Page 139 of The Consequences of Love and Vengeance

“Open it, sir.”

Looking down, he flips it open, takes the sheet of paper out, and then places the file on his desk. His eyes scrunch together as he reads. And when his face reddens, something inside me relaxes a margin.

He’s buying it.

“What the hell is this, Andrews?”

Tom shoves the legal-size document in Summers’ direction. I watch him take it, reading it so diligently that I tilt my face, observing him. His eyes move from side to side, and I’m struck with amazement for some odd reason. He’s thorough and not rushing himself to finish.

Taking two steps back, he sits back down on the couch. Once he’s finished, he pauses, looking off to the side. He’s digesting it, then his eyes snap to mine. For several pregnant pauses, I think he’s going to call bullshit. But he doesn’t. He doesn’t even speak. Just watches as I watch him—until Ramirez’s voice booms.

“Well, fucking explain.”

“Sir,” I say calmly. “It’s pretty self-explanatory. Alders and I have been working together for some time now, almost the start of my investigation.”

“I approached Detective Andrews,” Eric butts in. “I had already been eyeing her as a potential candidate for the DEA. When I learned of LAPD’s interest in Acerbi, I knew it was a sign.”

“A fucking sign?” Tom questions. “How would you have even known anything about my interests?”

“That’s really here nor there other than I’m good at my job.”

“You’re telling me.” Tom pierces me with his stare. “You colluding with a suspect was all an act?” He shakes his head. “Sorry, but I don’t buy that. That miscreant knocked you up, and I’m supposed to believe it was all a little act to get close to him?”

How the hell does he know that?

That was never discussed with anyone other than the physician, Drago, and my dad. D’s family doesn’t even know. And I can’t imagine my father divulging that piece of information after everything he told me about my mom.

So how does Tom know?

Eric’s hand comes to rest on my back, bracing me, which helps to steady my frame. In my distracted thoughts, I hadn’t realized I’d taken a step back.

“Oftentimes, when immersed under deep cover, a cop has to do and act ways they wouldn’t normally. She was faced with blowing her cover or going along with something she normally wouldn’t. You know this, Ramirez, so what’s the real issue here? You don’t like being kept in the dark when your detective is vying for a spot with a federal agency—or is it something else? Don’t want the feds taking overyourcase on Acerbi?” Eric’s laugh is sardonic. “Although, it was never your case to begin with. I’ve been working Acerbi for far too long to give him to the local PD.”

“My issue is that—”

Summers cuts him off.

“All of this is legal and binding. I’ve known Alders for a long time, Chief. He does everything by the book. Maybe off-handed, but still straight-up and by the law.” Summers stands. Taking a long step forward, he passes the document to me. “Detective Andrews, I still have to complete a full investigation of your actions. Normally, something of this nature would make Alders’ case a conflict of interest, but taking what he’s told us into consideration, I’ll sign off on you consulting with Alders on his case. You’ll remain on administrative leave until your physician has released you, though. There is no way around that, Detective.”

“Actually, I have a follow-up tomorrow,” I tell him, remembering my discharge orders for the first time since leaving the hospital.

“Good.” Eric claps his hands. “I submitted a request to you just this morning, Chief, asking that Andrews be allowed to continue working alongside me on this case.”

“Get me a copy of her release, then she can consultonly, Alders until my internal investigation is complete.”

Summers faces me, looking down at me, but when he opens his mouth to say something, he’s cut off by Ramirez.

“Summers, you can’t—”

The deputy chief is cut off once again.

“With all due respect, sir, I can.” His voice is firm, silently commanding acceptance. “It appears Detective Andrews is playing an important role in Special Agent Alders’ case. I will be forwarding my latest update to the Chief of Police as well.”

Tom steels his jaw, breathing in long and hard, before releasing it all while drilling holes into me with his dark blue eyes.

“And if I refuse to allow her?” Tom directs his question to Eric.

“I’ll be forced to take my request to my director.” Eric lets out a dry laugh, while Summers bites his lip in order to contain his.

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