COLLATERAL CASUALTIES (The Kate Huntington mystery series) by Kassandra Lamb

muttered.
                She jogged to catch up with him. “I told your wife you’re not an impulsive man. Thanks for making a liar out of me.”
                Skip ignored her. He continued down the sidewalk in long strides that kept her jogging beside him. As they neared the corner, she veered across somebody’s front lawn to cut him off. “Damn it, Skip, take a deep breath and settle down.”
                “I told you this is not your business,” he repeated through clenched teeth.
                “Normally I would agree with you, but the stakes are too high here. And Kate did what she thought was best. If the shoe were on the other foot, you would’ve kept it from her. Considered it agency business that was your responsibility to deal with.”
                Skip didn’t say anything. Rose continued in a quieter voice. “This was a matter related to her work. A confidential matter that she didn’t have the right to tell you about. But she could consult with Rob for advice, her attorney who is also sworn to keep such things confidential.”
                “So how come she told you and Mac?” Skip’s voice was still angry.
                “That was Rob’s suggestion. Because of Mac’s background.” Rose looked around to make sure no one was in earshot. “He’s worked undercover in Special Forces. He’s even been on black ops. He’s the best person to deal with this.”
                “And you just happened to be tagging along yesterday?” Skip said, his tone now sarcastic.
                Rose tamped down her own temper. She understood his anger. “Yeah, on purpose. I knew something was up with her.”
                Skip sucked in air, then blew it out again. “Okay, I’ll buy the confidentiality issue initially. But as soon as things started to unravel, she should’ve told me.”
                “Come on, let’s walk.” Rose turned and started down the sidewalk. Skip fell in beside her.
                She was trying to sort out what to say. She knew in her gut why Kate had handled things the way she did but how to explain it to Skip? She hit on an idea. “Who’d you have for psychology at Towson University?” They’d both studied criminal justice there, but at different times.
                Skip looked startled by the abrupt change of subject. “Can’t remember her name right now,” he said after a beat, “but she was one of the best profs I had.”
                “Dark hair, reading glasses perched on the end of her nose?”
                “Sounds like her.”
                “I had her too. One time in class, she talked about differences between men and women. It stuck with me, ’cause it had me wondering for awhile if I was really a guy. Doctor... Damn, I can’t remember her name either. Anyway, she said that men are all about action, while women are into emotions. Men want to just fix the problem. Women want to talk it to death, figure out how they feel .” Rose dragged out the last word as she rolled her eyes.
                Skip actually chuckled. “Boy, ain’t that the truth.” Then he stopped walking and turned to face her. “This isn’t about Kate’s feelings, though. It’s about the possibility that she could end up dead because she knew a man who used to be a spy.”
                “You’re missing my point, partner. Kate was afraid that if she told you what was going on, you’d feel you had to take action. She asked my advice yesterday, about telling you.” Rose knew she was risking Skip turning his anger on her but she forged ahead anyway. “I told her I honestly didn’t know what to suggest. ’Cause I wasn’t sure you wouldn’t go off half-cocked, like you almost did today.”
                Skip just shook his head. “I was mostly pissed about her not telling