Page 9 of The Sinner's Son

“Yes, sir. And I’m very sorry. I talked to him when I returned to my office. I told him his behavior was unprofessional, and we’ve reached an understanding.” Maybe if Sawyer repeated it often enough, he could manifest it into existence.

“I’m glad you’ve resolved the situation,” Mendoza said.

Sawyer felt abutcoming in three, two, one…

“But I can’t help but think today’s fiasco is just the tip of the iceberg. I don’t like this guy, and I especially don’t like him working with my police department.” He held up his hands as if he thought Sawyer would protest. Spoiler alert: he wouldn’t. “I know the potential for good. It just goes against my instincts. Maybe I’m too old-school sometimes.”

“I hear you, Chief. I will do my best to keep Alec in line and his chaos to a minimum.”

“That’s all I ask.” Mendoza smirked. “And keep your damn cell phone on you at all times.”

“Yes, Chief.” Sawyer cocked his head to the side. “How’d you know what we were going to tell you?”

Mendoza rolled his eyes and sighed. “I’m a veteran law enforcement officer skilled in the art of deduction.” He cracked a smile before adding, “And the two of you make moon eyes at every baby or grandbaby who comes in here, so it was only a matter of time. When you both started floating through the precinct with stars shooting from your eyes, I knew the moment had arrived. Kelsey is a remarkable woman, but you already know that.”

“I do, sir.”

“You and Locke will make wonderful fathers.” The compliment, though spoken gruffly, was the spirit boost Sawyer needed after the confrontation with Alec.

“Thank you.”

Mendoza gestured to the door before pulling the tin of cookies closer. Sawyer recognized a dismissal when he saw one and got out of there as fast as he could. Royce was waiting for him, sitting in the same chair he’d vacated earlier. He quirked a brow, and Sawyer rolled his eyes.

“Walk with me and I’ll catch you up.”

There wasn’t much to tell him, so they hadn’t gotten far before Royce stopped suddenly and turned to face Sawyer. “What do you mean Alec called your cell phone? You didn’t give him the number yet.”

“I was getting to that part,” Sawyer said, gesturing for them to keep walking before they drew attention to themselves. This time, Royce didn’t interrupt. He said nothing, which was worse. “I’m handling it,” Sawyer told him as they waited for the elevator.

Royce didn’t speak until they were enclosed in the cabin. “I don’t like it. Not one damn bit. Bishop’s entitled behavior is obnoxious.”

“I’m handling it,” Sawyer repeated.

“I heard you the first time.” Royce turned and leaned against the paneled wall. “You’re not the problem.” While his voice was softer, the storm raged on in his gray eyes. “Alec Bishop is the problem, and I can’t shake the feeling that you’re going to regret getting involved in his project.”

“Not if it solves one of these cold cases.” Sawyer’s tone was sharper than he’d intended, and he felt an immediate twinge of guilt.

Royce stepped closer but didn’t touch him, at least not with his hands or body. Those eyes though. They caressed every intimate part of Sawyer’s soul and left him wishing they were alone. “But at what cost?”

“Alec’s project has already funded nearly forty thousand dollars of DNA testing. I’d say the costs are going to be high.”

Royce cocked a brow. “You know damn well I’m talking about the personal stakes. What if this backfires and blows up in your face?”

“It won’t.”

“You don’t sound very convincing,” Royce told him. “And I’m concerned about you maintaining your objectivity.”

“I have things under control.” Sawyer sounded defensive, which was the first clue that Royce could be right. His thoughts about the cases, especially the Jane Does, had turned personal. Seeing his Lil Plum on the ultrasound intensified his desire to make the world a better place, but he had to keep his objectivity to do that. Compartmentalizing had been the hardest skill Sawyer learned in his early days in law enforcement. It often felt cold or cruel to even want to sweep things into a box and close the lid, but it was necessary if he wanted a successful personal life and career. Sawyer exhaled slowly and relaxed his tensed jaw and shoulders. “I’ll get things under control.”

Royce stepped forward again, stopping a few inches away. Though their bodies still didn’t touch, the warmth in Royce’s gaze wrapped Sawyer in a tender embrace. “Your tenacity to get justice for the forgotten is just a small reason I love you so damn much. But every warrior needs to rest. It makes them better fighters.”

Ding.

The elevator car stopped at the basement level, and the doors swished open. Neither Sawyer nor Royce made the first step to get off. When the doors started to close again, Royce held thebutton to keep them open. He cupped Sawyer’s face and said, “Alec Bishop wants to charge in here like a hero who saves the day, but he’s an agitator who stirs the shit. No one who respects you would’ve acted the way he did today. Keep that in mind.”

“I will.” Sawyer tilted his head toward the open door. “Want to finish this conversation in my office?”

By conversation, he meant a make-out session behind his closed door to chase away any lingering tension between them. Royce winked and gestured for him to exit first. Sawyer stepped off the elevator and nearly collided with Royce’s co-director at the academy. Tara South was usually the epitome of calm, cool, and collected, so her mussed hair and wild-eyed expression caught Sawyer off guard.