Officer Lou Hernandez is surprised when he's asked to help Gideon Monahan catch an art forger. He's not too happy, however, when he meets the man he'll be working with. Lou thinks Rory Kinley is a supercilious pain in the ass. Rory, on the other hand, sees no reason why Lou has been brought into this. After all, he's just a cop, albeit one who is good at going undercover.<br><br>The art forger they're after -- Nate Hanks -- cons collectors, saying he has an undiscovered painting by a famous artist. He's killed one of his marks already to keep from being caught.<br><br>Lou and Rory will have to set aside their differences as they set up a sting to stop Hanks. When they do, they discover they may not be as incompatible as they thought. The question becomes, will their growing feelings survive what's to come -- or be destroyed in the process?

It Takes a Forger

“So that’s what it takes?” Lou laughed, reiterated that he missed Rory, then hung up.


Lou barely made it to the airport in time, thanks to two domestic disputes that had turned deadly. “The joys of Christmas and heightened emotions,” Lieutenant Harber had said when he’d assigned the cases to Lou and his partner.


After the day he’d put in, Lou was not in the best of moods, despite the anticipation of finally holding Rory in his arms again. That is, until he saw more than one reunion between families and their loved ones who were obviously as late coming in for the holiday as Rory. He began smiling, then wishing everyone he passed, “Merry Christmas”. By the time he saw Rory come into the waiting area, he was beaming ear to ear. Embracing Rory, he planted a hearty kiss on his lips.


“Whoa,” Rory said after returning the kiss. “I guess you did miss me.”


“You have no idea. Let’s get your bags and go home so I can show you how much.”


Chapter 37