Free Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood

initially had his doubts when he’d learned of Grayson’s privileged background, but his opinion quickly changed. There wasn’t anyone in their class who trained harder or studied longer. Grayson excelled at every test the academy threw at him, and soon a friendly rivalry developed between the two friends, each one pushing the other to a higher level. By the time they graduated from the academy, both men had won the admiration and respect of the instructors and all the other trainees.
    “How do you like filling in for Pensky?” Ronan asked, crossing his arms and leaning his chair back on two legs.
    “She’s back Monday, thank God. I hate being cooped up in this office. I feel like I’m in a tomb.”
    Ronan looked around the room. “I think the utility closet is bigger,” he remarked. “Maybe you’ll get to use it.”
    “Why would I want to do that?” Grayson asked. He rolled his shoulders to work out the stiffness. He’d been leaning over the file folders for hours now.
    “Word is, the job is yours if you want it. Pensky’s going to retire next year. Maybe sooner.”
    Grayson shook his head. “I don’t want it.”
    “If you end up getting custody of your nephew, you probably won’t want to be running all over the country. Pensky’s job would be perfect for you.”
    “I’m hoping my brother will step up and start acting like a father.”
    “Come on, Grayson. You know that’s not gonna happen. At least not anytime soon.”
    Ronan had known Grayson’s brother, Devin, almost as long as he’d known Grayson. He’d met him shortly after graduating from the academy. Devin had the same upbringing as Grayson, but the two brothers were polar opposites. Grayson had a strong work ethic and a fierce sense of duty and loyalty to family, but Devin was irresponsible and self-centered. Since his wife’s death several years ago, he had become quite the jet-setter. He liked the action in Monte Carlo and Dubai, and he loved women. He was the ultimate playboy and, sadly, often forgot he had a son.
    Ronan knew it was difficult for his friend to talk about his family, and he doubted anyone else in the office knew about the situation.
    “You’re lucky your brother isn’t dragging Henry all over Europe.”
    “I wouldn’t let that happen.”
    “Is Henry still living with your father?”
    “Yes,” he answered and then abruptly changed the subject. “What’s happening with the Harrison investigation?”
    “That’s what I wanted to report. Those brothers are crazy, plain crazy. I enjoyed arresting them, and I have to admit I wish they had resisted. I would have loved to punch all three of them.”
    “Are they in lockup?”
    Ronan nodded. “And they’re not going anywhere. They were denied bail.”
    “No bail? That’s good.”
    “After you dropped the case in my lap—why are you smiling?”
    “Because that’s exactly what I did. It’s called payback.”
    Ronan looked surprised, then conceded. “Yeah, okay. I guess I deserved it after the Brody case.”
    “You guess? Do you know how many interviews I had to do with those freaky cult members?”
    “I heard it was hilarious,” Ronan said.
    “I still don’t know how you did it. One day you’re running the investigation, and the next it’s on my desk.”
    “It took finesse,” Ronan boasted. “Someday I’ll teach you a few of my tricks.” Turning serious, he asked, “What about Poole? Have you talked to him yet?”
    “Yes, and he agreed to a transfer.”
    “He agreed?”
    “Yeah, well, I didn’t really give him a choice.”
    “And in return?”
    “I won’t detail his latest screwup in his personnel file. Of course, his superior will, but I won’t. I won’t add fuel to the fire.”
    “You’re too soft, Grayson,” Ronan said with feigned disgust. “I almost got that out with a straight face. You’re a hard-ass, just like me.”
    “Maybe,” he allowed. “What’s going on with Jorguson? Have you heard anything?”
    “No, not yet. The