Page 43 of Merrick

Leaning back in the chair, she gave him an annoyed glare. “I want to get close to the family…”

“He invited you to dinner to meet his family? Why?”

She fiddled with the pen on her desk and refused to meet his gaze.

“Oh Christ! You didn’t. You would not be so frigging stupid. You slept with him?”

“Stop yelling.”

Spinning around, he slammed the door shut hard and turned to stare at her. “Are you out of your goddamned mind? You are sleeping with the guy? With a suspect? Does your badge mean so little to you? Because believe me, honey, that is now on the line.”

Chapter 10

The silence was pregnant as the two glared at each other. She was the first to relent.

“I know what I’m doing.”

“Do you?” He walked menacingly towards the desk and slapped his hands on the surface. “The Margo I know would not have fallen for a man because of his frigging money.”

The dig went deep, and it hurt like hell.

“How dare you,” she whispered.

“I dare because you are more than my partner. I care about you.” He told her bitterly. “What the hell did he say to you, or do to you to get you on your back?”

She shoved from the desk, her anger bubbling over.

“Get out of my office. Now!”

“Look…”

“Get out. This is my office, and I don’t answer to you.”

“You are my partner…”

“That can change at any time. Just get the hell out of my sight.”

She watched as he wrenched open the door and left, slamming it shut behind him.

Sinking down, she covered her face with her hands, despair covering her. She was not concerned that he was going to run tothe commander. He was not like that. But what he said to her burned.

And he was right. What the hell was she doing?

She was playing house with a suspect and her objectivity was shot to hell.

She knew it and no doubt Brad knew it as well. She wanted to prove that Merrick wasn’t a suspect and was willing to go to any lengths to do so.

Her intercom sounded and caused her to jump.

“Yes?”

“The commander would like to see you in his office.”

“Did he say why?”

“No. He expects you to be here in five minutes.”

Her hands trembled, and she felt herself sinking into fear. Had Brad gone straight to him after all?

---