Sacred Sins

fall of hair before he looked back at her face. It didn't fit, he thought. He suspected things that didn't fit. “Dr. Court?”
    It always took an effort to meet rudeness and cynicism with grace. Tess didn't bother to make it. “Right again—Detective.”
    “You're a shrink?”
    She gave him back look for look. “You're a cop?”

    Each might have added something less than complimentary if Ed hadn't burst out laughing. “That's the bell for round one,” he said easily. “Harris's office is a neutral corner.” He took Tess's arm himself and showed her the way.

Chapter 2

    F LANKED ON EITHER side, Tess walked down the corridors. Now and then a voice barked or a door opened and closed hollowly. The sound of phones ringing came from everywhere at once; they never seemed to be answered. Rain beat against the windows to add a touch of gloom. A man in his shirtsleeves and overalls was mopping up a puddle of something. The corridor smelled strongly of Lysol and damp.
    It wasn't the first time she'd been in a police station, but it was the first time she'd come so close to being intimidated. Ignoring Ben, she concentrated on his partner.
    “You two always travel as a pair?”
    Genial, Ed grinned. He liked her voice because it was pitched low and was as cool as sherbet on a hot Sunday afternoon. “The captain likes me to keep an eye on him.”
    “I'll bet.”
    Ben made a sharp left turn. “This way—Doctor.”

    Tess slanted him a look and moved past him. He smelled of rain and soap. As she stepped into the squad room, she watched two men drag out a teenage boy in handcuffs. A woman sat in a corner with a cup in both hands and wept silently. The sounds of arguing poured in from out in the hall.
    “Welcome to reality,” Ben offered as someone began to swear.
    Tess gave him a long steady look and summed him up as a fool. Did he think she'd expected tea and cookies? Compared to the clinic where she gave her time once a week, this was a garden party. “Thank you, Detective…”
    “Paris.” He wondered why he felt she was laughing at him. “Ben Paris, Dr. Court. This is my partner, Ed Jackson.” Taking out a cigarette, he lit it as he watched her. She looked as out of place in the dingy squad room as a rose on a trash heap. But that was her problem. “We'll be working with you.”
    “How nice.” With the smile she reserved for annoying shop clerks, she breezed by him. Before she could knock on Harris's door, Ben was opening it.
    “Captain.” Ben waited as Harris pushed aside papers and rose. “This is Dr. Court.”
    He hadn't been expecting a woman, or anyone so young. But Harris had commanded too many women officers, too many rookies, to feel anything but momentary surprise. The mayor had recommended her. Insisted on her, Harris corrected himself. And the mayor, no matter how annoying, was a sharp man who made few missteps.
    “Dr. Court.” He held out his hand and found hers soft and small, but firm enough. “I appreciate you coming.”
    No, she wasn't quite convinced he did, but she had worked around such things before. “I hope I can help.”
    “Please, sit down.”

    She started to shrug out of her coat, and felt hands on her arms. Taking a quick look over her shoulder, she saw Ben behind her. “Nice coat, Doctor.” His fingers brushed over the lining as he slipped it from her. “Fifty-minute hours must be profitable.”
    “Nothing's more fun than soaking patients,” she said in the same undertone, then turned away from him. Arrogant jerk, she thought, and took her seat.
    “Dr. Court might like some coffee,” Ed put in. Always easily amused, he grinned over at his partner. “She got kind of wet coming in.”
    Seeing the gleam in Ed's eyes, Tess couldn't help but grin back. “I'd love some coffee. Black.”
    Harris glanced over at the dregs in the pot on his hot plate, then reached for his phone. “Roderick, get some coffee in here. Four—no three,” he corrected as he glanced at Ed.
    “If there's any hot water…” Ed reached in his pocket and drew out an herbal tea bag.
    “And a cup of hot water,” Harris said, his lips twisting into something like a smile. “Yeah, for Jackson. Dr. Court…” Harris didn't know what had amused her, but had a feeling it had something to do with his two men. They had better get down to business. “We'll be grateful for any help you can give us. And you'll have our full cooperation.” This was said with a glance, a telling one, at Ben.