Page 4 of Twin Threats In Austin
Whatever. He would try to remember the next time he spoke to a leasing agent, whose job was to “sell” a tenant on a lease with fluffy language.
There wasn’t anything homey about the long brick building that resembled a pay-by-the-hour motel.
“Do you want to take the lead since you have a relationship with this person?” Rochelle asked.
“He won’t be happy to see me, considering the last time we came in contact was when I arrested him,” Camden pointed out. “And I don’t want to overstep my bounds since this is your department’s case.”
“Alright then,” Rochelle said.
In truth, Camden hoped the beautiful female detective might catch Kage off guard and maybe trip him up.
They exited the SUV and walked side by side to apartment number three. Out of the vehicle, Camden noted the detective wore a pair of black slacks that did little to hide long, slender legs. She was tall, maybe five-eight, with legs for days. Itwouldn’t surprise him to learn she’d played volleyball at some point in her past, though she had more of a runner’s build.
Even a buttoned-up blouse couldn’t hide her figure. A hint of pink silk could be seen over full breasts—breasts that he forced his gaze away from before his physical assessment crossed a line. Whether folks wanted to admit it or not, they were always sizing others up, males and females. The brain took inventory as part of an age-old survival mechanism. It noted if someone was thin or thick, muscled or scraggly, tall or short, along with many other details in the event a fight broke out. In his line of work, he noticed temperament too. Working with a hothead or an officer with a huge ego generally meant tensions soared faster in tenuous circumstances. It could mean the difference between needing to draw his weapon and/or defend himself against a perp.
Camden fell on the calm side of temperament. He was a better negotiator, a peacekeeper. He always looked for nonviolent solutions and ways to bring calm to a situation.
Rochelle’s stunning looks most likely caused perps to confuse her for being softer. It could mean she had to defend herself more often than other cops if she was viewed as being weaker.
In his case, all he had to deal with was an inconvenient temptation. Being attracted to the leggy redhead didn’t mean he had to act on his physical reaction to her. His brain was also taking notes with regard to her ability to back him up should a deadly situation arise. Survival at its most basic, given Camden’s chosen profession. Noticing she was the most intensely beautiful woman he’d ever encountered was a byproduct and not his original intent.
Whoa, there, Camden. You just came up with a whole defense about why you noticed the woman was beautiful.
You’re in deep.
Camden would never let his relationship with Rochelle enter unprofessional territory. He couldn’t go there. In fact, this was a good time to file away the descriptionbeautiful detectiveand actively ignore the strong pull toward the person he’d just met.
Three rapid knocks on the door were followed by Rochelle identifying herself as law enforcement.
A figure passed behind the peephole, and then the door immediately swung open.
“I haven’t done anything wrong,” Kage immediately said, blocking their entry with his frame. He leaned against the doorjamb and folded his arms across a broad chest.
Rochelle introduced herself as Kage studied Camden.
“No need to say your name, Marshal,” Kage said, his gaze steady on Camden. The chip on Kage’s shoulder had grown into a boulder.
“Mind if we come inside?” Camden asked, figuring there was no need to tap dance around their desire to check his apartment.
“As a matter of fact, I do,” Kage countered, not budging. A quick appraisal said he’d been working out while in prison. He hooked his chin toward Camden before shifting his gaze to Rochelle. “What’s he doing here?”
“Marshal Remington is accompanying me on an investigation,” Rochelle explained.
Kage rolled his eyes like he couldn’t believe this was happening. “Am I a suspect or a witness?”
“That’s what we’re here to determine,” Rochelle said, palming her cell phone. She’d removed her hand from resting on the butt of her Glock to retrieve the phone. After validating her facial ID, she pulled up the picture from the department’s missing-persons report. “Do you know this woman?”
Realization as to why they were at Kage’s doorstep dawned. He started shaking his head almost immediately. “No, I don’t,” he said without hesitation, which was generally a sign ofsomeone telling the truth.Or a practiced liar.Psychopaths and narcissists had their own set of rules. But Kage was neither, as far as Camden could determine.
The man was, however, a criminal. That fact couldn’t be denied. The extent of which was in question. Camden intended to find the answer.
“Why would I do anything to jeopardize my parole when I’ve barely been out more than a month?” Kage said with a burning fire behind his eyes. Daggers were being shot at Camden too. Hot, burning daggers from eyes that would probably like nothing more than for Camden to toss aside his weapons and go toe-to-toe with the former inmate.
“No one said you did,” Rochelle said, drawing attention back to her and away from Camden.
Normally, Camden was the one to defuse tense situations. Kage had a serious bone to pick with him for doing his job.
Or was there more to it?
