High Noon by Nora Roberts Page B

you. Bitch.”
    â€œYou’re suspended, thirty days, and the tag for insubordination is going in your jacket. You’re going to want to get out of here, Officer, before you make it worse.”
    He stepped to her desk, planted his hands on it, leaned forward. “It’s going to get worse, for you. That’s a promise.”
    She felt the clutch in her throat. “You’re dismissed. Badge and weapon, Officer.”
    His hand moved to his sidearm, his fingers danced over it, and Phoebe saw something in his eyes that told her he was more than just an arrogant son of a bitch.
    The quick rap on the door had her fighting not to jolt. Sykes poked his head in. “Sorry to interrupt. I need a minute, Lieutenant, when you’ve got one.”
    â€œI’ve got one. Officer Meeks? I gave you an order.”
    He unclipped his weapon, tossed it and his badge onto her desk. When he turned and stalked out, Phoebe allowed herself one shuddering breath.
    â€œYou okay, LT?”
    â€œYes. Yes. What do you need?”
    â€œNothing. Things looked a little heated in here, that’s all.”
    â€œOkay. Yeah. Thanks.” She wanted to sink down in her chair, made herself stand. “Detective? You’ve been around here a long time.”
    â€œTwelve years.”
    â€œHear a lot of the gossip, the buzz?”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œDetective, is it common belief that Captain Mc Vee and I have a sexual relationship?”
    He looked so stunned that her stomach instantly smoothed. “Jesus, Lieutenant, no.” Sykes closed the door behind him. “Did that asshole say that?”
    â€œYeah. Let’s leave it inside here, please. Let’s leave the whole thing inside this office.”
    â€œIf that’s what you want.” Sykes nodded down at Arnie’s badge and gun. “I’ll say one more thing I’d like to stay in this office. It doesn’t break my heart to see that. You interested in my opinion, between you and me?”
    â€œI am. Yeah, I’m interested.”
    â€œHe’d never have had those in the first place without family connections. Guy’s a loose cannon, boss. You watch your back.”
    â€œI’ll be doing just that. Thank you. Thanks, Bull.”
    Sykes twinkled a little at her use of his nickname. He started for the door, stopped with his hand on the knob. “I guess some of us think of you as the captain’s favorite niece. There were grumbles when you came in from the feds and took over here. Some of them were mine. Grumbling stopped pretty quick, from most. You’re a good boss, Lieutenant. That’s what counts around here.”
    â€œThanks.”
    When he went out, she let herself sit. Let herself shake.

5
    What didn’t suck, Phoebe decided, was to come home after a viciously bad day and find two dozen stargazer lilies waiting for her. Essie had arranged them into quite a show in Cousin Bess’s big Waterford vase, culling out a trio from the field for Phoebe’s bedroom.
    â€œYou can have the whole lot up in your room, of course, but I thought—”
    â€œNo, this is fine. This is lovely.” Phoebe leaned over for a sniff of them where they stood elegant and splashy on the piecrust table in the family parlor. “We can all enjoy them here.”
    â€œI didn’t read the note.” Essie handed it over. “And I have to admit, it was a bitter war of conscience and curiosity. Even though I know who sent them.”
    â€œI suppose he did. Well.” Phoebe tapped the little envelope on her palm.
    â€œOh, for God’s sake, Phoebe, read it!” Ava stood behind Carly, rubbing the girl’s shoulders. “We’re dying here. I considered wrestling your mama to the ground for that note.”
    Phoebe supposed when a man sent flowers to a house with four females, he sent them to all. She opened the envelope, and read.
    â€œâ€˜See you Saturday.