Last Orders

by Laura Strickland

  “Six o’clock.”

  “Come straight away. Come for dinner. You’ll spend the night?”

  He fought a war with himself and quickly lost. “I will.”

  She scrambled up and whispered in his ear, “I only hope I can last till then.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Fagan? In here.”

  Brendan stumbled obediently into Addelforce’s office in response to the summons. Two days had passed since he’d first made love to Ginny Landry. Two days and as many nights steeped in pleasure so intense he never seemed to completely lose the effects. He’d thought about keeping away from her but couldn’t, even though he knew she probably only used him to occupy her time until she could kick the dust of Buffalo from her heels.

  He moved through his days thinking only of her, trying to come up with ways to convince her to stay. So far he’d thought of nothing viable save an offer of marriage, and he wasn’t that desperate.

  Yet.

  “Yes, sir?” He had to pull himself together and start thinking straight. Addelforce likely wanted to know what he’d found out about the tram incident. Witnesses insisted a single steam unit had provoked it all. None would admit to knowing to whom that unit belonged or from what local business it might have come. All agreed it had incited the other units already present to attack the tram as soon as it halted at that stop.

  The gathered units who had participated in tipping the tram denied anyone had summoned them. All claimed to have been in the vicinity for legitimate purposes, even though most had assignments elsewhere.

  Jesus, why couldn’t he think?

  “Sergeant Fagan, I’ve been hearing rumors about you.”

  The last words Brendan expected from his captain’s mouth.

  Mouth. He’d spent at least an hour last night exploring the inside of Ginny’s, a sweet cavern of heat, sharing searing kisses, and as a consequence now knew it as well as his own.

  “Rumors, sir?”

  “Now, I don’t like hearing gossip about my officers. I don’t appreciate that at all.”

  “No, sir.” His half-blasted mind darted wildly. “What rumors might these be, sir?”

  “That you’ve been spending your nights with Candace Landry’s daughter.”

  Damnation. That hadn’t taken long.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Yes what, sir?”

  Brendan stiffened his spine. “Yes, Captain Addelforce, it’s true.”

  Addelforce stared, his mouth gaping. “Sergeant Fagan, I’m flabbergasted. Of course I understand you’re a young man. But if you need to…er…exercise your urges, I would expect you to be more discreet.”

  “I feel I have been discreet, sir. Were the young woman in question not a figure of some infamy, I doubt the matter would have come to your ears.”

  “But Sergeant Fagan, she is a figure of some infamy. Becoming involved with such a woman displays poor judgment, very poor judgment indeed. I expected better of you.”

  “Aye, sir. It’s only that good judgment rather goes out the window when—when…” He relived the sensation of Ginny’s tongue sliding through the hair on his chest and heading downward. He lacked words.

  Addelforce sighed. “I understand. But Brendan, this is unacceptable. I advise you to break it off. At once.”

  “Sir—?”

  “I do not want to hear it, Officer. You know very well this job is more than a job. Sacrifices must be made.”

  “But—”

  “Sergeant Fagan, an association with this woman—a personal association—could be construed as a bias in this conflict amidst which we find ourselves. Her mother…”

  “Sir, she can’t help who her mother was.”

  “Sergeant Fagan, this association is not good for your career. I cannot put it any more plainly than that. You’ve worked very hard, son, and are on the fast path to advancement. Don’t muck it up for a woman.”

  “No, sir.”

  “I wouldn’t like to resort to disciplinary action.”

  “Disciplinary?” That made him mad. “For what?”

  “Compromising an investigation.”

  “Take me off the investigation then.”

  “And what of the evidence you’ve already handed in? If the automatons get themselves a good lawyer…” Addelforce grimaced. “I hear they’ve already approached Theodore Collwys. He may take the case.”

  “Yes, sir.” Brendan had made the acquaintance of Mr. Collwys. A fair man, he just might.

  “So are we finished here, Sergeant?”

  “Sir, I’d like to know who reported me.”

  “And what purpose would that serve?”

  “None, but…”

  “None, correct. Be off about your duties.”

  “Sir, I…”

  “Sergeant Fagan, you’ve never been insubordinate. Do not start now. You’re much too smart for that—especially considering it’s just a woman. One woman in a sea of thousands. You can find another. Given my wife Alice’s opinion of your appearance, you should have no difficulty.”

  That struck Brendan silent.

  “There’s been a dispute at Crawford’s on the waterfront. Go investigate.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Dismissed.”

  Brendan marched back out of Addelforce’s office, seething. Whose eyes turned toward him in the big room? Did anyone watch for his reaction? If he found out who’d squealed on him, he’d…

  Ruin his career for sure.

  His career. Mere days ago it had been the most important thing in the world to him—the only thing.

  Maybe Addelforce was right.

  ****

  Ginny sat with her chin in her hand, staring out the front window of her house, chewing on her lip and trying not to panic.

  What had she said to Brendan Fagan that might have driven him off? For the last hour—ever since the arrival of his missive canceling tonight’s tryst—she’d been busy recalling all the stupid things she’d ever said to him, one by one.

  Those utterances now seemed manifold, but one kept clamoring for her attention as the worst.

  I’ve never had Irish before.

  Most men of her experience didn’t like being compared to other men. And they didn’t appreciate the mention of other men during the sex act.

  But that had been on their first night together. And Brendan Fagan didn’t seem insecure. He shouldn’t be, with a face like that and a body like that. Oh, God, his body. But his excuse for not meeting her tonight as planned seemed just that—an excuse. And it tore her up inside.

  She thought they’d been having fun, enjoying each other to the fullest. She didn’t quite understand why his absence bothered her so much now. After all, they’d have to part company soon anyway, when she went home. A matter of days.

  But what if she never saw him again? Never touched or tasted him again? A drench of black depression washed over her at the thought. She’d spent her life being determinedly positive, seizing her joys and her opportunities. But never seeing Brendan Fagan again…

  Couldn’t be helped. It was just the way things went.

  Maybe he was wise to break it off now.

  Given he had broken it off, and work hadn’t merely got in the way of tonight’s assignation. Maybe they’d get together tomorrow instead. Earlier than usual. Before evening, so she could see him in daylight. All of him.

  “Oh, God.”

  She got to her feet and began to pace restlessly. She couldn’t stand it, she couldn’t.

  Maybe she should get out of the house, go to a tavern and seek other company.

  She discovered somewhat to her surprise she didn’t relish that prospect. She wanted Brendan or nothing.

  She’d already been on her knees to him, as he had to her, during their lovemaking. She remembered how the light burned in his eyes when she took him in her mouth, how he buried his fingers in her hair and flexed that strong, beautiful body.

  Maybe if she went to him and begged…

&nbs
p; A fantasy unwound in her mind: she’d go to the police station, find him there all tall and official in his uniform. Disregarding everyone else in the place, she’d sink to her knees in front of him, unfasten his trousers, and…

  Sweet lord, she had to get hold of herself, but she didn’t quite know how. She’d never dreamed of wanting a man this much.

  Even Hank.

  That thought knocked her back on her heels. She’d desired Hank, true. He was the one who’d taught her the ins and outs of lovemaking, showed her it could cause a woman’s body to tremble, burn, and sing. She’d trusted him with her body and her heart at the mere age of seventeen.

  A fatal mistake.

  Things had come much too easily for Hank, as to most handsome devils. He’d had no trouble casting Ginny off before moving to the next conquest.

  Was that what Brendan Fagan had done?

  Damn him.

  She never chased men, especially good-looking men. She made a point of that. She wouldn’t start now.

  Would she?

  But she wanted to find him, stare into those impossibly blue eyes of his, and demand honesty. If he wanted to break things off, then do it. Don’t lie and blame his job.

  Where would she find him at this hour?

  She stuck her head into the hall and summoned Floyd. “Call me a steamcab, please, will you? I need to go out.”

  ****

  She really did hate steamcabs. She discovered why all over again as she threaded her way through the city at breakneck speed, tossed against one wall and then the other, bouncing off the smudged glass. The interior of the cab stank of perspiration and coal, and the motion turned Ginny’s stomach.

  “Don’t wait for me,” she instructed the driver when she got out at the police station. Taking a deep breath, she barreled in.

  “I’m looking for Brendan Fagan,” she told the desk sergeant. “Is he on duty?”

  “Not tonight.”

  Liar.

  The sergeant gave her a sharp look, and she wondered if she’d spoken the word out loud. “Where can I find him?”

  The sergeant raised his eyebrows. “Is this official business?”

  “Yes. He’s investigating the arson at my house. My name’s Virginia Landry, and I have new information.” If he could lie, so could she.

  “Wait just a moment, miss.”

  The sergeant disappeared into the big room beyond. Ginny walked to the doorway and saw him make straight for Captain Addelforce’s office.

  Damn.

  Stepping into the room, she instantly became the center of all attention. She asked the man at the nearest desk, “Is Patrick Kelly working?”

  “Yes, miss. He’s out on a case.”

  Addelforce emerged from his office and gestured Ginny in. Stiff-backed, she went.

  “Miss Landry,” Addelforce said before she could speak, “I hear you’re looking for Sergeant Fagan.”

  “I am.”

  “I’m afraid you won’t be seeing him again.”

  Ginny stared. “I beg your pardon?”

  “I’m taking him off your case.”

  “What? Why?”

  “I believe it prudent. I’ve also advised him not to see you again on an—er—unofficial basis.”

  Ginny flushed. “I don’t understand.”

  “I’m sure you do. I could only counsel him against any association, personal or otherwise, between the two of you. I’m sure you appreciate the sensitivity of our present situation and the unrest in the city at this time. Your association with Sergeant Fagan is a conflict of interest.”

  “I don’t see that.”

  “The Force does. I’m certain that if you are…er…fond of Sergeant Fagan, you will not wish to do anything to harm his career.”

  “Of course not. But why should…”

  “He is one of my best officers, a light of the department, with a bright future ahead of him. I expect you would no more want to harm him than touch off an event in Buffalo that could affect hundreds detrimentally.”

  “Why should what we do privately affect anyone?”

  “Because you are who you are—Candace Landry’s daughter—and along with her properties have inherited a measure of her reputation.”

  “That’s not fair.”

  “I didn’t say it was fair, Miss Landry.”

  “Damn it—”

  Addelforce’s expression hardened. “Miss, I don’t appreciate cursing in my office, especially from ladies.”

  “I’m sorry, but…”

  “Go home, Miss Landry. It’s not safe for you to be out on the streets after dark. Would you like an escort?”

  “No. Yes.” Her mind bounded forward. “I would appreciate that.”

  “Very wise.” Addelforce smiled benevolently as if he thought he’d convinced her of his point of view. Damn fool.

  He summoned a younger officer, called Gardner, to see her back to Linwood. As soon as they went outside she said to the officer, “Do you happen to know where Sergeant Fagan lives?”

  “Uh—” The man hesitated and rolled his eyes at her. “Yes, miss.”

  “Tell me.”

  “I can’t, miss.”

  “You most certainly can.”

  “I don’t think Captain Addelforce would approve,” Gardner said.

  “Officer Gardner, have you ever been in love?”

  “Yes, miss.”

  “Then I’m sure you understand my need to see Sergeant Fagan.” She was massaging the truth, but she felt sufficiently desperate now to warrant it.

  “Yes, miss. Only Brendan, he usually doesn’t settle on one woman.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Maybe I shouldn’t have said it.”

  “It’s all right.” It went with the territory, when it came to handsome men. “Officer Gardner, in the past he may have known plenty of women.” She looked him in the eye. “None like me. Understand?”

  Gardner gulped. “Yes, miss.”

  “He’ll be very grateful if you give me his address.”

  “I don’t doubt it.”

  “And even more grateful if you keep mum about it.”

  “Oh, heck, miss. You’re putting me in a bad spot.”

  “Think of it this way, Officer. He may not be home at this hour. He may be visiting friends or at his parents’ house. Then what harm will you have done?”

  “I suppose that’s true. He goes to his parents’ a lot, so he does.”

  Ginny’s heart sank, but she pressed, “So you might as well tell me.”

  He gave her a number on Tracy Street. “It’s in the rear. But please don’t say I told.”

  “My dear Officer Gardner, I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  Chapter Twenty

  “Ginny? For God’s sake, what are you doing here?”

  Brendan Fagan answered the door wearing a soft, off-white shirt and his uniform trousers. When he saw her, his eyes widened.

  “What do you think?” she retorted. Planting her hand in the center of his chest, she pushed him back into the room, followed, and shut the door. Toeing up to him, she stared into his face fiercely. “You lied to me.”

  Acknowledgement flooded his eyes. “Aye, lass. I am that sorry. I was following orders.” The sincere regret in his voice should have mollified her; it didn’t.

  “Oh, do not try and put the blame on orders. Do not! You might have been honest with me rather than sending a message saying you were working.”

  “I was working; I got off not long since.”

  “You said you had to work tonight and couldn’t see me.”

  He held up his hands. “Very well so; you are right. I rarely do lie to women. I made an exception with you.”

  “Why?”

  “Come and sit down.”

  “I’m too angry to sit. Angry and…and frustrated. I was looking forward to our time together. You disappointed me.”

  “I am sorry.”

  “I trusted you. And I never trust good-looking men.”

 
; His eyes met hers. What did she see there? An emotion she couldn’t quite identify.

  “I didn’t suppose it mattered a great deal anyway,” he began.

  “Not matter a great deal?”

  “Since we would have only a few more days together before you left to go home.”

  That knocked all the wind out of Ginny’s sails.

  “Break it off now or a few days from now.” He shrugged. “What’s the difference?”

  She gasped, feeling curiously as if he’d struck her across the face, and backpedaled. “You might have been honest about it.”

  “Aye, I might. I should.”

  “Besides, Brendan, we would have had a few more days. A few more nights. I needed that.” Furiously, she added, “I need this!”

  Without further words, she threw herself into his arms. Her mouth found his in a kiss as demanding as it was deliciously intimate. When she came up for air, she looked into his eyes and uttered the words she’d never imagined speaking. “I need you.”

  “Oh, God, lass.” He swallowed convulsively. “Don’t say that. It’s as good as my career.”

  “Why? I don’t understand why.”

  “Conflict of interest.”

  “That’s what that ass Addelforce said.”

  “You’ve been to see Addelforce?”

  “I went to the station looking for you.”

  “You shouldn’t have done that, lass. I don’t doubt it’s made matters worse.”

  “Explain.”

  “Someone reported I’ve been spending my nights with you. ’Tis difficult to claim I can remain objective if you and I are…involved.”

  “Well, but…”

  “Addelforce wanted to take me off the case, and there’s a lot at stake.”

  “So you agreed to break it off?”

  He shrugged uncomfortably.

  Ginny tossed her head. “So don’t tell Addelforce we’re still seeing each other.”

  “Eh?”

  “I’ll stay here the next few nights. No one will ever know.”

  “Except the person from whom you got my address.”

  “A nice young man. He promised not to tell.”

  “It doesn’t matter. This city has eyes. And gossip like this is too good not to share.”

  Desperate, she stared at him. “Just tonight, then.”

  “Jaysus, Ginny.” He palmed his eyes and turned away from her. “Is it worth it? If I get caught, it could cost my job.”