City of the Lost (Rockton 1)

"A fucking bad idea for a cop."

"Um, I do it."

"Like I said..."

They exchange a glower.

"Socializing affects how people see you," Dalton says. "How they relate to you. You don't see me doing that, do you?"

"Because you're the bad cop here. I'm the one they can relate to. The one they come to with their problems. I thought you appreciated that."

"I do. For you. As my deputy. Butler is my detective."

I cut in. "I'm only having a drink or two with Diana and her friends. I don't intend to join the local party scene. I just want to meet people."

"Fi

ne. I'll introduce you. To better people."

Anders winces. "Eric..."

"You want to help your friend?" Dalton says. "Find her a higher class of drinking buddies."

"They're fine," Anders says. "I hang out with them sometimes."

"You mean you screw around with them sometimes. There's a difference."

Anders grimaces in embarrassment. "Christ, Eric."

Dalton flips the cap off his beer. "It's true. They've got nothing going on upstairs. Which doesn't mean they're stupid. Just that they don't bother thinking because it interferes with the drinking and the partying and the screwing."

Anders turns to Dalton. "Casey and I are going out for drinks with Diana and her friends tonight."

Dalton grunts as if to say, "Fine." I get the feeling I'm being chaperoned, but I know Anders is only trying to smooth things over. I agree, and he says he'll meet us later--he needs to cover the evening shift at the station.

I freshen up at my house. Then I head to Diana's place. It's the upper apartment of a big house. After a day on horseback, climbing the outside steps is tougher than it should be. Hell, walking is tougher than it should be. I head along the balcony to the second apartment and knock, and I don't think I'm very loud, but the next door opens and it's Jen, the chick from the bar fight. She's stark naked. Behind her, an unseen guy whines, "Shut the damned door. It's freezing."

She ignores him and says, "What the hell do you want?" to me.

"Sorry," I say. "I was looking for Diana. Have you seen--?"

"No. Now get the fuck off my balcony."

I knock on Diana's door again. Jen lunges and grabs my arm. Two seconds later she's flying through her door, hitting the floor hard enough to make the balcony quiver, and her guest is standing there, as naked as she is, his gaze sliding up and down me.

"Well, hello, neighbour."

"That bitch isn't--" Jen begins.

"You want to party?" the guy says. "Jen says you like to party."

"No, thanks, but I'm--"

"Got everything we need. Dope, booze..." He grins at me. "And credits. I pay well. Just ask Jen. You come party with us, and I'll show you a good time. A profitable good time."

"I'm the new detective."

His grin grows. "Offer stands, babe. A party with all the fixings and you walk out a hundred credits richer."