e up the spout."
He put the magazine back in the Glock and thumbed the slide release to close
it, then put the gun back in its holster.
Bain said, "Thank you," and sipped her coffee again before sighingly saying,
"I'm sorry, Mr. Cade, but you and your people were dropped on us from out of the
blue. I simply don't know you well enough to just take your word for some
things."
Shrugging again, Cade said, "No problem. Someone once said, 'Trust, but
verify'. It's a good policy. Now answer a question for me, please."
"If I can."
"Who was the woman who flew off with the car?"
"I can't tell you that." Heading off his next question, she quickly added,
"I don't know who she is. Or was, I'm afraid. She was apparently dropped on us,
too."
"Apparently?"
With a curt nod, she said, "I hate to admit it, but she was a complete
surprise to the Atlanta PD."
Cade met her gaze for a moment, decided that if she wasn't telling him the
truth, it wasn't worth pushing, and said, "I've seen tabloid reports of two
superwomen and didn't really believe in either one of them until today. One is
supposed to hang out in or around California and the other has been reported
mostly around Las Vegas."
"That's what I've heard, too. I made a request for info as soon as I heard
what happened. Before I got out of the comm center, word had come down that I
was not to ask again."
Avery came to the table and said, "Lieutenant Bain, we're going to need you
in a few minutes."
"Okay, I'll be right there," she said, then as Avery nodded and walked away,
she said, "Mr. Cade, my office doesn't seem to have your contact info."
"My boss knows where to find me."
Bain gazed at Cade thoughtfully for a moment, then stood up and picked up
her purse as she said, "In that case, I'll go see what Avery and Dolman have for
me."
Her eyes flicked to the unfinished report on the table.
"I'll give that to Avery," said Cade.
He sat back down as she walked away, but he didn't take his eyes off her.
Great legs. Tall, brunette, and generally a fine example of womanhood. As she
passed the coffee bar her head turned slightly and Cade saw her looking back at
him in the mirror-finish of the coffee machine.
He gave her a nod that said, 'Yeah, lady. I'm looking.'
Bain held his reflected gaze for a moment, then moved on to join the other
cops. Cade returned to finishing the police report and --