For Old Crime's Sake (Chase Charley Mystery Book 1) (21 page)

The sun shone brightly and I squinted into the camera. Not only had I discovered that Officer West had been covering for the drug traffickers, but I’d also finished the investigation on several officers on the force who had been clocking in overtime when they actually weren’t working at all. Thank goodness Marc hadn’t been one of those officers.

Today I was taping my final segment for that case. Dangerfield and I had gotten a lot of media attention for exposing the corruption involving the drug cases and Officer West. One mystery remained, who had given me the tips which led to solving the cases. Like who had given me the name of Shawn Poole. That was something I hadn’t uncovered, but I would continue to try to figure out that mystery.

“Let’s move to the right a little so the sun won’t be in your eyes,” the cameraman said.

I stepped to the right and adjusted my white silk blouse. The cameraman motioned for me to begin. I was standing in front of the building I’d just investigated. Luckily, the person being investigated wasn’t there. The last thing I wanted was another confrontation. I felt this investigation had gone well though. It had taken my mind off what had happened to me and Dangerfield.

As I delivered my report, I caught a glimpse of Dangerfield across the street. It was hard to focus on what I was saying knowing that he was watching. I hoped that I didn’t mess up my lines and say the wrong thing. I had to tune him out. Although with his stare focused on me like a laser, it was hard to ignore him.

He looked good in his black pants, white shirt, and blue tie. His hair looked perfect as usual and his clothing too. If he was there to try to steal this story, then he was a little late for that. I wouldn’t tell him though, I’d just wait for him to figure it out. I found myself glancing over at him when I shouldn’t.

When I glanced to my left, I spotted Marc. What was he doing here too? I was definitely confused now. I was used to being in front of an audience, but with both men watching me I was a little more nervous than usual. Without looking at the men I felt their eyes on me. They knew I was aware of their presence too. But did they each know that the other was there? If not, they probably would soon enough.

I knew that Dangerfield was still suspicious of Marc because of his partnership with the bad cop. Marc hadn’t said much about Dangerfield other than to ask who he was. It was probably better that way. I certainly wasn’t going to point him out.

Why both men here? Had the coordinated this visit. I didn’t know who to talk with first. Maybe I could sneak away and not talk to either of them. That would have been rude of me. Besides, I really wanted to know why they were here. I hoped there wasn’t more trouble. If Dangerfield had brought more trouble to me I would be furious. Surely he knew better than that, right? Wait, it was Dangerfield I was talking to. His name was totally appropriate. I needed to ask him about that.

After filming had finished, Marc stepped over to where I stood. “I guess you’re surprised to see me here,” he said.

I smiled. “Yes, a little surprised. What are you doing here?”

“You mentioned that you would be here recording, so I thought I would come by and say hello.”

It seemed as if there was more to it than that. “Is there something else you wanted to ask?”

He shoved his hands in his pockets. “As a matter of fact, there is something else I wanted.”

I knew there was something else he wanted. I just hoped that it wasn’t bad.

“Please tell me it isn’t bad,” I said.

He chuckled. “No, I hope it isn’t bad. What I wanted was to ask you to dinner. I hope this time we can eat the food and have no interruptions.”

“Charley, we need you,” the cameraman said.

“I should let you get to work,” Marc said.

“I’d love to have dinner.”

Marc smiled. “I’ll call you and set up a time?”

I nodded. “I’d like that.”

Marc turned on his heel and walked away. I wasn’t sure what I’d just agreed to, but I hoped this dinner went better than the first two attempts.               

After recording my spot, I felt eyes on me. When I looked across the way I spotted Dangerfield was still watching me. Once he saw me looking at him he tossed his hand up in a wave. Dangerfield was a laidback, sweet-talking sort of guy. In summary, he was sexy as hell. Dangerfield was obviously waiting to talk with me. He crossed the street.

“Charley, not bad. You’re looking good today.” He flashed his dazzling smile.

“Thank you, I think. Are you sure you’re not here because you want something?” I asked.

He looked down at his shoes and I knew I was in trouble.

“Oh, Dangerfield, it is really bad isn’t it?” I asked.

He looked up at me with those sexy eyes. “No, it’s not really bad.”

“So it’s just a little bad,” I said.

He chuckled. “You’re cute. I like that. Funny girl.”

“Quit stalling and tell me what it is,” I said.

“I have a new case I’m working on and I think you can help me.” He rushed his words as if that would make me say yes faster.

I quirked a brow. “You want my help?” There had to be a catch. “Why me?”

He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I think you’re just the right person to help me.”

“How come I don’t believe you?” I asked.

“Because you are a very suspicious person,” he said.

“And you say that like it’s a bad thing. I think it’s fine to be suspicious,” I said.

He nodded. “Sure, it’s good to a certain extent, I guess.”

“It keeps me out of trouble. Or at least I try to keep out of trouble. Being around you makes that very difficult.”

“Cut me some slack, will you? I’m not so bad. As a matter of fact, I think you like me.”

I snorted, trying to hide the fact that he might just be right. “I have no comment to that.”

“Like I said, I want you to help me. So what do you say to helping me? It’ll probably be a lot of fun.” He smiled.

“Fun? I hardly think being almost killed was fun the last time.”

“That was a fluke and certainly won’t happen again,” he said.

I knew I should say no, but curiosity always won.

“Are you going to get us into trouble this time too?” I asked.

He held his palms up. “I swear I will not get us into trouble this time.”

“You know, Dangerfield, I am going to hold you to that.”

“I have no doubt that you will,” he said.

The End

Chase Charley Book 2 coming March 2015

Rose Pressey is a USA Today bestselling author. She enjoys writing quirky and fun novels with a paranormal twist. The paranormal has always captured her interest. The thought of finding answers to the unexplained fascinates her.

When she’s not writing about werewolves, vampires and every other supernatural creature, she loves eating cupcakes with sprinkles, reading, spending time with family, and listening to oldies from the fifties.

Rose suffers from Psoriatic Arthritis and has knee replacements. She might just set the world record for joint replacements. She’s soon having her hips replaced, elbows, and at least one shoulder.

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