Page 20 of Forged in Steele

“Likely,” Franz replied.

Not if I can help it,Jared thought and started for the door where he hoped to hear from his supervisor before Detective Hale tried to take over the investigation.

4

Bristol’s phone rang. She spotted her dad’s name. The detective stood at the nursing station, phone to his ear, so she quickly answered.

She lowered her tone. “I can’t talk now.”

“You’re in,” he said.

In! She was in! She resisted whooping for joy. There was nothing joyful about a baby missing. Not even if Bristol got the chance to help find the child and restore the Steele family’s reputation.

“Thanks,” she said. “I won’t disappoint you.”

“Not in a million years, but Baby Girl, be sure you ask us for help if you need it. I know you can’t share the investigation with us, but there are still things we could do if you need it.”

“Thanks. Again.” She ended the call when she wanted to tell him how much she loved him and really thank him. But if anyone heard her, it would come across as unprofessional when her greatest desire right now was to be the consummate professional. And that included hiding any residual feelings she might have for Jared. She’d thought she’d put all of those emotions behind her, but had she?

Argh. Stop thinking about him and start thinking about working with the task force.

If she was going to be on the task force, she needed to dress the part. With her sisters, cousins, and dad working on the video, she tapped in a text to her grandad and asked him to stop by the house to pick up her uniform, boots, and duty belt. He agreed and would text her the minute he arrived.

She strode down the hallway under Jared’s watchful gaze.

“Again, not about the guard.” She stowed her phone just as the detective spun in her direction. He was short, muscular, had a shaved head and a stare made of iron. He wore khaki pants and a blue Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office polo shirt and windbreaker.

He shoved his phone into his pocket with extreme force and eyed her. “I don’t know who you know but don’t make that person regret putting you on the task force.”

“I won’t.” She held out her hand as Jared’s appraising stare burned into her. “I’m Deputy Bristol Steele, by the way, and this is Special Agent Jared Wolfe. And you must be Detective Hale.” She worked hard not to come across sounding like a smart-aleck, but after her words came out she could see where the detective might mistake them.

“Oh, I know who you both are.” Hale waved off her hand. “Wolfe’s on the team too. But then, he has the skills and experience, and I appreciate that partnership.”

A flash of surprise lit Jared’s face. So he didn’t know he’d made the team.

Hale planted hands on his hips. “My LT, Allen Mills, will serve as the task force supervisor along with ASAC Adair. Mills is on his way over now. Since my department is taking all of the calls from the AMBER Alert, I’ll serve as search coordinator.” He pinned his focus on Jared. “You’ll take the investigative coordinator position.”

Jared gave a firm nod. If he was glad for or surprised by the leadership position assigned to him, he didn’t show it. “I already have the hospital administrator setting up a command center on the first floor and will get a keycard for you and your LT.”

“You go ahead and do that. To save time, I’ll have Franz update me, and then we’ll meet in the command center to determine needed resources.” Hale looked at Bristol and opened his mouth.

“I’d like to assist on the investigative detail,” Bristol said, before she was tasked with searching or running down the many false leads that would come in on the tip line. Sure that meant working with Jared, but that’s where the real action would be.

Hale looked at Jared. “You okay with that?”

“Deputy Steele has proven her skills, and I’d be glad for her help.”

Bristol struggled to hide her surprise, but Hale didn’t. His eyes widened, and then he shook his head as if he believed she was a liability. Fine. She would work even harder to prove her worth.

“C’mon, Steele. Let’s get those keycards and the room set up.” Jared marched off without waiting for Hale’s dismissal or for her to agree.

Not that she had to agree to anything he said. He was, for all practical purposes, her supervisor going forward, and she had to do what he told her to do. And he was Hale’s equal too, only reporting to Hale’s lieutenant and his own supervisor.

On the way to the elevator, she called Coglin and asked him to meet them at the command center in case there were additional items they needed in the room.

“Thanks for calling him.” Jared pointed at the elevator doors that were splitting open with a groan.

She whisked past Jared, catching his scent of sandalwood and musk. It would be no hardship working with this man, but she had to be on guard for his ability to distract her. It wouldn’t do to be lost in the sight of those dark eyes when she should be working on finding this precious baby.

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