by Jamie Hill
Jordan wasn’t ready to face all that yet. Better to wake up alone with her heart intact. She remembered kissing Nick the previous day and realized her grasp was slipping. At this point, her heart was mostly intact.
Her cell vibrated and she reached for it, checking the screen.
Doug.
She pressed the talk button, nerves on edge. “What’s wrong?”
“Why does something have to be wrong? Can’t I call you just to talk?”
“At six-thirty in the flipping a.m.?”
“Oh shit.” He chuckled. “Sorry. Avery and I have been up awhile. Seems like noon to me.”
She leaned back into her pillow. “Ah, little princesa. Decided to wake up early today?”
“Yeah, one of us seemed to think it was a good idea. I fed her, burped and changed her twice, but she was wide awake. So I got interested in a TV program and the next thing I know, she’s out.”
Jordan yawned. “What show?”
“Big Cat Diaries. They’re in the Serengeti, following this species of lions that—”
“Doug.” She yawned again. “I really don’t care. Did you need something, or were you looking for adult conversation? Because frankly, at this hour of the day before I’ve had my coffee, I’m not much good.”
“I was just wondering what you were doing. Sorry, like I said, I didn’t realize how early it was.”
“And if it wasn’t so early I’d have been at work.” Her mind clicked and her irritation grew. “You were checking up on me! Were you calling to see if I was here alone?”
“No!” he protested, but didn’t sound convincing.
“Yes, you were! Lying dog. And you had the cojones to call Nick a mangy mutt.”
“You were getting pretty friendly with him yesterday.”
“Hence the reason you punched him in the jaw. Seriously Doug, you need to think before you act.”
“He said some things I didn’t appreciate.”
“Oh, I know it. He was trying to get under your skin. Obviously he succeeded.”
“Actually, I believe his goal was to get into your pants. Just wondering if he succeeded there.”
“You think I’m going to answer that? Sabelotodo. Fuck you. How’s that for an answer?”
“Works for me, as long as you’re not fucking him.”
“Douglas Jernigan! You watch that mouth in front of your daughter.”
“She’s ten days old. Pretty sure I didn’t do any permanent damage.”
“Goes to show what you know. The damage is done, buddy. I won’t soon forget what you said, or how you’re acting.”
“You seem to have forgotten how Nick acted a few years ago, and all the things he said. You were a mess, Jordan, and he wasn’t around to pick up the pieces. I took care of you, and unlike all the king’s horses and all the king’s men, I didn’t give up until I’d put you back together again.”
Her voice was softer when she replied, “I realize that. Which is why nothing has happened between Nick and me.”
“Except some smoldering ‘come hither’ glances.”
She couldn’t help but chuckle at Doug’s dramatic way with words. “Your point has been duly noted. I haven’t quite figured out where things are headed with Nick. Let me assure you that whatever happens, I’m going in with my eyes wide open.”
“That doesn’t make me feel better.”
“Which, of course, is my main goal in life.”
“What?” He feigned shock. “It’s Christi’s main goal, I’m sure of it.”
“Then go have this conversation with her. And don’t call me again at six-thirty in the morning. There are better things I could be doing.”
“Ew. Gross.”
“I’m going to wash my hair. Kiss that baby. Goodbye, Doug.” She clicked the off button and tossed her phone on the bed. She crawled out and headed into the bathroom. His call reaffirmed that she needed to tread lightly where Nick was concerned. If things went south again, the one person she could truly count on might not be there to pick up the pieces.
* * *
When Jordan arrived at work, Nick was in the chief’s office. She fixed a cup of coffee and sat behind her desk, answering phone messages and checking email.
He emerged a while later, and nodded to her as he slipped into his chair. “Good morning.”
“Morning.” She cast a questioning glance at their boss’s office. “What was that all about?”
“Filling him in on our visit to Charlie’s place yesterday, and my bar fight last night.” He rubbed his bruised chin. The swelling had gone down, but it was now a mottled shade of purple.
“Bar fight?” Jordan chuckled. “Did he buy that?”
“Oh, yeah. He admonished me not to let it happen again, and asked if the girl was worth it.”
She leaned back in her chair. “And?”
He shrugged. “I said I’d try not to let it happen again. No promises though.”
Jordan made a face at him. “Was the girl worth it?”
His eyes crinkled as he smiled. “Totally.”
The word zinged like an arrow straight to her heart, but she tried not to let her giddiness show. She nodded, and then straightened a stack of papers on her desk.
“’Course, she’s fairly high maintenance and a general pain in the ass, but all in all, I’d say she’s worth it.”
She glanced up quickly to see he was still smiling. “Sabelotodo. If anyone’s a pain in the ass, it’s definitely you.”
“Birds of a feather. That’s why we get along so well.”
Jordan blinked. “Really? I didn’t think we got along well at all.”
“Oh, that’s right. You tolerate me. Whatever.”
They both glanced up as the chief approached. “We’ve got a new witness family checking in tomorrow, a mother and a couple of kids.
She groaned. “It’s Olivia’s turn, isn’t it?”
Rhodes smiled. “Olivia got the last one. Now that Willie’s moved on, you’re up next on the rotation.”
“Well there goes a whole day, shot to craps.”
Nick added, “Induction paperwork is its own kind of hell.”
Rhodes tossed a file on her desk. “I’m sure you two can handle it. Just play nice. I hear Mom’s skittish.”
Jordan picked up the folder and opened it. “They all are. It’s bad enough bringing an adult into the program, but worse when there are kids involved.”
“Without a doubt. You’ll reassure her. You always do. You’re great with nervous moms.” He nodded to her and returned to his office.
Jordan snorted. “Right. Always a bridesmaid.” Unshed tears welled in her eyes and she looked away, blinking rapidly to hold them back. She didn’t know why she was so damned sentimental now. She’d worked with dozens of families over the years and didn’t usually get choked up. Something about Nick being back had her emotions on edge.
She swiped at her eyes and turned back around. Nick was watching her, a look of tenderness on his face. To his credit, he hadn’t said a word. Maybe he had changed, grown smarter, or at least more mature. Jordan could handle that. But his compassion, after all this time, didn’t feel right. He hadn’t earned it, and she wouldn’t let him own it. She stood abruptly and walked off. “Going to the john.”
“You okay?” he called after her.
She didn’t answer, just kept walking.
* * *
Nick studied the woman and two children seated in the conference room. The mother was attractive enough, mid-thirties, with bottle-blonde hair. Her makeup was thick and meticulously applied. Not his favorite look. He’d dated a few women like her before. By the time they’d scrubbed their faces they looked like an entirely different person. Bait and switch. When going out, there wasn’t much room for spontaneity. He’d be stuck waiting an hour or more while they loaded the goop back on their faces before they’d leave the house.
He’d teased Jordan about being ‘high maintenance’, but she was actually one of the lowest mainten
ance women he’d ever been with. She wore very little makeup, just enough to bring out her natural beauty. On the weekends, she might not even wear any. She never worried unnaturally about her hair or appearance. If they wanted to pick up and go somewhere, they’d just done it without a lot of fanfare. She was a good sport, and he thought she always looked gorgeous.
He shook his head to clear it. When had he started holding every other woman up to Jordan’s standards? Have I been doing it unconsciously all along? He had no idea. The only thing he knew for sure was that Jordan had somehow found her way back into his heart. But she’d made it clear that if they got together again she expected more than a fling. So it was his job to figure out where and how she fit into his life.
His job was in St. Louis and hers in Topeka. He didn’t have strong ties to the Missouri town, but after a few more weeks he’d no longer have a job in Kansas. Was there a way to meet in the middle and find a happy medium? Did he need to chuck his job and move back here? He could always find something else. It might not be exactly what he wanted, but wouldn’t having Jordan in his life be worth it?
Decisions, decisions.
“I can’t decide.” The little girl at the table spoke in a high, clear voice, jolting him back to reality. “Should I be a Stephanie or a Sierra?” She appeared to be seven or eight, with curly blonde hair. The kid reminded him of one of those beauty pageant tykes with pouty pink lips and a polka dot bow in her hair.
Jordan was seated across from her. “You’re keeping your first name, Susan. Only your last name has to change.”
“But why?” Susan pouted. “I want a new name!”
“Because there’s less chance of a slip-up when you keep your same first name. You used to be Susan Robinson. Now, you’ll be Susan Rivers. That’s enough to remember. And it’s pretty, isn’t it?”
The child folded her arms across her chest. “It’s dumb.”
Her brother shoved her lightly. “You’re dumb.” According to their file he was a year older, and was obviously the man of the house now. “We don’t get new first names. I’ll still be Tommy.”
Susan shoved him back. “You’ll still be Butthead.”
Their mother waved a hand at them. “You two, stop it now. Mind your manners.”
Jordan took a breath and let it out.
Nick smiled and looked away. He’d never understood the attraction of having children. They were helpless, needy, and smelly for the first year of their lives. After that, they seemed to be a nuisance, always into everything. Once they were old enough to talk, the chatter never ended.
And two of them? Lord have mercy. That was asking for trouble. He didn’t want to think about more children than that. One kid was enough to scare him off.
Lots of people raised families. Most did, in fact, and seemed to love it. He simply wasn’t wired that way. Nick would rather poke himself in the eyeballs with push pins than have kids. He’d felt the same since he was a lonely little boy, growing up with two alcoholic parents in a shitty apartment in Chicago. Times were tough back then. He was lucky to have made it out as sane as he had. With a lot of hard work his circumstances had improved. He’d done well for himself with very little support, but his feelings had never waivered. Nick didn’t want children. He had no use for them.
Sighing, he glanced at Jordan, shuffling stacks of papers. He needed to make sure she understood that his beliefs hadn’t changed. Kids had been a deal breaker once. That couldn’t happen again.
Evan stuck his head into the conference room. “Pierce, can I see you for a minute?”
Jordan glanced at them questioningly.
He raised his eyebrows at her and told the chief, “Sure.” To Jordan and the family he said, “Excuse me.” Nick walked out and closed the door behind him.
“I’ve driven by Charlie’s complex twice this morning, once on my way in, and just now to run an errand. His car is nowhere in sight. I think you need to check it out.”
Nick pulled out his cell phone and fired up the GPS app. His fingers danced over the buttons as he did a quick search. “Well, fuck.” He looked at Evan. “Crazy bastard is almost to Denver.”
“Damn it!” Evan slapped the nearest desk. “You sure as shit called this one.”
“He was acting funny Monday. I could just tell something like this would happen.”
“At least you had the foresight to go back and slip that tracking device on his car. Now you and Jordan are going to have to catch up to him.”
Nick shook his head. “Denver is a nine hour head start. We might catch him if he stops to sleep. But if his car breaks down or he switches vehicles, we’re screwed.”
“You need to get out there, pronto. I’ll book you a flight to Denver and rent you a SUV at the airport.”
He nodded and glanced back at the conference room. “What are we going to do about them?”
“Ben and Olivia will have to take over. I’ll fill them in before I arrange for the flight. You and Jordan need to run home and pack.”
“We’ll be ready. Just let me know when the flight leaves.”
Evan went to speak with the other marshals and Nick returned to the conference room.
Dana Robinson was twisting a strand of hair around one finger. “I still don’t understand how we ended up in Kansas, for Christ’s sake. I told the marshals I had relatives in California and I’ve always wanted to live in Florida. I thought they’d be more accommodating.”
Before Jordan could answer Nick stepped in. “The main concern is keeping you alive, not placing you close to your loved ones.”
Jordan glanced at him then added, “Exactly. As far as Florida goes, it’d be dangerous to send you somewhere you may have told people was your dream destination.”
Dana rolled her eyes and popped her gum. “So, they asked me those questions to find out exactly where not to send us?”
“Pretty much,” Jordan agreed.
“Nice,” the woman sneered.
Nick motioned to the kids. “Still alive.”
Dana glanced at her family then back at him, frowning. “You’re frightening my children.”
He smiled grimly. “It’s what I do best.” Placing a hand on Jordan’s shoulder, he said, “I need to speak with you outside.”
She motioned to her stack of paperwork. “We’ve barely gotten started.”
“I know. This is important.” He held the door open, staring at her.
Standing, she said, “I’ll be right back,” and walked out.
Nick followed, pulling the door closed.
Jordan faced him. “As much as I appreciate the break from those people, we’ll never get through this if we keep stopping. What’s up?”
“Charlie is gone.”
She blinked. “What do you mean, gone?”
“I mean that sometime last night, he got in his crappy black Plymouth and headed west. He’s almost to Denver as we speak.”
“How do you know that?”
“I had a funny feeling after talking with him on Monday. I discussed it with Evan and got the okay to stick a tracking device on his car.”
“Why didn’t you discuss it with me? I’m supposed to be your partner.”
Nick shrugged. “I don’t know. It was just a hunch. I wasn’t sure it was going to pan out.”
She paced a few steps back and forth. “So what happens now?”
“Evan is booking us a flight to Denver. We’ll grab a car from there and try to catch up to him.”
“If he’s almost there, why wouldn’t we go farther than Denver and try to cut him off?”
The chief stepped in. “Because we’re not exactly sure of his route. Interstate 70 ends in Utah. He might go north to Provo or stay on 70 which ends further south, but there are no major airports in that part of the state. Besides, Archer is driving by himself so he’ll have to sleep sometime. I think you can make up the time difference by catching a flight to Denver and going from there.”
She didn’t seem convinced. “And if he finds
the tracking device, or changes cars, or hops a bus—”
Nick interrupted, “Then we’re heading blindly into sunny California. We’ll grab another flight and hope to head him off at the storage unit, because you know that’s where he’s going.”
Jordan frowned. “If they see him, they’ll kill him. They have no reason to capture him, hold him hostage, none of that. They’ll flat out kill him.”
Nick nodded. “That’s why we have to get to him first. We need to run home, pack a bag, and get to the airport. Our flight leaves…?” He glanced at the chief.
“In one hour. Pack fast. They know you’ll be arriving at the last minute. Check your weapons, carry your badges and ID.”
He glanced at Jordan. “We have to book. You ready?”
“What about them?” She motioned toward the conference room.
Rhodes shook his head. “Olivia will explain you were called away on an emergency. You need to go.”
She grabbed her purse and jacket from her desk, and as she passed the chief added, “I told you that Olivia should have gotten their case.”
“Yeah, one of these days I’ll listen to you,” he called after them. “Stay safe you two.”
Nick waved as he jogged out after Jordan. “We’ll be in touch.” They raced to their vehicles and he said, “My bag is packed. “I’ll grab it then swing by and pick you up.”
Jordan nodded and they took off.
They made it to the airport with very little time to spare. The gate attendants rushed them through and they boarded without incident. Nick was pleased to see the flight crew had saved them two seats together. It was only an hour and a half trip, but he’d rather be seated next to Jordan than anyone else.
“Thank you,” he told the attendant and they slipped into their seats.
The woman nodded. “Buckle up, we’ll be taking off momentarily.”
He did as directed and glanced at Jordan in the middle seat. “We made it.”
