Page 92 of M for Murder

‘Have you been working here long, Officer?’ he asked, almost conversationally. His gaze remained on her and Rebecca struggled not to look away.

‘We’re not here to discuss me,’ she told him, keeping her tone cool.

‘You’re new to this profession, aren’t you? I’ll bet you’ve only just graduated from the academy.’ He smiled at her, teasing, almost seductive. ‘In fact, I’ll bet this is the first investigation you’ve been involved in.’

Rebecca narrowed her eyes, wondering what he was trying to insinuate. Was he trying to intimidate her, she wondered, coming out with all that crap about her being new to the police force, trying to make her think he had the upper hand?

She imagined that he could easily make a lot of people feel intimidated. He was powerfully built and incredibly handsome, with dark chiselled features and those intense black eyes that seemed to blink less than a cat, and he radiated a strong aura of power. It was difficult not to feel vulnerable in his presence. He continued to stare at her, almost challenging her to hold his gaze. Rebecca managed for about fifteen seconds before she had to break away. She focused instead on her hands in her lap and cursed herself under her breath.

He was getting to her and it pissed her off.

‘Officer Angell, isn’t it?’ he asked suddenly, drawing her attention back up to his face.

‘That’s correct.’

‘Angell. I like that name. It’s very pretty. Do you have a first name, Officer Angell?’

‘Not one that you can call me by,’ Rebecca told him laconically.

She was a little surprised that she was able to keep her own mask of calm composure from slipping, considering how her stomach was twisting knots inside.

Instead of being deterred by her put down, Parker’s smile grew into a broad grin.

‘You’re feisty. I do like that quality in a woman.’ His gaze dropped slowly to her breasts, lingering there for a moment before coming back up to meet her eyes. ‘I like that quality in you, Officer Angell.’

Rebecca let out an inelegant snort, her mouth dropping open. She pushed her chair back and got to her feet, so she at least had the advantage of height over Parker. She glared down at him.

‘Are you coming on to me?’ she demanded, feeling her temper boil.

Parker stared back at her, still calm, still composed, and looking amused at her outburst.

‘Is that a problem?’ he asked, a suggestive glint in his eye.

Hickok chose that moment to return to the room. He glanced first at Rebecca, then at Parker, a look of thunder on his face.

‘What the hell’s going on here?’ he stormed, slamming his cup down on the desk hard enough to slosh coffee over the sides.

‘This jerk just made a move on me,’ Rebecca snapped angrily.

Parker gave Hickok an innocuous smile.

‘I think Officer Angell just misinterpreted the situation.’

Rebecca glared at him. ‘I did not, you lying son of a–’

‘Angell! Outside now!’

She glanced at Hickok, seeing the warning on his face. Drawing a deep breath, she scowled at Parker and stormed from the room, slamming the door shut behind her. She expected Hickok to follow, but he didn’t and that irritated her even more.

Although she knew she was in the wrong for losing her temper with Parker, now she was mad she needed to vent her rage on someone, and Hickok was the perfect choice.

Sullenly, she skulked back to her desk, knowing that by the time he was finally through with Parker and ready to sound off at her she would have calmed down and be in no mood for a confrontation.

Stupid jerk! That’s probably why he did it.

‘Hey, Angell?’

Rebecca looked up to see Wayne Hankins waving the phone in her direction.