Page 27 of Wandering Souls

A growl vibrated in her throat. “I didn’t ask to be sent here, Ray. I’m just trying to make the best of what I’ve got. You and Wilson need to trust me.”

He doubted trust was the problem. Two warehouses down from the one she’d brought him to see, he pulled the sportscar to the curb, shifted into park and turned to her.

“How old are you?”

“Twenty-one,” she pouted, sounding defensive. “Is that a problem?”

It surprised him to think they allowed her into the academy, partly because of her age but mostly because of the enormous chip on her shoulder. How she passed the psych evals was anyone’s guess but who was he to argue with the brass? He’d thought he’d known better, too, and look where that got him. Burned out, half asleep at the wheel and decisions he’d like to forget.

“For someone of your age, you harbor a lot of anger.”

She shrugged and turned away from him to look out the window. “You don’t know anything about me, Ray, but I’m good at this job. Or at least, I will be when you old farts start taking me seriously.”

In the six months he’d known her, she’d done nothing but make him worry she’d kill herself with her love of extreme sports. Skydiving, skiing, rock climbing... How many times had she landed in hospital for patching up? What she hadn’t done was prove how serious she was about being a cop. But she was right, he didn’t know anything about her.

“Okay.” He decided to take his own advice and give her a shot. “Investigate a little more. Gather more evidence, Quinn. Don’t put yourself in harm’s way, but give me something I can work with other than gossip from the local pub.”

Her head turned, excitement flashing in her eyes. “Really?”

He made a mental note to discuss his plan to develop Quinn’s natural instincts with Neville before the day was over. “Really, but don’t get all gung-ho and blow it. Cold, hard facts are what we need. Not hunches. Not hearsay. Understood?”

She practically bounced in her seat and the enthusiasm pleased him. If he could focus her energies and drive, and build her respect for protocol, she stood a better chance of being transferred to Melbourne—where she clearly wanted to be.

“I won’t let you down, Ray. I promise.”

Good, because his ass was on the line as much as hers. He smiled and shifted the transmission back into drive. “Don’t fall into the trap of thinking small towns aren’t dangerous places, Quinn. Constable White might have something to say about that.”

She sobered at the mention of the young man who’d been shot in the head earlier in the year. Though he was recovering, his return would take some time yet. His accident was what paved the way for her to be assigned to the Crossing and she should never forget it. Neville wouldn’t, nor would he ever forgive himself for the events that unfolded that day.

“How do you know what happened to White?”

“Research. I make it a point to know a place I’m moving to, and being aware of the events and understanding how they impact the locals gives me context.”

“Understood,” she said softly.

“And you refer to me as Detective. Using my first name is too informal.”

He caught her rolling her eyes before she sighed reluctantly. “Yes,Detective.”

Hmm, not nearly as hot as when Abi says it.

Back at the station, he left Quinn to her new assignment and returned to his office, to find the boss standing at his desk. He studied the slightly older man from behind. With a tall, lanky physique, Neville was built for endurance. He was in good shape, as he proved by taking part in the town’s annual ski race, coming in a respectable fifth place.

Having grown up in the nearby town of Bourke’s Ridge, Neville came from a large, well-respected family. He’d had to work hard to earn the trust of the Crossing’s residents, but it was clear he had. It had nothing to do with his former role in the Australian Federal Police service, or that he was a Wilson. Playing a pivotal role in capturing the criminals who shot White and took another local hostage had afforded him the kind of reputation every cop wanted.

He wasn’t to be messed with and now, as Ray knocked on the doorframe of his own office, he considered his superior with admiration.

“Ray.”

He nodded. “Afternoon, Nev. Looking for me?”

Neville smiled. “Been out with Quinn, I see.”

Ray entered the room and stepped around the desk. He shrugged out of his jacket and draped it over the back of his chair. “She thinks she’s onto something.”

Neville frowned and ran a hand through his hair. “What hairbrained scheme is she spouting now?”

Ray chuckled and slapped Neville’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Nev. Let me handle this one.”

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