Free Detecting Desires by Elisa Archer Page B

down, an unmarked cruiser rolled to a stop in front of him. The suspect collided with the car and fell backward, his bag of loot spilling onto the ground.
    “Officer Sarcone,” Detective Riley greeted as he handcuffed the perpetrator, “I believe you called for back-up.”
    “Uh-huh.”
    “Good job.” He tossed the handcuffed guy into the back of the car just as Kemper and Hawking came up behind me. “Did you secure the area?”
    “Yes, another unit is at the apartment,” Hawking responded. He had put the jewelry box into an evidence bag. “I think he dropped this.”
    “He did,” I said firmly.
    “Okay,” Riley took the bag. “Sarcone, let’s take a ride.”

Chapter 2
     
    Riley pulled the cruiser to a stop underneath an overpass and turned off the engine. The thief was still handcuffed in the backseat. “Sarcone, go get us a couple hotdogs,” Riley turned around. “What do you want, Frank?”
    “Turkey dog with kraut and mustard. Make sure they hold the relish,” the suspect replied.
    “What the hell?” I shifted my confused look back to Riley.
    “Don’t worry about it,” Frank the Suspect, said from the backseat. “Mikey and I go way back. Frank Devereaux, your one stop shop for all your undercover needs.”
    “Just get us some lunch, Sarcone,” Riley sighed. He pulled a twenty from his pocket. “Whatever you want is on me.” True, I thought wistfully as I got out of the car. Although answers might have been more practical.
    By the time I came back carrying a sack with a plain hotdog, Frank’s order, and a turkey dog with ketchup for myself, Riley had uncuffed the undercover officer. I ate in silence as I listened to Frank and Michael talk about last night’s baseball game. Neither mentioned a word about the current case or why an undercover cop would be breaking into an apartment and fleeing the scene. None of it sat right with me, but I was just a gofer. I was certain the only reason Riley let me ride with him was so I could go get the hotdogs.
    “Okay, the coast is clear,” Riley announced. “Just watch yourself out there. If we arrest you again, we’re going to have to make it look real. Today you happened to get lucky Sarcone didn’t cuff you before I arrived.”
    “Sure, sure,” Frank said as he got out of the car and disappeared down the street.
    “So, Alessandra,” Riley said turning to face me.
    “ Lexie. Sarcone. Your personal assistant assigned to retrieve lunch. Whatever.” I was annoyed for being made a fool, particularly by some hotshot detective who despite his jackass demeanor, was still too attractive for his own good.
    He smirked. “Hey, you’ve got something,” he leaned in and ran this thumb across my button lip. Instantly, my heart fluttered, and I stared out the windshield, afraid he would notice my blush. He pulled his hand away. “Ketchup,” he announced. “Apparently there was a fatality involving a tomato.”
    “Cute.”
    “I know you are. That’s why they had you working vice, isn’t it?” I looked at him and nodded. Had he just given me a compliment? Or was that flirting. I had been out of the game so long I didn’t remember what a guy making a move looked like. Obviously, I was out of my mind if I even thought someone like him would have any interest in me. “I’m sorry about today. Holowitz likes to play ops close to the vest. Frank has infiltrated a local gang we believe is responsible for the recent home invasions. The apartment he ransacked was a plant. It’s all good. The back-up unit who responded to your call is aware of the situation. So,” his eyes were penetrating through mine, “I’m sure no one will hold today against you. After all, you were just doing your job.”
    “That’s me. Always striving for a job well done.” What a stupid thing to say, I criticized. Being around him had turned my normally competent self into a bumbling idiot.
    “I enjoy a well done job,” his voice sounded sultry. Stop thinking these