Read Online Emergency Response by Susan Sleeman - Free Book Online

know. She’d been on the team since its inception six years ago and Archer had been with them for three years. Still, Darcie didn’t feel she knew him well. One reason was because of the trust fund from his family that ensured he’d never have to work another day in his life. Not that he lived off it or acted all snooty, but he was always wary of people, especially women, liking him for his money.
    â€œDid I say something wrong?” Pilar asked.
    Darcie realized she was frowning and forced out a smile. “It’s not you and you’re right. Archer is definitely one of the good guys.”
    Pilar struggled to her feet. She had arthritis in her knees, and she took her time crossing the room. She only came up to Darcie’s chest and had to bend back to make eye contact.
    â€œYou are one of the good ones, too, Darcie. You are sent from God.” She threw her pudgy arms around Darcie and hugged her hard. She smelled like the egg chilaquiles and strong coffee she’d prepared for breakfast. She stepped back. “And I know when the time is right, you will tell me about the bruises. I will not mention it again.” She mimicked running a zipper over her lips.
    Despite Pilar’s insistence on prying when Darcie didn’t want to share, she smiled fondly down on Pilar and squeezed her hand before leaving the condo. At the landing, she found Jake leaning against the wall, his phone in hand. Though Noah had wanted to pick her up, she’d asked Jake to give her a ride to Portland’s central precinct to keep from spending any extra time alone with Noah.
    Jake looked up. “Wondered if you were coming.”
    â€œSorry, I was talking to Pilar.” The truth, technically. No reason to mention how many times she’d changed clothes, like a teenage girl getting ready for a date.
    They headed down the stairs at the same time as Archer stepped into the entryway. He glanced at his watch. “You should get going or you’ll be late.”
    She wasn’t one to stress over being on time, but Archer managed his schedule to the second. He’d gotten his MBA before he decided to become a deputy, and he often commented that time meant money.
    The doorbell rang and Darcie jumped. She thought she’d come to grips with the attack. Guess she was wrong.
    â€œYou stay here with Jake. I’ll see who it is.” Archer went to the door, looked through the peephole and pulled open the door. “What are you doing here, Lockhart?”
    Noah? She seconded Archer’s surprise.
    â€œSince I have to go downtown anyway, I thought I’d save Jake a trip. Is Darcie ready?” he asked, sounding like he was expected.
    Why couldn’t he have been a minute later, so she’d already be in the car with Jake? Now that he’d arrived, she couldn’t justify wasting Jake’s valuable time. She turned to him. “Thanks for offering to take me, but since Noah’s here, I’ll catch a ride with him.”
    He nodded. “Keep me informed of any developments.”
    Resolved to keep Noah at arm’s length today, she stepped to the door and for a moment, she just stared at him. Under a leather jacket, he wore a plain black shirt tailored to his muscled body and paired it with black slacks, making him look dangerous. He was freshly showered and shaved, a smile on his face. That dimple winking at her.
    How was she going to get through the day when the mere sight of him made her stand and stare like a dolt?
    â€œI wasn’t expecting you,” she finally said, sounding like a total airhead.
    His cool blue eyes told her he knew she was struggling. “Thought I’d help out.”
    â€œAnd I appreciate it, but next time a heads-up would be better.” Her words came out testier than she’d intended.
    â€œYou’re sure you don’t want to ride with Jake?” Archer eyed Noah.
    As a negotiator, Archer noticed subtle nuances and he had to