“Who’s the detective?” Emerson asked.
“Nikki Cardoso.”
“She’s my former partner,” Emerson said. “She’s great to work with.”
“Who’s working it at the Bureau?” Stryker asked.
“It got pulled into ALPHA,” Cooper replied. “Karen Woodside has it.”
“She’snota team player,” Emerson said.
“She’s Brit’s mentor, but Slash really wanted to work with her,” Danielle added.
Cooper flicked his gaze from one woman to the other. “Why am I just now hearing that Karen’s not a team player?”
Danielle shook her head. “Not my place, babe. Plus, we try to keep work at work.”
“Make Britain Skye primary and I’ll work with her,” Rebel said.
Silence.
All eyes on him.
“She was with me when I found Kurt and Kayleen.”
“You’d be spread too thin,” Cooper pushed back. “I’m sorry.”
Rebel let Cooper’s words hang in the air. Then, he leaned back in the chair. “Okay.”
“Thanks for working with me on this,” Cooper said.
“Britain’s competent.” Rebel didn’t change his tone, didn’t rush the words. “She could work the case.”
Rebel got what he needed with a laid-back charm he’d perfected over the years.
“She hasn’t even been at ALPHA a full week,” Cooper said.
Rebel slow-rolled a nod.
“I’ll think about it,” Cooper replied.
Rebel pushed to his feet. “It’s an active-threat case, and it’s personal. You know me, Coop. I’mnotgonna sit on my ass and do nothin’.”
“He’ll work the case, whether you give it to him or not,” Stryker said.
“Make it happen.” Then, Rebel flashed a smile. “Let my wedding planner know you’re family.”
Emerson smiled. “Oooh, he’s good.”
Cooper rose. “Cutthroatandcharming.”
Rebel winked. “This train’s goin’ and its got no brakes.”
As far as he was concerned, the case was already theirs.
14
SURPRISE!
