Page 13 of Merrick

“Who owns the joint?” Oh, never mind.” She muttered as the former lingerie model swept in, wearing a cloud of expensive jewelries and cashmere.

“Officers…,” she began.

“Detectives.” Margo tapped at her shield and already decided she did not like the woman.

“I apologize.” The smile came and green eyes zeroed in on Brad as she quickly assessed the situation. “I just want you to know that we have a ‘no drug policy’ here. Sensations is one of the leading clubs in the state and we run an exceptionally clean house.”

“I’m sure you would like to think so or have us believe it.” Margo did not allow the enraptured Brad to say anything. “These are rich kids and in my estimation, where there is a lot of money, there is going to be lots of illegals running around. We want to take a look at the cameras.”

“Oh, but…”

“Or we could come back with a warrant and if you make us go through the hassle of getting one, we’re going to tear the place up. Your choice.” She aimed a smile at the woman and had her bristling.

“I have nothing to hide.” She turned her limpid gaze at Brad as if seeking assistance. “I am Selena Dupre…”

“We know who you are, Ms. Dupre, and it does not make a hell of a difference to us. Now…” She rose. “Do we get the cameras or go for the warrant. Think fast.”

Selena Dupre sulked and then with a haughty toss of her gilded blonde head, she led the way to the office.

Chapter 4

“You were pretty hard on her.”

“And you were pretty soft. For a minute there, I thought you were going to put your arms around her and let her cry on your shoulder. She looked like she needed a big strong man to get through it.”

He cast her an exasperated look. “I was just being polite.”

“That’s one way to put it,” she said snidely. They were back in her office after processing the crime scene and updating the rest of the team.

She had missed getting her jolt of caffeine because of the early morning call and felt it clear to her bones. Moving towards her tiny table, she programmed coffee and stood there tapping her feet impatiently while it brewed.

“Want some?”

“Yeah. And for your information, I was just buttering her up. She is not my type.”

She smirked as she brought him a cup. “She is every man’s type. Big boobs obviously bought and paid for and thin as a rake with that smoldering look going on.” She sat on the front of her desk and crossed her legs at the ankles. “Men always lead with their dicks. And she was jerking you around.”

A frown touched his brow. “You did not have to tell her to stop sniveling like a damn idiot.”

“Someone had to.”

“Just because you’re not human, doesn’t mean the rest of us aren’t,” he shot at her. It stung, but she would never give him the satisfaction of knowing it did.

“Well, this android is going to dig a little more into the club and its owner. If you are up for it and you’re done feeling sorry for that moronic bitch, you can join the party. In the meantime, we have two more DBs to add to the ones already in the morgue.”

“Look, I’m sorry…”

“For what? Saying that I don’t have blood running through my veins? I happen to stand for the victims, always.”

“And I don’t?”

“When your glands are not involved, you’re a hell of a cop.”

“You are a piece of work, aren’t you?” He shoved up from the uncomfortable chair and marched over to the stingy window. “How the hell are you going to play femme fatale when you don’t know the first thing about seducing a guy?”

That stung as well, and she struggled to play it cool.

“I am assuming there are books that highlights those very attributes. I intend to pick one up. And for your information, the subject is not the type to fall for batting eyelashes and silly smiles. I am going in as myself and playing it by ear.”

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