登陆注册
10476100000002

第2章

Avery Black stood in the back of the packed conference room, leaning into a wall, deep in thought as she took in the proceedings around her. Over thirty officers packed the small conference room of the Boston Police Department on New Sudbury Street. Two walls were painted yellow; two were glass and looked out upon the department's second floor. Captain Mike O'Malley, early fifties, a small, powerfully built Boston native with dark eyes and hair, kept moving around behind the podium. He seemed to Avery to be perpetually restless, uncomfortable in his own skin.

"Last but not least," he said in his thick accent, "I'd like to welcome Avery Black to Homicide Squad."

A few perfunctory claps filled the room, which otherwise remained embarrassingly silent.

"Now, now," the captain snapped, "that's no way to treat a new detective. Black had more arrests than any of you last year, and she nearly singlehandedly took down the West Side Killers. Give her some respect," he said and nodded toward the back with a noncommittal smile.

Head low, Avery knew her bleached-blond hair hid her features. Dressed more like an attorney than a cop, in her sharp black pantsuit and button-down shirt, her attire, a throwback from her days as a defense lawyer, was yet another reason that most within the police department chose to either shun her or to curse her name behind her back.

"Avery!" The captain raised his arms. "I'm trying to give you some props over here. Wake up!"

She looked around, flustered, at the sea of hostile faces staring back. She was starting to wonder whether coming to Homicide was a good idea after all.

"All right, let's start the day," the captain added to the rest of the room. "Avery, you, in my office. Now." He turned to another cop. "And I want to see you too, and you, Hennessey, get over here. And Charlie, why you running out of here so fast?"

Avery waited for the throng of police officers to leave, then as she began to make her way toward his office, a cop stood in front of her, one she had seen around the department but had never formally greeted. Ramirez was slightly taller than her, lean and sophisticated in appearance, with tan Latin skin. He had short black hair, a shaved face, and although he wore a nice gray suit, there was an ease about his stance and appearance. A sip of coffee and he continued to stare without emotion.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

"It's the other way around," he said. "I'm the one that's going to help you."

He offered a hand; she didn't take it.

"Just trying to get a bead on the infamous Avery Black. Lot of rumors. Wanted to figure out which ones were true. So far I've got: absentminded, acts like she's too good for the force. Check and check. Two for two. Not bad for a Monday."

Abuse within the police force was nothing new for Avery. It had started three years ago when she entered as a rookie cop, and it hadn't let up since. Few in the department were considered friends, and even fewer trusted colleagues.

Avery brushed past him.

"Good luck with the chief," Ramirez sarcastically called out, "I hear he can be a real asshole."

A limp, backhanded wave was offered in reply. Over the years, Avery had learned it was better to acknowledge her hostile partners than avoid them completely, just to let them know she was there and wasn't going away.

The second floor of the A1 police department in central Boston was an expansive, churning engine of activity. Cubicles filled the center of the expansive workspace, and smaller glass offices surrounded the side windows. Cops glared at Avery as she passed.

"Murderer," someone muttered under his breath.

"Homicide will be perfect for you," said another.

Avery passed a female Irish cop whom she had saved from the clutches of a gang den; she flashed Avery a quick glance and whispered, "Good luck, Avery. You deserve it."

Avery smiled. "Thanks."

Her first kind word of the day gave her a boost of confidence that she took with her into the captain's office. To her surprise, Ramirez stood only a few feet outside the glass partition. He lifted his coffee and grinned.

"Come on in," the captain said. "And close the door behind you."

Avery sat down.

O'Malley was even more formidable close up. The dye job on his hair was noticeable, along with the many wrinkles around his eyes and mouth. He rubbed his temples and sat back.

"You like it here?" he asked.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean this, the A1. Heart of Boston. You're in the thick of it, here. Big City Dog. You're a small-town girl, right? Oklahoma?"

"Ohio."

"Right, right," he muttered. "What is it about the A1 you like so much? There are a lot of other departments in Boston. You could have started at Southside, B2, maybe D14 and got a taste of the suburbs. Lots of gangs out there. You only applied here."

"I like big cities."

"We get some real sickos here. You sure you wanna go down that road again? This is homicide. A little different than beat."

"I watched the leader of the West Side Killers flay someone alive while the rest of his gang sang songs and watched. What kind of 'sickos' are we talking about?"

O'Malley watched her every move.

"The way I hear it," he said, "you got played-hard-by that Harvard psycho. He made you look like a fool. Destroyed your life. From star attorney to disgraced attorney, then nothing. And then the switch to rookie cop. That had to hurt."

Avery squirmed in her chair. Why did he have to rehash all this? Why now? Today was a day to celebrate her promotion to Homicide, and she didn't want to ruin it-and certainly didn't want to dwell on the past. What was done was done. She could only look forward.

"You turned it around, though"-he nodded in respect-"made a new life for yourself down here. On the right side this time. Gotta respect that. But," he said, looking her over, "I want to make sure you're ready. Are you ready?"

She stared back, wondering where he was going with this.

"If I wasn't ready," she said, "I wouldn't be here."

He nodded, seemingly satisfied.

"We just got a call," he said. "A dead girl. Staged. It doesn't look good. Guys on the scene don't know what to make of it."

Avery's heart beat faster.

"I'm ready," she said.

"Are you?" he asked. "You're good, but if this turns out to be something big, I want to make sure you won't crack."

"I don't crack," she said.

"That's what I wanted to hear," he said and pushed some papers on his desk. "Dylan Connelly supervises Homicide. He's over there now working with forensics. You've got a new partner, too. Try not to get him killed."

"That wasn't my fault," Avery complained, and she inwardly bristled at the recent Internal Affairs investigation, all because her former partner-a prejudiced hothead-had jumped the gun and tried to infiltrate a gang all by himself and take credit for her work.

The chief pointed outside.

"Your partner's waiting. I've made you lead detective. Don't let me down."

She turned to see Ramirez waiting. She groaned.

"Ramirez? Why him?"

"Honestly?" The captain shrugged. "He's the only one that wanted to work with you. Everyone else here seems to hate you."

She felt that knot in her stomach tightening.

"Tread softly, young detective," he added, as he stood, signaling their meeting was over. "You need all the friends you can get."

同类推荐
  • On the Edge of Gone

    On the Edge of Gone

    A thrilling, thought-provoking novel from one of young-adult literature's boldest new talents. January 29, 2035. That's the day the comet is scheduled to hit —the big one. Denise and her mother and sister, Iris, have been assigned to a temporary shelter outside their hometown of Amsterdam to wait out the blast, but Iris is nowhere to be found, and at the rate Denise's drug-addicted mother is going, they'll never reach the shelter in time. A last-minute meeting leads them to something better than a temporary shelter —a generation ship, scheduled to leave Earth behind to colonize new worlds after the comet hits. But everyone on the ship has been chosen because of their usefulness. Denise is autistic and fears that she'll never be allowed to stay. Can she obtain a spot before the ship takes flight? What about her mother and sister? When the future of the human race is at stake, whose lives matter most?
  • 命中注定 (龙人日志#4)

    命中注定 (龙人日志#4)

    在《命中注定》(龙人日志#4),凯特琳潘恩醒来,发现自己回到过去。她发现自己在一个墓地里,正在逃避一帮村民的追击,并去了一个名叫翁布里亚的意大利乡村,她来到阿西西古修道院里寻求避难。在那里,她得知了自己的命运以及使命:寻找她的父亲,以及寻找古老的龙人之盾拯救人类。不过凯特琳的心还是为她失去的挚爱:迦勒,而不安。她迫切想知道,他是否也顺利跟着经历了时光倒流。她得知,使命需要她去佛罗伦萨,但如果她想追求心中所爱,她必须去威尼斯。她最后选择了威尼斯。凯特琳讶异于她发现的东西。十八世纪的威尼斯是一个超现实的地方,穿着精制服装和面具的男女,永无止境的庆祝,豪华的派对。她很高兴与她的一些亲密的朋友团聚,并受到热烈欢迎,回到了他们的大家族。她很高兴能加入他们在威尼斯的大舞会,这是一年中最重要的化妆跳舞,她希望能再次找到迦勒。不过凯特琳不是唯一能进入时光旅行的人:凯尔也即将到来,决心追捕她,然后一劳永逸杀了她。山姆也是,决心在为时过晚之前,拯救他的姐姐。在舞会上,凯特琳到处搜索,却没有发现迦勒的迹象。可是,在最后一个舞蹈的时候。她与一名蒙面男子跳舞,她的心被深深吸引,她肯定那一定是他。但随着舞伴的变化,她再次失去他。或者,真是这样吗?凯特琳很快发现,自己被她生活中两个所爱撕扯,并发现她要小心许愿。她发现自己拼命想要找寻的快乐可能夹杂了悲剧和心碎。在高潮迭起,大都过瘾的结局里,凯特琳发现自己正对抗着真正的邪恶,罗马的古代龙人大家族,而他们则是历史最强大的龙人家族。她竭尽全力,想要活下来。她发现自己不得不为了她的生命而战斗。如果她想救她的爱人,她将不得不做出比以往任何时候都更大的牺牲……“《命中注定》是一个伟大的故事。它真的把你深深地带入故事情节!我喜欢好几个YA系列,这一本肯定是其中之一!看看这本书!看看这本书!看看这本书!不要忘了看看这本书!”--wkkk.net
  • The Chronicles of Faerie

    The Chronicles of Faerie

    Dana Faolan, the spunky half-faerie heroine of The Light-Bearer's Daughter, the third book in The Chronicles, has been using her access to the land of Faerie to escape the troubles of being a teenager in a new town. But a dark, mysterious enemy is determined to sever the two worlds forever, thus dooming both. It will take all of Dana's bravery and resourcefulness, plus the help of friends old and new, to save her two homes, especially when it becomes clear that the answer lies in an act of terrible sacrifice. Just as the previous books explored Ireland's rich folkloric history, The Book of Dreams delves into the magical lore of Canada. Melling delivers another "compelling blend of mythology and geography" (School Library Journal, starred review) that will thrill fans of the series.
  • White Castle

    White Castle

    "e;The White Castle"e;, Orhan Pamuk's celebrated first novel, is the tale of a young Italian scholar captured by pirates and put up for auction at the Istanbul slave market. Acquired by a brilliant Turkish inventor, he is set to work on projects to entertain the jaded Sultan.
  • Fifty Places to Drink Beer Before You Die

    Fifty Places to Drink Beer Before You Die

    What is the most unforgettable place you've ever taken a refreshing sip of a cold beer? In Fifty Places to Drink Beer Before You Die, Chris Santella explores the best destinations to crack open a cold one, reflect on the day, and take in the scenery. The book features the world's top locations for imbibing, from beautiful landscapes to beer festivals, breweries, classic drinking establishments, and brand-new, under-the-radar spots. With a mix of national and international places to visit —Asheville, Denver, Prague, Munich, Vienna, and more —as well as firsthand accounts from contributors such as Jim Koch (founder of Boston Brewing Company/Samuel Adams) and Joe Wiebe (author of CraftBeer Revolution), this book will make you want to trek to each must-see destination. Packed with beautiful, vibrant photographs that bring each locale to life, Fifty Places to Drink Beer Before You Die will leave you craving barley and hops and eagerly planning your next trip.
热门推荐
  • 好一个馊主意

    好一个馊主意

    《好一个馊主意》活灵活现地展现了吴小钢老师和同学们的校园生活,包括学生对老师的秘密的打探,学生们和老师们一起堆雪人等和谐相处的情景的描述,等等,令人印象深刻。
  • 回到乱世建山寨

    回到乱世建山寨

    宅且腐的崔茉雪穿回南北朝乱世,正高兴捡着个11向的老公,却发现这个老公其实很腹黑……而同时有六个姑子小叔分家产,四个婆婆虎视眈眈,又会碰撞出什么?乱世出英雄,不想成就一番大事,那就种田、八卦,继续宅好了,顺便挑战一下“富不过三代”的俗谚……只是,这一大家子别说听她的,能不欺负她就不错了,不过,她可不是任人宰割的羔羊!——哼!穿越宅女当自强,别想欺咱没娘家!
  • 噬天剑尊

    噬天剑尊

    北冥有鱼,其名为鲲,鲲之大,不知几千里也,怒而啸,一念可吞天,一念能噬地,自成鸿蒙,万物皆能所容。一门《鲲神吞天诀》,一段失落的神明历史。一名含仇少年,一段辉煌剑尊之路。所有的所有,从这里开始!
  • 异界求生之灭世狙神

    异界求生之灭世狙神

    800米的距离,一枪爆掉敌军军官的脑袋。不要问我怎么做到的。98K就是这么牛。穿越异世,身怀超级系统。无心争霸,只想带着自己喜爱的姑娘逍遥一生。但世道如此纷乱,何容我一人安逸。于是,端起枪,骑上车,踏上杀戮之旅。
  • 守住幸福

    守住幸福

    本书根据一位地质工作者的真人真事写成。相貌平平的城市姑娘嫁给地质汉子后,丈夫长年不在家,她一个带孩子,但她对公婆、小姑、小叔都很好,她是个幸福女人。后来她的爱人当上了官,有了地位后,她总是怕爱人会出轨,千方百计的守着。结果她发现,守住了幸福的人是她自己。
  • 最受青少年感动的228个故事(影响一生的故事全集)

    最受青少年感动的228个故事(影响一生的故事全集)

    本系列丛书从感动的视角出发,撷取生活中最受广大读者关注的亲情、友情、爱情、做人、沟通等几大方面的素材与故事,用最优美的语言传递人世间最真挚的情感,用最恰当的方式表述生活中最正确的做人与做事箴言。
  • 精明人办事的135个小技巧

    精明人办事的135个小技巧

    本书讲述了精明人做事的原则与技巧,分别介绍了在工作中、日常生活中、家庭生活中等各方面做事的技巧。通过细读此书,可以更加了解做事的技巧,有利于改善你的人际关系,以及巧妙的做事,花小的代价完成更大的事的目标,给自己创造一个良好的环境,从而走向成功。
  • 萌爆高校:我的校草开花了

    萌爆高校:我的校草开花了

    (已完结)还没表白,就被暗恋已久的校草殿下拒绝!还没来得及伤心,又招上了别校传闻中的霸道恶少!因为一双丢掉的鞋子而在某高校论坛一夜爆红,帖子以每小时转发一千次的频率得名高校界的“臭脚小萝莉”!靠!这帖子谁发的?臭脚这件事绝对是诽谤!被校草殿下虐心,被霸道恶少虐身,左右为男,我该何去何从,何去何从啊~
  • 辛亥革命:启蒙、光荣与梦想

    辛亥革命:启蒙、光荣与梦想

    1911年,清朝即将灭亡的那一年,华丽帝国的遮羞布下,满是能致它死地的痼疾和菌群。看似平静的表层下面,涌动着一股强大的、不可逆转的潮流:革命!康有为、梁启超等维新派人士高喊“全变则强,小变仍亡!”,强烈呼吁改革。手无寸权的光绪帝,书生气的维新臣,赤手空拳地与老迈而阴奸的慈禧及其羽翼争斗。辛亥革命的枪声脆然一响,二百六十多年的大清龙旗,应声而落……无数坚忍不拔的革命士兵、知识分子,抛头颅,洒热血,以身殉志,以命酬国。“自立军”首领唐才常率先倒下;史坚如、吴樾、徐锡麟赤血横流;一生戎马倥偬的民族英雄赵尔丰,摇身一变成为成都“赵屠户”;袁世凯养敌自重,“篡夺”胜利果实……辛亥革命,是一首个人英雄主义的伟大史诗,也是一首民族主义的雄浑交响曲!铁血华年,革命早夭。近百年的岁月已恍如云烟,革命的激进者翘首企盼的苦涩,在辛亥革命枪响后,长久萦绕于我们的心头。
  • 紫宅

    紫宅

    留居国外的富家女周彤带着未婚夫李毅回国继承家族的百年老宅,自她踏人紫宅的那一刻起.诡异的事情接二连三地发生,一切遁八迷雾与悬疑之中而不可逆转…这座长年笼罩在浓雾中的紫宅.是周彤的噩梦……那一条条阴暗的过道、门的吱嘎声、窗帘的摇曳、夜半传来的门锁声、神出鬼没的园丁、充满阴气的私人护理、诡异的叶安,这座紫宅更是每到夜晚就阴气弥漫、鬼影憧憧……