Chapter Eight

The two weeks went by all too fast for Jordan. The first week, they had gone into Dublin to the pubs, shopped, and let Woody see the sights, spending every minute they could together. The second week, he would go in with her to the university and sit in her classes. He was slightly amazed at the transformation in her. She had gone from being an excellent ME to being an excellent teacher. "I've never pictured you doing this," he said, walking her back to her office after class.

"I enjoy it…it's different. But I miss my old job. I miss being an ME. I miss…I miss home, Woody," she had said. "I don't mean to complain, I just…miss everything." Her voice had faltered.

He hugged her then. "I know. We're working hard. Maybe it won't be too long."

Jordan made no mention of it again the rest of the time he was there…finally, that last weekend came all too soon. He had the night flight out from Dublin. He would drive his rental car to the airport…and turn it in. Then fly back to Boston. Alone. After breakfast that morning, they drove to a small park not far from Caroline's house…to be by themselves. And to talk.

"I wish I didn't have to leave you here," Woody said, gently threading his fingers through her hair.

"I know, but you have to."

"Hopefully, soon, this whole ugly situation will be resolved."

Jordan sighed. "I don't know, Woody. Who knows what Baker is going to do? And who can stop him? I can't come back home …. I don't know when I will be able to come back…."

"Jordan, you can't lose faith…"

"I'm not, Woody. I know if anyone can put an end to it, you can. But I'm being realistic. If it's not solved…if I can't come back, you need to go on with your life. Don't wait on me."

"No. I don't want to hear that…"

"Well, it's true. You need to go on with your life if I can't come home. What if Malden's murder is never solved? Even after Baker is no longer DA? There's always going to be this cloud of suspicion over me…that I did it…or had something to do with it."

"So are you going to stay in Ireland the rest of your life?"

She had pulled away from him then. She needed space and time. "I don't know. Here…here people know me for who I am, not what I did or didn't do. I have roots…I have stability – two things I need very badly. Boston…Boston, as much as it is home and as much as I miss everyone, it can't offer me that until this is behind us. And if it never is, then I can't go back."

"So what are you suggesting?"

She turned back to him and took his hands. "If Malden's murder is never solved…if I'm never completely cleared, I won't come home. I'll never have peace there until we know who killed him."

Woody nodded. He understood…"Then if it doesn't get solved, then I'll come to you…I like it here."

"Woody, that wouldn't be fair to you. You would have to give up a lot to start over here. That's what I meant when I said that if I can't come back, you need to go on with your life.

He shook his head. His life wouldn't be anything without her.

Woody went back to Boston to find himself in the middle of a storm. Baker had pulled out all stops to find the true killer of Malden. The detective prayed that his secret trip to Ireland did nothing to put Jordan in any type of jeopardy. Nothing seemed wrong…no one seemed any wiser and everyone kept asking him how the fishing was. Nigel did take him aside and question him when they were alone.

"How was she?"

"Not as well as I would want. I see what you mean…she's thinner…and still worries. And she is really homesick, despite the fact that she loves her relatives and loves Ireland."

"Did she sleep better?"

Woody gave Nigel a look.

"I mean, with you there, did she sleep, instead of toss and turn and call out your name?"

"Yes…she did sleep better." And she had. Woody had held her and didn't hear a peep out of her. She would snuggle close and they both would drift off to sleep after they had made love. Although he imagined now that she got as much sleep as he did…which wasn't much. He could still feel her by his side…and would wake up bitterly disappointed he was no longer with her. And her words still filtered in and out of his mind…if I can't come back…go on with your life…without me. How on earth was he supposed to do that? And surely she didn't expect him to.

The storm the DA kept stirring up was building…until one day Woody found himself in the middle of it. He was called unceremoniously into the DA's office. When he arrived, he found Nigel and his chief there. He swallowed hard and glanced at the Englishman. Nigel's brown eyes gave it away. They had been found out.

"So how was your little trip to Ireland, Detective Hoyt?" Baker sneered. "I certainly hope it was worth it, because that vacation may cost you your job and your career, as well as Dr. Townsend's."

Woody said nothing, just letting Baker continue to rant. "You two thought you were going to be sneaky about the whole thing. Fishing in Kewaunne, indeed. Let me tell you something, tracking devices on computers are wonderful things…it took us a while to put two and two together, but we know where she's at now. We know Jordan's in Ireland…right outside of Dublin…and teaches at the university there. We have alerted the authorities and she will be brought back to the United States for questioning…and probable arrest and detainment. So I certainly hope your two weeks of pleasure was worth it Detective Hoyt."

He didn't hear much after that, just sat there with one hand on his forehead nearly covering his eyes. When Baker was finally through, his chief softly asked, "Is this true, son?"

Woody nodded, feeling sick to his stomach. "Yes. I saw her."

The chief shook his head. "I'm going to have to suspend you with pay, Hoyt. I don't want to…you're a good detective. You should have told me."

Woody nodded again, his stomach feeling tighter. Now what was going to happen to Jordan?

He went back to his apartment…and felt worse with each passing hour. Lois Carver had told him she would call him the minute she knew anything about Jordan. He at least needed to be there to somehow apologize…try to make things right….try to make her trust him again. How in the hell had Baker found out? Tracer on a computer? But they had used Nigel's home computer. He had only a second to talk to Nigel after leaving the DA's office. Nigel had confirmed that he had found a tracer on his home computer, too…but only a day or so after Woody had returned from Ireland. From there, he guessed the DA's office had found out everything they needed to know.

His cell phone's ring broke the silence of his apartment. Flipping it open, he said, "Hoyt."

"Woody…Dr. Macy. Nigel let me know what happened. I am so sorry."

"Thanks, doc. How's Nige?"

"He's fine. The reason I called was because Nigel wanted me to give you some information. He fears that they're still watching him too closely for him to be able to pass this along to you. Before they hauled him off to the DA's office, he was able to call Bill Crahen and tip him off. I've talked to him, and he's already been in contact with Jordan…she's aware what's going on."

"And how is she?"

"She's run."

Woody's mouth went dry and he hung up. Now where was she at?