...“How do you find your room?” Wilson asked, dragging Locke’s attention back to him. “As good as your former station?”

“Yes, it’s fine.” He smiled and nodded. “Much like my old one, sir.”

“You know the schedule. Meals at morn, noon and evening, with a late meal served as needed after ten o’clock. Have you met Badger?” Locke nodded. “Good man, that one.” Wilson touched his temple. “He’ll take good care of you.”

“Thank you.” Locke didn’t know what to say. His old chief had never been this talkative, or concerned with whether Locke was getting on or not.

A rap at the door.

“Enter.”

A tall, slender man entered, dressed in the inspector’s black uniform, silver crossed wands pinned on his collar, signaling his rank. Remarkably handsome, in that upper class way people from good family and money have, with straight, shoulder-length, light brown hair, almost the color of honey. Locke thought of how it might shine in the sunlight.

“Chief?” The inspector gave Locke a quick once over, then focused on Wilson.

“This is Inspector Christopher Locke. Locke, this is Inspector Jonathan Blade, my second-in-command.”

The two men eyed each other, sizing up and judging. Blade’s deep brown eyes narrowed. “Did you say Locke?”

“Aye.” Locke gave a slow nod, bracing for what was to come.

Blade turned to Wilson. “Was no one else available, sir?”

Wilson’s bushy gray eyebrows shot upward. “Blade, really. Not the best way to get on with your new partner.” He sat back and steepled his fingers, grinning.

Blade took a step back. “Partner?” He glared at Locke, then put his fists on Wilson’s desk and leaned forward. “By the One God, I won’t! Do you know what they say about him? Why he had to leave his last station?”

Locke’s belly rolled and he prayed to the One God. Please don’t let him say it aloud. Spare me some dignity.

Wilson held up his hand. “Silence.” Spoken in almost a whisper, but Blade shut his mouth with a snap at the single word.

“I have been informed of everything concerning Inspector Locke. You will treat him with the respect due his rank, Blade, or he’ll be wearing your stripes and sitting on my right at table.”

Locke stared at Wilson, unable to believe what he heard. “Sir. I don’t wish to cause trouble…”

“Trouble? That’s all you seem to do, isn’t it, Inspector?” Blade snapped, eyes narrowed and burning.

Locke riled at the tone of the man. He’d taken about enough. Locke rose to his full height, nearly a good two inches taller than Blade. He had nearly twenty-five pounds on the man, and with his blood at a slow boil, he knew he could level the man with one blow. Overpower him, push him against a wall and…

Bloody hell, those thoughts had gotten him into his current predicament.

“Inspector Blade, you seem to have the advantage of me. You seem to know all about me, but I’ve never heard of you.” Locke gave Blade a tilt of his head and a small smile.

Blade’s full lips tightened to a fine line. Ha! Telling an inspector in the patrol that his name had never been mentioned…well, it was as good as saying he hadn’t earned his keep.

“Now, boys,” Wilson warned. “You two are partners. Blade, show him around the estate and the grounds. Take him to town and introduce him to all the low life.” He turned his steely gaze on Locke. “And you? Try to return Blade to us in one piece.” He put his finger next to his nose and nodded.

“Aye, sir.” Locke grinned.