Colby (Season Two: The Ninth Inning #6) Read Online Free PDF Page A

you’re good. Trust me; even Duke went through it, and he’s a cop. Mom worked in the DA’s office for years and never with the good stuff, if you know what I mean. She’s not as bad as Dad, but you have to prove yourself to her, too. But like I told them, we’re just friends.”
    “Ah, so I’m guilty until proven innocent? That’s not so bad.” It makes sense now why her family thinks the way she’s described. They’ve pretty much been around criminals throughout their careers. The waitress drops off our meals, and we begin to eat.
    “I’m sorry. This isn’t good first date material, is it? We’re talking about family and all of that stuff.” She seems a little nervous and decides to change the subject. “Tell me more about the team. I’m still in awe you talk about relationships with one another.”
    “We don’t always, and not all of us do. What do you want to know about the team?”
    It seems as if she was prepared for this because she doesn’t hesitate with her question. “Is Blake Foster the mean one of the bunch? He always has such a stern look on his face.”
    “He’s not mean, but we do call him Grumpy. He likes to keep to himself, but he’s a really good guy.”
    “Come on, really?” she skeptically asks. “Every time I see a picture of him in an article, he looks pissed at the world. Unlike,” she thinks for a moment, and then snaps her fingers. “Rodriguez, he has the biggest smile I’ve ever seen. He has to be the jokester of the bunch, right?”
    “Who do you think gives us the damn nicknames?” I say dryly, causing her to laugh. “He does like to have a good time. If you want to see Blake smile, then you need to be his mom or his girlfriend. Otherwise, you get the scowl.”
    “He sounds like Duke. If my sister and nephew are around, he melts like ice on a hot day, but when we’re working a case, he’s the biggest badass of them all. I am so lucky to have him as my partner. I’m glad I wasn’t assigned to someone else. I wouldn’t have minded it, but Duke and I know each other, so it was an easy transition when I became a detective.”
    “Is it weird having to work with your brother-in-law? I’m not so sure I would want to, but I guess, in your case, it helps with things like trusting your partner?”
    “It’s not weird, really. I’ve known Duke since I was a rookie. We met playing on the softball league. The moment he met my sister though, it was like a romance novel and he was hooked. He’s a great father, brother-in-law, and partner. I love my unit, too. I’m currently only one of four female detectives, and you’d think I would be closer to the girls, but I’m not. I think it has to do with being on the softball team because I’m the only female on it.”
    “Tell me more about that.” It sounds interesting. “How often do y’all play? Where do y’all play?”
    “It’s hard to practice, but we do so as often as we can. We play weekly and even have a small tournament at the end of the season. Our only goal is to beat the fire department,” she laughs. “We play at the baseball parks around town. We try to reach each district. It’s nothing fancy, but I love it. I’ve played since I was little and all through college. Plus, it keeps me in shape.”
    “That sounds like a lot of fun. Do y’all manage to beat the fire department?”
    “Every chance we get, but it’s not very easy. They’re a bit more fit. Have you seen their calendars?” She giggles, and I laugh.
    “Nope, I haven’t seen their calendar,” I answer honestly.
    “It’s similar to the one Angels have, but these guys are shirtless and have oily bodies.” She laughs again, and I’m really starting to like hearing it.
    “You sound very familiar with this calendar. Are you sure you don’t secretly root for the fire department?” I tease.
    “You’d be surprised to hear that the calendar in my office features high heels and purses. My mother got it for me because she’s always