Tessa Stark: Desert Heat

Chapter Sixteen

"What was that? I mean, most of our female officers take self defense courses, but I've never seen anyone do that!" Zeb said as they made their way toward the gallery. "You're lethal! Like...well, a shark!"

"Its the Keysi Fighting Method," she explained. "I've been working with my instructor for years."

"Well, its paying off. You took Rogers down a peg or two in about five seconds flat. I'm impressed," Zeb grinned at her.

"Eh, don't be," she shrugged. "I hunt down cold blooded killers for a living. I'm really just trying not to die."

That was the long and short of it. She not only willingly went looking for depraved murderers, but her own father had killed eleven women. So, she knew what was out there. Even as a teenager, she'd decided that if anyone was going to try and do that to her, they'd at least have to work for it. So, she'd spent years learning how to defend herself, and was still learning.

She wasn't living in a tv show or a movie, though. In the real world, could she stand toe to toe with a two hundred and fifty pound man, trading punches like it was nothing? No. Could she flip him over her shoulder or wrap him up and take him to the ground? No. Could she fight him hard enough to get him off her so that she could get away? Hopefully.

"Well, I'm glad you were able to give Rogers what for. And I hope the sheriff gives him what he deserves. He's a piss poor cop and he's no kind of man!" were Zeb's words, spoken with a measure of vehemence.

Zeb would get no arguments on either point. But, it was over and done and out of her hands and now...it was time to turn her attention back to what was important. Finding Hallie Whitmore's killer. And part of that search entailed having to attend a fancy cocktail party and hopefully put some questions to a few of Hallie's friends, if any of them would even speak with her.

As they made it back to their desks, Zeb's cell rang and he deftly pulled it from his utility belt. "Officer Collins....oh, hey, Denise....awesome....I'll be right up." Putting the cell away, he turned to Tessa. "Judge Vasquez signed off on our warrant. I'll run up to the fifth floor and grab our copy and then I can get started on tracing down the cell number."

"Do you need help?" she asked, dropping into her chair.

"No, ma'am," came the response. "It might take a while, but I'll do that part. You're time is probably better spent doing the field work."

"Alright. Well, can you send those pictures of Etty Montrose and Rutherford to my phone?"

"Yes, ma'am! I'll do that as soon as I get back."

With that, Zeb headed for the exit and a moment later, Tessa caught sight of Cole making his way across the gallery, his shoulder holster, faded jeans, and brooding expression again reminding her of someone who should be riding a horse across the open desert.  

But, seeing him running a hand over his somewhat weary face sent worry skittering through her.  She could only hope that, with the help of the security camera footage, Cole's punishment had been minimal.

"How'd it go?" she asked as he took his seat beside her. "How much trouble are you in?"

"I was let off with a stern warning," he sighed. "Rogers was put on administrative leave, pending an internal conduct review. And that's along with having his cases audited. So, Rogers is having a really bad week."

"You didn't have to get involved and put your own job at risk," she told him, trying to keep from sounding too severe. "I had already gotten away from him--"