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.”