Chapter 16:"The Silence Between Us"
Jess sat in the sterile, cold room, her back stiff against the unforgiving metal chair. The table between her and the two Internal Affairs officers felt like a chasm. She'd been through countless interrogations—but none like this. This wasn't about a suspect or a crime.
This was about her.
Her career.
Her name.
Her future with Lilly.
To her left sat Maria Keller, her union representative. Maria was composed, her legs crossed, clipboard on her lap, eyes steady and sharp. She didn't speak unless necessary, but Jess felt her presence like a lifeline—quiet and solid.
Across the table, Detective Greene leaned forward, his voice cutting through the silence like a scalpel. "Detective Angell, we're here to discuss the allegations made by Dale Montgomery."
Jess nodded. "I understand."
"Montgomery has claimed that during his arrest, his constitutional rights were violated—specifically, that you failed to Mirandize him, continued to question him after he requested counsel, and that you may have planted evidence."
Jess kept her voice even. "None of that is true."
"Let's take these one at a time," Greene said. "First, the evidence. You were part of the arrest team, yes?"
"Yes. I was the one who cuffed Dale Montgomery."
"Montgomery claims you had access to evidence that later tied him to Emily Clark's crime scene."
Jess leaned forward slightly, her voice firm. "I never touched the evidence. Detective Taylor and Detective Monroe processed the scene. They recovered prints and fibers that matched Dale's hoodie. The weapon with Montgomery's prints was located by Detective Messer. I didn't find it, I didn't touch it. I followed where the evidence led. That's it."
Officer Mendoza, younger and more tentative, looked up from his notes. "What about the claim that you questioned him after he asked for a lawyer?"
Jess shook her head. "I didn't. We spoke, yes. I was in the room with him. But I didn't question him about Emily or the charges. The conversation wasn't investigative. I know the rules, and I followed them. If you review the recording, you'll see I never crossed the line."
Greene's expression didn't shift. "He says you did. And you were alone with him in the room."
Jess's jaw tightened. "I was alone, yes. But the interrogation was recorded, as per protocol. If you watch the video, you'll see that nothing inappropriate was said or done. Maybe I came close, maybe I was frustrated—but I never crossed the line."
Maria finally spoke Maria "And the timing of these allegations? Made after charges were filed, after he retained legal counsel, after the evidence had mounted against him. Convenient."
Greene raised an eyebrow. "You're saying he's lying to avoid prosecution?"
"I'm saying he's desperate," Jess said. "And he has every reason to lie."
Maria leaned forward slightly. "Detective Angell has a clean record. No previous misconduct, no procedural complaints. She's arrested hundreds of suspects and never once skipped protocol."
Greene turned a page in the file. "Let's talk about the Miranda warning. Did you or did you not read Dale Montgomery his rights?"
Jess inhaled, steadying herself. "Danny kicked in the motel door. I covered. Oliver and Zack went for Matt—Montgomery's friend. I moved for Dale. He bolted. I tackled him, cuffed him. Danny searched the room. I walked Dale down to the car. I've gone over this a hundred times in my head, but for days, I couldn't clearly recall saying the words."
"Then how do you know you did?" Mendoza asked.
Jess paused… and then her eyes sharpened.
"Because of something Danny Messer said," she answered. "Back at the precinct, the day of the arrest. We were debriefing and he said something like, 'Glad you remembered to Mirandize him. I was too focused on clearing the bathroom to think straight.'"
Greene looked up.
Jess nodded. "I laughed and told him, 'Of course I did. First thing I said when I got him cuffed.' It was automatic. I didn't even think about it—it's muscle memory at this point. But that conversation—Danny remembered me saying it. That moment stuck with me."
Maria leaned in. "You'll have a sworn statement from Detective Messer confirming that."
Jess met Greene's gaze. "I didn't forget. I just needed a moment to remember."
The room fell quiet. Greene made a note, his pen scratching steadily against the page.
"Thank you, Detective Angell," he said at last. "That will be all for now."
Jess let out a breath as Maria placed a hand on her arm. It wasn't over—but the ground beneath her feet had just gotten a little more solid.
Jess sat at her desk, finally able to take a breath without it catching in her chest. The air still felt heavy, but not suffocating. She was tired, drained—but steady.
Don appeared from the interrogation room, coffee in hand. "Hey. How did it go?"
Jess gave a small nod. "Good, I think. It'll take a few days, but I had an answer for everything. I could argue each accusation."
"Because it's not true," Don said, giving her a quiet, proud smile.
"Because it's not true," Jess echoed, her voice firmer this time.
Don sat on the edge of her desk. "I talked to Elena this morning. She's trying to push for a visitation."
Jess's heart tugged. She wanted more than just a visit—she wanted Lilly home. But seeing her, hearing her laugh, even just for an hour, would be better than nothing. It would remind her that Lilly was still real. Still theirs.
She nodded, not trusting herself to say much more.
They were both doing their best to hold it together, to move forward, to feel normal in a life that had been anything but.
Captain O'Bryan came out of his office, a manila file in hand. He spotted Jess and walked over, pausing in front of her desk.
"Jess," he said, voice low but steady, "just wanted you to know—I put in my own statement for IA. Told them exactly what kind of detective you are. A good one. One I trust."
Jess looked up, her throat tightening. "Thank you, sir."
O'Bryan nodded. "These accusations are garbage, and we all know it. I made it clear that this is my house. I protect my people. My word should carry weight alongside your record, the union's backing, and everything else you've already put forward."
"It does," Jess said quietly. "It means a lot."
He rested a hand briefly on her shoulder before walking away.
Don leaned in a little closer. "You're not alone in this, Jess."
"I know," she said, finally letting out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "I really do."
"I have to go pick up a potential suspect," Don said gently. "You gonna be okay?"
Jess nodded. "Hazel?"
"Yeah," he confirmed.
Her expression tightened. "Be careful. That neighborhood's dangerous. I can't handle losing you too."
Don gave her a soft smile, stepping in to press a quick kiss to her forehead. They never cross that line at work. But today, today was the exception to the rule. "I'll be careful," he promised. "You're stuck with me, Jess."
She gave a small, tired smile, brushing her hand along his arm. "Good. Just... text me when you're done?"
"I will," he said, already backing toward the door. "And if I'm late, it's because she ran."
Jess gave a half-hearted chuckle, but the worry in her eyes lingered. She gave him a nod. He had to go do his job.
Don gave her one last look, a silent reassurance passing between them, before he turned and left.
Jess sat back in her chair, the quiet swallowing the space around her again. The station felt too big without Lilly's drawings on her desk, too still without Don nearby.
But for now, she was holding on. Just enough.
Don stood in front of his open locker, his shirt half unbuttoned, hands braced against the metal as he stared down at the floor. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, the distant hum of the precinct fading behind the thick concrete walls.
His coat lay crumpled on the bench, blood spattered across one sleeve—not his, thankfully. The bullet holes in the car door were still burned into his mind, along with the deafening echo of gunfire and the shatter of glass. He'd ducked low, instinct taking over, but for a moment, he'd thought this is it.
The locker room door swung open.
Jess.
She walked in fast, eyes scanning until they found him. "Don."
He looked up, jaw tight. "Hey."
"You okay?" she asked, closing the distance. She touched his arm, her fingers searching for injury. "I heard—O'Bryan told me. Jesus, Don…"
"I'm fine," he said, voice quiet. "The car's not. Hazel's not. Took one to the shoulder—she'll pull through."
Jess let out a shaky breath, stepping closer until she could rest her forehead lightly against his. "You could've been killed."
"Yeah," he said. "I know."
They stood like that for a beat, the only sound the distant slam of a door somewhere down the hall. Jess's hands moved to his chest, resting there as if grounding herself in the fact he was still standing.
"What happened?" she finally asked, voice barely above a whisper.
"I picked Hazel up and two members of the gang opened fire. They wanted to keep her quiet"
"You should've waited for backup."
"I know." He gave her a tired look. "We didn't know the block was hot. Just following a lead."
Jess exhaled and leaned against the lockers beside him. "This city's falling apart."
Don let out a dry laugh. "Hasn't it always been?"
They stood there in silence for a few moments before Jess spoke again. "Don't do that to me again."
He turned toward her, his eyes meeting hers fully now. "I didn't plan it."
"I mean it," she said, her voice tight. "I can't… not after Lilly."
Don reached out, gently cupping her cheek. "I'm here. I'm okay. We're going to get through all of this. You, me, and Lilly."
Jess nodded, eyes shimmering but steady. "Promise?"
He gave a half-smile, tired but real. "I love you today. I loved you yesterday. And I'll love you tomorrow."
"Always," she whispered back.
Jess sat stiffly in the playroom chair, her heart thudding so loud she could hear it in her ears. The room was painted in calming blues and greens, filled with soft toys and a worn rug that had seen too many reunions like this one. Don sat beside her, his hands clasped tightly together in his lap.
Then the door opened.
Dana stepped in, holding Lilly's hand.
She looked smaller than Jess remembered, quieter. Spike was tucked under one arm, her other hand clutching Dana's tightly. Her curls were frizzier than usual, her braids loose. She looked up but didn't smile.
Jess stood slowly, like any sudden movement might scare her off. "Hey, bug…"
Lilly blinked at her, then looked down at her shoes.
Don stepped forward too, crouching low. "Hi, sweetheart."
Still nothing.
Jess felt the sting in her chest sharpen, but she didn't let it show. She crouched too, staying low, her voice soft and warm. "We missed you. So, so much."
Lilly didn't speak. She looked between them, her eyes glassy and unreadable. Then, after a long pause, she walked to Jess, Spike still clutched in her arm, and leaned her head into Jess's chest.
Jess exhaled like she'd been holding her breath for days. She wrapped her arms around her daughter, not squeezing too tightly, just enough to let Lilly know she was still there. Still hers.
Don rested a hand gently on her back. "We love you today, kiddo…"
Jess swallowed the lump in her throat. "We loved you yesterday…"
Lilly didn't finish the phrase. But she didn't pull away, either.
Jess kissed the top of her head, pressing her cheek into her hair. "And we'll love you tomorrow," she whispered.
Dana stepped back, giving them space.
They didn't try to push conversation. They just sat on the rug with her, coloring in silence, offering crayons and smiles, until the visit ended.
Lilly never spoke. But she stayed close. And when she left, she looked back.
It was enough—for now.
The house was quiet except for the faint hum of the fridge and the occasional whoosh of cars passing outside. Jess sat on the couch, her body angled toward Don, legs curled underneath her. Neither of them had said much since walking in the door.
She stared at the empty juice cup still sitting on the table from the morning Lilly had been taken. She hadn't had the heart to move it.
"She didn't say a word," Jess said softly.
Don nodded, staring at nothing. "But she came to you. She didn't pull away."
"She had made so much progress. Finally finding her voice and now she's taken five steps back" Jess sighed
"She's scared," Don said. "We all are. But it's not permanent."
Jess sat up 'do you know what gets me, her father did this to her. Wasn't bad enough that he killed her mom, he couldn't just accept the consequences, he had to come after me and rewrite her story, put her back into the system. What kind of father does that?"
"I don't think he was much of a father" Don shrugged "he killed Emily over what?"
"$156.62" Jess replied.
"Proves my point," Don said, pulling Jess in closer and holding her tight.
They sat there for a few moments, just breathing, wrapped up in each other and the ache that hadn't let up since Lilly was taken. The silence between them wasn't heavy—it was familiar now. Comforting in its own way.
Then, without warning, Jess gave Don a firm slap on the chest.
He blinked at her, startled. "What was that for?"
"Scaring the hell out of me today," she said, her voice sharp but full of emotion. "Next time you go into a gang neighborhood, take backup."
Don gave a small, sheepish smile. "You sound like Mac."
"Mac didn't get the call you'd been caught in a shootout," Jess shot back. Her eyes were bright, angry, but mostly scared. "I can't lose you, Don. Not now. Not ever."
His expression softened, and he leaned in, resting his forehead against hers. "You won't. I'm right here."
They stayed like that for a while, forehead to forehead, hand in hand, hearts still rattled but beating in sync.
The world outside kept turning, but inside the house—their house—it was just the two of them, fighting like hell to keep their family whole.