.”

She could feel her pulse beating hard against his hand. It felt strange and rhythmic and completely sexual. “I am a good judge of character.” She moistened her lips. “And you would never use your office to either hurt me or for sexual gratification. You’re just angry or frustrated about something, and I’m handy to vent.” She took his hand from her throat and leaned back. “And the fact that you can’t put me in a convenient pigeonhole is making it worse.” She met his gaze. “But I’m no one’s whipping boy, so tell me why you’re being an ass. What do you want from me?”

He stared at her for a moment. “I’m beginning to think of all kinds of things.”

“Don’t start that again. I’m not your type. You thought I was a college kid. You probably like them tall, leggy, and sophisticated. I’m not any of those things.”

He smiled faintly. “No, you’re not. But you’re undoubtedly interesting.”

“You’re damn right.” She got to her knees, her hands clenching into fists. “Why did you come looking for me? I’m sure it wasn’t to make sure I made it safely here to the woods.”

The corners of his lips deepened. “You look like you’re going to take a swing at me.”

“I’m tempted. I don’t like being used.”

“I didn’t use you. Well, maybe a little.”

“I don’t like being manipulated, either.”

He shrugged. “I only tried, I didn’t succeed. I guess I didn’t appeal to you.”

He knew that wasn’t true. That moment had been brimming with sexual tension, and Margaret was aware she was usually transparent as glass. “Why?”

His smile faded. “I’m tired as hell of being the outsider. This is my town, my case, and Eve would never have been involved with that little girl if I hadn’t sent her the skull. Then she brings Quinn and you into it and leaves me out in the cold. That’s not going to happen.”

“She doesn’t regard it as a competition. She’s grateful for your help.”

“As long as she calls the shots.”

“You weren’t this angry earlier today.” Her eyes narrowed on his face. “What happened?”

“She phoned me from Sacramento and wanted to know Jenny’s blood type. When I asked her why, she said she’d call me back.”

“And she didn’t do it?”

“No, and when I tried later, the call went to voice mail.” He smiled crookedly. “So I decided I’d go and search for answers from someone else who belongs to the club.”

“Me?” She shook her head. “I don’t know why she’d want to know that. I haven’t heard from Eve since she left the hotel.” She frowned. “She doesn’t want to involve me any more than she has to, Nalchek. At least, she doesn’t feel guilty about contacting you.”

He didn’t answer.

“Oh, for Pete’s sake, she called you, didn’t she? Why are you being so possessive about the little girl in that grave?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. It’s my job.”

“It’s more than that,” she whispered.

His gaze flew to her face. “More?” he repeated softly.

Fear again. Yet she had just said that she knew he wouldn’t hurt her. It didn’t matter. Unreasonable or not, the fear was here.

She braced herself to try to break through it. “Did you know Jenny before she was killed, Nalchek?”

He was suddenly rigid. “What?” She could see he hadn’t expected that question and could sense the shock. “What the hell do you mean?”

“It’s a clear question, isn’t it? Did you?”

“There’s nothing clear about it. Are you asking me if I had something to do with her murder?”

“No, but I’m asking you if you had reason to be so obsessive about Jenny’s death. Eve just accepted it because she’s obsessive about her, too.”

“But you don’t accept it. And you’re confronting me about it while we’re alone, and you couldn’t be more vulnerable.” He leaned closer to her. “Which makes my point about the fact that you’re about as able to take care of yourself as the little child in that grave.”

“Stop it.” She drew a deep breath. “Answer me. I’m not going to back down and let you intimidate me. I stand by my guns.”

“Except you don’t have a gun or any other weapon.”

“I know karate and several varieties of street fighting.” She glanced down at his holster. “And, besides, I’m sure you wouldn’t shoot me. Did you know Jenny?”

He didn’t answer for a moment. “Why would you think that? And don’t give me that obsession bullshit.”

“You’re answering a question with a question. You first, Nalchek.”

He gave a half shrug. “No, I did not know that child before I pulled her out of her grave. Did it occur to you that I went to a hell of a lot of trouble to find out her identity if I already knew who she was?”

“Yes, but it would seem the innocent thing to do, wouldn’t it? I had to ask.”

His brows rose. “And you believe me?”

She nodded. “But I had to hear you say it.”

“Because you’re such a great judge of character?” he said sarcastically. “And I passed the test?”

“You passed the test.”

“If you had any suspicions about my having something to do with Jenny’s death, you should know that I was still in Special Forces at that time and based in Afghanistan.”

“I know,” she said. “But that doesn’t mean you might not have been in a position to— I understand your missions weren’t entirely confined to Afghanistan. You’re very clever, and you could have finagled something.”