Even with Spears still in custody there was the anonymous accomplice.
“Who knows? He’s a sociopath. All I can say is if he comes near me the Bureau won’t have to worry about connecting him to his crimes.”
“You need protection, Jess.”
She laughed; this time it was real. “I might be just a profiler, but the last time I qualified at the firing range, I was considered an expert there, too. You don’t need to worry about me, chief. I can take care of myself.”
“I take it you’re armed.” If she wasn’t, she needed to be.
“And dangerous. Now let’s go. Before I go without you.” She headed for the door, giving him one last warning over her shoulder. “I have a reputation for failing to acknowledge the chain of command, you know.”
Patterson would be livid when he found out they were nosing around in his jurisdiction again. The mayor and numerous council members had confided that one asset that set Dan apart from the competition for appointment to chief of police was his ability to inspire teamwork among his peers and subordinates alike. Somehow that skill had eluded him on this case. He’d infuriated a ranking member of the task force and he had no control whatsoever over Jess.
Worse, she was in trouble, more so than perhaps even she realized and he had no control over that either.
Chapter Eight
City Parking Garage
“What’s your take on Harris?”
Ignoring the question, Lori Wells slid into the passenger seat of Harper’s sporty black Rogue. Maybe if she ignored him, he would let it go.
The SUV was new, a big change from the minivan he drove just six months ago. The sporty look extended to the interior with front bucket seats and a streamlined dash including lots of sleek gadgetry. Just beyond the console, reality staked a claim in the rest of the vehicle.
The child-safety seat and scattered toys in the backseat reminded her that he was not just her colleague and a man interested in a personal relationship with her, but the father of a young child. Though he was divorced, Lori was well aware how relationships with divorced fathers of young children ended. Badly. His ex-wife would always be his son’s mother, consequently deeply entangled in his life. More often than not, one or the other used the kid to make a point or get their way. Maybe it shouldn’t, but that major detail prevented Lori from giving in to the feelings he so easily stirred in her.
Her career came first anyway.
She didn’t need that kind of messy complication.
Since Harper was assigned to Crimes Against Persons and she served on the Terrorists Task Force, a personal relationship wouldn’t be a real issue. But her goal was to eventually move to Crimes Against Persons in order to work cases like this one. Why start something she couldn’t finish? She had priorities and as hot as this guy was—she stole a look at his profile from the corner of her eye—she had no intention of getting distracted. Sex was one thing, a relationship entirely another. And Harper wasn’t a no-strings sex kind of guy. He’d liked being married and he wanted more children.
At twenty-six, Lori’s five-year plan didn’t include either.
He started the engine but didn’t move from the parking slot, waiting for her to answer his question. She might as well get it over with.
“Her reputation speaks for itself.”
Harper backed out of the slot. “Patterson is pissed at her, that’s for sure.”
Lori stared out her window as he exited the garage, mostly to avoid looking at him. His comment about Patterson confirmed that no matter the date on the calendar, some things hadn’t changed. Men still believed they ruled the world and women. Though often respected and admired, women weren’t supposed to cross certain boundaries. That Harris had challenged Patterson’s conclusions had crossed that testosterone driven line.
“You disagree with her strategy?” Lori stared at him full on now. Harper was only four years older
“Who knows? He’s a sociopath. All I can say is if he comes near me the Bureau won’t have to worry about connecting him to his crimes.”
“You need protection, Jess.”
She laughed; this time it was real. “I might be just a profiler, but the last time I qualified at the firing range, I was considered an expert there, too. You don’t need to worry about me, chief. I can take care of myself.”
“I take it you’re armed.” If she wasn’t, she needed to be.
“And dangerous. Now let’s go. Before I go without you.” She headed for the door, giving him one last warning over her shoulder. “I have a reputation for failing to acknowledge the chain of command, you know.”
Patterson would be livid when he found out they were nosing around in his jurisdiction again. The mayor and numerous council members had confided that one asset that set Dan apart from the competition for appointment to chief of police was his ability to inspire teamwork among his peers and subordinates alike. Somehow that skill had eluded him on this case. He’d infuriated a ranking member of the task force and he had no control whatsoever over Jess.
Worse, she was in trouble, more so than perhaps even she realized and he had no control over that either.
Chapter Eight
City Parking Garage
“What’s your take on Harris?”
Ignoring the question, Lori Wells slid into the passenger seat of Harper’s sporty black Rogue. Maybe if she ignored him, he would let it go.
The SUV was new, a big change from the minivan he drove just six months ago. The sporty look extended to the interior with front bucket seats and a streamlined dash including lots of sleek gadgetry. Just beyond the console, reality staked a claim in the rest of the vehicle.
The child-safety seat and scattered toys in the backseat reminded her that he was not just her colleague and a man interested in a personal relationship with her, but the father of a young child. Though he was divorced, Lori was well aware how relationships with divorced fathers of young children ended. Badly. His ex-wife would always be his son’s mother, consequently deeply entangled in his life. More often than not, one or the other used the kid to make a point or get their way. Maybe it shouldn’t, but that major detail prevented Lori from giving in to the feelings he so easily stirred in her.
Her career came first anyway.
She didn’t need that kind of messy complication.
Since Harper was assigned to Crimes Against Persons and she served on the Terrorists Task Force, a personal relationship wouldn’t be a real issue. But her goal was to eventually move to Crimes Against Persons in order to work cases like this one. Why start something she couldn’t finish? She had priorities and as hot as this guy was—she stole a look at his profile from the corner of her eye—she had no intention of getting distracted. Sex was one thing, a relationship entirely another. And Harper wasn’t a no-strings sex kind of guy. He’d liked being married and he wanted more children.
At twenty-six, Lori’s five-year plan didn’t include either.
He started the engine but didn’t move from the parking slot, waiting for her to answer his question. She might as well get it over with.
“Her reputation speaks for itself.”
Harper backed out of the slot. “Patterson is pissed at her, that’s for sure.”
Lori stared out her window as he exited the garage, mostly to avoid looking at him. His comment about Patterson confirmed that no matter the date on the calendar, some things hadn’t changed. Men still believed they ruled the world and women. Though often respected and admired, women weren’t supposed to cross certain boundaries. That Harris had challenged Patterson’s conclusions had crossed that testosterone driven line.
“You disagree with her strategy?” Lori stared at him full on now. Harper was only four years older
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