Free Suspect Passions by V. K. Powell Page B

discussed. It was—unfortunate.”
    “Unfortunate? That’s what you call a look that could send most women in search of a confessional?”
    Regan’s skin prickled as the visual of that night returned. Syd’s screams of pleasure reverberated in her head. “I was merely surprised by two grown women behaving so irresponsibly. I hadn’t seen that type of behavior since college.”
    “That look was way beyond surprise. But the point is, how do you feel about it now?”
    Regan folded her arms across her chest, hoping Syd wouldn’t see the traitorous nipples dimpling beneath her sweater. “I don’t feel anything,” she lied. “It was an unfortunate first impression. Neither of us knew we’d be working together. And now that we are, it’s history and we move on.”
    “There’s that word again. Unfortunate. I’ll tell you what’s unfortunate—you not staying longer that night so we could get acquainted. I think you wanted to, but you were too afraid.”
    “Then you don’t know me very well. And as to who’s afraid of what, why don’t we get back to the business at hand, namely your civil suit. Are you ready to talk about that or do you want to continue this evasive banter in the hopes of intimidating me or getting your case reassigned?”
    “I just thought we should clear the air. If we have to work together, I have a right to know that you’ll do everything you can to represent me without prejudice.”
    “You have my word that I will represent you to the best of my ability, regardless of the circumstances of our first un…comfortable encounter. Now, can we please get to work?”
    “Sure, so, why am I here?”
    “I’ve asked the police chief to release your files to me for review and—”
    “You’ve what? ”
    “If you’ll let me finish, I’ll be glad to explain.”
    The anger Regan had seen in Syd’s eyes at their first meeting returned and burned even brighter. What was in these files that Syd didn’t want her to see? Was she one of those officers who got her kicks pushing the use-of-force policy? Regan didn’t think that was the problem. Besides, she’d already had a firsthand look at how Syd got her kicks.
    The stately African-American woman’s back, rippling with sexual tension and power, flashed through Regan’s mind. She stifled a gasp at the memory of Syd’s thighs wrapped around that body. The vision of her humping and begging for more shot through her like a dose of pure adrenaline. She squeezed her legs together and wondered what evil deed in her past justified the physical torment visited upon her each time this woman was near.
    She looked up into Syd’s waiting gaze and quickly glanced away. Even an unobservant woman would be able to see the desire that raged inside her, and Syd was trained to search for nuance. Regan wanted desperately to understand why her body had chosen this time and this woman to betray her meticulous control. Maybe years of a sexless relationship had finally taken its toll. Maybe the upheaval of living in a new place with a new job and no social outlets had rendered her vulnerable to even the most subtle hints of sexual interest.
    “Counselor?”
    Syd’s stare was a combination of innocence and temptation. At times her openness was intoxicating and at others she tested the bonds that tethered Regan to her tenuous patience. She wondered how many other women had wrestled similarly before Syd bedded them, wanting her and not wanting her, craving her and fighting to reject her. Whatever the reason for this push-pull of emotions, she had to stop the unproductive turn her mind and body had taken and get back to work.
    “Yes, as I was saying, I’ve asked the chief for your files. I’ll be looking at your past uses of force, complaints, evaluations, supervisory remarks, and overall job performance. The purpose is to make a preemptive strike if necessary. The more I know about you and your history, the better I can defend you against anything the plaintiff’s