Among the Wicked: A Kate Burkholder Novel Read Online Free PDF Page B

the opportunity, if only to prove to myself that I was capable. But I’ve reached an age where I’m secure in my job. I’m comfortable in my own skin and content with my accomplishments. I like my life the way it is: stable and predictable. While I still like a challenge, I have nothing to prove to anyone. And I’m sure as hell not bulletproof.
    That’s not to mention Tomasetti. He knows, more than anyone, that no one is impervious to tragedy, especially loved ones. I have to take his feelings into consideration. If I decide to move forward, it won’t be easy for him. Five years ago when he was a detective with the Cleveland Division of Police, a career criminal by the name of Conn Vespian targeted Tomasetti’s wife and two children and murdered them in cold blood. Tomasetti is a strong man, but no one recovers from that kind of loss; not unscathed, at least. As a result, he’s overprotective and can be overbearing. He’s a good cop; I value his opinion and I care about what he thinks, but I know even before discussing this with him that he will not give his blessing.
    I’m out the door by eight P.M . The roads are slick with an inch or so of snow, and it takes me forty-five minutes to reach the farm in Wooster. As I drive up the lane, the windows of the old farmhouse glow yellow. Tomasetti has left the porch light on for me. I park next to his Tahoe and enter through the back door. The kitchen is warm and filled with the aroma of the beef stew I tossed into the Crock-Pot this morning. A bottle of Pinot Noir and two glasses sit on the counter. I’ve taken off my boots and am in the process of hanging my coat on the rack when he appears at the kitchen door. He’s fresh out of the shower in faded jeans, a flannel shirt over a waffle henley, white socks on his feet. He doesn’t smile, but I can tell by the appreciative way his eyes sweep over me that he’s glad to see me.
    “Sorry we waylaid you like that earlier,” he begins. “Betancourt wanted to beat the bad weather moving in.”
    “Sounds like an interesting case.” I cross to the counter and lift the lid off the Crock-Pot. I stir the stew, but my attention is riveted to the man standing a few feet away. “Does Bates know we’re living together?”
    “No.” He comes up beside me and pours two glasses of wine. “If he’d known, I wouldn’t have been in that meeting today.”
    “Thought that might be the case.” I give the pot another stir and replace the lid. “Is your not telling him by design?”
    “Never came up.” He hands me a glass. “I didn’t think it would be an issue.”
    “It is now,” I tell him.
    He sips his wine, looks at me over the rim of the glass. “I guess that means you’re thinking about taking the assignment?”
    “Considering it.”
    Nodding, he sets down the glass, opens the cabinet and pulls out two bowls, sets them on the counter. “You ever do any undercover work?”
    I shake my head. “No.”
    “I don’t have to tell you it can be dangerous.”
    “I have no such illusions.”
    Taking the glass of wine from my hands, he turns to me and wraps his fingers around my biceps. He doesn’t speak until I raise my gaze to his. “Kate, you’re an experienced cop. You’re good at what you do. I know that.”
    “I sense a ‘but’ coming.”
    He stares at me with such intensity that I feel stripped bare, as if he can see all the doubts, the fear, the knowledge of what we both know is coming next. “I’m not going to beat around the bush,” he says. “This is your decision, not mine. That doesn’t mean I’m going to shove my concerns aside, pat you on the back, and tell you to go for it. I’m sure as hell not going to congratulate you. I don’t want you to do it for a number of reasons, all of which I’m sure you’re aware.”
    “I know it won’t be an easy assignment.”
    “Easy is not the right word, Kate.”
    “Tomasetti, I’m not some foolhardy rookie.”
    “No one said you are.” He gives my