In Two Weeks (NY State Trooper Series) by Jen Talty Read Free Book Online Page A

answered.
    “Jared?” She coughed, realizing she’d hit star nine instead of 911. Well, he was a cop, so this worked, too.
    “Ryan? What’s wrong?”
    “I think someone decided to play another prank on me.” Unable to look at the furry beast in her drawer, she stood and moved to the other side of her desk.
    “What kind of joke?”
    “There’s a dead rat in my desk. I don’t think he crawled in there and hung himself, either.”
    Cheryl let out a gasp as she peered over the desk. “That’s disgusting.”
    “I’ll call it in and I’ll be there in…about ten.” The line went dead just as Rick flew into her office.
    “What’s going on?” he asked with concern in his voice. He stopped and stared into the drawer. “What the hell?”
    “I called Sergeant Blake. He’ll be here shortly.” Ryan fumbled her way into the hallway. “Why would someone do something so…so…” There were no words, and no reasonable explanation.
    “Cheryl,” Rick said as he paced in the hallway. “I’d like you to call a special meeting and ask everyone not to leave until I’ve had a chance to talk to them. I’m sure the police will want to question everyone, too.”
    Ryan squared her shoulders. The thought of Jared questioning all of her fellow employees didn’t help her already fried nerves. He’d be suspicious of everyone. This was not helping her with her plan. She knew him well enough to know that when he was in the heat of a case that was all he could focus on, and that’s not what she wanted. She wanted him naked, not in the middle of an investigation.
    She shivered, wondering how her stepfather could have hired someone to do such a despicable thing. All during the trial, George swore he’d get her for ruining his life. This had to be him. Nothing else made sense.
     
    * * * * 
     
    The tires on Jared’s patrol car squealed when he pulled into the parking lot of the hotel. The hair on the back of his neck stood at attention. How could he leave Ryan alone now? This was the third incident, and he didn’t believe it would be the last. But he swore he’d never let anything stand in his way again, especially with regard to this promotion. Second chances didn’t come along very often.
    He’d just have to make sure he took care of it before his two weeks were up.
    With his hand planted on his weapon, he pushed back the doors and entered the main lobby. He didn’t remove his sunglasses as the sun shone brightly through all the incredibly tall windows. The plush red carpet sank under his work boots.
    “Officer, this way.” A young girl waved to him.
    He nodded and followed her down the hallway lined with beautiful picturesque paintings of the lake. Any other day, he might stop and enjoy the pictures, but not when someone was hell bent on terrorizing Ryan and making both their lives miserable.
    “Jared,” Ryan said. “Thanks for coming.”
    He tipped the brim of his hat, unable to take his eyes off her. She seemed so in control. So capable. She was very much a woman, not a little girl who needed protecting. “That’s what I’m here for.” Being the first on the scene gave him lots of wiggle room to check things out before the sheriff’s office and local PD showed up. There was always that manly pounding of chests where different law enforcement agencies were concerned. But this was personal; he wasn’t about to let anyone else handle Ryan.
    He scanned the inside of Ryan’s office. The small space barely housed a desk and a few filing cabinets, but Ryan had put in all her finishing touches, giving the space a cozy feel. Her degree and a few awards hung neatly on the wall. Her spotless desk had plenty of room for a few pictures. He looked at one taken at a party last summer.
    “We left the drawer open,” Rick said.
    “Who else has been in here?” Jared questioned.
    “Just Ryan and her assistant.”
    Jared peered over the desk and caught sight of the furry critter covered in blood. “Any rat problems