Julian stood, moving close to her side. “Spending time with you never sucks, Tori,” he whispered in her ear, before moving to go back to his job.
Once Tori could feel his breath tickling her neck, the shiver ran through her body from her neck to her extremities. What the hell had she just done?
Damn it!
Part of her believed that she just let the fox back into the hen house.
* * *
Whitefox stood beside their vehicle, making an important call. It was to his brother, because they needed to take care of something big. The Christmas party was important to everyone on staff, but also to the directors. It wasn’t easy running FBI West and it was their little reward to everyone for a job well done. It wouldn’t be the same with one of them missing.
“Yeah, Cal?” answered Ethan on the fourth ring.
Callen knew his brother was ass deep in busy, but this mattered. “You need to make it home tonight for the Christmas party. Elizabeth isn't going to enjoy it without you being there.”
“I know, and I’m really working on it. I may make it to the venue, if I can catch this last flight. With the time delay, I should be golden. Gabe is letting me cut out early. Apparently, his wife demanded I be released and on the soonest flight out. He went with last possible flight to be a ball buster.”
Callen watched Elizabeth across the field. “What can I do to help you pull this off?”
“At the house is my black suit in the garment bag from our closet. Can you grab it and leave it in my office? The hotel ballroom is closer to FBI West than our house. My plane lands at six p.m. and then I can quickly dress and head there.”
“Okay, I’ll have dad drive it over. If I leave her side, Elizabeth is going to suspect something.”
“My shoes are right beneath the bag, and I have everything else. Is she still wearing red and black?” he asked, typing an email to Maddy, Gabe’s secretary. He needed to be on that flight so damn bad, he’d even flirt with Maddy.
“Yeah, as far as I know.”
“I’ll do my damn best to get there, bro. I promise. If I don’t make it, please tell her I’m there with her in her heart, and that I really tried my best.”
Callen could hear the emotion in his voice, and it touched him too. They were three peas in a pod, and shared everything including love and pain. “If you can’t make it, I promise to occupy her. I’m going to tell her you’re not making it, just in case, and plus if you do show up it’ll be a bigger surprise.”
Ethan laughed. “No sex at the venue,” he stated, unequivocally. “And don’t make her cry with tormenting her.”
“I won’t, but as for the sex,” Callen snickered. “How about we negotiate that part, and I opt for fooling around in the car ride over there?”
Blackhawk ignored him. He was well aware that Callen was trying to cheer him up.
“See you tonight, Ethan.”
“Absolutely.”
Detective Cyra Austin stayed relatively close to the remains and Doctor Leonard. The man entertained her. He was funny and incredibly smart, and that she found attractive in a man.
She watched him as he spoke to the Fire Inspector Patrick Wells. They were joking around while he was reverently handling the woman’s remains. It was obvious that he’d done this many times before. It was as if his brain was on autopilot and acting independently.
Cyra dated many cops in her life, and each experience had been an unmitigated disaster. Yet, she couldn’t help but be intrigued by the ME. He was tall, and that she appreciated, since so was she. Shorter men tended to be intimidated by her height. He had the warmest smile and caring brown eyes. His sandy hair tended to stand up in spots from running his hands through it while working. Then there were the glasses. They just made her grin.
She was forced to focus as the men looked over at her. “I’m sorry, I was lost in thought,” she said softly.
“I asked if you were joining us in autopsy, Detective,” repeated Chris Leonard. Every time he looked at her, he hoped it wasn’t with some stupid look on his face. Then again chances are it was. Around women he was socially inept and knew it.
“Yes I am, Doctor Leonard.”
He smiled at her. “It won’t be for a while, but we’ll see you there,” he stated, as he motioned for his tech team to get the body loaded up. “Lyzee, we’re heading in with the body.”
She crossed the field to his side. “When’s the start time?”
“She’s still hot, so I don’t want to cut into her body just yet. I was planning on letting the techs do trace and then put her in the cooler until the internal temperature was normal. She’s cooking and I need to stop any further damage to the organs.”
“Give me a time. I have strip clubs to hit up.”
Doctor Leonard thought about it. “Later this afternoon and possibly early evening.”
Elizabeth did something she didn’t usually do. It was time to cut the team a break. “Do the trace and then do the cutting tomorrow morning.”
He looked at her like she lost her mind. “Uh sure, but can I ask why?”
“Tonight’s the Christmas party, and I don’t want you having to miss it to do an autopsy. This is priority one and we’re all working tomorrow on Christmas Eve, but tonight is about a job well done and celebrating life.”
Chris Leonard smiled. “You are definitely not bad ass like the world believes, and you’re a really great boss.”
Elizabeth offered him a fist bump. “Put her in the chiller and then get yourself ready for the holiday party.” She walked away, doing what she believed her husband would have done had he been there. While she would have pushed them all hard, Ethan tended to be the easy going one on the troops. It was Christmas, and the killer likely wouldn’t be dropping another victim for a few days.
Tonight was about the living.
Chris watched her walk away, and jogged back over to the detective. “The autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow morning instead, Detective Austin.”
“I’ll see you then,” she answered, going to walk away.
“Cyra, wait!” Chris figured he’d go for it, and what’s the worst she could do? Laugh at him?
She turned at her name, surprised he’d used it. “Yes?”
Chris moved closer and dropped his voice, if he was going to get denied, then he’d prefer the entire tech team not hear it. “Tonight’s our Christmas party; by any chance would you like to attend with me?”
Cyra absolutely wanted to go with him. “I’d love to, Doctor. What do I wear?” she inquired, grinning at him.
“Uh, girl things?” he answered, unsure what a woman needed to wear to the festivities.
She laughed because he was completely funny, nerdy and charming. “I’ll ask Elizabeth. Text me the time and the address,” Cyra said, pulling out one of her work cards, and writing her personal number on the back.
Chris believed that this had to be a joke. The most beautiful woman in the world just agreed to be his date. This was monumental. “Seriously, you're going with me?”
Now she moved a step closer and looked up into his eyes. “I’m dead serious.” Cyra took the opportunity to escape.
Chris watched the detective walk away. “Dead I get, beautiful women not so much.”
* * *
Elizabeth leaned back in her desk chair, dropping her booted feet on the corner of her desk. It was something she did out of habit when she wanted to think. Staring up at the whiteboard, she was slipping in and out of focus, as she stared at all of the women’s pictures.
It was only a matter of time before they got a clue as to who these women were, and how the killer picked them for his sick game.
“Lyzee, are you okay?” asked Callen. He’d excused himself for a few minutes to call his father and arrange for transport of his suit for the night. Then he informed Ginny, telling her of the surprise Ethan was working on for Elizabeth. All the bases were now covered and if his brother arrived on time, it was handled.
She glanced ove
r at Callen. “Yeah, I’m just staring at the board and trying to figure out a profile.”
“No luck?”
Elizabeth simply laughed. “I’m not a profiler for a reason. Ethan gets into their minds, I just kick their asses.”
“He’ll be home before long and you’ll be able to pick his brain all you want. In fact, he loves when you do it.”
She grinned at him. “The rest of the team should be assembling in,” she looked at her watch, “ten minutes. Want to join me for a coffee break, Mr. Whitefox?” she offered, standing and holding out her hand for him.
“I can think of other things I’d rather do than get a coffee,” he whispered, meeting her lips with his, and enjoying the moment of privacy they were able to share.
“Mmmmm,” she mumbled against his mouth, as she let him drive the kiss. When he broke away, she looked lovingly up into his eyes. “Truly excellent oral skills, ace.”
Callen laughed. “Wait until later when we’re home alone,” he winked lecherously. “You still wearing red tonight,” he questioned, taking her hand in his and twining fingers.
“Planning on it, why?” she asked, suspiciously.
Whitefox led her to the door. “I just wanted to color coordinate with you.”
At the door, she released his hand. Kissy-face and touchy-feely wasn’t permitted in the workplace, unless they were strictly alone. Sometimes she’d bend the rules, but usually Elizabeth held fast and strong. They already skirted her comfort zone as it was with office public displays of office affection. When the door was closed it was one thing, but in front of the minions, not going to happen. This was the damn FBI and not a social club. Now tonight was going to be a whole other ballgame.
“Since when do we color coordinate?” she inquired, leading him to the coffee area. “That’s something Ethan would say to me, but never you. Are you channeling your inner fashion expert?”
Callen laughed and dropped money into the vending machine. “I think I can manage to dress accordingly for a company Christmas party.” He picked a package of cookies and watched it drop.
Elizabeth poured two cups of coffee. One regular for him and when he was distracted with retrieving his sugary snack, decaf for her. “I’m not saying you can’t do it or shouldn’t. I’m just saying it’s not like you to use those words.”
Callen turned and offered her the second cookie in his package. “Maybe I feel bad because Ethan won’t be here for it.”
“Oh, you spoke to him?” Elizabeth had been so busy that she forgot about calling him that morning. The overwhelming disappointment slammed into her. “Is he okay? I’m sure he has to be upset.” Elizabeth knew she was that he wasn’t coming in time.
Then it hit her!
Ethan didn’t take the meetings to bail on the paperwork. He did it so she’d be the one home for the party and not away from everyone and lonely. Suddenly, Elizabeth’s heart went all mushy for the man. More great guy karma fell all over her.
“He’s not going to pull it off.” Yeah, he was messing with her, because he had no doubt his brother would be there. Neither man liked to let her down, and especially on Christmas. Callen would bet this year’s salary that his brother would move heaven and earth for her.
“When’s he getting home?” She owed him big time.
“Tomorrow morning.” It was hard to not laugh. “Am I not enough in the date department?” he asked. “I think I’m getting a complex here.”
Elizabeth bit into the chocolate chip cookie, and chewed slowly, pretending to contemplate the answer.
“Hey! Come on!” Now he was worried.
Elizabeth started laughing. “Cal, you’re more than enough. I just like to have my Native eye candy at hand for social functions.”
“Give me my damn cookie back,” he demanded, trying to pull it out of her hand.
Elizabeth walked towards her office and turned licking the cookie to mark her food territory. “Over my cold dead body, ace. You offered it up, and now you're out of luck.”
Whitefox shook his head, laughing. “If you honestly believe that you licking a cookie will deter me, consider this; I make out with you all the time. Saliva isn’t intimidating, especially when it’s on something with chocolate chips.”
“I hope you hear what you’re saying,” Elizabeth pointed at him, and then winked. “It’s sick and twisted.”
In her office Detective Austin sat with her notebook open on her lap as she was transcribing information from the white board.
“Hello, Detective Austin.”
“Director, I mean Elizabeth,” she corrected herself.
Elizabeth sat. “If you want coffee, now’s the time to go get some. We’ll be heading out soon.” She placed her coffee down, and the half-eaten cookie on top of it.
“Thanks, I’m good.” Then she thought about it. “Can I ask you a question not related to work?” Cyra asked.
Elizabeth shrugged, glancing over at Callen. She was pretty sure where this was going. “If I can answer it I will.”
“Doctor Leonard asked me to go to the company party tonight with him, and he didn’t know what I should wear.”
That caught her off guard. She was honestly expecting a personal question related to her and the men in her life. “It’s semi-formal.” Elizabeth was impressed Doc had the balls to ask Cyra, and she was even happier the woman accepted.
“Thank you,” she said, leaning back in her chair.
There was that awkward silence that filled a room, and Elizabeth didn’t know why. “What are you thinking about now?” questioned Elizabeth.
“Honestly, what to wear. Nothing more.” That wasn’t exactly true. She was wondering which man would be accompanying the director to the party.
Elizabeth let it slide, because she’d been around people that lied all the time, and Cyra wasn’t speaking the complete truth. “Do you need some time to get ready for tonight?” she asked.
This time Cyra looked at her watch. “Possibly. Why?”
“Instead of going to the strip clubs, what if I got you copies of the facial reconstructions, and you took them over to vice for them to check out. Then you can cut out and get ready for the night.”
“Are you sure?”
Elizabeth was very sure. “There’s only six clubs. With two teams, it won’t take us long at all.”
“Okay, I can do that. I want to avoid seeing my partner as long as possible. He’s going to be steamed that he was booted from the police scene.”
“Is he going to make your job harder?”
Cyra laughed at that, since it couldn’t really get any more difficult. “That is a possibility.”
Before she could ask further questions, there was a knock at the door, and Tori sauntered in, Julian right behind her.
“Looks like we’re all here,” she said, picking up the phone and calling out to Ginny.
“Yes, Mrs. B?” answered the woman.
“We’re going out in the field shortly. I need you to call down to tech and get the facial reconstructions that Tony Magnus’s people did on the first five victims.”
“Absolutely.”
“I need three copies of each one for the separate teams going out, and I need them soon.”
“On it,” she said, disconnecting the call.
Elizabeth pulled out two sheets of paper, passing one to Julian and Tori, and handing the other to Callen. “You two take the top three, and we’ll take the bottom three. Take the photos in and show them around. Our victim three has a name, but since stripping is mostly under the table, we need to find out if she worked the clubs, or the streets.”
“What do you want us to do after we clear the three clubs?” asked Tori.
“Well, I’m going to make a wild speculation here and assume that Julian was referring to you as his date to the party?” Elizabeth asked.
Tori looked over at Julian. “Apparently, I am.”
He laughed at the look of horror on her face. “You’d swear I was taking her to some medieval t
orture chamber.”
Elizabeth glanced over at Callen. “I told you that was the theme we should have gone with, not that whole ‘winter wonderland’ crap. Devices of torture FBI agents get, but snowflakes and crystals are a mystery.”
Callen just shook his head. “God forbid we not have weapons at the company party.”
“Not even in my purse?” she asked, horrified. “But what if I have to shoot a waiter or put down one of our own?” she teased.
Tori laughed. “I vote that we bring weapons. This girly crap is lost on me too.”
Elizabeth stood and offered her a fist bump. “Amen!”
Now it was Detective Austin’s turn. “Don’t look at me, ladies. I love getting dressed up and prefer girly crap to bad ass boys club bull shit.”
She was honestly appalled. “Callen, how much trouble if I shoot a local officer?” she asked, laughing. “What if I said that she lost her mind and needed to be put down?”
Callen thought about it. “Was she frothing at the mouth at the time of the conversation?”
She laughed. “Yes. Again, how much trouble?”
“It wouldn’t be too bad. It’s expected from you,” replied Callen, keeping a straight face.
Ginny came to the door with copies, interrupting them. “I’m ready Mrs. B.” She waved them in the air.
“Okay, I’ll take that as my hint to leave,” said Cyra. “See you all tonight in heels and makeup.” Somehow she wondered if Elizabeth Blackhawk would even take that route or show up in boots and jeans.
“Come on, Tori. I have things to do after we’re done,” said Julian, taking their copies and leading her out the door. “Okay, but you have to drop me back at the house since you drove.”
Elizabeth watched everyone leave and was smiling.
“What are you thinking, Lyzee?” he inquired.
“Nothing,” she answered. It looked like love was blossoming in their office again.
“Come on, spill it.”
Elizabeth shrugged. “Sometimes, I’m glad that I can be such a romantic.”
Fire Burns Hot ((An FBI/ Romance Thriller~ (Book 5))) Page 17