Hope this chapter is interesting enough...I tried to set the scene and not be boring at the same time...so...Enjoy!:-)

Chapter Two: The 1930's

Jordan's eyes fluttered open as the early-morning sunlight filtered into her bedroom. With a groan, she sat up and stretched her arms. No time for dozing this morning, or any morning. The day's chores were already scrolling through Jordan's mind. Feed the chickens, wash and hang the laundry, make stew, collect rent…the list went on.

Things had been especially hard since Jordan's father left. Not even a year ago, Max Cavanaugh had been a respected cop in the Boston Police Department. Then he got caught planting evidence and it was all over. Max's solution was to leave town. He hadn't even told his daughter until the night he left…and then he was gone. Jordan was strong enough to get through it…she had gotten through her mother's death when she was a child, and she'd get through Max's abandonment. But that didn't mean that his leaving didn't hurt.

Once it was clear that Max wasn't coming back, Jordan's wealthy grandparents offered her a space in their mansion. The Depression didn't seem to be hurting them any, and they took every opportunity to display that fact. Jordan knew that her grandparents weren't offering her a home out of love, or even out of familial obligation. They wanted to prove to Jordan that they were better than her, and that they could control her. Jordan had almost laughed in their faces—no one could control Jordan Cavanaugh.

To survive, Jordan had to take on boarders in her house. The economy being what it was, Jordan's small salary for her nursing job wouldn't offset the loss of Max's police pay. While she had taken in the boarders reluctantly at first, Jordan soon found that their company gave her the strength she needed to keep going.

Hurriedly Jordan whipped her hair into a bun and donned an apron. She was downstairs preparing coffee just in time for her boarder's appearances. Nigel was first, as always.

"Morning, Love," he said, grabbing the coffee and inhaling deeply before taking a sip. "Perfect as usual." He gave her a wink and sat down at the table.

Lily came down next, followed by Bug. Lily jumped right in to help Jordan with breakfast. Although she was a boarder, Lily was Jordan's friend first. Lily was the receptionist at the hospital where Jordan worked. Being single like Jordan, it was more natural for her to live with her friend than to have a place of her own.

Bug was staring at the "Help Wanted" ads while nursing his coffee. Because of his skin color, he had a hard time getting or keeping a job. It wasn't often that he could pay the rent fully, but Jordan didn't have it in her to force him out. No one had a kinder heart than Bug…except perhaps Lily.

"Dr. Macy wants everyone there early today," Lily commented as she flipped the eggs over on the stove. "He said something about new procedures that he wanted everyone to follow."

Jordan smiled. "Yes. Well, he just took over the hospital. He wants everyone to see him as the big boss instead of just another doctor."

Jordan was glad that Garret had been the Chief of Staff's replacement. She hadn't gotten along so well with Dr. Slockum, but Garret was her best friend. It was because of Garret that she was hired, kept on the staff, and was surviving the turmoil in her personal life.

Once breakfast had been made, eaten, and cleaned up, Jordan finished her other housekeeping jobs and her and Lily headed off to the hospital. The walk there was uneventful until they reached the main street into the heart of the city.

Just as the two women were crossing the street, a man blasted passed them and nearly knocked them over. Jordan was about to give the runner a piece of her mind when another figure hurried after him.

"Police!" the second man yelled. "Stop where you are! I said FREEZE!"

Unfortunately for the officer, the criminal didn't heed his commands. Soon the man was lost in the crowd. The officer walked back to Jordan and Lily.

"Sorry about that, ma'am," he said as he held his hand out to Lily. "Where either of you hurt?"

"No, we're fine," Lily replied.

He turned toward Jordan with the same gesture. "Detective Woody Hoyt," he said.

Jordan studied him. "You're new," she said as she took his hand.

He looked surprised. "How did you know?"

"My father worked at the department," she said. "I know all of the detectives."

Detective Hoyt nodded. "Well, you're right. This is my first day. I was just going to my first scene when I saw that man grab a woman's purse." He looked down. "Some start, huh?"

Lily smiled at him. "You didn't have much of a chance anyway. I'm sure you'll do fine here."

Woody thanked her. "I sure am glad to be here. There are no jobs, in the police department or otherwise, in Wisconsin where I'm from."

"How'd you get hired here?" Jordan asked, though she thought she already knew the answer.

"It was really a lot of luck," the detective started. "I started out in New York, but they didn't think a country bumpkin like me could handle such a rough-and-tumble city. So I came here. Apparently this position opened up because some other detective was dirty and got fired." He paused. "I'm happy to have a job and all, but I keep thinking about that guy. I mean, how stupid do you have to be to plant evidence in a crime? He didn't have a chance at getting away with it."

Woody noticed Jordan's expression turn sour. "What's wrong?"

Jordan stared at him for a beat. "That dirty cop whose job you have is my father," she said coldly.

"Oh…oh, gosh…I'm sorry," Woody stammered. "I didn't know who he was…really, I'm sure he was a great detective. He probably just fell into a hard time and—"

"Yes, I'm sure that was it. It's not like he is stupid or anything," Jordan said back. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we have to get to work."

Jordan turned on her heel and left without giving the floundering detective a backward glance.