Page 16 of Outrun The Devil
She unclenched her fist and walked out.
Detective Olivia Collins didn't have a moment to collect herself as she stepped out of the captain's office, finding herself in the bustling bullpen. Being a fresh presence among the familiar faces, she could feel the weight of curious gazes upon her. Deciding to maintain her composed demeanor, the tough-as-nails detective façade, she made her way over to Detective Nathan Steele.
“We got a full name from the tag yet?” she asked.
“Liam Davidson,” Nathan sighed, unamused with her approach. But Olivia didn’t much care. They had a case to solve, and the quicker they solved it the quicker she could leave. Which meant the sooner she could get rid of him as a partner.
“Anything back on our victim?” Her eyes scanned the bullpen, landing on the whiteboard with a picture of the victim right in the middle.
“Detective Maya Patel,” a woman's voice called out, capturing Olivia's attention. She turned her gaze towards the source of the voice and locked eyes with a captivating figure. Maya Patel stood before her, radiating a natural beauty that caught Olivia off guard. Her olive-toned complexion exuded a sense of grace and sophistication, accentuating her features. But there was more to Maya than just her physical appearance. Her dark, expressive eyes held a depth and intelligence that hinted at her sharp intellect and keen perception.
“Our victim fits a missing person report,” Detective Patel moved to the whiteboard and clipped a picture of a young woman in her twenties. “Claire Moore.”
“Twenty-two lives at home with her parents in Wedgewood Park. Attends Arizona State in downtown Phoenix.” Patel wrote it in bullet points under Ms. Moore’s picture before handing the file folder to Olivia.
“Any connection to our Mr. Davidson?” Her question was pointed at Maya, but her eyes slid to Nathan Steele. Was he going to speak up or did he let Detective Patel do all the work?
Patel placed a few images from the crime scene that were important: the wounds and the symbol among them.
Moore had been reported missing three days ago.
“None that I can find,” Patel answered. “Mr. Davidson has a few priors but nothing that would jump to this,” Patel continued as if she anticipated what Collins would ask next.
A smile threatened to tug at the corner of Olivia’s mouth. I like this one, she thought. Maya Patel handed her another file, it was Liam Davidson’s.
“Let’s bring him in,” Olivia stated, flipping through the file but when nothing jumped out, no vision was triggered, she closed it.
The mountainous desert was so secluded that eyewitnesses were going to be near impossible. And even more impossible was having an airtight alibi for why you were prancing around in a national park at night.
Detective Collins was eager to hear Liam Davidson’s reasoning. She stepped up to the whiteboard to examine it, hands in her pockets as she ran her finger over the keychain ring.
From the corner of her eye, Olivia saw Nathan Steele rise from his desk.
“Down boy, I think I can handle this one on my own.” She turned away from the whiteboard, facing him.
“I don’t think you have much of a choice,” his head nodded to the captain’s office, and her eyes followed.
Damn it, Nathan was right. Until she found a way to dissolve the partnership, Olivia was stuck with him. It was like being in an endless maze without any visible exit. But she wouldn’t let this stop her. Detective Olivia Collins didn’t want nor need a partner.
“Okay, fine, Golden Boy, let’s go pick us up a suspect.” And then she walked right past his desk without waiting for him. No, if he wanted to go with Olivia, he’d have to keep up with her.
“I’m driving,” Nathan asserted with the snap of his fingers.
“Fat chance, rookie,” she cackled as she smiled.
A low, guttural sound reached her ears and her smile deepened. The sooner she could get under his skin, the sooner Olivia would be rid of the partner.
“Oh, lucky me,” He complained under his breath.
Olivia’s apparent disregard would further irk him, fueling the fire of his irritation. And she hoped her calculated move would stroke those flames even more and get her exactly what she wanted.
Chapter Five
Detective Olivia Collins didn’t need or want a partner.
As she drove, Olivia couldn't help but steal glances at Nathan. He was undeniably attractive, with sharp features and a lean, muscular build.
She tried to brush the thoughts away, reminding herself that he was her partner for now, but the more she looked at him, the harder it became to ignore.