Page 8 of Heat of Justice

“No, I don’t think he’s involved in this.” Quinn took a deep breath, let it out in a long exhale, and went on to explain. “The author of an online blog recently published accuses me of being a dirty cop. And claims that Lewiston P.D., Captain Wilson, and the mayor, are aware of it. Giving me a free ride because they’re all corrupt as well.”

“Bullshit!” Lia exclaimed and was rewarded to see a ghost of a smile on her wife’s lips.

“Thanks, babe,” Quinn murmured.

“I’m only stating the truth,” Lia declared as her indignation flared. “You are the best cop in this city! The most selfless person I’ve ever met.” She pointed toward the pier in the distance. “Have Wilson and the mayor already forgotten what you did when four armed lunatics shot their way through the shopping strip over there two years ago?”

“Lia…”

“You jumped in front of an innocent woman to save her life. You took a bullet that was meant for her!”

Lia would never forget witnessing Quinn’s dramatic arrival at the hospital after the shooting. Lying unconscious in the back of a police cruiser. Bleeding from a severe wound that would no doubt have been fatal if Ellie James, the officer in question, had not clamped her hand over her ruptured femoral artery to slow the bleeding down. Quinn would have died without her presence of mind and quick, daring intervention.

“You’re upset,” she said.

“Outraged,” Lia snapped. “Let’s go home. I want to see that stupid blog for myself.”

???

Nothing like having the sexiest woman on the planet in your corner,Quinn reflected as her wife took her hand, laced their fingers, and gave her a firm squeeze and a tug-along. The simple gesture carried plenty of weight. It grounded her. Once upon a time, Quinn had been utterly convinced of the fact that she did not need, and would never want, this sort of support from another woman. She was too independent, hyper-resilient, and used to doing things on her own terms. Her life before Lia only included her job, her running and CrossFit training, and the odd one-night stand when she felt like letting off steam with a willing partner. Relying on a lover to feel good or happy, let alone falling in love, struck her at the time as lame and dangerous. Ridiculous, verging on stupid. Definitely not for her. But then, a gutsy reporter with plenty of character, a streak of attractive stubbornness, and the sort of attitude Quinn could not help but admire, walked into her carefully ordered life and proceeded to set fire to it. Lia was gorgeous. She kissed like an angel, knew how to soothe or inflame in equal measures, and always with perfect timing. She slipped under her skin in a hot minute and captured her heart in even less. Quinn Wesley, always famously intent on remaining aloof and single, not only fell head over heels in love but decided to get married as well. Not a day went by now that she did not marvel at her own luck. Lia was the best lover, wife, and partner she could ever have hoped for.

“Huh!” Lia snorted now, without humor. “The Crooked Blue Line.What a stupid, lousy title for this blog.”

chapter 4

“I agree with you.” Quinn went to sit close to her on the couch, both facing Lia’s laptop on the low table in front.

Again, Lia reached for her hand to hold it tightly in both of hers. When Quinn leaned against her, unconsciously seeking a bit more reassurance, Lia was prompted to pass one arm around her shoulders.

“It’s going to be okay, babe.”

“Yeah, I know.”

It felt bloody good to hear Lia say it, though. Getting called into her commander’s office earlier that day, Quinn had no idea of what was about to hit her. The dark look on his face hinted at some bad news, but working special crimes came with its share of this. Of course, she never imagined it would be about her. The blog that her captain went on to show her was short but nasty. Even so, it may not be so bad at first glance, as it only related to a bunch of false accusations. Yes, Quinn had sailed a little close to the line after the incident with Ellie; but like she told her at the time, nothing was ever completely black and white in their area of work. The blog clearly adopted another point of view.

“It says you lied, falsified reports, and destroyed evidence. What the hell.” Frowning in dismay and disbelief, Lia turned to her. “How can Wilson believe any of this crap about you?”

“To his credit, he doesn’t.”

“Is it the mayor, then?”

“The mayor doesn’t know what to believe. If Wilson backs me up, he’ll go with that.”

“Then why on earth are you on suspension?”

“I guess because it’s an election year, and Mayor Everleigh needs to be seen to be doing everything by the book. Especially in matters related to security and the police. You know these are hot issues.”

Lia’s dark eyes flashed in anger this time.

“This is about politics?” she exclaimed. “You have got to be kidding me!”

“I wish.” Quinn shrugged with a quick sigh. “I guess it’d be one thing if I were the only one accused of wrongdoing in this article, but it also points the finger at Wilson and Everleigh.”

“Without proof.”

“True. But it’s bad publicity.”

“That’s for sure.” Incensed, Lia stood up to pace in front of the window. “And suspending their finest officer, in the face of unproven, reckless accusations, goes to show how spineless they both are! I’m still involved in PR for the department,” Lia added. “Wilson should have called me in straight away to record an official statement. Both he and Everleigh should be issuing a joint one right now, to make it clear to everyone that this blog is just a piece of trash. And that they support you one hundred percent.”

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