My hand digs for my phone in my jean pocket, pulling it out. I text Woodcroft.
Me:
I think I need to pull Claire out of the investigation completely.
Woody:
What does that mean exactly? Is she asking for this?
Me:
No. I just think she’s been through a lot and needs a break from it all. I mean, how much can she really help us? She has so much on her plate right now. I don’t want to do anything that could stress her or the baby out.
Woody:
How deep are you exactly?
Me:
Deep. But this isn’t about me at all. She’s been through too much.
Woody:
I’ll agree to not bring her on unless absolutely needed. But you need to let me know how you are doing. If things progress quickly, I need to be informed. I can’t have this investigation blown because of your feelings for her.
Me:
You really think I would blow the investigation?
Woody:
This isn’t about you, A. This is about a case we’ve worked on for years. I can’t let anything jeopardize that. Baby or not, girlfriend or not.
Me:
I know.
Woody:
Good. I have new information I’m sending that I need you to look at tomorrow.
Me:
Yes, sir.
Woody:
I’m not saying not to worry about Claire, but we need to get to the bottom of this case too. I can’t have my team fly by the seat of their pants. The faster we get this case closed, the faster you can have a real shot with Claire—and not just at the safehouse. You need a real place to raise a family, and the way you both are living right now isn’t it. I’m just trying to help youget to a better place for your family, Adam, and that means closing this thing once and for all.
I hate his logic. And I know I still have a job to do, but that doesn’t mean I can’t also take care of Claire and her pregnancy. I can multitask.
Me:
I hear you. Send it over. I’ll start working on it tonight.
Tossing my phone onto the couch, I continue pacing while I wait for the email Woodcroft is sending.
How did I get here?
