Chapter Two

If Woody was trying to torpedo Jordan's self-confidence, he was doing a damn fine job. She had felt totally inadequate after Devan's death…she had been unable to comfort him to any degree. He had pushed her away and grieved on his own. There had been nothing she could do…nothing that she was able to do, to make him feel better. She had watched him carefully, making sure he ate, slept, and got to work on time, but she had not been able to ease his distress.

She had finally accepted that, knowing grief takes on different forms and timetables with each person.

But parading his newest conquest in front of her was more than she could deal with. He had brought Kimberly to the Pogue on a Saturday night when Jordan had to work…She couldn't believe his callousness….his lack of concern about her feelings. But at ten that evening, the door to the bar opened and in walked Woody. Jordan had been momentarily glad…hoping they could at least talk tonight.

Then Kimberly had followed him in….dressed in tight, designer jeans and a low-cut blouse that showed her bust line to the best advantage.

And to top off insult to injury, they sat in their booth – Jordan's favorite place to sit with Woody when she wanted to be alone with him….it was in the back corner…dark…secluded….private.

Max had noticed Woody's arrival….and Kim. He shot Jordan a look that plainly asked What the hell is going on? She simply shrugged and continued to wipe down the bar. He had sent another waitress up to take care of the couple, alleviating Jordan from the task. But although she didn't have direct contact with them, she noticed….how Kim leaned across the table to talk to Woody, giving him a great view down her shirt, how she flirted with the detective, stroking his arm.

And noted how Woody was soaking up the attention like a sponge…and enjoying the view. He had taken Kim's hand and kissed her fingers…finally leaning over and lightly kissing her lips.

Jordan wished she could go through the floor. Max, sensing her feelings, sent her into the back to finish inventory.

And that was where he found her hours later, after the bar closed. "What was that about, Jordan?"

"What?" she replied, hoping if she played dumb her father would forget the whole thing. She really had no desire to talk about them….Woody or Kim.

"You know what. Woody…and that….that….whatever she was."

Jordan chuckled. Her father still wouldn't use certain language around her, even though she was a grown woman. "That is Woody's new girlfriend."

Max looked at his daughter for a full beat. "What's happened to you and him?"

"Dad, there never was a me and him. We tried and it didn't work. Woody realized this and moved on. Her name is Kimberly Dawn Stewart. Eddie Winslow introduced them a couple of months ago and they've been seeing each other ever since."

Max made a mental note to start charging Eddie for his beers. "And you haven't…moved on that is."

Jordan guiltily looked down at her clipboard she was working with on inventory. "I don't know…I guess I have to now, don't I?"

"No. Not necessarily. If you still have feelings for the man, you could talk to him….or try to win him back."

Jordan inwardly winced. "I don't think so, Dad. I think I'd be wasting my time."

"Why?"

"Well…you saw Kim…You saw what she looks like. Now look at me. I have no figure, I'm too thin, too tomboyish, and wouldn't know what was in fashion if it stood up and hit me in the face, much less if it looked good on me. She's like a living Barbie doll…"

"Jordan Marie Cavanaugh. I know you're my daughter, but have you looked in the mirror lately? You've turned into a beautiful woman."

"Thanks, Dad. But you're supposed to think that. You're my father. How many dads don't think their daughters are beautiful?"

Max watched as Jordan's face turned from pensive to downright sad. He knew she had long harbored feelings for Woody, but had hid them from herself and the detective for a long time. She may have waited too long. "Look, honey…I'm sure Woody will come around again. After all, you two have to work together. I'm sure seeing you on a day to day basis will jump-start the relationship again at some point."

"Not if he's sleeping with her at night."

Max blinked. She had a point. If this Kim and Woody were sharing a bed, it would make things more difficult for Jordan. "Can I give you a word of advice, sweetheart?" Max finally said.

"Sure Dad. I won't guarantee I'll take it, but I'll listen."

"I hope you will take this bit of advice, Jordan. You need to let Woody go. Physically and emotionally. Let him go. If it's meant to be…if you two are meant to be together, it will happen. Heaven and hell won't be able to keep you apart. But if it's not, then you'll meet someone. He'll find his way to you….just wait and see."

"I don't know, Dad. I'm thirty-five years-old. It hasn't happened yet and I'm not sure if it will," she replied, dubious about the whole scenario Max just laid out.

"It will. The reason it hasn't happened before is that you weren't ready to make a commitment. Now you are. It will happen. Mark my words. Whoever is out there for you, he'll find his way to your door."

Jordan kissed her dad. She knew Max was trying to encourage her, but she wasn't sold on the idea. For one thing, she couldn't imagine another man in her life, except Woody. For another, she didn't know many men who would want to beat a path to her door….not while there were women who looked like Kim out there.

For once, she tried to take her father's advice. She tried to let go of Woody and her emotions for him.

But he didn't make it easy. Jordan saw the couple together nearly everyday. At lunch. Meeting after work. A couple of times Jordan had called Woody's apartment to ask about a case and Kim answered.

And it seemed every time they were out on a homicide scene together, the blonde would ring Woody's cell phone off the hook. Jordan had heard through the Boston PD grapevine that Woody was showing up late for work…taking longer than normal lunch hours…leaving Jordan to come up with two conclusions: First of all, yes, Woody and Kim were sleeping together. Second, Woody's behavior could be putting his job in jeopardy. She discreetly asked Annie Capra if that may be the case. Annie had answered affirmatively. "He needs to be careful, Jordan. The only reason the chief is cutting Woody some slack right now is that in his past, he's had a perfect record. We're all hoping Woody will self-correct. If not, he may find himself doing desk duty for a while."

Jordan swallowed hard. Woody would die if that was the case. The over-active detective couldn't stand desk duty.

Just as discreetly, she had tried to force the issue with Woody one day while he was in autopsy with her. "Kim's taking up a lot of your time now, Woody," she began one day.

The detective shot her a look. "So….?"

"Don't you think she's interfering with your job just a little too much? Taking time away from being a detective?"

"Maybe…but for the first time in my life, I've got someone of the opposite sex that cares about me….wants to spend time with me…has no issues….and listens to me."

Pain shot through Jordan's heart. She had tried to do all those things, but he had pushed her away. Straightening her back, squaring her shoulders, and looking him straight in the eye, she finally became blunt with him. "Look…I know it's none of my business, but you've told me that all your life, you wanted to be a cop. It's the only thing you wanted to be. Are you going to let her jeopardize that? Your job could be on the line, detective, especially if you come in late in the morning or from lunch again. If you're going to sleep with her, fine. But do it on your on time. And if you're going to talk to her, do that on your on time, too. Not when we're trying to figure out a homicide scene. Don't waste my time dealing with your social life when we're supposed to be serving the citizens of Boston. Understand?" She turned and walked off.

"Jordan." He said her name in the coldest tone she had ever heard come out of him. She turned to face him again.

"You're right. It is none of your business. And another thing. Don't take your jealousy out on me."

"I'm not jealous. Like you said before, if we hadslept together, we'd both probably have a dozen regrets. However, you are a fine detective. I'd hate for Boston to lose you because you can't keep your hormones in check." She turned again and left him alone at the autopsy room.