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see Faith sitting on the far side, her legs dangling off the high barstool. One elbow rested on the bar top, and her other hand stirred a drink with the straw.
    He walked forward, but she never looked up. She seemed lost in her own world, not a happy one either. He slid onto the stool next to hers and motioned for the bartender.
    She glanced up at him in surprise as he ordered his beer.
    “You and I seemed to have developed a habit of bumping into each other,” she murmured.
    He smiled. “I’m not following you, if that’s what you’re implying. I’ve been here every day after work. First time I’ve seen you here.”
    She flushed, and he watched in fascination as pink spread into her cheeks. “I didn’t mean to imply anything of the sort. I know Connor and the others come here a lot. But I thought you were all working late today.”
    He shrugged. “We finished up. Pop headed to the office to lock up, and Connor headed home.” He cocked his head and looked probingly at her. “What brings you here?”
    Distress flickered in her eyes, and she quickly looked away. “Just didn’t feel like going home yet,” she said vaguely.
    Gray cursed himself. He’d lay odds her mother had called again, and he hadn’t yet been able to get into the office to do the tap.
    “Have you eaten anything?” he asked.
    She shook her head. “Don’t really feel like eating.”
    “Care if I eat then?”
    She looked back at him, and a small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. He watched in fascination as her tongue swept over her top lip, catching a droplet of her drink.
    “Suit yourself. Far be it for me to get between a man and his meal.”
    “Spoken like a woman who is well acquainted with a man’s needs,” he said, letting her make what she wanted of that statement.
    To his delight she blushed again and ducked her head. She really was too cute with her rampant blushing. He’d begun to harbor the most vivid fantasies of seeing just how far down her body she flushed. Would she be timid in bed? Would her lover have to coax each piece of clothing from her body?
    His entire body tightened. He was as willing as the next guy to have a firebrand in bed, a woman who took charge and rocked his world, but the idea of calling the shots, of maintaining every moment of Faith’s seduction sent a thunderclap of desire shooting straight through his groin.
    Seduction? Jesus. He wasn’t here to seduce her, though God knew he’d enjoy each and every moment. He was here to pump her for information. To use her, by any means necessary, to catch his partner’s killer.
    He motioned for a passing waitress and asked for a burger and fries before turning his attention back to Faith.
    “So how was your day at the office? You look…stressed.”
    She twitched uncomfortably on the stool and took another sip of her drink. Then she forwent the straw and drained the glass in one long swallow.
    “Office was fine. Just tired. Didn’t sleep well last night.” She swiveled on her stool and flashed him a bright smile. “So how are you liking the job so far?”
    Classic change of subject. She was definitely hiding something. A complete moron could figure that out. But he didn’t exactly have the kind of personal relationship with her where she would confide in him, and he damn sure didn’t have time to cultivate one.
    “I like it. It’s going well.”
    “Connor said…Connor said that your partner was recently killed.”
    He tried like hell to keep his brow from creasing at the pain her question caused. He didn’t say anything for a long moment.
    “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pried.”
    Her gaze softly caressed his face, her eyes flashing with sympathy. Lord, but she was sweet. And he’d bet money she felt every bit as soft and delicate as she looked.
    “You aren’t prying,” he said quietly. “It’s not a secret. Yes, my partner—Alex—was killed in the line of duty.”
    Her face scrunched with dismay. “Did they catch the person