job in the marketing department after interviewing with John.
When the news broke that the pharmaceutical rep had been sleeping with someone who worked in the warehouses, therefore getting extra drugs to distribute, she had never asked Bob about the stories. As low level as she was, she cringed telling others who she worked for… it had been embarrassing to admit she worked for the same company as the woman in the news. But now? I’ve got a chance to bring dignity back to Kilton Pharmaceuticals.
A few hours later, she said her goodbyes and walked out to her car. The afternoon had reinvigorated her but, now that the day was over, she was exhausted. Driving home, her mind slid from her new assignment and back to the night before and the memories of the tall, handsome detective. I wonder if he thought of me?
5
Kyle spent his day pretending to work on his cases while his mind was filled with the beautiful, elusive writer from the night before. She left. She got up and fuckin’ left, and I didn’t even hear her leave.
Uncertain if he was more frustrated with himself for falling into a deep sleep or with her for slipping away, he had searched the room that morning but came up empty-handed, unable to believe that she didn’t leave her full name or phone number.
After growling at Alex three times in the past half-hour about the squeak his chair wheels made on the tile floor, Alex finally threw his hands up into the air and barked, “What the hell is your problem today?”
“Sorry.” Mumbling, he slumped back into his seat.
“Don’t need a fuckin’ apology. What I need is to know what’s going on with my partner.”
Hefting his shoulders, he avoided looking at Alex. “Nothing. Didn’t sleep well last night.”
“So, all this is from not getting enough beauty sleep? Jesus, get the man a tiara.”
He remained silent but flipped Alex off. Not hearing a response, he looked over and saw him fighting a grin. “What?”
“You didn’t sleep well or didn’t sleep at all? The last I saw, you were slipping out of the Celtic Cock with a blonde. Haven’t seen that in a while.”
The retort died on his lips, knowing Alex would see right through him. He hefted his shoulders in a shrug and sighed. “She was something else. Yeah, we burned up the sheets most of the night, but she was… I don’t know. Funny. Kinda quirky. Real.”
“So, give her a call and ask her out. Nothing says she has to be a one and done.”
He remained quiet, his lips pinched in irritation.
“Oh, fuck. You didn’t get her number.”
Shooting a glare toward Alex, he had no choice but to admit his partner was right. “I didn’t even get a fuckin’ last name.”
“No shit?” Alex shook his head, his lips quirking upward again. “So, what do you know about this woman?”
“I know I’d like to see her again, but as far as how to find her, not much. I know her name is Kimberly. She’s a writer. That’s it. I’ve got no fuckin’ idea about her full name, phone number, address, or place of employment. She was at the Celtic Cock with friends, but they’d already left by the time I met her, so I don’t even know if we have common acquaintances.”
“Well, if she’s got friends she met at the Celtic Cock, then she’ll be there again.”
Snorting, he asked, “What do you suggest? I go to the bar every night and stay for hours hoping to see her again?”
“You’re losing your touch, man. Stop by the Celtic Cock and ask Torin or Maeve if they know who she is.”
“Fuck, I can’t believe I didn’t think of that!”
“Yeah, just call me the precinct’s Cupid. Now, pull your shit together because we’ve got a meeting with the captain.”
As Alex stood, Kyle scrubbed his hand over his face before slurping down more of his lukewarm caffeinated sludge. He much preferred the coffee from the shop down the street, not embarrassed that he liked it strong but with cream added. But, in a pinch, the bullpen brew would do.
Grabbing the files off his desk, he followed Alex into Captain Hollister’s crowded office, seeing two fellow detectives already at the table. Carter Fiske was now his brother-in-law, married to his older sister, Tara. Carter was a good detective but, more importantly, he was a good husband and father to Tara’s six-year-old daughter. Carter’s partner, Evan Barlow, was also at the table. Offering nods to both, he