Page 11 of Outrun The Devil
“What is it?” she asked, pushing her tongue to the top of her mouth. It was unseen, better than picking at her nails when she was nervous.
“It’s an animal attack in Tolleson.”
Olivia quirked an eyebrow in his direction. At first, the detective didn’t think she heard him right, but the words echoed: animal attack in Tolleson.
“I know that it’s out of our jurisdiction.” That wasn’t at all what Olivia was thinking. No, memories from a year ago flashed before her. His eyes said something else entirely. A flicker of emotion lay behind those eyes, the same one that joined that pit in her stomach.
Determined to ignore it, she put on her casual ‘I’m fine’ façade.
“Try out of our purview. Isn’t this a job for animal control?” She laughed, and he joined her.
“One would think but…” He hesitated, looking away out the window towards the bullpen, and that made Olivia concerned.
“It’s made to look like an animal attack but you don’t think it is.” Olivia heard what he wasn’t saying.
“Exactly.” He looked back at her. If this had him concerned, then Olivia knew this was something more than usual.
But the thought of going back to Tolleson sent a shiver down her spine. Could she handle it? Was she ready? Olivia was good at putting on the front of being put together since then but that didn’t mean that underneath that fortified armor of hers that she didn’t hold her insecurities.
“It’s the second murder like this and local law enforcement is hitting dead end after dead end. They wanted to call the feds in on it but I offered you instead.”
Wow, what a compliment. Or an insult. Olivia would wait to see the crime scene before she decided on how to take that. It wasn’t news that Oliva was good at what she did. She went against the grain to solve cases. In a world where the book was a phrase that every cop lived and breathed, Olivia danced that thin line to bring murderers to justice, and closure to those close to the victims.
The captain's face contorted, and he sighed. And that pit in her stomach twisted. As if going to Tolleson wasn’t enough of a stab, there was more.
To the outside world of that bullpen, they looked like a boss scolding his employee and assigning a case but their eyes told a different story. And probably why it made it so easy for Olivia to know when shit was bad.
“There’s a catch.” There is always a catch. This was something Olivia should have known by now in life. His face changed to say something without even speaking a word.
“No.” Olivia shook her head and pointed at him. “No. You know how I feel about partners.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose and Olivia groaned. It was the same song and dance every time he was forced to pair her up with a rookie who came through the door. Collins had fought it every step of the way and Mike knew she didn’t want a repeat of Tim. She couldn’t. Olivia Collins was certain she’d never live if a repeat happened.
“It’s been five years, you’ve punished yourself enough, Collins.”
Mike had a superior to answer to, and she felt for him she truly did but she couldn’t change her stance on a partner. But his words hit her, which she couldn’t deny. Had she been punishing herself? Of course, Olivia knew that Tim’s death was her fault. And that was a guilt that would never leave.
“He’s a local on the case, you’ll want him to help you with this. Give you the lay of the land.”
She crossed her arms, determined to stand her ground. There was something he wasn’t saying but she couldn’t get a read on it.
“I can figure that out well on my own.” Just like she did every other time. Olivia worked better without a partner and she’d proved that time and time again. But just like before, there was no sweet talking out of this arrangement. No, Olivia would need to get them to quit on their own. This time will be no different.
“Collins, play nice or I’ll have you on desk duty for the rest of the year,” he had said, giving her a pointed look. She couldn't help but grin at his warning. “I always play nice,” she quipped, raising her hands in mock surrender. But the idea of being shackled to a desk for the rest of the year did frighten her. Just a little.
“I’ll hand off your current case to Taylor and Rivera.”
“I had a current case?” she questioned, an eyebrow arched at him.
“I was going to give it to you today but I will hand it off to the dynamic duo.”
Mike's lips curled into a knowing smile as he leaned back in his chair, his eyes meeting Olivia's. “You know, Liv, you have a way of getting yourself knee-deep in every case that comes your way. I'm just trying to save you from burning out.”
Olivia shrugged nonchalantly, her expression betraying a hint of mischief. “Burning out? Please, I thrive on the thrill of the chase. Besides, I've solved more cases than the so-called 'dynamic duo' combined.”
Mike chuckled, shaking his head. “You're relentless, Liv. But sometimes, it's good to take a step back and let others take the lead. Taylor and Rivera are capable detectives, and they could use some challenging cases to sharpen their skills.”
“Fine,” she relented. “But the moment I’m back, I’ll be in full force.” She gave him a pointed look and he raised his hands in mock surrender.