Chapter 30
Jordan sat at her desk trying to think of someone she could turn to, wishing she still had a mother in her life, and then it hit her! There was a woman who was a mother and she was about to marry Jordan's father in just a few weeks! Why not talk to LaVon?!
With that idea in her head, she left for home, planning to call her future step mother to see if she would have lunch with her on Saturday or Sunday.
She let herself into the apartment, ready for a quiet evening at home. Jordan knew Woody would be making dinner by now and as soon as they were done eating she wanted a long hot bath. But instead of the quiet she expected as she walked in, she heard a hearty female laugh followed quickly by a corresponding laugh from her husband. Clearly they had company for dinner that Woody had not told her about!
Putting her bag and keys on the table by the door she headed for the kitchen to see what was going on. She saw Woody and Mac standing shoulder to shoulder making dinner.
Woody looked up as she came into the room and smiled, "Hi Jordan. I hope you don't mind that I gave Mac your usual dinner making job, but she claimed that her cooking skills were about on par with yours, so she is making the salad. That gives you time for a hot bath if you like. You look really tired."
Jordan would normally have been pleased with his thoughtfulness, but not tonight when he had implied that she looked awful in front of Mac who was looking fresh and happy. "I'm fine!" she grumbled, and came further into the room. "What are we having?"
It was Mac that answered, "Chicken Enchiladas! They sound so good and Woody says they are easy so I am watching carefully so I can try them when I get home!" she reported eagerly.
"How was work today?" Woody asked.
"Fine," she answered shortly.
'Oh dear,' Woody thought, 'That was the second 'fine' since she had walked in. She was in a mood about something!' "Sorry I can't greet you properly," he told her, holding up goopy hands covered in tomato sauce.
"How did your day go?" Jordan asked in return. "Did you turn up anything new to like your two cases?"
"We talked to Petunia Orly, Maggie's sister, but even though she is a nice old lady, she didn't really have much to offer. She did ask a favor of Woody though," Mac volunteered as she shredded lettuce.
"What was that?" Jordan asked, looking at her husband.
"She wanted me to put flowers on Maggie's grave tomorrow. It would have been her birthday," Woody explained, and then added, "We also went to the apartment building where the cab driver dropped off our mystery Marine and found there was still a blood stain in the carpet padding."
"That's great!" Jordan exclaimed. "Why don't you give it to me and I can have Nigel analyze it in the morning?"
Woody slapped the heel of his hand to his forehead as he griped, "I should have thought of that! We probably would have gotten a faster answer that way too! I dropped it off at the precinct on the way home."
Shaking her head as Woody put the casserole dish in the oven, Jordan asked, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"The only thing left, is to set the table, but Mac or I can do that if you want to sit down and put your feet up for a while. Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes."
"I said I was fine! And I am perfectly capable of setting the table!" Jordan snapped as she took dishes from the cupboard, silverware from the drawer and left the kitchen with a huff.
"I get the feeling she is not too happy to have me here this evening Woody. I should probably go back to the hotel," Mac offered as she dried her hands on a towel and started to leave the kitchen.
"Jordan is always like this when she gets home from work these days. Her feet hurt and she is very tired, but she hates to admit it. As soon as she's had a chance to sit and rest, plus get some food into her, she will be fine. Please stay. I promise you it is alright," Woody pleaded.
"If you're sure?" Mac asked hesitatingly.
To be continued…