Chapter 1

Alex had just finished writing the report. She looked across the desk at her partner. "You wanna look this over?" He only grunted and continued staring into space, something he did when he was deep in thought. He had been deep in thought for the last hour. What was it this time, Alex wondered. His mother lying in a hospital? His brother standing in line at a soup kitchen? Both? What a mess.

Wheeler walked up to their desks, giving Bobby a curious look. "Wanna grab a coffee, Alex?"

Alex tossed the typed report on Bobby's desk. "Yeah. Sure." Alex thought Wheeler to be a bit aloof but she gladly accepted the offer, relieved to have an excuse to get away from her partner for a few minutes.

In the break room they got coffee and danish and found a table in the corner.

"Where's Logan?" Alex asked, biting into her danish.

"Who knows?" Wheeler said. "Occasionally, my partner actually disappears during the day. Your partner's body is in the room but his mind is somewhere else completely."

"He has a lot on his mind."

"I'll bet he does. I heard about his brother."

Alex paused for a moment. Discussing Bobby and his family seemed somehow disloyal. "Like I said, he has a lot on his mind. When a case opens up, he'll be back."

Wheeler smiled. "Just like Logan, huh?" Both their partners were very dedicated to their jobs, although Logan didn't take it as seriously as Bobby. "How's your nephew?"

"Danny? Danny's great! Thanks for asking."

"I admire the sacrifice you made for your sister."

Alex was touched. Maybe she'd been wrong about Wheeler. "Thank you, Megan."

"I couldn't have done it," Wheeler said, stirring milk into her coffee.

Alex smiled slightly. "Yes you could, if it was important to you."

"No, I couldn't. Stretch marks, morning sickness. No way."

Alex laughed. She had heard it all before. "You do what you have to do for your family. She's my sister. They wanted a baby, she couldn't have one, so I gladly stepped in to help. I mean, my womb was just sitting here, unused and unoccupied."

Wheeler shook her head in disbelief. "But it's not even your baby."

"I know that!" Alex said, more forcefully than she meant to. Then, " But like I said, its family."

****

Alex was surprised to find Emily and Danny in her living room when she got home. Emily and her husband Daniel lived in a spacious house in the suburbs with a big yard and even a pool. Daniel, a corporate attorney, who made lots of money. Emily didn't have to work. She really never wanted to because all she ever talked about was being the wife of a successful man and having a child. "Are you all right, Emily?"

"Why? Don't I look all right? I have everything I need."

Alex didn't know what to say. Emily was a bit of a drama queen. "Where's Daniel?"

"Where Daniel always is. Working."

Alex refrained from telling her sister to be careful next time what she wished for.

Emily handed Danny over to Alex. "I just need you to watch him for a few hours."

"Where are you going?"

"I need to be by myself for a little while . . . take in a movie, get my nails done. I'm tired, Alex."

"Oh . . .yes . . . of course."

"You don't know what it's like, Alex. I love Daniel and Danny, but they both get on my nerves sometimes."

Alex didn't like what she was hearing.

Emily chuckled. "Why are you looking so shocked? Young mothers suffer from it all the time."

"Tiredness? Of course they do. I understand that."

"I'm talking about postpartum depression, Alex.

"Post . . postpartum depression! Oh, Emily, come on! I'm the one who carried Danny."

"Yeah, but you're not home with him day in and day out. Daniel is rarely home and I have to do all the parenting by myself." She reached to take Danny but Alex backed up. "Give him to me," Emily said. I thought you would help me but—"

"I will help you. I'm sorry. Go, please. It's okay. I'm sorry." As Alex was saying this she wasn't so sure she should encourage Emily to go out. If her sister was indeed suffering from postpartum depression there was no telling what she might do.