Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45135 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45135 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Davin’s twin and he got into a fight.”
A slow blink.
“The SWAT dude.”
Like she didn’t know. “Yes, that’s him. I’m going, I’m going.” She ate a few more bites, determined not to waste the food because once she started, she for sure was going to lose her appetite.
Renny hardly blinked. When she’d finished half of what was on her plate, she gestured with the fork and Neha understood.
“I asked him about it and he said there had been a drug bust.” She shrugged. “I wasn’t sure what that had to do with anything, so I asked and he said that my name had been tossed around. By Hank.”
There it was. The emotion that no living soul ever wanted to see on that woman’s face. A prelude to death. Theirs.
“What the fuck? Hank is here? Why the fuck didn’t you tell us? Tell me?” Renny’s question was low and fierce.
“He was here a long time ago, I didn’t think anything of it because I told him to get out.”
“And so he drops your name around a drug bust?” Her fingers flexed around the mug and Neha hoped Renny didn’t lose her temper because that mug was one of her favorites.
“I don’t know. All I know is Davin said Tavin claimed my name was mentioned and they are going to come question me.”
“When?”
“Today.”
Renny shoved back from the table. “Get up.”
She listened.
“Get to base, right now. They can’t get to you there, they have to get through security. If they want to speak to you, do not do so without a lawyer. Go now. I’ll clean up here and have some things brought out to you.”
Neha didn’t argue with her, just grabbed her go bag and headed to the door. Before she got there, she whirled back and kissed Renny.
“Love you, Boo.”
“I know. Get. We’ll handle things on this end.”
Which meant as soon as she was gone, Sugar and Cindy were getting called in on this as well. She didn’t mind, they had her back. As she ran for her car and climbed in, anger began to rise within her.
If this fucked with her career there would be hell to pay. As she pulled out of the lot, she saw another car come in, a dark sedan that screamed detective to her. Neha didn’t wait to see if she was right or not, just headed directly to base.
Her mood was right in the crapper when she gained permission to get on board her boat. At least that was how she imagined it. Hers.
As her feet hit the floor in the tube, she inhaled deep and a smile turned up the corners of her lips. This was home to her.
She headed quickly to her cabin and stored her gear then she went to Navigation and let them know she was onboard. As the day passed, they ran a few final checks just to make sure all was squared away before they underwent their six month deployment.
“Lieutenant Kirk to the bridge. Lieutenant Kirk, report to the bridge.”
She nodded to her second in command and walked away, ignoring any and all whispers of what was going on behind her back.
The captain met her before she could even get on the bridge. “With me, Kirk.”
Sucking it up as he brushed by her, she pivoted and hastened after him. He didn’t stop nor slow until he reached his quarters. The man strode in and sat at his desk. His frown gave her all she needed to know even though he’d not voiced a word.
She didn’t close the door and stood at attention.
“Knock it off, Lieutenant. Sit down.”
“Yes sir.”
“I had two calls for you today from the police department. They want to speak to you about some drug bust that happened yesterday. Care to tell me about that?”
“I don’t know anything about it sir. I don’t do drugs and I spent my day yesterday getting ready for the deployment.”
“You know this isn’t going to play well in the papers when they get wind of this.”
Her gut soured. It wasn’t easy maintaining an emotionless mask. “Perhaps that is why they are using my name, sir.”
Movement behind her caught her attention and she looked to see both COB and the XO entering.
“It’s not been any big secret that there are plenty on this boat who don’t want me here. Be it because I am black, a woman, or perhaps both. It’s also well known that my life is being watched with a microscope, so what better way to get me off here than by doing something like this.”
He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. Lean but full of wiry strength. Like most people on board, they weren’t massive frames. That with the size of this place, didn’t mix well.
“Look at me.” COB’s voice was strong and authoritative.
She listened, angling in her chair to meet his blue eyes. “Sir?”