Do You Want To Play: A Detroit Police Procedural Romance Read Free Page B

discover and slide them together like puzzle pieces. I think I just connected Tobias’ callous attitude and someone named Anna.
    I stare at the photographs of the victims until the pain of their violent deaths is replaced by scientific observation. I stop being human as I analyze each scene, because I need to think exactly like the killer.
     
    ~~~~~
     

Tobias
    DETROIT SEEMS BRIGHTER at night than during the day—the lights glaring down at me and car headlights blinding me. It’s a mixture of an invasive feeling—like the fluorescence is sinking into my skin—and feeling anonymous—like I’m one of many shadows in a city of light.
    I see her standing at the corner, clearly waiting for me. I think of crossing the road in order to avoid her, but I have never been the type to choose flight over fight.
    “Miss Williams,” I say. “What are you doing here?”
    “I was waiting for you,” she says.
    “Well, you wasted your time,” I say, walking past her. She grabs my arm. I stop and turn around to face her. “What do you want from me?”
    “A chance,” she says. “ I want you to give me a chance.”
    “No,” I say. I pull my arm out of her grip. She takes my hand. I can feel the fine bones of her fingers and the chill of her skin against my warm palms.
    “Tobias…there is a killer loose in Detroit,” she says. “We need to work together.”
    “ We don’t need to do anything,” I say. “I’m going to find this killer. You can just stay out of my way.”
    Her nails sink into my skin. Our eyes lock. Her eyes are a sharp contrast with the bright city lights.
    “Why did you choose to come to Detroit and pursue a serial killer?” I ask.
    “I’ve always been fascinated by serial killers,” she says.
    “That sounds sociopathic.” I slide my hand out of her grasp.
    “My parents died when I was young,” she says. “Drunk driver. Car burst into flames. I was in the back, and since then…”
    I look away from her.
    “I’m sorry,” I mumble. She shrugs.
    “I don’t remember much,” she says. “Just flashes. Fire.”
    “I’m sorry,” I repeat, avoiding her gaze. I glance forward. “There’s a bar…I guess you could call it a cop bar. Do you want to get a drink?”
    She smiles. “Really, Tobias? You decide to be nice because you feel bad for me?”
    “So, I should keep on being a jerk?” I ask. She tilts her head. Her hair sways across her shoulders. I wonder what it’s like to feel the smooth texture of her skin and feel the arch of her back as I touch her.
    “You should be my partner,” she says. My heart skips two beats. I shake my head.
    “I need to get home,” I say. “You should be safe.”
    “I’ll try,” she says. I walk away from her. I have no time to mourn for the living when I am busy trying to get justice for the dead.
     
    ~~~~~
     
    When I walk into the police station, half the officers are watching the TV. I glance up to see a newscaster, dressed in bright pink and wearing a large, gaudy necklace. I don’t understand why they dress up so much. They’re in the middle of the screen. It’s not like we’re going to overlook them if they aren’t wearing the boldest color possible.
    “The PVP killer has allegedly murdered four people. In this video clip we are going to show you, the police are seen in Belle Isle State Park. We tried to get more answers from Detective Rodriguez, but he refused to answer any questions.”
    On the screen, I am seen raising my hand to cover a video camera and yelling at all of the newscasters and their cameramen. Everyone in the department turns to look at me.
    “What?” I ask. “You know the killer will be watching the news. I’m not going to show my hand to him.”
    “That would have been a great opportunity to lure the killer in.”
    I turn to see Lauren sitting at my old partner’s desk. I remember her confession about her parent’s death and for a moment, I don’t want to be tough on her. A second later, I know that I