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“Sit down. You’re giving me a crick in my neck.” He tapped a pencil on the scarred desk. “What you’re asking is so far out there, I get a rash thinking about it.”
    Lucas settled back in the chair, one boot-covered foot resting on his bent knee. “You do it all the time here.”
    “Not what you’re asking.” The heavy-set Division Director glared at him. Even though his bushy beard covered most of his jaw, the tense line of his mouth couldn’t be missed. “We’ve been friends and colleagues for years. I’d bend a lot of rules for you, but I’m not going after out-of-state sealed court records.”
    Leaning forward in the chair, Lucas said, “What can you do for me?”
    “Why don’t you tell me more? Right now all I know is you want me to do something illegal.”
    Lucas jumped up, rubbed the back of his neck. “All right. About eight years ago, a friend’s sister was badly beaten by her then husband. You know the old love, honor and cherish routine—he must’ve been wearing ear plugs during that part of the ceremony.”
    He felt Bran’s gaze follow him as he paced in front of the desk. “Anyway, the ex-husband, a former cop, I might add, was sentenced to ten years.” He ran tense fingers through his hair. “You get where I’m going? Eight years ago he got ten years. He could be eligible for parole any time now. “
    Brandon leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. “I get it. Go on.”
    He sprawled in the chair again. “I need to know his release date. Or God forbid if he’s already out, I want the name of his parole officer.”
    “You’re getting kinda agitated on behalf of a friend’s sister.” One side of Marshall’s mouth lifted in a knowing smirk. “Okay, that’s doable. When do you need the information?”
    Lucas stared at him with narrowed eyes. “Now.” He pulled a paper from his shirt pocket and slapped it on the desk. “Here’s his full name, date of birth and Social. I’ll wait.”
    “No way. I’ll take care of this and get back to you. You may not remember, but we do important work here. I have a meeting in twenty minutes. When I get back, I’ll get on it.”
    “Come on, Bran. The woman could be in danger.” He hoped nothing would come of his suspicions, but until he was sure, the knot in his stomach would continue to grow.
    “All right, if it will get you out of my hair, I’ll do some checking now. But not with you breathing down my neck. Go next door for a cup of coffee, and I’ll call you.”
    ****
    It would’ve been better if he hadn’t had all that coffee. Or maybe the drumming in his chest had to do more with fear. This is crazy. You have no reason to believe this madman will come after her.
    Fifteen minutes later Lucas' cell phone rang. “Raven.”
    “Your guy was released six weeks ago.”
    “Damn. Text me his parole officer’s name.” Silence followed. “What? Didn’t you get his name?”
    Marshall cleared his throat. “It’s a she, actually, and yes I have her name, but I don’t know what good it will do you.”
    Lucas felt blood drain from his face. “Why?”
    “She hasn’t heard from him since his release.”
    “Shit!” Lucas snapped the phone shut, threw money on the table and strode out of the coffee shop.
    ****
    Tessa tested the lock on the store’s back door as the now familiar Jeep slipped into the parking space next to her car. She crossed her arms over her chest and smiled as the window slid down. “I thought you were going to be in Oklahoma City for a few days?”
    Motorcycle sunglasses, a lopsided grin, and windblown hair set her heart to thumping. Stop this. At your age, you should be past these kinds of reactions.
    “Tied up all the loose ends and was able to leave earlier than I thought. Hop in, we’ll grab some dinner.”
    “You’re going to go broke feeding me.” She shook her head as she walked around the side of the vehicle and climbed in. All of a sudden, her day had brightened.
    “Nah. I found a new