Page 10 of Target Acquired
Cole shrugged. “It’s probably nothing, but I wanted to try and find the driver.”
“What about the hospital security?”
Cole checked his screen. “Nothing yet. One of the security guys—Jared—said he’d send it to me if he found something.” He blew out a low breath. “I’m going running with Kenzie in the morning.”
This time James sat up and gave him his full attention. “That so? Why?”
“Because I told her I would.”
“Why would you do that?”
Cole rolled his eyes at his partner. “Shut up.”
“You opened the door, man.”
“Just trying to . . . figure out a way to right a wrong.”
James turned serious. “How so?”
Cole paused, then sighed. “When Kenzie made the team, I knew there were going to be mixed feelings. There were a lot of really good applicants, but honestly, Kenzie was the best of the lot. Even better than Logan, who I would have welcomed to the team with open arms. But . . . when faced with the evidence of his sister’s skills, I couldn’t protest.”
“But you wanted to?”
“Maybe. A little. Just because I knew the conflict it was going to cause. They weren’t going to see her stellar scores or her physical abilities or her medical degree. All they were going to see is that she’s a woman. A rather small woman compared to us. And I was right. But . . . they’re right too. Their concerns are valid.”
“Yeah. Sometimes brute strength comes in handy.”
“Exactly. And while she’s strong and in excellent physical shape, she’ll never be as strong as any male on this team.”
“There’s always one,” James said.
Cole blinked. “What?”
“On any team, there’s always going to be one who’s not quite as strong as the others. Male or female. If Kenzie wasn’t on the team, one could argue that Buzz is the weakest—even though he’s stronger than the average man. One could also argue that Kenzie is stronger than the average woman.” He snorted. “She’s actually probably stronger than the average man as well, thanks to all the training she does.”
Okay, that was true. “Yeah, but in our situation—and I’m talking our situation only—a male team member is still going to be stronger than most females. And in Kenzie’s case, she’s the weakest.”
“I’m not saying you’re wrong. But Kenzie’s smart. She’ll rely more on brains than brawn. And as team leader, you’re going to use wisdom and not put her in a situation where strength is the solution. You’ll pick someone else.”
Again, true. “I’ve been praying about what to do with this situation, and it was almost like God gave me a light-bulb moment earlier, so I acted on it, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about her. And the team.” And what the guys would think about him spending personal time with Kenzie.
James nodded. “I’m more worried about the guys having her back if she needs it.”
Cole pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes. “I think they’ll have her back, but I think they’ll resent having to have it.”
“Meaning they’ll be mad for having to protect her whether it’s a situation of her making or not?”
“Exactly.”
“As long as she—and everyone else—walks away alive.”
Cole sighed. “Yeah. As long as.”
THREE
Kenzie’s phone rang just as she turned out of the SWAT parking lot. She tapped the screen. “Hey there.”
“Hello. Are you done for the day?” Amelia Watson’s voice came through the speakers and Kenzie sighed. Amelia was dating Kenzie’s second-oldest brother, Kash, and while Kenzie liked her okay, the woman wasn’t her first choice for an after-work conversation buddy.