Knockout! A Passionate Police Romance by Emma Calin Page A

a smile.
    The meeting resumed with a couple of routine reports and drew to a close. Anna bundled up her files and scampered to her office with Judy. As soon as the door was closed she slumped down and let out a long “Sheesh!”
    “God - that was dinosaur stuff in there - great beasts battling it out in the political swamp. Beaumont isn’t half the man she is! You’d better watch out. I think she’s got the hots for you, unless you fancy a walk on the wild side.” Warned Judy.
    Anna giggled, relieved it was over. “That’s the last thing I want.”
    “You caught me off balance in there. Why go to Paris today?”
    “He phoned last night.”
    “And?” Judy questioned.
    “Judy, I just want him so much!”
    “So, it is to be a shagathon in gay Paree Inspector,” boomed Judy, mocking Beaumont’s sarcastic tone. “And just what is French for pillow talk?”
    “Les confidences sur l’oreiller.” Anna replied.
    “Smart Bitch!” quipped Judy. “It’s not the dreaded L word is it?”
    “It’s the A word.” Laughed Anna.
    “A word, what’s the A word - Aardvark?”
    “Amour - Amour.” Anna enthused, reliving the word on his lips, the word pumping down the phone line, reliving the tingle of his touch, his hardness, his male scent.
    “Just look at you for Pete’s sake” Said Judy, jolting her back to the present. “You’re loved up to the back teeth. Just watch out. The guy is a bull elephant and is probably a crook. If this goes wrong our beloved commander will strip you off and peg you out for the crows. Haven’t you had enough trouble for a while Anna?”
    “I know. I’m misleading everyone but I just can’t help it” She replied seriously. Judy reached across the desk and squeezed her hand.
    “If you love him then that’s reason enough.” She said calmly.
    “Do you believe that? This isn’t some soft romance novel Judy. Is love a big enough reason?”
    “It is the reason Anna. Love is when they give you a free pass just as long as you’re prepared to pay any price.”
    “You’re a real diamond Judy.” Replied Anna, taking her friend’s comment as a blessing. Already she had her cell phone in her hand and was texting Freddie as Christine Jones breezed in to the office.
    “You guys free for lunch?”
    “Ma’am - I’ve gotta get down to Sainsbury’s - Little Mia has a party and... ”
    “Oh the joys of motherhood, I was far more hood than mother,” said Christine wearily “Always figured this rotten world didn’t need any more of my weird genes.”
    “Never quite saw it like that.” Replied Judy, a little taken aback.
    “Thank goodness... anyway - Anna you can join an old girl surely.”
    Anna smiled warmly. Christine Jones was a police icon. With her brilliant legal mind she was a qualified barrister. Anna had first met her when she was a Detective Superintendent at Streatham. Having already been voted by street cops the man you most wanted on your side in a fight, criminals awarded her awarded the nickname of “The Blue Witch”.
    Now she was in her last couple of years and could have already retired to a cottage. She was stocky without being overweight and her face was untouched by makeup. Her only ornamentation was a gent’s wristwatch with a broad brown leather strap.
    Anna fell in by her side.
    “There’s a new Italiano across the river - you can show off your language skills. How lovely and talented you are Anna - it will be wonderful. They have all those confused waiter boys with tight little bottoms.”
    Anna could see a wry smile on Judy’s face. She admired Christine professionally but had no doubt as to her outrageous personal character. Her intervention at the meeting had been fantastic and she regretted how she had deceived her. She didn’t want to undermine any future trust between them, let alone any career implications.
    “Let’s walk and have a chat about your mission - and I’ll get a couple of smokes on the way” Prompted Christine, taking her