Chapter Three
Still one year earlier….
She was being held for contempt. And she would continue to be held until she handed over the evidence she had pilfered from the evidence locker, Rene' had told her.
The only problem was, she didn't have Joel's bloody clothes. How could she hand over something she didn't have?
Kim had come and they talked briefly. After being reassured by Jordan that she had signed the clothes back in after trace and had not touched them again, Kim was going before Judge McNeil to get Rene's authority overridden and have Jordan released.
Garret had come with Kim and stayed after the lawyer left. "Jordan," he asked softly, "I know how wrapped up you can get in a case…especially in one where you feel you're right…so be honest with me now…did you do something with those clothes…misplace them…move them…to buy you time to prove Joel's innocence?"
The patronizing tone in Garret's voice sent a chill up Jordan's spine. She would be the first one to admit that in her past she had crossed the line with some of her cases in her passion to pursue the truth. But she had never tampered with evidence….the holy grail of any trial…the integrity of any police department….the Bible of any morgue. She couldn't believe Garret had asked her that. "No. Absolutely not. Never. And I'm surprised and hurt that you asked me that question. You know me better than that Garret Macy."
"I'm sorry, Jordan. I just had to hear it from you. I have to know. Because if the evidence is found and they can somehow link you to moving it or hiding it, you know your career is over."
She nodded. "I know. But I didn't do anything to it."
Garret blew out a frustrated sigh. "Okay. I'm going back to the morgue and have Nigel and Bug turn the place inside out to find it. The police did a hack job today. Will you be all right by yourself…in here?"
"Sure. Just peachy. The accommodations are wonderful. Hot and cold running cops. What more can I ask for?"
"I'll be back as soon as I can."
She nodded and Garret left. Hours passed. She paced. She sat on the edge of her cot. She desperately wished for something to read…something to pass the time away. Finally she dozed off, only to be woken a while later by a soft voice and a familiar hand shaking her awake. "Hey….how are you doing?"
Sleepily, she sat up and rubbed her eyes. Woody always thought she looked like a three year-old waking up…slowly, somewhat reluctantly, sleep hazing her eyes and her hair tousled. At least that was his impression of her the few times he had coaxed her into spending the night at his place…after making love and falling asleep in his arms. She would look like a little kid, until she would reach up and kiss him, reminding him sharply that she was a woman….
"Gee, how am I doing? I love what you have done with this place…"
"Jordan, this was not my idea. Rene' has gone berserk on this case."
"Don't you think putting me in here….holding me for contempt is a little much? Especially since I haven't touched the clothes since you and I looked at them in trace?"
"This wasn't my decision. You have to know that."
"I know your job is helping the DA build a case. And my job is to help you. How can I do that in here?"
Woody looked at her, carefully choosing his next words. "If you could just tell me where you may have put them…maybe absent-mindedly you put them in another locker? A file drawer? With Nigel's things?"
Shocked, Jordan looked at him. "You know that I am well aware the protocol concerning evidence and that I've never broken it. I'm surprised at you."
"I've seen how you get when you're really wrapped up in a case, Jordan. You'll do almost anything."
"Not that. Not me." Her voice was soft…hurt. She lowered her head, not wanting to look in his eyes, closing up to him. She drew her knees up to her chest, wrapped her arms around them, and rested her forehead on top.
Woody gently touched her shoulder. She didn't stir. "Is there anything I can get you?"
"I don't know…do I get bread and water for supper? Am I entitled to a phone call?"
"Jordan, don't be like this…"
"How the hell am I supposed to be? I'm accused of something I didn't do…asked to produce something I didn't take, and have been told my career as an ME is probably over. It's not been a good day, Woody. Now please leave."
So he had…he left and went back to his office, unsure of what to do next. Due to his relationship with Jordan, he really couldn't work on finding the missing evidence. All he could do was wait, and pray that it turned up somewhere…anywhere not linked to her. He buried himself behind paperwork until his door swung open without a knock.
"You know she didn't do this, Hoyt." It was Max. Jordan must have made her phone call.
"I had nothing to do with this, Max."
"She didn't do it. Jordan's done some crazy things in her career…even stupid…but not this. She wouldn't take evidence, even to buy her some time. She has too much respect for the system to do that."
"I don't think she took it, either, but right now, it looks suspicious…and until we find Joel's clothes, I'm afraid she's in Rene's cross hairs."
"Can't you do something?"
"There's nothing I can do. My hands are tied, due to my relationship with Jordan. They won't let me near the case. I'm lucky they let me near her. The only thing I can hope for is that the evidence is found miles away from anywhere Jordan has been."
"When will they let her out?"
Woody sighed. "You know with contempt, there's no bail." Max nodded. "So until she tells them where the evidence is…or it shows up, she's going to be staying with us for a while."
"Not my baby. Not in jail."
"She's in solitary. No one will hurt her. The guards all know her and they'll look out for her. I'll check in on her several times a day."
Max looked down at Woody's desk and then his head swung back up to look Woody in the eye. Suddenly Jordan's father looked older…older than Woody had ever known him to appear…but his voice held a coldness Woody had never heard coming from Max before. "If anyone hurts Jordan, I want you to know, there's going to be hell to pay."
Woody swallowed hard. He understood Max's dilemma and to tell the truth, he felt the same way. He didn't want Jordan hurt in any form…physically or professionally.
But his own career was hanging by a thread with the department. He cared for her. He really did. And the attraction he felt for her was stronger than anything he had felt for any woman in a long time…maybe ever. However, he had to ask himself was it really worth it?
He knew what he had told her earlier…This…this is just a career. This…what's between us…is what's really important. But he had worked hard to become a detective. He had wanted to be a cop all his life…ever since his father was killed in the line of police duty; it had been his burning desire.
Could he possibly let Jordan take that away from him?
And she might very well do that, if Joel's clothes didn't turn up. They had worked together on the Brady case. It wouldn't be far-fetched for the department to tie him in with the disappearance of the evidence. Then his career….the one he had worked at for so long…sacrificed so much for….would be over.
And being a cop was the only thing he really knew how to do. It was the only job he had ever wanted. How would he support himself?
Could he live without being in law enforcement?
More importantly, could he live without her?
Woody ran his fingers through his hair…he was afraid he may have to answer at least one of those questions soon…and he wasn't sure if he liked the answers.
