Terri Reed - Scent Of Danger

“Time and effort away from your responsibilities,” Jim reminded her with a pointed look.

She gritted her teeth. Meeting her captain’s arched eyebrows, she winced. The fact that she’d done some investigating today during working hours was something she was going to have to answer for, she knew, but letting Jim’s negativism influence the captain wasn’t something she planned to let happen.

“With the exception of today, I’ve only worked on Daniel’s case after my shift.”

Captain Drexel held up a hand. “I trust you’ll use better judgment from now on.”

The gentle chastisement hit its mark. “Yes, sir.”

“Good. I understand you closed the youth center for the night,” Drexel said.

“Yes, sir.” Aware of Parker’s gaze on her, she added for his benefit, “Just for the night. It seemed the prudent thing to do given the circumstances.”

Her captain nodded. “Agreed. And it will give you time to do a thorough search of the facility to make sure there are no other drugs hidden on the premises.”

“We can help with that,” Parker spoke up.

Remembering how Sherlock acted at the boys’ locker-room door, Melody decided having the supersniffing dog’s help would be a good idea. “We’d appreciate the help, Officer Adams.”

If there were more stockpiles of drugs in the center, she wanted to know. Parker Adams and his dog, Sherlock, were the best means of uncovering any illegal substances. Even if spending time with the handsome detective and his police dog put her on edge.

“Parker, a word?” Slade said as Melody and Jim filed out of the office. Captain Drexel paced back to the window.

Parker nodded and waited until the others were out of earshot before saying, “Yes, boss?”

“What are your thoughts on the center?”

Aware of Drexel’s scrutiny, he replied honestly, “Mixed. I know the center fills a need and provides a safe place for the teens. But finding those drugs leaves me with a bitter taste. Something’s going on over there.”

“Do you think Officer Zachary is involved?” Drexel asked, his deep voice reverberating through the room.

Remembering how upset she was when they opened the locker gave him hope she wasn’t. “I don’t think so. But I know not to come to any conclusions without more information.”

“And Officer Wheaton?” Slade asked.

“Again, without evidence to the contrary, I have to believe both officers are on the up and up.”

The two captains exchanged another look. Drexel gave a slight nod. Slade turned back to Parker. “Given the break-in this morning and now the drugs, I want you to stick close to the center. If something illegal is going on, and if either Officer Zachary or Officer Wheaton is involved, we want to know about it ASAP.”

“Yes, sir.”

With the captain’s backing, he hoped she would accept his protection more easily. Though he had a feeling easy wasn’t going to apply when it came to Melody Zachary. The detective seemed to have an independent streak as wide as the Rio Grande.

Parker started to leave but then turned back to ask, “Any word on Rio?”

Distress clouded Slade’s blue eyes. “No. Not since Jackson spotted him last month in the Lost Woods.”

Fellow K-9 officer Jackson Worth and his dog, Titan, a black Labrador, were the unit’s explosive-detection team. They’d been working on another case when Jackson had seen Rio.

“Melody said the man who had broken into her office this morning was wearing a ski mask,” Parker said. “From her description it’s the same guy Jackson saw in the Lost Woods with that German shepherd.”

Unfortunately, the pair had gotten away while the K-9 unit was in the midst of tracking them.

Slade’s expression hardened. “All the more reason for you and Sherlock to become a presence at the youth center. If this guy in the black mask returns, I want him taken down.”

“Roger that.” Anticipation revved through Parker. This creep was a menace to society and needed to be brought to justice.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.