Killer Love Read Free Page B

avoid...hopping into bed with every man that desired her. She was certain a psychiatrist would relate her actions to not having a dad when she was growing up, trying to win the affection of men since she didn’t have it as a child. Maybe that was true. Whatever the reason, she couldn’t seem to say ‘no’. And look where it had gotten her.
    Her phone rang and she picked it up. “Special Agent Delia Grimes.”
    “Hey, you okay?” It was Luke Butler, her partner. Asshole . Even though he hadn’t been the one to rat her out--she’d been caught in the act by another agent--he damned sure hadn’t come to her defense. As a matter of fact, he’d told the Special Agent in Charge that he recommended desk duty until the case was over so she wouldn’t further compromise the operation.
    She stared at the mug shot, not wanting to touch it, but wanting to wish it away. “Fan-fucking-tastic,” she responded, not even trying to keep the resentment out of her voice. She knew Luke had done the right thing but she wouldn’t let him off the hook that easily. She had to take her anger out on someone. Besides, he’d been one of her bad decisions. It had turned out better than most, they were still friends, but nonetheless, still a mistake.
    “I’m expecting a call.” His tone became business-like. “I’m leaving my cell on silent but I had a message from an informant. He couldn’t reach me so he said he’d call the office with the information. Didn’t leave a number where I could call him back. Can you take a message and I’ll call you when I get a chance?”
    “Sure, no problem. Desk jockey Grimes at your service.”
    “Del, listen...”
    “No. I’m tired of listening to you. Tired of getting stabbed in the back by my friends.”
    His heavy sigh spoke volumes. Regret...sadness...but righteous confidence that he’d done the right thing. Whatever .
    “I gotta go,” she said. “I’ll take your message.”
    “Thanks.”
    She felt guilty when she hung up. Just a little. If he hadn’t told her his phone was off, she might have called him back to apologize. He was involved in a dangerous undercover operation. The same operation she’d almost screwed up by sleeping with a suspect. Anything could happen to him. Agents often died in the field.
    Luke was her best friend. He’d been nothing but kind to her, letting her cry on his shoulder after every failed relationship. And, he’d been the perfect gentleman when he’d ended their fling, somehow making her feel he was doing her a favor, while at the same time breaking her heart. When she spoke to him again, she’d be nicer. As bad as the situation was, it wasn’t his fault.
    An hour later, the call he was waiting on came through. The man’s voice was hushed, disguised.
    “This dude says the cargo’s at a warehouse near the river.”
    Delia jotted down the information. “You have an address?”
    “Yeah,” sarcasm dripped from his tone, so thick it was unmistakable even through the phone line. “He gave me the address in case I wanted to mapquest it and pop in for a little look-see at the contraband.” The man snorted, then continued. “Of course he didn’t give me no address. He was just braggin’ about how they got this high dollar cargo and they’re all gonna be rich. This guy was switching off with a few other guys, guarding the goods. From what Butler was askin’ about, it sounded like it might have something to do with the case he’s got.”
    Delia was tempted to take her frustrations out on this smartass, to lambaste him with a few words that would make a sailor blush. But, she decided not to. What little help he gave was better than nothing, and if she pissed him off, he might withhold even that.
    “Is there anything else you can tell me?” she asked with forced civility.
    “Well, I don’t exactly have the address, but I know pretty much where the warehouse is. When the guy headed out, I followed him, figuring if I got something real good,