Uncovering Officer Smith (The Discovering Trilogy #2) by Sheena Hutchinson

that. I just couldn’t sleep.”
    “Sure,” Matt teases. “So, what did the lab want?”
    “I was just checking on that sample I’d sent.”
    “The girl from the bar last weekend?”
    “Yeah.”
    “She’s really got you in a funk, huh?”
    “What?” My arm falls flat against the desk.
    He looks at me over his glasses. “Smith, that was the first Friday in like two years you haven’t taken a girl home for sex.” He pauses. “Since then, you’ve become like obsessed with her date-rape case.”
    “ Attempted rape,” I correct. “And it almost happened right under my nose – wouldn’t that bother you?”
    “Nothing happened. You have a hard-on for this girl.”
    “I do not. She’s not my type.”
    “What type is that? Smart? Morally sound?… Or is it because she’s blonde ?”
    “All of the above.” I stifle a laugh.
    “Face it, Smithy, this girl’s got you by the balls.” His hand reaches out and cups the air for emphasis.
    “You’re delusional. This is just business.”
    “Smith.” Chief Carson’s voice resounds across the precinct. She stands at the edge of the hallway with both hands on her hips, a stance I’ve grown to learn she means business. “My office, now.”
    “Good luck,” Matt whispers, keeping his eyes down. If there was one thing we’ve learned with our new chief, it was to always look busy. She’ll find something for you to do, even if it means scrubbing toilets. I close the folder on my desk and shove it into a drawer before following her. She’s seated behind that ridiculously huge desk of hers—Took four grown men to get it inside.
    “Chief, what’s up?”
    “Have a seat.” She indicates a chair in front of her desk.
    Oh great, this is going to be a long one . I walk inside, making myself at home in her leather chairs. She took no time redecorating after the old chief of Angelica passed away from a heart attack – too many donuts. The office now looks like a rich person’s study, not the commanding officer of a small town police force. But, what do I know?
    “So.” She shuffles some papers on her desk. “Have you confirmed GHB was used at The Bar?”
    “Not yet. Still waiting on the lab; I touched base earlier.”
    She nods. “I want to keep an eye on this. A college town does not need this kind of reputation. We need to nip the situation in the bud now. I want these culprits prosecuted. They need to be made an example of so it doesn’t reoccur.”
    “Don’t worry, I’m on it. Still going through security footage; I’ll have an ID soon.”
    “Good.” She nods, loving to feel like she’s in charge. “Now, anything on the mysterious disappearances?”
    “No new leads.”
    “Well, I need answers. Dig up some dirt; go back to the first disappearance, retrace your steps. I need to tell these families something. It’s been almost two years and we haven’t turned up anything. We look like morons. A good precinct would have some clues by now. People don’t just disappear without a trace.”
    “I agree, but that’s how it appears.”
    “Was it a cult? Religious sacrifice? Murder? Where are these people, Smith? Ask a set of fresh eyes to review the case files. I’m giving you permission to start a task force. I want some news or leads soon.”
    I nod. “Yes, Chief.”
    She looks around before responding. “You know, Smith, you’re the only one with any brains here.” I glance up. “I think you would make a great detective. Show me you can handle this, produce something I can bring to the commanders, and the promotion is yours.”
    My eyes must be bulging out of their sockets right now because I have to remind myself to blink. I blink three more times before opening my mouth to respond. “Yes, Thank you, Chief.”
    “Good, now go. Send Todd in here. “
    I wince at Matt’s last name. They call him by it so often people actually think that’s his first name. Much like me, I guess. His head is still down when I reappear. He’s furiously