Collision Force Read online

  Praise? Wow. It didn’t come often from her very un-touchy-feely boss. Andi flushed, taking a breath. But Cole Lucas didn’t sit, and he damn sure didn’t seem impressed by Chief Martin’s little speech. He didn’t even flinch. However, after several tense moments on his feet, he sighed heavily—insulting her a bit—and took his seat.

  “There’s no other way, is there?” he whispered.

  He was musing to himself more than speaking to her or Chief, but it didn’t stop the brilliant, triumphant grin that could have split her boss’s face in two. He might have even looked handsome if he hadn’t been gloating so hard.

  Andi gave a sigh of her own. She looked at Agent Lucas then at her boss, who was staring at them both expectantly.

  No one said anything.

  “Well?” Chief Martin prompted.

  “Well, what?” Andi grumbled.

  “The case won’t solve itself.”

  Was she back in high school in the principal’s office? Though, at the moment, detention held some appeal. With a shake of her head, she rose.

  Cole looked the female detective up and down again. Despite his irritation, he was drawn to her. Just gorgeous. He had liked her show of temper moments earlier, and had no doubt they would clash again. Andi MacLaren seemed like she needed to be in control. Well, he had news for her. He was always in control, and he’d have no issues making it clear, first thing.

  He winked at the buxom redhead sitting at her desk in the chief’s front room on the way out, and she gave him a knowing smirk. Cole hadn’t caught her name, but she was stunning. Although, she was young—couldn’t even be twenty-five. He glanced back at Detective MacLaren. Why was he so intrigued by her? The chief’s secretary was much more his normal type, but he would prefer Andi MacLaren if he was forced to pick between the two. That would be fun. He bit back a grin.

  “So, what do you have?” Detective MacLaren asked as he followed her down the hall.

  “Meaning?” He quirked an eyebrow.

  “Hmmm, I see you won’t be making this easy for me.”

  She was already irritated with him. Should he answer her straight or push some more buttons? “What do you mean?” he asked, going for innocence.

  Sighing, she shook her head. “Look, Agent Lucas, this will be a lot easier if we just cooperate with each other.”

  “Cole,” he said.

  “What?” Andi asked, eyebrows drawn tight.

  “Call me Cole. And I will call you Andi,” he said it slowly on purpose, dragging each word out. Her cheeks reddened. He’d ticked her off even more. She didn’t speak, just turned away and headed down the wide hallway. Cole grinned and followed.

  They passed through a door with a placard announcing ‘CID’, the Criminal Investigations Division, near the doorframe. He groaned when he observed the room. Though it was spacious, there were only seven cubicles, and one work area was empty save for the standard issue phone on the desk.

  The only other person in the room was a man, probably in his forties, with dark hair and glasses. He sat at one of the desks, the phone to his ear, speaking in low tones. His workspace was neat and organised, and he wrote on a legal pad as he spoke.

  Andi stopped at a cubicle on the far right against the wall. She leaned on her desk, crossing her arms over her chest and giving him a long look. “Well?” she prompted.

  Cole looked around again, wanting to come off as nonchalant. “Where is everyone?”

  One eyebrow shot up. “Pete’s in the hospital. That’s Detective Kurt Jamison over there. His partner is Detective Sergeant Noah Sullivan—we call him Sully, naturally. No clue where he’s gotten off to. Last but not least is Detective Jared Manning. He’s on vacation, but he’ll be back next week. Right now he doesn’t have a partner. The department has an opening for a detective.”

  “Oh?” Cole grinned.

  “Yeah. You interested?” That eyebrow went even higher, her tone sarcastic. Good. Cole was getting her all hot and bothered.

  “Hell, no. This is Podunkville. I don’t do small towns.”

  Detective MacLaren snorted. “Nice.” Her lips pursed as if she was going to say something else, but she didn’t.

  He had a feeling it wouldn’t take much more to make her really mad, and he didn’t want to push her too far.

  “So, a one-woman show, huh?” he asked a moment later.

  “Actually, we have a female lieutenant, a female sergeant and several female officers. Do you want to see my case file?”

  Cole shrugged. Her expression tightened, her full lips a flat line. She shoved the fat maroon file folder at him. He suppressed a chuckle and nonchalantly peered over the crime scene photos.

  “Maybe you could tell me how big the iceberg is…” Andi said. Her chest heaved as she took a deep breath.

  “Nice wish,” Cole said. He skimmed her report. It was well written and informative, but didn’t answer all his questions. How the hell had Maldonado got away? She’d returned fire. Ah, she’d hit the bastard. The CSIers had recorded four blood types at the scene, including her partner’s outside the entrance of the warehouse where the two bodies were found. That might explain why Maldonado had gone into hiding. But Cole would find him.

  “Look, I don’t want to work with you any more than you want me around. Why don’t we make the best of it and get something accomplished? Find out who shot my partner, and I’m guessing you have the key to your case.”

  Andi’s voice pulled him from the plan he was formulating in his head. Her blue eyes were wide and sincere. The case file still in his arms, Cole couldn’t help but stare, trailing her body before returning to her face.

  Arms at her sides, shoulders tight, she scowled. “Jesus.”

  Focusing on her irritation, he cocked a half-smile. His smartass comment died on his tongue as the detective who’d been on the phone appeared next to them.

  “Morning, Andi. Who’s your friend?” the guy asked.

  “I would use the term friend very loosely,” Andi muttered, shooting Cole a glare.

  He let it slide and glanced at the other man.

  “What was that?” the detective asked. He must have heard, though, because his eyes danced and a ghost of a smile played at his lips.

  “Detective Kurt Jamison, this is Special Agent Cole Lucas, FBI. He’s going to be…working…with me for a while.”

  “Nice to meet you, Agent Lucas,” Detective Jamison said, putting his hand out.

  Cole grasped it.

  “Nice to meet you, too, Detective Jamison,” Cole said, flashing a smile.

  Andi harrumphed. Cole narrowed his eyes. She smiled sweetly at him. Any other time he’d have been pleased, but she was mocking him. Jamison glanced at her then back to him before giving a hearty chuckle. What the hell was so funny? Cole frowned.

  “Well, I need to chase down Sully. We’ve got a promising lead in that big stolen property case.” Jamison cleared his throat, but his tone sounded genuinely regretful. “Take care of Andi since Pete’s not around right now, Agent Lucas. She’s our girl.”

  “I’ll take care of her, all right,” Cole grumbled.

  Andi glared.

  Jamison laughed again then disappeared from the room. Andi crossed her arms over her chest. Cole made sure she noticed his eyes rest there before he flashed his best dimpled grin. Her breasts were too hidden. What a shame.

  She rolled her eyes and let her arms fall to her sides. “Are we going to talk about the case at all?” Andi prompted.

  Cole went back to reading the report but showed no reaction to it. He made mental notes of a few things and revised his plan. He put the case file down and gave it a pat. “Catch you later, MacLaren.” He tossed his business card on her desk.

  “What?”

  “I have some leads to follow up on.”

  “Wait. What? Where are you going?” Andi’s voice rose with each word. He flashed another grin and disappeared from the CID room.

  Chapter Two

  “Son of a bitch.” Andi wa
s torn between going after him and sitting at her desk, working on her own. What a pompous ass! She refused to go to the chief and complain. He’d told her to work with Cole Lucas, and work with him she would.

  Andi hurried out of the room, muttering a few more choice words about Special Agent Cole Lucas. The hallway was empty, but he couldn’t have gone far. She would head him off at the pass.

  She scanned the parking lot. The only vehicle that seemed out of place was a Dodge Challenger, the most conspicuous shade of blue in the world. She rolled her eyes. Didn’t it figure the FBI ass would drive something flashy? He wasn’t in the car, but she wasn’t about to let him ditch her.

  The blue monstrosity wasn’t locked. She slipped into the passenger seat, pulling the seatbelt on and fastening it with a click. Andi had no problem waiting him out. She would show him who was boss.

  A clean, masculine scent tickled her nose. Pleasant, and all him, but she tried to ignore it. Andi didn’t want to have even one positive thought about Special Agent Cole Lucas. No doubt he was convinced he was sexy. Not even a million dollars would get her to admit any reaction to him—even if she did have one, which she most certainly did not.

  The conceited ape came sauntering out of the PD several minutes later, a steaming cup in hand.

  He saw her in his car and gave a hoot of laughter. He said nothing for a moment, just slipped into the driver’s seat, humming. Cole smiled and set his coffee gently in the cup holder. Andi remained silent, but she was seething.

  “I’ve got to hand it to you, Andi. You’ve got balls.”

  “Excuse me?” she demanded. “Obviously, this is some kind of game to you, Agent Lucas. But this is not a game to me. My partner got shot. There have been two people gunned down. We have nothing. I realise that we’re not New York City, or wherever the hell you come from, but this city means something to me, and I have a job to do, with or without you.”

  A low whistle filled the car and Andi almost lost it again. She was about to open her mouth to tell him off, but he spoke.

  “This is not a game to me,” Cole said.

  She raised an eyebrow. “Then prove to me you can take something seriously.”

  “You have absolutely no idea what I can take seriously.” His tone mirrored hers for the first time.

  Good. She didn’t care if he was angry with her. “Then tell me, for God’s sake! We’re supposed to be working together.”

  “Eighteen months. Eighteen months and three states. That’s how long I’ve been working this case. That is what I can, and do, take seriously.”

  Andi pondered his outburst and the passion that flared in his steel gaze. He did give a damn about this case. “Then perhaps a new set of eyes may help your outlook on things,” she said softly.

  “Perhaps,” Cole allowed, cocking his head to the side. He stared.

  Her heart skipped a beat, which she promptly ignored. “Where to first?” Andi asked to take the focus off her.

  “I’d like to see the place your partner got shot.”

  “Why? Crime Scene has already been through everything. Details were all in my report.”

  “I haven’t been through it.” His eyes narrowed.

  “So my guys don’t know what they’re doing?” Andi snapped. Cole’s silence was answer enough as to his opinion. “Dammit,” she muttered. She hadn’t got anywhere with him after all.

  “What was that?”

  She didn’t answer him. The SOB really did think he was better than her whole department. “Fine. It’s not far, I’ll show you. Let’s go.”

  Cole nodded as he started the car.

  * * * *

  The rest of the day proved more frustrating than fruitful. Andi and Cole had shouted at each other several more times. Chief Martin had given her orders, but working with Cole had to be a mission from God. The man had to be the most stubborn, pig-headed jerk she’d ever met. He wouldn’t listen to her at all. She was an adult, a professional detective, and she’d covered all bases in her report. Why did Cole have so many other questions?

  After several phone calls and following an empty lead that took them away from, instead of towards, the warehouse district, Andi was done. No warehouse at all. Running in circles with him was getting them nowhere. What a waste of a day.

  She couldn’t get past Cole’s interrogation regarding what had happened that night. Guilt already chewed at her gut. She didn’t need it from the FBI ass, too. Andi was just as angry the bastard had got away. But, like her partner, she hadn’t got a good look at him.

  “Just take me back to the station, please,” she demanded as darkness approached, adding ‘please’ as an afterthought. “I have to get home, it’s getting late.”

  “Police work doesn’t stop because the sun goes down,” Cole said, his tone amused.

  Andi harrumphed. Why the hell did he think riling her was funny? Fists clenched, she forced a breath. “It does, today. Not that we actually did any work.”

  No way she was telling Cole she needed to get going so she could send Bella home while the hour was still decent and get Ethan into bed.

  Her stomach growled and she cursed. Had the agent heard it? Would he make the unlikely offer of sharing a meal with her? Andi wouldn’t have gone anyway. The temptation to stab him with a steak knife would have been too great. Had she been with Pete, he would have probably offered to take her and Ethan to dinner, and she would have accepted.

  That was often their routine when a case kept them working long hours. Her heart gave a sad pang. Andi missed Pete. She’d meant to go see him today, but it hadn’t happened, either. Because of Agent Lucas.

  “Something wrong?”

  “No. Please just take me back.”

  “Fine.” His word was tense and Andi took a bit of satisfaction that she’d irritated him.

  When he pulled up next to her silver SUV, she slipped out of his car as quickly as she could.

  “See you in the morning?” Cole asked after he’d lowered the driver’s side window.

  Andi quirked an eyebrow. “Oh?” Was this his idea of an olive branch?

  “Do you want me to pick you up somewhere or meet you here?” he asked as if she hadn’t spoken.

  Andi sighed, resigned. She shouldn’t be rude to him when he was asking almost nicely. “Meeting here is fine. I usually get in between seven thirty and eight.”

  Cole nodded. He drove off a moment later.

  Andi stared after him. Was she upset that he hadn’t flashed his dimpled grin? She ignored the voice that whispered yes.

  * * * *

  Limbs heavy, Andi set her keys on the end table in the foyer, glaring at the droopy plant. Damn, she’d forgotten to water it—again. She opened the closet in the hallway and put her gun in the safe with surprisingly deft fingertips on the combination pad, considering how tired she was. Her weapon would be quick to grab if she needed it, regardless.

  “Mama!”

  She smiled as she heard the little exclamation, and turned to sweep him into her arms, hipping the door shut. Ethan kissed her cheek, causing another smile. She tugged his pyjama top down over his belly and tickled him until he giggled.

  “Hi, buddy.” He beamed. Andi pushed his dishevelled copper curls—so like Iain’s—out of his blue eyes. He was overdue for a haircut. It was a mess these days.

  Bella stood close by, leaning on the doorframe leading into the living room, looking amused.

  “Thanks for staying, Bells.”

  “Oh, no problem, Andi,” she said, smiling. The girl had lived next door to Andi most of her young life. She was like a younger sister.

  Andi reached into her pocket with a free hand, propping her son on her hip. She handed Bella a twenty dollar bill. The teen’s eyes widened.

  “But you’ve already paid me for the week.”

  “It’s for staying late. Probably tomorrow night, too,” Andi said with a grimace. “Besides, it is a school night.”

  Bella made a face. “It’s not even seven-thirty, Andi. It
’s not like I have a bedtime… I am seventeen. Don’t sound like my mom, please. I hang out over here because you’re so cool.”

  Andi chuckled. “Right. Sorry.”

  Bella grinned pure mischief. “Well, gotta run.”

  “Okay. Thanks again.”

  “No prob. I made some cheesy mac Hamburger Helper, left you a plate in the fridge. He’s bathed, too.” Bella ruffled Ethan’s hair. “See you tomorrow, squirt.”

  Ethan giggled. “Bye bye, Bell Bell,” the three-year-old told her, using the name he’d called her since he could speak.

  Bella made a face then grinned again, tossing her pretty dark hair over a shoulder. Andi watched her head out of the front door, slightly envious of the young and their energy. She wasn’t so old at thirty-one, but she sure felt it tonight. She glanced at Ethan, who just grinned.

  Andi set her son to his feet. He dashed into the living room to his pile of toys. She watched him a moment before heading into the kitchen to warm up the food Bella had left for her. Thank God for the teen, or she would never eat.

  She flipped on the TV and sank into the couch, her plate on her lap desk, smiling at Ethan playing as he whispered to his toys. He’d greeted her happily as she’d entered the room, but seemed loath to leave his play, so Andi didn’t push. She’d put him to bed in half an hour and jump in the shower.

  Normality was a welcome distraction. She’d almost forgotten about Special Agent Cole Lucas and his…everything. She shook her head, groaning to herself. How was she supposed to work with someone who had no desire to maintain professionalism and get the job done?

  A city of about fifty thousand, it wasn’t every day—thank God—that Antioch, Texas, had one murder, let alone two and she was determined to find the guy who’d shot Pete and killed the two men.

  What she’d discovered wasn’t encouraging. The men were from New York, and both had criminal histories longer than she was tall, with ties to drugs and suspected human trafficking. They’d never been in for murder, but Rodney Gains, one of the dead men, had done ten years for drugs. What did Cole know that he was refusing to share?