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wanted to argue, Max had never been stupid. He nodded and let go of her hand, lowering himself to the couch, though he looked awkward and nervous.
    “I’m going to break this damn door down!” Calvin yelled.
    “Hang on. I’m coming!” Rose yelled back. She stroked Max’s shoulder softly. “It’ll be okay. I’m sure Kelsey got worried and called them. You aren’t in trouble.”
    Placing a large smile on her face, she opened the door.
    Calvin stood on the other side of the screen door, gun drawn and pointing at her. “Where is he?”
    Rose spread her hands, lifting them to shoulder height. “Is there a problem, Officer? I don’t think the gun’s necessary.”
    Calvin’s eyes darted around their sockets, obviously searching for danger that wasn’t there. “Are you okay?”
    “Why wouldn’t I be?” Rose lowered her arms and smiled again. “I had a really rough day with Mom, and invited Max in for a drink.” She pushed the handle to unlatch the screen and Calvin stepped back so she could open the door. “Come on in and get a glass of water. It’s hot out there. Just put the gun away.”
    With a shrug, Calvin did as requested and stepped inside. The testosterone was almost too much to handle as the men sized each other up.
    Hoping they could play nice for a few minutes, just sniffing each others’ tails but not biting, Rose rushed to the kitchen and pulled out another cup, filling it with filtered water from the fridge. She raced back into the room, praying she didn’t look as rattled as she felt.
    Calvin had leaned against the wall, and the men were in an eye lock. The image of territorial animals came at her even stronger. Whoever blinked first was the weaker man. Neither gaze wavered.
    Hopeless. Rose stepped between them and handed Calvin his water, ending the silent war.
    “What brings you over?” she asked. “Did you make progress with the dead rat?”
    Calvin’s lip curled in a sneer. “Oh, we all know who left that on your porch, but I’m still looking for proof. I’m here because I received a call from a concerned citizen.”
    Rose threw her hands in the air at the same time as Max said, “I didn’t do it.”
    “This is ridiculous,” Rose added. “Get out of my house, Calvin. If you don’t want to protect me by actually investigating what happened, don’t interrupt me when I’m spending an afternoon with my friend.”
    “Your friend?” Calvin took a long drink of water and thrust the cup back at her. “When you end up dead, it’ll be real easy to send your friend back to prison.”
    A chill threaded down her spine. Why would he say that? Was he that determined to pin a crime on Max? “Are you threatening me, Officer Black?”
    Calvin’s gaze flicked over her head to Max. “I’m not the one you need to worry about.” He strode through the door but then glanced back. “I sure hope you know what you’re doing, Rosie. I can’t protect you from everything, especially when you put yourself in danger willingly.”
    Rose closed the door without replying, pressing her forehead against it. Calvin just confirmed all her suspicions. They weren’t looking at anyone but Max, and she really didn’t think he did it.
    “Thanks for standing up for me with your little boyfriend, Super Cop.” The tense anger in Max’s voice was just a part of him now. A part Rose didn’t like.
    She tilted her head sideways to make eye contact with him. “You might not believe me, but I stood up for you when they first came by this morning. I never thought you left that rat.” Well, maybe for a few minutes, but he didn’t need to know that.
    “Calvin sure put it all in perspective, though, didn’t he?”
    Rose straightened and walked to the couch, sitting gingerly beside him. “How do you mean?”
    “No one is going to give me a second chance. No one will even entertain the possibility that I’m innocent.” His fingers dug into his thighs and he shook his head. “It’s not fair. I bet poor