from Jared and Jake that you are aware of Jared’s undercover status?” His expression hardened when she nodded in affirmation. His voice was soft, but the underlying threat was clear. “I trust you know how important it is that no one else knows this. We have planted the rumor that I have serious health issues which is the reason Jared has returned to our fair city.”
Hailey was stunned that he thought for even a second that she might expose Jared. How stupid did they think she was? “I understand, Sir, I…I mean Mr. Justice. I promise you, I would never reveal Jared’s undercover role.” Realizing that he thought she couldn’t be trusted, that she was just a blonde ditz, she added coolly, “I’m a police officer, Sir. And…and I would never do anything to hurt Jared.”
Judge Justice eyed her narrowly as if considering, then nodded in agreement.
“Yes, Officer Michels, you are a police officer and according to Commander Justice, you are a damn good one.”
As he walked her out to the town car in the driveway, the solemn man concluded, “Do know that in addition to Jared’s list of commands, Lt. Justice, your boss, ordered you to take the day off and keep your ankle elevated. He indicated that one of his sergeants would be stopping by to see that you have everything you need, or want.”
Hailey breathed a grateful sigh of relief when she was safely inside the luxurious town car. When she started to thank Judge Justice, he shook his head. “No need, Officer Michels. It was a pleasure to meet you. I hope I see more of you, and that your ankle heals quickly.”
Judge reached into his vest pocket and took out an envelope. Handing it to her, he said, “I almost forgot. Among his litany of orders, Jared indicated that I should give this to you.”
As he closed the door he smiled at her and nodded as if in agreement.
“Yes, Officer Michels, I do hope to see you—often.”
Bolstered by his gentlemanly and seemingly sincere wish, Hailey waited until Gregory had maneuvered the impressive automobile onto the street before opening the envelope. Willing her hands to stop shaking, she removed the single sheet. Neither the bold handwriting nor the crisp, authoritative warning surprised her.
“Just to confirm what I said last night, rookie. We’re not through. No, Angel Face, you and I have barely begun. J.”
***
Hailey put the bottle of white wine and three glasses on the coffee table and said apologetically to the stern woman sitting on her sofa, “Sorry, Mitzi. This is all the alcohol I have.”
Remembering what she’d done the night before after she’d had her first glass of hard liquor, Hailey figured it was just as well that she only had white wine. At the memory Hailey felt her cheeks flame. Fortunately Sgt. Olson and her fellow officer, Tara Peterson, didn’t seem to notice. They were too eager to hear about her last evening’s escapade. Hailey went over the details one more time wondering what the two veteran cops would think if they knew what actually happened. Retelling the story that she and Lt. Justice had agreed to, she explained that she’d gotten lost in the rainstorm and that Sgt. Solberg and Lt. Justice had found her and brought her home.
After taking a big swig of the Sauvignon Blanc, Mitzi shook her head in disgust. “Jesus, girl. You need to get yourself some real booze. And while we’re discussing the ridiculous, how the hell can anyone get lost in the rain?” The hefty woman snorted, “Nothing like acting like the blonde bimbo you look like.”
Tara jumped to Hailey’s defense.
“Jeepers, Mitzi. Can’t you see how bad she feels? Look at her ankle?! You think she tried to get hurt? And just so you know, not all of us grew up in the woods like you and the Justice family. Some of us grew up in towns and cities where they have streetlights and don’t depend on the moon to see at night.”
Mitzi put up her hands and agreed. “My apologies, rookie. I forget how green you
Hailey was stunned that he thought for even a second that she might expose Jared. How stupid did they think she was? “I understand, Sir, I…I mean Mr. Justice. I promise you, I would never reveal Jared’s undercover role.” Realizing that he thought she couldn’t be trusted, that she was just a blonde ditz, she added coolly, “I’m a police officer, Sir. And…and I would never do anything to hurt Jared.”
Judge Justice eyed her narrowly as if considering, then nodded in agreement.
“Yes, Officer Michels, you are a police officer and according to Commander Justice, you are a damn good one.”
As he walked her out to the town car in the driveway, the solemn man concluded, “Do know that in addition to Jared’s list of commands, Lt. Justice, your boss, ordered you to take the day off and keep your ankle elevated. He indicated that one of his sergeants would be stopping by to see that you have everything you need, or want.”
Hailey breathed a grateful sigh of relief when she was safely inside the luxurious town car. When she started to thank Judge Justice, he shook his head. “No need, Officer Michels. It was a pleasure to meet you. I hope I see more of you, and that your ankle heals quickly.”
Judge reached into his vest pocket and took out an envelope. Handing it to her, he said, “I almost forgot. Among his litany of orders, Jared indicated that I should give this to you.”
As he closed the door he smiled at her and nodded as if in agreement.
“Yes, Officer Michels, I do hope to see you—often.”
Bolstered by his gentlemanly and seemingly sincere wish, Hailey waited until Gregory had maneuvered the impressive automobile onto the street before opening the envelope. Willing her hands to stop shaking, she removed the single sheet. Neither the bold handwriting nor the crisp, authoritative warning surprised her.
“Just to confirm what I said last night, rookie. We’re not through. No, Angel Face, you and I have barely begun. J.”
***
Hailey put the bottle of white wine and three glasses on the coffee table and said apologetically to the stern woman sitting on her sofa, “Sorry, Mitzi. This is all the alcohol I have.”
Remembering what she’d done the night before after she’d had her first glass of hard liquor, Hailey figured it was just as well that she only had white wine. At the memory Hailey felt her cheeks flame. Fortunately Sgt. Olson and her fellow officer, Tara Peterson, didn’t seem to notice. They were too eager to hear about her last evening’s escapade. Hailey went over the details one more time wondering what the two veteran cops would think if they knew what actually happened. Retelling the story that she and Lt. Justice had agreed to, she explained that she’d gotten lost in the rainstorm and that Sgt. Solberg and Lt. Justice had found her and brought her home.
After taking a big swig of the Sauvignon Blanc, Mitzi shook her head in disgust. “Jesus, girl. You need to get yourself some real booze. And while we’re discussing the ridiculous, how the hell can anyone get lost in the rain?” The hefty woman snorted, “Nothing like acting like the blonde bimbo you look like.”
Tara jumped to Hailey’s defense.
“Jeepers, Mitzi. Can’t you see how bad she feels? Look at her ankle?! You think she tried to get hurt? And just so you know, not all of us grew up in the woods like you and the Justice family. Some of us grew up in towns and cities where they have streetlights and don’t depend on the moon to see at night.”
Mitzi put up her hands and agreed. “My apologies, rookie. I forget how green you
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