Cavanaugh Rules Read Free Page A

many ways to protest something, not all of them vocal. Abilene’s expression gave her no clue as to what he was thinking even as, for one unguarded moment, it seemed to ripple directly into the pit of her stomach.
    Definitely needed to have Tom ask around, she decided firmly.
    Right now, she needed to know one thing. Taking a breath, Kendra asked the man sitting across from her, “Is this permanent, sir?”
    Uncle or not, she knew that her family connection didn’t figure into this right now and she didn’t want him to think she was questioning his judgment. On the other hand, she really needed to know what she was facing here. Forewarned was forearmed.
    Brian smiled and looked at the two people sitting before him, one at rigid attention, the other in a seemingly relaxed mode. He had a positive feeling about this. Although probably not immediately evident to either one of them, pairing these two was a good thing.
    “We’ll see,” he answered. Turning his attention to Abilene, he gave the man an opportunity to voice any protest, although he had a feeling that there would be none forthcoming. It wasn’t that Abilene was a dutiful “good soldier,” but he rolled with the punches and took whatever came his way. But by no means was he a pushover. This would be a healthy blending of styles.
    “So, unless you have any objections, Detective Abilene, you’ll be moving your things over to Homicide, effective immediately.”
    Matt nodded. His expression remained the same, even while his eyes swept over the woman to his left, as if taking measure of her. If there was a verdict one way or another, he kept it to himself. There was neither eagerness nor covert annoyance in his voice. “I’ll get right on it, sir,” he promised.
    Let the adventure begin, Brian thought.
    Like a mechanic with an ear for the machines he worked with, Brian liked hearing the sound of a well-tuned engine. He had a feeling that was what he had here.Kendra would just have to get over the initial period of adjustment. But it would be worth it.
    “Well, unless there’s anything else,” Brian said, a note of finality in his voice, “you’re dismissed.” And then, as the two rose to their feet, he added with a smile, “Make me proud.”
    “Yes, sir,” Kendra replied, forcing a smile she didn’t feel to her lips.
    “Do my best, sir.” Matt fired off the casual promise as he turned to leave. He caught the dark look that his new partner shot him.
    The woman was very attractive, but she didn’t know it. He’d never had a female partner before. This was going to be interesting. Very interesting.
    Kendra strode out of the inner, then outer office ahead of him, putting distance between them quickly. She didn’t bother to pretend to want to talk—because she didn’t. She was busy dealing with this latest curve that Fate had tossed her.
    Matt merely stretched his legs and shortened that distance to nothing in a matter of a few steps.
    He caught up to her way before the elevator, but she kept on walking, not acknowledging his presence. It was as if she’d been encapsulated in a world all her own.
    If only, she thought.
    “So what do I call you?” Abilene asked as he reached over her head and pressed the Up button on the wall before she could.
    Forced to acknowledge him, she had a feeling her best bet was to put him in his place right from the very beginning. If she was wrong about him, there would be time enough to soften her approach.
    Kendra looked up at him—she was going to need to get higher heels, she decided, then almost instantly rescinded that thought. A little distance between them might be a good thing. Being too close to him might blunt the edge she would need. There was no getting away from the fact that he was bone-meltingly good-looking and close proximity might cause her to forget.
    “Good at my job,” she answered.
    Matt considered her reply for a second and then nodded. “Okay, but that’s a little long. How about I just