There was no mistaking the womans reaction. Her spine went rigid. Voice tight, she said to the boy, Danny, go in and get washed up for supper.
But I just washed my hands a minute ago.
Now, Danny.
Apparently the boy recognized the steel in his aunts words, because he turned without another word and trudged down the hallway. Meghan faced the detectives again and her tone went low and fierce. Any further involvement of my nephew in your investigation is out of the question.
Gabe tried to make his voice sound soothing, a difficult feat for his rumbling tones. I dont think you understand, maam. All were asking is
The look she shot him was as scathing as her words. No, you dont understand. Whatever it is that you do, youll do without Danny. The CPD has already cost my family more than enough already. Thanks to your department, my sister is dead.
Chapter 2
Uh-uh, buddy. Its my day, remember?
Gabe scowled, his fingers poised on the handle of the drivers door. Heaving a matyred sigh he went around to the other side of the unmarked car and got in. Cal took cautious driving to new heights. Gabe had often thought if his partner entered a Daytona 500 held for females over ninety, every one of the little old ladies would be lapping him in seconds.
Once hed eased the car into traffic, Cal spoke again. What do you suppose Pattersons story is? Shes sure carrying a whale of a grudge against the department.
Gabe loosened his tie and unfastened his top shirt button. The confining clothes he was forced to wear was one of the biggest disadvantages of having switched assignments three years ago from undercover work to his current position of detective in the Organized Crime division. In his opinion, neckwear should be outlawed as a particularly cruel and inhumane form of torture. Hed like to get hold of the guy whod invented ties and beat an apology from him.
Hard telling. Maybe her sister swore out a restraining order that went south. It happened, he knew, more often than they liked to consider. Domestic disputes especially could turn deadly. At any rate, after dropping her bomb-shell, Meghan Patterson hadnt wasted any time ushering them out of the apartment. Gabe decided hed dig around a little and see what he could discover about the sister. Despite Meghans hostility, the fact remained that theyd probably need to talk to her nephew again. Discovering the identity of the unknown man with DBrusco just might be the key to blowing this case wide open. And the instant he had an inkling of who the guy could be, Gabe would be back on the womans doorstep. He said as much to Cal.
His partner never took his eyes off the traffic. Well have to hope she changes her mind about letting her nephew cooperate.
Shell change her mind.
Cals brows rose at the certainty in Gabes voice. I dont know. She seemed pretty sure.
Reaching into his pocket, Gabe withdrew a package of gum and unwrapped a piece. He placed it in his mouth and chewed. It was a damn poor substitute for the smoke he craved, but it annoyed the hell out of Cal. That was powerful incentive. I can be very persuasive.
Giving a hoot at that, Madison risked a glance at his partner. You? Somehow I dont think the intimidation tactics you find so effective on street scum are going to be appropriate in her case. To handle a classy lady like that requires a certain finesse.
Just for the irritation value, Gabe cracked his gum loudly. Ive got finesse.
Cal was chortling now. Boy, do you. I dont know what I was worried about. If the time comes, well just count on you to change her mind with your usual suave personality.
Gabe was undisturbed by his partners gibes. Dont discount my hidden charms.
Yeah, your charms are well hidden, all right.
Keep being mean to me and Ill tell Becky. She loves me. Shed kick your butt if she could hear you now. Becky and Cal had married the previous year, and Gabe returned the womans fondness tenfold. She was upfront and plain-spoken, traits damn uncommon in the females of his experience.
A sudden thought occurred. Speaking of your better half, why dont you give her a call when we get back to our desks. I was thinking of going out for a steak tonight. We could go together. My treat. I owe you for the last time you had me over. Or maybe for the last dozen times, he mused. I lose count.
Uh Cal cleared his throat. I dont think so. Not tonight. He turned the car into the district parking lot and started cruising for a space.
Gabe looked out the window and spotted an empty slot. Theres a place. Up on your left. He shifted seamlessly back to the original conversation. Cmon, think about it. How long has it been since Becky let you eat red meat? I could persuade her to let you order a steak. Shes putty in my hands.
A dull flush had risen in his partners face. He took even greater care than usual to park the car and switch off the ignition. Actually, we have special plans tonight.
Gabe was perceptive enough to realize the plans werent the sort his partner would want him included in. Yeah, okay. Why dont you go on home and let me finish up the paperwork for today?
No, thats all right. Becky isnt expecting me until later, anyway.
The two men got out of the car and walked toward the building. Gabe threw a companionable arm around Cals shoulders. The trick to romancing a woman is to do the unexpected once in a while. Now you go on home and surprise Becky. Better yet, stop for some flowers and wine first.
Well Cals hesitation was minuscule. Okay. Ill owe you one.
Gabe clapped him on the back. Damn right you will. Oh, and give Becky a big kiss for me when you see her, would you? On the mouth.
Cal shrugged off Gabes arm and headed for his car. Youre depraved, Connally.
Yeah, I am. Forget it. Ill give it to her myself the next time I see her. He chuckled at the obscene gesture Cal made and entered the building.
Since it was time for a shift change, the halls of the Area One Detectives Division were more chaotic than normal. Winding through the maze of desks and cubicles, Gabe exchanged greetings and one-liners with his co-workers and then dropped into the chair in front of his battered metal desk. Before getting to work, he shrugged out of his coat, pulled the loosened tie from around his neck, wadded it up and jammed it in the pocket of his sports jacket. Then he slung the jacket over the back of his chair, undid another shirt button and unfastened the cuffs, rolling the sleeves to his elbows.
Connally, you savage. Youre a little late to be the featured matinee, Detective Lydia Fredericks observed from her desk across the aisle. She raised her voice. Hey, Connallys doing a striptease over here. Could we have a show of appreciation? There was a smattering of applause, and a wolf whistle from Lydias partner, Marcy Rogers. Coins rained on Gabes desk, courtesy of the detectives in the vicinity.
Thank you, thank you. Youve been a wonderful audience. He stood and did a quick shimmy, eliciting a heart-felt moan from Lydia and some more loose change. He scooped up the coins, frowning over the lone penny in the group. Hey, whos the cheapskate? Fiskes?
Detective Mark Fiskes grinned. What can I say? Youre a cheap thrill, Connally.