A Case of the Heart by Beth Shriver Read Free Book Online Page B

and Seek. I’m seeking what you’re hiding.”
    The raspy voice from the other end of the line reached out, grabbed her around the throat and made her gasp. She checked the ID but no number was shown. It could have just been a prank, but what if they knew she was hiding Scotty?
    She parked and sat in the car for a moment and replayed the message. She racked her brain trying to find any distinctions in what was said, any familiarities in the voice. Nothing. She knew a lot of jokesters who would fit this kind of mischief, and if it were something more she was sure she’d hear from him again.
    She did her best to shake it off and walked through the double doors into the station, making her way to the huge bull pen that held cubicles and a large front desk for check-in. As she turned the corner to enter, Liz felt as if a hundred eyes scrutinized her.
    “Well if it isn’t our newest recruit,” Lt. Charles Miller yelled out from behind the front desk. The florescent light reflected off his bald head and moved with him as he did. He raised his bushy, black eyebrows at her.
    Liz stopped in front of him. “Hey, Charles, how are you?”
    Charles grinned. “I’m just putting in my time. I only have a few more months.”
    He’d been with the department for over twenty-five years and was considered everyone’s “dad.”
    “You’re down to counting the months? That’s too close for my comfort. I’m going to miss you.”
    “Oh, I’ll still come around. You can’t get rid of me that easily.” He leaned in closer to her. “So, I hear you’ve had a bit of excitement lately.”
    Liz didn’t want to go into to it and politely skirted the issue. “I’m here to see Officer...”
    “Demas?”
    Liz snapped her head back in surprise.
    Charles’s bald head turned a shade of pink, showing his embarrassment for being so presumptuous. He looked behind him and yelled to Alex. “Demas, Miss Adams is here to see you.”
    He looked at Liz again. “You’re in good hands with Demas. And all the talk...” He waved a hand toward her. “Don’t listen to it.”
    Liz gave Charles an awkward smile, then turned to see Jake walking toward her. He stood only a couple inches above her. Short and sweet was how she’d always thought of him.
    “You okay?” he inquired, placing his hands on his hips.
    “Yeah, I’m fine.”
    He nodded. “You and Alex have been on a lot of calls together with this drug ring developing.”
    She shrugged. “Yeah, the poor guy.”
    “Oh, I don’t think he’s bothered with it. He knows what he’s doing.”
    She narrowed her eyes, wondering where he was going with this. “What are you referring to, Jake?”
    He held up his hands in surrender. “Nothing, just glad you two are working so well together.”
    “Don’t give me a hard time, Jake, or I’ll request you next time,” she teased.
    He shook his head with a grin. “Oh no, you finish the case with whoever you started it.”
    “I’m starting to feel like I have the plague when I come in here.” She scanned the room.
    He chuckled. “I guess you do in a way.”
    She gave him a swift hit to the arm. “So what’s the latest news on Sanders?”
    “He’s being charged with possession and assault.”
    The news put her mind at ease. Whatever was going on between the Harrises, Pirelli and Sanders was being investigated, and it might be easier with Sanders out of the picture.
    She saw Alex start to walk over and stop when he passed Charles. They conversed briefly and both glanced over at Liz and continued talking.
    Jake turned to where she was looking. “He gets a little over-protective.”
    “It’s sort of nice to have a dad around.” Liz put a fist to one hip.
    Jake arched a brow. “I’m talking about Alex.”
    Liz smiled her surprise. Between Charles and Alex she’d be well taken care of. It was a good thing Alex was always the one on her calls. The other cops were apparently glad they hadn’t been with her. After talking with Jake, she