The phone rang in his office, and he picked it up on the first ring.
"Hoyt."
There was a short pause, and then she spoke. "Woody, it's me. Jordan."
"Hey" he said with a light, casual laugh. "I don't hear from you for weeks, then it's twice in one day. What's up"
"That attack in Charlestown. Do you know anything more about it" Her voice was taut.
"No, not much more than what was in the paper. The guy broke into her apartment while she was asleep. She woke up, and he was standing beside the bed with a knife, wearing a ski mask. Told her to get undressed while he watched. Then...well. You know the rest" he said with the sad but detached tone that was so frequent in their line of work.
There was another silence. Longer this time.
"Jordan? You there"
"...Yeah." She finally said. There was something in her voice. A heaviness.
"Jordan, are you okay? This thing has really gotten you rattled, hasn't it? Look, I know you've probably been a little jumpy since your place was broken into, but I wouldn't worry too much. I mean, what are the odds of this guy hitting your building? Lightning doesn't strike twice. Just lock your doors and make sure..."
"I'm fine." The sharp edge of her voice cut through his speech. "Stop worrying about me."
He almost responded. Sorry. No can do, Jordan. Instead, he left an empty space. She spoke again.
"I was just curious, that's all. Look, I gotta go."
"Jordan, wait..." But she was gone. He set the phone back in its cradle and stared out into the hallway.
How could he not worry about Jordan? He considered it his job. With Max off on his late-life crisis and Garret wrapped up in his own drama with Renee Walcott, who else was there? As much as she denied it, she needed someone. Who didn't?
Something wasn't right. This wasn't just her usual evasiveness or one of her frequent mood swings. He was more than happy to play the role of Jordan Cavanaugh's protector, and she needed him now. He would protect her.