I had completely forgotten he was there. Oh, god! There went my chances with him. "I'm fine," I said quietly.
Keith turned right on Upshur. He looked at me and I could see it bothered him that I was upset. More than likely because he didn't need his partner to be an emotional mess; that could lead to trouble when going into a mission.
"My ex-boyfriend is a jerk," I said, pulling myself together and pushing my feelings aside.
"Ex?"
"Yeah," I said not wanting to get into it.
He smiled. "His loss." I hadn't expected him to say that. Maybe I had a shot after all. I smiled. "Thanks."
"It's true." He smiled and I believed him.
He pulled into an alley and we turned on our two-way radios.
"Amy, are we ready?" Keith asked.
"Copy that. SWAT has set up a perimeter; they are remaining covert until you give the signal. Until then no one is getting in or out, but you should know there is a guard at the gate."
"We'll handle it," Keith said.
"I'll distract him and bring him over here, then you take him out."
He nodded. I got out of the car and walked out of the alley and then ran to the gate. An overweight, balding rent-a-cop in a bulging blue uniform was standing by the entrance.
Time to put on a show. I began rambling: "Oh, thank goodness. I need help. I'm lost and my friend is waiting on me and my car just broke down and I don't--"
"Easy, I'll help. Where is your car?"
He looked me up and down and I felt my skin crawl. I kept up the performance though. "Over in the alley." I pointed.
"All right let's go."
He followed me to the SUV and I slowly headed to the driver's door. I swayed my hips and smiled at him; even though he disgusted me, I couldn't let my partner get hurt because a slime ball made me uncomfortable.
"Pop the hood and we'll see what's going on."
I opened the door and did as he asked. "Okay. Thanks so much for helping."
"My pleasure." I walked over to him and watched as he looked at the engine. He didn't have a clue what he was doing and it was obvious. But I had to keep him distracted as Keith who had hidden behind a dumpster made his way up behind him.