Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Crossing Jordan.

Regret

Chapter 14 – His secretrevealed

Jordan went back to Woody who looked up at her. He finally looked at peace and Jordan felt so guilty that she had to be the one to drop the bomb. "Woody," she spoke, her voice filled with fear and concern. "You aren't your brothers emergency contact."

"Huh?"

"It seems Cal had a life you didn't know about. He has a wife and a child, Woody."

"Jordan what are you talking about. That's ridiculous, he would have told me. I'm his brother." With every word Woody spoke, Jordan could hear his voice breaking more and more. Jordan handed him the paper with her name, phone number and address.

Then Jordan saw the pain fill his face. "My brother was so afraid of my disappointment that he wouldn't tell me he had a wife and child?" The tears then formed. Jordan wanted to cry herself.

"She is going to have to be contacted."

"I don't think I can do it. What am I supposed to say, 'hi I'm Woody, your husbands brother. You know the one you never met. Well Cal died because of my negligence.' Well doesn't that sound fun."

"Listen, I'll call her. Woody, you can't keep blaming yourself for Cal's death. It isn't your fault. You have to believe that." Jordan gently let her lips brush his, then she wiped a tear from his cheek. "I promise I'll be back later but I am going to get some of this taken care of. I love you Woody."

Her voice was so calm as she walked from the room, but Woody was too devastated to respond.

Jordan arrived at the morgue and went into her office to make the call.

"Hello."

"Hi, I'm Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh from the Boston Medical Examiners Office, I'm calling in regards to your husband, Calvin Hoyt. He was murdered over a month ago here in Boston and his body just washed up on shore. The murder has been solved and the suspect has been apprehended. Calvin had a brother here in Boston, Detective Woody Hoyt and he is paralyzed in the hospital at the moment, so it would be greatly appreciated if the service could be held here in Boston. He was hoping you could fly here from Wisconsin, with your child so you could meet him and discuss the details."

When Jordan stopped talking Katie finally answered. "I wish I could, but I can't afford to fly out. I don't have a lot of money. Are you sure it was Cal? Oh god, this can't be happening."

"Don't worry about it, your flight will be paid for, I'll make the arrangements. Do you think you could fly in tomorrow?"

"Who is going to pay for it, I certainly can't ask his brother, he's in the hospital?"

"Don't worry about it, just get on the flight, I'll call you with the flight information later on today."

"Where will I go once I'm in Boston?"

"I'll be there to pick you up. Don't worry."

"I can't ask you to do that. Why are you doing all this?"

"I have a very close relationship with Detective Hoyt and it would mean the world to him to meet his sister in law and niece or nephew. He only learned of your existence today and I know he really wants to meet you. I'm really sorry for your loss."

"Thank you Doctor, I'll wait by my phone. Oh and he has a nephew."

The following morning, Jordan headed to the airport with a picture of Katie, Nigel had printed for her. When Jordan saw her she waved her over. She was a tall, thin, brunette with hair that dropped just below her shoulder and big emerald green eyes. She was beautiful and she smiled when she saw Jordan. Jordan looked at the child she was carrying. He was sleeping but Jordan noticed his brown hair. It curled slightly and he was cute and pudgy. "This is Jackson. I'm sure he'll be awake shortly."

"How old is he?"

"2."

They grabbed her luggage and went out to the car. Once they were buckled in, Jackson awoke and Jordan gasped at the colour of his eyes. Staring back at her were those familiar blue eyes. She noticed just how similar he looked to Woody. "Jackson this is your aunt Jordan."

Jordan choked on the water she was drinking. "No, no, no, no, no, I'm not his aunt."

"Oh, I'm sorry, when you said you had a close relationship with Detective Hoyt, I thought you meant you were married."

"Not quite."