***
“I don’t want to play nursemaid to your new agents. She was interfering with my job and I am telling you that I don’t want to work with her again.” Jeff’s voice was angry and abrupt. “Team her up with someone else next time.”
Denise cautiously pushed at the office door, knowing she wasn’t meant to hear this. The voices were raised and she knew she shouldn’t be interrupting this conversation. What disturbed her was she recognized those voices, and she had a nagging feeling that the conversation was about her.
“What exactly happened Jeff?” Victor’s voice was calm but not exactly patient.
“She took over like she knew everything. I was the senior officer and I should have been in control. I don’t need a rookie telling me how to do my job or out on the field screwing things up. And she was doing both.”
“Didn’t things turn out okay?”
“Yes, but—”
“Don’t give me any buts, it doesn’t matter who got the credit or did the job. You need to buck up and be a man about this. I expect you to comport yourself with professional behavior towards her and everyone else in this office in the future. We have some substantial leads now that may help us to crack this case.
“I am just asking that next time you team her up with someone else.”
“Next time you won’t let your ego get in between you and your job or you will be disciplined. Do I make myself clear? This isn’t about you or me or her. There is a little girl whose life is on the line. And you arguing with your coworkers could cause us to lose our leads. It will only give this guy a bigger chance to get away if we are not all on the same team. I am not asking you, I am telling you to get off your high horse and work together. Do I make myself perfectly clear?”
“Yes sir.” His voice shared his resentment and deep desire to not follow that last order. But they both knew he would still obey.
***
Denise silently closed the door and moved to the side, pressing her body behind a cabinet, just in time. She felt a moment of panic at the thought of her possible discovery, but Jeff was in such a huff, that he never looked behind him. He just hurried through the hallways to retreat to his office.
Denise waited for him to disappear from sight and made her way back to her office. She had originally meant to speak to Victor about her case load, but that conversation had shaken her up badly. In her haste to retreat, she bumped into Victor. His hands steadied her as she made to move away.
In that moment her heart stopped, she stopped breathing. She knew she had just been found out. It was bad enough that she now knew how badly she had been received here, but now her boss knew she was listening to a private conversation. How much worse could things get?
She placed her palms flat against his chest. She wanted to push him away but his warmth and the clean scent of his skin and cologne enveloped her. She didn’t want to pull away when she felt how good it felt to be in his arms.
She was disappointed when he dropped his hands from her arms, and she dropped her hands in response and stepped away from the powerful male who was setting her senses askew.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
“Eavesdrop?” He mocked her and with her silence he made a move to step away, as if he was dismissing her. Hastily she grabbed his arm to keep him from leaving.
“No,” She shook her head in protest. “Victor? Can I talk to you for a moment?”
“Yeah sure—What’s up?” His face turned serious, but there was a mocking glint to his steel blue eyes.
“You know I didn’t mean to over hear, but I did. I just want to say, thanks for sticking up for me in there.”
“Well at least you are honest about it. Eavesdropping will get you in trouble and I wouldn’t make a habit of it Denise.”
“I said I was sorry. It really was an accident.” She blushed.
“You can’t afford accidents.”
“I know—that is why I appreciate you putting Jeff in his place too. I am not here to be anything but part of the team Sir.”
“Team members don’t spy on conversations.”
“Yes sir.” She lowered her head slightly feeling a warm heat touch her cheeks. Her behavior was disgraceful. She had not done anything like that ever, and this was her first day on the job. Not a good way to make a good impression.
“Something else you are going to have to learn is to stick up for yourself, Denise. I am afraid you aren’t going to find any knights in shining armor here to protect you. In fact you may well find the complete opposite with me. Behaving badly will get you disciplined.” He turned on his heel and left her standing there staring at his back, mouth agape. That kind of open threat should have left her chilled, why then did she feel a thrill race through her blood?
***