CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR. As soon as Carol Hulsey left her office, Catherine was there to replace her, standing in front of her desk with hands on hips.

As soon as Carol Hulsey left her office, Catherine was there to replace her, standing in front of her desk with hands on hips.

" What? " Nicole asked.

" I have been with you more years than I can count, and you have never, ever given out copies of files before."

" It's a murder investigation, Catherine." Nicole leaned back and raised her eyes to the ceiling. " And it was... her."

" Her? Her who? "

Nicole sighed. " Jake."

" Jake? That was your Jake? " Catherine sat down heavily in one of the visitors' chairs. " Oh my God! That cutie was your Jake? "

Nicole smiled. " She's not my Jake."

" She's cute as hell. Not butch, really. A dyke, yeah."

Nicole sat up. " Will you stop? "

Catherine laughed. " Not your type, that's for sure."

Nicole bristled. " And what is my type, Catherine? "

" Debra Fisher, for one."

" Please don't bring that up again. I'm sorry I ever told you about her... proposition."

" I'm sorry. But isn't it ironic? You let your hair down for once and have sex with a stranger, and she ends up being a cop that needs your help."

Nicole gave a sarcastic smile. " Ironic, yes. But still, Catherine, three of my patients are dead. I passed it off as coincidence, but could it really be? "

" Well, what did your cop say? "

" She doesn't think it's a coincidence."

Catherine shrugged. " Shelly Burke. I remember her. It makes it more real. I don't remember the other two."

" Sadly, I really don't either. There have been so many women come through here."

" You think there's really a connection? "

" God, I hope not."

Jake walked quickly behind Cheyenne, giving the dog as much leash as she could. She knew Cheyenne hated the leash, but she couldn't take a chance in the park. As much as she trusted Cheyenne to obey her, she couldn't account for another dog running up to them. But her leg felt good. It was getting stronger every day. It was just the moments of inactivity that stiffened it. Once she worked the kinks out, she was fine. Sort of.

As Cheyenne sniffed around a juniper, Jake let her thoughts drift back to Nicole. Damn, but she'd been shocked speechless when she'd seen her. Never would she have suspected that the Nicole she'd spent time with in the hot springs was a goddamn therapist. First of all, she never thought she'd run into her again. Not that it was unwelcome. She had nothing but fond memories of that day... and night. But she suspected that Nicole would just as soon forget the whole thing. She looked as shocked as Jake.

" Pumps and a business suit, " she murmured disgustedly, shaking her head. The Nicole she remembered was too comfortable in jeans and hiking boots to bother with dress clothes. But, apparently not. She'd seen it with her own eyes, and she was having a hard time reconciling the two Nicoles. One who seemed to be completely at home in the mountains and this one. This professional one that looked stiff, confined, sad nearly.

And now that she knew who Nicole was and where she was, would she attempt to see her again? She doubted the Nicole she saw today would be eager to see her. The eyes were the same but the rest... no. It wasn't the same woman.

Jake sighed. It didn't matter. Nicole was a part of a murder investigation. And that was a line Jake never crossed.

Nicole paced across her living room, wineglass held lightly in one hand. The robe she'd donned after her shower hung loosely around her, and she tightened the belt again.

I can't believe it was her.

" Well, believe it."

And she didn't even act like she knew me. A cop, for God's sake! Wouldn't Dorothy have a field day with this?

Nicole stopped. She didn't know why she was so upset by it. She should be glad Jake was a cop. My God, she'd thought she was a hired killer or something.

Then she frowned. But the dream was so... so real, so painful. She wondered what that was all about? And the professional side of her wondered if Jake had sought counseling.

Doesn't matter. It wasn't likely they'd run into each other again, unless Jake had some other police business. They traveled in different circles. But still, Nicole wondered why she hadn't run into Jake before, at court, if nothing else. She shrugged. Maybe they had. And maybe she just hadn't noticed her because Jake wasn't her type.

She rolled her eyes. How could she not notice her? Jake had a presence about her, an energy. And Nicole was drawn to it.

" She's definitely not your type."