The Shelter of His Arms (Harlequin Heartwarming) by Dawn Stewardson Page B

all over you? Because that’s where it could go.”
    “I—”
    “Quinn, you have no idea who Evan Reese is.”
    “Sure I do. He’s a nut bar.”
    “Could be. But does the name Fred Corstair ring a bell?”
    “Of course.” Corstair was the first deputy police commissioner. Which made him the most powerful civilian affiliated with the department.
    “Good. Then consider this. Evan Reese’s mother is Corstair’s sister. Reese laid that on me when he phoned and I just finished checking it out.”
    “What?”
    “Yup,” Espizito muttered. “Your nut bar is extremely well connected. His uncle Fred can pull just about any strings he feels like around here. And if I don’t ‘set you straight,’ as Reese put it, he’ll be on the phone to Corstair.”
    The C.O. paused. When Travis remained silent, he added, “In case you haven’t heard, I’m already in Uncle Fred’s bad books.”
    “I’ve heard.”
    Barely a week ago, a team of Manhattan North Homicide detectives had wrapped up a particularly gruesome case—by charging the wrong man.
    Two days later, the real killer’s lawyer convinced him to confess. And when the charges against the innocent suspect were dropped, he announced that he intended to sue the department.
    The media had had a field day with the story, and Fred Corstair appeared to be holding Len Espizito personally responsible. For the false arrest, the resulting bad press and the pending lawsuit.
    “By setting you straight,” Espizito was saying, “Reese means he wants you off the Parker case. Claims your involvement with the vic’s sister is totally unprofessional and—”
    “I’m not involved with her!”
    “Fine, you’re not. But that’s how he’s painting it. There’s also his claim that you threatened him with bodily harm. And he says he’s sure you’ll continue to harass him if I leave you on the case.”
    “He’ll calm down.”
    Espizito shook his head. “If I don’t do something to mollify him, he’ll be pushing for your shield.”
    “Lieutenant...I’m sorry I’ve put you in this position. But I know you don’t give in to threats.”
    “No. Not normally. Only, this time it seems like the smartest option. The last thing I need right now is a loose cannon with connections to Corstair.”
    “But—”
    “No,” the C.O. said again. “Look, let’s say I tell Reese I’ve given you a verbal reprimand and that’s as far as I’m taking it. What do you think he’ll do?
    “He’ll talk to Uncle Fred, just like he threatened,” Espizito continued before Travis could open his mouth. “Then Corstair will be on Internal Affairs. And on me for good measure. So I’m going to avoid a whole lot of grief for both of us.
    “I’m assigning Koscina to work with Ballantyne as the other primary on this one. And I want you to take some time off. You’ve got a pile of overtime built up. I’ve already had a memo from personnel about it, so—”
    “You can’t do this!”
    “No? Watch me.”
    “Sir...I really want to stay on the case.”
    Espizito opened his office door and said, “Sorry, Quinn. Two weeks’ leave. Starting now. End of discussion.”

CHAPTER FIVE
    Tuesday, October 5, 1:09 p.m.
    J UST AS T RAVIS was driving out of the precinct parking garage, he spotted his partner’s red Jeep heading toward it.
    “Had lunch yet?” Hank said, pulling up beside the Mustang.
    “Uh-uh.”
    “Good. Me, neither. I’ll just park and we can go grab something.”
    “Let’s take both cars.”
    “Well...sure, if you want. Lucy’s?”
    He nodded, then started off again. His stomach felt like solid concrete, so the last thing he needed was food. But he’d talk while Hank ate. Maybe, between the two of them, they could figure out a way of convincing Espizito to put him back on the case.
    In Lucy’s, Hank ordered the daily special. When Travis told the waitress he only wanted coffee, Hank gave him a curious look.
    “You sick?” he asked as the woman turned away.
    “No. But