by Regan Black
She didn’t believe him. Aubrey hustled to get in front of him and cut him off. “Calvin,” she said. “You’re stonewalling me.”
He nodded.
“Why?” Habitual rosy outlook or not, she knew her job.
“Why won’t you or your new friend press charges?” he countered. “At the very least, it’d do Nicky some good to be off the street.”
Food, warmth and shelter aside, Nicky would be miserable behind bars. “He identified Lara Butler as the person he calls New Girl.”
Calvin swore. “And you think Nicky can lead you to Lara.”
“It crossed my mind.” She glanced around, made sure no one was watching too closely. “I don’t have a better idea, and anything that will reunite the Butlers is a good thing.”
“You sure about that?”
“I am.” Leo wanted to see his sister safe with his own two eyes. Only then would he be able to understand what Lara was doing and that she was, hopefully, being safe about it.
Leo’s admission about the past put every reckless thing he’d done in a new light. Her heart ached for him as a child, bearing an impossible guilt, and for him as a man, uncertain of his worthiness. Yes, she cared for him, more than was wise considering she didn’t know if he would ever move on and be open to being loved by someone else. By her.
“Maybe the sister has good reason to ditch the brother,” Calvin said.
Outrage blasted through her, leaving her hands hot, her teeth clenched. “What are you implying?”
Calvin hadn’t missed any facet of her reaction. “That right there, Aubrey.” He did everything but drill a finger into her chest. “You’re too involved,” he accused. “After Neil, you know better than anyone people aren’t always what they seem.”
The hot blast iced over. Never before had Calvin slapped her in the face with that lapse in judgment. It hurt, badly, but she’d have to deal with it later. “There’s no reason to suspect Mr. Butler is anything but a worried brother. Nicky gave me the impression Miss Butler is close. Tell me why you would ignore our best lead on a missing person case.”
“You stayed with Butler at the hotel last night. In his room?”
He was fishing. Had to be. Still, she couldn’t muster a reply. This entire conversation was out of character for the partner she relied on. She hadn’t done anything wrong. Tiptoeing along that line, maybe, but it was hard to regret her night with Leo.
“What is going on?” she asked when she trusted her voice again.
He stepped back from her and closed his eyes, one hand pressed to his mouth. When he met her gaze again, she saw frustration and sympathy on his face, in his eyes. “Check your phone.”
She pulled her cell from her pocket and frowned at the icons indicating a missed call and a voice message from their captain.
“You’re suspended,” he whispered. “I’m sorry, Aubrey. I tried to head it off.”
The floor seemed to tilt under her feet. She slumped against the wall. “Why?”
“Conduct unbecoming,” Calvin answered.
Who would’ve reported that? Why? “I—I don’t understand.”
He reached out and gave her shoulders a gentle shake. “It’s bull, Aubrey. Listen to the message, talk to the captain. Hulbert and I are doing what we can to find out where the report came from.”
“And Lara?”
“Did you hear me?”
“Yes.” She pressed a hand to her throat, swallowing back the wave of tears that wanted to fall. There was no room for crying here. Not over this. “Who will work Lara’s case?”
“Guess that’s me.”
Her thoughts were jumbled, her mind spinning. None of this made any sense. Temper simmering, she straightened her spine. Her past mistake could not blow back on Leo and Lara. She couldn’t allow this to wreck their first solid lead.
“I need to get Leo back to the hotel,” she said.
Calvin muttered a quick count to ten. “You have to stay away from him if you value your career,” he said. “Let Sullivan help him.”
She stepped in close. “I haven’t done a damn thing wrong,” she said. “And I won’t allow some rumor or witch hunt or whatever to stop me from continuing to do good work.”
Calvin walked out and Aubrey sent Grant a series of text messages about everything since she’d run across Nicky and the other man in the alley. It was the only way to ensure the search for Lara continued in earnest while Leo recuperated and she was shut out of the precinct.
Once Leo was settled in his hotel room and she’d ordered a light dinner of soup for him, Aubrey stepped out to listen to the captain’s message. It was an order to come in immediately to turn in her badge and gun.
After quickly promising Leo that she’d be back, she walked over to the precinct. Even without the heads-up from Calvin, Sergeant Hulbert’s grim expression when she walked in was plenty of warning.
“Any advice?” she asked as he called the captain’s office.
Her burly friend only shrugged a shoulder. “I just work here.”
She snorted. They both knew he was the heart and soul around here. The brains, too, more often than not. “If you call this work, I’ll take it,” she said, following the pattern of their old joke.
“Careful,” he teased. “I only make it look easy. Go on.”
Directed to enter Captain Yancey’s office, Aubrey was surprised to find she wasn’t the only guest. Another man, wearing a dark suit, held his camel-colored wool coat folded perfectly over his arm. He struck her as a well-dressed shark. It took her a moment to recognize the predatory gleam in his eyes. The leather coat was gone and his hair was styled back from his face, without the assistance of any product. This was the man from Pomeroy’s. The man who’d set off Nicky.
Was he an attorney, an investigator, or a new addition to IA? She didn’t trust him on sight. Had he been following her? Is this why Calvin called him a dead end? She was left wondering as Captain Yancey began without making any introductions. “Officer Rawlins, as I said in my phone message, it’s come to my attention that you’ve exhibited conduct unbecoming of a Philadelphia police officer.”
She had to stand here and endure this while a stranger looked on? “I beg your pardon?”
“You are hereby suspended for one week,” Captain Yancey said with quiet authority. “Please hand over your badge and service weapon.”
Aubrey hesitated, eyes locked with her captain’s. Yancey had been held up as a shining example of women in law enforcement when Aubrey had been in the police academy. She was known to be stern, but fair and she’d assumed the role of captain for this precinct a year after the debacle with Aubrey’s drug-dealing ex.
The captain tapped her desktop. “Now, Officer Rawlins, or I’ll make it two weeks.”
“I’ll comply,” Aubrey assured her. “May I ask for clarification about the source of this complaint? I’m sure there’s been a misunderstanding.”
“It’s no misunderstanding, Ms. Rawlins,” the stranger said. “A complaint was filed and corroborated with video evidence from surveillance cameras in the city.”
“And you are?” she demanded.
“My name isn’t your concern,” the man sneered. “I represent the person who is unhappy with your inappropriate behavior.”
“Aubrey,” the captain interjected. “I’ve read the complaint and I’ve reviewed the evidence.” The expression on her face could only be described as pained. “I advise you to discuss this situation only with your union rep. We don’t want any negative publicity to undermine your future with the PPD.”
“Captain?”
“This isn’t a decision I came to lightly,” she said.
“Who are you?” Aubrey asked the stranger again. She was tempted to rattle off where she’d seen the man and his differing appearance at that time, but her survival instinct kicked in. A little
. “Why are you allowed to be part of this meeting?”
“I’m the person sent to see this suspension is carried out properly and without delay,” he replied.
The captain’s eyes narrowed at his statement. What kind of pull did he have? “I have rights,” she protested. And she knew them well after her past fiasco. “I’d like to know precisely what behavior has been red-flagged and corroborated.” After Neil and before she’d met Leo, she led the most boring personal life imaginable.
“Again, your union rep can be of assistance,” Yancey said. “Because of the unfortunate precedent in your record, your suspension is effective immediately.”
“With pay?” Aubrey queried, just to prolong the farce.
“Another question your rep can assist you with.”
“Who do you work for?” she asked the stranger.
“That’s not your concern,” he repeated.
“Ma’am, I formally object to this suspension.”
“Duly noted and I understand,” she added unexpectedly. “Your badge and service weapon, please.”
Again, she considered admitting she recognized the man from previous encounters in the neighborhood, but she would tell the union rep. Her captain seemed as uneasy as Aubrey felt. Stifling her protests, she handed over her badge and gun.
“We’ll see you in seven days, Officer Rawlins.”
“Yes, Captain.” She’d be back sooner if she could get to the bottom of this. The shock of the moment combined with the overwhelming despair made her reckless. “Ma’am, I have a right to know who filed this complaint and submitted the video evidence.”
The stranger opened his mouth, but the captain stood up, cutting him off. “Your suspension originated at the top of the food chain.” Her precise enunciation was razor sharp and the look she leveled at Aubrey was a warning to stop arguing. “You’re dismissed.”
Aubrey left the precinct feeling numb and disconnected. It was as if she’d been trapped in an impenetrable bubble, unable to interact or engage with anyone. If this had come from the top of the food chain she didn’t want anyone else to get in trouble by associating with her or showing support.
If only she knew who wanted her out of here.
She walked, or more accurately, stomped, through the snow to her apartment. Once behind closed doors, she dropped into the nearest chair and let the tears fall for a few minutes. A week off sounded nice when a vacation was in the offing. A suspension wasn’t the same thing at all.
She looked up her union rep and made the call, left a message.
Next, she sent a text to Leo to check in. His reply came almost instantly, assuring her he was doing fine. Would he feel the same way when the pain meds wore off in another hour? She should follow Calvin’s advice and stay away from Leo. Stay away from Lara’s case.
Looking around her apartment, she’d be stir-crazy by noon tomorrow. Home was a haven, after her shifts. She loved the action of being a cop, keeping an eye on the people who lived and worked within her precinct.
Being seen with Leo must have been the catalyst for the captain’s hasty—forced—move. She couldn’t think of any other instance that could be considered inappropriate. The idea took root, wouldn’t let go. They’d been seen together at Pomeroy’s by the same man who’d crashed her suspension meeting. Though she hadn’t done anything wrong while talking Nicky down earlier today, the annoying stranger had been involved in that incident. The coincidences made her skin prickle. It would be interesting what the union rep shared with her when they connected.
Seven days. She could search for Lara, carefully. She could monitor Leo’s recovery and make sure he didn’t do too much too soon. She sure couldn’t sit around here and mope. In her bedroom, she pulled out a suitcase and started tossing clothing and necessities inside. Staying here was predictable and safe and she was done with that.
Odds were good Leo would let her stay over again tonight, if only because the painkillers muddled his thinking. Tomorrow, if necessary, she’d find a different place to crash. In the meantime, she planned to pick this apart until she understood who wanted her out of the precinct.
Who could wield the authority to take her off the job? And why? She wasn’t working on anything significant. Maybe that was the problem. Getting absorbed by Leo’s search for Lara must have interfered with some case that needed to be solved for one of Philly’s wealthy or influential citizens.
The closest she’d come to a victim in that demographic was Tina, whose in-laws had commended her and Leo sincerely. Bought them dinner. Had someone found out and deemed that inappropriate behavior? That had been completely out of her control.
For the life of her she couldn’t put another case into that category. Following Yancey’s example as a cop, Aubrey made a habit of knowing what was going on in her precinct at all times. Down to where the homeless camped and which bars had slacked off on the ID checks.
They hadn’t had big trouble in her precinct for months. So why would anyone high up the ladder care where she spent her personal time?
Visiting Leo’s hotel and having dinner with him across town were the only places she’d been that intersected with the type of people who had the clout to get her suspended so quickly.
Of course, that still left her wondering why anyone other than Leo cared where she spent the night. Police officers were allowed to have lives, even messy ones. So why come at her this hard?
Chapter 9
Though the limits of recovery frustrated him, Leo behaved himself for the first forty-eight hours, staying in the hotel room while Aubrey went out and searched for Lara. At first, he’d thought she was only being kind and using her time off, but when she told him about the suspension, it was a no-brainer to have her stay with him.
He owed her for everything she’d done with Lara’s case. And the list kept growing. More important, he enjoyed her company. Somehow, she kept him from feeling useless while he recovered. She gave him hope. For Lara and for himself.
To help, he continued reaching out to the people Lara had been close to, keeping an eye on her bank records and doing whatever he could remotely. That included daily conversations with Grant. Though she might not admit it, Aubrey needed someone other than her union rep working on the cause of her suspension.
Leo honored Aubrey’s request not to discuss her situation, but he didn’t like the timing of Aubrey’s dismissal. Grant had agreed with him. Just when she’d found breadcrumbs that might lead to Lara, she’d been slapped with claims of unbecoming conduct. Though he didn’t have the answers yet, he was determined to find a way to help Aubrey beat the suspension.
As he regained his strength, he ventured farther from the room. The day he walked around the block, with Aubrey’s supervision, he might as well have won a gold medal. Back in the room, before she headed out to check the area around the tracks again, he promised to take her to the hotel restaurant to celebrate.
There was no need to dress up the way they had the night after the robbery, but she looked gorgeous in a ruby-red sweater that hugged her curves, black slacks and heels that put a kick in his pulse.
“I’m almost out of vacation time,” Leo said over a pasta dinner loaded with roasted chicken and vegetables. “Unless I take a leave of absence.”
“You can do that?”
“It’s possible.” He felt trapped, staying in Philly, and he felt like a quitter when he wanted to return to Cincinnati.
“When we find Lara, what will you do?” she asked.
“Take her home.” He sipped his water. “With luck, and time, I’ll get some answers.”
“Have you heard anything from Grant?” she asked.
Her casual tone set off a warning in his head. They avoided the topic of Grant’s assistance, even though she wasn’t officially bound to the PPD this week. He planned to better respect that boundary.
“Nothing more than I shar
ed earlier.” He set down his fork. “I don’t understand how Lara continues to evade everyone except the people she wants to see.”
“Your sister is smart. We’re looking for an idealistic, fresh-faced college girl,” Aubrey said thoughtfully. “But if she looked like one, the homeless community would write her off.”
Leo bit back the curse. “Am I the only person who hasn’t thought of that?”
“It’s the only explanation that makes sense to me.” She lowered her voice. “We know she’s here. We have a handle on the area where she’s working. I’m trying to convince people we don’t want to interfere, just chat.”
He studied her face. “What good deeds did you hear about this afternoon?”
Aubrey grinned. “A food truck delivered leftovers that would normally be trashed to a camp down by the river yesterday.”
He was proud of his sister. “Maybe I should just leave her to it.” For days now he’d been trying to connect Lara’s extreme decisions and helpful acts with Aubrey’s trouble. Who could be threatened by either or both women? “The paper had an article today on housing solutions. Councilman Keller is proposing temporary tiny homes, supervised by social workers and police, of course.”
“Of course.” Aubrey swirled her pasta through sauce. “Since he first suggested it, everyone at the precinct argues about whether or not that makes anything better in the long-term.”
“What do you think?” he asked.
“Keller is a developer by trade. A good one,” she added quickly.
“But it still feels sticky to you?”
“That’s a great word. And yes, a little,” she admitted, setting down her fork. “The plan probably comes from the right place. There will always be stragglers, but the idea could be effective.”
Leo craved another bite, but he was stuffed already. He’d ask for a to-go box and take it back up to the room. “Life isn’t perfect. Some people will always struggle, either by their choices or decisions made by others.”
“The key will be getting everyone onto the right page,” she said.
“Meaning?”