Chapter 1
ONE
One failure was all it took to destroy an image Officer Anthony Thomas had spent years trying to build.
With a chance at redemption in his grasp, they wanted to pull him off the search for the escaped prisoners?
How else was he supposed to rebuild the reputation he’d lost and prove he had what it took for a promotion?
He shook off the rain as he stepped under the tent canopy.
The flimsy shelter was better than nothing against the incessant downpour, but the dropping temperatures would wreak havoc on the manhunt.
First the flooding. Now ice. Hopefully whatever the sergeant wanted wouldn’t take long so he could get back to it.
Anthony snagged a disposable cup and filled it with coffee from the plastic carafe. “What did you need, Sarge?”
Sergeant Aiden Donaldson looked up from the plastic tabletop scattered with maps and grids. “Ah, Thomas. Need you to head to the firehouse. You’re on protective detail.” His gaze fell back to the maps.
“But we have two more prisoners out—”
“Save it. Not my decision.” He let out a long sigh, gave a slight shake of his head. “I do what I’m told, same as you.”
Anthony barely caught the grumbled words.
“These are dangerous criminals. Mackey? Vaynes? And I’m supposed to go babysit someone?”
Sergeant Donaldson stood straight. “Our job is to protect and serve. That’s what you’ll be doing.”
Anthony swallowed the bitter coffee. After he’d let Sosa get away, he didn’t really have a chance at convincing his superior of anything. Not that anyone had said anything. But if they were pulling him off the hunt, the message was loud and clear.
Maybe if he put in a little time making nice with whatever big shot claimed they needed protection, he could get back to doing real police work and finding the convicts. The kind of work that would show he was detective material.
He unclenched his jaw. “Who am I protecting?”
“Della Nixon. Firefighter. Know her?”
Anthony barely kept his jaw from dropping. “In passing.”
She was newer to the Truck 14 crew. The stunning firefighter definitely caught his eye when they were on scenes together. Dark, olive-toned skin, big brown eyes, and midnight-black hair that always looked silky, even after being smashed under a helmet for hours…Of course he noticed her.
The first time he’d seen her, he’d tried to introduce himself and stumbled over his own name and walked away. Which was probably for the best. She clammed up whenever he was there. And he wasn’t one to stick around where he wasn’t wanted. “Why does she need protection?”
“She testified against one of our escaped prisoners. Jason Vaynes.”
“The serial killer?”
“That’s the one. Apparently, even before he escaped, she was receiving threatening notes. I’m not convinced they’re from him, but now that he’s on the loose, the chief wants someone on protective detail twenty-four seven. That’s you.”
“Aw, come on, Sarge. Why me? You know I’m better suited to chasing down Vaynes and Mackey out here. I should be—”
“Do you understand your assignment, Officer?” Sergeant Donaldson folded his arms. A tilt of the head and narrowing of the eyes, and Anthony’s appeal died on his tongue. He knew that look.
This was what he got for screwing up. For letting Sosa get away.
Babysitting duty.
He swallowed. “Yes, sir.”
“Good. Get to the firehouse right away. You’re there until I tell you otherwise.”
Anthony walked back out into the rain. Ice coated the deep puddles in the grass and the edges of the sidewalks he crossed to get to his cruiser in the parking lot.
They’d have to move their temporary checkpoint station indoors soon.
It had been just over forty-eight hours since the accident-slash-escape, and the weather only grew worse by the minute.
And yet, out here in the bitter cold was where he wanted to be. Where he should be.
“Where are you going, Thomas? Got mud on your shoes?” K-9 Officer Cole Stuart chuckled as he turned up the Sherpa-lined collar of his coat.
So Anthony liked to take care of his clothing. Image mattered. He paid good money for quality and wouldn’t apologize for it. But he would gladly muddy all his Alexander McQueen sneakers for a chance at bringing down these criminals.
“Nah, got reassigned on protection detail.”
Stuart sucked in a breath through his teeth. “At least you’ll stay warmer than the rest of us roughing it out here.” He opened up the back of his SUV and rubbed down his partner, Titan, a German shepherd.
“I’d rather be out here doing real police work.” Showing the department that he had what it took. “Keep me updated?”
“Sure thing.” Cole gave him a clap on the shoulder and left with the dog.
Anthony held back a sigh and opened his own door. Might as well pay his dues.
This is what I get, isn’t it, Lord?
He should’ve been the one to bring in Sosa. He’d been on the task force last spring when the man had blown up a hotel, kidnapped the governor’s family, and tried to set up a whole cartel in Last Chance. He knew how slippery he could be.
But when he’d had his chance yesterday, he’d blown it. Anthony had been on his trail when Sosa went and held his friend Izan Collins, fellow officer Olivia Tazwell, and a few others hostage in a church while they were decorating for Christmas.
Talk about killing the Christmas cheer.
Not that he was a fan of the holiday. But still. Some things should be sacred for the kids. And it was Anthony’s fault that it had escalated that far. He should’ve caught Sosa before the guy had a chance to terrorize again.
But now, instead of righting that wrong, he was back at the bottom. He pulled up to the firehouse and made his way inside. Zoe Lewis, in her firefighter uniform, held a ladder while paramedic Kianna Russell hung a strand of Christmas lights from the ceiling in the lobby.
“Looking good, ladies.” Anthony stomped the water and mud off his shoes on the rug.
“Who, us? Or the decorations?” Kianna’s playful smirk was beautiful and harmless. They’d established a good friendship, but both knew they’d never be a couple.
“Both, of course.” Anthony moved over to take the ladder. “Here. Let me do that.”
“You don’t think Zoe can handle a ladder?” Kianna tipped her eyebrow up, almost daring him. “Or are you just trying to hit on us?”
“Can’t a guy be a gentleman once in a while? Besides, Zoe is married, and I know better than to make any moves on you. I know when someone’s out of my league.”
Both of the women laughed.
“I suppose you’d be better at holding the ladder steady than decorating that table with the garland.” Zoe looked up at Kianna “What do you say?”
“By all means, put the man to work. Oh, and don’t forget to put up the poster for the toy drive. The collection box should go over by the reception desk. I’m almost done here.”
Anthony held the ladder while Zoe arranged greenery.
Kianna came off the ladder, and they moved it to the other side of the door. It didn’t seem right to be standing around while the others did all the work. “Why don’t I hang the lights?” Just add interior decorator to his résumé. Right under babysitter.
He needed all the goodwill he could get.
If it made a positive impression on these ladies, hopefully it would help break the ice with Della.
Show her he wasn’t a complete doofus who didn’t know his own name.
And if she put in a good word for him with the police department, it could help him get out of the doghouse.
“You really wanna hang the lights?” Kianna asked him.
“I always have time to help out our friendly neighborhood firefighters. And in the name of gender equality and all, you can hold the ladder for me.”
Zoe chuckled from the other side of the lobby. “Why don’t you sweet-talk Alice into some more thumbtacks, and we’ll see if she thinks you qualify. She’s pretty strict with the office supplies.”
“Alice? Of course she’s careful about who she trusts with office supplies.” Anthony moved over to the reception desk and leaned in toward the woman behind it. She had a no-nonsense vibe with her salt-and-pepper hair pulled back in a low bun. “But you can trust me. I am a police officer after all.”
Alice narrowed her eyes. “So I hand over the thumbtacks, and what will I get out of this arrangement, Officer Thomas?” A little twinkle in her eye gave her away. She was enjoying this.
“I was hoping—”
“Alice, I’m waiting for a police—” Della Nixon walked into the room and froze at the sight of Anthony.
He stood tall. “Hi, uh, hey.” He cleared his throat and tried again. “I believe I’m the one you’re waiting for.” He put on his full-watt grin.
Her lips dropped into a frown. “Guess they aren’t taking me seriously after all.”