Kyle’s green eyes settled on Jessica. He was thinking to himself that this department had far too many beautiful women in it, but his face showed nothing. “Yes, that’s correct.”
“May I ask why?” Jessica said, her own green eyes narrowed slightly in curiosity.
Kyle inclined his head in a nod. “My wife was a philosophy major. Originally I went back so I could win more of our debates,” he said, grinning engagingly as the two men at the table chuckled in agreement with the idea. “In the end, it proved invaluable in everyday life. Philosophy gives you a new way to look at things.”
Spider asked the next question. “What do you consider more important, the letter of the law or the spirit of the law?”
Again, Kyle paused before answering. “Definitely the spirit of the law. Laws are basically guidelines—it’s up to law enforcement to understand the purpose behind those laws and enforce them within the most reasonable means.”
Spider nodded as he wrote, unconsciously showing that he agreed with Kyle’s philosophy.
Midnight asked the next question, one they’d asked and had really bad answers to in the three previous interviews. “What do you consider the most important purpose of law enforcement?”
Kyle looked back at her for a long moment, picking up the way she leaned forward as she spoke and the intensity in her expression, telling him this was an important question. Again, he paused, gathering his thoughts. Finally he directed his answer to each member of the panel. “It’s important that law enforcement positively impacts the daily lives of the people it protects.”
“What do you think is the best way to accomplish that?” Midnight asked, her eyes glittering with excitement.
“By listening to the people and altering priorities as the criminal climate shifts.”
“Meaning?” Midnight shot back.
“Meaning, a department can’t concentrate its energies on one area without a consistent look outward to determine changing needs,” Kyle replied, obviously enjoying the faster-paced debate style they’d slipped into.
“Can you give me an example of that?” Midnight asked.
“Sure. In New York, for a long time, the biggest problem was the mafia. A great deal of resources were expended in an attempt to suppress the criminal element that came from that particular arena. Now, the mafia, while still present in New York, is much less of a concern. It is now necessary for the focus of the department to shift to a more urgent need.”
“And what do you see as the more urgent need at this time?” Midnight asked.
“Many would say drugs and gangs,” Kyle said, his tone belying his own thinking on that.
“But you wouldn’t?” Midnight replied, her eyes widening slightly in surprise at his obvious difference in opinion.
Kyle inclined his head again, as if in deference to Midnight’s own priorities. “I think that drugs and gangs are an ongoing problem, and basically a proliferation of lack of education and morals evident in today’s society. Definitely a problem, but not the only one.”
“What other problems do you see as imperative?” Midnight asked, drawn into his thinking in spite of herself.
“I think that hi-tech crime is becoming a widespread problem, with the advent of the Internet in just about every home in America. That brings dangers, everything from consumer fraud to sex crimes.”
“And you don’t think that problem is being addressed?” she asked, curious as to whether he’d slam his own department to make points in the interview.
“I think law enforcement as a whole has a difficult time dealing with a crime that is less tangible and much more difficult to pursue.”
“And prosecute,” Midnight added.
Kyle acquiesced with a nod. Midnight nodded in return, realizing suddenly that she’d monopolized the floor for a few minutes. Looking at her panel members, however, she could see that they’d enjoyed the discussion as well.
“Okay, we can get back to the canned questions now,” Midnight said, smiling as her eyes alighted on Kyle again. Kyle laughed, as did the panel.
The interview continued for another half hour, often detouring into side questions from something Kyle said. Midnight liked a free-style interview situation, in which the panel were able to ask questions that would better acquaint them with the candidate. When the interview was over, Kyle shook hands with each of them, and Midnight escorted him out into the hallway. “I’ll be with you in a few minutes, okay?” she said, smiling.
He laughed. “I’ll just hang out and wring out my tie.”
Midnight canted her head to the side. “You were nervous in there?”
“Hell yes,” he replied, looking at her like she was crazy to ask him a question like that.
Midnight shook her head slowly, amazed and pleased at the same time. “Couldn’t tell.”
Kyle grinned. “I play poker a lot.”
“Uh-huh,” Midnight murmured, unconvinced, then turned and went back into the conference room. Kyle leaned back against the nearest wall, looking up at the ceiling and blowing his breath out. He loosened his tie, then pulled it free from his white shirt. Looking down at it, he remembered the day Barbara had given it to him. It had been Father’s Day, not long before she died. He had teased her that she was becoming clichéd in her old age. She told him she couldn’t have him looking shabby; it was embarrassing. He had grown sober, and she had laid her hand on his cheek, looking up into his eyes lovingly. He frequently remembered that touch, that look.
“Hey,” said a deep voice to his left. Kyle turned. Walking toward him was a man standing easily six feet, five inches, with a large, muscular frame. He had long dark hair, a dark tan, and almost black eyes. Kyle stared at him for a long moment, and then recognition dawned, as it apparently did for the other man as well.
“Tiny, how the hell are ya?” Kyle said, smiling easily.
“Masters, right?” Tiny asked, not sure if his memory was serving.
“That’s me.” Kyle nodded, extending his hand to the younger man. “How’ve you been?”
“I’m good, real good. Just waiting for my wife.” Tiny gestured to the conference room with his head.
“Oh, so your wife would be the gorgeous redhead.”
Tiny looked surprised for a moment, then realized that the only other woman in the conference room was Midnight. “Yeah, that’s Jess,” he said, pride in his voice.
Kyle nodded, smiling.
“So what are you doing here?” Tiny asked, glancing at the tie in Kyle’s hands. “You’re not interviewing, are you?”
Kyle grinned. “Yep, Assistant Chief.”
“Wow, didn’t know that. How come?” Tiny smiled. “They fire you in New York?”
Kyle laughed. “Yeah, how’d you guess?”
“So long as you weren’t like that guy right before you, you’re okay,” Tiny said, rolling his eyes.
“Guy before me?”
Tiny nodded, and proceeded to tell Kyle the whole story about Taylor and his trip back to the airport.
“Oh man,” Kyle said, shaking his head, amazed. “He was stupid enough to actually make a pass at Midnight?”
Tiny snickered. “Stupid enough for that, and even more stupid to make the same comments to Rick. He’s lucky he left here alive.”
Kyle gave a low whistle. “I remember how protective you all were of Midnight. Debenshire sounds worse.”
“He’s not worse, he just has more to protect,” Tiny said matter-of-factly.
Kyle nodded. “True.”
They talked for a few more minutes, and then the door to the conference room opened. Spider came out and walked over to Kyle, extending his hand.
“Good seeing you again, man. Take it easy,” Spider said, smiling. Then he turned and headed down the hall.
Simmons walked out, nodding to Kyle on the way past.
Jessica appeared then. She too extended her hand, thanking Kyle for his time.
“Thank you,” Kyle replied, smiling warmly.
Jess
ica stepped toward Tiny, who put his arm around her, kissing her softly on the cheek. Tiny put his hand out to Kyle. “Good seeing you again,” he said, grinning. “Hope my wife didn’t rake you over too many hot coals—she’s IA, ya know.”
Jessica elbowed him in the ribs, which he didn’t seem to notice, except to laugh.
Kyle took Tiny’s hand, shaking it and laughing too. “She didn’t. You take good care.”
With that Tiny and Jessica started down the hall together. After a few moments, Kyle went to the open door to the conference room. Midnight was standing reading something. Kyle leaned against the doorjamb, watching her.
She glanced up, smiling. “I’ll be there in two minutes, I promise.”
“No rush,” he replied easily.
Kyle reached up and undid the top two buttons of his shirt, and started looking around the conference room. Midnight glanced up and watched him wander around. She picked up the papers from the table, put them in a folder, and walked toward him. “I need to take these to my office before we go, okay?”
“Sure,” Kyle said, following her out of the room.
Up in her office, Midnight sat down behind her desk. Again, Kyle stood in the doorway watching for a long moment. Then he went inside and started examining her shelves of books. Midnight glanced up, grinning at how comfortable he seemed. After a few long minutes, she rested her elbows on her desk and sat waiting for him to turn around. When he did, it was with a question.
“You know, I forgot to ask. When will you be making a decision on the Assistant Chief?”
“Tonight.”
Kyle looked stunned. “Tonight?”
“Yes, the decision has already been made,” Midnight replied smoothly.
Kyle shook his head in amazement. “You don’t drag your feet around here, do you?”
“Nope.” There was a long moment of silence, then Midnight grinned. “When can you start?”
Kyle looked back at her, openmouthed in his astonishment. “Wow,” was his only reply.
Midnight gave him a mystified look. “You have no idea how well you did in there, do you?”
“Obviously well enough,” Kyle said, as the idea that he’d gotten the job sank in and he started to grin.
“You blew us all away, Kyle,” Midnight said, using his first name for the first time.
“My pleasure, Midnight.”
“Can I ask you something?” she said cautiously.
“Sure.” Kyle sat down in one of the chairs across from her desk.
“Why did you want to come here?”
He thought about it for a minute, then said, “Because I knew you were the kind of chief I could work with. Someone who would listen to my ideas, and give me credit for them when they were good ones.” He looked straight into her eyes. “And because I always thought you were an incredible cop, and I think you’re an even better chief.”
Midnight stared back at him, then shook her head. “All that, huh?” she said, grinning self-consciously.
Kyle smiled. “You never could stand compliments, could you?”
Midnight laughed, shaking her head. “No, I guess not.” She looked at him seriously. “So how come you didn’t say any of that in the interview?”
Kyle gave her a contemplating look. “And look like a total kiss-ass?” he said, sounding like he had fifteen years before. He shook his head. “I want to get the job on my merits, not on how much butt I kiss.”
“How do you know I don’t like that stuff?”
“Unless you’ve changed a lot over the years, you don’t. And if you did, I wouldn’t want to work for you.”
Midnight knew he was serious, and she found she really liked his direct approach. He reminded her of Joe. “Still so direct, huh?”
Kyle nodded. “Yeah, but I’ve also learned to play the game when I have to.”
“Good, I need someone that knows how to play. I’m afraid I still suck at it,” Midnight said, laughing.
“I don’t believe that for a minute,” Kyle replied, narrowing his eyes at her. “Can I ask you a question now?”
“Shoot,” she replied, leaning back in her chair and putting a heeled foot on the open lower drawer of her desk.
“Since you apparently didn’t know I was Masterson, your husband doesn’t either. How is he going to react when he finds out who I am, or was to you way back when? Or do you not intend to tell him at all?”
It was a long moment before Midnight answered. “Oh, I’ll tell him. Tonight, in fact, because believe me, it will be around this entire department by morning. And if I don’t tell him, someone else will.”
Kyle nodded, understanding the way the gossip mill worked in all departments.
“How he’ll react, well, that’s a different story,” Midnight said seriously. “It’s hard to tell with him sometimes. There have been times when I expected him to go ballistic about something and he’s been fine about it. There have been other times I didn’t think anything of an occurrence and he’s blindsided me with fury. So…” She held up her hands in a gesture of futility.
“I just don’t want him to be too uncomfortable around me if I can help it, you know?” Kyle said.
Midnight shrugged, shaking her head. “He’s an adult, Kyle. He can deal with this if we can.”
“Well, you know you have nothing to worry about with me, obviously, since you went ahead and hired me.”
“Yeah, I do know. And in time so will Rick.”
Kyle nodded. He thought for a moment. “Would it help if I came to your place and met him? Rather than here, because then we’d be in his territory.”
“Men!” Midnight said, rolling her eyes. “They always think in terms of possessions and territory.” She shook her head and grinned. “Actually, I do think that might help. How long are you in town for? Your flight back is tomorrow morning, right?”
“Yeah, but I need to get some leads on a place to live and all that, since I just scored the job,” he said, incredibly pleased about it.
“Well, I might be able to help you out there.”
“You want me to move in with you, and you’re divorcing Rick?” Kyle grinned sardonically as Midnight laughed.
“How’d you guess?” she said. “Actually, I was thinking of Joe Sinclair—remember him?” Kyle nodded. “He has a house that’s empty right now. It was the one he bought when he first came to San Diego. He rents it out from time to time to people in the department he trusts. I’m sure it’s empty right now, if you think you’d be interested.”
“How big is it?” Kyle asked, thinking he needed at least three bedrooms.
“I want to say it has five bedrooms. It’s practically a mansion, Kyle—this is Joe we’re talking about here.”
“Oh yeah, Sinclair the independently wealthy man. If it’s that big, how much is he going to charge? I’m only an Assistant Chief, ya know.” He grinned again, but was honestly concerned about the price. Two boys weren’t cheap to raise on one’s own. His wife had left behind money, and life insurance, but he hadn’t ever been able to bring himself to use any of it. It had all been put into a fund for the boys, for college and the like. He still forced ends to meet with just his salary.
“Well, you’ll have to talk to Joe, but I’m sure he’ll work with you on it. Want me to call him tonight and ask?”
“That would be great, thanks.”
“And how about you come to dinner at our house tomorrow night?” Midnight said, wanting to get the meeting between Rick and Kyle over with as quickly as possible.
“Sounds good.”
“Perfect.” She stood up. “Ready to go to your hotel, Chief?”
He smiled. “Yes, I think I am.”
The drive to his hotel didn’t take long; he was staying in La Jolla. She dropped him off and said she’d call Joe when she got home. He thanked her and told her he’d call in the morning to let her know when he’d be by the office. They had decided to skip the paperwork until the following day.
Driving home, Midnight fe
lt good about things to come. She knew Kyle would be the perfect complement to her style. He was smooth in the areas she was still—and figured she would forever be—rough in. He had street smarts, which made him better at determining current needs and gave him the know-how on how to treat them. She knew he was going to be an asset to her. Now she just needed to convince Rick. Telling him about Kyle was going to be hard; she knew he hated the idea that she’d not only had men before they had been together but that she’d had a lot of men before they got together. He had patently avoided any knowledge of who she’d been with in the department, but on the few occasions when he’d had to deal with someone she’d been with, he’d been edgy and hard to deal with for a while afterwards. Now, here was Kyle. Not only was Rick going to have to deal with him, but Midnight would be working with him constantly. She had no idea how he would react to this news.
Chapter 2
As they drove home in his Ford Explorer, Jess gave her husband a sidelong look. “So, how do you, Spider, and Midnight know Kyle Masterson?” she asked, in what Tiny considered her best IA voice.
Tiny looked over at his wife of almost seven years. There were still so many days when he was secretly thrilled that she was actually his. She was such a beautiful woman, with an easygoing personality and such a way about her that he found it impossible to believe she’d actually fallen for him. Tiny had always considered himself an all-brawn, no-brains type of person. He’d always thought his power lay in his strength. He’d also always considered himself unappealing to women, especially ones as beautiful as Jessica.
For years he’d had a huge crush on Midnight Chevalier, the woman who had basically rescued him from himself and the life he’d been leading. He’d been laid up in the hospital when she showed up at his bedside and introduced herself. At first he’d been stunned by her beautiful eyes and her flowing copper-blond hair. He hadn’t been able to speak at first, because he was just too shy. Midnight had sensed that, and she’d gone about making him feel comfortable in her presence. At first he hadn’t known exactly who she was. He’d assumed she was with the hospital staff, trying to get out of him who had stabbed him, literally, in the back. It had been another gang member, one of his own gang, but he wasn’t going to tell them anything. Midnight asked about it once, but when he wouldn’t answer she dropped it. He found out two days into her visits that she was a cop; she’d worn her badge. That was the day she told him she was there because she knew where he was headed. She told him about her brother, and how he had died, bled to death in her arms because of a gang fight. She’d pointed out that the same thing had already almost happened to him. Did he think he could avoid it forever? Actually, yes, he did, but Midnight Chevalier was a compelling force. She sucked him in, and within a week he was out of the gang and joining her task force, named FORS.
Past in the Present (MidKnight Blue Book 9) Page 5
