Blood Hunt

14

She saw him…but other than giving him a warm and breezy greeting — countering the continued drizzle outside — said nothing hinting at last night, nor indicated any change in their relationship with her body language. Then she came out of the locker room with her purse and paused to eye Nat, standing at the forms rack dropping reports into the Return To Officer box.

“I never noticed before, Sarge, but you have a nice butt. Yours isn’t bad either, Mikaelian.”

And took off down the hall, out the rear entrance.

Nat and Sue Ann stared after her. Garreth made himself do likewise while grinning inwardly. Nice move, making him an “afterthought” in her wisecrack. He had no trouble accepting the way she wanted to play this. Around here he doubted it could be kept quiet long, but when they were found out, Maggie might be ready for the smart remarks and tasteless practical jokes sure to follow.

“That’s a first,” Nat said. “I wonder what got into her.”

“Or who,” Sue Ann said.

Garreth ticked his tongue. “Don’t tell me you think getting laid is the answer to whatever ails a woman.”

“Yes,” she shot back, “…and for whatever ails a man, too. I know it’s always good for my Leland’s tension.” She wiggled her brows, then narrowed her eyes at him. “Wouldn’t hurt you, either, Garreth.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said, and escaped before she saw more than he wanted.

Rain continued until about three, giving him another quiet shift. With Maggie waiting for him in the dark in his apartment when he reached home.

She blushed. “Helen Schoning stopped me outside the municipal court today and gave me a key. She said she’s afraid I’ll catch pneumonia on the steps. I’ll give it back if you don’t want me to have it.”

He considered. The idea of anyone being able to walk in while he slept and was vulnerable chilled him. But was that any different than letting himself go to sleep with her still there? “Keep it.”

Only when she sighed did he realize she had been holding her breath waiting for his answer. “Helen also asked if you will please drive your car to work tomorrow, even if it isn’t raining, and park on her side of the drive when you come home. Why?”

“So a friend can use the garage.”

Her eyes widened. “A — Helen is — ”

“As entitled to her privacy as I’m sure she feels we are. So you can be reassured no one will hear about us from her just as I never look to see if I know her friends’ cars. Now, how do you rate the rest of the butts in the BPD?”