“According to her booking records, about twice a month. Always for cash. Always to repeat customers whose names don’t match any legitimate business in the area.”
“Criminal meetings.”
“That’s my guess.”
They settled in to wait. Shaw’s flight landed tomorrow morning. His reservation at The Brew & View was for two PM.
Twenty hours until they might have the proof they needed.
Twenty hours of surveillance and waiting and hoping Shaw didn’t get spooked.
Carson texted Nora:Might be late tonight. Surveillance. I’m sorry.
She didn’t respond.
***
Nora stared at Carson’s text and felt something in her chest crack.
She’d known this would happen. Known that the moment the case heated up, she’d lose him to it. That his promises about balance and being present were sincere but ultimately impossible for him to keep.
Because this was who Carson Black was. A detective who couldn’t let go. Who couldn’t stop until justice was served, no matter what it cost him personally.
She understood it. Even admired it in some ways.
But it still hurt.
Lila called while Nora was making dinner for one. “Hey! How’s my favorite business owner?”
“Overwhelmed. Excited. Terrified.” Nora stirred pasta that Carson wouldn’t be home to eat. “I might have my first client.”
“That’s amazing! We need to celebrate. Girls’ night. Tomorrow?”
“Can’t tomorrow. I have the client meeting. But maybe this weekend?”
“Perfect. We can go to that new wine bar downtown.” Lila paused. “How’s Carson? How’s living together going?”
“It’s...good. Mostly. When he’s actually here.”
“Uh-oh. Trouble in paradise?”
“Not trouble exactly. Just...he’s working on this big case. Corruption investigation. And it’s consuming him. I barely see him even when he’s home.”
“That’s cop life though, right? The job always comes first?”
“I know. But he promised it wouldn’t. Promised he’d find balance. And now—” Nora stopped, not wanting to sound like she was complaining.
“Now you’re realizing promises and reality are different things,” Lila said gently. “I’m sorry, babe. That sucks.”
“I don’t want to be the girlfriend who resents his work. Who makes him choose between the job and me. But I also don’t want to be invisible. Don’t want to spend my life waiting for him to come home and be present.”
“Have you told him that?”
“I tried. Last night. He said he’d try harder. Then this morning he got a call and left immediately.”
“So he’s trying but failing.”
“Or he’s not really trying at all. Just saying what I want to hear.” Nora dished pasta onto a single plate. “I love him, Lila. So much. But I don’tknow if love is enough when the job will always win.”
