“Look, I get it. She’s a big star. All the guys love her, blah blah blah.” She shrugged. “Means nothing to me. My only concern is I’ve got to babysit her while freakin’ Hernandez works our case with you.”

“It’s not like it’s going anywhere, Harper. The last three victims can’t even agree if he’s black or white.”

She stopped and ran a hand through her hair. “You’ll keep me in the loop, right?”

“I will. We should get the lab results back this afternoon.” He looked at his watch. “So when’s she meeting you?”

She smiled at him as she started walking again. “Come on, Reid. Mize already laid down the rules. No harassing her, remember.”

“Yeah…but you’re going to introduce me, right? I mean, Danielle Stevens. I get a chubby just thinking about her walking into the squad room.” He nudged her. “Don’t you?” he teased.

“Yeah, right. She is so my type, isn’t she?” she asked sarcastically.

“Sadly, you don’t have a type, Harper.”

An image of Jan flashed before her eyes. Her light brown hair a shaggy mess, as usual, her mouth lifted at the corners in a smile, her dark eyes twinkling as they looked into hers. Yeah…she had a type. Once.

“And I don’t know why,” Reid continued. “You’re cute. You’re too cute, really. You know…for a tomboy and all.”

“Shut up, Reid.”

“Hey, that was a compliment. Your attitude could use a little adjustment though, that’s all I’m saying.”

She stopped and stared at him. “What’s wrong with my attitude?”

“Well, you know. You’re a little…abrupt sometimes. You’re all business. You could stand to lighten up some and smile more. I mean, you’ve got a really pretty smile. You should use it.”

“What’s to smile about in our line of work?”

“That’s your problem. You never get away. You work 24/7. I keep telling you, you need to get a personal life. You need to get laid.”

“Like you? And the hooker?”

He laughed. “Not going to let that one go, are you?”

“No way.” She stopped again. “Why do you think Mize dislikes me?”

“He already told you that he wasn’t the one who gave you this assignment.”

“It’s not just that. He’s been my boss for nearly a year and he still keeps me at a distance. He doesn’t do that with you.”

Reid looked around them, then pulled her off to the side. “You want to know what I heard? His wife left him…for a woman. A cop.”

“Great. And he takes it out on the only lesbian in his squad.” She shook her head. “So who’s this Tori Hunter that he keeps mentioning?”