Parker
We only worked for another thirty minutes when Detective Morris threw down his pen and stood up. “It’s late. I’m calling it a night.” Without a wave or acknowledgement, the man walked out the door, leaving the rest of us to stare at the closed door.
“It actually is getting late, “SSA Walker said from beside me, where he’d settled in to do his own tasks. “We should all get some food and some rest. It’s been a long day. We’ll pick this up in the morning.” He turned to me, then to Detective Nakamura when he remembered who would be driving me. “Have my agent here at 0800, Detective,” he said, not bothering with asking.
As SSA Walker stood up. The rest of us quickly began to put away our folders and laptops. Sounds of rustling papers and scraping chairs filled the room. As I slung my satchel over my shoulder, I glanced up at Detective Nakamura to see that he was already watching me. I walked over to him and stuck out my hand.
“We haven’t really been introduced other than our names,” I said. “It’s good to meet you, Detective.”
His expression softened as he took my hand in his. His hand was calloused more than most law enforcement officers would be, and I knew he spent real time on the farm working with his partner. He looked down at me with a soft smile. “It’s good to meet you as well, Special Agent.”
I felt my face heat. “Are you sure it’s okay for me to stay in one of the cabins?” I asked quietly. “I know your partner’s aunt said it would be, but if it’s any trouble…”
“No trouble at all, I promise you,” he said. “Come on, let’s head out. I’m sure you’re hungry after such a long day. The housekeeper makes a large meal every night. There will be plenty if you’d like to eat in the main house,” he said as we walked to the elevator.
We stopped with the rest of the group and waited for the doors to open. I could feel eyes on us but ignored them, knowing SSA Walker was carefully listening to every word. “You’re sure it will be okay? I can grab something and eat in my cabin. I wouldn’t want to intrude.”
“Trust me, Gage wouldn’t mind in the least. Our other friend, Dante, might not join us, but he doesn’t always anyway. I’m sure eventually you’ll meet him, though.”
We stepped onto the elevator, and we were all silent on the short ride down to the first floor. As we walked through the now quiet police station, I asked, “Gage, is that your partner’s name?”
He nodded and grinned down at me. “Yeah. He’s a little… quiet. I guess you can say stoic. I’d blame it on his time in the military, but from what his family has told me, he’s always been that way, even as a kid.”
I nodded, understanding what he meant. Some people just weren’t the chatty type. I was okay with that. “I’m going to go grab my suitcase from the van. Where are you parked?”
“I’ll come with you,” he said, keeping in step with me. Not wanting to argue, I simply accepted. When we reached the van I’d arrived in, I opened the back and reached for my suitcase, but before I could grab it, Detective Nakamura took hold of the handle, easily lifted it from the van, set it on the ground, then raised the handle.
“Thanks,” I said and took the handle from him. It seemed the detective had manners.
“SA Parker,” my team leader spoke from right behind me, making me startle.
“Yes, Sir?” I asked as I turned around.
“Don’t forget,” he began, looking between the detective and me. “I expect nightly phone calls letting me know you’re safe.” His gaze landed on the man beside me with a small glare of warning. I wanted to give him a glare of my own, but held back for the sake of my job.
“I will text,” I reiterated my earlier concession. “Goodnight, Sir. See you in the morning!” I called out to the rest of the team. I gave him a nod and turned to Detective Nakamura to see him completely unfazed by my supervisor’s warning. “Ready?” He nodded and led me through the parking lot to stop next to a mid-sized SUV.
After depositing my luggage in the back of his vehicle, he walked around to the passenger side and opened the door for me. He stood there as I climbed inside. “Make sure you buckle up. Wouldn’t want your boss angry at me for not keeping you safe,” he said with a wink.
My face felt hot at his words, as well as the wink he gave me. I wondered if he’d sensed the over the top concern my supervisor had for me. I hoped he didn’t look down on me for the unwanted attention. When he climbed inside and started the engine, I fidgeted with my hands, wondering if I should bring it up or justlet it go. I didn’t have to wonder anymore as he turned onto the road from the parking lot and started heading out of town.
“So, are you and your boss dating?” he asked casually, though I could sense the tenseness in his tone and see the way his knuckles tightened on the wheel as he waited for my answer.
I couldn’t help the small groan that escaped as soon as the words left his lips. “No. Absolutely not,” I said adamantly.
“Does he know that?” Detective Nakamura asked, but I saw some of the rigidity leaving his hands.
I laughed softly and shook my head. “I have tried to make it clear that my job comes first and I can’t be in a relationship with him.”
“But he’s not taking no for an answer?” he asked as he side-eyed me.
I looked out my window to see that we’d left the town and were driving down a road with a lot of large, mature trees. Not quite a forest, but not just open fields of cattle like I had expected. It was pretty. “I wouldn’t quite say it that way. Perhaps,hopefulwould be a better description.”
He hummed in the back of his throat, and I wasn’t sure if he agreed with me or not. Then he eyed me again, this time with a small smile. “So, do you have a first name, or should I just call you Special Agent?”
I laughed softly. “I go by Parker,” I admitted. I hadn’t used my first name in years. It felt too weird and childish when I was trying to appear self-sufficient as a mature adult woman in a male-dominated career. “What’s your name, or should I just call you Detective?” I teased. I realized how comfortable I felt in his presence. I hadn’t felt so at ease with someone in a long time. I couldn’t remember the last time I had laughed or teased someone. I had to wonder why.”
“My name is Ryu, but most everyone calls me Ry.”
