Something in Common (Dreamspinner Press Bundles)

by Talia Carmichael

  Rhodes picked up the bottle of water and leaned back in his chair to watch the monitors that showed the various views of the land the center was built on. The cameras, along with the sensors, were all concealed. They were all over the property and recorded everything. The sensors went off if anyone was where they weren’t supposed to be and didn’t have a coder on them. Rhodes turned his attention to the cameras on the gate. He leaned forward when he saw the cruiser parked there. Rhodes sent a note to the guard at the gate to let them know it was okay.

  He stood and went to do what Taggart told him he liked to do—cook. Rhodes continued to work while the lunch he prepared cooked. The scent of baked chicken filled the house. When he noticed the time, he went to check his food. Since he saw it was finished, Rhodes put it in a container. Whistling, he fixed one dish with food, then another. Rhodes put the containers, some drinks, water, and utensils in a bag, and headed for the front door. He stopped at the door turned around and went back to his office and picked up a walkie-talkie, tuned it to only use one channel. He went to the door with it and the food as well as a bag.

  “Stay here,” he said to the puppies and went outside, closing the door behind him.

  Rhodes passed his truck, and instead of going to the road, he took the path that would take him to the gate. He nodded at the guard and went outside the gates. He approached the car slowly to make sure they saw him coming. Rhodes saw the men inside talking to each other and looking at him. He went to the passenger side and leaned over.

  “Officers.”

  “Mister Winslow,” one said.

  Rhodes figured they had been given a picture of him. “Rhodes, please,” he said, showing them the bag. “Since you’re stuck here, I figured you needed to eat and have some drinks. There is also a walkie-talkie here if you need to contact me for anything. If you need to go to the restroom, just go to the guardhouse and they’ll let you in to use the facilities.” Rhodes smiled. “Surveillance is so tedious, and being as comfortable as possible is a good thing.”

  The officers looked at each other, then back to him. The one in the driver’s seat leaned over. “You’re with Captain Monroe.”

  Rhodes nodded.

  “He’s a good cop,” the one on the passenger side said.

  Rhodes held out the bag and he accepted it. Rhodes nodded, turned, and strolled away.

  “That’s the guy who made the DA almost shit himself?” There was disbelief in the voice.

  “I don’t see it,” the other man said.

  Rhodes whistled as he went back inside. He stopped to tell the guard at the gate what he had told the police, and to let them in if needed.

  “They think you’re harmless.” The woman laughed.

  Rhodes knew she’d watched on the screen and had sound on. He also knew it would be all over the team and security firm before the end of the day.

  “Hush. I am.” Rhodes winked and went back to his house.

  He went back to work. There were a lot of little things to do to make sure everything went smoothly. Periodically through his day, he took the officers some snacks too. They chatted a little, and a while later he went back inside. From what he learned, they didn’t like the DA either. For that alone, Rhodes liked them. At the dinner hour, he took the new set of officers a meal. They already knew about him and took his offering.

  Back in front of his computer, Rhodes cupped his bottle of beer and watched the cruiser. He sat forward as he saw Taggart’s Firebird pull in behind the cruiser. Taggart got out and Rhodes watched on the screen as the officers came out of their car and stood straight. One was holding the container he had given them. Taggart said something to them and patted each on the shoulder. They relaxed and talked a little. Rhodes could have put on the sound but chose not to. Taggart soon returned to his vehicle and drove around the cruiser to enter the gates.

  “Daddy’s here.” Rhodes got up.

  The puppies ran before him, disappearing down the hall. Rhodes went to the front door and opened it. Taggart’s car came into view a moment later. He parked and got out.

  “I don’t care if the DA is paying for it out of his budget, Chuck. There is no cause for there to be a surveillance detail on Rhodes.” Taggart came up the steps talking on his cell.

  When he was by his side, Rhodes took the cell. Taggart glared, reaching for it. Rhodes turned his body and lifted the phone to his ear.

  “They are staying, Taggart,” Chuck said.

  “As they should, Chuck,” Rhodes replied.

  Chuck paused, then said, “Rhodes. Oh, he’s with you. Talk to him. The DA and I made a compromise. Surveillance would be assigned to you, and his office would pay for it.”

  “Russell likes wasting taxpayers’ money,” Rhodes replied.

  “He’s digging himself a big hole. With the election in a few weeks, this is a dumb-ass move,” Chuck said in disgust.

  “And you’re helping him shovel his way out of a job.” Rhodes chuckled. “Smart.”

  “Fucking politics,” Chuck replied. “Get Taggart to accept it, and in a few days, the DA will get smart and see it’s a waste of time and money to follow you.”

  “Okay. Thanks for coming earlier.”

  “I was called and told to go make sure you didn’t go to jail.”

  “Taggart called you to come help me.” Rhodes looked at Taggart, who had his arms crossed over his chest.

  “No. My wife. You made an impression. She was speaking with Taggart earlier and he had to go because you were being interviewed.” Chuck sighed. “Hell, it’s embarrassing that my wife knew you were called in and I didn’t. She’s going to remember this.”

  Rhodes chuckled. Taggart made a noise of disgust and went inside. Rhodes followed slowly.

  “We’re having a voting party for the DA election. You and Charlie should come to it,” Rhodes said.

  “I will do as you demand,” Chuck said drily. “People usually invite, not tell, you to be there.”

  “I can always call Charlie.”

  “Bastard.” Chuck hung up on him.

  Rhodes chuckled and went in search of Taggart. He walked up behind him as he stood in front of the security monitors. Rhodes hugged him from behind. Taggart was stiff, but in a few seconds he relaxed.

  “They shouldn’t be watching you.”

  “We know that, but Chuck said….” Rhodes filled him in on why, finishing with, “Let them waste their time. I’m not part of what happened to Billy and they’ll see that soon enough. A few days and then they’ll be gone.”

  “The way Russell was acting, I’m not so sure of that.” Taggart turned in his arms. “Did you have to feed them?”

  “It’s only fair, since I fed the first two,” Rhodes said.

  Taggart laughed. “Strange man. I thought you said you didn’t like cops.”

  “I don’t. But a man has to eat, and it isn’t their fault that politics made them have to watch me.” Rhodes kissed him briefly and stepped back. “Now let me feed you.” Rhodes paused. “Food first, then the other appetite.”

  “You better serve me like you did them.” Taggart let him lead him out. “In both places.”

  “Of course.” Rhodes watched the screen as they went to the door.

  Yeah, a few days of being watched he could handle.

  RHODES GLARED at Taggart and included the officers standing by his side. They snickered and looked around. He focused back on Taggart.

  “When you mentioned you had plans for us on Valentine’s Day”—Rhodes looked around the aisle of the department store—”I didn’t expect we would be shopping for cushions.” Rhodes looked at the puppies sitting at his feet. “This is all your fault.” They woofed and sat.

  Taggart had talked with the manager, and she was an animal lover, so she let them bring in the puppies. Rhodes thought she found it amusing too.

  “You’re the one who said to let them pick,” Taggart said.

  “The trainer did too. I wonder why he isn’t here.” Rhodes stared at the cushions
Taggart held. “Come on, let’s get this done. I want some food and dancing like I thought we would do today.” He looked at the officers. “I hope you know how to tango and like steak. I want a big steak. Taggart is buying for all of us.”

  “Cool. I can tango,” the one closest said, grinning.

  Rhodes couldn’t help it. He laughed. Although the surveillance had dragged on for weeks, well past the few days as they were originally told, he still didn’t mind. The officers assigned had a sense of humor. He’d talked to Lawrence about recruiting some of them. They were always looking for security people. They’d have to survive the training Rhodes put them through, but if they did, then they were good.

  “Stop spending my money,” Taggart said absently.

  Rhodes rolled his eyes at the officers and they snickered again.

  “Just show it to them and see. We’re not here for you to pick.” He held the puppies’ leashes.

  Taggart glared but showed the puppies the two pillows he held. They started growling and snapping.

  “That’s a no,” Rhodes said.

  “I like these,” Taggart said stubbornly.

  “And they don’t. They’ll just rip them up.”

  Taggart put them back and picked up others. Rhodes watched the long line of choices and groaned. They would be here forever. Taggart’s cell rang and he picked it up. Rhodes recognized it as the ringtone for work. Although he didn’t want Taggart to go to work, he was relieved to maybe get out of shopping for cushions.

  “Monroe.” As Taggart proceeded to listen to the person on the other end of the line, the officers’ radios sounded and Rhodes turned to them. They looked at him, then walked away a little and listened and replied. Rhodes glanced at Taggart as he put away his cell.

  “There was another attempt on Billy’s life.” Taggart smiled. “At least this time you have witnesses they can’t dispute for your whereabouts. We’ll have to thank Russell.”

  “Yay, no more surveillance.” Rhodes looked at the officers who returned. “No offense.”

  “None taken.” One of the officers held out his hand. “We’ve been reassigned. See you around, Rhodes.”

  Rhodes shook the officer’s hand and echoed the sentiment before doing the same with the other officer. After they left, Rhodes focused on Taggart.

  “Aren’t you going too?”

  “It’s not my squad’s case.”

  Rhodes looked at the cushions, then at him. “But you know you want to know. Call in Walker, Ramirez, and Miguel. Even if you all were taken off, you all still should be there.”

  Taggart stared at him and snorted. “I’ll go, but I know you’re trying to get out of picking cushions. I’ll call Walker to come for me. Take my SUV and I’ll meet you at my place later.” Taggart came to him. “We’ll do this another day.” It sounded like a promise.

  “Shoot, I get to take your car. We should have been driving the Firebird.” Rhodes kissed him and pushed Taggart to get him moving.

  “If I was, you’d be the one looking for a ride. You’re not driving my car.” Taggart left.

  Rhodes headed to the exit. He stopped and glared at the cushions, then remembered Taggart’s promise that they’d do it again. Rhodes pulled out his cell and placed a call. He listened to it ring, then looked at the puppies.

  “Your fault.”

  “It wasn’t me,” the woman on the other end said cheerfully.

  “Betty Anne, I need your help.” Rhodes eyed the shelves of cushions.

  “Sure. I’m on the way back to the office but can turn around and head to your place.”

  “Ummm… I’m not home. I’m at Brennan’s.”

  “The department store?” Betty Anne asked.

  “Yeah. In aisle four. I’m by the cushions.” Rhodes sighed.

  “I’ll be there in a few.” She hung up.

  Rhodes put away his cell. “Your fault,” he told the puppies again.

  As before, every time he’d told them, they looked unrepentant. Rhodes poked at the cushion by him. The puppies growled. He looked at it.

  “I agree. It is ugly.” Rhodes stood waiting.

  People passed him, looking at him and the dogs.

  “Rhodes.” Betty Anne came up to him. She kissed his cheek, then bent and petted the dogs. “Why are you here? What do you need my help with?”

  “Cushions. I need to pick cushions.” Rhodes pointed.

  Betty Anne looked up at him, shocked. “Cushions?”

  Rhodes explained why and what he wanted to do. Betty Anne blinked and started to laugh. She fell on her butt, continuing to laugh. Rhodes glared at the people staring at them and they moved on. He stared at Betty Anne. She took a breath, calmed, and looked at him and laughed again. The dogs climbed into her lap, barking. She petted them, chuckling, then she stood and brushed off her butt.

  “Let’s let the puppies pick the cushions.” She cleared her throat and said, “I’ll take Pebbles.”

  Rhodes nodded and held Bamm-Bamm’s leash and gave Pebbles to Betty Anne. They went to the end of the aisle, leading the dogs, as they started to walk down the rows of cushions on shelves, putting the dogs close. Rhodes grabbed the cushion they didn’t growl at, and they went on. He picked another. Then he realized his hands were full, and he gestured to Betty Anne to take the pillow.

  “Rhodes?”

  He closed his eyes at the voice. Oh lord. He was so never going to live this down. Rhodes turned, holding the cushions and Bamm-Bamm’s leash.

  “What are you up to? Hey, sweeties.” Charlie rubbed the puppies’ heads.

  “I’m Betty Anne.” Betty Anne put out her hand. They shook. “And you’re Charlene—Taggart’s sister. I watch you on the news all the time.”

  “Charlie. And thanks.” She looked at them and the cushions curiously.

  Rhodes was silent. Betty Anne explained what they were up to, and after they laughed at him again, Charlie volunteered to help.

  “Let me take those. That way you have your hands free.” She took what they had.

  “Did Chuck get called in too?” Rhodes asked.

  “Yeah, he did. We were just about to go to lunch.” Charlene pouted and sighed. “It happens. I told him to drop me here and I’d take a cab home.”

  “I can make you lunch. Both of you, for helping me.” Rhodes paused, then added, “If you never tell anyone else about this.”

  “I’ll take lunch. But no promise about not telling anyone. This is too good to not share,” Betty Anne said.

  “Uh-huh. I am so telling this story. Many, many times,” Charlie said. “Lunch would be good. I can have Chuck pick me up from your place if he’s done by that time.”

  Rhodes had given it a shot but had already figured Betty Anne wouldn’t agree. He nodded and they finished picking cushions. Once they had a pile, he weeded them down to two sets. He thought of his own place and decided to get another set for himself. Rhodes looked at the dogs and got them one too. They went to check out. The cashier looked at them, then the puppies and all the cushions. There was a suspicious look on her face.

  Rhodes put his arms around the women on either side of him. “My sweeties love their cushions.” He kissed each woman on the cheek and blinked innocently at the cashier. “Nothing is too good for them on Valentine’s Day.”

  Betty Anne played along. “Yeah, Roddy.” She rubbed against him. “We can test them out later.”

  “He’s our sugar plum,” Charlene said, rubbing his chest.

  “Aren’t you the anchor on the news? The one married to the police chief?” the cashier asked.

  “I get that a lot.” Charlene flipped her hair. “I’ve never watched her.”

  Rhodes stifled a chuckle as the woman rang them out quickly. He pulled a cart that someone had left by the checkout counter and placed the bags inside. Rhodes paid, and they left the store. The women started laughing at the door. Rhodes pushed the cart and chuckled. At the SUV, they unloaded the cart. He took the puppies, and Charlene got a ride with Betty Anne. R
hodes could only imagine the mischief they were planning.

  The fun continued at his house. The women helped as he cooked, and stayed after relaxing in the living room. Rhodes heard Taggart’s signal as he approached the house. He put his hand on Betty Anne’s waist and the other on Charlene. They were focused on the screen.

  “They look like they had a great Valentine’s Day,” Taggart said from the doorway.

  Rhodes looked up and smiled. Chuck was beside Taggart and looking at them.

  “Shh… this is the best part,” Charlene said.

  Taggart and Chuck came into the room.

  “A-Team.” Taggart looked at him.

  “Liam Neeson is hot,” Rhodes said.

  The women made sounds of agreement.

  Chuck and Taggart shook their heads.

  “I’ll get you something to eat, Chuck. Knowing Rhodes, he cooked.” Taggart looked at him before he came over. “Even though he says he doesn’t like to.” He kissed him.

  “Move.” Charlene pushed Taggart out of her way.

  Taggart smacked her gently on the head. She lifted her fist, shaking it at him.

  Taggart went back to Chuck. “Where are the puppies?” He looked at Rhodes.

  “In the media room,” he said absently.

  Taggart nodded, and he and Chuck left. Rhodes watched the last few minutes of the movie. When it was over, they all went to the kitchen. Taggart and Chuck were sitting at the island. Rhodes leaned by Taggart and Charlene by Chuck. Betty Anne took a seat next to Rhodes.

  Taggart turned to Rhodes. “What’s with all the cushions in the media room?”

  Rhodes sighed. The women laughed. Betty Anne and Charlene filled them in on what the women had deemed the great cushion find. Taggart watched him, a bemused smile on his face. Soon they all left. Rhodes stood on the porch with Taggart, watching the taillights of their cars as they went down the lane.