"That damn tux. God, I'm going to owe more than the damn thing's worth if I don't return it soon."
She chuckled and opened the door. "Maybe you should wear it to dinner. Get your money's worth from it."
Brody threw back his head and laughed. "Brianna's restaurant is nice, but not that nice."
"Then take it back before dinner."
"The store is on the other side of town." He glanced at the clock. "I'd never make it in time. Hey, you live over––"
"Oh, hell no, Sergeant King, I'm not your minion. Take it back on your own time." She laughed as she spun away, damn near colliding with Lieutenant Anderson as he exited his office. She stopped and stepped away immediately. Anderson glared at her and strode past. She glanced back at Brody. His eyes followed Anderson. She drew a fortifying breath and headed back to her six square feet of office space to retrieve her purse, phone and say good night to Watson and Rayburn. It had been one hell of a crazy day.
Chapter 10
Brody leaned back in the chair, replete from a fantastic meal and easy conversation.
"This restaurant gets better and better." Debbie took a small sip of wine.
"Brie has worked hard."
The decor, the food, the waitstaff, everything had improved since she bought it four years ago.
"I haven't seen her in ages. Is she here tonight?"
"She said if we lingered over drinks, she might get back in time. For some reason she's going to the City Council meeting tonight."
"Really? I wonder why?" Debbie took another bite of her dinner.
"I have no idea. Knowing Brie, she's championing some cause or another."
Debbie put down her fork and eyed the half-eaten portions on her plate. "I tried, but it's too much food. It beat me. So, let’s talk about what brought us here." She lifted her wine glass and leaned back in her chair. "I can get you the paperwork to fill out. There are several units that need the money, but your unit is the single largest contributor to the forfeiture program. I can spin it and submit it. I'm pretty damn sure it will fly through the next department head meeting."
"Without Fenton's knowledge?"
"He's not a department head. He won't be notified until it is approved and your coffers start to get the trickle-down effect."
"Can he subvert the money, give it to other units under his control?"
She smiled and shook her head. "Nope. I'm in control of the allocations. If he attempts to move money, he has to go through me."
Brody leaned forward. "Deb, I don't want you to get into any trouble from this. Fenton is a vindictive asshole."
"Ha! As if. I have four Deputy Commissioners, a Chief of Staff and Legal Affairs Director on my side. Hell, I used to date the Commissioner's son. If he tries to stir up shit, he's going to find I have a lot more friends than he does. Doesn't he realize he'll never be more than what he is now? Everyone sees what he's doing. He's a worm."
And that is why he and Deb got along so well. They both called it like they saw it. "Thank you, then, for taking on our cause. We aren't asking for the moon, but perhaps the ability to upgrade equipment and pay for the hours we have to put in."
"Understandable." She leaned forward, put her wine glass down, and covered his hand with hers. "The night is still early. If we don't linger over drinks, we could have dessert back at my place." Her low sexy purr stretched across the short distance between them.
The proposition was expected. They'd hooked up from time to time after they went their separate ways. His smile slid from his face. "Normally I'd say yes, but there have been some developments in my life I need to work through."
Her hand slid from his. "Oh." Deb sat back and cleared her throat. "Is it serious, this development you need to work through?"
He shrugged. "I don't know, and I don't know if I'm being stupid for turning you down..."
"Oh, believe me, you're being stupid for turning me down." Deb smiled impishly at him.
"Okay, true, I am, but I need to make sure I'm not hurting anyone."
"Especially yourself. Regardless if we have sex or not, you're my friend. If you find someone to take the sadness inside of you away, go for it. Even if it means leaving our friendship in the dust." Deb slid her