****
Eugenia Green. Where had he heard her name before? School? No one in California for sure. Rafa Santiago ran a hand through his hair, racking his brain as the name gnawed at him. Whoever she was, she was supposed to have followed him and Winters back to the station, and he’d been sitting here in Winters’ office for a good ten minutes. Where was she?
Rafa blew out a breath and concentrated on Lieutenant Larry Winters, the man responsible for dragging him back into a world he fought every day to forget. When Rafa’s boss called him in to the office and told him Winters had phoned from Virginia, in less than two hours he was on a flight back to the East Coast. He landed at Reagan Washington National and within the hour he was in Springfield. His body ached to rest, and he was glad his deodorant was extra strength. But the trouble of coming all this way would be worth it… hopefully. His boss had given him the option of allowing someone else to help consult on Springfield’s case, but Rafa knew no one had his connections or experience.
Plus, this case was personal.
Winters pointed the remote at the television in one corner of his office. The screen went dark. The man grunted and tossed the remote onto his desk. He gave Rafa a hard stare, determination set in his jaw. “Genie’s my best detective. I want the two of you together on this.”
Genie. Now the name rang a bell. Long plaid skirts, high-buttoned blouses, and a single cornrow down the middle of her head. Rafa’s lips twitched as he fought a grin. The picture forming in his mind threatened to derail his resolution.
He hardly recognized her at the scene. Sure, it was dark, but the woman in form-fitting jeans and a snug blazer didn’t remind him at all of the innocent girl he knew in high school. No, this woman was different. Hardened.
Rafa crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes meeting Winters’ gaze. “Not a chance.”
Winters’ brows rose in surprise, but Rafa’s gaze didn’t relent. This was one condition he would not yield. He’d spent too much time already, too many years wasting his life on the other side of the fence. As a detective, he had an opportunity to set it all right. He wasn’t going to allow anyone else to get hurt. His mind drifted back to the girl he remembered from high school. He didn’t know who she was now but he needed to persuade her to drop the case — or at least try to get her to convince Winters to let him work it alone.
“Now, I appreciate you flying all the way out here from California and all but this is Virginia.”
He knew. He’d grown up not far from this precinct.
“Our jurisdiction, our rules.”
Rafa’s jaw flexed. How could he explain the gravity of the situation? Four people were dead by the hands of assassins, and if Rafa had to take a guess, more would lose their lives. “With all due respect, sir, we aren’t dealing with your typical gang, or some sort of turf war. These people are highly motivated and belong to an organization skilled at protecting its people.”
Winters nodded. “Yes, I understand. That’s why my best is going to stay a part of this investigation.” Winters narrowed his eyes on his watch. “If my best would hurry up and get here.”
“Sir—”
“If we don’t and something happens, I’ll have Internal Affairs breathing down my neck and that’s the last thing I need.”
Rafa clamped his mouth shut. Winters had no intention of being convinced. Coaxing Genie to give up the case was his only option.
“Plus, you’ll have no authority to act as an officer of the law in my town unless I agree.”
No matter. He would act as a private citizen. But he’d keep that fact to himself. He had no wish to alienate local law enforcement, especially when he may need future assistance. The only leverage he had was his knowledge… and Springfield PD needed that knowledge.
Rafa shifted in his seat. “Sir, I’d appreciate it if you’d reconsider.”
Winters sat back in his chair, his brows coming together. Rafa held his breath and waited. He knew the wheels in Winters’ brain were turning, and Rafa hoped the lieutenant would agree to kick Genie off the case.
Winters let out a breath, his lips fluttering. “I don’t know what to tell you, Santiago. This is her case, and I really don’t see how I can convince her to let you go it alone.”
“Then I’ll have to persuade her. I need to be the only one on this investigation.”
Rafa turned at the sound of the door slamming against the wall. Genie stood in the doorway, fixing him with a hard stare. “Not happening.”
Chapter Two
Rafael (The Santiago Brothers Book One) Page 2
