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    The Chief leaned back and his chair creaked under the strain.  "So what are you going to do now?"
    It was better than an outright order to arrest her.  More than Luke had hoped for.  "I want to follow the Haywood-Smiths, investigate their associates in the jewelry business, maybe search the house—."
    The Chief's laugh erupted like a loud belch from deep within his enormous gut.  "You're shitting me?  Who do you think's gonna pay for the resources?  Who'll authorize them?  Me?"  He shook his head.  "The Haywood-Smiths are one of Melbourne’s most notable families.  They have influential friends, they have a financial interest in dozens of companies around the country and they give a small fortune to charities for Christ’s sakes.  We’re not going to stir up trouble over a pissing little insurance scam.”
    It didn’t help ease Luke’s anger to know his boss was right.  “The insurance companies might think differently.”
    “It's a lost cause, Tanner.  Give it up."
    "I'll watch them," Luke said.  "You don't need to spare anyone else."
    "I can't spare you .  The answer's no."  He returned to his paperwork.
    A small part of Luke registered the stupidity of what he was about to say but somehow it got lost amongst the fierce anger burning inside him, blinding him to everything else.  "No,” he said, trying very hard not to shout.  “You can't let her go to jail.  She doesn't deserve it.  Do you understand me?”  He pointed, wanting to stab his finger into the Chief’s fleshy chest but restraining with the last remaining ounce of self-control he possessed.  “I will not let her go to jail for something she didn't do."
    The Chief shook his head and sighed.  "She's got her claws right into you, hasn't she?”  He leaned forward and his chair groaned.  “Tanner, don't throw a brilliant career away over a woman.  Especially a McAllister woman.  They're all scum."
    Just when Luke’s anger should have erupted, it disappeared.  Replaced by a sickening sensation that churned his stomach.  Is that how he sounded to Lily?  Like a blustering autocrat who tarred an entire clan with the same brush?  Oh God.  No wonder she hated him.  No wonder she wanted him gone from her life. 
    The Chief had got one thing right—Luke was a fool. 
    Well, not anymore. 
    "How about you let me decide if she's worth it."  He stood and the backs of his legs pushed the chair into the wall. 
    "Don't do anything stupid, Tanner.  I'm warning you, your job is on the line if you're caught doing anything unauthorized at the Haywood-Smiths."
    "Guess I better not get caught then."  Luke opened the door and marched out.
    "Tanner!  Tanner, get back here!"

 
    CHAPTER 6
     
    Lily knew it would be Luke ringing her doorbell.  He seemed to have a habit of turning up unannounced after dark.  So when she opened the door and saw him standing on her front porch, she was prepared this time and took only a fraction of a second to close it.
    Unfortunately he was quicker and shoved his foot in the gap first.  “Just hear me out,” he said.  “That’s all I ask.”
    She opened the door but didn’t move aside.  “Why should I?”
    He looked all dark and broody with the light casting shadows beneath his eyes and sharpening his cheekbones.  Serious.  Sexy. 
    Down girl.
    “Fine,” he said, shifting his weight.  His hands were empty this time, no handcuffs, although they could be stuffed into his back pocket.  “But I really don’t think you want your neighbors overhearing this conversation.”
    Were they going to have a conversation about their sexual encounter or about her imminent arrest?  Either way he was right.  She opened the door wider and stepped out of the way. 
    He grunted but said nothing as he moved past her.  They didn’t touch but her awareness of him felt just as strong as the night before.  It rippled through her like a warm breeze, settling into her core with comfortable