Detective Partners by kate hopkins Read Free Book Online

turned and walked toward her house.
     
    Nicole's gaze swept her surroundings, taking in the neighbors that had braved the cold to be nosy and the police that were securing the crime scene, before she gave the officer her attention. "I'm Nicole Goodwin."
     
    "I know," he said. "Ms. Hunt told me about you. She said you're a detective."
     
    "That's right." She started to rub her arms to warm them and stopped when she realized her hands were bloody. "I work in the homicide unit."
     
    "Why don't you go inside?" he suggested. "You're hardly dressed for this weather and I'm sure you want to clean up."
     
    "Before I go in I'd like to know what Ms. Hunt told you."
     
    "Just a minute." The officer retrieved a blanket from the trunk of his car and offered it to her.
     
    "I'll get blood on it," she warned him.
     
    "That's all right."
     
    "Thank you." Nicole wrapped the blanket around her shoulders.
     
    "You're welcome . " The officer consulted his notepad. "Ms. Hunt told me her dog woke her up barking and growling at the window. She got out of bed and went over to the window to see what was upsetting the dog. When she looked out, she saw the victim struggling with someone. Next thing she knew the victim collapsed and the suspect took off. She called 911 and then ran outside to find the victim was bleeding. Knowing that you were an officer, she came to you for help. She then went on to say how you and she tried to stop the victims' bleeding."
     
    Nicole thanked the officer, gave him back his blanket, and headed back across the street to her house.
     
    When Galen entered the unit, later that morning, he found Nicole all ready at her desk. She was working on her report for the Richman case. Not wanting to disturb her, he refrained from wishing her a good morning. Quietly, he moved toward his desk and took a seat. He glanced her way and was surprised to see that she was pale and had dark circles under her eyes.
     
    "Good morning, Detective Maxwell," she said, gazing in his direction.
     
    "I would say the same to you, Detective, but something tells me it's not a good morning for you."
     
    She arched an eyebrow. "Do I really look that bad?"
     
    "I wouldn't say ba just tired," he answered.
     
    "I am tired, but then you would be too if you went through what I-" The phone on her desk rang, interrupting what she was about to say. She reached out and picked up the receiver. "Goodwin."
     
    Galen turned away to give her some privacy. He rose from his chair and walked over to the coffeepot in the corner. Grabbing a Styrofoam cup and the pot, he poured him a cup of coffee. He returned the pot to its base and took a cautious sip of the steaming liquid. It was strong enough to peal paint. He grimaced. "Why can't I ever get a decent cup of coffee?" he muttered to himself. "Just once-"
     
    "Talking to yourself , Maxwell."
     
    Galen turned to face his boss. "Good morning, sir."
     
    "Good morning." Parker gestured at the coffeepot. "The coffee bad, is it?"
     
    "Yes." At that moment, Nicole joined them. Galen took one look at her and knew something had happened. Her eyes were wet with tears. "What's wrong?" he demanded to know.
     
    "I will tell you soon." She cleared her throat and turned her attention to Parker. "Sir, would you please gather the team? I have a new case to share with everyone."
     
    Ten minutes later, the team gathered at the round table in the conference room.
     
    "You have our attention, Goodwin," Parker told her as he lowered himself into a chair.
     
    "Thank you, sir."
     
    Galen, like everybody else in the room, turned his eyes on Nicole. He watched as she tried not to fidget in the chair next to his. She clasped her hands in her lap and he noticed her knuckles were white with strain. He had a feeling she was uncomfortable with being the center of attention. The urge to take her hand and comfort her came over him. How a stranger could evoke such emotions in him he didn't know. All he knew was that he didn't like