Hughes, though, seemed too eager to be led and Morales thought Ariel may have been keeping her new partner on too short a leash. While he hadn’t underestimated Ariel’s ability to solve cases, as a mentor she might be lacking. Something he would have to keep an eye on. With a challenging case maybe they’d mesh—Ariel bending, Thea carving out her own identity. If not, it might be time to wean Hughes off of Dampier, force Thea to start making decisions on her own. With Thea seated, two sullen faces greeted him. The two sat as far apart from one another as possible in the tiny cubicle, and refrained from making eye contact. Hughes, in particular, seemed to be seething within.

“Do I sense tension?” Morales asked, keeping his tone light.

“Just a lover’s spat,” Thea shot back, then as if regretting her words, sank into her chair as Ariel’s face reddened.Morales sighed. It was time to intercede, now, not after discussing the case.

“Ariel, see if the prints forensics faxed over have given us an ID. I want to talk to Thea alone.”

Ariel looked at the two of them for a moment shrugged and left. Morales knew using their first names was his way of making them aware of his anger. He didn’t rant or rave and seldom raised his voice. Wouldn’t do so now with Thea, but he was furious, nevertheless, and Ariel was smart enough to sense she was being sent on a fool’s errand for a reason.

When she was gone he made eye contact with Thea.

“I don’t expect my detectives to get along all the time. You have differences with Dampier, fine, but did you hear what you said?”

“I know,” Thea said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m sorry. It slipped.”

“Not good enough,” he cut her off without raising his voice.

“I’m more than aware of what you’ve faced because of your sexual preference. I know you’ve been shunned and ridiculed. You, above all others, should be sensitive to the scrutiny Dampier faces daily. ‘Lover’s spat’ coming from you takes on a whole new meaning.”

He raised a hand to stop Thea from responding. He wasn’t done. She had to be made aware of the slippery slope she was climbing. “Do you for a moment think it’s easy being your partner? Everyone’s aware she’s sleeping with her ex, but could it be Ariel ‘swings both ways?’ some might be asking. Could the rumors about her ex be a ruse to cover up an affair with you? You think others don’t talk? Don’t spread rumors? Don’t have an ax to grind with her? You may not see the looks she gets, but I do. And so does Ariel. Don’t take what she’s accepted for granted.”