Pure Blood_ A Nocturne City Novel - Caitlin Kittredge [49]
“No, ma’am,” I muttered, looking at my feet.
“Lieutenant, I must say I’m disappointed,” she told Mac, facing him. She barely topped his collarbone, but Mac looked like a rabid pit bull was chasing him and he’d just realized his shoelaces were untied. “Your record is exemplary, but having seen the way you run your detectives I’m beginning to wonder just how accurate that is.”
Mac’s rangy face turned tomato-colored, although his expression never altered. Mac is like a dormant volcano—it takes a hell of a lot of pressure to make him blow.
Morgan continued, “Property damage, officers under your command willfully disobeying orders, other officers grievously injured because of these oversights—you might as well have sent Detective O’Halloran to the hospital yourself.” She drew herself up, her blocky body reminding me of nothing so much as one of those fantasy-novel dwarves who seem cute until you notice they’re swinging an axe at your shins. “Rest assured that all of this will be reported to the disciplinary committee, and I very much doubt you will have your shield much longer.”
“Stop it,” I said. Morgan turned on me and had I not already been in pain I would have felt it from the sheer force of her glare.
“Excuse me?”
“Leave Mac alone.” I met her gaze. “You want to blame somebody for all of this, blame me. But have the guts to do it to me. Don’t punish Mac because you like to play mind games.”
“Luna, this is a really bad time for speeches.” Mac sighed. Morgan held up a hand and he reluctantly shut his mouth.
“I think this is the perfect time,” she purred, a grin that I can only describe as triumphant on her face. “Do go on with your impassioned outburst, Detective.”
“I know you don’t like me,” I said. “I can’t figure out if it’s because I’m a were or because I just rub you the wrong way, but in any event, I’m a good cop, and I am doing the best damn job I can, and if you can’t get past this animosity and see that, then Hex you.”
I stood, looking down at Morgan. “My partner almost died, so if you’ll excuse me I’m going to go find the person that almost made it happen.”
Morgan narrowed her eyes, daring me to step past her, to be the one to break contact, but she didn’t explode like I’d thought she would. Mac remained carefully bland next to her, but I could smell his sweat under the well-worn suit.
“Carry on, then,” said Morgan finally, as if coming to a decision. “I think we’re done here, Lieutenant McAllister.” She spun and went to her car, weaving past a CSU team that was approaching with cameras and field cases.
Mac gripped my arm. “Don’t get the wrong idea, here—I appreciate what you said, but don’t you ever do that again. You’re my detective and if you buck protocol I’m going to suspend you.”
I blinked. “Hex, Mac. You’re welcome.”
He pressed his lips together, giving me a look that was all too fatherly. “You’re not all right, Wilder, and this whole mess just proves it. I can’t give you special treatment. I need you to be on your game, or off my squad.”
What was it with all the men in my life telling me what was best lately?
“Luna?” Mac crossed his arms, waiting. I was saved when one of the CSU techs broke off and touched my shoulder.
“Detective Wilder? We need you.”
“I have a crime scene to secure,” I told Mac coldly. He looked like he wanted to say something else, then turned and went back to his car.
“Thought you could use an assist,” said the tech.
“Thanks, he—” I began, and then registered the tech’s handsome dark face from my memory. “Pete!”
Pete Anderson grinned at me and shook my hand. “Good to see you, Detective.”
I’d met Pete during the Duncan case, when he’d been working in the identification bureau as a lab tech. Poor Pete had endured a lot from me on that case—hostile were packs, being held at gunpoint, and my general bitchiness about the whole situation.
“You got