The door opened.
Her body tensed automatically, checking exits and assessing threats before she could stop herself.
Gabe stood in the doorway, exhausted, but his eyes were steady on hers.
Her heart did something complicated in her chest.
He crossed to the chair beside her bed and sat carefully.
"David says thank you. For saving his life."
"He's good?"
"The doctor says he'll be fine." Gabe's voice was rough. "Because of you."
"Anyone would have jumped."
"No." The word was firm. Certain. "Most people would have frozen. Or panicked. You didn't."
She didn't know what to say to that.
Silence settled between them. Not uncomfortable exactly, just weighted with everything they weren't saying.
"My boss called," Gabe said finally. "Morrison. He's actually pleased with how things turned out. Said I did good work. Turns out helping root out corrupt smalltown cops buys a guy a little grace."
"That's good."
"Yeah. But he needs me back in Philadelphia. There's an active IA investigation I was supposed to close three weeks ago." He rubbed his face. "I'm leaving tomorrow. Noon flight."
"Of course," she managed. "You have responsibilities."
"Yeah."
The awkwardness stretched between them. Two people who'd been through crisis together. Who'd saved each other's lives. Who had something neither could acknowledge.
Cara was too tired to think clearly or to maintain the careful walls she'd built. Part of her wanted to ask if he'd come back. Part of her wanted this to be goodbye so she could breathe again.
"Get some rest," he said finally, standing. "Doctor says they're releasing you in a couple hours. Wade’ll get you home."
She wanted to say something profound. Or heartfelt. Or funny. Had he felt the same sparks?
Not that it mattered. He had a life in Philadelphia. Shehad a fake life here. Plus, they had the whole, Special Agent/fugitive issue….
Even if Gabe liked her, too, there was no way forward.
Instead she said, "I'm glad you found David. Glad he's okay."
"Me too." He paused at the door. "Cara?"
"Yeah?"
"You saved his life tonight. I know you don't want recognition or attention. I know you've got your reasons for keeping to yourself." His expression was unreadable. "But what you did mattered. Thank you."
He left before she could respond, the door closing behind him with quiet finality.
Cara lay in the too-warm room and stared at the ceiling.
She'd been expecting an interrogation.
