Part 6 (1/2)
”Do you think this loss could interfere with your ability to remain focused and objective if you're chosen for this a.s.signment?”
”Absolutely not. I want justice, not revenge.”
”That's good. Revenge can be a powerful motivator but it can also lead to poor judgment.” Alex paused. ”Stacey Chambers worked for me as an intern. I've never met a young person as dedicated to her work or as unlikely to do drugs. So I understand how you feel. The truth is that we may be dealing with the killer of both our friends, but we can't make that a.s.sumption without proof. So my next question is very simple. Are you interested in working on this task force and getting the proof we need to put Sonny Davis where he belongs?”
The fact was, Keri Morgan had earned the task force position and so far she'd said nothing that offered a valid reason to sideline her. The only hope Alex had was that Keri would decline. Her insides uttered with a mixture of excitement and old-fas.h.i.+oned fear. Her gaze slipped from the le in front of her to the white b.u.t.ton-down s.h.i.+rt that clung to Keri's b.r.e.a.s.t.s. The fabric rose and fell unevenly, keeping time with her breathing. Alex feared her own erratic breaths would betray the desire spreading through her system.
Keri was silent. She had expected a little more preamble before having to answer the question directly. More information, that's what she needed. The decision was too important.
”I think you already know that I like drug work, but I'm a little vague on the speci cs of this a.s.signment. I need more information.
Like who'll be supervising the team, and how we're supposed to get evidence on Davis. What are we going to do that hasn't already been done?”
Alex studied Keri's gorgeous face, impressed that she wasn't rus.h.i.+ng into a decision, pro or con, at least she was willing to listen. ”Fair enough. This will be a case based predominately on doc.u.mentation, following the money trail, surveillance, and controlled buys with a reliable informant. There is always the potential for violence of some * 61 *
sort where Davis is concerned. He's very unpredictable and surrounds himself with a whole posse of unstable individuals.”
”And the team leader?” Keri prompted.
”Sergeant Beth Price. She has previous narcotics experience and knows the legal and departmental protocols for this kind of operation.
We can hit the ground running with her.”
”How do you envision your own role in this investigation, Lieutenant?” Keri knew the question was a little cheeky, but she had a right to know. Lead of cers ran their teams differently. Some were hands-on. Others kept more distance. She met Alex's eyes and saw a slight twitch at their corners followed by a foreboding darkening.
Alex's insides clenched as she surveyed the woman beside her.
There it was, the issue that loomed between them like an elephant in a wading pool. Keri might as well have said she didn't want Alex anywhere near her own of cers as they worked. The discomfort between them was obvious but Keri was proceeding with calm and con dence.
Rattled, Alex replied, ”The chief wants all my attention focused on this case. In that capacity I will be reviewing every piece of intelligence gathered and every report submitted, and approving every operational plan proposed for execution. It's my job to compile a solid, leakproof case against Sonny Davis. Is that speci c enough?”
Keri's heart sank. She already knew the answer to her next inquiry, but had to ask, ”And what about the day-to-day operations?”
”My presence will be much more evident in this case than any other, since it is my only focus. And to be perfectly honest, operational involvement isn't out of the question. However, my intent is to let Sergeant Price handle that as much as possible.”
”I see.” Keri only hesitated for a few seconds. ”I'm not sure I'm the right person for this job, Lieutenant.”
The rebuff caught Alex off guard and she fought to keep the simultaneous ashes of relief and disappointment from registering on her face. She had seriously doubted that Keri might turn down the a.s.signment. If she did, Alex would be in the clear with the chief. She should be thrilled.
Before she could stop herself Alex said, ”You might want to give some serious thought to your future, Morgan. This case can make or break a career.”
There it is, Keri thought, her motivation. She's de nitely bucking * 62 *
for another promotion. And that had to spell trouble for anyone in her path. ”I'll have to think about it-in light of everything we've discussed.
Can you give me some time?”
”Time is short.” Alex's voice was suddenly terse and unfriendly.
She was obviously annoyed, probably not used to being turned down.
”I'll need an answer by the end of business tomorrow, at the latest.”
Keri's legs shook as she stood and followed her to the door. She didn't care what Alex thought; she wasn't about to jump into this hotbed of political land mines without careful consideration of all the facts.
”Thank you for your time, Lieutenant, and for considering me. I know it couldn't have been easy for you.”
Alex noticed the almost imperceptible tightening at the corners of Keri's mouth and the focused stare of her cobalt blue eyes. The anger was still there, carefully contained, but present nonetheless.
Maybe it was best if Keri declined the offer. Without giving her time to respond, Keri turned and exited the of ce, leaving Alex speechless in the doorway.
As Keri walked away, she replayed the conversation and weighed her decision carefully.
Over the past few days, she'd glimpsed a softer, more personal side of the woman behind the badge, even hints of actual compa.s.sion.
But she'd also seen the sharp edges of her ambition rise to the surface again, and Keri had a feeling if she got too close to that edge she'd be ripped apart, just as she was three years ago. Her first instinct was to take the a.s.signment. But she wasn't the same impulsive person she'd been a few years ago, and she would never allow Alex Troy to compromise her again. If she joined the task force, she would make sure to watch her back.
v Keri ended her s.h.i.+ft with a sense of anticlimax. She'd made her decision but when she tried to nd Alex to tell her, the lieutenant had already left. Looking forward to releasing some tension, she strode into the women's locker room and was instantly a.s.saulted by the odor of wet towels and perspiration. The beige concrete walls displayed a collection of dirty handprints and scuff marks from neoprene police shoes. As she sat on the narrow bench that ran the length of the tall * 63 *
metal lockers, her waning enthusiasm was mimicked by a ickering uorescent tube that threatened to go out permanently.
She changed from jeans to a pair of white running shorts she kept in her locker for such occasions. She didn't have another T-s.h.i.+rt, so the white, rain-splotched one she had on under her vest would have to do. The sudden torrent of rain had soaked her through on her last call and her body shook. Raking her ngers through her curly wet hair, she opened the gym door and froze.
”Jesus, Alex, I'm dying here. Can you slow down a little?” Beth panted from the center of the room. She and Alex were on a worn, gray oor mat doing synchronized push-ups to a rapid count. Alex's well-muscled body glistened with perspiration and moved gracefully beside Beth's more compact version.
”You never could keep up with me.”
”Maybe not in the gym, but I kept you sweating...” Hearing the gym door slam, the two collapsed on the mat, faces frozen, as if caught in an inappropriate moment.
Alex looked stunning in body-hugging bike shorts, tank top, and a headband just below the hairline. Keri never imagined just how exquisite the body was that hid beneath Alex's tailored clothes. Beth wore a black police-issue sweatsuit. Both women stared at Keri so hard she almost turned around and walked back out. She was suddenly self-conscious about her almost transparent white shorts and wet T-s.h.i.+rt, nipples cold and erect underneath.
Beth broke the uncomfortable silence. ”d.a.m.n, what happened?
You look a little sh.e.l.l-shocked.”
”Nothing, really. Got caught in the rain coming in, that's all.”
Alex's eyes still appraising her body, Keri felt her face grow warm. She watched a deep shade of scarlet spread across Alex's cheeks. Their eyes locked and held until Alex nally diverted her gaze and reached for a towel thrown across the weight bench.
”I'm going to take off. We're almost done here anyway.”
”No, please. Don't go,” Keri said, surprised by the urgency of her tone. She stared down at her shoes, puzzled that she could feel such intense anger toward Alex one minute and strong attraction the next.
”I didn't mean to interrupt your workout. Please nish. I just needed to have a run.”
* 64 *
”Are you sure you should be running?” Beth moved to her side and placed a hand lightly on her shoulder. ”You look a bit shaky.”
”Thanks, Sergeant Price, but I'm really ne.”