Chapter Five

Jordan knew more forensically about the Albanian mob than anyone else in Boston, just as she had known more about Blackie Conroy and the Irish mob before the Albanians moved in. She could not only link the bodies that had been found in the shallow graves in the field to the new mob, but she also could link the Albanians to other unsolved homicides that had taken place in Boston over a ten-year period.

In Walcott's terms, Jordan was the glue of the DA's case. Without Jordan, and what she knew…and her evidence, the state's case against the mob dissolved.

But with her testimony, the state's case was rock solid. Some of the Albanian mob members would be charged with murder and put away for life. Would it stop them? No, probably not. However, they would be dealt a crippling blow and the quiet façade of the new Boston mob would be demolished. They would now be known…out in the open…to be both actively feared and resisted. And set up for a possible bloody take-over by another family.

So to keep Jordan quiet…or to find a way to keep her quiet … had been first and foremost on the mob's to do list. Her feelings for Woody had been well known…as well as the fact that they were now a "couple." The mob wasn't stupid. They knew they could manipulate her emotions for the detective to their advantage.

Jordan was aware of that. She also knew that even though she was slated to only testify in this upcoming trial, her knowledge of the way they murdered their enemies would make her a potential witness in all future trials against the Albanian mob. The mob bosses would look for something to threaten her with. Her feelings for Woody may wane. There could possibly come a time when threats against him could not longer be used to keep her quiet.

But a baby…her child…could be a long-term tool for them. If they threatened her child in some way, she would be more apt to be compliant to their wishes in order to keep her baby safe.

So that is why no one…except Cal, Nigel, Garret, and Walcott needed to know she was pregnant. The fewer people that knew about the baby, the better. And Woody didn't need to know…not now. Maybe not ever. Jordan knew Woody…she knew what he would try to do … He would work the system with everything in his power in order to bring down the mob. And if that didn't work, he would try tactics outside the system. Anything to ensure the safety of the baby…but tactics that could also get him killed.

"It's just better he not know right now," she told Nigel. "Maybe later…when things have died down…but not right now."

"Are you sure, love?" he had asked when he arrived at Rhode Island.

Jordan nodded. "You've got to make me go away…disappear."

"I can do that…but Garret and Rene' need to know what's going on."

"I know…"

"Are you positive there's no other way, Jordan? I mean, damn it, this is Woody's baby, too."

"I don't see any other alternative."

She hadn't shown up at the trial yet. Woody waited…and watched, knowing that at some point she would have to be there. She was on the DA's witness list. And words couldn't begin to express how badly he wanted to see her. How glad he was that she was coming home.

Cal had been less than forthcoming with any information on Jordan. He had been able to confirm to Woody that she was in hiding…and was fine…but not much else. Woody had been forced to leave her alone, knowing that her safety was on the line.

So he had waited. Day by day, until the time for the court date. The day of the trial, he stayed in the witness room until at last, after court had already started, the wooden door opened and she slipped in the room.

She looked thinner…and the dark circles under her eyes bore witness that she hadn't been resting. To be honest, despite her immaculate clothing, she looked like she had been through hell….but it didn't matter to Woody. She was there. "Jordan," was all he could manage to get out before he had her in his arms. "God, I've missed you. And I've been so worried."

Jordan had expected a lot of things during this trial, but she didn't expect to see him in the witness waiting room. He caught her off guard. Vulnerable.

Needy.

She clung to him like he was her life line. "I've missed you, too." He led her over to the couch in the corner of the room.

"Where did they have you? Cal said he would try to find you…he still has his connections, but only told me you were safe. Where were you? And are you okay?" his words came out in a rush, anxious to find out as much as possible before she took the stand.

"Rhode Island…I was in a safe house in Rhode Island. And I'm fine."

"Jesus, it's good to see you again." He smoothed the hair back off her shoulders. She found herself leaning into his touch. He always had a way of calming her, even at the roughest times.

"I didn't think this day would ever get here," she replied, thinking and I know it's going to end all too soon.

He opened his mouth to reply when the bailiff came to the door and called Jordan. It was time for her to go. She reluctantly began to slip out of his arms, but he pulled her back in for a searing kiss. One she felt all the way to her toes. "I'm right behind you," he whispered. "No one…nothing can hurt you while you're here."

She glanced up in his blue eyes. If only he knew…

Jordan testified, spilling forensic fact after forensic fact like nails, shutting the lid on the DA's case against the Albanians. Woody watched from the side with a mixture of pride and fear. She had been unusually closed mouth about this case. Now he knew why. A cold dread began to settle in the pit of his stomach, as he realized she knew too much. Too much for own good, he thought, as her testimony drew to a close. She was cross examined and then dismissed. There was an unusual hustle to get her out of the courtroom and back into the witness room. Jordan had requested a few minutes alone with Woody before she had to leave … before she had to tell him she had to go.

She never had to even open her mouth. He knew before she said a word.

"You have to leave again, don't you?" he said, when he shut the door behind them and locked it,affording them a few moments of privacy.

She nodded. "Yeah."

"Are they sending you back to Rhode Island?"

"No. Somewhere else… I don't know where."

"For how long?"

Ah. There was the hard part. "I don't….I don't know," she managed to stammer out, hoping the lie wasn't obvious on her face. With their child on the way, she had no idea exactly how long she would need to stay gone. Or if indeed, she could ever even return.

"I know this is to keep you safe," he continued.

No, you don't know the half of it, she thought.

"But I think I could do that … keep you safe. I always have."

And your life has never been threatened before either.

"Isn't there anyway you can stay?" he asked holding her close, looking deep into her whiskey-colored eyes.

No way in hell, she thought. "I can't, Woody. It's part of the deal…part of what I had to do. Part of what I have to do now."

"You will come back home." It was a question.

"I don't know…"

He pulled her tighter. "Then, when the time is right…call me. I'll come to you."

If I only could. "I will…" she said, hoping he wouldn't see through her lie. There was a knock at her door. It was time. "Kiss me quick."

"So this is good-bye?" It was the hardest thing he had ever done. Let her go…but in Woody's mind, it was for her own safety. If she stayed in Boston, the mob would know exactly where she was at and try to make her an example. A price Woody wasn't willing to pay with the life of the woman he loved. He tucked a curl behind her ear and tilted her chin up with his thumb, bringing her lips to meet his.

This was not the way he had pictured his day ending with her. He had imagined he would take her home with him…have her in his bed with him tonight. And every night afterwards. The three month separation had taught him one thing: Living without her…even for short amounts of time was hard. Now not being with her for a longer period of time seemed damned impossible.

So he kissed her. Thoroughly. As many times as he could before there was another knock at the door…imprinting her scent, the press of her body against his, the feel of her lips beneath his in his mind. That's all he'd have for the next….God knows how long.

The bailiff knocked again. She had to go. He slowly disentangled himself from her, pulling his hand from her hair, sliding the other from her waist, and feeling her just as slowly begin to move away from him.

"I don't want to let you go," he said softly against her lips.

"I don't want to go…but I have to," she replied, resting her forehead against his shoulder. "I'd rather stay right here…with you…for forever."

He hugged her close. "Just let me know when I can come to you. I'll be on the next plane."

She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "I will…" She was lying to him again…she hoped he didn't know it, but she was. She turned away before he could see the truth in her eyes. She would have to stay gone.

Nigel was going to make her disappear. He had to. She had danced with the Devil himself…the Albanian mob. Now she had to pay her dues.