Page 2 of Raging Inferno

“There’s more to life than work, Presley. Worry about it tomorrow. I’ll make you forget all about it.”

He removed her gun and the holster attached to her hip, placing them on his desk. Her badge was next, followed by the band securing her ponytail, causing her hair to cascade over her shoulders. Then his fingers sifted through the locks.

“So pretty,” he murmured.

Suddenly, the scent of aftershave was overwhelming, and she realized he’d tilted his head down to kiss her. Since her lips were numb, she couldn’t feel it. Presley jolted when his tongue slid into her mouth. Was that his hand caressing her breast—her naked breast? Surely not, except it was. He’d slid his fingers beneath her shirt. She didn’t want this, but her arms wouldn’t work to push him away. She had to stop him before he went too far.

“Captain Smith?”

He released her so quickly that she crumpled to the floor. A moan escaped her lips.

“Is Detective Parrish okay?”

“Uh, yeah. She’s not feeling well. She might’ve had too much to drink.”

Liar,a voice inside Presley’s head screamed. Half a bottle of Diet Coke hadn’t put her in this condition. The words refused to materialize.

“I’ll take her home.”

“No, that’s okay, Officer Deets. I’ve got her.”

“She lives close to me. I can drop her off and make sure she’s settled.”

Arms lifted her to her feet, but she wanted to stay on the ground. Maybe she voiced her protest. Maybe not.

“I said I can take her.”

“Not necessary. I’m off duty and was on my way home, anyway. It’s no inconvenience.”

She was led down the hallway, and the stench of Dior Men’s Sauvage grew fainter.

“Detective Parrish, are you okay?”

Her answer was her head bobbing to the side. Maybe a little drool too.

“Damn it. You’re not okay.”

Presley was shoved inside a vehicle. It smelled strongly of sweat and puke. She didn’t care. Curling on the rigid vinyl seat, she fell asleep. She woke when firm hands pulled her out and placed her on something that rolled. A siren wailed in the distance . . . or was that in her head?

The rest of the evening was a blank spot in her memory. She woke up in the hospital after having spent a night there that she didn’t remember.

“Detective Parrish, how are you feeling?”

Her lids blinked open to see an Asian man with kind brown eyes staring at her. “Muddled.”

“Rohypnol will do that to a person.”

That woke her all the way up. “I was roofied?”

“You were,” the man confirmed. “I’m Dr. Lee. I treated you yesterday evening when you were admitted.”

The last thing she remembered was buckling down to tackle a murder case. After that, there was nothing. “How did I get here?”

“A cop brought you.” He consulted his chart. “Officer Deets.”

“Did she tell you what happened to me?”

“No, only that she thought you had been drugged.” Dr. Lee dropped the file into a slot at the end of her bed. “Get some more rest, and I’ll release you later today.”

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