Page 69 of Castling the Rook (Checkmate 3)

“Alright. Give me a sec.” I turn on my heels and move back toward the office, because I need the cell keys, which aren’t on my own keychain.

“Cruz!”

“Give me a fuckin’ sec!”

I emerge into the office and spring three feet into the air at the sight of Tate standing at Alex’s desk with narrowed eyes scanning the scribbled arrest report. Fuck! What did she hear? What does she know? Why didn’t she shoot me yet?“Tate.” My voice cracks. “Hey. X and Oz just left; but X said you’re off shift as soon as you check back in.”

“A call just came through dispatch.” Her eyes come up to mine. “Want me to clock out or take it?”

“Um…” Like I wasn’t heading out here to take the cell keys from my boss’ drawer, I sit at my desk and power up my computer. “X gave me orders to stay here unless it’s an emergency.”

“So I’ll take it.”

“What’s the call?”

“Bubba and his daddy are fighting in the yard again. Mrs. Brown wants me to break them up. Ya know… the usual.”

“They got weapons?”

“She said no. Just too much bourbon and not enough common sense.”

“You feel safe enough to take it? I can do it if you’d prefer.” Kane will kill me. Jay will kill me. X will kill me. But I can’t send Libby to a dispute between drunk men and keep a clear conscience. “Tell me what you want me to do.”

“I’ll take it.” She drops the report back onto his desk. “I’ll call it in so you know where I’m up to.”

“If you’re not bringing them in, go home once you’re done. I don’t know what X wants from you tomorrow, so maybe call in the morning and ask him what shift you’re on.”

“Alright…” She casts a suspicious glance around the office. To the hall. Probably through the concrete walls with her X-ray vision. “You good here? Got it under control?”

“Yeah. Bishop’s in the cage, and X is on his way to the hospital to talk to Abel’s man. I’m just on guard duty until they’re back and give me new orders.”

“Okay…” She knows something’s up, sheknowsI’m bullshitting, but she just can’t place exactly what’s going on. “I’ll be at Bubba’s till they’re cleaned up. Then I’ll call it in and head on home.”

“Good plan.” As soon as she walks through the kitchen and onto the dock, I jump up from my desk and rush to X’s. The phones ring around me, incessant and mind splintering, but I don’t take the calls. I can’t focus. I can’t lock my shit down. Sliding the top drawer open, I rifle through stationery in search of the keychain I know he keeps here. Not finding them, I go to the second drawer, then the third.

Kane shakes the bars with impatience. “Cruz!”

“I’m coming! Jesus, just shut up a sec!” I pull papers and files from the third drawer, then stop on the stash of brownies my boss has been stealing and hiding for future use. Thieving prick. Finally, the sound of metal on metal helps my heart unclench. Snatching up the keys, I stand triumphantly and squeal like a bitch when my eyes meet our receptionist’s. “Fuck! Tiff. Jesus.” I press my hand to my chest. “You nearly gave me a heart attack.”

“Sorry.” Smiling shyly, she glances down her nose and clutches to the strap of her black handbag. “Oz called me in. Said you guys need help on phones. I just got here, wanted to let you know I was in.”

“Okay.” My heart slams inside my chest. I hold the keys up and incriminate myself, but she doesn’t know the significance. She has no clue. “Can you take the calls at your desk? I need a minute of silence before I go on a rampage. It’s been crazy in here all damn night.”

“Of course.” Blushing, she turns on her heels and skitters away to get to work. Slowly, the ringing lessens. We have six lines coming into this station, six phone lines that we can talk on. Five of them flash on Alex’s desk phone, then four, then three. When it’s down to one, I let out a breath of relief, drop into the chair with a huff, and scrub a hand over my face.

How do I let Bishop out if Tiffany is here? How do I do anything tonight without blowing my brains out?

“Hi Tiffany.” I throw my eyes to the heavens when a familiar voice stops at the front of the station. “I’m here to talk to the arresting officers on the Hayes case.”

“Riley’s back there,” Tiff replies easily. “He can probably talk to you.”

I don’t bother swearing. I don’t even stand from my boss’ desk, because according to Kane, Jess isn’t here to talk the law, she’s here to see herboyfriend. She can see me with his keys in my hands. She can see anything she wants, because she won’t say shit and get herself in trouble.

Blonde twins walk along the hall and step into the office. I’m surprised Jess brought her sister, surprised she told her sister she’s seeing a drug mule, but who the fuck am I to judge what twins tell each other. Maybe they read each other’s minds. Or maybe they’re both tag teaming Kane; he’s the kinda guy who’d be into that sort of thing.

I can barely tell the girls apart, seeing as they’re identical, but one stands with her eyes downcast and nibbles on her thumb nail. The other stares into my eyes like it was me that arrested her man.

I guess, in her mind, I probably am.

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