“You look beat,” Rowdy said.
“Busy day, that’s all.” He shot a glance at Avery. “I was in this neck of the woods anyway.”
“I guess we shouldn’t ask?”
“Not yet.” He drank more coffee—and his cell rang.
Avery went to stand by Rowdy while Logan took the call.
Had someone wanted to get her alone? Was Fisher foolish enough to try to grab her right outside the bar? Or had he planned to tail her back to her apartment, where he’d have more opportunity to make his move?
Memories rushed back in on her, how Fisher had grabbed her that night, how ugly he’d been in his anger, his abuse. She remembered the awful choking fear when she’d realized his intent.
No doubt to reassure her, Rowdy put an arm around her, his hand at her waist.
What if she had left and Rowdy had gone alone?
Fisher might have been hoping for that. He was so good at lying, at covering his tracks, that he might have come up with a way to rid himself of Rowdy while blaming others.
She wouldn’t put anything past him.
Near her ear, Rowdy said, “You’re okay, and you’re going to stay that way.” His mouth brushed her temple. “I’m not about to let anyone hurt you.”
That scared her most of all. How far would Rowdy go to ensure her safety?
“Sorry,” Logan said. “The officers looked around but nothing seemed disturbed. The place is still locked up and quiet.”
Same report they’d gotten from Cannon’s friends. Frustrated, Avery rubbed her brow. “What now?”
“Unless you have more to tell me about this past relationship of yours, there’s not much we can do.” Logan waited, brows raised, but neither Avery nor Rowdy had anything else to offer.
A year had passed since Fisher had attacked her. They had no real proof that it was him coming back around now, but Avery couldn’t fend off the memories, or the fear.
What would it take to discourage Fisher? Could she just avoid him until he gave up? And what about Rowdy? He wasn’t a man to sit back while threats existed.
She needed a way to protect him, to keep him from putting himself in harm’s way.
“I wish there was more I could do.” Logan finished off his coffee and crushed the paper cup. “But hanging around a bar isn’t a crime.”
“Fictitious plates are,” Rowdy pointed out.
“Sure, but how do we unravel that mess without throwing some serious resources behind it? Without good reason, the lieutenant would never go for it.”
Rowdy crossed his arms. “If it is Fisher—”
“I can have a talk with him.” Logan’s smile was mean with anticipation. “Not a problem.”
Avery had no idea what the right move might be, but she hated being the source of so much trouble. “If we just stay away from him...”
“He has Meyer’s approval, honey.” Rowdy rubbed her shoulder. “What if he’s there every time you try to visit with your mother? Maybe even with her blessing.”
“I’ll talk to Mom and make her understand.”
“Yeah, you can try that,” Rowdy agreed. “But in the meantime, I’m going to talk to Fisher about the car.”
The way he watched her, it was like he willed her to trust him. And she did. Avery knew, despite his rep, Rowdy didn’t go around mangling innocent people or doling out lethal retribution if there was another way.
Unlike Fisher, he wasn’t a bully.
He definitely wasn’t a murderer.
Rowdy Yates was a defender, and more honorable than any man she knew. “Okay.”
“Hold up,” Logan said. “How and where do you plan to talk to him?”
“That depends on his schedule,” Rowdy said. “And I’m hoping Avery can help me with that.”
Avery’s stomach bottomed out. “I haven’t seen him in a year!” She detested the note of desperation in her tone. “You know that, Rowdy.”
“I do, but some things never change. Fish strikes me as a man of habit.”
A man of habit? He was a certifiable cretin! “I don’t want you anywhere near him.”
As if she hadn’t said that, Rowdy continued, “You can find out for me if he has a routine. He obviously hits up the gym on a regular basis.”
Logan nodded. “You could meet him in a public place.”
“Exactly. If he’s as worried about appearances as Avery says, he won’t want to cause a scene.”
She shook her head, but neither man appeared to notice. “Why don’t you just call him?”
“I want to look him in the eyes when I ask about the car.”
Her heart pounded so hard it almost stole her breath. “He lies.”
“He won’t be able to lie to me.” He brushed a knuckle over her cheek. “Either way, he’ll know we’re on to him.”
“That could cause him to back off,” Logan agreed. “Or it could push him over the edge and make him do something stupid.”
Knowing Rowdy had made up his mind, Avery clutched his hand. “I’m going with you.”
He gave a short laugh. “No, you’re not.”
How dare he dismiss her like that? Slowly, she straightened away from him. “If it’s safe, public like you said, then what difference does it make if I’m there?”
“I don’t want you near him.”
“Ha!” She put a finger to his chest. “I don’t want you near him, either.”