Hot Under the Collar: Part 1
*CONTENT WARNING: Strong adult content, including: voyeurism. Reader discretion is strongly advised. 18+ recommended. Realism NOT intended!
Part 1
Declan
"I don't want a partner."
"Keep your voice down, Fox," Sergeant Wright says. "You know this office isn't soundproof."
I don't care whether the room is soundproof or not. I don't want another partner, and I'm not concerned if the detective I passed on my way into the sergeant's office overhears me.
"With all due respect, Sarge, I work better alone."
The boss gives me a look laced with sympathy. "I know that, Fox, but I need you partnered up for now. It's an election year. You don't need me to explain what that means."
Of course, I understand. The mayor of Australia's city of sin – Karlee, as it's actually named – wants a second term. Mayor O'Rourke's speeches, filled with promises of a crime-free city, sound like a dream. Karlee, brimming with its own unique challenges, remains a hotspot for corruption and crime. As part of Karlee's division of the AUPS – Australian Undercover Police Service, I've helped put many criminals behind bars. Yet, it's a relentless battle. Not even mayoral promises or new partners can change the city's nature.
“We have transfers coming in from across the state. Hunt is particularly promising,” Sarge informs. “She's highly recommended from Port Bass. She's quick to adapt and will be a valuable addition to your team.”
I remember the detective I passed earlier – focused, with an alert gaze and a stance that spoke of readiness. While I prefer working solo, if I must team up, I'll work with one of the detectives at the station—someone who understands and accepts my need to work my cases differently to the rest of the squad.
“Can't I step in for Donovan, work with Kavanaugh? Donovan could partner with Detective Hunt,” I suggest.
“You're the one familiar with Kaiser. I need you on this. Plus, there are undercover assignments that need a male-female team. Those sex clubs linked to Kaiser, for instance. Kavanaugh's a good officer, but I'm sure you'd rather work with Hunt in such places.” Sarge chuckles, but I stay focused.
"Sarge—"
“I’m sorry, Fox. I’m not backing down on this one. Either you take Hunt as your partner, or you’re on desk duty.”
I want to punch something. Sarge isn’t leaving me any choices. There's no way I'll handle more than a day behind a desk, and my superior knows that.
“Fine,” I mutter. Sarge looks past me at the door and hollers. “Hunt, you can come back in now.” Seconds later, Detective Hunt walks into the office. Her presence, confident and professional, is underscored by her keen, alert gaze and athletic build. Has she heard everything I’ve said? I hope so.
I glare at her, waiting for her to look at me and meet my gaze. She waits until she is nearly beside me in front of Sergeant Wright’s desk before she turns her eyes, the colour of a tropical ocean, to meet mine. It's like lightning crashing the moment our gazes clash. Like the storms that roll into the desert intermittently and leave the emergency services cleaning up debris for weeks.
The air around us becomes oppressive, hot, and humid. There's no doubt in my mind that she’s heard me talking to Sarge, but she isn’t flinching or showing regret about our partnership. Instead, there’s a challenge in her eyes, a silent message that she won’t be scared off by me. We’ll see about that. If I have to partner with the undeniably attractive Detective Hunt, I’ll do it, but I’ll do everything I can to make her request a new partner. My hands might be tied, but if she opts to go to Sarge, that isn’t my problem. If I have to be going undercover in sex clubs, there are other women who have been working here for years I’d rather be working with.
“Detective Hunt, meet your new partner – Detective Fox.”
“Detective,” she nods briskly before breaking eye contact and turning to face our boss.
“I need the two of you to follow up this lead we got on Kaiser yesterday,” Sarge says, pushing one of our standard black case envelopes across his desk to us. “Let’s hope to God this leads to more than another dead end.”
After a quick discussion about the information we already have, as well as the last club Kaiser has been seen at, Sarge dismisses us. I walk out the door quickly, hoping Hunt won’t be fast enough to catch me. Unfortunately, her jog allows her to keep up. As briskly as I can, I walk out to the car park, unlock my car door, and slip inside, starting the engine just as Hunt opens the passenger side door and slides in beside me.
“Don’t you think we should talk about a plan before we go gallivanting off? Or a cover? Or even a—”
“I’m supposed to show you the ropes. Are you incapable of learning on the fly?” I challenge.
She purses her lips, which are notably full, topped with a delicate cupid's bow. Her long, black hair cascades into a braid that rests over one shoulder. Long, dark eyelashes frame her striking eyes, set above high cheekbones that currently carry a hint of flush. Her pointed chin provides a striking contrast to the softness of her features, giving her a heart-shaped face. Almost too beautiful, she presents the kind of distraction I vowed to avoid after what happened with my last partner. Her scent, soft and floral, lingers in the air, adding to the array of distractions and—
“I don’t think this was what Sergeant Wright meant—” she starts.
“Hey, if you don’t think you can keep up…”
Her gaze flickers between the envelope in her hands and my face.
“We haven’t even gone over all the information. We need to be prepared.”
“You can never be fully prepared, not here in Karlee. That’s the first thing you need to learn about this city,” I say, nodding to the envelope in her lap. “Look through it on the way if you have to. Multi-task. Women are good at that, right?”
Her expression shifts briefly, as if she's considering a sharp retort, then she exhales, a sound eerily reminiscent of the one my mother makes when I frustrate her.
“Detective Fox, perhaps we should start over. I understand, given recent events, this…situation might be challenging for you.”
Challenging? A wave of annoyance washes over me as I face my new ‘partner.’
“Challenging?” I echo, my tone rising. “Ever had to shoot your partner, Detective Hunt?”
“No, I—”
“Ever had to decide if the person you’ve trusted for years, the one you’ve called a friend, might pull a trigger on you unless you do it first?”
“No, but—”
“You don’t know anything about me, or my feelings, so let's skip the bullshit, shall we?” I cut her off, reversing out of the lot.
“If you’d let me finish, Detective—”
I crank up the radio, drowning her out. Childish? Definitely. But the sooner she realizes this partnership won't work and tells Sarge, the better.
Felicity
I slam my car door as we pull into the Karlee Police Station parking lot. Detective Fox is, without a doubt, the most exasperating partner I’ve ever had. Something has to change, and fast. He's ignored me all day, dodged my questions, and I’m convinced the only reason I haven’t been abandoned is because I've made sure to be in his car whenever he starts it.
Throughout my time with the AUPS, I’ve heard plenty about Declan Fox. Some say he's impulsive, abrasive, and often speaks out of turn, while others argue his instinct and dedication to his job give him an edge. There’s also talk about Fox’s last partner being dirty – that Fox himself discovered it and was forced to take action. Then, there are whispers about them being more than just partners. Rumours, sure, but I wanted to meet him myself before forming an opinion. Now that I have, it’s clear: he’s as difficult as they say. And from the way he reacted to my empathy earlier, I’d say the rumours about him and his former partner are less smoke and more fire.
Thankfully, Detective Fox's juvenile behaviour somewhat overshadows his striking features – the dark hair and piercing blue eyes. The initial surge of attraction I felt when he walked past me earlier fades as he continues to act like a petulant child. It's a relief, really. I need to focus on the case, a case where it seems nothing will come easily. The lead on Kaiser has already hit a dead end, and although I suspect Fox has little faith in our informant, his reluctance to involve me makes it hard to confirm my suspicions.
My knowledge of Kaiser, derived from some cryptic comments made by my late sister-in-law, who was also a member of AUPS, isn't entirely lacking. However, working effectively will be difficult if Fox doesn't start cooperating. The idea of transferring back to Port Bass is increasingly appealing, but I promised my brother, Dane, I would settle here. My need to be close to family has intensified ever since the explosion that took my sister-in-law's life—an incident I strongly suspect Kaiser is behind.
While contemplating how to navigate this partnership with Fox, I recognize Sergeant Wright’s daughter, Briony, by the row of lockers.
“Felicity Hunt, right?” she inquires.
"Yes, and you're Briony Wright?"
“That’s me.” She pushes her blonde hair off her shoulders and offers me a warm smile. “Welcome to Karlee.”
“Thanks.”
“I hear you're paired up with Declan Fox.”
"Yes," I reply, my tone inadvertently revealing my frustration, which Briony seems to pick up on. “He’s not really as bad as he seems.”
“Once I get to know him?”
“He was different before… you know…”
“Before what?”
She leans closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “After what happened with Detective Pearson, he just... changed.”
I nod, understanding. “And now he's opposed to having a new partner.”
“Mind if I give you some advice?”
“Please, I could use all the help I can get.”
“To get through to him, you'll have to show your strength. Don't fade into the background. Make him see that you're not deterred by his reluctance to accept you.”
I have no plans to disappear or give Fox the satisfaction of seeing me leave. But if Briony has insights on how to make Fox take notice, I'm eager to hear them.
“What do you suggest?”
"Just do whatever it takes. I've noticed that catching a man off guard can work wonders."
"I’m not sure about that approach," I start, but she interrupts me, closing her locker and giving me her full attention.
"He’s going to resist if you show any hesitation," Briony insists. "Given what he went through with Jennifer, it’s understandable, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t need a partner. Need you, specifically."
"Someone should probably remind him of that."
"Look, he’s fundamentally one of the good ones. Gain his trust, and you’ll see he's worth the effort."
I'll have to trust Briony’s judgment on that.
"So, what’s your suggestion?"
She shrugs. “Ambush him.” Her smile turns sly. “Even better if you catch him at a time when he’s vulnerable, like after he’s just had a shower. He’ll have to listen then! Just remember, the goal is to show him you're not backing down. See you tomorrow."
The idea of confronting Detective Fox in such a vulnerable state doesn't sit well with me. It feels invasive, unethical even. But Briony’s advice echoes in my mind. I'm determined not to be intimidated or pushed aside. I won’t request a reassignment, despite the abundance of talented detectives in the AUPS at Karlee.
No one has pursued Kaiser with the same tenacity as Declan Fox. If I can withstand his defensive tactics and prove that I'm not going anywhere, perhaps he'll come to accept our partnership, however reluctantly. For now, our uneasy alliance is a necessity, whether we like it or not.
LOVE IT! So excited for this one!