Gavin sighed once more and looked away.
“Have a seat, Sergeant.”
Isaac walked over to the chair in front of his boss’ desk and sat down. Gavin handed him a piece of paper and then took his own seat. Isaac studied the paper and then looked up at Gavin. Was this for real?
“She transferred out?”
The amount of shock and disappointment in his own voice was no surprise. Gerri was one of the best detectives in their unit, and Isaac hated to lose her.
“She gave me that form about a week before we closed the lullaby case and Dorn was shot. I never processed it.”
Isaac handed the paper back to him and shook his head.
“I don’t understand.”
“I never authorized her request, and I didn’t push the paperwork through because I was hoping to change her mind. Then Dorn was killed, and per protocol, as his partner she was ordered to take a week off to get herself together.”
“She’s been off since he was shot. So, it’s been three weeks now,” Isaac stated the obvious with growing disgust at the situation.
“I know that.”
“And? Has she called or reported in at all?”
“She has. And she’s not doing well. She requested a leave of absence. Barker’s stomach issues hadn’t flared up yet at the time, so I granted the leave. On the condition that she see Dr. Clark Newman for a while.”
Isaac sighed and sat back in the chair. He’d had his own run-in with the department’s shrink, and he didn’t envy her the intrusive conversation.
“So, do you think she’ll be coming back here after her leave, or moving on to another precinct?”
Gavin spread his hands wide in an I-have-no-clue gesture before clasping them together, elbows on the desk, and rested his chin on them.
“Unfortunately, I don’t know. But I do plan to go see her personally to check in. See how she’s doing.”
“She was a wreck at Dorn’s funeral.”
They were both silent for a moment, remembering the way their colleague had broken down at the service.
“Yeah,” Gavin said quietly. His voice was stronger a second later. “Well, I’m reluctant to make this a search for two new detectives without first trying to hold on to Gerri. She’s good at what she does, and I’d hate to lose her.”
“I agree wholeheartedly. She’s a damn fine detective, and this unit is better with her.” Isaac just couldn’t figure out her motives for requesting the transfer, and he shook his head again, puzzled. “Did she say why she wants to transfer to another precinct? I didn’t realize she was unhappy here.”
Gavin hesitated, and Isaac’s overdeveloped sense of empathy could suddenly feel his boss’ unease at that question. It was palpable. And strong.
“She had personal reasons.”
Isaac waited for more, but Gavin wasn’t giving anything else away. The look on his face told Isaac that there was more to the story. A lot more. He refused to pry though.
“So… what do you need from me, sir? How can I help?”
“I’m glad you asked.” Gavin reached for a small stack of manila file folders on the edge of his desk, and handed them to him. “These are files on the prospective candidates for Dorn’s position. Look through them and bring me your recommendations.”
Isaac took the pile of files, but he was surprised.
“You want my opinion on the new hire?”
“Well, the final choice will be mine, and the Chief’s, of course. But I wouldn’t mind your input. You know I like your instincts.”
“Okay. Can I take these home with me and let you know my thoughts tomorrow?”
“Absolutely. In the meantime, tell me about this case you and Vega caught this morning. I heard it was… interesting.”
“Yeah, that’s one word for it.” Isaac rolled his eyes. “Vic was spread eagled around the largest tree trunk I’ve ever seen, naked as the day he was born, and all his junk was cut clean off.”
“All of it?”
“All. Of. It. We’re waiting to hear back from Hiroshi on the cause of death, but my money would be on the genitalia excision.”
“Damn.”
Gavin visibly winched and moved his knees together. Isaac understood the impulse.
“Yeah. Pete and I are headed out to the University now to see if we can get a copy of a student roster or something similar. Try to ID our guy.”
“Keep me posted.”
“You do the same after you speak with Gerri.”
Gavin nodded, and Isaac got up and left the office.
Once Isaac left for work, Sidney headed for the shower. She was getting a late start, having only just decided to put on her big girl pants and go back to work, so she tucked her mountain of curls under a satin-lined plastic shower cap. She didn’t have time to blow them dry this morning.
She stood beneath the hot stream for a little longer than she’d planned. It was a big mistake. Lingering in the steam only gave her more time to think about what she’d lost.
She’d been so scared when the pink lines appeared on the stick. So worried about how Isaac would react to the news. So worried about his reaction that she hadn’t even considered her own.
She hadn’t been prepared for the overwhelming sense of joy. And when Isaac’s eyes lit up, she knew that he was just as happy. They’d made a baby.
They’d basked in that joy for exactly eleven and a half days before it was ripped away.
Eleven and a half days.
Just long enough to fall in love with the idea.
Sorrow reached in and ripped out her heart all over again.
The tears streamed down her face, and the water washed over her.
One last cry.
That’s what she told herself. She’d have this one last cry here in the shower, and then she would carry on with her life.
Ten minutes later she got out and dressed in a nice pair of brown slacks and a cream blouse with brown polka stars. She put on a matching pair of brown slingback pumps, wrangled her copious
