In Pursuit of Justice Read Free Page A

said firmly. “It was the fault of the man who pulled the trigger, and I suspect you know that. I’ll wager that’s not much help, though, is it?”
    “Not at the moment, no.”
    “I know. We’re going to need more time than we have tonight to talk about why you feel that you’re to blame. What I’m more interested in right now is a quick fix so you can get some rest.”
    Catherine smiled. “Such heresy.”
    “Fortunately, no one will ever know,” Hazel replied with a grin. “How do you feel about medication?”
    “I’d rather hold off for now.” Catherine blew out a breath. “I was hoping it would be better when she was better. But it isn’t. It’s worse.”
    “How is she?”
    “Recovering well. Chomping at the bit to get back to work.”
    “How is she sleeping?”
    “So far, she seems fine. She’s so focused on getting back to work that I don’t think she’s allowed anything else to really register consciously. Not Jeff Cruz’s death, not even the fact that she almost died.”
    “She intends to resume active duty?” Hazel asked noncommittally, watching Catherine carefully, knowing that ultimately her friend would have to deal with how her lover dealt, or didn’t deal, with these issues.
    “Yes. The minute she’s able.”
    “And there’s no possibility she would change her mind…if you asked?”
    “No, and I couldn’t ask her. She loves being a cop. It’s more than a job; it’s who she is.”
    “So, she’ll be on the streets again soon.”
    “Yes.”
    “And how do you feel about that?”
    Catherine stared at her friend. Finally she admitted, “It terrifies me.”
    “I should think it would. I don’t need to tell you about the fear that every partner of someone in a life-threatening occupation lives with on a daily basis. And you have not only that general anxiety with which to contend, you also have the actual experience of seeing her almost die in the course of doing her job.” She shrugged. “You need to give yourself a break.”
    “That’s it? That’s your medical opinion?” Despite herself, Catherine was smiling.
    “In a nutshell, yes. That and the fact that you need to see me on a regular basis for the time being. If your detective intends to go back to work, I suspect there’ll be some things you need to sort out.”
    “Yes. I know,” Catherine said quietly. If she and Rebecca were to have any future together, she would have to accept the fact that every time Rebecca walked out the door, it might be for the last time. She would have to learn to say goodbye, and she wasn’t at all sure that she could.

Chapter Two

    The next morning, Catherine watched Rebecca pack with a sense of loss. It had taken her by surprise when after breakfast Rebecca had announced that it was time for her to move back to her own apartment “before the super rents it out from under me.” That excuse was so thin Catherine could practically see it hanging in the air between them like a curtain of smoke.
    The news shouldn’t have been unanticipated, because in the last week Rebecca had improved dramatically; nevertheless, Catherine’s first response had been one of disappointment. It was an occupational hazard to ask herself why she should feel abandoned, especially when she was genuinely elated at her lover’s rapid recovery, but it was her nature to be reflective. So, as she leaned against the dresser watching Rebecca carefully fold jeans and T-shirts into a duffle, she struggled for perspective.
    Too many conflicting emotions, that’s all it is. Things will settle down in a week or two. As soon as I get used to the fact that she’s all right, I won’t feel as if my world is teetering on the brink of disaster . She jumped as the sound of the bag’s zipper rasping closed cut sharply through the silence, a knife severing ties with heartless finality.
    “I’ll miss you.”
    Surprised, Rebecca looked up, a crease between her brows. “I’m not planning on going anywhere. But I can’t