Burning Intensity by Elizabeth Lapthorne

Author:Elizabeth Lapthorne [Lapthorne, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Erotic Romance Fiction
Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing
Published: 2014-03-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

“Could you please lower that badge a little? I can’t see it clearly.”

El opened the small leather folder more and lowered it as requested. Louise Calloway’s door had only been opened the slightest crack, and a shadow was the only indication that a person stood there. El tried to decide if Louise was paranoid, or perhaps had gone through this routine enough times to want to follow the very letter of procedural law. It wasn’t common for her to be asked to show her badge, though she was willing to comply. Perhaps Louise had been attacked by someone using this routine, it wasn’t for her to judge.

“I’ve never heard of the Department of Special Research,” Louise said.

“It’s a small branch, ma’am,” El replied. She kept holding the badge and laminated identification card out, though her instinct was to replace it. “I can give you a phone number to call, to verify my badge number, name and department. But we just have a few questions for Louise Calloway regarding her brother. They’re completely standard. You’re not in any trouble, ma’am.”

“I suppose so,” Louise sighed and opened the door. El regarded her.

Only of medium height, maybe five foot five, Louise was reed thin. A somewhat faded house dress of dark green was warmly covered by a thickly knitted blue cardigan. Her brown hair was pulled back tightly into a French braid. Louise looked tired, as if over the years life had beaten her up. She stood up straight, met El’s and James’ eyes as she stepped back and allowed them entrance into her small flat.

El felt that, even though Louise looked as though she’d been hammered by the world, she still had plenty of pride. The woman was not defeated or broken down. That took strength. El respected her for it. Taking a quick look around the room, she saw that Louise didn’t outwardly appear to live above her means. The living room was small. Two couches sat at right angles to create a small sub-section with a TV and stereo system. A comfortable-looking chair sat beside the window with a large lamp in what appeared to be the perfect reading, knitting or stitching corner.

The room was warm, lived in, but showed few personal effects. El got the feeling that Louise liked her privacy and was not one to share. This instinct was backed up by the fact that the woman didn’t chatter nervously. Louise met El’s eyes and the three of them remained standing in the room.

“You can’t look around,” Louise stated. “Unless you have a warrant, which you should have already shown me. I know my rights. You said this was about Luke, what’s happened?”

“Ma’am, your brother was involved with the incident that occurred at the National Gallery. Please understand we’re trying to keep the worst of these details out of the media—I’d appreciate it if you don’t pass on what we’re about to discuss. Your brother and some of his team members have been involved in the attack on the Gallery and stolen a painting.

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