“Thanks, Sikes. All in a day’s work,” she said lightly.
“You looked great on the news, all wet with your hair slicked back,” he continued, taking his usual perch on the corner of her desk.
“I didn’t think you noticed things like that, Sikes.”
He stood up quickly. “I told you, I’m not gay! I don’t know where you got that from, but it better stop here.”
She only smiled at him and nodded.
Tony Ramirez walked over then, sticking out his hand and shaking Samantha’s.
“You guys were great,” he said. “Good plug for Homicide. Can’t believe Hunter did that.”
“Well, CIU was acting like they busted the whole thing on their own,” she said. She actually couldn’t believe it either. When the TV crew had asked how long she’d been with CIU, Tori had laughed. “We’re with Homicide, not CIU. They were too busy to check out this dead-end lead, so they had us run out here. Hell of a dead end, huh?”
“You should have heard Fisk when he was telling the story.
‘Tell Malone to send the troops. Oh shit!’”
Ramirez said, mimicking Tori.
Samantha laughed. That was only the beginning of their ordeal.
“Where is Hunter, anyway?” she asked.
“Haven’t seen her.”
“It’s eight-thirty,” Samantha said. “She’s always here before me.”
He shrugged. “She’s probably out working already.” Then he handed her something warm wrapped in foil. He laid an identical one on Tori’s desk. “My mother made these. Tori loves them. Chorizo and eggs.”
“Thanks, Tony. That was sweet of you.”
She unwrapped hers, finding a warm tortilla rolled inside, bulging with eggs and Mexican sausage. She took a bite and moaned. Wonderful.
But it was another half hour before Tori walked in, looking like she’d hardly slept at all. She walked past Samantha’s desk and straight to the coffee.
“Are you okay?” Samantha asked when Tori returned.
“Uh-huh,” she said, sipping from the hot liquid. She looked at the foil on her desk and grinned. Tony’s mother had no doubt cooked for her again.
“Where have you been?”
Tori raised her eyebrows.
“What? I can’t ask that? I would think after yesterday, I could ask anything I damn well pleased.”
Tori grinned. “That’s what you think, huh?”
“Yes, that’s what I think.”
“Okay, fair enough. I was at my boat. I overslept,” she said.
“Why don’t I believe you?” She lowered her voice. “You look like you hardly slept at all, Tori.”
“Oh, but I did. I went to my apartment first. There was nothing there but a bottle of scotch. About midnight, I went out and got something to eat, then drove to my boat. I fell asleep about four. Got caught in traffic.”
Samantha stared at her. Four? She was asleep by ten. She was about to comment when the Lieutenant called for them.
“You two want to come in here?”
Tori sighed, then pushed away from her desk. She was used to existing on only a few hours’ sleep each night but for some reason, she couldn’t shake it this morning.
“Well, you had quite a day, Detectives,” he said. “Congratulations. You made the department proud.”
They both looked at him, saying nothing.
“CIU’s got their panties in a wad, though. Press ate up your interview last night, Hunter.”
She shrugged.
“I just wanted to tell you that you did a good job. Glad you made it back in one piece.” He looked from Hunter to Kennedy, then back. Kennedy looked rested. Hunter looked like shit. “I guess it’s back to your Jane Doe. The lab called this morning, Hunter. Fisk has the info. They found some matching fibers.”
“Great. We’ll check it out.”
They got up to leave but Malone called Tori back.
“Hunter… a word?”
Samantha glanced at them both, then shut the door behind her. Tori sat back down, waiting.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine, Lieutenant.”
He nodded. “How are things going with Kennedy?”
“Fine.”
“Think it might work out?”
She nodded, then grinned. “I think it might work out. She was a real trouper out there yesterday. Only threatened to shoot me a couple of times.”
“Go easy on this one, Hunter. She could be good for you.”
“I think you may be right.”
“How do you feel about letting me work out with you?” Samantha asked later as they drove toward Central.
“In the gym?”
“I realized yesterday that my upper body strength is a little lacking,” she admitted.
“Maybe. But it’ll cut into your time. I usually work out later in the evening, but we can arrange to go right after work a few days a week.” Tori glanced at her quickly. “Don’t you want to check with your boyfriend first?”
“Why would I need to do that?”
“Like I said, it’ll cut into your time.”
“Yes, but it’s my time. Not his.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Samantha heard them echoing in her brain. Robert would be upset. Not mad. He didn’t get mad. But it would take away from their time together and lately, that time had been stretched thin. Well, he would understand. Her job was important to her, just as his was to him. He had late nights, too. She always understood when he had a meeting after hours or had a case to prepare. She didn’t complain. He would be just as understanding.
“Three nights a week? But Samantha, we hardly see each other as it is. And look at you. I hardly think you need to go to the gym,” he said.
“I could barely climb that fence, Robert. Yes, I need to go to the gym. I’m not in great shape.”
“I beg to differ. I think you have a great shape.”
She smiled at him and handed him his plate.
“Thank you. But you know what I mean.”
“Well, hopefully, you won’t be climbing fences too often. Don’t you think you’re overreacting?”
They sat across from each other at her small table and she watched silently as he poured wine. Was she overreacting? It was just that Tori was in such good shape. Samantha didn’t want to hold her back, didn’t want Tori to feel like she had to help her over and through obstacles if they arose. Samantha should be able to keep up. And besides, if they worked out together, it would give her more time with her partner. More time to get to know her. Samantha suspected the Tori Hunter everyone knew was nothing like the Tori Hunter she had glimpsed that day in the tunnel. Tori had never lost her cool, had never gotten impatient with Samantha. In fact, she had been teasing, had acted like it was all a game. Maybe that’s why Samantha had not really felt like they were in danger. Tori had simply taken charge and gotten them out of there. And it had been fun.
And Samantha wanted more of it.
Chapter Eleven
“You’re killing me,” Samantha complained as she attempted to lift the weights one more time.
“Two more.”
“Two? You said one.”
“I lied.”
Samantha pushed up, straining. Was this really her idea? What had she been thinking? She took a deep breath, finally pushing the weights over her head.
“Great,” Tori said, taking the bar from Sam. “Now, leg press.”
Sam stood up, shaking her arms at her sides.
“You better hope I don’t have to draw my weapon tomorrow,” she said.
“Why’s that?”
“Because I doubt I’ll be able to lift my arms.”
“Tomorrow will be fine. It’ll be the next day,” Tori said. She walked over to the leg press and pointed. “Sit.”
Samantha did as she was told, lying back and bending her knees, resting her feet against the plate. She watched as Tori adjusted the weight.
“Try that.”
She did. It moved only a few inches. Tori lightened it and Sam tried again. This time, she was able to extend her legs. With effort.
“Great. Ten.”
“Why don’t I believe you?” Sam murmured as she pushed down on the plate.
Tori watched, surprised at the thigh muscles that were well defined. She reached out a hand and touched Sam’s leg lightly, feeling the muscles move under her hand.
“You jog?” she asked.
Sam was conscious of the hand that rested against her thigh as she breathed hard to finish the set. “Used to. But not in a couple of years. I make do with a stationary bike now.”
“Better than nothing. Your legs look like they’re in good shape.”
“Thanks.” For some reason, that made her feel better. Then she leaned up. “Why aren’t you working out?”
“I’ll do it later tonight. I promised I’d help you,” she said.
“Can’t we do both? I hate that you’re just standing around watching me.”
Tori raised her eyebrows. “Could be worse,” she teased. “I could be stuck watching Sikes or somebody.”
Samantha grinned. She loved it when Tori was relaxed and teasing. “Why don’t you work out now with me? Then I’ll treat you to dinner,” Sam offered.
“Dinner?”
“Yes. I doubt you’ll take the time to eat if you’re planning on working out later. Come on, we’ll get a burger or something.”
Tori stared. She hadn’t been asked out to dinner in so long, she hardly knew how to respond. Who knew? Apparently, Sam liked her. So she nodded.
Samantha flashed her a smile and reached out and squeezed her arm.
“Thanks.”
“That doesn’t mean you’re getting off lightly,” Tori said. She took the machine next to Sam. Leg curls. She stretched out on her stomach and hooked her ankles beneath the bar. She closed her eyes and took a breath, then curled her legs behind her in a steady rhythm, counting silently to herself.
Samantha stared at the legs stretched out beside her, calf muscles bulging with each repetition. She looked at her own thin legs, wondering if she’d ever have that much definition.
“Come on, Sam. Another set,” Tori said beside her.
“Yeah, yeah,” she mumbled.
They moved through the various weight machines, Tori helping Sam reacquaint herself with them. It had been years since she’d been in a gym. She actually felt invigorated by the exercise. She followed Tori’s instructions, not at all self-conscious as she struggled through some of the weights. But later, in the locker room, shyness overtook her as she undressed only a few lockers down from Tori. Tori apparently didn’t have a shy bone in her body. She stripped where she stood, walking naked into the shower.
“Good God,” Sam murmured as she watched Tori walk away. The woman was a goddess, sculpted body head to toe. She looked down at her own body, still clad in sports bra and shorts. She certainly wasn’t embarrassed by her body. In fact, Robert said on numerous occasions that she had a wonderful body. It just wasn’t as defined as Tori’s. Well, that’s why she was here, she told herself. She slipped off her bra and shorts and grabbed a towel, walking quickly into a shower stall.
Tori was already dressed when she walked out. She was bending over tying her shoes, and she glanced once at Samantha, then away.
“I’ll wait outside for you,” she said.
“Okay. I’ll just be a sec,” Samantha said.
She dropped her towel as soon as Tori left, dressing quickly. She pulled on jeans and a sweatshirt, ran a brush through her damp hair and shoved everything into her gym bag. She found Tori sitting on a weight bench when she walked out.
“Better?” Tori asked.
Samantha smiled. “I feel great. Thank you.”
Tori stood and shoved both hands in her pockets, waiting.
“How about Albert’s over on Pearl?” Sam asked. “It’s casual enough.”
“Sure. I’ll follow you.”
Samantha was conscious of the Explorer behind her and she looked up several times in her mirror. She was nervous and she couldn’t imagine why. Maybe because she hadn’t told Robert. Then she glanced at her cell phone, which was off. She could call him, but she doubted it would be a short conversation. No, she would talk to him afterward.
Albert’s was crowded for a weeknight and they had to sit at the bar until a table opened up. They both ordered a beer, then rested their arms casually on the bar top.
“Oh God, that is so good,” Sam said after her first long drink.
“Mmm,” Tori agreed.
“Thank you for doing this. The workout and dinner,” Sam explained. “I really want us to be friends, Tori. I think it’ll make it so much easier to work together.”
“Is that right?”
“Yes.” Samantha leaned her elbows on the table and looked at Tori. “You have to admit, this is much better than arguing and bickering or just plain not talking. Right?”
Tori smiled and nodded.
“I’m serious. You scared the hell out of me that first week, you know.”
“Did I?” She shrugged. “I don’t know why. I was just being me.”
“Were you?” Sam asked. “Who are you being now?”
Tori flicked her gaze at Sam then went back to her beer, draining half of it in one swallow.
“It was like you wanted so badly for me not to like you,” Sam continued. “I can’t for the life of me figure out why.”
“No one likes me, Sam.”
“I like you.”
“Why?”
Samantha shrugged, then smiled.
“Is it safe to tell you that I had more fun with you the other day than I’ve had in my whole life?”
“In the tunnel?” Tori asked with raised eyebrows.
“Yeah. The tunnel.”
“Fun? You threatened to shoot me several times,” Tori reminded her.
“Oh, I know. At the time, it seemed like a good idea,” Samantha said with a laugh. “In fact, when I think about the water, I imagine it being a pretty aqua blue! Most likely, it was the color of coffee.”
“Most likely.”
“I mean, we were being chased and shot at and then you tried to drown me. Then there was the man-eating rat. Not to mention the thirty-foot drop into the creek.”
“Don’t forget the explosion.”
Samantha laughed. “Yes. The only good thing is I’m not allergic to poison ivy.”
It was Tori’s turn to laugh. “I don’t think you were there long enough to find out. You should have seen your face as you were falling.”
“You should have seen your face when I dunked you under the water,” Sam shot back.
Tori smiled and nodded. Yes, it had been fun. They could have been killed, but it was fun. And she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had fun.
Chapter Twelve
Sam watched Tori pull away, then followed her onto the street. It was late. After ten. Robert would be furious. But she shrugged. She’d make it up to him. She had been enjoying herself too much to call an end to the evening. Tori had opened up. Not much, but some. She’d talked mostly about her boat. In fact, she’d invited Samantha-and Robert-to join her some weekend. That surprised Sam. She doubted Tori ever invited anyone to do anything with her. She didn’t mention one word about her childhood or family, and Samantha didn’t ask. If Tori wanted to share, she would. Samantha was just thankful they were talking at all. It would make working together so much easier.