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Sloane let herself into the cottage, autoreet the hounds as they ca with pleasure It had been a fine evening for them Derek had coood half hour before taking the Now, Sloane was home, also earlier than usual, which ood

“Hey, you” Derek walked out of the bedroo only a pair of jeans, a torapped around his neck His hair was still damp from the shower he’d taken He leaned down and kissed Sloane hello, holding her for just a o

“Okay, that shoots my first theory to hell,” Sloane commented “When you called and asked ht dinner, or at least another love tour of the house But that kiss and the look on your face tell me it’s neither”

A rueful s room “We need to talk”

Sloane followed him, a wary expression on her face “I don’t like the sound of that”

“You’re going to like it even less once I’m finished,” Derek replied as they sank down on the sofa “Just hear me out, think objectively like the professional you are, and leave our feelings for each other out of it”

“In other words, you did so to protect me, and never said a word”

“Sort of, yes But it wasn’t only about protecting you It was about working this case and getting answers to the ano me”

Sloane eyed him shrewdly “Those anomalies don’t happen to be ht we’d put to rest any involvement on their part once Anna came forith her information”

“You did I didn’t There were too many questions still unanswered”

“And now you’ve answered them?”

“In part Enough so that I felt it was time to coress”

Sloane folded her hands in her lap “Is Rich in on your theory? Is that the reason he questioned ain? Because I was told those interviews pertained to any knowledge theyTriad”

“It was I just asked Rich to throw in a few extra questions, ’s name and an ie their reactions”

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