Page 24 of Hot to Trot

Roz shoved a filter into the basket before looking up. "But nothing wrong with doing things the way they've always been done."

"As long as they make sense," Scarlet said. She glanced around the station. It looked as if the soft gray color had been recently applied to the walls. All the desks were cleared and large healthy plants framed the glass door she'd stepped through not five minutes before. Everything was clean, neat, and orderly. Much like the man who had parked her in this chair.

"Guess you're right about that. Just been tough since the chief passed. He was here so long and we was used to him, you know?"

Scarlet knew. Her thoughts flew immediately to John. She hadn't wanted to give him up, either. In the end, that hadn't been an option. John had ended their relationship without any consideration for what she wanted. But time marched on. For the Oak Stand police department. And for Scarlet Rose. She should let go of the pain, the love she still clung to, but her heart had latched on tight.

"Mr. Don was a good man. I know you miss him, but Chief Hinton seems like what the doctor ordered. New blood brings new opportunities." Scarlet picked at her fingernail again and wondered why she rose to Adam's defense. Maybe because it seemed to be true. Maybe because he seemed to be a good person trying to do the right thing.

"So, you still getting it on with that yummy Karakos?"

"Stefan?"

"Oh, yeah. His real name. I heard rumors he's gay."

Scarlet forced out a laugh. “Not mine to tell. Actually, we're living together now."

Roz's jaw dropped. ''Really? He's so sexy. Those dark eyes and that cleft in his chin. Gives me the shivers."'

“Same.” Scarlet allowed Roz to think what she will. Stefan didn’t like anyone knowing his business. And, of course, the only sleeping she’d done with her friend had been snuggled on the couch for movie night. They’d worn their footie pajamas, ate ice cream from the tub, and mooned over Cary Grant. “But you should know that Stefan snores. Loudly.”

"Got it," Adam said as he reentered the large room. "This time Jared actually put the kit back where it belonged."

Roz frowned as she poured a cup of fresh coffee into a chipped ceramic mug. Obviously, she had wanted more scoop on Stefan. "Well, at least he's learnin' something."

Adam set the kit on the desk next to Scarlet. "Maybe so."

Scarlet glanced at the briefcase. "I'm guessing you don't arrest too many people?"

"Not lately," Roz muttered, bringing Adam the coffee. "Chief Hinton has all the lowlifes scared. Ever since he busted Tullis Jones making meth in his daddy's old barn. That takedown made state news. Everybody in Oak Stand is mindin' their p's and q's."

"Thanks, Roz." Adam accepted the mug. “Well, someone should have told that to Christian Harvey. His old man nearly had an apoplectic fit when he found his pig in the football stadium. I thought Bud was going to have me arrest the boy and his friends."

Roz laughed. "Boys will be boys."

Scarlet watched as Adam laid the items from the kit on the desk. Everything was aligned perfectly. Side by side, one inch apart. Strange.

"I hated to arrest you, Scarlet, but you didn't leave me much choice. People watch me closely. I can't give them an inch or they'll take a mile and string me up with it. Let's do the fingerprinting, then we'll take the picture." Adam took her hand. The one she'd been scraping off the polish. His touch startled her.

"Sorry if my hands are cold. Roz keeps this office like a meat locker."

"You go through menopause and see how you like it," Roz quipped, heading to her desk, where a phone lit up like the town Christmas tree in December.

Adam smiled and took Scarlet's index finger between his, rolled it on a small machine that looked like a photo dock. No messy ink on her fingers. Nice. She, for one, could appreciate Adam's purchase of a gadget.

"Don't I get a phone call?" Scarlet said, enjoying the feeling of her hand in his, despite the fact he was processing her for a crime. She still couldn't figure out why this man created a stirring in her belly. Why she wanted to turn her hand over and clasp his, sliding her fingers through so they met palm to palm.

He lifted his gaze to hers. "Of course. I'm sure your sister will post bond, and we can release you. Your arraignment will be Monday. You'll go before the judge and state your plea."

Scarlet peered toward the front door. Reporters pressed against the glass. She could see a man wearing a Texas A&M ball cap peeking through the shades of the side window. "What judge? Maybe Judge Monroe? I babysat for his daughter once."

He shook his head. "Judge Monroe's in Hawaii with his wife on an anniversary trip. Most likely Judge Cleveland. He's up for reelection. Or maybe Sharon Kent."

Scarlet closed her mouth. She'd handcuffed herself to the flagpole for many reasons, the most important of which was to get national press for the protest. But the reality of the situation pressed down on her. She didn't know Judge Kent nor Judge Cleveland. If Cleveland were up for reelection, would he be tougher on her? Would she have to serve time? For handcuffing herself to a flagpole? Surely not. The last time she'd gotten arrested at a protest it had been a misdemeanor and she'd had to pay a fine.

"What if I can't make bond? How does all this work?"

His green eyes seemed to be slightly sympathetic. "Your sister may be mad, but I don't think she'd leave you here." Adam lowered his head and punched something into the fingerprinting machine. His hair was so alluringly golden she almost lifted a hand to touch the swirl at the crown of his head. Which would have been way weird. She shoved her hand beneath her thigh.

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