Page 14 of A Soldier's Pledge
“Eh, it’s not worth telling.”
“Why not?” Anna and Steele asked in unison. The last thing he wanted to do was share why he’d decided to get into the U.S. Air Force Academy instead of just going to a regular college like his parents wanted.
“Let’s just say it was a lifelong fascination with flying and leave it at that.” He thought Anna was going to press him further, but thankfully she dropped it. Maybe her intuition told her it wasn’t a subject he wanted to discuss, at least not right then. Steele was staring at him, and he hated when his friend got that look, it meant he would find out no matter what. It was great when dealing with suspects but sucked donkey balls when it was directed toward him.
“What’s our plan of action?” Anna looked so innocent, but he knew better. The wheels were turning in that beautiful mind. But she’d helped enough. Some things were better left to the professionals.
“Our plan will be handled by professionals. You’ve been a huge help today.” The pout started as soon as the words left his mouth, but he wasn’t buying it, he knew her too well. One look at Steele said otherwise. He was like putty in her hands, and Ethan couldn’t wait to see how this played out. Especially since they’d already discussed keeping her out of it.
“Aww, c’mon. They’re my people. If you’re going to be setting them up, I should know about it.” Yup, trap set. Would Steele fall in the gaping hole she’d just dug?
“We’re not going to set them up. You’ve been watching too many crime shows. Besides this is a small town, word tends to get around. You should know that.”
“Oh, I do. Which is why I don’t believe my people are involved.”
“But what we discovered today says differently.” Steele was earnestly trying to convince her they were the good guys. He was so focused he didn’t see how well she’d played him. Maybe she should have been a cop, her analytical skills were top notch. Leaning back in his chair and taking a swig of beer, he hid his grin behind the bottle.
“What? That they were our properties? That two of my agents listed all of them? As you just said, this is a small town, there are only a couple of small independents and my company. I still don’t see how it proves either one is involved.”
“It doesn’t. But hopefully, if we get the warrant, a phone tap will.” And there it was. He’d just dropped the whole enchilada right in her lap. He hadn’t even seen it coming.
“Way to go, bro. So much for keeping her out of it?” Ethan couldn’t keep the gloating out of his voice. He’d fallen for her tactics too many times not to appreciate how she’d led him right where she wanted him. Hell, it only took about ten minutes too. That might be a record.
“Aww, fuck. Well played, Anna. I blame your big beautiful eyes.” Steele didn’t even look sorry, but he had to know Ethan was going to give him hell later, and the LT would be even more pissed when he found out. Although Ethan doubted that Anna would do anything to sabotage their investigation, there was always the chance she’d say something without thinking about it. Just like Steele.
Anna grinned, but it was obvious she was upset about the whole idea. He knew she was more worried about her friend than the old dude, and it’s exactly why he hadn’t wanted her to know. He didn’t want to invade Adria’s privacy but if the judge gave them the warrant they’d tap both her and Johnson’s phones. It might be the only break they’d get on this case.
“Baby, you know you can’t tell anyone about this, right?”
“Yeah, I know, but it doesn’t mean I’m happy.”
“I know, but we have to do what we can. You need to look at it this way, a tap could just as easily prove their innocence as their guilt. Right?”
“True. But how am I going to look at either of them in the office tomorrow? I’m not going to want to talk to Adria on the phone. Our girl talk is none of the Willow Haven Police Department’s business.”
Steele finally had the grace to look embarrassed, and Ethan gave him a look that said, “nice one, dude.”
“I know. But you can do it. You’re smart and stubborn as hell, it’s part of what I love about you.” He saw Steele’s eyebrow arch out of the corner of his eye. He didn’t care if he knew or not. Ethan would be happy to yell it from the roof, or even put it on Facebook if Anna wanted.
“I’ll try. But I’m going on record here that I think it’s a mistake.”
“Noted. And as soon as we have information we need one way or the other we’ll take off the tap. That’s my promise to you.”
“You know, Anna, if you’re going to be in a relationship with a cop, it’s part of the deal. Shit hits the fan on a regular basis, even in a small town like this. If you want to be included in their lives, it’s inevitable you’re going to hear things you aren’t going to like, or maybe shouldn’t even know. Holding it in and shutting out their wives or husbands is what destroys a relationship.”
Ethan really wished Steele would shut the fuck up and go home. Or just go home. He was right in what he’d said, but he didn’t know Anna’s history and reminding her that their job could be dangerous wasn’t exactly going to help the situation. He dreaded Anna’s reaction. He was more than relieved when she absorbed the information and didn’t freak out. She was smart, beautiful and everything he never dreamed he’d find in a woman, but he also knew how skittish she was about getting hurt in love again. This was all so new, he didn’t want to send her running.
Nodding as she stood up to clear away the dinner dishes, she was quiet at first. “I know, and up until now, we’ve had a kind of unspoken understanding that we didn’t bring work home. But I guess that’s all about to change. Actually, I guess it already has.” Then without another word or waiting for one of them to respond she turned and went inside.
“Mother fucker. You just couldn’t keep your big mouth shut, could you?”
“Fuck, bro. I know better, you know I do. But she’s good. I wasn’t expecting it.”
“You interrogate people all the time, how the hell didn’t you see what she was doing? She pegged you dead-on, it’s like she had a handbook or something.”
“Maybe she watches a lot of cop shows?”
Ethan rolled his eyes, but that was better than punching Steele. He didn’t even realize he was opening and closing his fist until he looked down, and that wasn’t a good sign. “You just made this a thousand times harder for her. You do realize that, right?”
