Page 16 of Shadows of Justice

I bristle, suddenly on high alert. How does he know I’m not sleeping?

Relax, Viv, it’s just an expression.

“Maybe I could be of use to you and that promotion that you have your eye on, and I can be free to roam the streets and save all of the children from hot cars for another day?”

Warning bells go off in my mind, but I’m intrigued, and the fucking elevator music has begun for call waiting on the line.

“Be of use? How?” I ask.

“I know things. Information.”

“Like an informant? You want to be a CI?” I ask, almost dropping my phone in my distraction. I put it back to my ear.

“This will be a one time deal. Not official.”

“A ‘one time’ informant?” I ask dryly.

“Are you interested, or not?”

“I . . . If you’re wanting me to tell you that I won’t arrest you after whatever you have to tell me is out in the open, you’re sadly mistaken,” I scoff.

“I’ll take my chances,” he says arrogantly.

“Hello? Hello? This is Pasadena PD, Laurie speaking.” The voice in my ear jerks me out of my haze.

“Make your choice, Genevieve,” Leo says, chills erupting down my arms and my spine. He’s watching me with the intensity of a hawk stalking a field mouse.

What I can’t decide, is if it’s making me uncomfortable, or if I love it.

“H-how do you know my name?” I ask quietly, the haze returning. No one ever calls me by my full name. It’s not even on my locker at the station.

“The same way I know that you’re up for a promotion,” he says, that damned corner of his mouth tipping up again. He leans one hand against the wall behind me and I shrink against the cool stone at my back, the phone still pressed to my ear. “I tend to look into all of the blondes that follow me home from bars at night.”

My face heats. Smug bastard.

“Vivvie girl? Your name is popping up on my screen, is that you sweetheart?” Laurie asks me in her southern drawl from the other end of the line. I can hardly think. Leo’s pools of dark chocolate are sucking me in, making me feel like I’m not even in my own body anymore.

Finally, I find my voice. “Hey Laurie, I’m sorry girl. I butt-dialed you. Enjoy your Saturday.”

I end the call and Leo’s eyes heat, the dimple in his cheek deepening. I swear that it looks like he wants to eat me.

“All right, Barone.” I tip my chin up. “Be of use.”

He straightens to his full height, thankfully letting me breathe something other than him.

“Frankie “The Crank” Watson. Know him?” he asks me.

“Of course. Elusive, big-time crack dealer on the south side.”

“Been looking for him for a while, right?” he asks.

“Sure, yeah. For years,” I say, and add, sweetly, “he’s higher up on our list than even you.”

“He’s dead. Been that way for three years.”

My mouth falls open, and I shut it to maintain my dignity. “What?”

“No one knows this, but his girl has been running his business from the shadows. She’s probably the one who killed him, but that’s just my opinion,” Leo says. “Mary-Ann Lewiston, goes by “Chica Blanca.” You’ve been searching for a dead man, a ghost. Start looking for her, and you’ll bust Frankie’s operation wide open.”

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