Page 11 of Cooper's Command

She turned to Emery, giving her a guarded nod. “Looks like I’m all yours, detective. If you’re okay with having a loose cannon as a partner. Because thatiswhat Cartwright implied, right?”

Emery glanced at Flint, then Cooper, before moving over to Nova. “Sounds like we’re a perfect match. But if I’d known contacting the DEA would result in you getting bullied into working the case?—”

“Pretty sure you’re not the one who’s been lying to Cartwright for the past five years, or who let their partner down, so…” She raked her fingers through her hair, again, shoving all the pain and regret down so far, she’d need a roadmap to find it. “You found a lab. What can you tell me?”

Emery’s smile faltered. “It might be better if I just show you. I’ve got officers securing the scene with our resident vice detective on site. And I’m hoping the coroner and CSI will be wrapping things up by the time we get there.”

“The coroner?”

“We’ve got a security guard down. It looks as if he interrupted a drop or maybe he was part of it. All I know is that if my hunch is right, this is only the beginning.”

CHAPTER 3

Maybe Cartwright had a point,and Nova was making bad decisions? Because she’d all but put her foot in her mouth in Hawk’s office — stressing over her current situation when Emery was sitting on a homicide from a possible drug trafficking ring. And all in front of Cooper and his team.

Nova was definitely making poor choices.

She glanced in her rearview as Cooper parked one of Brotherhood trucks behind her rental at the crime scene. She wasn’t sure if it was a blessing or a curse that they’d driven her vehicle to the meeting, but it had given her a few moments reprieve when Hawk had suggested Cooper take one of the Brotherhood vehicles in case something crept up and they had to separate later.

Though, glancing at Cooper’s pinched mouth and narrowed eyes, Nova was edging more toward it being a curse. He hadn’t said a word since she’d asked him to help search the scene with Whiskey. Not that she was surprised. He’d obviously thought her frustration at being reassigned reflected directly on their relationship. That being stationed on the Big Island hadn’t been part of her long-term plan.

Thathehadn’t been part of her long-term plan.

Which couldn’t have been farther from the truth. Sure, having the last ten years of her life essentially erased wasn’t great, but what had scared her more was the instant punch of relief she’d felt the moment Cartwright had told her she was staying. How she’d been more preoccupied with the thought of her and Cooper getting a chance to see where their relationship was headed than she was with her status as a DEA agent circling the drain.

That maybe the life she really wanted wasn’t the one Tate had carved out for her.

A misunderstanding she’d clear up later, after she’d picked her shattered career off the ground and attempted to piece it back together. Which started with determining if this was a DEA kind of case or something local law could handle on their own.

Cooper moved in behind her, Whiskey alert at his side. He gave the canine some slack, talking quietly to her before she sniffed at the ground, staying far enough back it was apparent Nova was in charge.

She’d have to thank him for that. For having her six even when he probably thought she didn’t care. That she hadn’t spent the past few weeks falling dangerously in love with him.

Not love. Or was it?

Nova didn’t really know — hadn’t ever considered herself in love before, so this never-ending sensation of always being on the edge of a cliff was new.

Not that she had time to delve into the thoughts as she followed after Emery, frowning when some guy stopped the other woman, scowling in Nova’s direction before yelling something that sounded like, “Just fucking great,” before storming off, still glaring at Nova.

She studied the man for a few moments, noting his pinched lips and the light sheen of sweat along his forehead. Not from the temperature. This looked more like nervous tension, especiallywith the way he kept shifting his gaze toward her, his left hand twitching against his thigh before he pulled out his cell — started talking to someone on the other end as he turned and disappeared around the corner of the building.

Emery sighed at Nova’s frown as they met at the entrance. “Ignore Simmons. He’s an ass and never thinks it’s the right time to call in the DEA. Though, he’s been better since that guy, Paulin, arrived. Boy’s Club mentality I assume. Did I hear your boss correctly and you know Paulin?”

Nova snorted, doing her best to ignore the fact Emery had heard far more than that. “It’s been ten years, but yeah. I’m kinda hoping he’s changed.”

“I’m betting he hasn’t.” Emery waved Nova through. “I’ll go check on Simmons — remind him to play nice. But in case it’s not obvious, go down this hall then into the next room on the right. Just watch your step. Construction on this place stalled when the investor’s money ran out, and it’s been sitting partially finished since. There have been a few trespassing calls recently, so they must have hired the security company to keep an eye on it until they figured out their next move. We’ll know more once the owner arrives in a few hours from O’ahu. I’ll be right back.”

She headed out the door, Flint tagging along. Nova wasn’t sure what arrangement the man had with Emery’s boss in order to shadow her, and frankly, she didn’t care. Especially if this was cartel related. Which was part of the reason she’d asked Cooper to join them. Sure, Whiskey was a trained drug dog — had spent years working narcotic cases while Cooper was with the Tactical Law Enforcement Team, or TACLET for short. But Nova would be lying if she didn’t admit part of her had wanted him there. Not just for added security but to know someone she trusted had her back. Or was it her side?

She glanced at Cooper when the man stopped at the threshold, looking so damn confident and calm it eased thefluttery sensation in the pit of Nova’s stomach. Not from the case but him. Thinking that she might have ruined whatever chance they’d had before it had really begun.

Which wasn’t what she should be focused on in the middle of a crime scene.

A deep breath and a pep talk not to screw up this assignment, and she was off. Making her way down the hallway — avoiding the bits of lumber and drywall littering the floor — before reaching the junction and turning right. A generator hummed in the next room, powering what looked like a floodlight filling the area in an overly white glow.

Nova took a moment to study the surroundings — make a mental note of the layout — before stepping across the threshold and stopping. Freezing, really, because the scene…

It wasn’t just close to the photos of Tate’s, it was a damn replica. The man splayed out in the same position, one arm extended above his head. Gun still clenched against his palm. Blood pooled around his head and torso, a pair of vacant eyes staring endlessly toward her, an obvious bullet wound between them. Even his appearance was similar. Mature. Lean. With a dusting of white hair at the temples. For a moment, she would have sworn she was staring at Tate’s face.

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