He took her free hand. “Whatever came before, whatever comes after, it’s you who’ve shown me love changes everything. Lifts everything. Gives everything.”
“We’re going to have dinner tonight, just the two of us. No cops but me, no work. Like a date, okay?”
“Want a date, do you?”
It surprised her more than him. “I really do.”
“Then it’s more than okay.”
Steady again, she went out with him, and into Homicide.
“Wait for it,” she murmured to Roarke, and moved to Baxter’s desk.
“Hell of a bust, LT.”
“One for the books. Listen, I know you’ve been anxious about Trueheart’s results, but I’ve been kind of tied up with this pair of sadistic spree killers in love.”
“I got that. He’s handling it. We’ve been busy, just closed the one we caug
ht yesterday. I tried to find out, but it’s going to take another twenty-four.”
“Huh. So you actually think I’d let two of my men sweat it for forty-eight? You figure I can’t juggle in a contact, put a little weight on it?”
“You did? Hey, thanks, Dallas. Can I —”
He stopped when he caught the look on her face. “Ah, shit.”
“Look, Baxter, it’s a tough exam, and plenty don’t cut it through on the first try.”
“Yeah, yeah, hell. I’d like to be the one to tell him. I can cushion it.”
“I thought you should. Figured you should be the one to tell Trueheart we’re going to have a new detective in the division. He’s getting his gold shield.”
“I’ll— What?”
“What kind of cop doesn’t know when he’s being strung?”
“He passed.”
“He passed flying, Baxter. Be proud.”
“Holy shit. Holy shit.”
She saw the look in his eye when he surged up. “Try to kiss me, Detective, you won’t wake up for a week.”
“I gotta kiss somebody. Peabody.”
“What?”
Exhausted, she glanced over a second before he hauled her out of her chair, tipped her back smooth, and laid a healthy lip-lock on her.
“Hey, hey,” she finally managed as he swept her straight again.
“Trueheart!” he called. “Front and center.”
“We catch one?” Trueheart hurried over, earnest and shiny in his uniform.
“Not this time. Congratulations, Detective.”