A/N: THIS CHAPTER IS VERY LONG, IT WAS MEANT TO BE TWO DIFFERENT CHAPTERS, BUT I THOUGHT IT FLOWED BETTER AS ONE. HOPE YOU ENJOY IT. NO, I DON'T OWN ANYTHING CROSSING JORDAN, BUT I WOULD LOVE TO.
CHAPTER 26: BRINGING DOWN THE BOX
Woody spent nine days in the hospital and then moved back to Max's house. He liked staying there, Max was great, they had so much in common; they were both cops, they had the same taste in food and movies, and they both loved Jordan, an emotion Woody was still trying hard not to show. It was the anniversary of Emily's death, a beautiful September day, Jordan's day off. She woke up wishing she had to work, or better yet, was unconscious. But she decided to go with the routine of that day. She came to her dad's house early that morning, mostly to spend time with Woody. It was the weekend and she was helping him with in-home therapy.
"C'mon slacker.", she teased breathlessly. "Very funny.", he grunted back. Even though Jordan was doing most of the work, the pushing, pulling, stretching and massaging, she saw determination in his eyes and that made all of her effort worth it. "Now for the fun part.", she joked, opening the jar of massage cream. "Yeah, for you maybe.", he replied ruffling his brow. As she started the massage, he watched her, wishing he could feel her loving touch. "Woody, I was thinking, I know you just got home from the hospital a few days ago, and you're probably still tired and sore. She hesitated; Would you come to the cemetery with us today, she asked quietly. "Are you sure?", he asked questionably. She nodded. "Of course I will.", he answered, pushing up on his elbow as he took her hand in his.
The cemetery was hard, Jordan tried her best not to cry, but the tears came. Max held her close until she was done. Woody stayed behind them, trying not to get in the way. When they were done, Woody asked, "May I?". Jordan nodded. He moved closer, crossed himself and pulled a small prayer card out of his jacket pocket. It was one that Paul had given to him, about dealing with loss. "I don't have much, but I would like to leave something.", he said looking up at Jordan. Her eyes tearing, as he leaned over to place the card in the bouquet she had just laid. Jordan crouched down to help Woody, then she sat on the grass and leaned against him, resting her head on his knee. He lifted his hand and caressed her hair. The two sat there for a long time, just looking at the stone.
Late that evening, Max took Bailey for a walk. Jordan climbed on a stepladder to get a box down from the den closet. "Jordan, what are you doing? Be careful.", Woody warned. She jumped off the ladder, box in hand and put it on Woody's lap. "Here, you're a detective, find something.". she said, removing the lid. "What is it I'm looking for, Jordan?", he asked confused. "I don't know Woody, if I did, I wouldn't spend this day every year trying to figure it out.", she stated. "Okay, tell me every thing you know.", Woody said laying the evidence out on his bed.
Max returned after midnight to find Jordan asleep in Woody's bed, covered with the contents of Emily's evidence box. Woody was also asleep, still in his chair, slumped over on the bed. Woody woke up and looked at Max, "Sorry Max, it was her idea.", he pointed to Jordan and shrugged. "Don't worry kid, she does this every year.", Max said as he woke his daughter. "Go up to bed Jordan, it's too late to drive home.", he ordered as he started to re-pack the box. She jumped up, kissed both Woody and Max goodnight and ran upstairs. Woody got ready for bed while Max cleaned up the reports and evidence. He picked up a report and started to read it. Woody looked up at him, "Do you want to talk Max?". "Nah, it's late and you need your rest, you've had a busy day. We'll talk tomorrow.", Max smiled, helping Woody into the bed.
Jordan left for work the next morning, late as usual, running out the door with a bagel in her mouth and a travel mug of coffee in her hand. After Woody had therapy, Max took him out to lunch, "My treat.", he said, holding the diner door open for Woody. "Okay Max, I'm listening. What did you want to tell me?", Woody asked after their food had come. "There's nothing in that box that's going to tell you who killed my wife.", Max said sipping his coffee. "How do you know that Max?", Woody asked, taking a bite of his cheeseburger. "All these years, I've been covering for someone, someone I thought accidentally killed my wife.", Max whispered. Woody leaned closer, his mouth fell open. "You see, I only wanted to protect Jordan, I didn't want her hurt.", confided Max. "So if this person you talk of didn't kill your wife, then who did?', Woody asked. "I don't know, all these years I thought I knew, but now I don't.", Max replied.
"This person you were covering for, who is it?", Woody asked, forgetting all about his lunch or his fatigue from therapy. "Forget it Woody, I don't want you to get that involved. You're going back to work in a few weeks, I don't want you to get into trouble.", Max leaned back in his seat. "It's too late Max, I'm already involved. Why would I get in trouble? Tell me, please.", Woody exclaimed. "It's James.", Max whispered. "James killed your wife?", Woody asked a little too loudly. "Shh, No, I thought he did, but he didn't.", Max reassured Woody. "So why all the secrets Max? James is dead, isn't he?", Woody raised his brow. "No Woody, he's not, he's in a psychiatric hospital in Chicago. After his jump last spring, I spent the entire year looking for him. I found him this spring, about a month before you were shot, he had a major breakdown, so I had him committed. Woody, please don't tell Jordan.", Max pleaded. "I won't Max, but I won't lie to her either. You have to tell her.", Woody stated. Max nodded. "Soon.", he added.