Temperature Rising Read Online Free PDF Page B

assigned work. So, all of my free time for the last two months has been working on the plans: nights, weekends, all of it. But I got my plans done, and they were good. Honestly, very, very good if I say so myself. One problem though — I kind of wore myself out. That’s how I got sick. Anyway, the presentation was yesterday at eleven o’clock. I was told it was at one by my supervisor. I’d been sick so I came in late. The presentation was already done when I got there.”
    “Wait a minute, so after all that work, you didn’t get to present your plans?” Mac homed right in on the bottom line.
    “Actually, I did find out today that my plans were presented.”
    “Well, at least, that’s good.” He tried to sound positive.
    “Yes, but the point is there was no change in the time. I was told one o’clock, more than once. And now my supervisor is avoiding me.”
    “You think he set it so you’d miss the appointment?”
    “I know he did. I wasn’t told the wrong time by mistake. I’m sure it was on purpose, but what I can’t figure out is why. I’ve worked for the company since I graduated. Four years. I do good work, but this was my first big chance to show what I can do on my own.”
    “You really wanted this?”
    “Yeah… I’ve been wondering lately if I want to stay here. I’m a small town girl. I don’t fit in good with the crowds and the dating scene here. You could call me old-fashioned. Actually, I’ve been called that and a few other things, because I won’t play the normal partying and dating games. I don’t believe I owe a guy a make-out session just because he takes me out. Anyway, if I landed this contract, it would say I could make it. Either way, I’m thinking it’s time to go off on my own, but I wanted to know I could make it first. It would have been a big feather in my cap.”
    Unconsciously, Mac shifted and started to massage a cramp out of his leg. “You’re not the only one contemplating a career change.”
    “What happened?” She nodded to his leg.
    “Big confrontation.” He surprised himself when he started to tell her. He’d become good at brushing it off. But for some reason, he wanted her to know. “We about had this guy who killed three people in a string of robberies. Then this civilian walked right into the bust. There were police all around, and he didn’t even notice us.”
    “You got him out of the way.” It was a statement, not a question.
    “Yeah, the gunman had turned on him. I was able to knock him away and draw the fire, but I got hit in the process. The jacket took the bullet that would’ve killed me. The blow is like getting hit with a sledge hammer. Knocked the breath out of me, and hurt so bad, it took me a minute before I realized I was hit in the leg, too.” He shrugged his shoulders.
    “You’re quite a man.” The words seemed to slip free as if she’d thought them but hadn’t really meant to say them.
    He felt heat spread through him at the look she gave him. “No different than the rest of the guys in that building.” He tilted his head toward the station.
    “As I said, you’re quite a guy.”
    He felt himself growing hotter. “You aren’t a cop groupie are you?”
    She looked thoughtful. “I don’t think I’ve ever really known a police officer before.” She tilted her head to one side to look at him. “So, you’re thinking of retiring?”
    “I don’t think I have much of a choice. I’m back on duty until the doctors decide how much of a recovery there will be, but I already know. I’m not going to pass the physical when it comes time. I can’t run, can’t jump. If I get more movement back, it will be passable, and with a brace, I can have a decent active life. But not as an officer, not when someone’s life might depend on me.”
    “When will you know?”
    “My physical evaluation is set in a month.”
    “You sound like you’ve accepted it.”
    “I have. I don’t have much choice. I think I was a good cop but