The Partner

“That’s why your training is so important. Sometimes it’s all you have. Your training…and the truth.”

They stared at each other from across the room. He seemed to be waiting for her to say something else. Finally, after several more seconds, he stood and reached inside his coat, removing a business card that he dropped to her coffee table.

“That has all my numbers on it,” he said. “Home, cell, office, whatever. If you think of anything else you’d like me to know, don’t hesitate to call, 24/7.”

“I’ve told you everything,” she answered, “but I’m sure we’ll be talking more.”

He murmured, “Oh, yes,” then followed her as she led him back to the entry.

Despite the smoothness of the interview, Risa still felt anxious as she opened the front door. Grady took a step toward the threshold then stopped. They stood close, almost eye to eye, and her gaze went to his hair. It was thick and longer than she’d thought, curling at the base of his neck. More than one strand was gray, but she found that reassuring—he wasn’t a rookie. She also found it strangely sexy.

“When you come back to the office, we’ll start the paperwork,” he said, “but it may take a few days. Be prepared for delays.”

She frowned and focused once more. “Delays?”

“You know how it is,” he answered with an easy smile. “Forms to get the forms to get the forms. It’s all routine and the whole deal won’t last long, even though it might feel differently.”

Risa stilled. “I don’t think I understand,” she said slowly. “What’s routine and won’t last long?”

His eyes met hers, and she suddenly wondered why she’d thought them warm.

“I assumed you knew,” he said quietly. “Until this situation has been cleared, you’ll be behind a desk.”

RISA TAYLOR’S EYES WIDENED until Grady felt himself enveloped by their darkness.

“That’s crazy!” she blurted out. “I know it’s the rule but I can’t sit on my butt while this investigation is ongoing! My partner’s dead! I’m not going to stay on the bench while everyone else is out there doing their best—”

“Your team will understand,” Grady said calmly. “This is SOP for an officer-involved shooting.”

“I don’t give a damn what’s standard.” Her expression was fierce, energy vibrating around her like sound waves off a tuning fork. “This is different! I have to do something.”

“You don’t have a choice in this matter, Officer Taylor.” Grady stared at her, the sympathy he felt for her well hidden. “You’re off the beat—and the case—until this investigation is resolved. Homicide will be handling it.”

“But I can help!”

“Your cooperation will be necessary, yes, but not as an officer. You were a participant and, as such, you can’t work the case, too. Surely you understand that?”

“Well, of course I do, but this situation is different.”

“It seems that way because it’s happened to you, but all I can say is I’m sorry. I do know how you feel.”

“I doubt that.” She looked at him with open animosity. “Not unless you’ve lost a partner, too.”

He started to tell her the truth, something he hadn’t done with anyone in a very long time, but he swallowed his answer. Stepping off her porch and into the sunlight, he said, “Call me when you decide to return to headquarters, Officer Taylor. I’ll be waiting.”

CHAPTER FOUR

LUIS TREVINO PHONED Risa that evening.

“Everybody’s bugging the hell outta me to find out how you’re doin’ so I thought I’d better call. You okay or what?”

Risa couldn’t help but smile. “Thanks for the concern, boss. Knowing you care so much makes me feel really loved.”

He made a sound between a snort and a chuckle, then spoke again. “Just answer the question, Taylor.”

Her fingers went to her bandage. “I’m okay. I’m coming in tomorrow.”

“No, you’re not,” he replied. “We got a new rule on the books. Injured officers gotta stay home for at least two days.”

“Forget it. I’m coming in. I want to work. It’s better for me than sitting here and thinking.”

“Yeah, thinking can be dangerous,” he conceded. “But I don’t want you back yet. You, ah, need to rest some more.”

He was bullshitting her. She waited a second before answering. “What’s going on, Luis?”

The silence continued until he broke it with a curse. “The IA prick, Wilson, came in this afternoon and told me there’s some kinda holdup with your file. Nothing important, just some bureaucracy crap.”

“It’s okay,” she said. “You shoulda just said so in the first place.”

“I knew you wouldn’t be happy about it.”

“It’s part of the deal, Luis. I understand how it’s going to work. You don’t need to baby me.”

“I’m not,” he said defensively.

“Yes, you are,” she countered. “But that’s okay, too. Maybe I could stand a little babying, whether I want it or not.”

“I’m glad you’re not mad at me ’cause tomorrow’s going to be bad enough as it is.” He hesitated as if he wasn’t sure of her reaction to what he was going to say next. “They’ve scheduled the memorial service, Risa. Two o’clock, Settlegast-Kopf on Kirby, day after tomorrow. Later on, there’s gonna be a private cremation.”

Later on… Risa swallowed as she realized what Luis meant. An autopsy had to be performed and Luke’s body could not be buried until those results were in. They talked for a few more minutes about the status of her cases, then they hung up. Closing her eyes, Risa put her head down on the kitchen table.

But she didn’t cry.

She thought instead.

She thought about Luke and his kid. She thought about her and her father. Finally she thought about Grady Wilson, or, as Luis had put it so succinctly, the IA prick.

Grady had told her to be prepared for delays, but what did it matter now? When she did get back, she was going to be stuck behind a desk instead of doing anything worthwhile.

Her mind struggled to cope with the chaos that had taken over her life. Yesterday morning—a little more than twenty-four hours ago—Risa had had everything in order: her future, her career, her very existence—and now nothing but anarchy ruled. Her partner was dead, she was under investigation and her job had just disappeared. For one crazy minute, she had the feeling that she might just follow.

She cursed Grady Wilson, then she took a deep breath.

The guy was simply doing his job, just as she’d told everyone he was. Nothing more. Nothing less.

The situation was only temporary. In a matter of days, if not weeks, the IA man with the spooky eyes would conclude his investigation and Risa would return to the street and do what she’d been trained to do. Instead of whining, she should be on her knees thanking God. Eventually, she’d have her life back.

Luke wouldn’t.