.

chief of police want a task force to take it on now. That’s where you come in, Crawford. The mayor’s already asked the FBI to help us out. They’re providing an agent who’s also a violent crimes expert. You’ll have department resources and those of the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime—NCAVC—and the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program—VICAP—behind you. That’s why I can put you on this task force so that you can get the experience and a bit of the limelight. What do you think?”

      Reed had never had an opportunity to work with the FBI, but knew from some of his co-workers that the agents could be an arrogant lot. On the other hand, he did know one agent, Marina Santos, who was smart, fiery and hot, and as far as you could get from arrogant. They’d almost had a thing until she’d drop-kicked him in favor of a Puerto Rican guy.

      As the silence grew uncomfortably long, he pushed his thoughts past Marina. This was an opportunity he couldn’t afford to pass up. Besides, what were the chances of Marina, out of all the agents working crime in the local office, being assigned to work the task force with him? He spoke confidently. “I want to take on the assignment, sir. I think I could do us proud.”

      Captain Shepherd flashed him an evil grin and tapped his fingers on the oak desk. “You’d better. I want you to catch this killer before he or she kills again. And don’t get tight-assed about working with the Feds. Some of them are okay guys and gals.”

      Reed nodded. “Yes, sir. Can you give me some detail on this serial killer case?”

      “Someone’s out there killing young men and mutilating the bodies. We’ve got two bodies identified right now and suspect there’s more. The latest victim was Elliot Washington, a friend of the mayor’s daughter. His body was found this morning floating in the pool over at the Hartford Hotel. Both men were in their mid to late twenties. Both had been stabbed and castrated.”

      Ouch! Reed swallowed, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. This was definitely an interesting case. He could only imagine the motivation behind someone taking the time to murder and castrate someone.

      The captain studied him, looking for a sign of weakness. “Still think you can do this task force deal?”

      Reed nodded. “Yes, sir. I’m ready to roll on it. Just give me the names and I’ll pull the files.”

      “No need for that.” The captain handed him two folders. The one on top had Washington’s name on it. “You can do a search on the system to see if you can come up with the others.”

      “Thank you.” Reed accepted the files and rose.

      “One other thing, Crawford. Since Farrell is still in the hospital, you can use his office as the task force office for now. I had Betty put away his things.”

      Thanking him again, Reed got out of his office. He was excited at the prospect of putting a face to whoever killed Washington and the other guy, and catching the killer before he could kill again. The only potential bug on his butt was the FBI agent he’d have to work with. He’d heard enough stories to make his hands curl into fists.

      On the way back to his desk Reed tried to relax. If the FBI sent a snot-nosed, tight-assed wonder boy, he’d just have to make him see the light. He could do that, couldn’t he? He’d show him that the C.P.D. was truly a world-class team.

      Chapter 2

      Marina drove over to the Twenty-fourth District Town Hall Station on Halstead and sweet-talked the guard into letting her park in the police lot. She could have gone inside first, shown her badge and gotten a permit, but there was nowhere close to park and she wasn’t taking any chances with someone trying to steal her sports car. That was her baby.

      Inside the station, she straightened her shoulders, flashed her badge at the officer on the desk and informed him that she had arrived for the task force.

      He stared at her, obviously having a hard time lifting his gaze above her breasts. Marina’s breasts were 38Ds, so she got that a lot, but it didn’t mean she had to like the extra attention. “Officer, is there a problem?” she asked, hardening her tone.

      He immediately lifted his gaze to make eye contact. “No. No, ma’am, no problem.” Then he checked a list and directed her to a room around the corner and across the hall.

      Deeper into what she’d jokingly named the Den of Testosterone, Marina peered into the small, smoked-glass window on the office where she’d been directed. With his back to her, a caramel-skinned man with a head full of thick dark hair sat at a desk, his head bent over a file. She guessed that he was her new partner on the task force, already hard at work. She fleetingly thought those wide muscular shoulders and well-shaped head looked familiar. She opened the door and stepped in, dragging her laptop in the rolling case behind her. “Good morning, I’m Marina Santos and I’ve been assigned to the task force.”

      At the sound of her voice he lifted his head and turned around, recognizing her instantly. “Marina?”

      “Reed?” Forcing air through her lungs, Marina felt like she’d stepped through a time warp. She gazed into those golden-brown eyes, aware that Reed Crawford was as surprised but not particularly as happy to see her. She knew him, had gone to college with him, even kissed that full mouth a time or two. She’d also been accepted at the FBI academy along with him, but he’d had to opt out due to his mother’s illness.

      Other than deciding not to make him a boyfriend last year, what had she done to deserve that look? If she hadn’t known better, she’d have said it hurt her feelings. She still saw him every other month at a gathering of friends and he always seemed as friendly as ever.

      “So you’re the violent crime expert the FBI’s assigned to the task force?” he asked, as if he still wasn’t quite ready to believe it.

      “That’s what I just said,” she confirmed a bit too brightly as she pulled out the chair at the desk next to his.

      “So, how’ve you been?” he asked, recovering quickly.

      “I’m fine.” She turned to confront him. “But you look…disappointed. Why?”

      Golden-brown eyes made serious contact with hers. She experienced a physical jolt that she felt all over, almost as if she’d been pushed by all the energy in that gaze. Reed had depths she’d never taken the time to explore.

      “To be frank, I’m not disappointed,” he began with a glint of amusement in his eyes, “but I was sort of expecting one of the guys, an up-and-coming special agent?”

      Marina wasn’t going to drop the subject. “You already know I got promoted recently, but I’ve still got a ways to go. You got everything right except the guy part,” she pressed.

      His gaze assessed her, taking her in as a whole. Then he nodded. “Yeah, right. If you’re wondering if I have a problem with you working on this task force because you’re female or because we’re friends, forget it. Just don’t expect me to kiss your ass. Okay?”

      “Okay, but don’t be surprised if you piss me off and I tell you to kiss my ass anyway.” Marina grinned.

      Reed chuckled, shaking his head.

      She’d made her point, he’d put her in her place and she’d managed a good comeback. “How’s Trudy?” Marina asked, her tone softening.

      Something in his posture eased. “Ma’s doing a lot better. She’s fine as long as we keep taking care of her. Ron and I take turns fixing her meals, testing her blood sugar and giving her the medication and shots. She goes to an activity center during the day where she’s taking a couple of classes.” Reed rocked his chair back and forth. “You know, she asks about you all the time.”

      “Really? What do you tell her?” Her question hung on the air for several moments while she imagined several nasty explanations he could have used.

      His expression was calm, but there was a darkness in his eyes that made her cringe and feel guilty. Reed answered in an easy tone did not match what