CHAPTER ONE

I sat at my office desk with my legs crossed and laid back in my new chair. I'd have to remind myself to buy one with wheels at the bottom so I could spin around. I could get used to this new job. But I'd rather be outside doing work especially since it was just starting to get nice out again. I was fiddling around with some pens when I heard a knock against the make-shift wall.

There stood a nice, tall good looking guy with a flop of copper looking hair on his head. He was smiling wide at me and I couldn't help the urge but to smile back.

"Hi, you must be Bella", he stepped towards me and held out his hand for me to shake. I firmly gripped his hand in mine. "I'm Edward. You're my new partner."

Hmm...well I could get used to this.

"Well hello, Edward. It's nice to meet you." I was frozen. I couldn't stop looking at him. There was a long pause before he finally retracted his hand from mine and stepped back so I could fully look at him. He ran his hand threw his hair and said, "Maybe we could get some lunch today and get to know one another since we'll be working with each other for awhile...unless either of us gets moved or transferred to different units or fired or-"

I couldn't help but to laugh, "I plan on staying here for a while, Edward. Don't worry I won't be like your last partner." I said to him as I raised my eyebrows to look up at him.

"How do you know about Rick?" Edward furrowed his brows together. And I laughed again, "I know more about Rick than you probably do." Edward furrowed his brows even more if that was possible and just kept staring at me. As if he was trying to figure me out. I laughed again and got up out of my chair to stand.

"Come on. Let's go grab lunch now since I have to meet with Marcus later." Edward followed behind me as we went to get food. Apparently our boss, Marcus, told Edward to come to my desk and introduce himself as my partner in crime. I was a little curious as to who I would be working on cases with. But I had a feeling that once I got to know Edward we would get along just fine. I am pretty easy going and a quick learner. From what Rick had told me about Edward, he seemed like a pretty nice guy and very smart. Rick told me he was a Dartmouth graduate, but had always wanted to be a detective just like me. He had also said that Edward could be horn dog sometimes and even said that he might hit on me. I just laughed when he said that and told him I could handle it. Edward had made no moves yet, but I was just too overwhelmed about getting my dream job.

I was so glad I was able to snag a job out here in New York city. It's where the crime scenes existed. I'd definitely pick up more cases here than I would back at home in Forks, Washington. There wasn't much going on there anyways. Although my father was sad that I didn't want to stay with him and help him as chief of police there. But he understood that there really wasn't any detective work going on in the small town of Forks. An old buddy of his who he worked with, Rick, was retiring as a detective in New York city. My father, Charlie, had kept in touch with Rick over the years and Rick said his boss Marcus, was looking for a replacement once Rick was leaving. It seemed perfect and it all happened so quickly because before I knew it I was on a plan headed to JFK. I had an interview with Marcus and he had called me back right away and said I was hired. I moved back about a month later and now here I was at lunch with Rick's old partner, getting to know him and starting work.

I had only moved into the city a four days ago. Thank god I found a reasonable apartment over by Central Park. Well everyone I knew kept hounding me that the apartment was a reasonable price for the location and size. It was a one bedroom with a decent size kitchen and living room. And you actually could see a bit of the park, but mostly my view was of buildings. I didn't move in much except for my bed, a couch I found, a dresser and a few tables. Charlie was shipping most of my things since I didn't drive to the city. There was no use in bringing along my old red pick up in a city that wasn't driveable. My office building was only a twenty minute walk from my place so the car stayed in Forks. I had bought most of my furniture in the city, but other things like some of my clothes, pictures and electronics were getting shipped to me.

Thank god my mother, Renee, bought me a kindle two Christmases ago, otherwise I'd beg Charlie to ship my book collection. Which wasn't small. I loved to read, but I also loved my crime fighting shows. I'd have to withhold on watching television for a couple of days until my TV arrived. Sigh.

It was exciting to finally live on my own after 25 years. I needed this and my job now would accommodate me for a very long time as far as I was concerned. I knew I had always wanted to be a detective ever since I saw all those shows on TV and of course with the influence of living with Charlie. Even though he was a cop, I knew exactly what I wanted to go into. I learned so much growing up, having him as a father. I knew how to lock someone in position and have their hands behind their back by the time I was eleven. Even then I knew and now here I was. Sitting at lunch with Edward, my investigative partner. Things couldn't be more real.

"So Bella, you single?" Edward said as he was stuffing his face with a hamburger. Oh boy, this should be fun.