Past Will Haunt (6 page)

She wanted to slap someone, but she managed to keep it to herself.

“I’m Irish,” Livy stated.

Gabe didn't say a word.

Elizabeth stared at him until he met her gaze. He struggled to keep it, but somehow he managed.

“Are you?” he asked. “I hadn’t noticed.”

Yeah, that was one hell of a lie, and he knew it.

He was well aware she was Irish, and so was the director.

Elizabeth glanced at her partner. “We have some case files on our desk for our longstanding assignments. Can you pass them off to some other agents?” she asked. “I’ll get more details from Gabe, and then we’ll head down to autopsy to bug the hell out of the ME.”

Livy didn't mind. “Can I take this file and make copies for us?” she asked.

“Sure,” Gabe said, knowing what his agent was doing. He could see the cold calculation in her eyes. Elizabeth figured out what was going on, and she was going to call him on it.

Well, at least they’d be having the conversation in private. There was some silver in that cloud’s lining.

When Livy closed the door behind her, Elizabeth crossed her arms over her chest.

It spoke volumes.

“Gabriel Rothschild, you’re an asshole. If you think I don’t see right through this, you’re a fool.”

He opened his mouth, and then closed it again.

Elizabeth continued, “You picked us not for our skill, but because she’s so freaking Irish that potatoes roll right toward her. We aren’t on this to solve it. We’re on this as bait!”

He couldn’t deny it. “You don’t understand.”

Oh, she did.

This was a no brainer.

Newbie or not, she saw the picture crystal clear. He was going to put out bait, in hopes of luring in a psychopath. They knew that a killer loved playing games, and he’d have two women chasing him.

That would be one hell of a lure. The media would plaster their faces all over the screen. There was no way they’d be able to hide from the killer.

“I have no choice,” he stated.

She didn't believe him. “We all have a choice, Gabe. You’re throwing her right into his path. I’m Irish, but I don’t have red hair. If I did, you’d have two potential targets, not one.”

He sighed. “The director picked you two, not me. When he found out that Livy and you were next up in the rotation, he was stoked. He wanted bait, and she was right there. I swear I didn't put you two in front of the killer. I wouldn’t do that to you, and I wouldn’t do that to her either.”

“How do I know you’re not shooting wind up my ass?” she asked.

Gabe turned his screen around and showed her. Elizabeth read the email.

He wasn’t lying.

They were tagged by the big man. There was nothing he could do.

“I tried to talk him out of it. You two are so green, Ireland looks pale in comparison. I voiced my trepidation, and his only response was for me to use this as field training for you two.”

“I don’t need training. I can run a case, Gabe.”

“You and I both know that. You’re one of the most competent investigators I have. I would have handed you this without batting an eyelash. Livy? I would have yanked her off this one and paired you with a man. No offense, but he’s gunning for women. I like to cover my bases.”

She tried not to be offended. “Okay, I get her because she fits the bill of a victim, but why me? Why isn't she paired with a man?”

He tapped his head. “You’re smart. I have faith in you, Elizabeth. I know you’ll protect her.”

Damn right she would.

At first, she and Livy hated each other. They competed tooth and nail in the academy. They were equal in everything, and once they realized they weren’t the enemy, they became friends. That union buried all the other trainees. They rose to the top as a team.

That superseded everything else. There was no way she’d let her partner go down. That’s not how Elizabeth rolled. She was loyal to a fault.

“I don’t like this.”

“Well, neither do I. Trust me. This is not my ideal situation. I have to worry about both of you getting killed.”

She laughed. “Worry about Livy. If I go down, it’s for the team.”

He hated that about her. “Don’t play cowboy, Elizabeth. It’s a dangerous game.”

She shrugged. There was no doubt in her mind that she was going to die wearing an FBI vest. She knew the life span on a good agent was short.

It was burn out or go down in the line of duty.

She was okay with the latter.

“What are we supposed to do?” she asked. “This is dangerous, and you know Livy. She’ll jump headfirst into this mess.”

“That’s why I’m going to be working this with you. I can’t put you two out there without someone more experienced as backup.” Yeah, and it made him sick to think about Livy getting hurt.

His gut rolled in revulsion.

She opened and then closed her mouth. Elizabeth knew better.

“Say it.”

She laughed. “Oh, Gabe, you don’t want me to go there. I’m dying to spit it out, but you can’t handle it.”

“I can handle the truth.”

She laughed. “Oh, okay, Mr. Nicholson. Just remember that you’re the one who asked for it.”

He practically growled. “You’re a pain in my ass, Elizabeth. Just say it.”

“Fine. You’re all tied up in knots, and I don’t mean because you’re using Livy as bait. You like her. I can see it in your eyes when you watch her.”

He didn't say a word.

“I know you do because when you’re afraid to say anything, you clam up. You don’t lie, and you can’t spit it out. I dare you to tell me I’m wrong. I bet you won’t do it. Lying is against your nature.”

“I really am going to transfer your ass somewhere miserable.”

She grinned.

Yeah, she was right.

“When are you going to ask her out?” Elizabeth pushed, not giving up. “You should.”

“It’s never going to happen. I can’t do it, and I won’t.” Gabe wanted to, but he was scared shitless. Little rattled him, but that redhead was a huge distraction.

“Why won’t you?”

“Because I can’t. Why can’t we just let it go at that? Why do you have to be so damn nosey?”

She laughed. “You love when my nosey is related to a case. I’ve closed them all.”

He growled at her.

“I can do this all day,” Elizabeth warned. “You know how that makes you bat shit insane. I’m going to keep asking you until you answer. Next time, it’ll be in front of her, and you know how uncomfortable that’s going to be.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Really? Does that sound like me? Who do you know that likes awkward silences more than me?”

He closed his eyes.

“I hate you.”

She laughed.

“Fine! I do like her. I like her far too much, and that’s a bad thing. I’m going to run this nut house one day, and she’s a distraction.”

“How?”

“Sex is a distraction, Elizabeth.”

She didn't bat an eyelash. “Sex is great for the body, it’s fun, and you need to get laid on a regular basis—friends with benefits isn’t enough. You’re stressed to the max.”

He opened his mouth, and then closed it.

Elizabeth grinned.

“You realize I’m technically your boss, right? Me discussing my sex life with you is very wrong.”

“I’m aware. You also realize we’re friends, and I know you pretty damn well. We’ve done stakeouts together, I’ve had beers with you, and we’re close. Hell! I was your date to your high school reunion because you didn't want to show up alone. I kissed you to pretend I was infatuated with you. I think I’ve earned this one, Gabe.”

He was aware.

“I knew that fake date was going to bite me in the ass.”

“Hey, you didn't mind when all the men were calling you a cradle robber and lucky man, now did you? I even wore that slutty dress and heels. Time to pay up, my friend.”

Gabe knew the woman before him was more than a friend. She was a confidante. She was right. He’d taken her to the reunion, made all the assholes jealous, and didn't mind using her. So, he did owe her.

“I like her, but it can’t go any further. What would you have me do?” he asked.

“Ask her out, have sex, and have fun. My partner is just as distracted as you are, and we all know that’s dangerous.”

“Finally! One of the things I taught you stuck. I never expected you to hand it back to me though.”

“Seriously. She’d be good for you, Gabe.”

“I can’t. I’d rather just hook up with some random woman.” Yeah, because he was crazy about Livy and he couldn’t start a relationship with anyone. Despite his denial, he knew the truth.

“Hey! I’m not having sex with you. I took one for the team with the reunion. It felt weird making out with you on the dance floor. I still have nightmares.”

He laughed. “I wasn’t thinking you.”

Truth be told, he was thinking about Livy.

“The vein in your forehead is throbbing, Gabe.”

He closed his eyes. “I can’t fool around with someone who works under me. We both know it. I can lose my job. I’ve worked too hard to lose my path now.”

She leaned forward. “I'm going to break my own damn rules for you. You need to listen to what I’m about to tell you.”

“What?”

“She has it bad for you.”

He looked surprised. Yes, she’d dropped some innuendos, but Gabe didn't think it was anything but to rile him up. Livy was a tease, and that’s what he assumed was going on.

“She’s serious?”

“Livy isn't a dick tease, Gabe. She’s a nun, and she’s waiting on you.”

He didn't know what to say.

“If you tell her I told you, I’ll kick your suit wearing ass. You’re my boss, but we’re family.”

He had a million questions to ask. “Are you yanking my chain?”

“No. Rule number two in the girlfriend code allows me to keep secrets from my best friend. Me telling you is a huge one. I just want to know one thing.”

“What?”

“If you weren’t her boss, what would you do?”

“I’d ask her out, I’d take her to bed, and I’d have one hell of a time doing it.”

She grinned. “So do it.”

“I just told you…”

“There’s such a thing as doing it discretely. Hell! J Edgar Hoover was gay and had sex with his second in command. He was discrete. No one ever found out, so be discrete. Who will know?”

Gabe closed his eyes.

“I will.”

“Do you think there aren’t people here under this roof who aren’t knocking major boots with their partners? Come on, Gabriel. I can name four sets of people right off the top of my head who are involved with their partners.”

“Who?”

She laughed. “Yeah, that’s never happening. If you can’t see what’s clearly before you, I’m not giving you my rose colored glasses to find the fornicators.”

He crossed his arms.

“Rules are meant to be broken.”

He laughed. “Uh, no they aren’t. You’re just sick about rules, and you hate them. I happen to like order.”

“Order schmorder. My point is that she’s into you, and your dick is in a knot over her.”

“Again, I’m your boss.”

“Again, you’re like my freaking brother. I do believe once you kiss someone and play sexy girlfriend at a reunion, you can’t pull the boss card. Your hand was on my ass, Gabe!”

He laughed. “I didn't enjoy it.”

Elizabeth lifted a brow. “Gee. Thanks.”

“You know what I meant.”

“Elizabeth.” He sighed. “I can’t think about this right now. We have a huge case. I’ll mull it over at a later date.”

That was him basically telling her the conversation was officially over. He wasn’t going to have the discussion.

They were done.

Elizabeth stood. “Boss man, that’s up to you. All I'm saying is if you lobbed a pass at her, it wouldn’t be batted away. Livy thinks you’re pretty sexy. I personally think she’s blind…”

He glared at her.

“Hey!”

“That was for the ass comment. Besides, do you really want me thinking about you like that, Gabe?” she asked, laughing at his retort.

“No, I don’t! I’m not entirely comfortable with her thinking about me like that.”

It was a total lie.

Gabe heated up at the mere thought that Olivia Spencer was getting all hot and bothered about him. It was only fair since he was too.

“Did you tell her I run at the park?” he asked.

She grinned. “Nope. She hunted you down all on her own by eavesdropping on your conversation with Lenny. She made the first move, so the rest is up to you.”

Elizabeth headed toward the door.

When her hand hit the doorknob, she paused. “Gabe?”

He didn't look away from her. “What, Lyzee?”