In the Line of Duty

By Lisa Arnoux-Brown

At the beginning of a new semester, Professor Emma Grant didn't plan on hosting drug deals during her creative writing course. But after witnessing a drug deal in her own classroom-and after learning that the dealers know she witnessed the deal-Emma finds herself in a very dangerous situation.

Since the first day of class, one student in particular has struck Emma as someone who doesn't belong. The handsome stranger, who wears his hair in dreadlocks that hang past his broad and strong shoulders, looks older than the rest of her students. Emma's suspicions are confirmed when she learns that the attractive gentleman from Trinidad is Detective Earl Solano, an undercover police officer. When Earl asks her to keep quiet about the drug deal she witnessed, she complies, only to further his investigation. Quite unintentionally, Emma becomes personally involved in the case. Even though it's the hardest thing she's ever had to do, Emma tries to ignore the attraction she feels for Earl so she won't be hurt yet again.

Earl's top priority is putting the bad guys away. And when the lovely professor is taken hostage, the bad guys don't stand a chance. Earl loves the law-but he loves Emma more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jul 26, 2005
• ISBN: 9780595800476

Lisa Arnoux-Brown

New York City native Lisa Arnoux-Brown currently lives in Massachusetts with her family.

Book preview

Copyright © 2005 by Lisa Arnoux-Brown

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording,

taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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ISBN-13: 978-0-595-35563-1 (pbk)

ISBN-13: 978-0-595-80047-6 (ebk)

Contents

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

To my wonderful family thank you. Special thanks to Lisa Simonian and all my other friends who encouraged me. To Ben and Ruby thank you for your artwork.

CHAPTER 1  

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Emma slammed her books on the desk at the front of the classroom. She took a deep breath when the students grew quiet and focused their attention on her. She tried not to appear shaken as she scanned the room for the students she had spied exchanging drugs in the room before it filled up. There were close to seventy-five students staring at her and she gave up trying to spot them. Instead, she turned to write her name on the blackboard and then faced her students once more. In a clear voice, she told the class her name and what subject she taught as she rearranged the stacks of booklets she had carried in to class. Three students got up and left. Emma nodded.

Great now that we all know where we are, she said with a smile, I’d like to first pass out a couple of sheets of paper for attendance. Please print your name and your student number and pass it on to the person sitting next to you or behind you. You were given a student number when you registered. In anything you hand to me, that number should be included. When I post grades it will be by this number and not your name. She stopped speaking to watch the progress of the attendance sheets. Once she was satisfied that it was being signed, she picked up a stack of papers and she continued.

I am also passing out the course syllabus, she told the class, in it you’ll find an explanation of what the course is about and what is expected of you. I’d like to think that each and every one of you can write creatively or are interested in learning how to. Now in order for me to get an idea of what you are capable of, I have included a couple of exercises. I expect the assignments to be handed in when we meet again, which is Friday. I also expect it to be type written. If I cannot read it, I will not grade it. Those of you, who need this class to graduate, take notice. Whatever you may have heard about my class, disregard. My class is not an easy A, it is an earned A. As Emma continued to lay down the rules of her class, she walked among her students and handed them each a booklet. When she was sure everyone had received one, she walked back to the front of the classroom.

Emma eased her slim frame onto the smooth surface of the desk and braced herself on either side with her hands. She was a pretty brown-skinned woman, with brown eyes and shoulder length curly hair, which she wore in soft, waves framing her face. She looked around the room trying to familiarize herself with the faces of her students. She noticed that some stared back at her while others studied the booklet she had just handed out. The room was filled to capacity and she felt a thrill of excitement. Her curriculum that she fought so hard for was catching on.

In this class ladies and gentlemen, she said, we will explore the written word. From Shakespeare’s old English and formal prose, to Sista Souljha’s upbeat and down to earth style. We will also get a chance to write a short story as a class project. This short story will be a major part of your final grade. For those of you who are serious, your story can be submitted to a magazine. At that, there were a few murmurs and she smiled. The thought of being published was always a dream come true for some of the students.

As she looked around, she encountered a pair of dark brown eyes that stared very intently at her. Those eyes belonged to a dark man, who wore his hair in dread locks and as far as she could tell, it hung past shoulders that were broad and strong looking. He wore a beige turtleneck sweater that stretched tautly across his chest. What she saw of his bearded face was very handsome and Emma had the distinct feeling that he did not belong. He looked older than the average students in her classes were. Moreover, he smiled at her when she searched out his face once more which caused her to quickly avert her eyes. She flushed, embarrassed at getting caught staring. In looking into his eyes, Emma felt the roomful of students disappear as his mesmerizing gaze held her transfixed, and awareness nudged her brain.

Mentally shaking herself, Emma glanced at her watch and slid off the desk. Self-consciously she pulled at her skirt very aware that this man was watching her every move. It was only thirty minutes into her time but she needed to get away.

Ladies and gentlemen, she said calmly, if you don’t have any questions you are dismissed. You will be required to stay the full fifty minutes next time. Emma gathered her belongings, placed them into her briefcase, and walked out through the exit at the front of the classroom. When the office door shut behind her, she leaned against it and breathed a sigh of relief.

First night jitters? Lindora Dade exclaimed startling her.

Emma glared at her fellow teacher. No not that. I’ve learned to be dominant in the classroom. I’ve just done what I’d promised myself I would never do, she explained. I’ve embarrassed myself and probably gave the wrong impression.

She did not need her friend teasing her so she did not elaborate. However, Lindora Dade was no slouch, she and Emma had been friends since high school, and they knew each other inside out.

I know how you are in the classroom Em, she said, it’s got to be a man.

Emma pushed away from the door and sat gracefully down on the overstuffed couch they had rescued from certain death a year ago. The English department allowed them to keep it only because they had not been billed for it. She allowed her body to sink deep into it and sighed. The couch did not fit in with the décor but she did not care. The office was a typical school office painted a drab, neutral off-white. The couch was a deep crimson red and along with the colorful posters on the walls, it cheered the place up. Emma’s desk was across from Lindora’s and they had learned to schedule meetings on different days to avoid a crowd.

«What did he look like?» she asked.

«He’s Jamaican I think or at the very least West Indian,» Emma told her. «He is muscular and he wears his hair in long dreads. He has a goatee trimmed neat and his eyes flashed when he smiled.» She could still feel the impact of his eyes on her and she struggled to control the fluttering feeling in her stomach.

«Well damn girl you must’ve been staring real to get all those details. Did you speak with him?» Lindora wanted to know.

«No I dismissed the class and came here.»

«To hide no doubt, very mature of you Em,» Lin teased her.

«Oh shut up. I have another class and then I’m done. Do you want to get together later?»

Lindora was the exact opposite of Emma. She was short to Emma’s average height of five feet, six inches. Buxom to Emma’s demure B cup. Lindora looked up from the paper she was writing on and shook her head. There was a devious smile on her pretty face. «Kevin’s got a couple of days shore leave and I intend to spend every non-teaching hour naked with him,» was her tart reply.

«Sounds pretty serious,» Emma said. «When did all this nakedness begin?»

«Last month, and honey it was the best I’ve ever had,» Lindora gushed. «I’ve never been with a man considerate enough to care if I was satisfied. He is fantastic.»

«Well good for you. Just don’t do anything stupid like go off your pills or something. Give me a call when you get your clothes back on.» And Emma got up and left the office.

She taught four classes a week. English 101 and Creative writing at New York’s Queens College. Two a day and the rest of the time, she spent with her seven year old little girl Samantha who had her father’s gray eyes and her mother’s slight build. Cute as a button and sharp as a tack; that was how her daughter’s grandfather referred to his grandchild.

Emma spent every free moment with her daughter because she felt slightly guilty about her child traveling back and forth between her ex-husband and her. Nevertheless, she had no choice because she had to work. Her ex-husband Matt did not mind, but she couldn’t help feeling the twinge of guilt. It was a lot easier when Sam was younger, because she didn’t ask any questions. Nowadays, Sam would question her about everything from why her mommy and daddy did not live together, and did she have to call her daddy’s girlfriend Angela, mommy too? She didn’t care if Matt had a girlfriend as long as Angela did not spend the night while Sam was there. It was a condition Matt agreed to.

It was ten o’clock and Emma was through for the night. Teaching night school was less than perfect but it paid the bills, she thought. Just before going to bed, the telephone rang.

«Em, it’s me. I just called to let you know that we are at the hospital. Dad had a heart attack.» Her ex-husband told her.

«Oh no! I’m so sorry Matt. Will he be all right?»

«Yes. It was a mild one thank God.»

«How is your mom taking it?» She asked picturing the haughty Emily in a tizzy.

«She won’t leave his side. The doctor explained to her that Dad will be fine, but she just won’t budge. Sam is fine and we’ll be going home in a little while.»

«Is she okay? I mean is she scared?»

«You know Sam, she cried because Mom did, but she knows that her granddad will be fine. Look Em it is getting late and Sam is asleep on her feet. Why don’t you come over for dinner tomorrow night and help me cheer her up okay?»

«Sure,» she agreed, «Do you want me to bring anything?»

«No I’ve got it covered. See you tomorrow.»

Emma hung up and settled back onto her bed. It was too bad about her ex-father in law. He was always so nice to her and they had gotten along well.

After the divorce Emily, his wife, stopped being friendly altogether. However, Henry had the facts so he did not hold the failed marriage against her.

Mathew Grant was a handsome young lawyer who had met Emma through mutual friends. They dated and hit if off almost right away. All too soon they were inseparable and in love. They married but Emma found out that Mathew had a roving eye, and it roved one time too many. Emma caught him in bed with another woman and she never gave him the chance to explain. She packed up her stuff, and bundled up their three-year old daughter and never looked back. Matt was a decent father these days and seemed to have settled down but too late.

Emma knew that raising a child alone would not be easy so she had accepted Matt’s offer to share in the responsibility, and it has worked out fine. Samantha loved both her parents and seemed okay with the arrangement. Emma was comfortable being a part-time mom but she knew that Matt’s mother would have liked Matt to take Sam on full time. Mrs. Grant never really liked Emma because she was not fair skinned enough for her. She and her husband were of mixed parentage and Mrs. Grant was very class conscious. She grudgingly accepted Sam because she was fair skinned and sported the family trait of gray eyes. Emma remembered the year they stayed with her in-laws until they had found a place of their own. Mrs. Grant drove her crazy, commenting negatively about her curly hair and the way she dressed. Matt hadn’t cared about those things but when his mother was around he pretended to. Emma was raised to focus on a person’s intelligence and personality, not the color of their skin.

The next few days were going to be emotional ones for Matt and Sam. Emma wanted to be as helpful as she could to them and planned to go see Henry, before going to Matt’s for dinner the following night. She wanted to see for herself that Henry Grant was okay.

Matt and Sam had everything ready by the time she’d arrived. Matt had cooked a sumptuous meal in an effort to impress Emma. While they were married he had not known how to boil water, so she was impressed. Samantha was very enthusiastic and pretended that they were a happy family. After dinner, Emma helped with the washing up and then helped Sam with her homework. She spent another hour listening to her daughter recount her day in the second grade. Later on Emma watched her ex-husband put their daughter to bed. They both kissed her goodnight and left the room. Watching Matt with their daughter and the tenderness he displayed put a lump in her throat. She realized that Matt had become a great and caring father.

Once Sam had fallen asleep and they were alone, the camaraderie they had shared had turned awkward. Emma wanted to tactfully end the evening but

Mathew had other ideas, he wanted to talk. He came out of the kitchen with a beer and offered her some. She declined and sat on the couch watching him. She felt regret over the loss of a marriage that might have been wonderful. Matt had finally settled and he was doing a great job with their daughter. The apartment they had once shared looked homey and was a safe and comfortable environment for Sam.

I talked with Mom and she says that Dad is definitely getting better because he’s starting to complain about everything, he told her. Matt leaned back into the cushions of the sofa they had picked out once upon a time and stretched out his long legs.

I went to see him and he was cheerful, but your mom acted like he was very fragile and on his death bed. Do you know when he’ll be discharged to go home? she asked him.

The doctor said that if he continues to improve, he could go home in a few days but he’ll have to take it easy and change his lifestyle. I think he’ll be fine, Matt assured her.

Of course he will, she agreed. Your dad is incredibly strong and he’ll bounce back and be his old self in no time.

Matt gulped down the last of his beer and sighed with pleasure. So how is work?

School is fine. My classes are bigger but things will settle down soon enough and the department is pleased that more and more students are enrolling in my course this year.

Good, Matt said, are you seeing anyone?

What? Uh no, she answered before she could think up a less pitiful

reply.

Why not? You are still a very attractive woman. What are you waiting for?

They had been divorced for four years now and he still thought of her as beautiful with her cafe-au-lait skin and soft brown eyes.

If I were, Emma replied, I don’t think it is any of your business. There is plenty of time for me to—for that. I want Samantha a little older first. Matt watched her and closed the space between them. Before she could react, he was kissing her. She allowed the kiss to continue and tried not to jump when his hands started to roam. He released her after a while. Emma stood up and looked down at him. She was angry but he smiled knowingly at her.

I see that you are still your friendly frigid self, he said. He remembered how she would hold out on him, when she thought he had wronged her.

And I see that you still have that roving eye, she accused him. Does Angela know that you want to get with me? Don’t answer. Let me know if Sam needs anything before Friday. And with a look of disgust on her face, she grabbed her sweater and left.

Emma fumed all the way home. Mathew tried to put the moves on her every chance he got and it was all her fault. Months after she had left him, he had called her at her aunt’s house and pleaded with her to talk with him. She agreed and they ended up in bed. She hated herself afterward and Matt realized that he still turned her on. Of course today it doesn’t hold true but he still tries. She allowed the kiss because if she had pushed him away, he would have gotten ugly. Mathew could be very nasty when he chose to and she knew that he knew too much about her to give him the opportunity. Therefore, instead she drove home planning to be prepared if there was a next time.

The class was just as loud as they had been the first night. She walked in and quickly removed her papers from her briefcase trying not to look around. As curious as she was about the students she had witnessed exchanging packages, she also knew that she could be wrong about what she’d seen. Instead, she passed out another set of attendance sheets because it was necessary until she had all of her students on file.

Settle down people, settle down, she called out clearly, I am going to pass out the attendance sheets once more and for those of you that weren’t here last time. Also, please pass your assignment forward. I’ll collect them from this young man here, she said tapping a student on the shoulder who was sitting in the front row.

If you are here for the first time, Emma stated as she wrote her office schedule on the blackboard, you need to see me to get your missed assignment and your syllabus.

It took a few more minutes before her instructions were followed and the student she had singled out stepped up with the collected assignments. For the next forty-five minutes, Emma engaged the class in a discussion on the writing style of Shakespeare. She found that she had some very serious people in her class who voiced their opinions very intelligently. However, there were a few who could not follow and those she mentally placed in the waste of time column. Toward the end of her lecture, her eyes fell on the Jamaican gentleman she had spied the first day of class and she had become self-conscious. By the time she had wrapped up, she had become even more nervous because right behind the Jamaican gentleman sat one of the dealers she had seen that first day too. She informed the students that the assignments handed in that night would be graded and posted on the bulletin board outside the classroom. She mentioned to the students that if any of them wanted to transfer out of her class, they had to come to her office in order for her to sign their transfer cards. That being said, she left and made her way to her office.

A hand tapped her on her shoulder, and she stopped to look. It was Mr. Jamaican. He looked even better up close she