The air was cool as usuall for fall in New York, but for a country girl/ detective like Montana Wind it meant trouble.

"What's going on in that head of your's, Montana, you seem far away."

She smiled and turned around to face her partner, Tony Valintio. He was a great detective and Montana was so glad to have been partnered with a man like him. He stood six foot and was built like a boxer. Even at thirty- two he could melt women's hearts no matter where he was.

"Sorry, Tony, what was you sayin'?"
"It's what were you saying... I was saying it was a good night for something to go wrong."

She shook her head and smiled even more. She said things wrong just to rile him.


"New Yorkers don't talk much better than us folks from Mississippi."
"Yes we do, Montana, enough of this. Come on."

She walked beside Tony through Central Park and listened to the night sounds. They weren't like back home in Mississippi, but close enough. She always walked in Central Park in the early morning air and at night before she went home from work. It soothed her soul and mind. Tony understood. He'd gown up in Upstate New York where you could hear the inscects and birds and listen to the ocean.

"We'd better check in soon, Tony, Captian will have our heads if we don't."
"Yeah, I guess so. I'll walk you out to your truck and call him. Then I'm going home to have some quality time with my wife."

She laughed and stuffed her hands into the pockets of her black and gold letterman jacket. The only sounds that met their ears were the sound of their shoes on the sidewalk. Tony wore his expensive tailored shoes with his tailored slacks. She'd offen teased him about it saying he was noting but a rich city boy who couldn't hack it in the country. He would laugh and let go with some words making fun of her blue jeans and Cowboy boots, but when others said something about it he blew up at them saying just because he had money didn't mean it effected his job as a good detective.

"Are going home alone again tonight, Montana?"
"Yes. I'm so afraid they'll turn out to be like you when I get them home."

He laughed and they walked out of the park. They walked over to her 1990 model Dodge Ram and she unlocked the door. Tony kissed her cheek and walked over to his car.

"I'll see ya' tomorrow, Tony, say hello to Jan for me."
"I will, Montana, becareful."

She waved at him before she drove off toward her loft. She smiled and turned on her radio. She was the only one in the city driving a truck like her's... well she thought she was anyway. She pulled up infront of her building and got out. She walked up the steps and up to her loft. Her loft was pretty big with a winding staircase going up to her room. Her living room wasn't that big, but it suited her just fine. She tossed her coat down on the couch and took off her gunbelt. She punched the answering machine and walked into the kitchen to get some coffee.

"Montana, it's Micheal. I know you're at work, but I had to call you. I miss you. Call me when you get in."

She took a drink of her coffee and plopped down on the counch. Micheal was crazy if he thought she was going to call him and have his new girlfriend pick up the phone. She knew his game all too well.

"Angel, I'm back in town and I want to see you again."

That soft voice brought her off her feet and nearly pouring coffee everywhere... Gabriel.

"Angel, don't look too surprised."

She looked down at the answering machine and shook her head. It couldn't have been on the machine because there were only two messages. She slowly turned around and came fact-to-face with the only man she ever cared for.