Slapping her palm against the steering wheel did nothing except make her hand ache. With a muttered curse, she grabbed her phone and called for a ride, practically vibrating with impatience as she waited. Her fingers drummed againsther thigh, the silver ring she always wore on her middle finger catching the light.
By the time the car dropped her off at the precinct, Isabel was already twenty minutes late.
The police parking lot was bustling with movement - officers prepping vehicles, exchanging morning chatter, the heavy scent of exhaust hanging in the humid air. She adjusted the strap of her leather jacket, rolling her shoulders. It was already too hot for it, but she didn’t feel right without it. The dark worn leather was a soft armor that held a reminder of who she was and who she wanted to be now.
Inside, the building was a stark contrast - cool, sterile, and buzzing with low murmurs. Isabel caught her reflection in the glass doors before stepping through, her deep brown eyes sharp despite the rushed morning. She shoved a hand through her hair, pushing it back into something resembling order.
She made her way to the front desk, where a middle-aged officer with graying hair and an easy smirk sat nursing a coffee. Her nameplate readHarris.
"You look lost," she drawled, eyeing her up and down. "And late. Not a great start, newbie."
Leaning on the counter, Isabel flashed her most disarming smile. "Guilty as charged. First day. All I know is I’m supposed to meet the captain, but no one thought to tell me where. Help a girl out?"
Harris let out a chuckle, shaking her head. "Oh, you’re in for it. Captain Langley doesn’t do late. She runs this place tighter than a drum."
Isabel huffed a small laugh, feigning innocence. "So, what you’re saying is I should sneak in and hope she doesn’t notice?"
Harris snorted. "Not a chance. Second floor, conference room. Take the stairs—elevator’s out."
"Noted." She gave her a mock salute before heading toward the stairs.
Isabel slid into the conference room as smoothly as possible, but that didn’t stop Victoria Langley’s gaze from snapping to her.
Damn.
The captain was… well… regal. She was stiff-backed, with a crisp suit and blonde hair tied back with ruthless precision. She was the kind of woman Isabel would have admired from afar in another life. Someone untouchable. Controlled.
“Torres, nice of you to join us,” Victoria said, her tone cool enough to make the room drop a few degrees.
A slow smirk tugged at Isabel’s lips. There was something about a beautiful woman being mean to her that just got Isabel excited. “Car trouble. Didn’t expect Phoenix Ridge to be so damned humid.”
Victoria’s ice-blue eyes assessed her. Isabel could feel her taking in the leather jacket, the slouch in her stance, the cocky glint in her expression.
A muscle in her jaw ticked. “Noted. Since you’re here, you’ll be working with me on this. Hope you’re ready to move fast.”
Isabel felt the low burn of something settling in her gut. Interest? Challenge? Maybe something a little less professional. “Fast is my specialty.”
Isabel shifted to stand beside who she could only assume was Lieutenant Darcy Collins, forcing herself to refocus. Still, as Victoria resumed the briefing, Isabel let her gaze linger a beat longer than necessary.
Shit. She was in trouble.
“We have limited time before the syndicate disappears with Chloe. Torres, you’ll dig into the gala staff - someone let them in. Find out who.”
Unable to help herself, Isabel gave a mock salute as she looked directly into Victoria’s icy blue eyes. “On it, Captain.”
The tips of her fingers tingled as she watched Victoria’s nostrils flare before turning back to the group. “We don’t have time for mistakes. Let’s move.”
Officers began to move at the clear dismissal as Victoria strode to the door with purpose. Stopping, Victoria snapped over her shoulder, “I expect an update at oh-nine-hundred.”
The officers in the conference room visibly relaxed as the door closed behind the captain. Chatter picked up as people began to file out of the room. Isabel took this moment to turn to the short stocky woman standing next to her.
Sticking out her hand, she gave her best carefree smile and introduced herself. “I’d introduce myself but it looks like the captain did a good job of that.”
Chuckling, the officer shook her head and ran her hands through her cropped salt and pepper hair before firmly grabbing Isabel’s hand and responding.
“Lieutenant Darcy Collins. I’m your direct report. You certainly know how to make an impression.”
Isabel snorted as her smirk widened. “You could say that. I do like to make an entrance.”
