Page 12 of Booking Burke
“I’m so sorry, Eli. I wish there was more I could do to help you.” Burke pressed a kiss against his forehead.
“You already did it.” It might sound crazy, but Eli felt as though his soul had been cleansed tonight.
“I know I’ve got a sweet ass, but I can’t imagine it being magical enough to cure the heartbreaks dealt to you over the years.” Burke dropped a sexy wink.
Eli burst out laughing. He shifted out of Burke’s arms to look him in the eye. “Your ass is definitely magical. But it was you who cured my heartbreaks.”
Picking up Eli’s hand, Burke pressed a kiss to his palm. “You saved my life, Eli. So, I guess that makes us even.”
“How did I save your life? Bynotbooking you for DUI?”
Burke nodded. “All my life I’ve been working toward two things.”
“Being a cop, and…?” Eli prodded.
Blushing, Burke burrowed his face in the crook of Eli’s neck. He wrapped his arms around his older lover, holding him tight.
Eli wasn’t a psychic, but he was pretty sure he knew what Burke was thinking, but couldn’t say. He’d been working toward being a cop and falling in love.
Rolling onto his back, Eli pulled Burke to lie on his chest. “We’re so much alike. You have no idea.” He pressed a kiss to the top of Burke’s head. His silky hair tickled Eli’s nose. “Sleep. We’ll see what tomorrow brings us.”
Eli didn’t know how he’d gotten this lucky. He wasn’t about to question it. Taking a deep breath, he wrapped his arms tighter around the young man he’d given a second chance to. What Eli couldn’t have known at the time was that it was Burke who was givinghimthe second chance.
A second chance at love.
6
Burke
Burke was on time for ride along number two. Early actually. He’d been sitting on the bench in front of the Salem Police Department’s main office when Eli walked into the building.
“Well, this is a surprise.” Eli looked like he was trying hard not to smile at his lover.
Burke understood. Gossip was everywhere. The less Eli’s co-workers knew about their relationship, the better. “I didn’t want us having to sit in the front row again. This time we can sit in the back.”
Nodding, Eli waved to the officer manning the desk who buzzed them in. “Head down to the briefing room. I have a couple of things to do. I’ll be there in a minute.
“Okay.” Burke did what he was asked. As he passed the squad room, he could hear a buzz of conversation coming from a group of officers standing together. They all stopped talking when one of the men spotted him. Burke understood that too. He might have been Eli’s ride along partner, but he was still a civilian. One day soon, he’d be in the middle of that group of officers.
After hearing Eli’s story last night about Jensen and knowing he needed to find a place to work with a gay chief of police, Burke knew Salem was where he belonged. He’d thought about applying to the Boston Police Department or maybe even somewhere as far west as Worcester, but after learning a bit more about Cisco Jackson, he wanted to spend his career here.
When he walked into the briefing room, he nodded at the other officers already gathered. They had a grim look on their faces. Burke took a seat in the back and waited for Eli. More officers filtered in as the minutes ticked past, but none of them were Eli. Finally, at five minutes to ten, Eli walked into the room with Chief Cisco Jackson on his heels. Eli wore an equally grim look on his face, matching the other officers. Something must be up. Whatever it was, it didn’t look good.
“Okay, everyone.” Cisco stood behind the podium. “This is an all hands on deck situation. As most of you know there was a shooting this afternoon at the 99 Restaurant in the area of Bridge Street near the Beverly town line. The suspect is still at large. The witness reports we’ve collected say the shooter is a white man, approximately six feet tall. He was seen wearing jeans and a Red Sox tee.”
“He looks like everyone else then,” Burke whispered.
“Share with the class, Mr. Sampson.” Cisco wore a stern look on his face.
Color rose up Burke’s neck. “If he’s dressed in jeans and a Sox shirt, he’s going to look like everyone else.”
“That’s right. In fact, Bravo shift thinks that’s how he was able to get away from the scene. He blended in with everyone else in the parking lot at the restaurant. The shooting appears to be random. We have officers at North Shore Medical Center waiting for the opportunity to speak to the victim. If I get more information on the shooter, we’ll get it out to you ASAP. I want you all in your vests tonight. No exceptions. Be safe out there, everyone.” Cisco was silent as officers started filing out of the room. “Dixon, a word.”
Burke had a feeling this chat was coming. He knew Cisco was going to insist he not go on the ride along tonight. It was too dangerous with a shooter at large. Burke knew he probably had a point, but wanted to be out there with Eli even if there were ten shooters at large.
“What’s up, Cisco?” Eli rocked back on his heels.
“Take Burke into the tactical room. If there’s a vest in there that fits him properly, he can go with you. If not, I’m sorry, kid, but you’ll have to ride the bench tonight.” Cisco squeezed Burke’s shoulder.
