Beneath the Badge. Rita Herron

off last night’s party.”

      “Then let’s go wake him up,” Hayes said.

      Her stomach quivered as they walked to his SUV, and she studied the landscape architecture of the community as he drove to Miles’s house, an English Tudor her father had bought for him for his twenty-first birthday. Of course, Miles had pouted that it wasn’t as large as the estate where Taylor lived, which had only increased the tension between the two of them.

      But she actually earned a salary, and kept the mansion to host various charity functions for the foundation. She took pride in using her salary for her own personal causes—she and Margaret funded a special program for needy children and Margaret spearheaded one for pregnant teens.

      “This is it?” Hayes asked as he parked in front of the Tudor.

      “Yes.”

      “He lives alone?”

      “Most of the time, but he entertains a lot. Mostly women.”

      “Your brother is the party guy, isn’t he?”

      “I’m afraid so.” To the detriment of himself and anyone who cared about him.

      They climbed out, and she led the way to her brother’s front door. Hayes punched the doorbell, tapping his boot on the brick stoop as they waited. Impatience made Taylor stab the button again.

      No answer, so she retrieved her keys from her purse and unlocked the door. “He has to be here. It’s too early for him to be out for the day.”

      “Maybe he spent the night with his latest hook-up.”

      “That’s possible,” Taylor said as she pushed her way inside.

      “Does Miles have a key to your house?” Hayes asked.

      Her gaze swung to his, and she released a sigh. “Yes.”

      He shook his head in disgust, and she bolted up the stairs toward his room. “Miles, it’s me, Taylor. Are you up there?”

      No answer.

      “Miles, I hope you’re decent, because I’m coming in.”