Page 6 of Trigger

“Whatdid he do to end up here?” Someone behind me asked.

“Iheard he broke some politician’s nose.”

“No,he set the police station on fire.”

“That’sbullshit. He fucked some chick he wasn’t supposed to. Like, the president’sdaughter or something.”

Irolled my eyes. No wonder we had the highest crime rate in the country when thecops cared more about gossip than catching criminals.

Iglanced toward the hall, only to see the dude in a Hawaiian shirt stopping infront of the chief’s office. He was about to knock when the door opened andRuth from HR walked out. He stepped back, but not quickly enough, and the doorhit him on the head.

“Oh,I’m so sorry,” Ruth exclaimed as he rubbed his forehead. “I didn’t see youthere.”

Hisgaze slid down her body as a sheepish grin spread across his face.

“That’sokay, sweetheart. Are you alright?”

Ruthnarrowed her eyes, but I could see her suppressing a smile.

“It’sthe 21st century, buddy. Endearments in the workplace will earn you a lawsuitor a slap in the face despite that charming French accent of yours.”

“Nah,”he said, chuckling. “I’m a lover, not a fighter.”

Hergaze slid down his massive body, and she licked her lips as if he were ahuman-sized ice cream cone. “Are you now?”

JesusChrist.

“Howdo you like your partner, Carter?”

Iignored Adam’s remark, although it took some effort on my part. After I punchedhim the other day, he was avoiding me, but this forced truce was temporary, andwe both knew it. The funniest thing about it was that I didn’t even know why hehated me so much. I disliked him, sure, but he was the one provoking me all thetime.

Speakingof dislike, I looked toward the hall again, only to find it empty and the doorto the chief’s office closed. This new, unfortunate development told me I wasgetting a partner whether I liked it or not, and it was a bummer. Worse thanthat. It was a disaster. And of all people, it had to be the cross between asurfer dude and Mount Everest.

Yup,you could say he stepped on my toe the moment I saw him, even before we said aword to each other. I never had such a visceral reaction to anyone, and itdidn’t bode well for our future collaboration. First, he was an offense tofashion, and it was a fact. Second, he was a lawsuit waiting to happen,considering how he spoke to the opposite sex. And third, he agitated me. Hemore than agitated me. Heannoyedme even more than Adam annoyed me,which was a lot. Rough on the edges, my ass. That guy was trouble, and I couldsmell it. And I’ve had enough trouble for a lifetime.

Thorsen

“Bottom line, workhard, play by the rules, and we will get along just fine.”

Inodded, already liking Chief Bibb more than my old chief, who was an asshole ofgigantic proportions.

“Yes,Chief.”

Notthat I planned on making waves. I just wanted to do my job, get along with everyone,and hope that Mayor Dick gets hit by a bus so I could return to New Mesa.

“Carterwill be your partner here,” Chief Bibb said. “Do you know him?”

“No,Chief. Well, I know of him. I mean, his reputation preceded him.”

“Mhm,”he murmured, gazing into the distance.

Ithought he would ask me what I’d heard, but he was smart enough not to gothere. Not that I knew much, except that my new partner was an alleged hotheadprone to fits of explosive rage. Lucky me.

“Iwant you two to get along,” Chief Bibb said, narrowing his eyes in anot-so-subtle warning. “Like peas and carrots. Like two peas in a pod. Likepeanut butter and jelly. Like… Well, you get the idea. Have I made myselfclear?”

“Crystal,Chief.”

“Andgo easy on him, okay? He’s had a rough couple of months.”

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