She followed the Sheriff through the halls of the LVPD to his office. He talked as they walked, explaining some of their organization. She listened but was observing the officers and detectives as they moved through the halls. Finally in the Sheriff's office, he offered her a seat and settled behind his desk. "So, how can we help you?"

"I'm doing research for my new book. I'd like to shadow one of your detectives," she said.

"Well, I can think of several that would be happy to oblige and could show you how things work."

Looking through the glass wall, she saw one that had caught her attention earlier. He had been standing in another hall, talking to a middle aged man with a beard. Now he was making his way through this hallway, seemingly on a mission. "I want him," she said.

Sheriff Brian Burdick looked at the object of her stare and groaned. "Ah, I'm not so sure…"

"He's perfect, I think."

Burdick sighed heavily and walked across to his door. Opening it, he called into the hallway. "Brass, can I see you a minute?"

Detective Captain Jim Brass followed his boss into the office. His attention was drawn to a 40ish looking auburn haired woman sitting across from the desk. She was eyeing him with interest. Then looking back at the Sheriff he asked, "what's up?"

"Jim, this is Melanie McGraw. She's a writer….mysteries." Then looking at Ms. McGraw, Burdick introduced his detective. "This is Captain Jim Brass." The two strangers acknowledged each other and then Jim looked back at the Sheriff, waiting for more.

Melanie was studying her choice. He was shorter than average and had a compact build. She admired his square shoulders and was intrigued by his blue eyes. He was cagy looking, his eyes taking in everything. She sensed that his mind was always working. And she had the feeling that he would provide everything she needed for her research.

Burdick explained to Brass that she wanted to shadow a detective…research for a new book, he said. Brass absorbed the information and tried not to let his disdain show. He was in the middle of a case and this was the last thing he needed; babysitting some mystery writer. Accepting the inevitable, he turned to Melanie and smiled. "We could go to my office, if you'd like…"

She rose from the chair, thanked Sheriff Burdick for his help, and followed Jim into the hallway. Once they were seated in Jim's office, she smiled at him. "I'm sorry. I understand that you'd rather not be in this position. But I really so need a realistic look at what goes on; not just with procedures, but with the detectives themselves. I saw you in the hall and thought you would be a good resource.

Brass smiled one of his fake smiles at her and sighed. "Look, I'm not sure what you are looking for here. You want to follow a case or are you looking for war stories?" His dislike for this assignment showed in his tone.

"Some of both, plus I needed a model to design my character around."

Jim looked at her in disbelief. "You want to build your character around…me?" he asked incredulously. "Oh, I think there are plenty of detectives around here that would be better for that. We even have a couple of female detectives that would be great for your purposes."

"Oh, but Captain Brass…I want you. I saw you in the hall and asked the Sheriff to give you to me; you know….like a Christmas present." Her tone was teasing, almost suggestive.

"Should I have a bow in my hair?" he smirked.

Melanie chuckled. "A blue one, I think…to go with your eyes.

Jim shifted uncomfortably. He was beginning to like this woman in spite of her reason for being here. Problem was….he was liking her for all the wrong reasons. He sat quietly, studying her for a moment. She was very attractive; her copper eyes were complimented by her hair, her lips also a complimentary shade. And what lovely lips, he thought; full and inviting. He'd had a chance to check her out fully in the hall….nice body, curves in all the right places. Shifting his eyes away from her, he tried to refocus his thoughts.

His perusal of her wasn't lost on Melanie; in fact, she enjoyed it. He had a way of looking at her that was appreciative and very sensual, but didn't feel dirty. Besides, there was something about him that she found incredibly hot. Maybe it was his attitude, or the promise of safety and security in his broad, square shoulders, or perhaps it was simply his eyes….they expressed so much.

Tingles ran through her as her nerve endings came to life. As his eyes came back to her, she felt a flush travel through her, heat rising in her face and flushing through her core. Suddenly she became very aware that she wanted him for something more than research for a book.

Observing other people and their reactions was part of his job. Consequently, her reaction to him wasn't lost on Jim. His own body began to respond to the charged atmosphere, creating restlessness in his muscles. Suggesting that she go with him as he followed a lead on his current case, he led her to his car.

He explained where they were headed as he drove. "Investigating a murder behind a club just off the strip. We're going…or I should say, I'm going to talk to one of the dancers. You can watch and listen but no talking."

Melanie smirked as she listened. His tone was frank and to the point; it also told her just how much he hated having to drag her along. "I promise, I'll be good."

Jim glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. It was going to be a long day, having to keep his thoughts on the job and off of her. He sighed in frustration. Inside, she was grinning at his response to her. This was going to be fun.

--------------------------------------------

Okay, you like? Suggestions anyone?