Free Opposing Forces by Juliet Anderson Page A

submission to the Tribunal.  He also had a meeting later that morning with the Department’s lawyers to go over the impending law suit.  How could one pint size Englishwoman cause him so much grief?
     
    As he opened the file on her latest arrest, he could not help but smile at the photograph.  Even with her bloodied face, she looked so damn feisty and sexy.  It was the defiant look in her eyes that really drew his attention, she was one pissed off lady.
     
    Over the course of the last few days, he had met with all his departmental heads to talk through training for his officers, so they had a clear knowledge of what was acceptable behaviour when responding to a call.  He never wanted a repeat of Maisie Carrington’s last two arrests.  Any officer who responded in a fashion that was considered way over the top would be before a Tribunal on their first offence; he would not put the Department’s reputation in jeopardy again.
     
    His thoughts wandered to Frankie Lavigne. What possessed a man to cheat on his girlfriend when he so clearly cared for her?  If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have got himself arrested.  Was he into cheap thrills?  Perhaps he might pay him a visit in the cells before he was released to warn him to stay away from Maisie.  And why the hell did he suddenly want to protect her?  He gave his head a shake. The woman was a menace even when she wasn’t around.
     

CHAPTER 7
     
    Maisie was just zipping up her navy Capri trousers when Julianne’s dulcet tones invaded her day dreaming.
     
    “Maisie, Philippe’s here.”
     
    “I’ll be right out” she hollered back.  She took a quick look in the mirror. With a floaty white top and navy striped pumps, she looked the epitome of French elegance.  The golden blonde mane was tamed and with a quick slick of red tinted lip gloss, she was done.
     
    She was looking forward to having a drink with Philippe.  He had duly waited until she was back from Paris before calling her, but she was glad he did. He was in the living room and by the looks of it was being given the third degree by Julianne.  His shoulder length blond hair was loose; he was wearing a white shirt, faded blue jeans and deck shoes. He looked gorgeous. His soft brown eyes lit up on seeing her.
     
    “Maisie,” he breathed. “You look fabulous.”
     
    She kissed him on both cheeks. “As do you.”
     
    “So where are you two headed?” Julianne asked.
     
    “Just lakeside,” Maisie answered.  She did not want to go to one of her local haunts in the old city as she would run into too many people she knew.  For a first date, of sorts, she needed a little privacy.
     
    “I take it you have a helmet for Maisie?”
     
    “Of course he does,” Maisie sighed. “He is a police officer.”  She was keen to leave before Julianne started to ask him whether his intentions towards her friend were honourable. She sincerely hoped not!
     
    Once outside, he passed Maisie a helmet.  “Have you ever ridden a bike before?” he asked.
     
    “I have raced the odd one or two,” she grinned and got on behind him. 
     
    He fired up the bike and they sped off through the city down to the lake.  It was a beautiful evening so they strolled along the front for a while just chatting.
     
    “So how was Paris?” he asked.
     
    “Hot and very tiring.”
     
    “What were you doing there?”
     
    “Work.  I organise many of the events for Chateau Villette.”
     
    “That explains why you often have a bottle of Perrier Jouet in your hand.”
     
    “Luckily for you not all my tastes are so expensive.  Now tell me something about yourself. How long have you been in the Force?”
     
    “Three years.”
     
    “Have you always lived here?”
     
    “No. My family live in Neuchatel but I find it too small. Lausanne has a much better vibe to it.”
     
    “I hope you don’t mind me saying, but you have that easiness about you that only comes from living in other countries. Have you travelled