Without You - Mary Baxter Lynn

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was my impression, too. Most likely he’s trying to make a name for himself, and he sees this case as the way to do it.”

      “Who knows? But I’m not going to put up with much from him, I can tell you that.”

      Terrance smiled. “Knowing you, I wouldn’t think so. He’s more than met his match, but I don’t think he realizes it.” Terrance’s smile widened. “When he does, he’ll back off.”

      “Hallie won’t put up with him, either. When he didn’t have anything substantial to hold me on, she whisked me out of there in nothing flat.”

      “That doesn’t surprise me.” Terrance took a healthy gulp from his glass. “What’s the next step?”

      “I’m supposed to meet with their big criminal gun in the morning.” Jackson shrugged. “She’s insisting, so I have no choice.”

      “You’d better look on it as a gift. If this thing turns nasty, and it very well could, then it may take both of them to keep you out of jail.”

      “You’re a lot of comfort,” Jackson responded drolly.

      “It’s the truth and you know it.”

      Jackson rubbed the back of his neck, his muscles as tight as violin strings. “You’re right, I do. It’s just that—” He broke off, suddenly tired of talking. He was mentally and emotionally drained. However, he knew that if he went home and tried to sleep, his efforts would be in vain. His body and mind were on fire.

      Besides, he needed to go into the club and make his usual rounds to the customers’ tables. He wanted to make sure they were happy and contented and getting their money’s worth. After all, satisfying the clientele was his strong suit and his main job.

      As if the silence unnerved him, Terrance stood. “I guess I’d best get back out front. I need to make sure the DJ’s pleasing the dancers.”

      “I was thinking the same thing—about going out front, that is.”

      “I can handle things.”

      “I don’t doubt it, but I need the personal contact, especially right now. I don’t particularly want to be alone with my thoughts.”

      “I understand. But it’s going to be all right. Hallie’s a fireball who burns anyone who gets in her way. She’ll have Gomez straightened out in no time.”

      For the first time that evening, Jackson grinned. “That’s one reason why I went to her.”

      “But it’s not the only reason?”

      “Yes, it is,” Jackson said coldly.

      “Sorry, I didn’t mean to step out of bounds—”

      Terrance left, leaving Jackson alone with his unsettling thoughts.

      Seven

      “No wonder you’re exhausted after the kids leave for the bus.”

      Maria Gomez sank into the dining room chair across from her husband and smiled. “It’s about time you saw the morning fiasco.”

      Detective Knox Gomez gave her a leering grin. “I was about to suggest we grab a quickie before I left for the station.”

      Maria picked up a piece of cold toast from one of the kids’ plates and threw it at him, though a grin spread across her wide features. “In your dreams.”

      “Why not? They’re free.” Gomez sobered. “We haven’t had much time alone lately.”

      Maria’s dark, expressive eyes widened. “And whose fault is that? You’re never home anymore, Knox.”

      “I know, and I’m not happy about it.”

      “Then, do something about it. The kids miss you.”

      “And I miss them.”

      Maria had started to gather the breakfast plates left by the three children when Knox reached out a hand and stopped her. “That can wait. I’d like your attention for a while.”

      Maria paused and narrowed her eyes. “I’d like that as well, only not in the morning when we both should be at work.”

      “That’s what I’d like to talk to you about. I want you to quit your job and stay home.”

      “You’re asking the impossible. We’re barely making ends meet now.”

      “Maybe that’s about to change.”

      Maria raised her eyebrows. “Oh?”

      “Maybe we might even have another baby.”

      That brought Maria to her feet. “You can forget that, Knox.”

      He frowned. “You don’t have the final say, you know.”

      “Since it’s the wear-and-tear on my body, I feel I have the majority vote.” She stared down at him. “If that’s what you want to talk about, I’m not interested.”

      His lips tightened. “You’re not doing anything I wouldn’t approve of, are you?”

      “Like taking birth control pills?”

      His tanned skin flushed. “Yes.”

      “No, but I’m not ruling them out.”

      “Dammit, Maria, you’d better go talk to Father Sanchez.”

      “You go talk to him.”

      There was a heavy silence, then Gomez said, “Look, I’m sorry I got you upset. I didn’t mean to. I actually wanted to tell you about the case I’m working on.”

      “Really?” Maria said, surprise in her voice as she sat back down. “That’s a first.”

      “I’ve been assigned to investigate the murder of the woman found strangled in that hotel.”

      “A feather in your cap, huh?”

      “You bet. The primary suspect is a rich swinger named Jackson Cole.”

      “The name doesn’t mean anything to me.”

      “Cole owns one of those swanky clubs over on Beale Street. And because of who he is, the case is probably going to be high profile. In fact, it already is.”

      “Meaning?”

      “Meaning, if I crack it and prove this guy did it, then I’ll win favor in the chief’s eyes.”

      “Which might translate into a promotion?” Maria’s voice was hopeful.

      “It could, though that’s not a given. Still, it would certainly boost my standing in the department.”

      “I know that’s important to you, but it’s more money we need—which is exactly why I can’t quit my job.”

      Gomez got up and shifted his holster farther back on his belt, his features grim. “If I do solve this case, I’m going to ask for a raise.”

      Maria crossed the room and pecked him on the cheek. “You go for it.”

      After she left the dining room, Gomez released a deep sigh, hating how he felt like a failure. Of the wives of his Latino buddies, his was the only one who worked. But he’d married a more independent woman than his friends had. While he’d known that, he’d thought he could change her. Seven years of marriage and three kids later, he hadn’t made much progress. He hadn’t been home enough to accomplish that goal.

      As a kid, he couldn’t get enough of playing cops and robbers with his friends. The game had turned into his dream. When that dream had come true, he’d worked like a dog to be the best officer he could, which meant taking any and all assignments.

      Now, he had an opportunity to prove his worth, to show his superiors just

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