other for the first time. I acted immature, and I’m guessing you feel that you did as well.”
“Hmm,” was all he said, scratching his chin.
“Can we move past that awkward stage? I’d like to be professional, really. Maybe you and I could get a cup of coffee or grab breakfast. Talk about the case, get to know each other a little. Swap horror stories.”
“Swap horror stories? What are we, girl scouts?”
“That’s not what I meant. Geez, that sounded really cheesy, didn’t it? Forget it. All I meant was that we’re going to be partners.”
“Not for long, if there is a God,” Jude returned.
“I just thought that in order to gain one another’s trust—”
“Let’s clear one thing up, shall we? I don’t trust you. If you’re smart, you’ll do the same.”
“What is that?” she asked, her lips shifting into a snarl. “That ego trip you’re on.”
“It’s not an ego trip; it’s reality.”
“One reality, maybe.”
“You’ve been on the force eight years, and you mean to tell me that you’ve never had a thought that made you question things? Eight long years and there was never a time you felt like you couldn’t trust someone?”
“Of course there was. But it’s a human system. It’s a human world. Flawed people are inevitable.”
“Yes, they are. Turns out you’re not the dullest tool in the shed. Like I said, there are no friends, not here.”
“Detective Foster, all your little digs and what have you, it’s cute, really, it is. But I’m gonna have to ask you to stop. If you and I can’t have trust in this relationship, the least you can give me is respect.”
“You’re on my turf, skirt. All right? The only reason you’re here is because of your father. Mike knows full well I can crack this thing on my own. He called you in to appease some guilty conscience or a group of fat cat city officials. Hate to break it to you, but you’re just furniture.”
Rachel chewed on her fingernails before responding. “My father’s dead, just like yours.” She leaned over, put the heels of her hands on the desk. “Nobody got me this case. The chief called me because I’m good. I’m real good. My job means something to me. I worked my butt off these last eight years to keep jocks like you quiet. I didn’t suck anything or say anything to get where I am. I’m a big girl.”
“Bet you are.”
She took the newspaper from under her arm and chucked it at him. “We made front cover, in case you didn’t know.”
With gritted teeth, Jude spared a glance. “Everybody wants their fifteen minutes of fame. I just want to be left alone.”
“At least no one got any clear pictures of the lead detective in all his shining glory. You were so lively last night.”
Her sarcasm was only a slight stab. He could take it. “But I’ll bet this trash is loaded to the brim with libel,” he said.
“What’s this Vallace guy got against you anyway?”
“Other than the fact that he’s never written a legitimate article in his life? Or maybe it’s that the little porker has to use his tippy-toes to sit at eyelevel. He’s nothing more than a shark in shallow water.”
Rachel folded her arms. “He seems taken with you.”
“He’s been arrested and let go more times than I can remember. He’s got a grudge against cops. I busted him once or twice. DUI and a domestic claim.”
Rachel squinted.
“He still lives with his mother,” Jude added. “From what I’ve heard, she’s a grade-A, straitjacket nut.”
“Yet we let creeps like him run the press. How the world turns.”
“Watch your back with him. He’s an idiot, but he’ll use any angle to strike a nerve.”
“Might wanna hit the brakes, Romeo,” Rachel said. “You almost sounded human for a second. I can take care of myself. I’ve dealt with shady reporters before.”
“Right. Well, did you read the article?”
“Yeah,” Rachel replied. “It’s clear he doesn’t think we have a shot at solving this thing.
“Hmm,” was all he said, scratching his chin.
“Can we move past that awkward stage? I’d like to be professional, really. Maybe you and I could get a cup of coffee or grab breakfast. Talk about the case, get to know each other a little. Swap horror stories.”
“Swap horror stories? What are we, girl scouts?”
“That’s not what I meant. Geez, that sounded really cheesy, didn’t it? Forget it. All I meant was that we’re going to be partners.”
“Not for long, if there is a God,” Jude returned.
“I just thought that in order to gain one another’s trust—”
“Let’s clear one thing up, shall we? I don’t trust you. If you’re smart, you’ll do the same.”
“What is that?” she asked, her lips shifting into a snarl. “That ego trip you’re on.”
“It’s not an ego trip; it’s reality.”
“One reality, maybe.”
“You’ve been on the force eight years, and you mean to tell me that you’ve never had a thought that made you question things? Eight long years and there was never a time you felt like you couldn’t trust someone?”
“Of course there was. But it’s a human system. It’s a human world. Flawed people are inevitable.”
“Yes, they are. Turns out you’re not the dullest tool in the shed. Like I said, there are no friends, not here.”
“Detective Foster, all your little digs and what have you, it’s cute, really, it is. But I’m gonna have to ask you to stop. If you and I can’t have trust in this relationship, the least you can give me is respect.”
“You’re on my turf, skirt. All right? The only reason you’re here is because of your father. Mike knows full well I can crack this thing on my own. He called you in to appease some guilty conscience or a group of fat cat city officials. Hate to break it to you, but you’re just furniture.”
Rachel chewed on her fingernails before responding. “My father’s dead, just like yours.” She leaned over, put the heels of her hands on the desk. “Nobody got me this case. The chief called me because I’m good. I’m real good. My job means something to me. I worked my butt off these last eight years to keep jocks like you quiet. I didn’t suck anything or say anything to get where I am. I’m a big girl.”
“Bet you are.”
She took the newspaper from under her arm and chucked it at him. “We made front cover, in case you didn’t know.”
With gritted teeth, Jude spared a glance. “Everybody wants their fifteen minutes of fame. I just want to be left alone.”
“At least no one got any clear pictures of the lead detective in all his shining glory. You were so lively last night.”
Her sarcasm was only a slight stab. He could take it. “But I’ll bet this trash is loaded to the brim with libel,” he said.
“What’s this Vallace guy got against you anyway?”
“Other than the fact that he’s never written a legitimate article in his life? Or maybe it’s that the little porker has to use his tippy-toes to sit at eyelevel. He’s nothing more than a shark in shallow water.”
Rachel folded her arms. “He seems taken with you.”
“He’s been arrested and let go more times than I can remember. He’s got a grudge against cops. I busted him once or twice. DUI and a domestic claim.”
Rachel squinted.
“He still lives with his mother,” Jude added. “From what I’ve heard, she’s a grade-A, straitjacket nut.”
“Yet we let creeps like him run the press. How the world turns.”
“Watch your back with him. He’s an idiot, but he’ll use any angle to strike a nerve.”
“Might wanna hit the brakes, Romeo,” Rachel said. “You almost sounded human for a second. I can take care of myself. I’ve dealt with shady reporters before.”
“Right. Well, did you read the article?”
“Yeah,” Rachel replied. “It’s clear he doesn’t think we have a shot at solving this thing.
Similar Books
