Seduced by the Badge

by Deborah Fletcher Mello

  The brothers all laughed.

  “Seriously,” Simone continued. “That would surely be a lawsuit waiting to happen!”

  “Give me some credit, Simone,” Armstrong muttered.

  A look swept around the table, the siblings all breaking out in laughter.

  “What?” Armstrong said, feeling genuinely confused.

  “You know what?” Vaughan asked. “I think Simone’s referring to that last lawsuit against you. What was her name? Kandi Kane?”

  Armstrong rolled his eyes. “Kandyce was an informant. And nothing happened between me and that girl. Nothing.”

  “It’s your lie,” Simone countered. “Tell it any way you want.”

  “I think the paternity test proved my innocence.”

  “That paternity test proved Kandi Kane got around and you were not her baby’s daddy. The rest has yet to be disproved.”

  “Whatever!” Armstrong snipped. He shook his head. Despite his continued protests that he hadn’t slept with that woman, rumors about them persisted. His sisters were champing at the bit for a hint of spilled tea and it annoyed them to no end that he refused to give them anything. They pushed, hoping to trip him up, and he rarely, if ever, fell for their antics. He pulled a chilled mug of Heineken to his lips and slowly savored the drink.

  Davis changed the subject. “So what’s she like?”

  “Who?”

  “Your new partner. What’s her name?”

  There was a pause as Armstrong collected his thoughts. The question was simple, but he instinctively knew more were coming and he had to decide just how much he intended to share. “Her name’s Danni,” he finally answered. “Danni Winstead.”

  “She has quite the reputation,” Parker said, filling them in on the highlights of Danni’s résumé.

  Armstrong picked up where his brother left off. “She’s smart and quick. So far, I’m really impressed.”

  “So when do we get to meet her?” Vaughan asked.

  “Why do you people need to meet her?” Armstrong asked.

  The two sisters both shot him a look, their expressions practically identical. His brothers laughed, also turning their gazes on Armstrong.

  He shook his head. “She’s joining us for family dinner on Sunday.”

  Simone and Vaughan exchanged a glance. “You’re bringing her to meet the parents?” they asked in unison.

  Mingus tossed his hands up. “Pop the popcorn now,” he quipped as he rubbed his palms together.

  Armstrong laughed. “Don’t scare this woman away, please. I do have to work with her.”

  Davis chuckled. “Is that what they call it now? Work?”

  “What are you implying?”

  Another round of looks passed between them all.

  “He’s not implying anything,” Ellington said. “He’s saying you’ve had partners before, but this is the first time you’ve ever invited one to meet the parents at Sunday dinner.”

  “In his defense,” Mingus said, “he has had people he’s worked with who have come to family events.”

  “But it was Mom or Dad who actually extended the invitation,” Simone countered.

  “That’s true,” Davis added. He chuckled. “Sounds to me like this Danni Winstead might be a very special lady.”

  Armstrong gulped down the last of his beer and gestured for a second round. He didn’t bother to comment, seeing no need to add that Danni Winstead was in a class by herself. Special didn’t begin to describe her.

  * * *

  After a quick shower, Armstrong settled down on his chenille sofa with a James Patterson book and a bag of his favorite Jelly Belly jelly beans. The late-night news played softly on the television set, the weatherman updating the audience on the threat of a potential storm. There was a slight chill in the air, and he pulled a wool blanket up around his chest. He’d had a great time with his siblings, and the good-natured ribbing he’d taken reminded him once again of those things that were most important to him. He loved his family, and they loved him back.

  He’d been disappointed when Danni had declined his invitation, but being with his brothers and his sisters had moved him well past the pinch to his ego. Despite his best efforts to keep his mind distracted, he still wondered about her, curiosity questioning what she might be doing. There was much he didn’t know about Danni, and his wanting to discover what moved her heart and motivated her spirit compelled him to want to spend time with her to learn everything he could.

  What he did know was that she took what she was doing seriously. She had done her research, asking the right questions of people in the know, and it had taught her that human traffickers preyed on women and girls who were vulnerable or easily impressed and manipulated. Young girls in tenuous family situations or who were rebelliously defiant were often targeted. Innocence and naïveté were desirable traits. She’d taken that knowledge and created a persona that she could easily wear when necessary. Undercover, she was Danni, a girl who was barely eighteen and not particularly savvy to the ways of the world. Innocent and curious, even slightly desperate for friendship and acceptance. And just as swiftly, she could become Danni the cop, highly decorated, well respected and determined to be the best police officer possible.

  Armstrong shifted his body lower against the sofa pillows. He was curious to know more about her personal life. Was there someone back in Atlanta waiting for her to return? Someone she might be missing? Had she wanted to return to the hotel to spend time sharing the story of what she was going through with someone special to her? To maybe complain about him and his management skills? There was much he didn’t know about her, and he looked forward to the opportunity to ask about those things that made her who she was.

  He popped a handful of the sugary candy into his mouth as he turned the page on the bestseller in his lap. Two chapters in he realized he couldn’t remember a word he’d read, thoughts of Danni Winstead still on his mind.

  Chapter 6

  The next morning Armstrong met Danni at the conference room door. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning,” she said, once again surprised to see him at the station, particularly since she wasn’t expecting him so early.

  “Drop your stuff and meet me in the basement,” he said.

  “The basement?”

  “Yeah, it’s on the bottom floor of the building,” he said sarcastically as he swept past her. “Just push the down button on the elevator.”

  Danni rolled her eyes skyward as he laughed. “Do I have time to grab a cup of coffee?” she asked, her eyes following him down the hallway.

  He nodded. “Make it a small cup,” he answered before disappearing around the corner.

  Minutes later Danni stood with him in the police station’s shooting range. There were ten pistol lanes in the sound-insulated space. He passed her a pair of tactical shooting glasses and a set of Howard Leight earmuffs. “You’re past due on your recertification,” he said. “How often do you train?”

  “At least twice per month with my personal weapon. Maybe once per month with my duty gun.”

  “That’s a lot. Is that a state mandate in Georgia?”

  “We’re required to attend a one-hour training class for firearm recertification each year and a one-hour class for the use of deadly force.”

  “That’s the norm for most states. I tend to train more also. I think it’s necessary to help an officer make proper deadly-force decisions on the job.”

  Danni gave him a slight smile as he led her into one of the classrooms toward the back of the large space.

  “Let’s get started,” Armstrong said. “This will more than fulfill all of your state requirements.”

  For the next two hours the duo and three other officers were retrained on their firearms. The instructor, a large man with a Grizzly Adams beard, took them through the usual range topic
s. They discussed low light and judgmental or decision-making shooting, shooting while moving to cover, one-hand firing, giving verbal challenges, firing from an officer-down position and engaging multiple targets. He also took them through the paces of clearing weapon stoppages with either hand, drills that simulated weapon malfunctions, emergency tactical reloading and the manipulation of safeties.

  * * *

  When they were done in the classroom they moved to the firing lane for target practice. Armstrong was impressed with her expertise. She was a skilled shooter, leaving a perfect half-inch grouping of holes in the center mast of the target practice silhouette.

  “Nice job,” he said as he sent a second target sheet down to the other end of the lane. “Tighten your stance a bit more, though,” he offered. “But don’t lock your knees. You need the flexibility.”

  Danni nodded. “Okay,” she said as she prepped her gun and aimed.

  He stepped in behind her, so close that she could feel the heat from his body mingling sweetly with her own. The moment suddenly had her anxious, her next shot missing its mark.

  “You okay?” he questioned.

  Her head bobbed fervently. “I’m fine.”

  He slipped a large hand beneath her elbow. “You need to raise your arm just a fraction, then aim and fire. You’ll hit him in the heart every time,” he said, stepping back out of her space.

  Danni took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a split second to regain her composure. When she reopened them she focused on her target, took aim and emptied the clip in her weapon.

  When they were done, Armstrong lauded her skills. “Very nice shooting, Detective.”

  “Thank you.”

  “How are you going to arm yourself tonight?” he asked. “Have you thought about it?”

  Danni nodded. “It’ll all depend on the dress Ginger wants me to wear. I hope to wear a thigh holster. But if that doesn’t work, I have other options.”

  For a split second Armstrong found himself imagining where those options might be found on her body. He shook the thoughts from his head and continued. “You’ll have two teams trailing you tonight. One will leave with you from the coffee shop. The other will already be in place outside the Balducci home when you get there. I’ll be there, too. If you get into any trouble, you push the button,” he said, a hand reaching out to toy with the necklace around her neck.

  Danni nodded as she took a step back to widen the gap between them. “Any other advice?”

  “Yeah,” he said as he stared directly into her eyes. “Don’t get into any trouble.”

  * * *

  “What the hell are you wearing?” Ginger asked, eyeing Danni with amusement.

  Danni looked down to see what her new friend was seeing. Her undergarments looked like they were government issued: oversize, stark white cotton that loosely fit her petite frame. She’d bought them earlier that morning, not wanting her personal wardrobe of satin and lace to deflect from the cover story she’d created.

  “What?” Her eyes graced the length of her body down to the floor and back. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

  “Have you ever heard of Victoria’s Secret? It looks like you’re wearing my sister’s clothes, and she’s only eight.”

  “No one is going to see my underwear.”

  “You sure about that?”

  Danni’s eyes widened. “I’m positive!”

  She stepped into the dress Ginger was holding out for her. It was a simple shift dress with split sleeves in a vibrant shade of green that complemented her warm complexion nicely. It stopped just at her knees and was nothing like she’d anticipated. The look was cute and fresh and gave her a girl-next-door appearance. She’d been expecting short, tight and inappropriate and was pleasantly surprised.

  The other woman shook her head. “You’re going to have to lose the bra. The straps show, and that’s not cute.”

  “I don’t think this is a good idea,” Danni said.

  “Don’t be a baby. It’s going to be fine.”

  Danni took a deep breath as she undid the straps to her brassiere and slipped her arms out of it. Ginger reached behind her to zip the dress closed. “Now, that is so cute on you!”

  Danni smiled. “It’s not bad.”

  “And it matches your necklace,” Ginger said, trailing a finger across the jeweled cross. “That’s pretty. Where’d you get it?”

  Danni instinctively drew a protective hand to the charm. “My grandmother gave it to me before she died.”

  “Well, it works, so I don’t have to loan you anything.”

  Ginger pulled at the scrunchie that held Danni’s hair in a loose ponytail. She brushed the thick strands loose and reached for the curling iron she’d plugged into the electrical outlet.

  Minutes later Danni didn’t recognize herself. Her hair was full and lush with loose waves, and Ginger had applied the barest layer of foundation and a light coat of mascara to her face.

  “Pius said you were a beauty,” Ginger muttered, admiring her handiwork. “I see why he likes you. That’s a good thing.”

  “Really? He did?”

  Ginger shrugged, her expression shifting. “We should go. Stay close to me tonight. It’ll be fun.”

  Danni grabbed the woman’s arm. “He doesn’t expect me to...well...” She deliberately hesitated, her eyes dancing back and forth.

  Ginger stared at her. “It’s a party! No one expects you to do anything but have a good time. What’s wrong with you?”

  “Sorry. I wasn’t sure if he expected me to work or something.”

  “That’s not how Pius operates his business.”

  Danni pretended to blow a sigh of relief, relaxing so that the tension eased from her face. Staying in character sometimes required her to feign emotion she didn’t necessarily feel. The challenge came with balancing how she truly felt with the lie she needed to tell and making it all appear natural. She reached for her bra and the clothes she’d discarded, rolling them up to fit into her backpack. As she tucked them inside her fingers grazed her service weapon, hidden in a bottom compartment.

  “Are you a virgin?” Ginger suddenly asked, the question throwing Danni off guard.

  She felt her cheeks tint a deep shade of red. “What? Why?”

  “Are you?”

  Danni swallowed hard before nodding. Another lie rolled easily out of her mouth. “Yes.”

  Ginger paused before responding. “That makes you a prime catch,” she finally said, a slight smile lifting the corners of her mouth. “You’re going to have to make the boys work for it. There are men who will pay a premium to be your first.”

  “I wish I had your confidence.”

  “What I have are survival skills. They will take you farther than confidence ever will.”

  * * *

  Stepping out of the restroom, Danni felt a wave of anxiety wash over her. The list of things that could go wrong was lengthy, and she’d been playing a game of what-if in her head. The most pressing were what if she messed up and blew her cover? What if she blew the case, destroying months of hard work and effort? If that happened, would she be able to recover and come back from that? Would Detective Black be disappointed that he had trusted her?

  She took a deep breath, hoping that everyone else saw that anxiety as her just being nervous about going to a party. As she moved into the space, Pie and his brother were in a deep discussion, Carlo waving his index finger to make a point. Their voices were hushed, and the conversation was cut short as everyone seemed to suddenly be staring at her. Danni’s gaze skated around the room before focusing back on Carlo. She forced a smile onto her face as he turned to stare.

  “Wow!” he exclaimed, moving toward her.

  “Is it too much?” she whispered.

  “You’re gorgeous,” he said softly.

  “Thank
you,” Ginger said, grinning broadly. “I do really good work!”

  Danni laughed. “Ginny works miracles!”

  He reached for her hand, his warm palm caressing the back of her fingers. “No miracles were needed here. You’re a true beauty!”

  Danni’s smile widened. She took a deep breath. “Will you be coming to your brother’s party?”

  Carlo shook his head. “I may stop by after I finish up here, but like I told you, this isn’t a crowd you really want to get caught up with. Why don’t you let me take you to dinner instead?”

  Ginger rolled her eyes skyward as she grabbed Danni’s arm and tugged. “He’s a party pooper. Let’s go have some fun!” she exclaimed as she positioned her body between the two of them. “Don’t let him scare you off!”

  Danni laughed again. “Who’s scared?”

  Carlo shook his head. “One day all of you are going to figure out I know what I’m talking about,” he said. He shifted his stance so that he stood facing her. They locked gazes. “Ginny has my number. If things get out of hand and you need a friend, you call me.”

  “She’ll be fine,” Ginger interjected. “I’ll take good care of her.”

  Carlo gave her a look. “You better,” he said, the teasing in his tone suddenly turning serious. “If anything happens to her, I’m not going to be happy,” he stated.

  Danni grinned. “Thank you,” she said. “But I’ll be fine.”

  “Let’s go,” Pie snapped, seeming annoyed with their conversation.

  “Happy birthday, Pie,” Carlo said as the other man stomped toward the door.

  “Yeah,” Pie answered before disappearing out the entrance.

  “It’s his birthday?” Danni exclaimed, her eyes darting from Ginger to Carlo and back. “He doesn’t seem happy about it.”

  Ginger nodded. “He’s never happy about anything,” she said. She and Carlo exchanged a look. “Let’s go,” she said.

  With one last glance toward Carlo, Danni smiled and followed after the woman.

  * * *

  The sprawling Wicker Park estate was not at all what Danni was expecting. From the back seat of the BMW, she tried not to let her expression show her surprise. She wanted to say something, but neither Pie nor Ginger had spoken during their ride. She had tried unsuccessfully to draw them both into conversation, only to have him glare at her with annoyance. To say the moment was uncomfortable was an understatement. As they pulled up in front of the fenced property, she found herself glad for the loud music and noisy chatter that emanated out of the brick-front home.