Free Hard Days Knight: Under-Cover Knights, Book 1 by Livia Quinn Page B

fight with Del had him dispirited.
    He should at least explain to Delilah so she didn’t think he was holding out on her, like hiding another girlfriend or something, but tonight he had to get over to the tire center and square up with them. Tomorrow he had another shoot, but he’d call and make sure she came to the basketball game. Then, he’d file a police report and promise her everything he was “hiding”.
    He smiled. Once she had a bit of time to cool off, think about Saturday night… she’d forgive him.
    He hoped.

Chapter 13
    T hat afternoon , Delilah pulled her cruiser up in front of the gym entrance. After advising the dispatcher of her location, she got out and walked toward the red Camaro parked behind Luc’s Expedition. Jed was about to be off-duty but she’d asked him to take a police report from Luc about the tire-slashing incident.
    “Some reason you don’t want to take it yourself?” he’d inquired in their office downtown.
    “I think you should take his statement without me skewing your judgment with any history.”
    His eyes went comically wide. “You and Luc Larue already have a history? Is the barometer taking a dive or something?”
    “Very funny. Can you just do it without any comments until later?”
    “Yeah, yeah. Where is this going down?”
    “LTF on Main St. If we get there by 0400 you’ll have until 5 to take the report and file it and leave for your date.” She breathed a sigh, “I appreciate this, Jed. I kind of lost my cool with him yesterday when I found out he didn’t file a report. I think there will be less chance of him holding back or anything sliding under the radar with you taking it.”
    She’d just admitted to him that the relationship with Luc was important enough that her feelings might get in the way of thoroughly assessing the details. Something that had never happened before.
    “Hey, all kidding aside, you need a favor? I’m your man. I’ll meet you there at four sharp.”
    Jed had changed out of uniform for his date but his badge and shoulder holster were still visible beneath his LPD jacket. As they stepped through the front doors, he whistled.
    “What?”
    Jed spun on his heel, taking in the entire room. “This place has undergone a complete transformation.”
    “Since when?” Del asked.
    “Since the days of my misspent youth.” He smiled. “Somebody spent some serious bucks on it. I’d say there’s been a new gym floor, new roof—the place used to leak like Niagara. The gym floor was buckled in places. Impressive. You say Larue is running it now?”
    “I actually don’t know what his official title is. He started an outreach program here for teens, involving some mentors and others in the community. He asked me to come Saturday to talk about why I became a co—” she stopped suddenly and Jed’s eyes swung in the direction of her gaze. A muscular man in a wheelchair was dribbling the basketball with one hand and spinning his chair with the other to avoid two players as they tried to get the ball away from him. The man laughed and slickly avoiding the outstretched arms of both guys, and lobbed the ball straight into the basket.
    “Nuttin’ but net,” Del called and the wheelchair turned.
    The man rolled over to Del and submitted to a fierce hug. “Hey, Sis.” He released her and leaned back in his chair looking over at Jed, then back at her, taking in her uniform. “You must be working. Luc said you were coming for the game.”
    Jed broke in, noticing the white priest’s collar. “She’s bad about not introducing folks. I’m Jed Stern, Del’s partner.”
    “Ah, Jed. Haven’t we met? I’m Tom Burke.” Tom leaned back in his chair. “Am I missing something here? You two came on business?”
    Del caught sight of Luc tacking some flyers up on the opposite wall and said, “I’m here for the game, but I’m on call. Jed came to get a statement from Luc about something that happened yesterday. Are you playing tonight?”
    Tom