Men Out of Uniform: Three Novellas of Erotic Surrender by Maya Banks, Sylvia Day, Karin Tabke Read Free Book Online Page B

probably be going now anyway. I have to work tonight. We’re going to be shorthanded.”
    Truitt sat forward just as Rick stroked his fingers over Jessie’s wrist. Rick was just about to open his mouth when his cell phone rang.
    Rick swore and Truitt groaned. “Not now. Anytime but now.”
    Jessie shot them a puzzled look.
    “Chief has his own ringtone,” Rick said dryly. “Sorry darlin’, I have to take this.”
    He pulled out his cell phone and issued a short greeting. Truitt watched keenly as Rick frowned, then glanced quickly in Jessie’s direction before focusing his gaze on Truitt.
    Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good if Chief was calling on their day off. He hoped to hell their serial killer hadn’t struck again.
    “We’ll be there,” Rick said grimly.
    He hung up and cast an uneasy look in Truitt’s direction again. Then he tugged Jessie’s hand into his and rubbed his fingers over her knuckles.
    “Truitt and I have to go and I don’t know how long we’ll be. But I want you to stay here. Get some rest. Do whatever you need to do. I’ll call you. Give me your cell number.”
    Jessie frowned but recited her number as Rick put it into his phone. Then Rick rose and gestured for Truitt.
    “Let’s go. I’ll tell you about it on the way.”

Chapter 6
     
    R ick stood over the body of Merriam Powell and blew out his breath. This was going to be sticky in more ways than one. He glanced at Truitt, who had the same look of resignation. But at least Jessie wouldn’t be going to work tonight.
    To the side, Rick heard one of the other detectives who’d been called to the scene mention Jessie’s name. He quickly tuned in and then walked over to interrupt the conversation.
    “What about Jessie Callahan?” Rick asked.
    Trevor “Bull” Phillips narrowed his eyes, clearly irritated by the interruption. “You know her?”
    “Yeah, I know her. Truitt and I both come in here a lot. Jessie’s a waitress. She worked here last night.”
    “Well your waitress is our prime suspect in the case. From what’s been gathered so far, I’d say this is going to be a slam dunk.”
    “What the fuck?” Truitt demanded as he shoved in.
    “She’s not at her apartment. I’ve already sent Jones to bring her in. You happen to know where to find her?” Bull asked.
    Rick exchanged looks with Truitt. This was a clusterfuck. No way they could pull this case now. Not if Jessie was mixed up in it. But at least they could clear her.
    “Where’s the chief ?” Rick asked. “He’s going to need to hear this.”
    “On his way. Merriam Powell was an old friend of his. He’s pretty hot to trot to nail her killer to the wall.”
    On cue Chief Markham strode into the office just as Jud Hennessee was pulling a sheet over Merriam’s head. Chief stopped Hennessee and carefully pulled the sheet back just enough to see Merriam’s blood-spattered face.
    “Jesus,” the chief muttered. Then he got up and walked over to where Rick and Truitt stood with Bull.
    “You got leads?” the chief demanded.
    Bull nodded.
    “I want the son of a bitch who did this,” the chief snarled.
    “Look, Chief, we need to tell you something. It involves the primary suspect in this case. I don’t have all the facts. Bull was just about to fill me in. But Jessie Callahan couldn’t have murdered Merriam Powell because she was ... she was home with me all night,” Rick finished tightly. “She was with Truitt and I. We just left her a few minutes ago.”
    The chief snapped his gaze to Bull. “And this is your prime suspect?”
    Bull stared hard at Rick and Truitt, in a way that pissed Rick off. Like he didn’t believe Rick or maybe he thought he’d even lie to protect Jessie.
    “We have witnesses that place her here at the bar around five A.M., which is the estimated time of death,” Bull said.
    “Bullshit,” Truitt said. “She was in bed with me.”
    The chief raised one eyebrow. “I thought she was in bed with Rick. Make up your mind