Cavanaugh or Death by Marie Ferrarella Read Free Book Online Page A

case. I’m already on it, remember?” she replied innocently.
    â€œOkay.” He didn’t really accept that, but for now, he let it drop. “And what makes you think I’m one of Ryan’s ‘best’ detectives?” he asked, using the same term she had used earlier. Did she think she was endearing herself with this baseless flattery?
    â€œYou’d have to be,” she pointed out without an iota of guile. “With that wounded-bear attitude of yours, if you weren’t one of his best, you would have gotten yourself tossed out on your ear a long time ago.” She flashed a quick, spasmodic smile at him, adding, “That’s called deductive reasoning.”
    His eyes narrowed as he glared at her. “That’s called hot air,” Davis pointed out.
    â€œPo ta to, po tat o,” she countered. “By the way,” she told him, completely devoid of fanfare or ego, “I’m primary on this.” It was best to lay down the ground rules right from the start.
    Moira fully expected the detective to balk at that and was surprised when he merely shrugged.
    â€œFigured you would be,” he commented.
    Moira congratulated herself on containing her surprise. “Oh, and why’s that?”
    â€œYou brought the case to me, not the other way around.”
    â€œI’ve got a hunch you don’t bring anything to anybody,” she couldn’t help saying. The man definitely wasn’t one of those kids whose report card read, “Works and plays well with others.”
    Still, she had to admit that he intrigued her. Maybe even more than just a little.
    Gilroy studied her for a prolonged moment and she had absolutely no idea what was going on in the detective’s head. She really hoped that this wasn’t going to be a regular thing while they worked together. Moira hated being in the dark about anything , especially when it came to her partner. Warner wasn’t a bundle of joy, but he was very predictable and that, in turn, made her feel confident.
    â€œMaybe we will work together well, after all,” he exhorted.
    That could have knocked her over with a feather. It was official. Detective Davis Gilroy was entirely unpredictable.
    Clearing her throat, Moira moved on.
    â€œOkay, first order of business, we take the elevator down. I get enough exercise first thing every morning jogging around this city for an hour.”
    â€œEvery morning?” he questioned, making it sound as if he found her claim suspect.
    â€œThat’s what I said.”
    â€œWhy?”
    She gave him the same answer she gave herself every morning. “It wakes me up.”
    â€œGetting out of bed should be able to do that for you,” he said drily.
    â€œYou’d think so, wouldn’t you?” she quipped, her remark indicating that it clearly didn’t.
    With that, she led the way to the far end of the hall where the elevator was located. She pressed for it, hoping that it would show up before Gilroy decided to take the stairs again. She wasn’t altogether certain the man would wait for her by the precinct’s rear doors if he got there first.
    Though she had been the one to talk him into joining forces with her, she had no idea what to expect from this tall, handsome walking clam.
    The next moment she made a mental note to ask Valri to look into his background and give her a thumbnail sketch. Maybe if she had that, she’d be a little more prepared when it came to what to expect from him.
    She had a very strong feeling that even after they spent some time on the job together, Gilroy wasn’t the type to fill in the blanks unless he was absolutely forced to. And while she did like her share of surprises, she also liked to know what she was getting herself into.
    Her instincts told her that Gilroy was a good cop and a damn fine detective—what she’d told him about her reasoning was true—but that still didn’t tell