Brian's life had been touched by the suicide of his wife in one of her bouts of depression. Head down he finished rearing his children and after his partner Lila McIntyre left the department, he proceeded alone there as well.

Lila’s husband Ben was killed when working undercover with his partner. Ben’s body showed evidence of torture, and rumors surfaced accusing Ben and his partner of turning to the "dark side." Lila returned to the department to a desk job, head held high, ignoring the rumors and refusing Brian's help.

Lila and Brian had a history…clicking as partners for several years, both vulnerable because of bad marriages, nonetheless mindful of their children, they had each been secretly attracted. To their credit they had never acted upon the attraction. Ben realized the threat. Extremely jealous and possessive, he forced Lila to quit her job to become a stay at home mom.

The history is essential to appreciate the present. Lila is being taunted by a hang up caller late at night and finally confesses this to Brian. Brian reacts in protective fashion placing a trace on the telephone. Quickly he takes advantage of the opportunity to become part of Lila's life again. He starts with dinner and plans his campaign to ingratiate himself without scaring her off.

As well as the sexual  tensions  escalating, Lila’s mysterious caller changes his technique, and starts moving objects around in her house while she is away, even going so far to appear in her bedroom while she is asleep.

The identity of this mysterious stalker is subordinate to the driving force of this story. In Ferrarella's well recognized style, the reader is embroiled in Brian’s business of courting and winning Lila with the support of his family. Peppered with family anecdotes the story moves gently and warmly along, strengthened by the well fashioned characters acting in ways we all understand. These people are not super cops or super heroes which makes it easier for the reader to enjoy a real empathy with their problems.

The resolution comes as no surprise, but as in most things, it is the journey not the destination that is important.

--Thea Davis