Intimate Danger (Empire Blue) by D.C. Stone Read Free Book Online

and to the point. It was refreshing in an age where many danced around politics.
    “If , and that’s a big if, gentlemen. If you want in on my investigation, you’ll have to do this the right way. And,” he sang, drawing the word out, “as I see it right now, there’s really no reason for you to be involved at this point. Unless you’re holding evidence from me? Something that isn’t an assumption?” He looked between them and shook his head. “No?”
    Trent shook his in return, somehow agreeing despite what he knew.
    Woolsey stared at both of them for a few moments, his thick fingers drumming a beat on the top of the desk. Pondering.
    Trent didn’t want to force the FBI’s involvement in this, but being the lead investigative agency and having complete jurisdiction in the United States, they could push their weight in and take over if needed. He hoped it didn’t come to that point.
    “Okay , then,” the chief said, relenting. “Here’s how it’s going to go. You’ll both tag along with Detective Lopez.” Woolsey glanced between them.
    Trent spoke , answering the unasked question. “No, sir, just myself. Although Agent Echols will be monitoring for the time being, giving us a direct path for whatever resources we may need.”
    The chief drew a breath between his teeth. “All right, but I don’t envy you, son.”
    He frowned, confused. “Sir?”
    “Charlie, that’s Detective Lopez, isn’t going to take too kindly to the fed’s creeping in on this case.”
    “Well, sir —” Trent shifted in the uncomfortable chair again, wishing for a pair of cargo shorts. “I’m not looking to take any case from Detective Lopez. I just wish us all to work as a team on this. I have a history in criminal profiling, and I believe I can be an asset to what you are working on here.”
    The chief held up a hand. “You don’t need to sell me, Agent Rossi. I’ve got faith that you are as you state. It’s Charlie you are going to have to convince.”
    Woolsey sat back, a huge grin spreading across his face. “The last guy to try and get one over on Lopez still doesn’t have full use of his left arm.”
    Trent frowned. “Sir, I’m not looking to get into a pissing match with Detective Lopez. But I think I can handle myself.”
    The man chuckled and shook his head, turning toward his computer. “Of that I hope you’re right, son. Charlie sits in the back. Maybe you should go make Detective Lopez’ acquaintance.”
    Hearing the dismissal, he stood, a frown pulling at his mouth. Jesus, what kind of department was this? He didn’t get what kind of warning the chief was trying to imply. As far as he was concerned, federal kind of trumped local LEOs, and while they wanted to play nice, get everyone on the same team, there was only so much bullshit he’d put up with.
    Agent Echols leaned back and gave a minute nod toward the door. Trent refrained from cursing. It seemed as though he was on his own with this famous Detective Lopez. Fabulous.
    He stepped around Echols, setting his hand on the doorknob.
    The chief sounded from behind. “You play nice, Agent Rossi.”
    Trent glanced over his shoulder and narrowed his eyes as the man rubbed his arm with a grimace—the left one at that.
    Just. Fucking. Great.
    He stepped out of the office and sounds bombarded him from all angles. Radio’s squawked, deep timber voices argued in excited inflections, men laughed with hearty chortles, phones rang, and subjects lined against a wall cursed beneath their breath. He grimaced at the smell. The same smell wrapped itself around every precinct across North America—burnt coffee, sweaty armpits, leather, and the underlying sweet acidic scent of gunpowder.
    He couldn’t imagine he smelled any better, especially after being stuck in traffic for over two hours on a ride that took all of an hour tops, normally. That was the thing about New York, though. Just like crimes, the traffic was unpredictable at best. It would not have been