“As your mentor and your boss, it’s my responsibility to ensure you learn balance. This career can swallow you whole if you allow it. I don’t want that to happen to you.” Something resembling interest flickered in his eyes, but it quickly disappeared, leaving her to wonder if she’d imagined it. “Go home, get some rest, and if something comes up with the case, I’ll give you a call. Keep your cell phone near you even at night. I’ll see you at nine tomorrow morning.”
She gathered her things, and as she slammed the car door shut, she thought she heard him say, “Sweet dreams, Kate.”
His last words still ringing in her ears, she carried her briefcase toward the cars and, knowing he was watching, took out her keys as she stood in front of a black Ford Fusion. She waved to him, giving the all clear for him to leave.
When he drove away and she could no longer see him, she strolled to her bike that was tucked into the corner of the garage. She slid into the leather pants she kept in the saddlebag and shimmied off her skirt. After changing into boots, she dropped her work attire into the saddlebag, placed her briefcase in the luggage rack, and swung her leg over the seat.
This was her baby.
Her teal-and-black 2000 Harley Davidson Sportster. Not the most badass ride, but for a sixteen-year-old who’d just gotten her license and had no other way of getting where she needed to go, it had been a necessity.
And she owed it all to her best friend from home, Caden. When she’d gone off the rails in high school, he’d been the only person who remained her friend, and since he was gay, he’d also been one of the only guys in her small school she hadn’t messed around with. Caden hadn’t judged her during that phase. Just made sure she had an ample supply of condoms.
Trying to keep her out of trouble, he taught her everything she needed to know about motorcycles, and together they fixed up the Sportster and rebuilt the engine. But afterward she’d kept up on the maintenance of the bike herself and had driven it twelve hours from the Upper Peninsula down to metro Detroit when she moved here for college. Sucked on rainy and snowy days, but if she needed a ride, she’d get one from Hannah or take the People Mover, Detroit’s version of Chicago’s L.
She never felt freer than when she was on the back of her baby. And tonight, she needed to feel free more than ever. Although she appreciated Nick’s advice on taking care of herself, she hadn’t gone out with her friends since the summer. He’d ordered her to go home, but a girl had to eat, right? Besides, she had nothing in her fridge.
Decision made, she slipped her cell from her pocket and dialed.
Hannah answered on the first ring. “What the hell happened to you?”
“I don’t want to talk over the phone.” She smiled. “Want to meet for a drink?”
Chapter Five
KATE WINCED AS she squeezed in between two burly men dressed in Detroit Lions jerseys standing by the entrance of the bar. “Excuse me,” she shouted over the bar’s piped-in music.
The bar was packed tonight. She hadn’t stepped foot inside since she’d started her internship. Staring at a sea of singles, she realized she hadn’t missed this place. Still, she’d enjoy spending time with her friends.
The downtown bar was centrally located, making it easily accessible to three universities as well as two arenas. Decorated with Detroit sports memorabilia, it prided itself on being the number-one sports bar in the state. She’d call it a meat market with overpriced, spoiled meat. But the food was good and the bartenders could fix her drink right, which gained the bar several points in her book. Too many times she’d garnered a blank stare when asking for a Sloe Gin Fizz. These days, girls drank Sex on the Beach and Flaming Orgasms. Standard drinks were considered relics.
Guess she was an old-fashioned girl at heart.
She scanned the room, but at five-foot-three, she couldn’t see over the people standing around the bar. Chances were good Hannah had nabbed a small table in the back.
Spotting Hannah sitting with a couple of other interns from the firm, she thought about inviting Tom. He’d probably be getting off his shift now at the hospital, and, with her new schedule, they hadn’t spent much time together lately. She couldn’t wait to tell him about Nick requesting she work with him on the Deveroux case.
Hannah waved at Kate. “Hey, sis. We were just talking about you. I can’t believe you’re actually here. I thought you’d officially moved into the law firm.”
Back in the first year of school, Hannah had begun calling her “sis” when a couple of guys had mistaken them for twins because they both had long, wavy blond hair, blue eyes, and petite builds. But although she adored her friend, Kate had never felt comfortable returning the sentiment. Maybe because she didn’t have the best history with her family.