Goddess of Justice by Dwayne Clayden (mobi ebook reader TXT) 📕

“Day or night, 24/7, you let me know.”

“Got it.”

Jackson slid out of the booth, stood, slipped on a parka, and picked up his gloves. His lips pursed. “Sorry about what happened to Maggie. I liked her a lot. I don’t care what you do in your personal time, but when you’re at work, you’re dialed in.” Jackson took a last sip of coffee, put the cup back on the table, and glanced at Brad. “Thanks for the coffee.” Jackson spun on his heel and strode to the entrance.

Brad watched Jackson leave, then ordered breakfast. If Archer decided that Brad needed a handler, Jackson was a sound choice. He was a straight shooter. Like he’d said to Brad, no bullshit. He could live with that. Jackson was at the top of the list of men Brad admired, and as hard as it was to admit, he could use some mentorship.

He flipped the paper open and reached for his coffee.

The server asked, “Refill?”

Brad replied, eyes never wavering from the paper. “Thank you.” He heard the coffee pouring into the cup and smelled the tantalizing aroma. For the second time his Spidey sense kicked in. So much for a peaceful breakfast. “And for the lady.”

Brad folded the paper over. Across the table sat Sadie Andrus, newly hired chief investigative reporter for CFCN TV—one of the youngest in the channel’s history at a fresh-faced twenty-eight. She slid a bright-red wool jacket off her shoulders, letting it pool on the booth at her waist. Her wavy auburn hair hung past her shoulders.

During the sniper crisis a month ago, Sadie had hounded Brad for inside info on the shooters. Mostly, it didn’t work. But then the sniper started communication through her to Brad. They made an agreement where they respected each other’s careers, but there were times they could work together. Sadie was given the complete story and access to all components of the investigation. That brought her to national attention and her new job.

“Thank you. I’d love a coffee.” She watched the waitress pour, her brown eyes mischievous as she slipped off black leather gloves one by one, laying them on the tabletop. She adjusted the low collar of her tight black blouse.

Brad set the paper on the table. “How did you find me?”

“I’m an investigative reporter.” She added two cream and two sugar to the coffee.

“You’re stalking me.”

Sadie tilted her head back and flashed a toothy smile. “You wish.” She took a sip. “Must be wonderful being a Homicide detective when there are no homicides. Dress in jeans and casual button-down shirt. Hiking boots. Start work late. Have breakfast, read the paper. What’s next? Manicure and massage.”

Brad rolled his shoulders. “Oh, a massage. Great idea. I’m feeling tense.”

She smirked over her white mug, smudging the porcelain with a blood-red lipstick print. “From your afternoon in court yesterday?”

“You take your job seriously.”

“Nah. I heard about it from our court reporter. The way he tells it, you were doing the questioning and Harry Townsend was on the defensive.” She tossed her hair over her right shoulder. “Were you just messing with Townsend or were you trying to deflect from his questions?”

“Wow. Right to the jugular.”

“Hey, I’m not judging. I’m all for street justice.”

“Are you baiting me, waiting for me to confirm street justice?”

“This isn’t about a story.” She smiled demurely. “As a member of the fairer sex, I’d be glad if you tuned up some asshat beating a defenseless woman.”

Brad chuckled. “Asshat? Look at you, all grown up and using cop lingo. Besides, that’s not how it happened.”

“I heard she was blond.” Sadie’s fingertips played with a strand of her hair.

Brad shook his head and leaned back. “Wow. This is not the reporter of a month ago. Again, right to the point.”

Sadie reached across the table toward his hand, then quickly withdrew it. She winced and swallowed hard. “Sorry, too personal.”

“We have an agreement. Digging into my personal life is something I’d expect your predecessor Anus Ferguson to do. Not you.” He picked up the paper and flipped it open.

On cue, the waitress set Brad’s breakfast on the table. Pen poised on her notepad, the older woman smiled at Sadie. “Have you decided what you’ll have?”

“I’m not staying.”

“She’s staying,” Brad said from behind the paper. “Take her order.”

Sadie beamed at the waitress. “Brown toast and strawberry jam. He’s grumpy until he gets his breakfast.”

The server glanced at Brad, shrugged, then headed to the kitchen.

“I didn’t mean to pry,” Sadie said. “Sometimes, I don’t think before I talk.”

Brad placed the newspaper on the table, took a few bites of the eggs, then tossed his fork onto the plate more vigorously than he’d planned. He leaned toward Sadie. “We agreed. My private life is off limits, always.”

The waitress set the toast in front of Sadie.

“Sorry, I guess I was leaving.” Sadie grabbed her black crossbody purse and wool jacket.

The waitress rolled her eyes.

Brad, eyes on his plate, said, “She’s staying.” He placed several strips of bacon on his toast.

Sadie set her purse and jacket back on the bench. She grabbed a knife and spread strawberry jam on her toast, then peered across the table. “A bacon sandwich?”

“That could be the lead on the evening news.” Brad continued eating, dipping the sandwich into the egg yolks. He glanced at the paper and began reading.

They ate in silence for several minutes.

“How’s the new job?” Brad asked.

“It’s great.” Sadie’s face brightened, highlighting freckles across her aquiline nose. She leaned forward on the table. “Most of the time I pick my assignments. When there’s a breaking story, I’m offered it first. Since shit follows you, you’ll see me frequently.”

“Lucky me.”

“You can play gruff, aloof cop all you want. You don’t fool me. You like the attention. I know you like action. If appalling stuff didn’t find you, you’d go hunting for it. That’s just how you’re wired.”

Brad licked his lips and wiped his mouth