Sydney and Bernie are about to leave the station to interview someone who may be involved with their case.
“We need to find out if she was even there first.” He walked through the door, taking long strides.
“Right.” I hurried to catch up, then remembered my donut. I went back, took a sip of tea, and snatched the donut off my desk. I met Bernie at the car. He was already in the driver’s seat with the engine and A/C running.
He looked at me. “I was talking to you, then turned around and you weren’t there.” He stared at my donut. “Oh.”
“Don’t even think about asking. You already had one.” I leaned away from him and took a bite.
“Wait right here.” Bernie jumped from the car, leaving it running. He returned moments later carrying a donut with chocolate icing.
“You’re unbelievable.” I shook my head.
“Well, let’s just say I’m doing my part to live up to the donut-eating cop cliché.”
“Do I need to hold an intervention?”
He choked on his donut. “I’m not that bad.” He swallowed, then took another bite and frowned. “Am I?” He looked at me.
I made a serious face and turned to face him. No smirking. “You’re the only one who can decide that. Don’t they say the first step to getting help is to admit you have a problem?”
“I don’t have a problem.” He was still frowning.
“See there? You’re not ready to admit it yet so there’s nothing anybody can do to help you.”
He looked at me with a serious look on his face. “What’s wrong with having an extra donut from time to time?”
I couldn’t hold it in anymore and doubled over laughing. “Just drive.”
Thanks for reading the excerpt for The Protector. To read more, please purchase the book on Amazon.
Danielle Lenee Davis 