“Just tell me what the complaint is,” Croft demanded. “I’m really busy, and this is wasting my time. We have a killer to track down.”
She nodded. “That’s the complaint. Sawyer feels that Emma is getting all the field assignments with the FBI, solely based on the fact that she’s married to you. He’s claiming that you’re skipping over everyone else and playing favorites.”
Emma could see the tension in her husband’s face.
“Since your wife helped you with the Vegas Showgirl Killer, and the Naughty and Nice Killer, it seems a new detective should be on the rotation. We’re an equal opportunity office here, and I like to be fair.”
Rolling her eyes, Emma hoped Laden saw it. This was childish and insane. She knew her boss was big on paperwork, rotations, and other drawn out measures, where she could control freak their lives to death. Apparently, from the look of pure joy on her face, the woman got off on the power.
Chris Ford crossed his arms over his chest. “This is more than a longshot, Captain. Detective Croft, to my knowledge, is doing a good job working with the FBI. Add to that, each of your mentioned cases has been closed.”
“They have been, but that’s not saying that the other detectives couldn’t do just as good a job. All that I’m asking is that she stop getting preferential treatment because they sleep together.”
“That was way over the line,” Croft said heatedly. “If Emma wasn’t my wife, I would still prefer to work with her. She’s a damn good detective.”
Ford agreed. “Her record stands, Captain. Their personal relationship isn't in question here. There are no rules about her being married to a Fed. In fact, we’ve used that to our advantage many times. I would hate to lose that, and then have to explain why our budget is skyrocketing in overtime.”
Patty Stout continued, heatedly, “Look at it from the other side. Having her always working the cases, makes the FBI look biased. All we’re asking is that there be a little more interdepartmental cooperation.”
Croft wasn’t surprised that she threw down that word. After all, he’d whipped it out first. Obviously, the woman wanted to play with the big dog.
Yeah, Emma’s boss was a control freak. Unfortunately for her, so was he. “That’s priceless, since we asked your detectives to assist and they gave my profiler a hard time. In fact, Mr. Laden here was acting as if he was in high school, and a bully. My agent had to reprimand him. Know how many people have to tell Emma to act her age? None.”
Detective Laden scowled at him. “You tossed grunt work at us. You weren’t serious about having us help.”
Ford didn't look impressed. “Detective, how much of your job is field work, and how much is doing the legwork?”
The point was made. There could only be so many people running around and interviewing people. They all had to pull their weight.
Emma remained calm and quiet. For now, if she didn't explode, Greyson wouldn’t either.
“How’s the Booker case going?” Captain Stout asked.
She wasn’t surprised that the woman was going there. Emma’s cases were all closed, with the exception of this one, large thorn in her side.
“The trail is cold.”
“I’ll take over on it,” Laden offered. “In fact, I’ll help out on the FBI killings, too. Maybe Emma needs a break. I mean, look at her life. It’s hectic. I had to wade through media outside to get into work today. It has to be tiring when you’re a celebrity.”
“Are you alluding that I don’t do my job?” she asked, losing her cool. This man made her want to punch him every time she saw his snide, arrogant face.
“I’m just pointing out the facts. You have to be tired, when every time the FBI comes calling, you go a running.”
Ford stepped in. “What are you suggesting?”
“She needs to hand over the Booker case, or the FBI killing case,” Stout stated. “By disbursing her caseload, she can focus.”
Croft pointed at the detective. “Are you seriously suggesting I hand it off to him? This is a man who just got off suspension for not covering his lead detective on search warrant, or did we forget that little screw up?”
Stout didn't look happy.
“Exactly. Last I heard, my wife hasn’t been suspended or put on administrative leave. Can you say the same about the loose cannon standing at your side?”
Patty Stout went to defend her detective, but he continued, “Don’t you have any kindergartners that she can give it to instead? I can say with one hundred percent certainty, that Detective Laden will not be touching any case that has anything to do with the FBI. You can push all you want, but I can reject it. In fact, you must have enjoyed that call from the governor. Don’t think you won’t be on his speed dial when I get back to the office.”
Tensions soared.
Finally, Emma had no choice. This was getting ugly. “I’ll hand over the Booker case to another detective, but not him,” Emma stated.
That seemed to appease the captain. “Who then?”
She didn't have to think twice. “My pick is Detective Bristol. Mace is even tempered, patient, and good at his job. Look at how long he was partnered with Detective Laden. Mace is practically a saint.”
The barb stuck.
Patty Stout chose to pick the victories she could win. After all, the whole point was to get her other detectives in the rotation and off her back. Their bitching and moaning was cutting into her job. “Deal.”
Commissioner Ford was glad they could mediate their way through this. “If that’s all?”
“Next FBI case, Detective Croft will not be involved. She’s going to have to be fair and go back into the rotation. We have twenty other detectives who deserve a shot at getting better at their jobs. I don’t care if you hate me or not. I run this house now, Commissioner, and I do have some say in it.”
Ford knew she was right. There was a fine line.
Croft wasn’t having it.
“You don’t have a choice in this matter. I hand out the assignments. You can request her, but as the one who is responsible for her at work, she’s mine to share.”
Emma was outraged that the woman would use her as leverage. She leapt up from her chair. “That’s where you’re wrong, Captain. I have a choice.”
Captain Stout stood, facing her down. “Are you threatening me, Detective, with quitting?”
It didn't faze her in the least. “I’m not threatening, Captain Stout. I’m stating a fact. If my husband asks for my help, I’ll burn my vacation time, sick time, and personal time, before I let someone who won’t have his back work with him.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, Detective.”
“Keep this in mind as well. If it comes down to it, I’m Greyson’s wife first and foremost. I’m a cop after that.”
Emma knew that her boss wouldn’t get that, since she was only focused on one thing.
Ruling the world.
“Duly noted, and I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Oh, I’m sure you will.”
Patty stout looked about ready to explode.
With that, Emma walked out, leaving everyone behind. It was funny. She really believed that her husband would be the one to lose it.
Instead, she’d gone over the edge.
Yeah, now Emma had to brace for handing in her badge and gun. There was no doubt in her mind, it was bound to happen. The irony was, she never really wanted to go back to being a detective, until she did. Now, Emma knew without a doubt, she’d miss it.
Fate was a bitch.
Ford waited until both Crofts were gone, and he motioned for the detective to also head out. When he and the captain were alone, he pointed at her. “If she quits and the media gets wind, we’re going to have one hell of a mess on our hands. They love her. This is disaster in the making. You make sure her comments don’t become a reality, or I’ll be riding you over it for the stunt you pulled.”
Patty Stout’s lips tightened into a line. “Yes, sir,” she said emotionlessly. “I he
ar what you’re saying.”
“If I smell jackassery and tomfoolery, I’ll be your daily problem. I give you plenty of latitude to run this precinct. Don’t make me micromanage you. You won’t like the rotation schedule I come up with, because it will put you back out on the street.”
She glared at him as he stormed away.
Her job was to be fair to everyone who worked under her, and she had an obligation. No one could tell her that there wasn’t a shit load of preferential treatment going on when it came to Emma Croft.
No one.
* * *
Detective Westmore and Special Agent Curtis Briggs headed down to the doctor’s office housed in the FBI building. On the way there, in the elevator, Curtis noticed that Brynn wasn’t talking. That wasn’t like her. There were times she was so hopped up on caffeine that he had to stop her.
“Are you okay?” he asked, breaking the silence.
How did she tell him that she was thinking about waking up in his arms on the Crofts’ couch?
“Yeah, I’m good.”
“If you want to talk, Brynn, you can come to me,” he said, taking her hand in his. God, he missed this part of his life.
He missed them.
“I know, Curtis.” She couldn’t even look at him. If she did, she was going to kiss him, and not some chaste lip lock either. What Brynn wanted was to take back what she’d said and done, so she could fix them.
But now wasn’t the time.
They needed to focus on the case.
With his free hand, he pushed a shoulder length strand of brown hair off her cheek. “When you’re ready, I’m here.”
She didn't think that she’d ever be ready. In the back of her mind, there was this little piece of her that expected him to reject her. After all, isn't that what she did to him?
Her words and behavior kept replaying in her mind. In her heart, Brynn was so sorry for what she’d done. “Okay, Curtis,” she stated, releasing his hand as the doors opened.
As they stepped out of the elevator, he could feel his heart squeezing in his chest. He didn't know what had happened since the pool frolicking, and waking up on the couch together, but he hoped it wasn’t going back to what it had been.
After this morning, he honestly thought they were on the right path, and now hope was ebbing away.
At the office door, Briggs forced himself to focus on the job at hand. While a long shot, they still had to deal with the possibility that the doctor had something to do with this. No one wanted to let something slip by inadvertently.
Not when lives were at stake.
“How do you want to work this?” she asked, prepping herself for the interview.
“Why don’t you ask the questions, and I’ll watch and see his reaction? Maybe I’ll pick something up.”
Brynn wasn’t used to leading, but it was as good a time as ever to get used to it. Over the last few months, she’d been studying Emma, trying to pick up her interview style. She believed that she had it down.”
“Okay. Ready?”
He nodded. “I have your back, Brynn.”
She knew he would, even when she’d failed him miserably.
Entering the office, they immediately headed right for the receptionist. When the woman glanced up, Brynn spoke, “We need to speak with Doctor Havers,” she said, as they both pulled out their badges.
The woman nodded. With the FBI coming to the office frequently, she was accustomed to having to slip them in. “Have a seat, and I’ll tell the doctor that you’re here,” she stated, pointing at a waiting room.
Once in there, they sat side by side.
“Are you going to the auction tomorrow?” she asked, trying not to make a big deal about not being invited. She knew they’d all be working, but still it made her a little sad.
“Yeah, the boss man is worried about someone getting their hands on Emma. I’m just going as extra security.”
She wished that she could see him dressed up again. When they went as dates to the gala, he looked incredibly handsome. “Take pictures. I’m dying to hear all about it.”
Curtis pulled out his cell and whipped out a text to his boss. Before he just assumed that he could invite Brynn to be his date, he’d get confirmation. After all, he didn't want to have to watch the boss get all cozy with a babe if he couldn’t too.
Not that she was his…
Curtis was off balance with Brynn. One minute it was about the career, the next she was sending him mixed signals. It was clear why his boss was always frazzled over Emma. Women were tough to understand.
When the reply from his boss came back, he grinned. After the interview, he’d procure himself a partner in crime for the event. “I have to ask you something later,” he stated. Now wasn’t the time or place.
Brynn glanced over at him. “Okay.”
“Detective and Agent, you can follow me,” called the receptionist. “The doctor will see you.”
They headed back, and once in the room, they were met by a man in his late forties. He smiled pleasantly at them, especially Brynn.
“Hello,” he stated, shaking her hand warmly. “What can I do for you?”
Curtis was a guy, and if anything, he could spot a man on the prowl. Immediately, his blood pressure began to rise. He didn't like the idea that the doctor was checking her out. Granted, he had no claim to her anymore, and his possessiveness was what broke them up, but still...
“Thank you for seeing us,” stated Detective Westmore. “We have some questions regarding a few patients and were wondering if you could help us out?”
He took a seat. “I wish I could, Detective, but you know that doctor patient confidentiality applies to anyone I see.”
Curtis handed her the tablet, and she scrolled through the files.
“Well, you may have heard about the FBI agents who were shot.”
“It’s a terrible thing,” he stated.
“Well, those are the individuals we need to discuss.” Flipping the tablet over, there were six smaller photos filling the screen. “Do any of these people look familiar?”
They already knew they did, but they needed to gauge his honesty and willingness to help.
“I couldn’t give you their names, but I can tell you what I treated them for, just by facial recognition alone.” He pointed at the first square.
“That’s Agent Tim Eastman,” Brynn offered.
“Yes, that’s right. I treated him for pain in his lower back. He came in and told me that he got hurt on the job. I prescribed him some pain pills, after an examination.”
He focused on the second picture. “I don’t recall his name, but he’s been a patient for a while. I think he’s retired.”
“That’s correct. His name is Horace Westerly.”
It only took a minute. “He was wounded in the field, I believe. I saw him for quite a few visits. In fact, I think he still comes in now and again.”
Curtis was making notes as Brynn ran the questioning.
“How about him, Doctor?” she asked, pointing at Agent Billy Lewis.
“He was shot. I did have some concerns with him. He kept coming in for pain pills. I told him that he wasn’t able to get more, and if the site of his wound was still hurting that much, he should get further medical intervention.”
“And that means?” she asked.
“I believed that he was addicted to the pain meds.”
Curtis spoke up, “Did you report that to the FBI? I know you’re the official on-staff doctor for us, so that would have been proper procedure.”
He shook his head sadly. “I didn't, Agent. I didn't have any proof. He came in one day, tried to get a refill, and was told no. I declined filling it for him. When Agent Lewis left, he wasn’t happy, but he never returned. So, I didn't really have reoccurring instances where he was trying to get pills. It was more a gut instinct.”
Curtis made notes. This might be something to follow up on after all, even if it was isolated to only one of the dead agents.
“How about him?” Brynn asked. “This is Agent Lester Williams.”
He had to think about that one. “I may need to look him up. He looks familiar, but I see a lot of people all day long.” Then, he changed routes. “Would you like to see me after work? Maybe for dinner and drinks, Detective.”
It caught her off guard.
Curtis nearly fell over.
Damn it! Why hadn’t he asked her to join him tomorrow night before they came in here?
His heart sank.
“I appreciate the offer, Doctor Havers, but I’m not available.” Brynn had been down this road before. When she had a one-night stand with the FBI head lab tech, she nearly missed out on dating Curtis. That had been a huge tactical error.
For now, she was playing it safe.
He smiled. “Okay, well it was worth a try. I don’t often get a pretty woman in my office who isn't a patient.”
Curtis glanced over at Brynn, shocked that she turned the man down. He was handsome and well… a doctor.
“Can you look up Lester Williams?” she asked, refocusing them on why they were there. Brynn could feel Briggs staring at her, and it was making her nervous.
The doctor turned to his laptop and began typing. “Here it is. I gave him a prescription for Viagra.”
“Why didn't he go to his family doctor?” she asked. “I can see why with the other patients, who needed your signature to clear them medically after being injured, but for sexual enhancements?”
He replied, “The agent was a little embarrassed. No guy likes to go into his family doctor and tell him he’s having issues in the bedroom. We did his blood work, determined him to be medically suited, and gave him a prescription.”
“So, his wife wasn’t aware that he was taking them?”
He shrugged. “I can’t answer that. I only know what he told me. He needed a little extra help in the lovemaking department to keep up with his partner’s sexual needs.”
Cutis made note of it.
Love is Bleeding (A Croft & Croft Romance Adventure Book 4) Page 27