Read Online Cavanaugh’s Woman by Marie Ferrarella - Free Book Online Page A

appeal to her common sense, even though he wasn’t sure if she had any. “Look, we’re entering a sleazy place that deals exclusively in explicit porno.” He didn’t add that there was a suspicion of child pornography being produced out of there, as well. He wasn’t trying to make her ill, just make her stay put. “Men go into places like that, not women. Having you with us’ll blow our cover.”
    Moira looked undaunted. “I could play the part of a wanna-be porn star.”
    The woman had an answer for everything. He lost his temper. Shaw leaned into the car. When he spoke, he enunciated every word. “Let’s get something clear. There are no ‘parts’ here. These are not TV actors we’re dealing with. They don’t retreat into their trailers when someone yells ‘Cut.’ These are vicious, nasty men who sell underage girls into virtual slavery. Now this is as close as you’re getting to the operation.” He slapped the side of the car. “Do I make myself clear?”
    There was no arguing with him. “Perfectly.”
    “Good.” Shaw straightened up. “I’m glad we’re on the same page.”
    He looked at his partner. Reese had changed inside the precinct, donning worn jeans and a pullover shirt that had seen too many spin cycles in the washing machine. The object was to blend in, not stand out.
    Shaw felt behind him, assuring himself that his weapon was still tucked into the waistband of his jeans at the small of his back. The one he used for backup was securely strapped to his calf.
    Completely ignoring Moira, he nodded at Reese. “Okay, let’s do this.”
    Frustrated, Moira remained in the car.
    She watched Shaw and Reese as they disappeared behind the black door of a small, narrow store whose display windows had been painted black. If what was going on inside was what Shaw claimed, black was an appropriate color for it, she thought.
    They were gone a while.
    The minutes dragged one another by in slow motion, making her edgy. The interior of the car began to get warmer despite the windows that were cracked open on either side. She stood it for as long as she could. Finally, feeling as if she were in a rotisserie, Moira slid into the driver’s seat and looked around for a way to open the windows all the way down.
    But Shaw had taken the keys with him and she needed the keys to operate the power windows.
    “Terrific,” she muttered. “He did this on purpose so that I’d call this off. Guess what, Shaw. I’m a lot tougher than you think.” She blew out a breath, watching the front of the porno store. “Also a lot hotter.”
    Moira gave it a few more minutes, growing warmer, antsier by the moment. But there was no sign of either Reese or Shaw. No movement whatsoever in the general area.
    The interior of the car grew hotter.
    She debated getting out of the vehicle, but she knew that wouldn’t sit well with Shaw. Besides, she thought, looking around at the tired buildings, the dirty streets, this wasn’t exactly an upscale neighborhood. She might be stubborn, but she wasn’t an idiot.
    Moira chewed on her lower lip, thinking. She wiped the perspiration from her forehead. There was only one thing left to do.
    She was going to have to hot-wire the car in order to get the windows down.
    Leaning over, she got busy beneath the dashboard. It had been a while since she’d done anything like this, but it was like riding a bicycle. After a few seconds of fumbling, it came back to her.
    Several short tries later, she had the engine purring like a kitten.
    Smiling, feeling triumphant, Moira straightened up. She spread her fingers out over the buttons on the driver’s armrest and pushed all the four that were clustered together. All four windows began to dip down in unison.
    It was then she saw the door to the porno shop open. Less than a half beat later, a man came flying out. He was running as if he had the demons from hell on his tail. She figured two police detectives were close enough, given his probable line