“I understand.” She turned her attention back to Detective Jeremiah. “So? How does this work? Do we hang out here and wait for a call or do we hit the streets?”

“Oh, yeah. You wanted a car chase and a murder scene,” she said dryly.

“Well, that’s what they told me to request. I’m really more interested in getting a feel for how you react in different situations, things like that.”

“Her reaction? I don’t think you should model your character after Harper here,” Detective Springer said with a laugh. “She’s like…so not you.”

“Shut up, Reid. You’re acting like an idiot.” Detective Jeremiah headed for the door. “Come on, Ms. Stevens. Let’s get out of here. Maybe we’ll get lucky and stumble upon an assault or something.”

Dani hurried after her, then remembered her manners. She turned back, giving both men a smile. “Nice to meet you. Thank you for lending her to me.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” Lieutenant Mize said. “You may be begging for someone else by the end of the day.”

“I’m fairly certain I can handle her.”

“You coming or what?”

Dani caught up with her before she reached the outer door. “Sorry, Detective.”

Harper Jeremiah held the door open for her. “In case you couldn’t tell, I am the envy of every man in here.”

“Yes. And you’re probably the only one in here who would have said no to this assignment, if given the choice.”

“You’re right about that.” She paused. “Is that why you picked me?”

“Being female was the main criteria, obviously. But no, I picked you because of your eyes,” she said honestly.

“My eyes?”

“The profile picture they sent me,” she explained. “In that photo, you looked like you wanted to be anywhere other than sitting there for a picture. Your eyes…it was like you had better things—more important things—that you should be doing.” Plus, she was really, really cute, she added silently.

Detective Jeremiah gave her a smirk. “Yeah. Like now, for instance.”

“Ah. Your rape case. Five victims?” she asked as she followed her outside the building. “Same guy?”

“That’s the assumption. Same MO. Wears a mask, gloves. No evidence left behind. Not even a pubic hair.” She pointed to a drab green Ford Taurus. “This one.”

“So, are you and Detective Springer partners normally?”

“Yeah. He’s not usually such an idiot.”

“I’ve seen worse.”

“You mean when people meet you?”

“Men…yes.”

“I imagine so.” She pulled out onto the street, merging with traffic. “So, Ms. Stevens, you want to pick my brain or you just want to drive around or what?”

“How about let’s not use Ms. Stevens? Danielle—or better yet, call me Dani. I’m kinda tired of being Danielle Stevens. I wouldn’t mind leaving her behind for a week.”

“Okay. You can call me Harper.”