He cracked a smile as he pushed himself away from his truck. Come on, I'll give you a ride. No sense taking two vehicles out there.

Harley cocked an eyebrow as she looked at Callaways pickup, which looked old enough to be the direct descendant of the Model T. You want me to ride with you in that relic?

Callaway ran a loving hand along the hood of the truck. She's never failed me before.

Harley hesitated. She didnt relish the idea of breaking down on the side of the road, not when so much depended on their speed.

Come on, Callaway insisted. Ill get you there in one piece. Or would you rather spend half the day trying to find Bedford Heights on your own?

Swallowing her pride, Harley sighed and made her way to the passenger door of Callaways truck.

The cab smelled of leather and an animal odor Harley couldn't quite placehorse, maybe. A set of jumper cables lay curled at her feet, an old pile of mail on the seat.

Make yourself comfortable, Callaway said as he fired the engine. The AC's busted, so you'll want to keep your window down.

Great, Harley muttered. You might have mentioned that a bit sooner.

As they drove through the desert, it occurred to Harley she knew very little about this man. Newbury had told her almost nothing. She might as well make use of their time together by learning about him.

Have you really lived out here all your life? she asked.

Born, raised, and intend to die here. You couldn't pay me to live out east with all those Yanks. No offense.

"Kids?" she asked, glancing at his ring.

Three little brats, yes ma'am. You?

She shook her head, looking away so he wouldnt see the discomfort she felt at this question.

Didn't think so, he said. "Pardon me if this sounds insensitive, but you don't strike me as the motherly type.

Harley bristled at this. Then what type am I?

He leaned his head back, considering. You're the kick-ass-and-take-names type.

And what does that make you, the good cop?

Callaway grunted. Ive got a mean streak in me, have no doubt. Stick around long enough and you might just see it.

Listening to him talk, Harley felt a sharp pang of longing for Rob. How differently might her life have gone if she hadn't been quite so obsessed with her job? Then again, she couldn't have been nearly as successful without that obsession. It seemed to her that building a happy, settled life with Rob would have meant sacrificing her career, and she was too good at her job to do that.

It didn't stop her from envying Callaway, however.

Bedford Heights was a small, gated community with fewer than forty houses. Callaway flashed his badge and the guard let them through.