“Today, when I go off the clock, so do you.”

“Stanislaski.”

Alex’s eyes stayed on hers another moment before flicking behind her. “Captain.”

“Sorry to interrupt your social hour,” he said sourly. “I need that report.”

“Right here.” Even as Alex was turning to reach for it, Bess was offering her hand to Trilwalter.

“Captain, it’s so nice to meet you. I’m Bess McNee. I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the department’s cooperation today.”

Trilwalter scowled at her a moment, then, remembering, stifled a sigh. “Right. You’re the writer.” A sneer twisted his mouth. “Soap operas.”

“Yes, I am.” Her smile made the fluorescents overhead dim. “I wonder…if I can have just a moment of your time? I know you’re very busy, so I won’t keep you.”

He didn’t want any part of her. He knew it, she knew it, and so did any of the cops hovering close enough to hear. But riding a desk had taught him that diplomacy was often his only weapon. Besides, once he made his feelings known, she’d be out of his hair and off finding another precinct to haunt.

“Why don’t you come into my office, Ms. McNee?”

“Thank you.” She shot a grin over her shoulder at Alex as she followed Trilwalter.

“You going to let her go in there alone?” Judd murmured.

“Yeah.” Alex bit back a chuckle as he heard the glass of Trilwalter’s door rattle. “Oh, yeah. And I’m going to enjoy it.”

Ten minutes later, Alex was surprised by a burst of laughter. Swiveling in his chair, he spotted Trilwalter leading Bess out of his office. The two of them were chuckling together like two old friends over a private joke.

“I’m going to remember that one, Bess.”

“Just don’t tell the mayor where you heard it.”

“I know how to respect a source.” Still smiling, he glanced over at a slack-jawed Alex. “Detective, you take care of Ms. McNee. Make sure she gets what she needs.”

“Sir.” He cut his eyes over to Bess. She merely batted her lashes, managing to look about as innocent as a smoking gun. “I have every intention of making certain Ms. McNee gets exactly what she needs.”

Bess laid her hand in Trilwalter’s. “Thank you again, Donald.”

“My pleasure. Don’t be a stranger.”

“Donald?” Alex said, the moment the captain was out of earshot.

“Yes.” Bess made a production out of brushing dust from her sleeve. “That is his name.”

“We use several other names for him around here. What the hell did you do in there?”

“Why, we chatted. What else?”

Glancing over her shoulder, Alex noticed money changing hands. The odds had been even that Trilwalter would chew her up, then spit her out, within ten minutes. Since he’d lost twenty on the deal himself, Alex wasn’t particularly pleased.

“Sit down and be quiet,” he told her. “I’ve got work.”

“Of course.”

Before she could take her seat, his phone rang. “Stanislaski. Yeah.” He listened a moment, then pulled out his notepad to scribble. “I hear you. You know how it works, Boomer. It depends on what it’s worth.” Nodding to himself, he replaced the pad. “Yeah, we’ll talk. I’ll be there. In ten.”