Free Trial by Fire by Taylor Lee Page B

is the Laura Chambers. Damn, she’s known even in the big city of L.A.”
    Nate sniffed and parked his Oakley polarized sunglasses on the top of his head. “Yeah, I’m not surprised. We know her as Laura Chumpter. She changed her name when she got the lingerie contract.”
    Honking repeatedly to clear the entrance to the driveway, Dan added tentatively to the conversation. “Not that Nate would mention it, but in these parts, he’s as much as a celebrity as Laura is.”
    Nate shook his head and threw his partner a warning glance.
    “Stuff it, Dan. Let our hotshot discover his own gossip. No need to perpetuate the crap that bored people use to liven up their lives.”
    Dan ignored him and winked at Sam in the rearview mirror.
    “Just so you know who you’re riding with Sam, Nate is known as the all-night wonder. Hell, he’s been known to take on as many as eight women at one wedding shower alone. And that’s in addition to his conviction rate. There isn’t a woman who isn’t chasing after him, and a perp who isn’t running away, scared shitless.”
    Sam’s voice was tinged with suppressed laughter.
    “I’m aware of the conviction rate. It’s all the news in police circles. But have to admit I hadn’t heard about your prolific work at wedding showers. I’m curious, Nate. How do you wrangle an invitation to a wedding shower? Or do you pop out of a cake or something?”
    Nate didn’t hide his disgust. “Jesus Christ, Dan. If you’re gonna tell stories at least get your fucking numbers straight. It was eleven women and since you asked, Sam, they usually bring the party to me. What’s a guy supposed to do? Slam the door in the face of nubile women drunk out of their minds? And to end this conversation before it begins, Dan is referring to ancient history. Any of the things I may or may not have done in the past are ‘pre-Erin.’ Why the hell would I pig out on empty calories when I have access to the Feast of the Gods?”
    Dan nodded in agreement. “You’re right about that, Nate. The stars went out in a lotta guys eyes when they learned that Erin fell for the big guy. But then, Nate, you always were the luckiest son of a bitch I’ve ever known.”
    “Not always, Dan, by a long shot. But now ? You’re damn right.”
    Nate threw a hard glare at Sam. “And hotshot, the only thing you need to know about me and women is that I’m in love with the most beautiful woman alive and can’t believe my luck.”
    He was silent for a minute then added with a shrug, “Oh yeah, and that once I was married to Laura Chumpter.”
    When they exited the car, dozens of reporters pressed against the barriers shouting Nate’s name, trying to get his attention.
    “It’s Stryker!” “Damn, it’s Nate Stryker.” “Hey Nate, come and talk to us?” “Are you heading up the investigation?” “Won’t that be hard with Laura?” “Who did it, Detective?” “Is it true they cut him up?” “Was Laura there when it happened?” “Look over here, Nate!” Come and talk to the cameras!”
    Nate huffed an annoyed sigh and dropped his sunglasses over his eyes as the cameras flashed behind them. Sam stared at him and then at Dan.
    “Jesus, bro, you weren’t kidding were you? Hell, Nate, I might never go back to L.A. We never have this much fun. How about I start out in traffic? Anything to work my way up to strolling in with the—what did Dan call you? The ‘Big Guy’?”
    Nate growled in annoyance. “Depends on what you call fun, hotshot. Me? I’d rather have a root canal without Novocain than deal with these yahoos. And that doesn’t begin to describe how I feel about the upcoming interview with Mrs. Peterson.”
    Sam quickly moved up next to him. “Nate, I apologize. That was a tasteless remark. I can only imagine how difficult this will be.”
    Nate snorted. “You haven’t got that good an imagination, hotshot. Whatever you are envisioning, you can trust Laura to top it.”
    ~~~
    A frazzled uniformed