To Protect And Serve Part 8

"We'll have to evaluate that possibility as we go along. But I'll keep it in mind."

"Okay then, guess I'll see you in the morning."

Keri rose and extended her hand. Alex smiled at the irony. This was the first time Keri Morgan had offered to shake her hand first. She clasped the younger woman's hand in hers. The sensation of their esh pressed together dispatched surging pulses of heat into her body. Time seemed to crawl as each nerve registered Keri's presence. Then like lightning the moment was gone and their hands slid reluctantly apart.

As Keri turned to leave, Alex watched the rise and fall of her perfectly shaped a.s.s, already wishing for tomorrow.

v Hours later Alex still couldn't evict Keri from her thoughts or her body. The restless stirring of her senses made her shift uncomfortably in the leather chair opposite Norman Smith, her family's lawyer. She glanced around at the diplomas and certi cates that cluttered the paneled walls, then tried again to focus on the gray-haired man seated across from her. Norman Smith had been a xture in her family as long as she could remember. The least she owed him was her complete attention.

"I know this is dif cult, but unfortunately, the world doesn't slow down when terrible things happen," he said. "It's been almost a year and some matters need your attention. As the only child, you're sole bene ciary to your parents' estate."

"Yes, that's ne." Alex interrupted. She'd already had enough to deal with today. Having her parents' lives reduced to a stack of legal mumbo-jumbo gave her cold chills.

She supposed emotional trauma over nalizing her parents' affairs was inevitable, and Norman was right: she'd delayed the process long enough. But every box of papers she opened contained more memories and pain she was not ready to face. Her parents' tidy preparations for the future made Alex all too aware of her failure to enjoy the present.

Grief began to choke her and tears stung her eyes.

"What about the company?" Norman asked. "Have you given any thought to what you want? There's the parent company here in the * 79 *

States and several foreign subsidiaries. I can help with a sale if you wish. I've already had inquiries."

"I can't decide that right now." Alex took a deep breath. "Whoever's been running it for the last year seems to be doing ne. Let them do it a while longer."

For most of her childhood Alex had believed her parents ran a simple computer store. They'd tried to convince her to come into the business with nancial incentives and properties before she joined the police department, but Alex wanted to make her own way. Their privately owned corporation, the Trojan Horse, handled all facets of high-tech surveillance, from basic night-vision equipment to advanced satellite components. The clientele spanned the globe. Then as now, Alex had been unable to imagine herself doing anything but the job she loved. But selling the business her parents spent their lives building didn't seem like an option at this point, either. It was too soon and too nal.

"Don't wait too long," Norman said. "Your parents were dear friends of mine and I just want to make sure their daughter is taken care of." He paused as if waiting for his comments to register. "I a.s.sume you're keeping the house. The t.i.tle and insurance have been transferred into your name. What about the cars? Do you want to keep them?"

A lump formed in Alex's throat. She'd never considered returning to her parents' home, but now it belonged to her. Her infrequent visits the past year had barely been enough to keep cobwebs from forming in the corners. It felt like her parents' lives were being disa.s.sembled piece by piece and she was being asked to dispose of them. Her knowledge of the business was insuf cient to make such important decisions at this point. But her childhood home and all its memories would also have to wait. "I'm not ready for all this."

Norman shuf ed through the stack of papers in front of him, pulled one out, and continued, "There are also the other properties to consider, in addition to the business. The two vacation homes, various real estate investments locally, and a sizeable stock portfolio."

"But hasn't everything been going along ne for the past year?

The company seems to be doing well from the quarterly statements I receive. The vacation homes are being properly maintained as they were before, and the other real estate properties are currently occupied by long-standing tenants. So what is the urgency today, Norm?"

* 80 *

"The stock investments are due for rollover soon, and with all the recent market uctuations it's time for a portfolio review. You could leave it in place or reinvest it in something else. Whatever you decide, we're on a two-day deadline and I'll need your signature to make it happen."

"Fine, just let it ride, if there's no penalty involved. I don't need any huge in uxes of cash anytime soon." She signed the proffered form and pushed her chair back from the desk.

"There is one nal thing," Norman added. "The board of directors meeting is next month. I think you need to be there. The CEO and board have been doing a great job running the show, but they need to know the company is still important to the princ.i.p.al shareholder, and that's you."

"I'll give it some thought. Everything else can wait." Alex rose stif y from the chair, shook hands with the lawyer, and took the probate doc.u.ments from him. "I'll read all this and make some decisions. Just give me a few days, okay? And thank you for everything you've done for my family, Norm."

Norman walked her out to the elevators. He seemed a little more relaxed than when she arrived. Some of the tightness around his mouth had disappeared, but Alex knew the heavy creases in his forehead were only one sign of the gravity he attached to his responsibilities to her family. Alex thanked him again for being patient and for the care he'd taken with her parents' affairs. As she rode down, she realized she had nally moved from disbelief to a form of acceptance. Her parents were gone. The nality she'd refused to accept until now washed through her.

She sat in her old Mercedes coupe outside the lawyer's of ce for a while. Her throat felt raw as a sickening feeling clawed its way up. Her eyes watered and stung, blurring her vision. She pounded her sts on the steering wheel as tears streamed down her face. It was the first time since the funeral she'd allowed herself to cry, and the timing couldn't have been worse.

There were too many responsibilities, too many things demanding her time and energy. Entirely too many to waste time crying. But the feelings continued to bubble up and spill over. She'd stuffed them down, avoided them, ignored and denied them for too long.

"But why now?" Alex asked aloud, wiping her eyes on her shirt * 81 *

sleeve. "I don't have time for a nervous breakdown." Something her father said years ago came to mind: "You have to grieve your loss to embrace the future." The tears began anew and she let them fall.

She thought about her mother's perfectionist expectations and her father's tenderness, constant encouragement, and acceptance of all things Alex. They'd only asked one thing of her, and that was to be happy. And it was the one thing Alex couldn't give them.

It should be easy. Find your pa.s.sion and the person who makes it all worthwhile and live. Right? Law enforcement was de nitely her niche, but the personal component proved more elusive. The thought of disappointing her parents brought another round of soul-tearing sobs.

"I miss you so much." She slammed her palms against the roof of the car. "I don't know what to do about all this."

She didn't know if it was the business, loneliness, feeling like an orphan, or the feelings suddenly surfacing around Keri that upset her most. Alex buried her face in her hands and rubbed the tears from her eyes. She shook her head and hammered the lid shut on her emotions once again. Life needs my attention. I can't fall apart.

She drove home mechanically and pulled into her driveway, scanning the street out of habit. With her keys already in hand, she walked to the house, unlocked the door, and went inside. Her living room was more welcoming now that she had decorated with some memorabilia of her parents' lives. A picture of her parents occupied the focal point on the entryway table. Every day now she looked at them, celebrated their lives, and vowed to live hers more fully. She felt comfortable among their things and appreciative for the physical connection to her parents.

She knew Norman was right. It was time for her to take the responsibilities her parents had entrusted to her and make the decisions they would have expected. But the investigation was heating up and she needed to stay focused for a few more days. After that, she'd deal with the estate and everything else that seemed so splintered in her life at the moment.

Alex dropped into her father's old leather recliner and picked up the rotary phone. She dialed the number and waited for the familiar, soothing voice.

"h.e.l.lo?"

"Wayne, it's Alex."

* 82 *

"Alex, it's good to hear your voice. We haven't talked, other than at work, for months."

Alex mentally kicked herself. "I know. I've been a terrible friend."

"I didn't mean it like that. I just meant I've missed you. I know you have a lot going on right now. And I also know when you're hurting, you work that much harder."

"You know me too well." Secretly, she was glad. Wayne Thomas reminded her of her father in so many ways. They were both strong and supportive but gentle and intuitive, especially when it came to her. Wayne supervised her in Narcotics and mentored her toward a more politically advantageous position in the department. His advice in matters of the ol' boys' club politics had proven invaluable. But it was his support when her parents died that changed their working relationship to friendship.

"So, how's the a.s.signment coming along?"

They spent the next thirty minutes discussing progress and possible directions the investigation might take. He offered encouragement and advice. She listened to the kindness and acceptance in his voice as he reviewed tactics that, thanks to him, were already second nature to her.

Talking to her friend and mentor helped. She felt more rea.s.sured and comfortable about the case. "Thanks for listening and letting me bounce some things off you."

"No problem. You'll get this guy. I have faith in you."

"You're good for my ego. Don't stop." Alex hesitated.

Wayne's voice softened. "You're really missing them tonight, aren't you?"

Alex exhaled a long breath. "Yeah, I am. Sometimes I just feel like I failed them." She wanted her parents to be proud.

"You know your parents just wanted you to be happy. Remember, your father used to say that real living wasn't based on the size of a bank account or a successful career. It was based on love and commitment."

"I remember." Alex thought of Keri and her pulse quickened.

"So, Alex Troy, whoever's got you thinking about your parents, disappointment, life, and the future, go after her. Don't let her get away."

Alex was stunned by Wayne's insight. "But I didn't say-"

* 83 *

"You never do. Life's too short, Alex." A slight hitch sounded at the end of Wayne's statement. "Now, I've got to go. There's a gorgeous woman in my bed and it sounds like you've got a big day tomorrow."

Alex had no idea she could be so transparent, but she knew he only had her best interest at heart. She hung up the phone with Wayne's encouraging comments like a warm blanket around her. Perhaps life was too short to rationalize her feelings away or pretend they didn't exist. The more she thought about Keri, the more the younger of cer entrenched herself in Alex's mind and soul. But it seemed everything in her life was suddenly happening at warp speed. Everything demanded her attention and everything was critical. How was she going to juggle it all at once to honor her parents' lives, vindicate a friend's death, catch a killer, and fall in love?

Something would have to wait, and with sadness and regret she hadn't imagined possible, Alex knew what it would be. As she prepared for the first task force meeting the next day, Alex relegated her interest in Keri Morgan to the pending le. She only hoped her feelings could be so easily contained.

* 84 *

CHAPTER SEVEN.

When Keri entered the cramped conference room, Alex felt the temperature rise by degrees. She was dressed in tight jeans with a baggy denim shirt and a pink camisole peeking out at the neckline. Her mahogany brown hair waterfalled across her shoulders, hanging in naturally curly ringlets around her face. An infectious smile radiated enthusiasm and way too much happiness.

She waved a paper bag in the air and the smell of warm bread permeated the room. "I brought bagels for everybody. I hope there's coffee." When Alex didn't respond, she teased, "Come on, Lieutenant.

I know you want it," and shook the bag in her direction, apparently determined to get some kind of response.

Alex allowed herself only a momentary glance at her. That disarming smile and those piercing blue eyes could prove hazardous, or at the very least, distracting. And distraction was something Alex couldn't afford. "Thanks for the bagels, Morgan. Help yourself to some coffee and grab a seat. The others should be here shortly."

The room was lined with worn, black fabric chairs pushed against the walls and gathered around the scarred table. It smelled of stale cigarettes and cold coffee. On one side of the s.p.a.ce, a scratched green chalkboard hung and on the other, a corkboard over owing with wanted posters. In a corner just inside the door, a child's desk functioned as a serving table for the industrial-sized coffeepot, sugar, and fake cream packets. As of cers arrived, they gathered around the makeshift coffee bar to collect their morning shot of stimulation.

Alex snuck M&Ms from her pocket one at a time. She carefully * 85 *

cracked the hard outer sh.e.l.l between her tongue and the roof of her mouth, felt the creamy chocolate melt, and waited for the inevitable sugar high. She watched Keri joke with the other of cers as though she knew them personally. Everybody took to her immediately. But Alex's impatience grew as she shuf ed papers and tried to look busy. By ten o'clock everyone but the Layton of cers had arrived. d.a.m.n you, Helen Callahan.

Refusing to be manipulated into a late start, Alex sat down at the table next to Beth, her back to the door. She faced the chalkboard.

"Okay, everybody take your seats."

Once the team was settled and the shuf ing had ceased, a few heads turned and Alex heard footsteps at the end of the hall. When the door opened, Beth's body morphed into attack mode. She pushed back from the table and slowly rose to her feet, eyes narrow and focused. As Alex stood, the woman behind her spoke.

"Good morning all, sorry we're late. We were detained by an accident on the interstate. I'm Captain Helen Callahan from Layton PD and these are my of cers, Renee Siler and Mike Fields."

Muscles knotted throughout Alex's body. She set her expression and prepared to face the woman she'd avoided for over a year. Never again would she permit Helen Callahan to make the rules. From now on their dealings would be on her terms alone.

Keri's nerves p.r.i.c.kled. Except for the incident in the gym the other night, she had never seen Alex's eyes so dark. Her face was void of emotion, cold and determined as she turned to greet the late arrivals.

Captain Callahan stood well inside Alex's personal body s.p.a.ce and seemed oblivious to the others in the room. She was dangerously beautiful in a black business suit, gray satin sh.e.l.l, and blond hair that owed past her shoulders. Her blue-gray gaze swept over Alex like a caress and lingered on her lips. She offered her hand. From the look on Alex's face, Keri thought she'd rather shake the business end of a rattlesnake.

Alex took in Helen's beauty with a cynical smile. Gorgeous but deadly. She should really travel with a caution sign and ares. She clutched Helen's hand in a two- sted grip, and using her superior strength, forcefully backed Helen out of her body s.p.a.ce and toward the row of chairs against the wall.

Helen's eyes never left her face, but Alex saw a icker of surprise.

* 86 *

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Lieutenant. It's been entirely too long."

Keri disliked Captain Callahan immediately. The possessive way she looked at Alex and a.s.sumed a position close to her made Keri uncomfortable. Maybe Alex and this woman... Keri couldn't nish the thought. Something hot and foreign rose in her throat. Helen Callahan was gorgeous, elegant, re ned, and certainly s.e.xy. All the things Keri knew she'd never be. But there was something off with her.

Beth cleared her throat. Eyes burning with contempt, she said, "We didn't realize you'd be joining us this morning, Captain." Her tone was cold and unwelcoming. "Let me nd you a seat."

"That won't be necessary, Sergeant."

Keri thought Callahan's emphasis on "sergeant" relayed a de nite dislike for Beth. It was obviously mutual, and if Sergeant Price didn't like her, that was good enough for Keri.

Helen grabbed an empty chair and indicated that Keri should make room for her. "You don't mind, do you, sweetie?" Without waiting for an answer, she rolled the chair close to Alex and sat down.

Keri took several deep breaths to slow her pulse. She wasn't sure what was causing more anxiety, waiting for her a.s.signment or watching Callahan's doe eyes fawn all over Alex as she introduced the team members. She knew the look of l.u.s.t, and Callahan wore it like a badge of honor. Keri was thankful that Alex seemed completely unimpressed.

The thought made her cross and uncross her legs beneath the table. She would have been jealous, she realized, if Alex had returned the alluring captain's interest.

Alex refused to be shaken by Helen's proximity. As she looked around the room at the of cers gathered to do battle under her command, con dence ooded her and she pushed away from the table enough to avoid Helen's body grazing hers "accidentally."

"Our target is probably the biggest and most dangerous drug dealer in the tristate area," she said. "And it's entirely possible that his dope is responsible for the deaths of some of our college students recently. This isn't simply a drug case anymore. There's a homicide investigation as well, and the chief has agreed to let us handle all of it. That's a huge honor and an enormous responsibility for each of us.

Detective Spagnola of the homicide squad will bring us up to speed on their investigation after our brie ng."

* 87 *

The image of Stacey Chambers's contorted features and lifeless body ashed through Alex's mind. Her stomach churned and she sted her hands into tight b.a.l.l.s in her lap to regain focus. "This is criminal investigation one-oh-one. I want it played by the numbers. Background checks, criminal histories, DMV runs, water and sewer listings, wanted persons checks, IRS histories, the works." Alex looked directly at Helen when she added, "There'll be no shortcuts on this one, folks. I want surveillance, night and day. I want to know where this guy goes, who he sees, for how long and why. I want to know how many wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, children, and relatives he has. I want to know where he eats and how often he takes a c.r.a.p." A laugh from the of cers broke the gathering intensity in the room.

"In other words, I want us so far up this guy's a.s.s that when he burps, we know what he ate for lunch." Alex concluded, "Sergeant Beth Price will be your immediate supervisor. She's going to make the a.s.signments based on our evaluation of your abilities and the operation pro le. Sergeant Price, if you would."

Beth moved to the chalkboard. "Here's what it looks like. Agent Paige Hunter with DEA has generously agreed to provide the technical equipment and expertise we need for all surveillance. Detectives Mike Fields and Renee Siler from Layton PD will provide long and roving surveillance when needed."

Helen scooted her chair over, placed her hand on Alex's forearm, and leaned in. The swell of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s against Alex's upper arm and the hot breath on her ear sent electricity shooting down her spine. She rolled her chair away, breaking contact. "If you have a concern, Captain, share it with everyone. We're a team."

Helen gave her another sweltering gaze before standing. With a long, seductive stroke, she smoothed an invisible crease in the front of her thigh-revealing skirt. "I a.s.sumed Mike and Renee would be lead detectives since they have the most undercover experience."

"That's not possible, Captain. I'm sorry to disappoint you." Beth almost sneered.

"I think you should take advantage of their longevity. They know drugs better than anyone here and can work under pressure," Helen red back.

Alex felt her ire rise at Helen's veiled insults. "Captain Callahan, * 88 *