Read Online Kansas City Cover-Up by Julie Miller - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Julie Miller
Ads: Link
working together.” Although there was a teasing smile in his green eyes, she had a feeling he was half serious.
“That’s not it.” Still, Jim was right—they hadn’t quite found their investigative rhythm yet. And she didn’t want to be distracted with working a new partner into the equation when she met with Gabe Knight. “Like Ginny said, I’ve developed a rapport with him. He may not like any of us, but I think he’ll talk to me.” If Gabe’s willingness to work with her meant the difference in solving the crime, then she’d deal with his stubbornness, her family’s reservations against the man—even those illogical frissons of awareness he’d awakened in her—and make him her best friend. “If Knight gives me any grief, Max said I’m scary enough to take him down if I have to.”
The grumpy detective chuckled as he followed them out the door. “You got that right.”
Olivia smiled. Max was too much of a teddy bear beneath the grizzly exterior to stay mad at him for long. Jim was starting to grow on her, too. “Besides, if I need you, I’ve got your number.”
Jim paused before heading over to the bank of elevators. “Use it. I’m here to back you up.”
Maybe if he kept saying that, she might actually learn to believe in a partner again. “Thanks, Jim. Let me know what you find in the evidence box. Good luck with the house.”
Max folded his arms across his barrel chest, blocking her path as he scratched at the pale stubble on his chin. “You want me to go with you? I’m not afraid of Knight.”
Even though she could tell that his offer of support was sincere, Olivia let him off the hook with a teasing punch to the arm. “You’re not one of my brothers, remember? I don’t need you lookin’ out for me. Go eat a cigar.”
“Sounds yummy.” Trent came out of the lieutenant’s office with a sarcastic drawl and clapped Max on the shoulder. “You and me are taking a trip to Impound.”
“Yippee,” Max answered in a monotone. “We get the stinky old car.” But he walked backward, following his partner’s exit without further complaint. “Brower was a butthead for cheating on you, Liv.”
“I know.”
“I only told Jim because he needs to have your back in case Brower is dumb enough to think he can talk you into forgiving him or something.”
“I know that, too. Get to work.”
With Katie Rinaldi and Ginny Rafferty-Taylor going over data in the lieutenant’s office, and the guys on the team out pursuing their assignments, Olivia finally got her peace and quiet. For a few moments. Then the cacophony of the Fourth Precinct’s third-floor Detectives Division registered. Dozens of conversations, phones ringing, keyboards clicking and printers and other machines whirring as they spit out information filled her ears and wore at her nerves.
But, since running home for a hot bubble bath or a primal scream in the middle of the room probably weren’t the best strategies for coping with this morning’s stress, Olivia inhaled a deep breath and marched past the cubicle where her desk faced Jim’s and pushed open the door to the now empty conference room. She exhaled the calming breath and rallied her patience. The last thing she needed was to lose her focus when she talked to Gabriel Knight.
Turning to keep watch through the glass windows on either side of the door, Olivia pulled up the number she’d programmed in yesterday and called Gabe.
A terse, low-pitched voice answered. “Knight.”
Sucker.
Her nostrils flared with a quick breath. Why couldn’t she shake this skittish, way-too-feminine-for-her-liking thing about the man? She must have some kind of masochistic streak to be attracted to men who were trouble for her.
Olivia ignored the deep voice that skittered against her eardrums and focused on the muffled noises of a busy metropolitan newspaper office in the background. “Good morning, Mr. Knight. This is Detective Watson, KCPD. I need to speak to you. In person.
“That’s not it.” Still, Jim was right—they hadn’t quite found their investigative rhythm yet. And she didn’t want to be distracted with working a new partner into the equation when she met with Gabe Knight. “Like Ginny said, I’ve developed a rapport with him. He may not like any of us, but I think he’ll talk to me.” If Gabe’s willingness to work with her meant the difference in solving the crime, then she’d deal with his stubbornness, her family’s reservations against the man—even those illogical frissons of awareness he’d awakened in her—and make him her best friend. “If Knight gives me any grief, Max said I’m scary enough to take him down if I have to.”
The grumpy detective chuckled as he followed them out the door. “You got that right.”
Olivia smiled. Max was too much of a teddy bear beneath the grizzly exterior to stay mad at him for long. Jim was starting to grow on her, too. “Besides, if I need you, I’ve got your number.”
Jim paused before heading over to the bank of elevators. “Use it. I’m here to back you up.”
Maybe if he kept saying that, she might actually learn to believe in a partner again. “Thanks, Jim. Let me know what you find in the evidence box. Good luck with the house.”
Max folded his arms across his barrel chest, blocking her path as he scratched at the pale stubble on his chin. “You want me to go with you? I’m not afraid of Knight.”
Even though she could tell that his offer of support was sincere, Olivia let him off the hook with a teasing punch to the arm. “You’re not one of my brothers, remember? I don’t need you lookin’ out for me. Go eat a cigar.”
“Sounds yummy.” Trent came out of the lieutenant’s office with a sarcastic drawl and clapped Max on the shoulder. “You and me are taking a trip to Impound.”
“Yippee,” Max answered in a monotone. “We get the stinky old car.” But he walked backward, following his partner’s exit without further complaint. “Brower was a butthead for cheating on you, Liv.”
“I know.”
“I only told Jim because he needs to have your back in case Brower is dumb enough to think he can talk you into forgiving him or something.”
“I know that, too. Get to work.”
With Katie Rinaldi and Ginny Rafferty-Taylor going over data in the lieutenant’s office, and the guys on the team out pursuing their assignments, Olivia finally got her peace and quiet. For a few moments. Then the cacophony of the Fourth Precinct’s third-floor Detectives Division registered. Dozens of conversations, phones ringing, keyboards clicking and printers and other machines whirring as they spit out information filled her ears and wore at her nerves.
But, since running home for a hot bubble bath or a primal scream in the middle of the room probably weren’t the best strategies for coping with this morning’s stress, Olivia inhaled a deep breath and marched past the cubicle where her desk faced Jim’s and pushed open the door to the now empty conference room. She exhaled the calming breath and rallied her patience. The last thing she needed was to lose her focus when she talked to Gabriel Knight.
Turning to keep watch through the glass windows on either side of the door, Olivia pulled up the number she’d programmed in yesterday and called Gabe.
A terse, low-pitched voice answered. “Knight.”
Sucker.
Her nostrils flared with a quick breath. Why couldn’t she shake this skittish, way-too-feminine-for-her-liking thing about the man? She must have some kind of masochistic streak to be attracted to men who were trouble for her.
Olivia ignored the deep voice that skittered against her eardrums and focused on the muffled noises of a busy metropolitan newspaper office in the background. “Good morning, Mr. Knight. This is Detective Watson, KCPD. I need to speak to you. In person.
Similar Books
