Terminal 9 Read Free Page B

double standards—even if there shouldn’t be. Women are still scarce in this agency.”
    DANA HAD ALMOST C ALLED MAC BACK to pick her up at her apartment instead of the office, knowing it would be faster and closer for them. But she loved her job too much to risk it. Maybe if it had been anyone but Mac, she wouldn’t have given it a thought either.
    With Mac, she had to go out of her way to avoid the appearance of anything more than friendship. It would be far too easy to fall back into the kind of relationship she’d had with Mac before. They’d dated back in college, and if she were completely honest with herself, she’d admit her feelings for him were even stronger now than they’d been back then. Sadly, their lives had taken separate paths. She’d been thrilled when they’d met up again some months ago when Mac began his first homicide case as a detective with the Megan Tyson murder.
    Maybe someday there would be an opportunity for them, but not now. Not with both of them so new to the detective arena. Not with walls that have eyes and ears and fellow workers who already teased her and Mac about being more than partners.
    â€œThere are several female detectives in our outfit,” Mac said. “I’ll bet they wouldn’t worry about whether their male partners picked them up. Take Jan Adams in the arson section. She’s top notch; nobody ever gives her any flak.”
    Dana nodded. “Jan’s been in detectives since you and I were in high school, Mac. I bet she had her share of hurdles too—more than I do. Women are finally being accepted into the good old boys’ group.”
    â€œI don’t know. I can’t imagine anyone messing with Jan; she’s like your grandmother and Dirty Harry combined. I don’t know how someone so sweet could be so tough at the same time.”
    Dana laughed. “I’ll ask her for you tomorrow and tell her how much you admire her.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œDon’t worry, I’ll leave the Dirty Harry reference out. Though personally, I think that’s the best part.”
    â€œYou’re meeting with Jan? Why?” Mac glanced over at Dana. His eyes held a hint of concern and hurt. He’d been mentoring her and doing a pretty decent job, but she needed a woman’s perspective.
    â€œJan and I are meeting for lunch. I wanted to go over a few things. Sergeant Evans suggested it—mainly so we can get to know each other. If nothing else, maybe she can help me shop for some functional detective clothes that look halfway decent.”
    â€œWhat about me? I’m your partner,” Mac asked jokingly. “Why not let me help spend your clothing allowance?”
    â€œYou mean the eight hundred dollars the department gives us to buy two years’ worth of professional attire?”
    â€œWhat? Isn’t that enough for you?”
    â€œI can spend that much on shoes alone.” She lifted her foot and inspected her thick-heeled shoe. “Have you shopped for women’s clothes lately?”
    â€œCan’t say that I have.”
    â€œMac.” Dana turned serious. “We talked about our relationship when I made detective and you said you were okay with being friends and nothing more. I know you haven’t asked me out or anything since then, but I’m still sensing this thing from you—I don’t know . . .”
    â€œAttraction?”
    â€œHmm.” She ran her hand along the seat belt. Unfortunately, she felt more than an attraction for him.
    â€œIt’s not something I can turn off. I’m sorry if I’m making you feel uncomfortable.”
    â€œI’m sorry too, Mac. For now, we can’t . . .”
    â€œDon’t worry about it. Just so you know, I am not sitting around waiting for you to change your mind. I’m moving on.”
    â€œYou are?” That wasn’t what Dana wanted to hear. She wished she’d kept her