“GREEN. Nice of you to finally join us,” Winters grunted, his eyes on the glass panes of his office door. They were still intact. “Take a seat.”
Take a seat? So Winters wanted her to sit down so he could hand her case over to someone else? Was he kidding? Genie’s hands found her hips. She tried to count to ten but only made it to three. “You called me in so you could reassign my case?” Just hearing the words out loud sent an angry fire whipping through her veins. “You could have done that at the scene, or better yet, picked up the phone and called. Would’ve saved yourself a trip.”
Winters held up a hand for her to stop. “Green—”
“Sir, this is my case.”
“Green, we have a visitor.” He gestured across his desk, indicating someone else was in the room with them.
Her eyes focused on the man who sat opposite her boss. Reclining in a chair, he sat legs spread wide, hands locked behind his head. He looked as if he were enjoying the view.
He had ten seconds to wipe that smirk off his face… and get rid of the dimples, too.
Her anger, boiling over from what she had just overheard, quickly ebbed away, replaced by something foreign. The man who sat just two feet away from where she stood, the man threatening to take away her investigation, was none other than…
“Rafael Santiago,” she breathed.
This was an impossibility. An incredibly tantalizing and inconvenient impossibility. She knew only one Rafael Santiago. He was a well-known delinquent in high school and on a first-name basis with the truant officer. A third of the infamous Santiago brothers, Rafa was the lothario of the trio. Although his older and younger brothers were equally good-looking, most of the girls flocked to Rafa… even Genie — in her dreams.
He reminded her too much of Jeff Butler. Her almost-fiancé from college. The man who broke her heart more than five years ago. Genie blinked back a surprising rush of hot tears. She hadn’t thought of Jeff in years. Her heart was healed. Wasn’t it? The thought of being matched up with another philandering Casanova — even if it was only business — was nothing, right?
Rafa stood, his grin broadening, his dimples deepening. “Ms. Green—”
“Detective Green.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
She refused to notice how well he filled out his dark blazer. And had he always been this tall? It must be the hair. It hadn’t changed in more than ten years. Still thick, dark, and full of stretched ringlets. Genie faced the supervisory officer for her precinct.
Winters flashed her a sheepish grin. “Santiago, could you excuse us for a minute? I’m afraid my detective feels I owe her an explanation.”
“That would be nice,” Genie muttered under her breath. She caught the disapproving eye of her boss. “Sorry, sir.”
“Not a problem,” Rafa said. “I’ll be waiting in the hall.”
Genie didn’t watch him walk out. She waited until the door clicked before launching into her offense. “Sir, I’ve already done all the legwork for this case. After Franco finishes up at the crime scene, I’m certain new leads will develop.”
“Green—”
“From those leads I’m expecting to identify a suspect.”
“Green, enough.” Winters held up both palms.
He eyed her suspiciously. Heat burned the back of her neck. Genie palmed her forehead, moisture wetting her hand. Why did his appraisal make her feel guilty?
“I know how big this case is… how big it could be. This is the kind of case that could make or break someone’s career.”
Genie couldn’t deny the thought had crossed her mind. She felt for the families of the victims. She would never wish someone to die so her career could thrive, but she was a cop and people died all the time. Sometimes under suspicious circumstances. The victims needed an advocate and Genie enjoyed filling that role. A by-product of her hard work was a promotion. A natural progression.
“You’re gunnin’ for my job with this case, aren’t you?”
Genie flushed. “Sir… I, ah—”
Winters waved a hand to excuse her shock and sat back in his chair, an amused smile on his face. Genie swallowed her embarrassment. She didn’t necessarily want his job, but she did desire an accommodation that could one day lead to her running her own shop. This was just the case to make it happen.
“Sir, I’m not going to take your place.”
“Ha! Of course you’re not. You have a long way to go.”
Genie’s embarrassment suddenly vanished. She kept her lips tightly sealed to stop the rush of defensive words.
“Genie, take a seat.”
She dropped into the chair previously occupied by Rafa and flung her right leg over her left. She was in for a lecture, no doubt, and would have to keep her temper in check. Not only did it get her into trouble but it also meant she wore her emotions on her sleeves. She hadn’t wanted her boss to guess her ambitions for management… not yet.
“How’s the investigation of the Snake Murders going?”
The Snake Murders. Pet name for her case of now four unsolved murders. The victims were stabbed five times, the wounds in the pattern of what seemed to be a snake. So far? Still unsolved. But didn’t Winters say he had information that would break the case?
“I have a few leads I’m working on, but nothing concrete. I’m waiting on the results of the interdepartmental agency search for leads on this type of modus operandi.”
The chief sat back in his chair, a look of mischief crossing his features. Genie’s spine hardened. If he had planned a pop quiz on how to run an investigation, then bring it on. She knew every detail of the case like the back of her hand. Whatever challenge the lieutenant had she could meet it.
“Good. Sounds good.”
Wait, what? Genie blinked. No challenge? Winters never backed down from an opportunity to pummel his detectives with questions. She always thought it stemmed from an issue with trust or maybe he missed running investigations himself. Either way, they were grilled relentlessly and for the first time, nothing. Genie decided to take his mercy in stride. She relaxed a little, shifting in her chair until her rear and her back were comfortable. Threading her fingers through her tight ponytail, she waited for her boss to continue.
Winters casually picked up his coffee mug and took a sip. He let out a satisfied “ah” before setting it back down on his desk. “I’m assigning you a partner.”
Genie froze. She had hoped he was kidding. Partner? She didn’t need a partner. Franco was already at the crime scene ruining things. She didn’t need anyone else, and hadn’t for a long time. Ever since college, she worked hard to graduate at the top of her class in the police academy and then put on the rank of detective in half the time it would have taken any other officer. She was perfectly capable of handling her cases all on her own.
“Sir, I’m happy to work with whomever you want, but I assure you, I have the case under control,” she stated firmly.
“Oh, I know you do.”
“You do?”
“Sure. I don’t doubt your abilities, Detective.” He smiled, genuine praise in his eyes.
“Okay…” That pleased her. No matter how bristled her boss seemed, he always had the backs of his officers.
“But you may need someone with intimate knowledge of the case.”
“What?” Genie sat upright, her hands gripping the armrests. “With all due respect, sir, as the lead detective, I’m the only one with intimate knowledge of the case. Sure, the Bureau is aware of the case, but they have yet to take the lead. I don’t need any help.”
“You don’t?”
Genie detected a look of disbelief in her boss’ eyes. But a smile played at the corners of his mouth. A chill shot right through her. There was something he hadn’t mentioned yet, something Genie was sure she wouldn’t like. Did he already have someone in mind? She worked fairly well with the other detectives in the squad. She wouldn’t have any serious personality issues with any of them. Except Franco. But all of them, like her, were bogged down w
ith a heavy caseload. She could only imagine her partner’s frustration when he or she discovered they'd have to divide their time on yet another case. With few leads to go on, the investigation left her dispirited; having to deal with tensions from another officer would slow the quality and productivity of her work. Her boss had to listen to reason.
He can’t mean Santiago…
“No,” Genie said emphatically. “Besides,” she relaxed her tone, “it would take a while to bring a new detective up to speed. I don’t have time to waste doing that. We could be looking at a serial killer here and I need to spend my time solving the case and not lecturing on it.” If Springfield did have a serial killer, time would be short for the next victim. The previous four were killed mere days apart. “Just allow me to work on the case my way. A partner would slow me down and no one in this office has any time to devote to another case.”
Throughout her entire monologue, Genie got the feeling her boss was only half listening. The bored look in his eye as he sipped his coffee, the glance at his computer screen when it chimed indicating an incoming email. He even motioned to someone outside the office to come in. She gave him his due respect, but what about hers? If I said I could handle it, then I can handle it!
Lieutenant Winters cleared his throat. “Don’t think of it as a partner per se, more like a consultant.”
Genie’s brows furrowed. “A consultant?” Who else knew about her investigation? This was the first case of its type in their district. Her boss wouldn’t discuss intimate details of the case with someone not directly connected. Yet, if there was someone who had fresh information about the crimes, she couldn’t exactly refuse the assistance.
“You said you know everything about this case, right?” He eyed her with uncertainty.
“Right.” Genie lifted her chin a degree higher. “I’m the resident expert here. It’s my case.”
“And you mentioned it might have something to do with the La Cocina Dulce restaurant chain which, correct me if I’m wrong,” he repositioned his girth in the chair, “has a location out in San Diego?”
Where was he going with this? He didn’t take his eyes off her, leaning forward in his chair like a cat ready to pounce on unsuspecting prey. Genie nodded but the baby hairs on her neck stood up. “Yes, sir. The other location is being investigated for possible money laundering. I’m having the financial unit look into that as we speak. But like I said, I’m waiting on the results of the agency search. I’ve been at the scene so I haven’t had time to get an update on the search.”
“You’ve been to San Diego?”
Genie fought an eye roll. Of course not; he knew that. If there was one thing Lieutenant Larry Winters didn’t like, it was his people taking expensive trips anywhere. He'd sooner call the department halfway around the country and have them run the case there before he dipped into his budget to send one of his own. State budget cuts did not afford them the luxury of pursuing “frivolous trips,” as Winters described some of them.
“No, sir, I haven’t been.”
“Then you don’t know the case out there.”
Genie’s lips thinned into a tight smile. What case? “Only that the initial hit I received before I left last night mentioned an inquiry concerning money laundering for a restaurant out there. No murders, yet. No clear connection. Besides, two restaurants is not exactly a chain.”
“Not exactly. Ah, come in!” Winters motioned for someone to take a seat. “Sorry about that, Santiago.”
“You can just call me ‘Rafa.’”
Genie sucked in a breath. Santiago! Genie turned her head slightly, her mouth agape. Did he have something to do with the restaurant in California? Rafa took the seat beside her. Genie continued to stare at him. His obsidian-colored eyes laughed at her as if he were privy to some private joke. It had been such a long time since she’d last seen him. He looked… and those dimples… no warm-blooded woman could ever forget those dimples.
Genie swallowed thickly, her mind involuntarily flashing to images of Jeff Butler. He, too, was incredibly handsome, although he did lack dimples. She had to stop thinking about Butler, and she wouldn’t even consider Rafael Santiago. Besides, her schedule left her too busy solving murder cases to be bothered by any distractions.
Genie forced the banned images from her mind and focused on yet another man who disrespected women — Rafael Santiago. She’d have to be on her guard. This was her case and she’d solve it on her own.
She could see he struggled to hide a smirk. His eyes boldly traveled up and down her form. Recognition flashed in his gaze. His long, dark lashes gave her a quick wink. Ignoring the heat creeping up her neck and into her cheeks, Genie turned, her eyes locked on the lieutenant’s chair.
He remembered her.
“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it, Genie?”
“What’s this? You two know each other?” Winter’s voice sounded a bit too pleased with that knowledge. He gave her a toothy grin.
“That’s right. We were in the same high school class. Hung in different crowds, of course.”
Genie swallowed a gasp. She didn’t want to discuss high school. With four unsolved murders, there wasn’t time to travel down memory lane. Wait, what is he doing here? Were there murders in California linking the La Cocina Dulce restaurant in Virginia to the one in California? She racked her brain for answers, not hearing her boss calling her name.
“Green!”
Genie jolted. “Sir?”
“You’re being a bit rude to a former classmate.” He gestured towards Rafa. “Aren’t you even going to say hello?”
Genie swallowed. Her neck stiff, she adjusted her position to view the man seated next to her. Rafa reclined easily in the chair, his elbows resting on the armrests, fingers intertwined. Their knees close enough for her to feel his heat. She crossed her legs away from his body. Her gaze drifted slowly up and, when her eyes met his, she read pure, unadulterated enjoyment in them. The smirk, fully visible now, added a unique angle to his already handsome square jaw.
Genie didn’t like any surprises. Not for a few years now. She used to love them; especially ones she prayed for but God chose to answer ten times more than expected. Not anymore. She had prayed for protection — for her heart — and it broke.
Here at work, she had control. But even now that was slipping. Like Jeff’s betrayal, Rafa was definitely unexpected and definitely not an answer to anything she had prayed for. Prayer. She hadn’t prayed recently… not really.
Genie tried not to recall the secret crush she had on one of Springfield’s resident bad boys. In high school, every girl wanted him, but he only chose the most beautiful, the most popular. Not a jock, but built like one due to all the fights he was in, and he never lost one. Rafa formed a small gang including his older brother Alejandro and his younger brother Ricardo, and all were habitually arrested. Why was she always attracted to the ones with questionable reputations? In fact, Jeff wasn’t bad to begin with, but later on? Irredeemable. Rafael Santiago was mischievous to the core, and it shouldn’t surprise her he'd have knowledge of criminal activities. Genie raised her head a little, giving him a tight smile.
“Mr. Santiago, nice to see you again.”
His humorous smile was devastating. “Good to see you. Again.”
Genie’s head snapped back to her boss. Hands clasped over his wide stomach, Winters sat back in his chair, amused at the exchange. Genie bristled. “Mind filling me in?” Genie asked. Winters’ eyes switched to Rafa’s.
“The Snakes.”
Rafa’s smooth baritone had her eyeing him. “I’m sorry?” she asked. “The who? What?”
A grin spread across Rafa’s features. It took all her willpower not to let her gaze linger on his full lips.
Twice now his smile caused an involuntary physical reaction from her. Is it hot in here? Genie fought the need to suck in life-saving air in the stifling office. High school ended more than a decade ago and yet the years seemed to only intensify his good looks.
Focus, Genie. Focus on what he’s saying, not on how he looks.
His smile disappeared. “The Snakes,” his voice dropped a decibel more, causing goose bumps to mark her flesh.
“What about snakes?” she pressed.
Rafa’s gaze moved from her to Winters and back. His expression darkened. “From what Lieutenant Winters told me over the phone, it sounds as if these murders are being performed by members of the Snakes. A mid-sized organization operating in San Diego, and one I’m very familiar with. They don’t actually call themselves the Snakes. It’s more of a symbol they go by.”
“We don’t have any such group here in Springfield or the greater Fairfax County,” Genie protested.
“Maybe not, but the autopsy findings could conclude we’re dealing with killings similar to those carried out by the outfit in my district.”
“Oh, have you seen our autopsy records?” Genie couldn’t help the veiled accusation that he hadn’t been privy to the records. She caught a flicker of annoyance in Rafa’s eyes. She smiled, pleased at his reaction. He may have some knowledge of who these Snakes were, but this was still her case, and she aimed to keep it that way.
“No, he hasn’t, and that’s why he’s here,” Winters interrupted. “He phoned as soon as his department got wind of the search you were conducting in the national database for more information into the killings here in Virginia. Santiago is on loan from his department to assist on this case. He’ll be shadowing you on this investigation and will give you insight into this Snakes something or another.” Winters stood up quickly for a man his size and moved towards his door.
Genie’s lower jaw slacked. She didn’t know which was worse: Franco overseeing the crime scene or having Rafa as a partner. The case could last for months… well, technically her average record from open to closure was six weeks. So she could have this arrogant, smirking, incredibly gorgeous and dimpled man for… weeks? “What? But sir…”
“Green, this case takes precedence over all others. I want this before the district attorney before the week is out.”
Before the end of the week! Jaw already on the floor, Genie could do nothing but raise her palms to the sky in utter amazement. She barely had any leads, no trace evidence, no suspects in the murders, and it was already Tuesday. Even with Rafa’s help, she doubted the culprits could be caught in the next few days. Her boss paused at his door. Genie detected a look passing between him and Rafa.
“Oh, and Green,” Winters flashed another amused grin, “I want you to give Rafa all the courtesy and respect a Springfield officer would give a fellow law-enforcement officer. Now get out of here and solve that case.” He opened the door, waiting for their departure.
Rafa smiled triumphantly. Genie’s eyes saucered. “Fellow law-enforcement officer?”
Chapter Three
Rafael (The Santiago Brothers Book One) Page 3