by V. K. Powell
A slight edge of irritation hardened the voice on the other end of the line. “I asked if you’d consider the task force assignment.”
The pulse in Keri’s temples throbbed and she felt almost light-headed. A woman she detested was offering her the position of her dreams, and she had never been more confused. “I’m not sure how to answer that, Lieutenant.”
“If you have a few minutes before your shift today, I’d like to talk with you about it.”
“I’ll come in early.” Keri’s heart pounded with a combination of excitement and trepidation. She wasn’t sure what Alex Troy had up her sleeve. Was it possible that she was trying to make up for past wrongs?
“My temporary office is beside Vice/Narcotics Division in the annex on First Street,” Alex said. “Park in the gravel lot across the street and walk over. And please don’t wear your uniform.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll see you shortly.”
Keri jumped out of bed in her T-shirt and gym shorts the minute the phone hit the cradle. She dashed into the kitchen, grabbed a Diet Coke from the refrigerator, popped the top, and took a hefty swig. As she guzzled it, she looked at the brown plaid den furniture her parents had purchased on their thirtieth wedding anniversary. A series of mixed memories ensued: her parents sitting on the sofa holding hands watching television, her sick mother lying in the recliner dazed and confused. Herself, knocked to the floor in front of the coffee table. She emptied the soda can and discarded it, along with her sadness, just as her father walked into the kitchen.
Bobby Morgan moved around the table between them and approached the refrigerator from the opposite side. He always gave her a wide berth when they shared space, her unspoken rule. “Thought you were gonna take a nap before your shift.”
“Got called in.” Keri took her usual defensive sideways stance, glancing at her father periodically but never really making eye contact.
Bobby opened a Coke and leaned against the sink. His brown work boots were covered with dirt from the garden and his face was flushed from the heat. “You want something to eat? I could make you a sandwich right quick. I’m fixing one for your mom.”
Keri could see he was trying, but sometimes the memories were just too strong. “No thanks, Dad. I’ve got to go.”
“Will you be back for dinner? Kevin and Jean are coming over. I’m making your favorite, fried chicken and mashed potatoes.” His attempt at a smile vanished and Keri felt guilty.
“I don’t think so.” She thought of her twin brother and his overbearing wife and was glad duty called. Kevin as a pussy-whipped husband wasn’t a pretty sight. They both knew she had all the guts in the family.
*
When in doubt, Keri reverted to the top three rules her mother taught her: Listen before you speak, Be honest, and Be yourself. Waiting outside Alex Troy’s office, she tried to control her breathing. She paced the small, sparsely furnished reception area, fingering the police-badge key ring her mother gave her on her last birthday. It already showed signs of the constant rubbing Keri applied for luck. She needed more than luck today with the Ice Princess.
Keri wondered what kind of woman Alex Troy really was underneath the ever-present smile and cool confidence. The hints of emotion she kept seeing made her uneasy. It was harder to detest and mistrust Alex when she came across as a sensitive human being. “Morgan, come on in.”
As their hands pressed together in greeting, Keri noted an unmistakable current pass between them. She withdrew and hoped Alex hadn’t noticed.
Alex motioned to a plastic, straight-backed chair at a small conference table, then dragged another one up beside Keri. She sat, leaned casually back, and studied Keri in silence. Keri returned her gaze but knew instinctively that she shouldn’t speak. The lieutenant had used this ploy during her interrogation three years ago. Keri wasn’t about to fall for it. She surveyed the green metal desk, circa 1970, and a short bookcase with a jar of M&Ms on top. With the exception of a single picture on the old desk, the room was unadorned.
When Keri looked up again, Alex was studying her with what appeared to be a mixture of confidence and curiosity.
“I like that,” Alex concluded.
“I beg your pardon.” The quiet scrutiny and approving statement sent tingles of excitement through Keri’s body, which she attributed to nerves and rising irritation. She was pleased that she’d passed Alex’s unspoken test but annoyed to be subjected to it.
“Most young officers are so nervous and eager to impress that they can’t bear the sound of a silent inspection. They start talking to fill the void. But you just waited until I was ready to begin. That tells me a lot about you.”
“How’s that?” Keri asked reluctantly. At this point she just wanted Alex to speak her piece and let her go.
“It says that you’re confident, reflective, and don’t open your mouth until you actually have something to say. Is that a fair assessment?”
Keri controlled her surprised satisfaction. “Some would probably disagree, but I like to think so…most of the time.”
Alex tapped her pencil eraser on the table and actually looked slightly uncomfortable. Her brown eyes locked with Keri’s for an instant before returning to some notes in a file folder.
“Your work record speaks for itself, Morgan. You’ve done well in your tenure and your evaluations are good. Supervisors and peers speak highly of you, but this is a different kind of operation than you’re used to.”
There had to be a legitimate reason to exclude her from the task force, Alex rationalized. Her gut instincts said Keri was perfect for the job, but her defenses still argued against it. Keri’s work performance was good. What about her motives?
“Morgan, why do you want to catch drug dealers?”
The look that clouded Keri’s face told Alex she’d found the weak spot she was looking for.
Keri’s lashes fluttered several times as her blue eyes rimmed with tears. “Have you ever lost someone you love, Lieutenant?”
The question was so direct and unexpected that Alex struggled to remain unaffected. She swallowed to dislodge the knot that choked speech. Keri’s pain was palpable and absent any malicious intent, but still Alex couldn’t answer. How could such a matter-of-fact question hurt so deeply?
Keri caught the imperceptible shift in Alex’s facial expression. The corners of her laughing eyes drooped, her full lips quivered slightly, and she seemed to have trouble swallowing. The professional demeanor slipped momentarily into personal mode and quickly back to guarded control. Keri regretted being the cause of such conflict. She fought off a strange urge to console Alex.
“I’m sorry, Lieutenant. It’s obvious that you have. I just don’t think anybody should lose someone they love to something as senseless as drugs. We can fight it, and we owe it to ourselves and society.”
Keri’s pulse quickened as she considered what Alex could be thinking. She’d sounded like a public service announcement. When would she ever learn to keep her mouth shut?
“The fact is,” Alex regained her voice, “I do know how it feels and I agree completely.” She immediately regretted the admission. Morgan was a subordinate, not a confidante. “I’m assuming you’ve lost someone as a result of a drug-related incident of some sort. Is that correct?”
“Yes. One of my best friends, Josh, died of an overdose at a party about a year ago. He didn’t even do drugs. Somebody slipped something into his drink.” Keri’s hands were clenched into fists.
“Do you think this loss could interfere with your ability to remain focused and objective if you’re chosen for this assignment?”
“Absolutely not. I want justice, not revenge.”
“That’s good. Revenge can be a powerful motivator but it can also lead to poor judgment.” Alex paused. “Stacey Chambers worked for me as an intern. I’ve never met a young person as dedicated to her work or as unlikely to do drugs. So I understand how you feel. The truth is that we may be dealing with the killer of both our friends, but we can’
t make that assumption without proof. So my next question is very simple. Are you interested in working on this task force and getting the proof we need to put Sonny Davis where he belongs?”
The fact was, Keri Morgan had earned the task force position and so far she’d said nothing that offered a valid reason to sideline her. The only hope Alex had was that Keri would decline. Her insides fluttered with a mixture of excitement and old-fashioned fear. Her gaze slipped from the file in front of her to the white button-down shirt that clung to Keri’s breasts. The fabric rose and fell unevenly, keeping time with her breathing. Alex feared her own erratic breaths would betray the desire spreading through her system.
Keri was silent. She had expected a little more preamble before having to answer the question directly. More information, that’s what she needed. The decision was too important.
“I think you already know that I like drug work, but I’m a little vague on the specifics of this assignment. I need more information. Like who’ll be supervising the team, and how we’re supposed to get evidence on Davis. What are we going to do that hasn’t already been done?”
Alex studied Keri’s gorgeous face, impressed that she wasn’t rushing into a decision, pro or con, at least she was willing to listen. “Fair enough. This will be a case based predominately on documentation, following the money trail, surveillance, and controlled buys with a reliable informant. There is always the potential for violence of some sort where Davis is concerned. He’s very unpredictable and surrounds himself with a whole posse of unstable individuals.”
“And the team leader?” Keri prompted.
“Sergeant Beth Price. She has previous narcotics experience and knows the legal and departmental protocols for this kind of operation. We can hit the ground running with her.”
“How do you envision your own role in this investigation, Lieutenant?” Keri knew the question was a little cheeky, but she had a right to know. Lead officers ran their teams differently. Some were hands-on. Others kept more distance. She met Alex’s eyes and saw a slight twitch at their corners followed by a foreboding darkening.
Alex’s insides clenched as she surveyed the woman beside her. There it was, the issue that loomed between them like an elephant in a wading pool. Keri might as well have said she didn’t want Alex anywhere near her own officers as they worked. The discomfort between them was obvious but Keri was proceeding with calm and confidence.
Rattled, Alex replied, “The chief wants all my attention focused on this case. In that capacity I will be reviewing every piece of intelligence gathered and every report submitted, and approving every operational plan proposed for execution. It’s my job to compile a solid, leakproof case against Sonny Davis. Is that specific enough?”
Keri’s heart sank. She already knew the answer to her next inquiry, but had to ask, “And what about the day-to-day operations?”
“My presence will be much more evident in this case than any other, since it is my only focus. And to be perfectly honest, operational involvement isn’t out of the question. However, my intent is to let Sergeant Price handle that as much as possible.”
“I see.” Keri only hesitated for a few seconds. “I’m not sure I’m the right person for this job, Lieutenant.”
The rebuff caught Alex off guard and she fought to keep the simultaneous flashes of relief and disappointment from registering on her face. She had seriously doubted that Keri might turn down the assignment. If she did, Alex would be in the clear with the chief. She should be thrilled.
Before she could stop herself Alex said, “You might want to give some serious thought to your future, Morgan. This case can make or break a career.”
There it is, Keri thought, her motivation. She’s definitely bucking for another promotion. And that had to spell trouble for anyone in her path. “I’ll have to think about it—in light of everything we’ve discussed. Can you give me some time?”
“Time is short.” Alex’s voice was suddenly terse and unfriendly. She was obviously annoyed, probably not used to being turned down. “I’ll need an answer by the end of business tomorrow, at the latest.”
Keri’s legs shook as she stood and followed her to the door. She didn’t care what Alex thought; she wasn’t about to jump into this hotbed of political land mines without careful consideration of all the facts. “Thank you for your time, Lieutenant, and for considering me. I know it couldn’t have been easy for you.”
Alex noticed the almost imperceptible tightening at the corners of Keri’s mouth and the focused stare of her cobalt blue eyes. The anger was still there, carefully contained, but present nonetheless. Maybe it was best if Keri declined the offer. Without giving her time to respond, Keri turned and exited the office, leaving Alex speechless in the doorway.
As Keri walked away, she replayed the conversation and weighed her decision carefully.
Over the past few days, she’d glimpsed a softer, more personal side of the woman behind the badge, even hints of actual compassion. But she’d also seen the sharp edges of her ambition rise to the surface again, and Keri had a feeling if she got too close to that edge she’d be ripped apart, just as she was three years ago. Her first instinct was to take the assignment. But she wasn’t the same impulsive person she’d been a few years ago, and she would never allow Alex Troy to compromise her again. If she joined the task force, she would make sure to watch her back.
*
Keri ended her shift with a sense of anticlimax. She’d made her decision but when she tried to find Alex to tell her, the lieutenant had already left. Looking forward to releasing some tension, she strode into the women’s locker room and was instantly assaulted by the odor of wet towels and perspiration. The beige concrete walls displayed a collection of dirty handprints and scuff marks from neoprene police shoes. As she sat on the narrow bench that ran the length of the tall metal lockers, her waning enthusiasm was mimicked by a flickering fluorescent tube that threatened to go out permanently.
She changed from jeans to a pair of white running shorts she kept in her locker for such occasions. She didn’t have another T-shirt, so the white, rain-splotched one she had on under her vest would have to do. The sudden torrent of rain had soaked her through on her last call and her body shook. Raking her fingers through her curly wet hair, she opened the gym door and froze.
“Jesus, Alex, I’m dying here. Can you slow down a little?” Beth panted from the center of the room. She and Alex were on a worn, gray floor mat doing synchronized push-ups to a rapid count. Alex’s well-muscled body glistened with perspiration and moved gracefully beside Beth’s more compact version.
“You never could keep up with me.”
“Maybe not in the gym, but I kept you sweating…” Hearing the gym door slam, the two collapsed on the mat, faces frozen, as if caught in an inappropriate moment.
Alex looked stunning in body-hugging bike shorts, tank top, and a headband just below the hairline. Keri never imagined just how exquisite the body was that hid beneath Alex’s tailored clothes. Beth wore a black police-issue sweatsuit. Both women stared at Keri so hard she almost turned around and walked back out. She was suddenly self-conscious about her almost transparent white shorts and wet T-shirt, nipples cold and erect underneath.
Beth broke the uncomfortable silence. “Damn, what happened? You look a little shell-shocked.”
“Nothing, really. Got caught in the rain coming in, that’s all.” Alex’s eyes still appraising her body, Keri felt her face grow warm. She watched a deep shade of scarlet spread across Alex’s cheeks. Their eyes locked and held until Alex finally diverted her gaze and reached for a towel thrown across the weight bench.
“I’m going to take off. We’re almost done here anyway.”
“No, please. Don’t go,” Keri said, surprised by the urgency of her tone. She stared down at her shoes, puzzled that she could feel such intense anger toward Alex one minute and strong attraction the next. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your workout. Please finish. I just needed
to have a run.”
“Are you sure you should be running?” Beth moved to her side and placed a hand lightly on her shoulder. “You look a bit shaky.”
“Thanks, Sergeant Price, but I’m really fine.”
“Whatever you say.” Beth shrugged her shoulders and returned to Alex. “Okay, Alex, name your pain.” Under her breath, she whispered, “Has she decided about the assignment yet?”
Alex shook her head and waved Beth off. “I’ll work my way through the machines and meet you at the bench press in about half an hour.” She avoided looking at Keri again. For some reason the easy way she and Beth had just connected bothered her. She envied Beth’s ease with physical intimacy and wished she could have reached out to Keri herself. She looked so disheveled and anxious. Alex wondered if the task force decision was the only cause. Every time she’d thought about Keri lately, her mind and libido had been at war, and for the first time, she could see signs of the same internal conflict in Keri. She hadn’t imagined the sexual tension between them just moments ago, and she knew Keri was equally aware of it.
Alex cursed beneath her breath as she headed for the lat machine. As if the situation wasn’t complicated enough, would she now be working with a subordinate she had the hots for?
The next thirty minutes dragged. Keri punched the treadmill speed up to six and easily kept pace. Every time she looked at Alex her mind reeled from the possibilities of what could happen between them if she accepted the task force assignment. Maybe Alex would give her a second chance. Or perhaps she’d just prejudge her again. Or maybe they’d become friends bonded by professional necessity. And it was even possible that they could become involved with each other. Keri’s legs weakened at the visual her mind played and she momentarily lost her rhythm. Alex was certainly attractive and Keri’s body responded to her readily. But Alex was her superior and nothing could ever change that. Their relationship was and always would be professional.
Keri adjusted the treadmill speed, stumbling to remain vertical. A strange tension mingled with the rising heat in the room. With only an occasional grunt or moan of exertion, the other two women worked silently through the exercise machines that lined the gray gym walls. Beth offered occasional thumbs-up of encouragement in Keri’s direction and some not-too-subtle glances at her small bouncing breasts.
