Hooked on You: An Annapolis Harbor Series Prequel, Lea Coll [love letters to the dead .txt] 📗

and video. He’d used his wife’s laptop so that if it was discovered, everything was traced back to her, the mother of his three children. As disgusting as that was, after the initial search warrant was issued for his wife, he admitted the searches and pictures were his.

“You’re coming right?” Hadley asked from my doorway, interrupting my thoughts. “To the bar tonight?”

I looked up from my file. “You’ll save me if Preston starts talking to me?”

“Yes, and you better do the same. This is the first time you’ve gone out, right?” She sat in the chair across from me.

At home, I’d kept most people at a distance. I couldn’t have friends over. Parents did not understand Caleb’s outbursts, especially when we were younger. “Yeah, it would be good to get to know everyone better.”

Hadley smiled. “I’ll stop by at six and we’ll head over together.”

“Sounds good.” Maybe this would work out. Hadley seemed cool. I’d focus on my job and make new friends and place Gabe so far out of my mind I wouldn’t think about his sexy smirk and muscles. I wouldn’t remember how it had felt when he’d kissed me in his office—like I’d opened up to someone who could be something. He didn’t want me involved in his life. If I said it enough, I’d believe it.

Later that night, Hadley dropped by my office again and I was happy to close my files for the day. I wanted to talk to Hadley about the job but wasn’t sure how to be diplomatic. “Do these cases get to you?”

She followed my hand to where I pointed to the case files. “Oh, I hate to say it, but you become numb to it—jaded, really. You want justice for the victims, but you have to separate your heart from it or you can’t do your job.”

I nodded, not convinced I’d be able to separate myself from it.

“Don’t worry. It gets easier, and at the end of the day, we’re on the good side. We’re helping them.”

“I just wish we could help them before it happened.”

“Yeah, that’s the bitch of it. We clean up afterward. Just think of all the kids whose cases are unsolved or who still live in these circumstances.”

“Uh, you’re not helping.” I stood and gathered my things. She was right. There were many more cases which were unreported.

“Oh my God, I love those shoes.” Hadley pointed to my red patent leather shoes.

“I love these too, but the heels are getting worn. I’ve replaced them so many times.”

“I know of the perfect place to shoe shop. It’s in the French Quarter, have you heard of Hot Heels Boutique?”

“No.” I didn’t remember seeing it when I toured the French Quarter with Gabe.

“I’ll take you sometime. Just remind me. Are you ready?”

I hung my purse on my shoulder. I was determined to get to know more people here in New Orleans—to make friends—to live the life I couldn’t in Maryland. “Yes.”

“Let’s go before Preston sees us and insists on walking with us.”

We exited the office and headed toward the elevator. “You really don’t like him, huh?”

“He only got this job because our boss is his uncle.”

“Oh, yeah?” I was a little embarrassed I’d gotten the job through a connection too.

“And he doesn’t work hard because he knows his position is secure, but I don’t know. I don’t see Dean putting up with him slacking. I hope not anyway.”

I winced as I watched the numbers of the floors as we descended to the lobby. “I got this job because my old boss is a friend of Dean’s.” I held my breath waiting for her reaction.

“Okay.”

I glanced at her to gauge her reaction. “I’m no better than Preston.”

Hadley laughed. “Uh, no. You’re not annoying. You’re not lazy. Are you relying on your connections here to maintain your job instead of working hard?”

“No. Definitely not.” Despite my misgivings about the crimes I handled, I worked hard on the files I’d been given. But I was most proud of the community outreach I was doing in Isaac’s neighborhood and I knew Dean valued that.

“Then you have nothing to worry about. And I can already tell you’re good people. Like I walked into your office, took one look at you, and knew we’d be friends.”

“You did? Just like that.” The problems I had making friends at home were because my time and attention were on Caleb. But I still had to make an effort, go out with co-workers, explore the city, and not hide in my apartment.

“Yeah.” The elevator door opened and she walked a few feet into the lobby. “Are you coming?”

“Yeah, sorry.” I pushed off the wall of the elevator, coming to stand next to her.

Hadley linked her elbow with mine as we headed out the door of our office building. “Good, now protect me from Preston.” She nodded her head toward Preston who stood outside on the sidewalk with several attorneys from our office.

“No problem.”

We made our way to a bar on Canal Street called Vue, still within the business district and located on the penthouse level of a hotel. There was a rooftop deck with long tables and chairs, and several fire pits with couches surrounding them, and a D.J., so it was loud despite being outside. But the best part was the panoramic view of the city. I’d never experienced anything like this at home and I almost wished Gabe were here to experience it with me, but I knew this pretentious bar scene wasn’t for him. I was annoyed because I didn’t want thoughts of him ruining my night.

I perused the cocktail list, not sure what to get.

“Get the This Ain’t Cleveland Drink. It’s unique. The name is, anyway,” Hadley said, sliding her cocktail menu to the center of the table.

I read the description for the cocktail: there are three cities, San Francisco, New Orleans, and New York. Everything else is Cleveland. “Sure, why not.”

While we sipped our strong drinks, Preston sat at the head of our table, regaling