by MF Moskwik
“Which is?” asks Izzy.
“That my new partner would agree to the move.” Mark Jameson moves toward her and, placing his hands gently upon hers, takes back his badge. “Do you?”
“What?” asks Izzy.
“Captain Williams would like to assign us as partners for the next year. I was wondering if you would agree to the arrangement?”
Izzy looks up at Jameson, surprised.
“Will you have me as your partner, Detective Isabel Swift?” he asks.
In his eyes, Izzy sees an unspoken question: Do you trust me?
She studies Jameson for a few moments and thinks about the case. She thinks about the arguments, the fighting, and the disagreements. But when she remembers how it felt to save Jameson in the forest, and to have Jameson save her on the roof, she knows what the right decision is.
Izzy shrugs, pockets her new badge, and walks toward the door. “Well, if Captain Williams has already assigned us, who am I to say no?” Fighting a smile, she puts a no-nonsense expression on her face. “First thing’s first though—we’ll get you trained in hand-to-hand combat and marksmanship.” She opens the door and takes one step out of it. “Can’t stay behind your computer forever, Detective Jameson.”
“I shall do my best. And congratulations on your promotion, Detective Swift.”
At the sound of her new title, Izzy allows herself a small grin. “8 a.m. Monday.”
“8 o’clock, Monday morning, we shall start our year of partnership,” agrees Jameson.
“See you,” Izzy says to Jameson before she closes the door.
Izzy walks to her car. There have been so many changes this last month—her former partner’s death, a difficult case, and a new partner. And with her promotion to detective and the assignment of a new, permanent partner, the next year will be just as crazy. Change is coming, that’s for sure, Izzy thinks. There are so many challenges ahead, it makes her dizzy just to think about it. But she will face them with the help of her new partner, the still-grieving, slightly arrogant Consulting Detective, Mark Jameson.
Welcome to your new beginning, Izzy thinks as the walks out of the hotel and into the streets of Westchester County.
Acknowledgements
This book would not have been possible without the patience and encouragement of MPM and the furry ones.
Thanks also to Erica, my editor, for taking sand and turning it into glass.
Thanks to my teachers, who filled my head with the words and ideas that would become my writing.
And thanks to you, reader, for walking with Izzy on her journey.