After Love Read Online Free

say about you and, frankly, your arrest and conviction rates are the best in the department. On the negative side, you’ve been working alone because no one will work with you. Peter said you had gone through at least ten partners and none lasted more than a month. True?”
    Nick sat in silence, staring up at the ceiling. “I really miss Peter. He was a good guy. I was sorry he got transferred to the San Diego office.” He took a deep breath and looked back at Bobbi. “But yeah, I work better alone.”
    “Why?”
    Nick’s black eyebrows arched. “Partners slow me down, ma’am. And besides, I need someone who’s completely and blindly loyal to me in a pinch.”
    Bobbi twirled her pen between her fingers as she studied Nick. “Then you’ll be glad to hear that I’ve decided you’re going to get a new partner. Guaranteed to be loyal, obey your every command, and follow you anywhere.”
    Nick stared at her, but she wasn’t blinking. “You’ve just described a dog.”
    “Bingo. Peter told me you were bright.” Bobbi pushed a business card across the desk. “You are to call Jamie Chambers at Woof Gang Kennels. She’s the owner and head trainer. She’ll help you choose the right dog and get it…and you…trained to support your work.”
    “It’s a joke, right?
Woof Gang?
”
    Bobbi wasn’t smiling. She rarely did. “This is in addition to your regular job. I’m putting you on the synthetic cannabinoid case. We’ve had two students at UT die in the last month.” She pushed a large folder across her desk to Nick. “Someone is selling loosie-goosey cigarettes with the paper dipped in a new synthetic drug and packed with fruit-flavored tobacco. You’ll need to buy some on the street and get that into Jamie’s training for your new partner.”
    “Anything else?” Nick felt like he was no longer a DEA special agent but fast becoming a lowly pooper-scooper for a four-legged rookie who was going to do nothing but get in his way.
    “That’s a good start.”
    He shifted in the chair. “I’d rather not, if it’s all the same to you. I don’t have time to take care of myself, much less a dog.”
    “You don’t have a choice. You need someone to keep you from doing anything stupid again. At least a dog will know if it’s cocaine or caffeine you’re after. Besides, it’s a partner who won’t complain and will save us money. No health care, dental, or 401(k) matching…and no embarrassing headlines.”
    Nick waited for her to smile and say she was kidding. But she dismissed him by looking down at the newspaper. The subject was clearly closed. At least he hadn’t been fired or moved to a desk. He stood and pocketed the card. “I’ll call her.”
    “Today, Nick. Today.”

Chapter 2
    Nick sat in his truck in front of a small unnamed bar near the UT campus. The sun hadn’t yet dipped below the buildings, but the bright red neon sign flashing OPEN already beckoned. He watched as a half dozen students joined the group of seedy regulars inside. Lucky for the kids, he wasn’t there to check IDs, because most were clearly underage. But this bar was one of his best contact spots, so he wouldn’t risk spoiling that.
    He plucked Jamie’s card from the dashboard of his truck and studied it.
Woof Gang Kennels
. What a stupid name.
Get a dog.
What a fucking stupid idea. The last thing he needed was a four-legged liability. It wasn’t that Nick didn’t like dogs, because he did. But with his crazy hours, he didn’t even take care of himself properly…or at least that was what his grandma constantly reminded him. Now he would have another creature to keep alive.
    Bobbi was a fair and understanding boss. She had covered for him on many occasions and looked the other way on several more. He knew she was serious about this, mostly to cover her ass with her bosses. The least he could do was cooperate…just this once. Maybe none of the dogs would pick him—a somewhat embarrassing thought.
    He punched in the