Between The Lines (Hot in the City Book 4)

by T Gephart

  After working out at Dad’s gym, we went and visited my mom. She pretended not to be excited—me not having dated seriously in a while—but I could tell she was happy. With Emilia still away on deployment, and me being so busy with work and my new relationship, she missed having her girls at home. And of course, she loved Justin because he was charming like he usually was.

  We also stopped by to visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tibbs, having already met me in the past in an official capacity. They were great too, and even though I’d been hesitant about making us “public” official, I really liked having Tibbs as a boyfriend.

  Boyfriend.

  It was such a weird word, and not one I ever thought I’d ever be using when talking about Justin Tibbs. But even though I’d had my reservations when it came to him, his past, and the possibility of a future, I couldn’t deny our connection.

  We belonged together. And I was done fighting it.

  Justin left early, waking me with kisses before he snuck out of his Midtown apartment and told me to call him later. I didn’t start until later in the day, so had the whole morning to lounge around, not needing to worry about fighting traffic since I could literally walk to the station. It wasn’t even strange being in Justin’s apartment without him there, making myself at home as I made myself coffee and then took a leisurely shower.

  I could barely contain my smile when I eventually got to work, Miller waving to me as he parked in the lot behind the station. “I could’ve picked you up on my way,” he gave me a hug as he pressed the key fob locking his car, “I really miss our drives in together. No one to sing back up.”

  “Yeah, I miss it too. But I’m driving us in tomorrow, and I will totally murder any harmony you choose on the way,” I agreed, not looking forward to spending my night alone.

  It wasn’t that I didn’t like being by myself or even that I constantly needed to be around someone. I just liked having Justin in bed beside me, feeling his body pressed against mine while I slept, and waking up to sweet—and sometimes not so sweet—kisses.

  It must be what love felt like. Knowing you were fine by yourself but wanting that special someone there anyway. For no reason other than it made you happy.

  And I was.

  Extremely happy.

  “I need the two of you to head out to an apartment building in Hudson Yards.” Cap handed us a report right after our briefing. “Developers are looking to turn it into new condos so it’s empty, but the neighbors have reported seeing people coming and going. Probably some squatters or kids, but I want you guys to check it out anyway.”

  “Sure, Cap.” I nodded, reading over the address.

  Hudson Yards was turning into the sexy new place in the city, so a lot of the old buildings were sold, gutted, or torn down, and replaced with multi-million dollar reincarnations. It wasn’t unusual to find either homeless people or kids using the vacated premises for shelter or venues for extracurricular activities. Not something worth calling 9-1-1 over, but we would check it out and investigate whenever we got a complaint. Half the time, just the appearance of our police cruiser was enough to scare anyone off who didn’t belong there. And if that didn’t do it, we’d helpfully remind them they were trespassing on private property and that they should move on. It was an easy call out, and one I was grateful to have, looking forward to easing into our shift and hoping my happy mood would continue.

  “So you did the whole ‘meet the parents’ thing?” Grayson grinned, starting the ignition as I put on my seatbelt. “Sounds serious.”

  I shrugged, pretending like I wasn’t giddy. “Don’t even start with me, Miller. I needed to go see my mom and he just tagged along. It was no big deal.”

  “Oh, no big deal,” he scoffed, pulling out onto the main road. “And you just happened to go see his folks too? I swear, you are in denial, girlfriend. You two are going to be shacked up with two kids and a Golden Retriever before you ‘fess up to being head over heels with him. But sure, you keep living the lie if it makes you feel better.”

  I shook my head, refusing to admit that he was partially right. While I absolutely was more involved with Justin than I’d been with any other guy, I had yet to say the L word. It wasn’t because I didn’t feel it, my heart skipping a beat like I had an arrhythmia. But because I didn’t want to rush into things and jinx what we had. There was no need to rush; we had all the time in the world and things were going great. And maybe, a small part of me was really enjoying the excitement of the new feelings. I wanted to feel all the things, not skip steps because we were in some stupid race to prove we weren’t fucking around.

  “We’re not talking about my love life. I refuse to be one of those women who are unable to function outside a pair. And I am totally fine having regular discussions as well. Like, what we are going to have for dinner?”

  “Denial it is. Awesome. And I’ll let you choose since I led us astray with that questionable Indian food last time.” He smirked, returning his eyes back to the road.

  Hudson Yards wasn’t far from the station, if not for the Manhattan traffic, we’d had been there a lot sooner. Still, there was no real emergency so there’d been no need for lights and sirens, the lack of hurry prompting Miller to drive around the apartment block first before he parked the squad car.

  “Looks deserted.” Miller looked up at the four-story building, waiting for me to join him on the sidewalk. “Let’s go check the external doors and make sure there hasn’t been a break-in. I know Cap has these developers up his ass trying to use us as their own security service, but I’d rather not have them accuse us of dropping the ball.”

  Not everyone was fond of the NYPD and the tendency to point the finger happened a lot. Sure, there were bad cops—men and women who tainted the badge and the uniform—but most of us took the oath to protect and serve seriously.

  “Front door is locked.” I pulled on the chained glass doors, the industrial-sized padlock still in place. “Let’s check the back.”

  It was when we walked to the rear of the building that we found the broken window. Shards of glass lay on the concrete below, the windowpane cleared of debris with a thick piece of plastic covering it.

  Ordinarily it wasn’t something that we’d find overly suspicious. After all, windows got broken all the time especially when buildings were being vacated. Usually they secured the hole with a board or industrial plastic—like the one that was in place—not bothering to repair what was probably going to be replaced a few months later. But since the report had mentioned seeing a few people coming and going from a building that should be empty, it was worth a closer look.

  The sheet of plastic came away easily, the tape keeping it in place stripped of its stickiness. Then all I needed to do was haul myself through the cavity and take a look. I was glad it wasn’t too far off the ground, able to climb in unaided as Miller followed me inside.

  It was still late afternoon so it wasn’t dark. It made things easier, not needing to do the climb while holding flashlights, leaving our hands free should we need to unholster our weapons.

  “What’s that smell?” I coughed, a vile scent of ammonia or possibly cat pee greeting us as we stepped into the empty room. “Oh, that’s fucking terrible.” I covered my mouth not wanting to breathe in.

  “Yeah it is. Let’s check out some of the other rooms, make sure something didn’t die in here.” Miller covered his mouth with his hand as we cleared the bedroom we were in and moved onto the next.

  The first apartment we’d searched was completely empty. There was evidence of either rats or mice—the droppings all over the place—but there didn’t seem to be anything to suggest anyone else was in there.

  Apartment two revealed much of the same. More rodent shit and empty rooms, but the smell was definitely getting stronger.

  It was only once we got to the third and corner apartment that we began to suspect something wasn’t right. Not only was the acridity in the air making my nose and throat burn, but there was a low hum permea
ting through the walls.

  My head nodded to the closed front door, both of us pulling out our guns before my hand went to the handle.

  “This is the NYPD, anyone in there?” I knocked loudly on the wood, announcing our presence as I slowly opened the door.

  Miller covered me, his weapon drawn as I pushed open the door, the odor so pungent I wanted to vomit.

  “Got to be some kind of lab,” I coughed out, the hum louder with the door open. “We should call it in and get backup.”

  Miller nodded, keeping his gun pointed as we took a small tentative step inside. There was a chance we’d scared off whoever was there when we’d knocked but someone had definitely been cooking. A large generator powerful enough to run an entire house was sitting in the middle of the living room still on, the gas fumes alone enough to make me gag.

  “NYPD,” I shouted above the drone of the generator, my arms locked as I kept my gun drawn. “If there is anyone in here, come out with your hands above your head.”

  Nothing.

  Not even the slightest disturbance to hint that there was anyone there.

  “They’ve probably gone.” Miller’s eyes scanned the room. “This place looks like the same layout as the others. One bedroom, one bath, and I assume a window that backs out into the alley we walked around.”

  He was probably right, but we weren’t taking chances, and we should have already called it in. “Let’s go outside and wait for backup. Check the exterior again.” I nodded to the front door.

  We backed out slowly, staying alert as we moved from the living room into the hall. Miller reached for his radio, contacting dispatch while I glanced down the hall. Last thing we needed was some tweeker jumping us, and I already had a bad feeling.

  “I told them to call FD as well just in case.” He winked. “Maybe your boyfriend will show up.”

  The sound of a window breaking had us both snapping our heads up, the shattering coming from the apartment we’d just left.

  “Outside,” Miller shouted, running back to the original apartment we’d entered from hoping we’d be able to catch them on the street. “Watch my six.”

  It was probably too late, whoever had broken the window probably already sprinting up the street. But there was always a chance they weren’t so savvy, Miller jumping out of the window first and landing back on the sidewalk.

  A white male who was at least two hundred pounds had fallen and was bleeding on the ground, the asshole groaning as he stood, limping as he attempted to run. Miller took off after him as I braced against the frame, my body halfway out when I heard noises coming from behind me.

  I should have gotten out, followed Miller and the perp, or waited for backup, but instinct made me turn and head in the direction of the noise. Other than the generator, it had been dead quiet in that apartment when we entered. And unless they were the stealthiest crew of all time, it was probably just a one-to-two person operation. One of them sacrificing themselves—or chickening out—while the other tried to save some inventory.

  Calling in my location, I let dispatch know Miller was in pursuit on foot while I was still inside. I didn’t wait for the reply, turning and sprinting back up the hall promising myself I wouldn’t reenter the apartment without backup.

  I didn’t get the chance.

  Not even making it to the doorway when I heard the click of the trigger, a bullet piercing the drywall.

  “Shots fired,” I called back into the radio. “Second suspect is armed.”

  “Get the fuck out, pig, or I’ll shoot you where you stand,” the gruff voice shouted into the hall.

  I didn’t hesitate, maintaining my position with my arms locked as I used the open door as cover. “This place will be surrounded in a few minutes and you’re going to have no way out. Toss out your weapon and come out with your hands raised above your head, or it’s going to be you who will be shot.”

  The use of deadly force wasn’t something I took lightly. But if it was going to be him or me, I knew which choice I was going to make.

  “Fuck you,” he tossed out as he fired another shot.

  He was either high or had an incredibly bad aim, both bullets lodging themselves in the wall nowhere near my position. I’d seen guys like him before—desperate, scared, possibly already on parole or with outstanding warrants—and they figured they had nothing more to lose. It made them unpredictable and dangerous, and it didn’t matter how good an officer you were, there was no way to know how it was going to go.

  “Suspect is cornered,” I radioed back as dispatch asked for an update, letting me know units were moments away. “Possibly under the influence. Highly erratic. Armed with at least one handgun, possibly 9mm, and is actively firing.”

  “Fuck,” he called out again, emptying two more rounds as the sound of smashing glass spilled out into the hall. “I am not going back to jail, whore. You and all the other pigs can suck my dick.”

  Such a charmer. No wonder his friend had bailed. If I was riding shotgun with that shitshow, I’d take my chances on a foot pursuit too. But he was not doing himself any favors, and if there’d been any chance of working out some kind of plea, he’d burnt that bridge.

  I didn’t bother trying to engage, holding my position as I maintained cover. Any minute officers would be here to assist, and unless he legged it out the window like his buddy, there was nowhere for him to go.

  The shooting had stopped, but I knew it wasn’t because he was out of bullets. Even if all he had was a nine, he’d only fired four, maybe five rounds. There would be more left in the clip, and that was assuming he wasn’t packing something else.

  Just a little longer, Ricci, I whispered to myself, straining to hear if sirens were approaching. They’ll be here any minute.

  And then everything went black.

  Justin

  SUSPECTED METH LAB.

  We’d been called out to Hudson Yards to assist PD with a lab situation. Nothing had been on fire when the two engines rolled out—us and the hazmat team—heading to what was apparently an abandoned apartment building. Chemicals had a tendency to get dicey, so it was always better to have us onsite.

  Last thing you wanted was things to go boom and then call for an assist. The time wasted literally the difference between saving the building and surrounding property to watching the shit burn to its foundations.

  We had almost arrived when the call came over the radio.

  Our suspected lab situation had turned into an explosion.

  “Fuck,” North cursed as the building came into view, the flames already licking the outside bricks. “We’re going to need two more units and a ladder. Rev, call it in.”

  I’ll admit, when the call first came through, I was excited about the possibility of seeing Tessa. There were no guarantees she was one of the officers on scene, but in the past, we’d attended more than one emergency together. It was only a matter of time before it happened again.

  “Which officers?” I glanced over at the squad cars joining us as we pulled up in front, none of the uniforms getting out, Tessa. “Any idea if Ricci and Miller are here?”

  But there wasn’t enough time for anyone to answer the question, all of us piling out of the engine and getting ready to attack the flames.

  “Tibbs and Leighton, east side lines,” Cap barked out as he met us at the front. “Maintain maximum distance and protect surrounding properties. We have an active shooter and the scene hasn’t been secured yet by PD. No one gets close, understood?”

  “Yes, Cap.”

  “Sure thing, Cap.”

  We both answered, my eyes doing a quick survey of the scene.

  No Tessa.

  And while I’d been initially hoping to see her, I was glad she wasn’t around given the change of the sitch. Not that any cops seemed to be hurt or injured, all of them wearing their vests as they maintained a perimeter.

  “If the shooter is still inside, they’re not going to be happy for long.” Leighton shook his head. “Guess we shou
ld be thankful the place was empty.”

  He was right about that.

  Apartment buildings presented a number of challenges. And even if smoke alarms did their jobs and residents evac’d, there was still a chance someone was left behind. Door-to-doors were necessary unless it became too dangerous to enter, which definitely would have been the case when there was a shooter. Luckily for us, the one we were standing next to was a tear-down, which meant no one had been in it for months.

  “Hey, is that Miller?” Leighton asked, the mention of Tessa’s partner making my head snap up. “Who knows, you might get to see your girl after all.”

  Grayson Miller wasn’t known for having a temper, but if the way he was waving his hands was any indication, he could fire up just like the rest of us.

  “Where is she?” I asked more to myself than to Leighton, not seeing her near him. “They’d have come together surely.”

  I wasn’t sure if it was the desperation on Miller’s face or the churning of my gut that made me come to the realization. They absolutely would have come together, they were partners. So if she wasn’t with him, that could only mean bad things.

  “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I cursed under my breath, the chance that she was inside that hellhole not a possibility I wanted to entertain. “Evans,” I called out, “get on this hose, now.”

  “Where are you going?” Leighton looked back at me in surprise. “Dude, what—” He didn’t need to finish, the answer coming to him without any assistance from me. “Fuck.”

  I didn’t wait around to hear what he had to say, making for Miller with the single focus of proving myself wrong. “Where is she?” I demanded, grabbing him by the vest as the bile rose in my stomach. “Where the fuck is Tessa?”

  His face said what his mouth was struggling to do, shaking his head as his fists balled at his side.

  “I’m going in.”

  It had leaped out of my mouth before I’d finished formulating the thought, grabbing an axe from the engine as my feet moved of their own accord.

  Cap blocked my path, his hands hitting the front of my turnouts with enough force to make me take a step back. “Stand down, Tibbs. No one goes in there until SWAT secures the scene. They’re five minutes out.”