Detective Partners (21 page)

He swore beneath his breath. "Someone needs to beat him until he can't walk."

She turned and looked up at him. "There were times when I wanted to take his cane from him and beat him with it. When I had those thoughts I would feel so ashamed."

"No." Galen took her hand and held it between both of his. "You had every right to have those thoughts. He was beating you. It's not uncommon for a person in your position to have violent thoughts toward their abuser. Never feel ashamed."

Nicole glanced down at her hand, sandwiched between his hands, and then back up at him. Their eyes locked and her breath caught in her throat. The air between them seemed to come alive with electricity. Every fiber of her being screamed for her to turn around and
ru
to get as far away from him as she could. She couldn't move. Her body was frozen where she stood. She watched as he moved a step closer.

Galen slowly lowered his head, pausing mere inches from her mouth. "If this isn't what you want tell me," he whispered. "I'll walk away."

Heaven help her, she wanted him to kiss her. Although she knew they were just setting their selves up for more frustration. She couldn't deny herself any longer. "Kiss me," she breathed.

His mouth settled on hers. She parted her lips and he slipped his tongue inside. Nicole was unprepared for how sweet, how tender the kiss was. Moaning, she tilted her head and deepened the kiss, her arms going up to encircle his neck. She pressed her body against his and heard a groan escape him.

They ended the kiss, a minute later, and stared at each other through eyes that were filled with desire and longing.

"What are we going to do?" Nicole asked quietly, combing her fingers through his hair. "We can't deny our feelings for each other anymore. We can't forget that we've kissed. Believe me, I've tried." She touched his lips with the tips of her fingers. "Your kisses aren't so easy to forget."

Galen kissed her fingertips. "What do you want, sweetheart? Don't think about what anybody else wants. Think about what you want."

She stroked his cheek. "I want to give us a try. I want to find out what we would be like together."

"I sense
a but
coming," he muttered.

"But," Nicole murmured. "There are things standing in our way. For one, we work together."

"What else?" Galen inquired.

She averted her gaze, looking at the wall behind him. Swallowing hard, she said softly, "I'm afraid of intimacy."

"The woman that was kissing me a minute ago wasn't afraid," he pointed out.

"Because I knew nothing else would happen," Nicole said. "I knew it would be just kissing. I - I'm fine with holding and kissing, but-"

"I think I get it now." Galen grasped her chin gently. "You're afraid of sex. Is that what you're trying to say?"

"Yes," she mumbled, blushing.

"Are you a virgin?" he asked carefully.

"No," Nicole said.

Galen frowned at her. "Something happened to you, didn't it?"

Unpleasant memories came back to haunt her. To her horror, she began to tremble. "I - I c-can't-"

"It's all right." He ran his hand up and down her back in an effort to soothe her. "If it's too painful you don't have to talk about it."

Letting out a shaky sigh, Nicole laid her head against his chest. "Thank you."

Galen lowered his head and kissed her temple. "Maybe someday you will feel comfortable enough to share it with me, but for now you don't have to tell me anything. You need to know that I would never pressure you into having sex with me. You would have all the control when it came to the physical side of the relationship. If kissing and embracing is all you can handle then I would be more than happy to hold you and kiss you. If you decide later that you want to go farther then we'll try." He squeezed her lightly. "I'm all for taking things slow and easy."

It all sounded too good to be true and yet she knew he meant every word. The knots in her stomach slowly began to unravel. "There's still an obstacle in our way," she said. "We work together."

"We can still work together and have a relationship," he told her. "We'll just have to be careful and not get caught."

Nicole leaned back in his embrace and looked at him. "Are you suggesting that we sneak around behind everybody's back?"

"Yes," Galen replied.

"If someone found out about us
we
-"

"The worst that could happen is one of us would be transferred to another department," he explained. "Strauss wouldn't fire us." He cupped her face between his hands. "Take some time and think about it. You don't have to decide anything right this minute." He leaned down and dropped a quick kiss on her mouth. "I'm not going anywhere."

"You should let me go," Nicole said. "If someone walked in on us we would be over before we even started."

"You're right." Galen released her and moved to put some space between them. "We're going to have to be careful."

"Careful about what?"
Parker asked, striding into the room.

Nicole shared a look of panic with Galen. "Well uh, we - we-"

"We were talking about the case," Galen said. "We agreed that the team needs to be careful about who they discuss the case with. We don't need
anymore
info getting leaked to the media."

"Is that another letter, sir?" Nicole asked, referring to the envelope in Parker's hand.

"Yes, but this one is addressed to you."

"What the hell does that sick bastard want with Goodwin?" Galen snarled.

"I don't know." Parker held out the letter. "I didn't read the letter."

With a feeling of dread Nicole took the envelope and sat down at the table. She removed the letter from the envelope, unfolded it, and started to read aloud.

"'
Good Evening, Detective Goodwin,

I pray you are doing well. I saw you with your partner the other day and noticed the bruises on your face are healing quite nicely. It must be a relief to see out of both eyes again. You are probably wondering why I am writing to you. The truth is I have taken a liking to you. I believe you and I
are
a little alike, detective. We both are lonely and have been through some difficult times in our lives. I have been abandoned by loved ones and from what I have learned so have you. God will never abandon us, my friend. In our darkest hours, in our time of need, he will be there to take our hand and guide us. Isn't that wonderful to know that he will always be there?

I must say goodbye for now, but I hope that my schedule will allow me to write to you again and soon. Until then, please give my best to your partner and the rest of your team. May God shine upon you in all that you
do.

Sincerely,

Judas' "

"Give the letter to me, please, Goodwin," Parker said, holding out his hand.

Nicole handed over the envelope and letter. "So we can count on him sending me more letters."

"I believe so," Parker said in a low voice.

Galen gritted his teeth. "Sir, I want Nicole's records sealed. I don't want this sick son of a bitch getting his hands on any more of her information."

"He could have my records sealed, but it wouldn't do any good," Nicole told him. "There are other ways of getting information." She pushed back her chair and stood. "I have
work
to do. Please, excuse me." Fighting back the fear that was rising inside, she left the room on trembling legs and headed to her desk.

C
hapter  22

Nicole was getting ready for work, the following morning, when the phone rang. Putting down her hairbrush, she left the bathroom and hurried across the bedroom to the nightstand. She picked up the receiver and pressed it to her ear. "Hello?"

"Nicole?" a female voice inquired.

"Yes."

"Good morning, dear. This is Olivia Maxwell. I'm Galen's mother."

"Mrs. Maxwell," Nicole said, surprised to hear from the older woman.

"Please, call me Olivia," she said. "Do you have plans for breakfast?"

"No."

"Good," Olivia said. "I was wondering if you would like to join me."

"I would love to," Nicole told her.

"How about we meet at
Sunny Side Up,
say seven-thirty?"

"That's fine."

"I'll see you soon."

"I'll see you soon." Nicole dropped the receiver back in the cradle and glanced at her watch. It was a few minutes before seven. She started to head back to the bathroom and stopped when the phone rang. Sighing softly, she retraced her steps and snatched up the receiver. "Hello?"

"Don't hang up," Stuart growled. "You do and I'll just call back. Keep your mouth shut and listen."

"Dad, you're-"

"I said keep your mouth shut!" he thundered. "I'm doing the talking this time. Now this is what you're going to do. You're going to meet Harley at the bar on Wiley
street
. Be there at nine o'clock tonight. Bring a thousand dollars with you. I don't want a check. Make sure it's cash. Be on time. Don't make Harley wait. Do what you're told, Nicole. Don't give me any trouble. You do and you will regret it. I'm not playing games with you any-"

"Your threats don't scare me anymore, Dad," Nicole said coldly. "I'm through playing
your
games. You will not bully me any longer. I'm in charge of my life now, not you. So get used to it."

"You little bitch," he hissed. "You're-"

"Another thing," she interrupted. "You're not getting
anymore
of my money. Stop wasting your disability checks on beer and then you would have some money."