The In Death Collection Books 6-10 - J. D. Robb [345]
Roarke made some notations on the fax—a small adjustment that dealt with approximately three quarters of a million and change, and shot it off to his midtown office and his assistant’s attention. “What do you have?”
“A dead guy,” she snapped, “with a missing heart.” She frowned as Roarke rose and walked over to select a bottle of wine from his chill box. “I can see one cop screwing up a case. I don’t like it, but I can see it. But two cops screwing up the same one, it just doesn’t hold. And now both of them are out of touch, so I’m going to have to do some dance with their boss tomorrow.”
She had so much anger and frustration bottled up inside her. “Maybe somebody got to them. Bribed, threatened. Shit. The leak on this might not just be in the NYPSD, it might be all over the damn place.”
“And your interfering senator is from the great state of Illinois, as I recall.”
“Yeah.” Christ, she hated politics. “I have to clear it with the commander, but I should probably dance with this Chicago boss in person.”
Taking his time, Roarke poured two glasses, carried both across the room to stand in front of her. “I’ll take you.”
“It’s cop business.”
“And you’re my cop.” He lifted her hand, curled her fingers around the stem of the glass. “You won’t go to Chicago without me, Eve. That’s personal. Now, drink some wine and tell me the rest.”
She could have argued, for form’s sake. But it seemed like a waste of energy. “Bowers filed a couple more complaints.” She ordered herself to relax her jaw and sip. “She was first on scene this morning, and she caused trouble so I relieved her of duty. It’s on record, and when they review, they won’t be able to fault my actions, but she’s really getting in my face.”
Her stomach muscles began to tighten with tension as she spoke of it, thought of it. “My contact at IAB came down to warn me she’s stirring the pot, that she went to the media.”
“Darling, the world is full of assholes and morons.” He reached up, skimmed a finger down the shallow dent in her chin. “Most are surprisingly recognizable. She’ll end up sinking herself.”
“Yeah, eventually, but Webster’s worried.”
“Webster?”
“The guy I know in IAB.”
“Ah.” Hoping to distract her a little, he cupped a hand at the back of her neck, rubbed. “I don’t believe I’ve heard that name before. And how well do you know him, darling?”
“We don’t run into each other much anymore.”
“But there was a time . . .”
She shrugged, would have shifted, but his fingers tightened just enough to make her eyes narrow. “It was nothing. It was a long time ago.”
“What was?”
“When we got drunk and naked and bounced around on each other,” she said between her teeth. “Happy?”
He chuckled, leaned in to kiss her lightly. “I’m devastated. Now you’ll have to get drunk and naked and bounce around with me to make up for it.”
It wouldn’t have hurt her ego, she realized, if he’d pretended to be just a little jealous. “I’ve got work.”
“Me, too.” He set his glass aside, pulled her against him. “You are such work, Lieutenant.”
She turned her head, told herself she was not going to enjoy the way his teeth scraped along her neck at just the perfect point. “I’m not drunk, pal.”
“Well.” He nipped the glass out of her hand, put it down. “Two out of three works for me,” he decided and pulled her to the floor.
When the blood stopped roaring in her head and she could think again, she told herself she would not let him know she’d enjoyed being ravished on the office floor.
“Well, you had your fun, ace, now get off of me.”
With a little humming sound, he burrowed against her throat. “I love the taste of you. Right here.” As he nibbled, he felt her heart pick up speed again and kick against his. “More?”
“No, cut it out.” Her blood was starting to buzz again. “I’ve got work.” She shoved at him, putting some muscle behind it while she still could. There was a combination of relief and disappointment