Rafael (The Santiago Brothers Book One) Read Free

to take your place.”
    “Ha! Of course you’re not. You have a long
way to go.”
    Genie’s embarrassment suddenly vanished. She
kept her lips tightly sealed to stop the rush of defensive
words.
    “Genie, take a seat.”
    She dropped into the chair previously
occupied by Rafa and flung her right leg over her left. She was in
for a lecture, no doubt, and would have to keep her temper in
check. Not only did it get her into trouble but it also meant she
wore her emotions on her sleeves. She hadn’t wanted her boss to
guess her ambitions for management… not yet.
    “How’s the investigation of the Snake Murders
going?”
    The Snake Murders. Pet name for her case of
now four unsolved murders. The victims were stabbed five times, the
wounds in the pattern of what seemed to be a snake. So far? Still
unsolved. But didn’t Winters say he had information that would
break the case?
    “I have a few leads I’m working on, but
nothing concrete. I’m waiting on the results of the
interdepartmental agency search for leads on this type of modus
operandi.”
    The chief sat back in his chair, a look of
mischief crossing his features. Genie’s spine hardened. If he had
planned a pop quiz on how to run an investigation, then bring it
on. She knew every detail of the case like the back of her hand.
Whatever challenge the lieutenant had she could meet it.
    “Good. Sounds good.”
    Wait, what? Genie blinked. No challenge? Winters never backed down from an opportunity to pummel his
detectives with questions. She always thought it stemmed from an
issue with trust or maybe he missed running investigations himself.
Either way, they were grilled relentlessly and for the first time,
nothing. Genie decided to take his mercy in stride. She relaxed a
little, shifting in her chair until her rear and her back were
comfortable. Threading her fingers through her tight ponytail, she
waited for her boss to continue.
    Winters casually picked up his coffee mug and
took a sip. He let out a satisfied “ah” before setting it back down
on his desk. “I’m assigning you a partner.”
    Genie froze. She had hoped he was kidding.
Partner? She didn’t need a partner. Franco was already at the crime
scene ruining things. She didn’t need anyone else, and hadn’t for a
long time. Ever since college, she worked hard to graduate at the
top of her class in the police academy and then put on the rank of
detective in half the time it would have taken any other officer.
She was perfectly capable of handling her cases all on her own.
    “Sir, I’m happy to work with whomever you
want, but I assure you, I have the case under control,” she stated
firmly.
    “Oh, I know you do.”
    “You do?”
    “Sure. I don’t doubt your abilities,
Detective.” He smiled, genuine praise in his eyes.
    “Okay…” That pleased her. No matter how
bristled her boss seemed, he always had the backs of his
officers.
    “But you may need someone with intimate
knowledge of the case.”
    “What?” Genie sat upright, her hands gripping
the armrests. “With all due respect, sir, as the lead detective,
I’m the only one with intimate knowledge of the case. Sure, the
Bureau is aware of the case, but they have yet to take the lead. I
don’t need any help.”
    “You don’t?”
    Genie detected a look of disbelief in her
boss’ eyes. But a smile played at the corners of his mouth. A chill
shot right through her. There was something he hadn’t mentioned
yet, something Genie was sure she wouldn’t like. Did he already
have someone in mind? She worked fairly well with the other
detectives in the squad. She wouldn’t have any serious personality
issues with any of them. Except Franco. But all of them, like her,
were bogged down with a heavy caseload. She could only imagine her
partner’s frustration when he or she discovered they'd have to
divide their time on yet another case. With few leads to go on, the
investigation left her dispirited; having to deal with tensions
from