“Of course, honey,” he said, looking around.
“What?”
“I can’t seem to find the key.”
Now, she looked horrified. “I hope you’re kidding,” she said, getting worried. “It was just here.”
Oh, he had the key, but what she wanted, and what he wanted were two different things. “It’ll turn up,” he reassured her, running his fingers down her rib cage.
“Greyson! This is serious.”
He covered her body with his, already wild with more need. The entire scenario had him ready again. “We’ll have to keep ourselves busy, until it shows up,” he whispered in her ear.
“Greyson Thaddeus Croft!” she chided. It was cut off with him sliding back into her body.
“Is there a problem, kitten?”
She tried to focus on him, but there were other things distracting her. She gave him more of what he wanted.
“No, Grey, there’s no problem.”
He grinned. “I didn't think so.”
She stared up into his eyes. “Greyson, I lied,” Emma admitted. It must have caught him off guard, because he stopped mid slide, his face going serious.
Croft’s heart skipped. “About?”
“I am definitely with you for the sex.”
He grinned wickedly. “Good to know.”
* * *
It was quiet in the hospital room.
Paris’s parents had headed back to his place to crash in his and Tess’s home. There was no point in everyone staying there and suffering. They had perfectly fine beds there, and someone should use them.
In fact, he had tried to get Tessa to join them.
No begging, pleading, or arguing would work. She was planning on camping out there at his side.
Part of him was touched, and part wanted nothing more than to rage at her, pushing her away. It would be for her own good, and he hated himself for thinking it. When she came out of the shower, he’s seen the exhaustion. She looked so small and fragile, that all he wanted to do was hold her in his arms. Yeah, fat chance that was happening.
Instead, he was forced to just hold her fingers.
It broke him.
Here, she had dedicated herself to him, and he was planning on betraying her heart. What kind of man was he?
He wasn’t sure what to do.
Set her free?
Or hold on for all he had left in his life?
Even as he listened to her slow even breathing, his bran ran amuck, trying to control the situation and make him take the one route that he knew would hurt the most.
“Oh, Tessie, what do I do?” he asked softly, not really expecting a response.
“Fight for us, Paris,” she whispered, her voice full of emotion. Tessa may not be a genius, but she saw the writing on the wall.
She was going to lose him, and her heart.
Neither spoke.
Fear wouldn’t let them.
* * *
Tuesday Morning
At work, the day started with a conference call. Even though he was embroiled in a case, he still couldn’t shirk his daily duties. While he worked, Emma began digging through all the data that was pouring in. She sat on his couch, pencil tucked into her hair, and a look of determination on her face.
It was making it hard to focus on the call, but somehow he managed. After they were done discussing the budget and other expense reports, Greyson cut to the chase. He had too much to do today, and very little time.
Succinctly, he broke down everything that he knew about the case, hoping that his boss would give him something. When that didn't happen, he was ready to give up. He was at a loss. They needed one small piece, and the rest of the puzzle would fall into place.
“I have Detective Westmore and Agent Briggs pulling every case that all the agents worked on, and we’re going to cross compare them, hoping to find a link. Paris suggested it,” he said.
Ethan agreed. “That’s a good angle. I would start with Agent Brass, since she’s going to have fewer cases to dig through.”
“How’s the other issue?” Elizabeth asked, directing all of their focus on the bribery problem.
“Nothing,” stated Greyson. “It’s like the person went back under for a while. Not that I mind. I’m a little focused on the serial shooter right now.”
“My husband asked that I talk to Gabe about the situation with your profiler,” Elizabeth stated.
He waited.
“Paris can stay. Offer him the job as head profiler. Is he still working on his doctorate?”
Croft replied, “Yeah, he’s almost done, I believe.”
“That works to his advantage. You’ll need an expert on deviant behavior to answer the basic questions, plus he’ll be your on staff profiler. Hold it open until he’s graduated, then give it to him.”
“Why is Gabe being so easy going on this?” he asked, suspiciously.
Elizabeth and Ethan laughed.
“Seriously, why? What’s the catch?”
“You’re a smart man to be wary of the ‘Dragon Slayer’,” Ethan advised. “There are a few conditions to all of this.”
He figured. With the government, there always was.
“He’s going to have to qualify. He’ll need to recertify on the shooting range and pass a psych evaluation. When he’s ready to return, Doctor Gaines will be heading there to spend a few days with him, watching, and analyzing him.”
“Okay, and?”
“The hardest detail is going to be the last part. He’s still going to have to qualify in a timed run.”
“How the hell is he supposed to do that?” Croft asked, mortified that the FBI would use that tactic. Obviously, that wasn’t going to be possible.
“Relax, Greyson,” Ethan said. “It’s modified. He’ll have to use his wheelchair. They have the racing ones, and he’ll have to prove he has endurance, even if he’s in-house most of the time.”
He calmed down. “How long does he have?”
“Six months from the day he comes back. Then, he has to pass or he’s off the team. That’s the best we could do. While Gabe has some compassion, there are still rules we’re all bound by.”
Croft stared over at Emma. “I’ll get him there. I’ll train with him every day until he’s ready.”
She smiled at him, blowing a kiss. He was a good man.
“Then that’s it. You get him there, and he’s assured his job. As for the ‘marriage’ clause, he can get around it by becoming a profiler. He’ll lose the title ‘special agent’ and pick up ‘doctor’. His classification will be changed, and while two agents working together can’t marry, a doctor and an agent can. There’s no way he can become her boss, so they’re clear.”
They had their out. Now, if only Paris was smart enough to take it.
“I appreciate this,” he said, a little of the weight lifting off his shoulders.
“Tell Agent Brass her leave has been approved. She’s got time to get all her ducks in a row and handle her partner’s needs.”
Emma didn't say anything, but she was so glad. They needed a little break, since fate was screwing with them.
“Yeah, she won’t leave his side.”
“It’s probably a good thing, since this killer is out there, waiting for her,” Ethan stated. “Keep an eye on her, and it should buy you some time. If this is about revenge, he needs to end her life. As long as she’s safe, the game is ongoing.”
“Great. This person is an asshole,” he muttered.
Elizabeth agreed.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Linda poked her head in, and that was odd for her to interrupt a director conference call.
“Hold on, Ethan,” he said, motioning for her to come in.
“Boss, I’m so sorry, but you have an emergency call on line two from a Detective Mace Bristol. You told me to interrupt you if he ever called.”
Ethan knew it had to be important. “Go, Greyson. Call us later,” he added, hanging up.
Immediately, hit the speaker
button. “What’s up, Mace?”
“We have a problem over here. Detective Spencer went to pick Laden up for his shift today, and when he got there, he found him dead. Someone pumped his heart with lead.”
Emma gasped. “Really?”
“Yeah, right now he’s being transported to the morgue. We found a nine millimeter bullet casing at the scene.”
“That’s horrible, Mace, but we’re a little busy here with the serial shooter. What’s this have to do with us?”
“Sunday, a few of us went out to get a drink. Laden came with us, and he was jazzed. All he kept saying over and over again was that he was going to burn you and Emma to the media.”
That sounded like him.
“How? We haven’t crossed paths.”
“He was covertly working your case. He kept telling us at first he thought it was a cover-up, but he found the trail.”
“Shit!”
“Yeah, we had the team search his home and turned up nothing. When we left to get drinks, I specifically saw him tuck a file into his bag and head out with us.”
“It’s gone?”
“Yep. He blabbed to the wrong people.”
That put them on alert.
“Who?”
He laughed. “He told an entire bar full of people and six cops who were with him. Trust me, he even told the waitress. He was gunning for you.”
Croft started processing it.
“That’s not the worst part.”
Emma couldn’t believe it was going to get worse. “This all sounds pretty bad. How can it get worse?”
“Captain Stout is bitching in her office to Ford right now. She’s singing a tune where this definitely looks like a cover-up, and if the media gets wind…”
They knew what he was saying. They needed to get hold of this, and get it now.
“We need to prove that this is connected and get it out from under the cops.”
Mace didn't know what to tell him. “You have a huge problem if your killer is now focusing on cops. Our captain is a stickler for rules, and she wants to do a press conference to gain control.”
They couldn’t let that happen.
“We’ll be right there.”
“You better hustle. The shit has already hit the fan.”
Yeah, Greyson was well aware. Now it was time for his least favorite part.
The cleanup.
All the way there, Croft worked from the passenger seat, planning out his strategy. Since Ford was on their side, they had a little bit of leverage, but it may not be enough. Just because the man was covertly investigating the FBI, and claimed to know what was going on, it didn't make it fact.
Hell, he wanted to shoot Sawyer Laden a few times. Maybe he pissed someone off and this didn't connect after all.
It was going to be a long shot, and he knew it.
Shit!
After parking in her spot, they headed into the building. It was somber, as it always was when a cop was gunned down. What made it more hostile was, that word had spread that the FBI was involved in some cover-up. Already, there was pointing and angry whispers.
If Laden and Stout wanted to make their job harder, they had. There was no doubt that the gossip was going to make the interdepartmental cooperation go downhill, and fast.
At Captain Stout’s office, they knocked. Once beckoned in, Patty Stout and Christopher Ford looked surprised to see them.
Immediately, she got hostile. “Yes?” she asked angrily. “What do you want?”
“First, I want to offer my sympathies from the FBI in the loss of one of your fine detectives,” Croft began. It almost caused him to choke on the words.
“Thank you,” she said, still full of rage. “He was a good detective, and we’re devastated.”
Emma took a seat. “Yes, he was. I’ll miss working with him,” she stated, knowing no one believed that.
“What do you need, Director? I’m a little busy running this mess. We’re trying to find the person who killed a cop.”
He wanted to say something shitty about how she didn't mind bugging the hell out of him when he was balancing their deaths, but he opted to play nice.
“I’m here to offer you the FBI lab. I know that in cases like this, it’s important to have the testing back as fast as possible.”
She laughed sardonically. “No thank you. We’re going to make sure there’s no cover-up.”
Ford let out the breath he was holding. “Director, what my captain is saying is that Detective Laden believed that there was something fishy going on with your case. She doesn’t want the FBI tainting it.”
She stood. “I’m running this one personally. I’ll get justice for our man. I don’t want you interfering or trying to tell me this has anything to do with your case. Sawyer was gunned down in his kitchen with a nine millimeter. There wasn’t a handprint, so back off.”
Croft lifted his hands. “I didn't say they were connected.” Oh, he knew they were, but he had to keep Mace safe. After all, he had an inside man, and he wanted to keep him under the radar. “I was just trying to offer you support. I’ve lost some good men the last few weeks, and I understand the pain your feeling.”
She sat, taking a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I’m just pissed that we have a cop killer.”
“I understand,” Croft replied. “We’re all cops, and ultimately on the same side. I just wanted to offer our sympathy and support. We’ll let you get back to your investigation. If you change your mind, call us.”
The woman accepted his outstretched hand. “I appreciate it,” she stated.
“Wait up,” Ford called, when they reached the door. “I’ll walk you out.”
They all left together and there were hisses directed toward Emma and Greyson. No one missed the hostility.
Outside, Ford stopped. “Why are you really here?” he asked, knowing that was all a line of bullshit. Greyson Croft didn't play conciliatory to anyone, especially Patty Stout.
“We have an inside man, and we got a call.” He proceeded to tell him about what Sawyer Laden was doing in his spare time. When he finished, the man looked at them helplessly.
“I can’t hand this over. If I do, she’s going to scream preferential treatment and go right to the media. It’ll be a sob story about how we lost one of our own, and now the mighty FBI stepped in to take over.”
Emma didn't want more of a mess.
“Get substantial proof in your favor, and I’ll get the files to you. Until then, you’re going to have to play this cool.”
There were days that Croft hated bullshit like this, and today was the prime example. “If you hear anything, can you help us out?”
Ford pulled out his keys. “I’ll get you the reports, but remember, this all has to be off record,” he reminded them.
“What has to be off the record?” Croft replied. satisfactorily. Now this was interdepartmental cooperation at its finest.
“Exactly.”
* * *
Brynn and Curtis slept for shit. They cat napped all night long, as the tablets ran the comparison reports. It was taking a long time, since all the files were massive and they were still downloading. It was the first step, and shortly they’d be able to create an algorithm to help eliminate some of the bulk.
Detective Westmore was cranky and tired. Yet, it only got worse as Agent Jamie Price came in with coffee for them both. She had no doubt why the woman did it, and his name was Curtis.
His hair was tousled, his shirt rolled up at the sleeves, and even Brynn couldn’t help but think he was sexy as sin. Unfortunately, the young agent was honing right in on the man beside her, and it was pissing her off.
When she was done flirting and finally left them alone, Brynn glanced over at him. It was like he didn't even notice what had just happened. Suddenly, he must have sensed her staring.
“What’s wrong?”
Her eyes filled with tears. “I lied to you.”
Oh boy, his stomach bottomed out. The last time she did t
hat, it involved Max and a one night stand. “Who did you sleep with?” he asked hesitantly. “It wasn’t the doctor, was it?”
“What? No one!” she declared. “Why would you ask that?”
He didn't bother explaining. If her mind didn't go there, then his probably shouldn’t either. “Then what’s wrong?”
It was time to purge. “The other day when we were on the phone and Jamie called Greyson, ‘Mr. Hotness’, she was referring to you too. That’s why she’s in here flirting and offering herself up on a silver platter.”
He honestly hadn’t noticed. The agent was cute, but he wasn’t focused on her. “Okay, and?”
“I made a huge mistake breaking up with you, and I want you back.”
He stared at her, unsure what to say.
“I’m sorry I hurt you. I was a complete and total idiot,” she said, sincerely. “I see now how my desire for the gold bars never should have come before someone I cared about. I want to take it all back, but don’t know how.”
“Brynn,” he began, getting ready to tell her that he wanted her back too. When she grabbed him by the front of the shirt and pulled his mouth to hers he went along for the ride.
The kiss was amazing. He’d nearly forgotten how she tasted under his lips. Finally, he was getting back the part of him which had been missing the last few months.
When she finally released him, her heart pounded, and not only because what just happened. This was a huge gamble. Brynn was very aware that the man in front of her had the power to break her. Always, she held back a part of her heart, until now.
He needed to make sure. Curtis didn't want to get on and off this emotional rollercoaster. He loved her, and it would hurt too much to be sideswiped with another declaration of work mattering more. “I don’t know if it’s a good idea,” he began.
“It’s a horrible idea,” she blurted. “You’re bossy, arrogant, and controlling. I’m stubborn, pigheaded, and independent. Someone’s bound to get hurt.”
He laughed. “Well, since you put it that way.”
Brynn stared at him. “I want to try again. I miss you, Curtis.”
Love is Bleeding (A Croft & Croft Romance Adventure Book 4) Page 45
