Page 17 of Trigger

“Look, I don’t know, okay?” I exclaimed. “The fucker won’t say.And honestly, I don’t care.”

“Still… you shouldn’t let him get to you.”

“Easier said than done. And I don’t need your advice.”

Once again, he seemed unperturbed by my brusque tone. Nothingcould faze him; nothing unnerved him. Unlike me, he was always poised. It vexedme. Itintriguedme—and I hated it.

“Well, partner, I think we’re here,” he murmured, parking in frontof my building and surveying the area. “Which apartment is yours?”

“The one with a balcony on the third floor. It’s a rental.”Against my better judgment, I asked him. “Where do you live?”

He smiled widely.

“This is my crib,” he said, pointing his hand in our generaldirection. “Fancy, huh?”

I blinked. “You live in your car?”

“Yup.”

“Why?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “I haven’t found a place yet. I heardabout my transfer only recently, thanks to my dick of a chief.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “He hates you, too, huh?”

For a few moments, he regarded me steadily. His eyes, now midnightblue, seemed puzzled and vague. Did I offend him?

“You know, this is the first time I saw you smile,” he saidthoughtfully. “Huh!”

And just like that, my smile disappeared.

“Don’t get used to it,” I murmured, opening the car door.

“Partner?”

I rolled my eyes and turned to look at him. “What?”

“Can I, by any chance, shower at your place? It’s been a few days,and this car isn’t exactly a five-star accommodation.”

I snorted. “No.”

“Are you sure?”

“Goodbye, Thorsen.”

“You will regret it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, butsoon.”

I slammed the door behind me instead of replying.

Chapter4

The Stakeout

Thorsen

Allbeing said and done, yesterday was a success as much as a disaster, but Iremained optimistic. A pissed-off partner was better than no partner at all,although I couldn’t understand why he got mad at me last night. When he showedup at Pete’s, I was so happy I couldn’t stop myself from hugging him, but itonly made him green in the face. Then I sat beside him, hoping to chat with hima bit, but he got himself into a fight. I gave him a ride home, during which hemostly ignored me. Still, it was merely the first step toward our friendship. Iwas sure of it.

“You’redelusional.”

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