Elises attention shifted from the troublesome flowers to the weary sigh in Georges tone. A street cop?
I know. Hard to imagine, isnt it? I keep my sidearm locked in my desk and carry home budget reports instead of case files. He buttoned his collar and straightened the knot of his tie, although he didnt touch the rolled-up sleeves. But I did my time in Vice and Narcotics once I made detective. I got into administration because I thought the desk job would make her happy. Turned out I had a knack for paper pushing and bottom lines so I stayed with it, even after she left.
Elise frowned, surprised to hear faint echoes of resignation and regret in his voice. You still wear a badge. Youre still KCPD. A lot of people in the department count on you to do your jobeven if your ex-wife doesnt appreciate that.
George nodded at her show of support, even as he dismissed it. There was more than my job wrong with our marriage. He picked up the folder hed set down without elaborating any further. When Court calls back, and she willsince she dropped Madigan, she must want something pretty badlyyou can refer to her as Ms. Reiter.
Yes, sir.
Commissioner Madigan? Henry Johnsons voice was shrill and impatient, calling from his office.
Georges chest expanded with a deep breath. He checked his watch. Its almost four oclock. Why dont you close up shop out here. As soon as I wrap up this meeting and connect with Cliff Brandt, you can head home early. Ill lock up.
Although Elise appreciated the kind gesture, and knew she needed to go home to let Spike out into the backyard for a romp, the otherwise empty expanses of her torn-up house with its two overworked window air conditioners didnt seem particularly inviting right now. What if that phone call hadnt been a mistake and exactly twenty-three roses were meant for her? What if that ghostly voice was leaving a message on her personal answering machine or voice mail right now?
Even the unlucky coincidence of these flowers coming from James or some other old boyfriend wasnt exactly comforting. That meant her no thanks on a relationship hadnt registered, and that she had another long conversation, if not an outright confrontation, to look forward to this evening.
Right now, workand the confines of her nicely appointed, if slightly humid, officeseemed more of a solace than the paint cans, phone calls or potential surprise visits that might be waiting for her at home.
If its all right, Id like to stay hereI need to type up the notes for your speech at the annual officers retirement luncheon.
George groaned. That damned speech. If Commissioner Cartwright-Masterson wasnt expecting her first grandchild...
Elise smiled and shooed him toward his office. The commissioner wouldnt have asked you to take her place on the podium if she didnt trust you to represent her and the department in stellar fashion.
That doesnt mean you need to stay late just to make me sound good at the banquet. Ill work on it. You get out of here and enjoy the AC someplace where you actually have to put on a sweater because its so cold.
Instead of laughing at what she assumed was a joke, she offered him a half-truth. Sounds tempting, but...Im getting out of an unwanted date tonight with an old friend. The excuse I gave for not meeting him for dinner was that I had to work late. Do you mind?
George arched one of his dark brows in a skeptical frown. Maybe that unwanted date is who sent the flowers. Could be hes trying to change your mind.
It wont.
You should still ask him.
Elise considered the possibility. Maybe she would give James a call. But later, so he wouldnt think shed changed her mind about his dinner invitation. Ill check with Shane first and call the desk downstairs if he doesnt have the florists name.
Shaking his head, George headed for his office. Fine. Ill alibi you out. Tell Mr. Unwanted that your boss is an old curmudgeon who works your fingers until they bleed and doesnt allow you a personal life.
Elise smiled at the self-effacing comment and watched him walk away, idly noting that there was nothing old or curmudgeonly about the way his shirt hugged his powerful build. And though she knew he was more than a dozen years her senior, the lines beside his eyes and salt-and-pepper hair only added to the air of seasoned authority and masculinity he wore like a second skin. There was no mistaking George Madigan for a boyish college sweetheart or a duplicitous charmer whod prey on her vulnerable feelings to get what he wanted from her. He was an old-school, straightforward, get-the-job-done mans man.
After an unintentional betrayal that had nearly cost her former boss at Gallagher Security Systems and his family their lives, Elise knew she was lucky to have this job. And although Quinn Gallagher claimed he didnt blame her for any of the mess that had nearly destroyed him, Elise knew she could have saved him a lot of trouble if shed been thinking with her head instead of a broken heart. Turning in her resignation to the man shed loved but could never have had been the right thing to do. But picking up the pieces of her life again hadnt been easy.
With that kind of personal and professional track record, Elise was grateful to have this well-paying, well-respected position doing meaningful work for the department and Kansas City. The deputy commissioners faith in her had done more to heal her self-esteem and rebuild her trust in men than any self-help book could. Thats all she should be focusing on. Noticing that George Madigan was an attractive man, noticing anything more than him as a fair leader and kind friend, could only lead to the sort of trouble she didnt need in her life.
So she ignored those little frissons of awareness that warmed her blood and sat down to work. Thank you, sir.
He paused at the door, exhaling an audible sigh before glancing over his shoulder at her. Its George when its just you and me talking. Okay? Sir makes me feel like an old man.
Not a chance.
But before Elise could do something foolish like tell him he was a fit man in his prime, Henry Johnson shouted from his office again. Deputy Commissioner? Today?
With a smile that was part relief, part sympathy, Elise shooed him on his way. Youd better not keep him waiting any longer. You want to win his support, remember?
George paused with his hand on the doorknob, looking as if he had something more to say. Instead of speaking to Elise, though, he opened the door. I got the file I needed, Henry. Now lets compare the costs of prevention strategies versus...
When the door closed behind him, Elise turned to her computer and pulled up the memos hed sent her for distribution and started proofing and addressing them. With the discussion on the other side of Georges door now muted, she worked in relative silence for several minutes.
But the bouquet was casting a shadow over her work space, drawing her attention away from her keyboard and screen. Maybe she should take the time now to walk down the hall to chat with Shane Wilkins, the floor officer. Or maybe she could spare a few minutes to call James. Or her parents. Do a little investigating on her own.
Elise rose in a huff and picked up the heavy glass vase to move the roses out of sight on the counter behind her desk. Or maybe I should just get my work done and deal with you later. I know a nice hospital where youll be very happy and greatly appreciated, she said to the flowers as she set them down.