Page 51 of Rookie Days

She had the looks of an angel with a touch of the bad girl thrown in, especially dressed like she was now in her jeans and leather. She was a cop, too. One of the good guys. Tough enough to roam the streets in the middle of the night, alone, as she triedto slip into the mind of a brutal killer. And disarmingly innocent as well with some of the things that she had told her. It was a heady and complex mix, for sure. Janet had never met a woman quite like her, who made her go so still inside. Not even Quinn, which said a lot. Ellie had such a cloak of mystery around her... Janet shook her head in wonder.

“What?” Ellie prompted with a smile.

“You,” Janet answered. “You are a hard one to figure out, Detective.”

“You don’t have to figure me out, you can just ask.”

“Okay, then. What are we doing here, Ellie?”

“Dancing. Enjoying.”

Once upon a time, it had been that easy. Enough to switch her brain off and just lose herself in the enjoyment of a beautiful woman. The urge was there to do that with Ellie. But now, Janet also needed something more.

“I know I have a reputation,” she started, and watched the smile on Ellie’s lips widen slightly in acknowledgment. Only for an instant, though, before it turned gentle and understanding. “I won’t repeat everything I said to you before. Suffice to say that I am done with that part of my life.”

Ellie’s expression did not change when she asked.

“So, are you giving me a warning?”

“Heads-up, more like,” Janet answered. “Because I’m ready to put skin in the game for real. You should be aware of it before this goes any further.”

Ellie’s sharp intake of breath ended not with a quick reply. Instead, she bit on her lip and eyed her with an expression of total concentration. Janet recognized hesitation and intent at war in her limpid grey eyes, the signs of some inner conflict raging deep. She read reluctance into it as well, and leaned away a little bit, ready to let go.

“No,” Ellie protested. “Stay with me. Please.”

Janet surrendered to her gentle pull, though she was wary now.

“I don’t need any particular answer,” she offered. “At least, not straight away. We can just enjoy this dance.”

Inside though, everything was screaming for the connection not to end. For Ellie not to tell her that she couldn’t give, or even consider, what Janet hinted at. But when she looked down, and away, Ellie touched a light finger to her cheek, prompting her to glance back.

“You’re being straight with me, Jan. It means a lot, so I’ll be straight with you in return.”

Janet steeled herself against the sting of disappointment she had already tasted, but before anything else could be shared, she felt her chest vibrate.

“Ah, it’s me. Hold on.” Ellie pulled the buzzing phone out of her pocket and frowned at the screen. “I need to take this. It’s work.”

“Of course.”

“Wait for me, okay?”

Janet squeezed her hand in reassurance.

“I’ll be here. Answer your phone.”

She kept an eye on her as Ellie walked toward a quieter spot with it pressed to her ear. Again, she got some looks and ignored them all. Janet had a feeling they had run out of time, and Ellie confirmed it as she came back a few seconds later.

“I have to go. But I’ll ride home with you first.”

“Ellie, you don’t need to see me home. I’ll be fine.”

“Probably, yes.” Ellie flashed a wan smile. “But I won’t be. Where do you live?”

“Just off of Franklyn Road. Quinn’s old building.”

“I’ll be going past Franklyn anyway. Please, Janet?”

Letting herself be convinced was the easiest thing, and they jumped into a waiting Uber. When they reached her place, Ellieasked the driver to wait in front. She insisted on going up with her.

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