Page 3 of Capture My Heart

“You as well, Officer Larson.” He grinned, turning on the full wattage.

Damn, he was sexy and knew it. She liked a man with confidence, but something about Trey Fenley rattled her nerves.

Trey turned. Officer Larson’s hips swayed as she descended the stairs in a rhythm that reminded him it had been a long time since he enjoyed the movement of a woman’s hips. Mmm, something about the polar opposites of her curt replies and sexy curves did it for him.

One hand gripped tighter on the terry cloth, and the other, the doorknob.

Inside, he dropped the towel, picked up his gun from the entry table, and slid it back into the holster.

“You can’t keep sneaking out like that. You scared the sexy cop next door.” He gave Stinky a kiss on his head then set him on the floor. “You’re lucky she didn’t shoot you.”

Trey checked the time as he grabbed his towel. Crap, he had to get going or he’d be late for his first day back.

Vigorously, he rubbed his arms dry as he ran down the hall.

Forty minutes later, he walked in the door of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in St. Paul, Minnesota. A gust of cold air blew down on him. Ahhh. He buttoned his suit jacket and glanced around. The smell of floor polish with the slight hint of pine assailed his nose. He grinned. All government buildings must use the same cleaning products. The thought relaxed his jitters as he strolled across the lobby to the guard’s desk.

The thirty-something man in uniform sat behind a computer with two monitors. Pulling the name from his nameplate, Trey smiled and pulled out his identification. “Morning, Charlie. I’m Agent—”

“Agent Fenley?” Charlie finished for him then took his badge and keyed it into the system. “Welcome. You picked the hottest day of the year to start.”

Trey chuckled. It was unseasonably warm for the end of June, but after being stationed for three years in Duluth, where temperatures averaged ten degrees cooler, he enjoyed the heat. “You know what they say, ‘It’s Minnesota. If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute and it’ll change.”

Charlie’s broad, dark face lit in a genuine smile. “No truer words. Your badge should be keyed into the system. Agent Brown is expecting you.” He rattled directions to Trey’s new boss’ office and said good day.

On the elevator ride, Trey popped his neck and blew out a breath. First days suck, but it was still better that his last day in Duluth. He rolled his shoulders.

He reminded himself this was just a new location. He’d been an agent for five years and a local cop before that. So, why did he have a jackhammer pounding in his chest? Because in his thirty-three years, he had moved nine times. Being the new kid in town never got easier.

The doors slid open on the top floor. He followed the hall to the end. A pretty redhead sat outside one of the few offices on the floor.

“May I help you?” the gatekeeper asked.

“Trey.” Alex Brown stuck his head out of the office. A few more grays threaded his hair since the last time he’d seen him. “Come on in. What’s it been... two, three years?”

“Four.” Alex had been Trey’s mentor when he first came to the BCA. He followed him in and closed the door as his boss indicated.

“Have a seat. How are you? All healed up?”

Trey knew the question was coming, but it didn’t make him like it any better. He fought the urge to rub his shoulder. “Good. Doc cleared me for duty.”

“Glad to hear it. Might as well jump right in.” Alex pulled a file from the pile on his desk and handed it to Trey. “Your first case.”

He flipped through the file. Ashwood Police Department jumped out at him. His mind flashed to the sexy Officer Larson.

“Chief Martin sent over two of his officers. They’re in the conference room. There’s a situation that they requested our help with.”

Trey nodded and moved to get up.

“Fenley.” Alex came around the desk. “It’s a dirty cop issue. The Chief is convinced they have it narrowed down to a few officers, but... don’t trust anyone.”

This time he reached up and rubbed his healing wound. He’d learned that lesson the hard way. With a nod, he followed Alex out.

Shadows of the men reflected in the frosted glass of the conference room. As they walked in, recognition sparked.

“Jim, good to see you.” He offered a hand to the Ashwood Detective.

“Trey, I had no clue you were BCA. I would have gone easy on you with the bench press had I’d known.” Jim Swenson frequented the gym in Trey’s building. His gym as of last April.