by Taylor Lee
It had been a hell of a night, a worse morning, and what promised to be a challenging afternoon. Sam gave a hard sigh, knowing that bland assessment was likely the understatement of the year. The night before had been one of the high points of her admittedly short reign as the tribal police chief. She still couldn’t believe that she’d been gutsy enough to arrest the Anglo perp a mile off the reservation and throw him in the tribal jail. Even now she was surprised at her chutzpah. To add insult to injury, at least in the eyes of her detractors, which she admitted were most of the people she worked with, she planned to make good on her threat to try him in their tribal court.
With six years of studying criminal justice issues and the challenging history of law enforcement on native lands, Sam had become a militant believer in the injustice of the law enforcement arena as it related to Native people. She’d come back to her home reservation with two goals. The first was to become one of only two female tribal police chiefs in the country. The second was to balance the scales of justice as they related to the relationship between the Native Nations and the country’s majority law enforcement agencies—from the local to the national level. In other words, she intended to take on a cause that most observers believed was doomed to failure, a pipe dream at best. Her model was the American Indian Movement, the militant civil rights movement founded in 1968 in Minneapolis that even Sam agreed seemed to have run out of gas. Granted, AIM had wrung some lasting changes out of the powers that be, but in Sam’s agitated view, the whole system needed a kick in the ass. And if ever there was an ass-kicker, it was Samantha Kalani Delgado.
Her actions the night before and now this morning had been her opening salvo in what she knew was going to be a daunting campaign. Handling her deputies’ clear chagrin and the questioning expressions on her office staff as she issued one unexpected order after another only made her more committed than ever to her mission. However, once the adrenaline high that stoked her actions the night before had worn off, Sam was left trying to decide what the hell she was going to do with the miscreant sitting in her jail. The scoundrel who even she admitted was injured and needed medical attention. She’d refused to meet with the perp’s attorney. She told her office manager, Kate Fleming, to tell the irate man that when Chief Delgado’s schedule permitted she would be pleased to consider his complaints. Sam admitted that she was anything but pleased to meet with anyone—much less a lawyer. She knew she was on shaky ground legally and in the cold light of the morning sun questioned whether the DUI asshole sitting in her jail was where she wanted to plant her legal flag.
The conversation she’d just had with her grandfather had confirmed her niggling concerns. The kindly man had listened thoughtfully to her impassioned reasoning. He allowed her to explain in expletive-laden language why it was important—make that essential—to the future of Native people everywhere that she be successful. Pacing across the old man’s office floor, Sam reiterated every insulting decision that American courts had made to humble the Native people, emasculating their ability to govern themselves by their own laws. She appealed to her stony-faced grandfather to understand that it was critical for Sam and others to courageously step forward and try to right the significant wrongs that had been visited on their people.
Finally, after she’d exhausted her fervent appeal and frankly, herself, her grandfather smiled gently and reached for her hand. His voice was soft but commanding.
“I’m deeply proud of you, my beloved granddaughter. Your fiery passion is an inspiration to us more sedate souls. I applaud your courage and willingness to take a hard stand.”
Even before the kindly man finished speaking Sam resigned herself to the course of action that lay before her. Her grandfather’s advice was thoughtful and straightforward. And coming from the revered Chief of the Crow Lake Reservation, it did not allow for disagreement. After he’d reiterated his orders and Sam had agreed to follow them, her grandfather excused her. As she turned to leave, he said gently, “One more thing, my fervent granddaughter, when Commander Justice comes to retrieve his prisoner, please give him my regards.” He added with a slight smile, “Jake Justice is an honorable man, Samantha. He will respect your passion, if not your actions.”
Sam couldn’t hold back her bitter words. “As you do, Grandfather?”
The old man nodded. Reaching for her hand he squeezed it. “Yes, my dear, as I do.”
Acknowledging her disappointment at her grandfather’s refusal to back her, Sam retreated to her office, knowing that she had no choice but to step back from the precarious legal precipice she was hovering on. Forcing the angry tears burning her eyes not to fall, she determined to put the best face she could on her defeat. Resting her head in her hands, she vowed not to let her forced retreat show on her face. At that moment she heard voices in the hallway outside her office, including a man’s resonant voice. It was a good thing that she had her tumultuous emotions somewhat under control because at that moment a breathless Kate Fleming dashed into her office. The young woman’s eyes were shining. Her voice was barely audible but thrumming with excitement.
“Sam, I mean, Chief…” Kate pointed frantically to the door that was slightly ajar and said in a dramatic whisper, “He…he’s here…”
Infuriated at her assistant’s confirmation of the visitor’s presumed importance, Sam let her anguish color her angry words. “Who the fuck is he, Kate? Jesus Christ come down from the cross?” Ignoring her assistant’s horrified expression, Sam forced herself to acknowledge the man about to walk into her office.
Meeting her gaze, the tall man laughed and held up his hands. “No stigmata that I can see, Chief Delgado. At least, none that are visible.”
As he strode into the room, the dark-haired man took off his Stetson and smiled at her. Sam had heard women and some men rave about the Justice brothers. You’d have thought they were describing David Beckham, Brad Pitt, and Chris Hemsworth all rolled into one phenomenal looking man. Swallowing her shock, Sam decided that none of the heartthrobs she drooled over could hold a candle to the imposing man filling her doorway. It wasn’t only his height that was impressive. It was the fact that the easily six-foot-plus lean, muscular man could have graced the cover of any fitness rag, or hell, GQ, he was that striking. Determined not to show her surprise at the truly spectacular dark-haired, gray-eyed man grinning at her, she forced a frown and tossed her head, refusing to respond to his humorous greeting. Not because she couldn’t think of anything to say, it was just that whatever spit she’d had in her mouth for as long as she’d lived was gone. Totally absent, making speech impossible.
His grin widened, confirming that he saw her surprise. He nodded to her and started to introduce himself. “Good afternoon, Chief Delgado. I’m—”
Sam interrupted him, glad that now she’d found her voice, it was curt. “I know who you are. What do you want?”
The tall man frowned ever so slightly. Then he smiled at her, apparently amused by her rudeness.
“Hmm. Yes, I’m pleased to meet you as well, Chief Delgado. For the record, I’m Jake Justice, commander of the Duluth Police Department.”
Incensed by his obvious amusement, Sam barked, “And?”
Jake narrowed his gaze somewhat, then nodded to the chair in front of her desk. “Mind if I sit down?”
Sam kept her voice crisp, a sharp contrast to his cordial tone. “Would it matter if I did?”
Jake folded his impressive body into one of the chairs facing her. He stretched his long legs out in front of him, crossing them at the ankles. His relaxed pose underscored the tension ripping through her body, putting every jangling nerve ending on high alert.
Again in a casual, easy-going tone, Commander Justice said, “I’m sorry that we haven’t had a chance to meet before this incident.”
Trying to ignore his classic features and stunning, slate-colored eyes, Sam interrupted him rudely. “Well, now we have.” Leaning forward, she glared at him. “So, let’s cut the chitchat, shall we?” She sat up s
traighter in her chair and spit out, “Since we each know who the other is, and further introductions are unnecessary, why don’t you take the motherfucking drunk you came to get and get the hell off my reservation.” Seeing his jaw tighten, Sam claimed a small victory, feeling somewhat in control for the first time since the commander had sauntered into her office. Not hiding her contempt, she added sarcastically, “And while you’re at it, why don’t you see if for once your crony legal system can actually convict someone. The fact that the son of a bitch was driving the wrong way on a one-way street, drunk out of his mind at sixty miles an hour, might help you work through your insipid ‘free the guy no matter what he’s done’ mentality. Hell, you might actually put the fucker in jail. Add the fact that he nearly killed a mom and dad and their two kids might convince even you that the motherfucker belongs behind bars.”
The daunting man studied her for a long moment, then to her shock, rose to his feet and strode toward her, closing the space between them. Rounding her desk, he came up beside her. He was so close, she could smell his intoxicating cologne.
His voice was soft with the slightest edge. “I regret that we met this way, in these circumstances. I would like to think that we are colleagues who share the same goals.”
Not believing the way he dared to invade her space, Sam leapt from her chair and backed up several steps, almost overturning her chair. She felt like an idiot, but didn’t know if she could stand this close to him and somehow manage to breathe. Pressing her fists against her sides, she held her ground. “You’re wrong. The last thing we are is colleagues.”
He studied her for a long moment through narrowed eyes and then asked, “Do you mind if I call you Sam?”
She jerked back, truly shocked at his outrageous request, then gave in to the blessed anger overtaking her frazzled nerves. “You goddamned better believe I mind!”
At her furious rejoinder, he smiled, the broad grin doing amazing things to his dancing eyes. To her shock, he reached out and pinched her cheek, confirming that he’d closed the distance between them to mere inches. His voice was soft but commanding. “Settle down, Sam. I’m not your enemy.”
He extended his hand but she shook her head, refusing to take it. Instead, she clamped her fists at her sides and glared at him. To her chagrin, pinning her in place with his hard gaze, he reached for one of her hands and forced it open, then gripped it in his big hand. As if that weren’t controlling enough, he shook it, then gave it a playful squeeze. Sam knew from the way his lip twitched that he’d heard her startled gasp.
“It’s been nice to meet you, Sam. I look forward to getting to know you better.”
Leaving her speechless, clinging to the edge of her desk to keep from falling, Commander Justice walked to the door, then turned and met her gaze. “I understand the perp is injured.”
Sam managed to sneer. “Not as much as he should be.”
Commander Justice gave a slight snort then shook his head as if in agreement. “I’ll be in touch, Chief Delgado. We have some serious issues to work through.”
And then he was gone.
Sam sunk into her chair. The conflicting emotions cascading over her trembling body made it impossible for her to stand.
****
After he watched Solly and Mike Ferguson park the prisoner in their waiting squad car, Jake met with Ralph Jenkins, the perp’s lawyer, for a moment. The attorney was matter-of-fact.
“You know we’re going to file a complaint, Jake. That police chief was so far out on the limb of her legal authority, I’m surprised the goddamned branch didn’t break. That and the fact that she personally beat the crap out of my client—”
Jake broke in, “From what I understand, your guy deserved it.” He added as he walked away, “Catch up with my team tomorrow, Ralph. We can discuss options at that time.”
Striding to his snazzy Jag that he drove as often as he could, Jake sunk onto the posh leather seat and expelled a hard sigh. He wasn’t surprised that Sam had turned the prisoner over to him without his asking. Her actions confirmed the agreement he and her grandfather made when Jake called him. The elderly chief said that he would order the impassioned woman to step off the untenable ledge she’d crawled onto and send the perp back with the DPD commander. Jake was relieved that he didn’t have to force her, play the heavy. Her grandfather’s intervention had saved them all a challenging standoff. One that only he could win. A Pyrrhic victory at best.
Beneath her rude, caustic behavior, Jake had seen the fiery woman’s passion and anguish. Neither bode well for a collegial relationship going forward. Jake acknowledged with a heartfelt sigh that the prickly woman had more than lived up to her advance billing. What surprised Jake was his reaction to her. Intrigued wasn’t too strong a word to describe his feelings about one of the most challenging women he’d ever met, as well as one of the most beautiful.
Chapter 3
“I understand you met the new tribal police chief, Jake.” His grandfather’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Is she as daunting as they say? My spies say that every eligible man in town has tried to get to first base with her, but she wouldn’t even allow them on the playing field.”
Jake laughed. “Let’s just say, Judge, that they’re lucky if she allowed them in the stands, much less on the playing field.”
Being that he was a former federal judge and the paterfamilias of the Justice clan, Jake wasn’t surprised when his grandfather pressed on. “I can understand how she might shun other men. But let’s face it, Jake, you’re the commander of the Duluth Police Department and without question the most respected lawman in this county, if not the state. If half of what I heard that young woman did the other night on the rez is true, I would have thought she would be more than a little agreeable when you confronted her. I understand that she broke a passel of laws, not to mention turning the goodwill you’ve created with the tribe ass-end up.”
Jake smiled at his grandfather’s colorful assessment of Sam’s actions and nodded in silent agreement. He sighed, knowing that Sam had turned a whole lot of things ass-end up. Not the least of which were his unresolved feelings about how he was going to work with her, given the mixed emotions she’d stirred up in him.
He admitted he’d been stunned by her beauty. Jake had assumed from the way his brothers had talked about her that she would be attractive. But no one could have prepared him for the stunning woman who greeted him with a fierce frown. She was tall and slender. From the lithe way she moved, he was certain that years of martial arts had lent her the insouciant grace coupled with the easy strength of a trained fighter. Her long hair hung in a thick black braid, and a chain of silver and turquoise beads decorated the shiny mass. Her face was a photographer’s dream. High cheekbones, a defiant chin, and a full pouty mouth ensured that whatever angles the artist chose, the camera would capture a beautiful woman.
Her skin was a soft, warm brown, touched with rosy highlights that spoke of her heritage and active lifestyle. But it was her eyes that stole his breath. Dark, arched brows and lush lashes provided the backdrop. Instead of the dark brown or black eyes he expected, Sam’s eyes were blue, shockingly so. Lying in bed last night, unable to sleep, Jake had tried to pinpoint the color. But it was impossible. Summer skies? Rippling lakes? A mountain stream? He gave up and conceded that indescribable was the only way to describe her eyes—and her.
“Can I surmise from your distracted silence and the fact that you have sighed no fewer than three times that the Indian princess got to you, Jake?”
Jake breathed out a hard sigh. “Yeah, Judge, she did. On a number of levels. What she did was unconscionable, not to mention illegal. Fortunately, I have a longstanding, respectful relationship with Chief Lighthorse. He and I were able to work out a face-saving measure for her before Solly and I went to pick up the perp. But she made no bones about the fact that the ongoing relationship between the DPD and the rez, at least as far as their police chief is concerned, is going to be rocky. Which is disquieting giv
en that Jared and I have begun a full-scale undercover operation on the rez to fight the methamphetamine scourge.”
“May I presume that Chief Delgado is not privy to that UC operation?”
“No, Judge, she’s not. And at this point I’m not willing to bring her into the planning. Not until I know that she is controllable and will accede to my authority.”
“And your read, Son, is?’
Jake laughed, a harsh sound. “Not a chance in hell, Judge.”
The judge nodded then smiled. “From your consternation, may I assume that your concerns regarding the young woman are layered?”
Jake put up his hands in defeat. “Going forward, we have some tough issues. And dammit, I’m also concerned about the ever-changing dynamics on the Native, white law enforcement landscape. On many levels, the chief is right. Virtually all the decisions have compromised Native authority even if they’re wrapped in a supposedly conciliatory package. The problem is that unlike her more amenable predecessors, Chief Delgado is going to fight every issue, take it the mat, whether it’s conceivably winnable or not.” He grunted. “Not exactly the way I’m accustomed to doing business.”
“No, Jake, it’s not. You are the fairest, most even-tempered man I know. And unfailingly respectful of your adversaries. But what makes you the esteemed leader that you are is that you’re not a pushover. When you lay down the law, I pity the man, or in this case, the woman who doesn’t understand you’re in charge.” The Judge nodded thoughtfully, then shot Jake a sly smile. “I don’t think it will take our Indian princess more than one skirmish with you to know who the commander is.”
Jake shrugged and matched his grandfather’s grin. “Yeah, Judge. I think she may have learned that lesson yesterday.” He chuckled. “Which doesn’t mean that she didn’t spend last night and most of this morning planning how she is going to even the score.”