View Park. Angela Winters

Чтение книги онлайн.

      Haley wanted to explode. She was cold and wet, wrapped in a thin blanket and sitting on a wooden seat that was harder than rock. The room was gray and morbid and nothing like the room she was in the last time she was at the police station, but that was another story. Her entire life was crashing down on her and facing her parents was still to come.

      The detective in the room with her wasn’t helping the situation any. He had introduced himself as if she gave a damn what his name was. She was shocked they sent her someone who looked like a college kid and pissed that he was staring down at her with judgment written all over his face.

      “What are you looking at?” she asked.

      Sean Jackson, the Boy Scout, rolled his eyes and turned away as the door opened. Grady McCann, a middle-aged uniformed officer entered and dropped a file folder on the table.

      “She’s got a little rap sheet of her own,” McCann boasted. “Property damage, shoplifting and disorderly conduct. Surprisingly no convictions. Money goes a long way.”

      Haley wasn’t insulted. Her last name made her better than him and certainly better than the junior detective.

      “Thanks.” Sean didn’t need to look at it. He knew all about Haley Chase. Who didn’t?

      “You think you can handle her?” McCann asked. “If not, I can stay and help you.”

      “Go on home, McCann.” Sean looked at Haley. “I can handle Ms. Chase.”

      “That’s what you think,” she mumbled under her breath just loud enough to be sure he heard her.

      “You two should have a lot in common.” McCann folded his arms across his very large stomach. “Both kids of big shots.”

      Did this guy think he could rile him up? Sean had heard every little jab about his father being chief of police since he’d joined the force five years ago. They all admired Charlie Jackson, but the son had to be getting a ride. The fact that he wouldn’t look the other way when the blue did something wrong didn’t make him their favorite person either, but Sean didn’t care. He was a detective—a good detective—and the law was the law.

      He just gave McCann a lazy, bored smile, refusing to give away anything, and McCann simply walked away.

      “It’s freezing in here,” Haley snapped, but Sean didn’t respond. He just looked at her and her frustration was building. Something about his look, she couldn’t describe. It made her feel like she was on trial. “Are you hard of hearing? I said it’s freezing, and it’s too dark. This blanket isn’t dry anymore. Get me a new one.” Haley tossed the blanket at him, but he didn’t even blink.

      “Who do you think you are, looking at me like that?” She wanted to slap him. At least that would get a reaction out of him. She hated his calm demeanor. It reminded her of Carter, who annoyed her because he never indulged her. “I’m the victim here.”

      Sean smiled with an air of pleasure, knowing it would only anger her more. “You are some piece of work.”

      Satisfied with a response, she leaned back in the chair. “You don’t know the half of it.”

      She was a deceptive one. Every time he had seen Haley Chase, whether dressed up like a spoiled princess or the mess she was now, she was incredible to look at and the raspy tone of her voice turned him on. If he hadn’t known who she was, and how this all got started, he might think of her as a victim. “I know more than you think. I’m a good enough cop to see people like you coming a mile away.”

      “Your job is to protect and serve, not pass judgment. You can’t get past my last name or who I was with on that boat, but that’s none of your damn business.”

      “Whatever.”

      When he turned away from her, Haley wanted to throw something at him.

      The door opened and Sean watched Steven enter. His family followed behind, but Sean was focused on the man of presence who stood before him. The great Steven Chase.

      “Who are you?”

      “Mr. Chase, I’m Detective—”

      “Mr. Chase.” Charlie entered the room, holding his hand up to stop his son. “This is my son, Sean. He’s been keeping Ms. Chase company while she waits.”

      Sean’s eyes widened. Had he just heard him right? Keeping her company? He had graduated at the top of his class at the academy, had the highest solve rate in the department and his father had turned him into a babysitter with one sentence.

      “Detective Jackson,” Sean added, unable to let that one slide.

      Steven wasn’t listening to him. He had turned his attention to his daughter, as had everyone else. Sean watched as they showered her with attention, kisses and hugs, and found it amazing how injured she suddenly appeared.

      “You aren’t hurt at all?” Janet asked.

      “I’m fine.” Haley leaned away. She looked at Leigh, envying her angelic features. “You’ve gained weight, Leigh.”

      Leigh had hoped some time would pass before she had to remember how nasty her little sister’s jokes could be, but it didn’t matter. “This isn’t the time to be funny.”

      “You’re the only person in the world who can go to Africa and actually gain weight.” Haley chuckled until her mother pinched her arm.

      “Chief Jackson,” Steven said. “I want more information than you’ve given me. It’s not enough.”

      Charlie knew how to deal with men like Steven Chase. “Sometimes СКАЧАТЬ