Hot Pursuit Read Free Page B

“Damn, were we ever that young and green?”
    â€œProbably, once upon a time.” His partner quirked his mouth in a half smile. “Don’t you ever wish you could go back to your early twenties?”
    â€œFor the wild social life and the hot young bod? Sure. For being the low cop on the totem pole again? Not so much.”
    â€œTrue.”
    â€œThough my bod is
still
hot.”
    â€œIf that’s what you want to tell yourself, old man.”
    â€œSays he who turns the big three-oh next week,” Taylor shot back. “I’m only two years older than you.”
    â€œJust fucking with you.”
    â€œWhen are you not?”
    In truth, Taylor gave as good as he got when it came to his partner. He and Shane had worked in Homicide together for more than four years, since Taylor had moved to Sugarland, Tennessee, from Los Angeles. His mind shied away from the disaster that had prompted his move, and he focused on how content he was here, among people he liked and respected.
    He and Shane might trade barbs, but it was all in good fun. His partner had become one of his best friends, and he’d do just about anything for the man. He had no doubt the feeling was mutual.
    â€œNothing much in the car, sir,” Jenk said, stepping into the room. “Just some fast-food wrappers and a map. Isn’t that odd?”
    â€œWhat’s that?” Shane asked.
    â€œWell, who uses a paper road map anymore, right? Most people use their smartphone or a GPS, especially if they’re traveling alone. Hard to read an old-fashioned map when you’re driving.”
    That gave his partner pause. “You’re right, though sometimes people prefer the old way of doing things. Reading a smartphone while driving alone would be just as tough.” He sighed. “Come to think of it, we didn’t find a phone at all. Good work.”
    The kid beamed at the praise. Taylor suppressed a grin and was about to play Razz the Rookie when Medical Examiner Laura Eden arrived, along with the police department’s forensics unit. The cops jokingly referred to them as Eden and the FU, like a rock group, because they tended to arrive en masse, the head honcho and her entourage. And
FU
for obvious reasons—not that the forensics guys were all assholes. The term had just stuck.
    The room got crowded, so Jenk, Taylor, and Shane moved outside to let them process the scene. There wasn’t much to find, and in less than an hour, Eden was giving them the short version.
    â€œNo surprises. Well, not counting the man with the bullet in his brain,” she said dryly. “Based on the blood splatter, this is indeed the murder scene. Mr. Griffin was shot in the forehead at point-blank range with a smaller-caliber handgun. Nothing much to bag except a couple of hairs and some other fibers.”
    â€œThey finding any prints?” Taylor asked.
    The striking brunette arched a brow. “In a motel room? Seriously, Detective?”
    His face heated. “Right.” How stupid of him. Not to mention it sucked to sound like an idiot in front of a gorgeous woman who’d turned him down flat for a dinner date. Twice.
    â€œAnyhow, I’d say he’s been dead for about an hour and a half. That’s all I know, but I’ll send you what I’ve got when I know more.”
    Taylor cleared his throat. “We about done here, then?”
    Shane nodded, running a hand through his longish brown hair. “Yep. Thanks, Laura.”
    â€œNo problem. See you guys.”
    It kind of smarted how she just went inside again without a backward glance, all cool professionalism. His partner must’ve noticed something in his expression as they walked to Taylor’s car, because he couldn’t resist making a comment.
    â€œIt’s not you, buddy.
You’re
the one who told me she had a thing for the captain.”
    â€œYeah, I know,” he grumped as he slid behind the wheel.