Page 32 of Rekindle My Heart

Totally clueless to the giant dog sprawled at his feet, Ryan hunched over his laptop. When her pop can clinked on the coffee table, he glanced up, then back to her can. He grinned.

Her brows furrowed as she glanced at her pop. No glass. Crap!

He cleared his throat. “I got a hit.”

“On what?” She dropped to the couch, leaving ample space between them. The last thing she needed was to get a contact high from his pheromones. No need for another self-lecture.

“The new social media app I told you about.”

She stared at him, waiting for him to elaborate. The guy was in multiple apps fishing for corruption.

He finally glanced her way. “It’s the one Sergeant Johnson told me about. I set up an account and put out feelers. I got a hit in my DMs on a side job.”

“What’s the job?” She leaned in a fraction to see his screen. The aroma of hops and grease and something that was all Ryan triggered a memory. Flashes of lust-filled eyes and drugging kisses slammed into her. She leaned back and blew out a breath.

“It’s a last-minute security job at a fancy event Saturday for the community outreach center.”

“That’s right. I heard about that.”

“Yes. They do a few events a year. Any reason to party, and it makes good money for the program.” He focused on the screen as he talked. His fingers tapped in a high-speed rhythm.

“You know a lot about it.” She eyed him.

“CJ’s mom is one of the head organizers.”

“Oooh.” Erica wasn’t close with the Whittier family, but everyone in town knew their transportation company, Whittier Trucking and Freight. Mrs. Whittier had a rep for being a woman of class who could kick the toughest man’s butt. “Is it true her own kids are scared of her?”

“I can’t say, but she’d not a woman to disappoint.”

Erica took a drink of her Coke and thought about it. “Didn’t I read in the file a couple of the bigwigs you guys arrested were tied to the outreach program?”

“Yeah, both Gunter Lindstrom and Warden Finden.”

Erica speculated about all the people who’d be there. Wealthy, powerful, connected people. All the attributes needed to buy the services of a dirty cop.

“It might be a good opportunity for you to observe. Maybe see who’s making connections even if you’re not.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking. Well, part of it. Bingo! There are tickets still available.” He turned his laptop to face her. The event page was up. He motioned to her like she should attend.

She glanced at the price, and a little gurgle popped from her lips. “Yeah no, I don’t know that I can afford that kind of ticket price. Even if it is for charity.”

Ryan tapped his chin. “Maybe you don’t have to? Doesn’t the fire department put in an item for the silent auction?”

“Yes. People can bid to be a firefighter for a day.”

His mouth tipped up. “Is one of the crew in attendance?”

“Yes.”

His grin widened, and his meaning sunk in.

“Oh, no. Garrett is our representative. Not me.”

“Oh, come on. You’ll do great.”

She’d stick out like Karma at a poodle convention. No. No. No. She shook her head.

“Garrett is our rep. They don’t need two of us.”