Read Online Showdown in West Texas by Amanda Stevens - Free Book Online

war,” he said.
    â€œThey’re already at war,” Grace replied. “Once the cartels started hiring army deserters and ex-members of the Guatemalan Special Forces to militarize their operations, they turned the occasional turf battle into an all-out Armageddon. We’ve got assassins and narco-terrorists operating on both sides of the border, and so far we’ve not seen much concern from Washington or the news media. We’ve been doing what we can on ourown, but with limited resources and manpower, it’s like taking a pellet gun to a bazooka fight. I’m not trying to scare you off,” she added. “I’m just trying to give you a realistic rundown of the situation.”
    â€œI appreciate that,” Walsh said. “Sounds like you’ve got a real mess on your hands.”
    â€œTo put it mildly.” Grace studied him for a moment. “I’ll be honest. If everything that Charlie told me about your record is true, we’d be lucky to get you. We can always use someone around here with your kind of experience. The pay’s lousy and the hours are even worse, so I don’t see how you can possibly turn us down,” she said with a half smile. “But before either of us makes a final decision, I think you should take some time to think it over. I understand you’ll be here for a few days, so why don’t we meet back here tomorrow morning and I’ll show you around the station, introduce you to some of the staff. I also think it would be a good idea for you to do a bit of exploring. See what a town like this has to offer a guy like you.”
    He nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”
    As soon as Grace rose, he stood, too.
    â€œI assume you already have a place to stay while you’re here?” she asked.
    â€œUh, yeah, that’s not a problem.”
    â€œThen I guess there’s only one other thing we need to talk about before we call it a night.” She came around the desk and propped a hip against the edge. “When you were first contacted about this position, you had every reason to believe you’d be working for Charlie Dickerson. His return is up in the air at the moment, and for the next several months at least, I’ll be in charge of this department. Do you have a problem answering to a female superior?”
    Again, he looked her right in the eyes and said without hesitation, “No, ma’am. That’s not a problem for me.”
    Grace appreciated the conviction she heard in his voice. She thrust out her hand and they shook again. “Thanks for making that long trip. I’m glad you didn’t cancel once you heard about Charlie.”
    â€œYeah, me, too.”
    â€œI’ll see you in the morning—let’s say, nine o’clock. Is that good for you?”
    â€œNine o’clock sharp,” he agreed, and turned to leave.
    â€œDetective Walsh?”
    He hesitated a fraction of a second at the door before he turned. “Yeah?”
    She nodded toward the chair he’d just vacated. “You forgot your briefcase.”
    Something flickered in his eyes before his gaze dropped to the floor. “So I did.” He went over and picked up the case, then paused again at the door. “Well, good night.”
    â€œGood night.”
    Grace stood in the doorway and watched him stride across the station. There was much to like about the man, she decided. Even aside from Charlie’s glowing recommendation, Dale Walsh had the kind of quiet confidence and innate strength that Grace had always preferred over the in-your-face bravado of some of her male compatriots. He hadn’t wavered once in the face of the border crisis she’d described, nor had he so much as blinked when she asked if he had a problem working for a woman.
    All that was a definite plus. During her time at the TBI, Grace had seen her share of pandering, condescension and resentment, all solely because of her gender.