Page 11 of Pulse

Officer Blasetto shifted his attention back to his computer. He opened a program and clicked a few keys before reading what popped up on the screen. Was he planning to answer her or ignore her like a child?

With each passing second, Talia tapped her foot with greater force. “Officer Blasetto, I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you didn’t hear me. I need to be taken to my client. You know, Miranda rights and all that.”

Not a question, and no ‘please’ this time.

He answered her with a low whistle. “You sure you want this?”

Talia gave him the same indulgent smile she’d give her niece or nephew if she had one. “Yes, I am sure. You see, that’s how the justice system works. Clients ask for a lawyer, and I show up.”

“Well, this one’s accused of beating the shit out of a hooker. Figure you ultra-feminist types might have a problem with that.”

Talia opened her mouth to blast the Neanderthal for, one, announcing Max Vargas’ legal business to the lobby and, two, daring to make judgments about her. Before any words could leave her mouth, a man in a crinkled suit stuck his head around a corner. “You Vargas’ lawyer?”

“I am.”

“Follow me.”

She smiled and flipped Blasetto off, earning a host of snickers from others in the lobby. Then, as requested, she followed the man.

There wasn’t any point in making friends in this police station. She had fantastic working relationships with some departments. They respected each other, and while the end goals of their jobs occasionally collided, they could have a civil and even friendly rapport. Since the men in this particular county office couldn’t see past the fact she had a vagina, she’d never be given a chance to prove her worth and ability to play nice, so she didn’t bother. How the few women who worked here tolerated the day-to-day misogyny was something she’d never understand.

“It’s Detective McGee, isn’t it?” she asked as she hurried to catch up with the fast-walking man.

He slowed until they were walking side by side down a long hallway. “It is, yes. I apologize, but I can’t remember your name.”

“No worries.” At least he seemed to have a modicum of respect. “Talia Davenport. May I ask what the charges are against Max Vargas?”

He hesitated just long enough to have her spine tingling.

“A prostitute was found beaten in downtown Tampa. It was nasty. He messed her up, but she was conscious at the scene. She called him out by name and perfectly described Max Vargas.” The detective shrugged but didn’t meet her eyes as he spoke, causing Talia to narrow hers. “Open and shut.”

“Hmm.” She pursed her lips. Something about this entire situation tickled her suspicious side. “We’ll see.”

They stopped outside a closed door. “He’s in here. My partner, Detective Wallace, is with him.”

“Not questioning him without his attorney present, of course?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Of course not.”

Detective McGee opened the door, and Talia strode into the room only to come up short at seeing a devastating man cuffed and on his feet, scowling at a slender woman in a suit.

McGee swore and jumped into action so fast Talia’s head spun. He grabbed his weapon and trained it on Vargas in under a second. “Sit the fuck down!” he shouted at a man she assumed was Max Vargas.

Rapid footsteps pounded behind her, and then a third officer shoved past her into the room, weapon drawn. “You heard the detective,” the new arrival, a woman with a short helmet of hair, yelled. “Sit your ass back down.”

Wild, furious, and yet gorgeous crystal blue eyes met Talia’s. They weren’t often seen in combination with his dark hair and olive skin, as though he had Hispanic blood. Talia nodded to him once. Hopefully, he understood she was on his side, but threatening whoever he was trying to murder with his eyes wouldn’t do him any favors.

After a second, he lowered himself to the metal chair bolted to the floor.

The woman he’d been snarling at stood. She had to be at least six feet tall and thin as a bean pole, with her light hair pulled back in a severe bun, making her slim face appear almost gaunt. “I’ll take that as my cue to leave.”

Talia frowned. Who the hell was she? And what was she doing harassing Vargas when he’d requested an attorney?

Time to get some answers.

“Well,” she said with a grin. “Seems I’m late to the party. Detectives, put away your weapons. I want a few moments alone with my client.” She didn’t bother saying please. They weren’t about to start this game with the detectives thinking she was soft or sweet.

Max’s distrustful eyes stared at her beneath a full head of dark hair that could have used a trim a few weeks ago. Dark stubble covered his strong jaw as though he hadn’t bothered to shave in a few days. He had sculpted arms littered with tattoos and wore a faded Led Zeppelin concert T-shirt. Had she met him anywhere else, she might have swooned, but his looks had nothing to do with why she was there.

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