Page 23 of Heat of Justice (Duty #3)

“I mean it,” she added. “Seeing bits and pieces along the way as you were working on it did not take anything away from the final product. You managed to capture the essence of what it’s like to be on the front line, so to speak, in the medical world. The urgency when a life is hanging in the balance, the sheer sense of duty, the fun and comfort of working together as a committed team… Success and loss, the highs and lows. It’s brilliant work, Lia.”

“Thanks, babe.”

“I have to say as well, that one scene in the chopper, when you were caught in the middle of a lightning storm, made me sweat.”

“Oh yeah! I was so glad it happened when I was onboard!” Lia’s eyes sparkled in satisfaction at the memory. “That’s what I always call perfect ambiance material.”

“Were you scared?”

“No… Sam was so at ease in the cockpit that it never even occurred to me to be frightened.”

“Yeah. Wakefield is ace.”

“She is. I’m glad this comes across too.”

Quinn nodded with a teasing smile. “Plus, your hotshot had to know I’d kick her to the moon and back if she crashed with you onboard.”

“Oh...” Lia dispensed a laughing kiss at that. “Totally.”

“I guess I should book us a room in Salt Lake ahead of the next Sundance Film Festival. With work of this quality, you’re bound to be nominated again for an award.”

“I hope so. We’ll see.” Lia’s smile turned tender. “Hey, do you remember that game of basketball we had in the back during our first barbecue party here?”

“The one you lost. Yes, I do remember.”

“Still refusing to admit the truth, Lieutenant?”

“On the contrary, I recall my win very clearly.”

Lia shook her head, amused. “We haven’t had that rematch you promised me, so I could beat you again and show you who’s boss.”

“I guess we found better games.”

Saying so, Quinn sneaked a hand under her borrowed shirt to cup a firm breast in her hand and stroke her tight nipple. Lia was so sensitive. Quinn enjoyed her instant stiffening, the way she pressed herself into her. Lia took her mouth again for a long, lazy, but by no means less intense kiss.

“Maybe we should go home,” Quinn muttered.

“No.” Lia chuckled and pushed her back. “Be good. We’re staying. We need to socialize.”

“Oh? Do we?”

“Yes. And I also want to bask a little.”

“That, you thoroughly deserve. You go, I’ll be right back.”

Quinn went on to the kitchen, only to discover Cody Miller hovering in front of the pantry. Looking guilty, Quinn decided.

“What’s up, Miller?” she asked her.

“Demi sent me to get more supplies.”

“As she does, yes. I’m on beer duty myself.”

“Cool.” Miller grinned but she remained rooted in place, blocking her access.

Quinn moved a little closer.

“Am I going to have to forcibly remove you from that spot, Detective?” she inquired.

“Um, no, but I wouldn’t go in just yet, Lieutenant, if I were you,” Cody replied with twinkling eyes.

“Why the hell not?”

“I think my partner and your best friend might be having a little… moment.”

“Jesus Christ,” Quinn grunted in reaction to Cody’s obvious amusement. “Have these two not exhausted themselves on their Italian trip?”

“Apparently not.”

“Yo, Janet!” Quinn banged on the door. “Get out here now.”

There was an audible groan and giggling, then the door opened and out strolled the two women. Janet Foxx, genius neurosurgeon and even more flamboyant in character, with her arm slung over her girlfriend’s shoulders. Detective James, no longer technically a rookie, still managed to blush harder than a juicy beetroot at the sight of her lieutenant standing there. Janet, far from shy or intimidated, simply reached out to pinch her cheek.

“Well, look here.” She smirked. “If this isn’t the rain on my parade. Got a problem, Lieutenant Grumpy?”

“Yeah, get a room.”

“No way, is that a thing?” Janet kissed her partner soundly on the mouth, eliciting more furious blushing. Then she grabbed Quinn’s arm. “I need a word with you, Wesley.”

“Tough, I’m busy,” Quinn groaned.

“You got rank. Delegate.”

“Miller,” Quinn snapped.

“Yes, Lieutenant,” Cody said with a wide grin.

“You and your partner are in charge of beer and cake.”

“Roger that, Boss. I think we can handle it.”

As Quinn allowed her to steer her away, Janet chuckled in amusement.

“You know your detectives get a kick out of watching me boss you around?” she remarked.

“Or trying to. I am aware, yes.”

“You don’t mind, do you?”

“Not at all. They know you’re a special case.”

“Well.” Janet snorted. “I’m going to choose to take this as a compliment.”

It was, and Quinn gave her an affectionate squeeze. They found a spot to sit together in the shade of a gnarly apple tree by the side of the pool.

“So, how was Italy?”

“Superb!” Janet exclaimed. “Amazing! Splendid!”

“Ah!” Quinn laughed. “Great.”

“Yes, that too. And then some.”

“I’m delighted to hear it.”

“Traveling with Ellie is so easy and wonderful. Being on the road with her like that was an absolute dream come true for me.” Janet beamed, her face glowing in pure joy and pleasure. “You know what I mean?”

“I know the feeling.” Quinn smiled, remembering some of her road trips to Mexico with Lia. “There’s nothing better in my mind than taking off on an adventure with the love of your life.”

“Totally. And even at home, you know, every day with Ellie is better than the previous one. Happier, and a little bit sweeter.”

She sounded both amazed and truly delighted at the fact, and Quinn nodded again in approval. Indeed, it was great to see her friend, once a relentless serial dater, head over heels in love with her partner and committed to the long term.

“That’s great, Jan,” she said. “I’m happy for you both.”

“Thanks. Now…” Janet leveled her intelligent, inquisitive, dark eyes at her. “Let’s talk about you.”

“Mm. Let’s not. You know, this is Lia’s day.”

“Oh, of course! And I already told her I love the new film. Also, not just because she did a cracking job of relating my side of the story. Your wife is super-talented, darling.”

“Yes.” Quinn grinned as her pride swelled. “That she truly is.”

“And I won’t even ask about the suspension. I understand it was a loaded plate of internal administrative bullshit.”

“Perfect description for it, yeah.”

“We see our share of this kind of thing at the hospital too, of course. Still, it must have rocked you a bit.” Having said she would not ask, Janet still pushed.

“It wasn’t fun,” Quinn admitted. “But it’s over now.”

“Gotcha. You just want to move on.”

“You got it.”

Nodding, Janet continued to fix her quizzically. “How do you feel about the other stuff?”

“What stuff?” Quinn grunted.

“Don’t play dumb or evasive with me, Wesley. Lia’s former partner is back on the scene.”

“No, she’s not,” Quinn stated firmly. “Just in Lewiston for rehab. Only for another week or so, I believe.”

“Right. Then, what?”

“I don’t know. I assume she’ll fly home and work to get her job back. I hope she can.”

“Huh. I’ll say that’s mighty generous of you, babe, since I know she was the one behind all your troubles. And now Lia is helping her?”

“Janet—”

“Quinn,” Janet interrupted before she could say any more, and laid a soothing hand on her shoulder. In contrast, her tone carried a hint of her usual impatience. “I’m not trying to annoy you, okay?”

“No? Coulda fooled me.”

“Haha.” Janet did not smile. “Look, I’m asking you straight because I know how good you are at suffering in silence, my friend. So, don’t shut me out. We are having this conversation, whether you like it or not. Once I know you’re all right, I can get back to enjoying the party.”

Quinn tracked her gaze to where Janet’s number one source of joy was involved in an impromptu game of volleyball with Sam Wakefield and a few others. Ellie looked good in just a pair of shorts and her sports bra, and Janet licked her lips in obvious appreciation. Alright, then. Quinn smirked, relaxing. She knew her friend did not thrive on bad drama and gossip. Janet also famously did not beat around the bush when it came to personal stuff. Especially mine… She could be a merciless tease, often came across as abrasive and demanding to those who only knew her superficially. Typical brain surgeon, Quinn supposed. Janet was indeed recognized as one of the Top Five best in the country. She routinely performed miracles in the OR. Quinn herself owed her life to her amazing skills. Under the relentless swagger and rude questions, Janet cared deeply and was all heart.

“When I first found out who was behind the blogs that got me suspended, I wanted to punch Brooke in the face,” Quinn let her know.

“Understandable.”

“Yeah. Then I realized the actual mess she was in. She went off the rails, big time. Let a bunch of unresolved emotions play havoc on her mental state. Left to her own devices, I am pretty sure she would have OD-ed.”

“Sadly, she wouldn’t be the first. And now, this makes me want to punch her doctors in the face.” Always quick to fire, Janet was even quicker to find compassion. “At the very least, I think the woman should sue the whole lot of them for criminal incompetence.”

“Maybe she will. Anyway. Once I knew what was going on with her, I just wanted to help. So did Lia, of course. Thanks for recommending the clinic you did.”

“Yeah, sure. I also love to help.”

“And just to be clear,” Quinn added, “I trust my wife. Our marriage is solid. I’m all okay, Jan.”

“Finally!” Janet rolled her eyes, grinned, and punched her playfully on the shoulder. “Thank you! This does answer all my questions.”

“Well, halleluiah.”

“Drop the attitude, Lieutenant; you know you don’t need it with me.”

“Correct. Thank you for making sure I was okay.”

“You’re welcome.” Janet pulled her into a hug, then flashed a mischievous wink. “If you’ll excuse me now, I’ve got to go kiss my sexy girlfriend.”

“Alright.” Quinn laughed. “You’re dismissed.”

◆◆◆

Kim enjoyed meeting her lover’s friends and colleagues. She got a little psychic tingle from some of the people at the party, which she supposed was to be expected. With no other choice, she relaxed and went with the flow. Cody’s lieutenant, a tall, athletic blonde who carried herself with the self-assurance and authority of command, was the first to come and say hello to her. When she shook her hand, a set of ethereal impressions floated across Kim’s brain. Lia. Duty. Grief. In that order.

“I don’t talk shop at summer parties, or Demi tends to get upset with me,” Quinn said to her in a friendly way. “But thank you for your help with the recent case, Ms. Reed.”

“I won’t say it was a pleasure, Lieutenant, but I am glad I was able to help,” Kim answered her with a smile.

Her gaze was assessing and inquisitive, but the lieutenant was true to her word, and she did not ask any questions about her gift. Kim liked her for it. When she met her friend after that, the dark-haired, good-looking surgeon, there was a flash of sexual heat and the cooling scent of the ocean. Kim was not surprised to hear from Quinn’s wife, the filmmaker, that both she and Janet were members of an open-water swim club.

“And this is my partner, Detective Ellie James.”

The young woman, with jet-black hair and piercing grey eyes, was all smiles as Cody introduced her.

“Hello, Kim. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“You too, Ellie.”

At first glance, the squared-away detective and the notably older, swashbuckling neurosurgeon seemed like an odd pairing. But when Ellie pulled her into a friendly hug, Kim intuitively sensed a lot more bubbling just under the surface: a fierce spirit. Plenty of toughness. Clearly, her youth and apparent sweetness hid a much more solid, resilient core. Kim mentioned it to Cody during a moment alone as they sat on the grass enjoying a beer and a piece of cake.

“I like Ellie as your partner. She’s got plenty of fire.”

“She sure does.” Cody smiled in approval. “Though I didn’t want a partner at first. I was used to working on my own, you know? Especially after… what happened in New York.”

“Yes,” Kim said gently. “But your lieutenant decided to put you together anyway. So Ellie could acquire a little seasoning, and you could get over your reluctance.”

“That’s right. How did you know?”

“Simple observation. You like working with her now.”

“I do, yes. She’s a great kid.”

“And she doesn’t like when you call her that.”

“Oh.” Sheepish, Cody chuckled. “It’s an affectionate term… I’ll stop, though, if she dislikes it that much. She must do if she told you about it, huh?”

“She didn’t,” Kim said softly. “It just came to me when I hugged her.”