Mindfield (Sideways Eight Book 1) by A Wallace Page A

me.”
    “I won’t be a part of this.”
    Charley sighed and closed her eyes. “Okay, I’ll figure out another way.”
    “You can’t do this, Faraday. Do you realize you could end up in prison? Cops don’t fare well there. Their life expectancy is less than a year.”
    “So?”
    “Easy to say. You aren’t in the pen doing twenty to life because you broke the laws you’re supposed to protect. You’re watching your back, trying not to be Big Betty’s new girlfriend. Meanwhile, you’re looking for a shank in the kidneys by a cop-hating con.”
    “Just leave, Murph.” She massaged the bridge of her nose. “I’ll do it alone.”
    “Thanks for excusing me.” He stood. “Later, Faraday.”
    “Bye.” She motioned to Tara, holding her empty glass in the air. Tara acknowledged her with a thumbs-up.
    “What?” he said. “Your next move is getting drunk?”
    “So?”
    “Wreck and kill yourself?”
    “No great loss, Murph. There’s nothing holding me here.”
    “That’s bullshit.”
    She gulped the rest of her drink. Tara placed another double bourbon on the table. “Yeah, like what? Go. Leave me alone.” She avoided Murphy’s eyes, taking a swallow, then she glanced at him.
    Murphy’s jaw twitched as his eyes narrowed. “Faraday, you’re a liability. It’s no wonder you’ve never had a partner.”
    “My choice. Too bad I had no say about you.” She jumped from the bar chair and walked towards the restrooms, disappearing as she turned the corner.
    Murphy huffed and stalked from the bar, slamming the door. Headed towards his truck, he paced the parking lot, irate with Charley for taking unauthorized samples from the Senters’ home. He found it hard to fathom she would go that far. He leaned against the driver’s door wondering if he could continue their partnership. If she were capable of this, what else would she pursue?
    Concerned about her drinking, he couldn’t leave knowing she downed bourbon like a lumberjack. Murphy ran his hand through his hair. “What to do? What to do?”
    Six months ago, he had only seen her drink a glass of wine with dinner in Charlottesville. Why’s she doing this? He gazed at the moonlit sky. Why would she risk her career for this? He stared at the pub’s door.
    Someone has to protect her from self-destruction. He ran his hand over his face and returned to the bar.
    Murphy advanced towards her. Charley had a fifth of bourbon refilling a glass. She guzzled the sauce and dropped her head on the table. Murphy stopped next to her and wrapped his hand around her upper arm. “C’mon, Faraday, I’m driving you home.”
    She flinched, yanked her arm away, and swung at him. “Get your hands off me.”
    “You’ve had enough.”
    “Go away.”
    He wagged his finger at her. “Oh, no, we’re doing this my way, little lady. I’ll throw you over my shoulder and carry you out of here if you don’t come quietly.”
    “Keep your hands off me, jerk.”
    “If I leave you here, Doobie will hand me my ass.”
    Charley smacked her forehead with her fingers. “What was I thinking? It’s always about you.”
    Murphy snatched the bottle of booze from the table and shoved it in Tara’s hands with a warning as she passed by. ”Serve her another round and it will be the last one this place serves.”
    “Yes, sir.” Tara giggled, taking the bottle from him.
    “Go home, Murph,” Charley said. “I’ve taken care of myself long enough. I don’t need you.”
    “You’re drunk, Faraday.”
    “No, I’m not. I’ve had two—”
    “Four.” He held up two fingers. “Two doubles.”
    “I don’t care.”
    Silence floated between them.
    Murphy huffed. “Do you have any idea what happens at swingers clubs?”
    “No. Only what’s in the movies. What about you?”
    “I do, not from experience.”
    “Surprising.”
    He grabbed the bourbon from her hand, slamming it on a table nearby. “Why are you risking everything on a hunch or a legend?”
    She leaned