Page 11 of Wine and Research
Damn, it was Officer Grumpy again.
Chapter Four
The instant Jeremy stepped into the lieutenant’s office, he understood the smirks and smiles from his colleagues along the way.
Elle Hudson was back. And considering it was déjà vu all over again, he had to assume she was here for more research.
Damn.
He’d thought he’d suffered through the last of it back in October.
She wore jeans and a dusty-green shirt with the sleeves cuffed at the elbows and a zippered opening at the neck, giving a tantalizing glimpse of skin just above her cleavage.
Awareness shot to his groin.
Apparently, he hadn’t suffered enough last year.
“Officer Mercer, Ms. Hudson is requesting a few more ride-alongs with you to help finalize her research.”
She’d requested him?
Surprise rippled through him along with a side of unexpected warmth, but both dissipated at the appearance of her frown.
“Uh, not exactly,” she corrected. “I did request a few more ride-alongs, but it doesn’t have to be with Officer Mercer. In fact, it would help to have someone else, you know…for a different perspective and all.”
Although he knew backpedaling when he heard it, Jeremy appreciated her attempt to get him off the hook, but he could tell by Kroeger’s set jaw that she was wasting her breath.
Perhaps he could reason with the guy in private.
“Sorry, Ms. Hudson,” the lieutenant said in his best cordial tone. “But it’s either Officer Mercer or no one. I’m afraid Ican’t spare any of the other officers. In fact, I can’t really spare Officer Mercer either, but I wouldn’t want you to think ill of our department.”
Her frown deepened. “Oh, I would never do that, Lieutenant Kroeger. I appreciate all the help all of you have shown, and I promise only one or two more weeks and I’ll be out of your space.”
Jeremy swallowed a groan.
One or two more weeks?
He didn’t think he could last one hour, let alone one or two more weeks cooped up in a squad car with the beautiful, irritating woman.
“Very well,” the lieutenant stated. “We will be glad to help with your research in any way. Isn’t that right, Officer Mercer?”
No, it was wrong. Very wrong. He clenched his jaw to keep from voicing his opposition and nodded instead.
Kroeger smiled. “Good. So, if you’ll excuse us, Ms. Hudson, I need a moment to talk shop with Officer Mercer. In the meantime, please, help yourself to a coffee,” his superior offered, walking Elle to the door.
“I will, thank you. And don’t forget about your éclair,” she said with a smile on her way out the door.
As soon as Jeremy heard the door click, he turned around to face the lieutenant, but the guy held up a hand and motioned for him to follow him to his desk.
“Look, I already know what you’re going to say, and the answer is no. It’s like I told the author—there’s no one else I can spare.”
Jeremy frowned. “What about Nealy?”
Kroeger shook his head. “You know she has to ride with Sampson until he’s off probation, and that leaves two rookies and their trainers. It has to be you, Mercer, so suck it up and get it done. Maybe this time, give her what she wants.”
His frown deepened. “She wants to see action, sir, but I won’t put a civilian in harm’s way.”
Especially Elle, his mind supplied, and Jeremy didn’t bother to dissect the meaning.
