Chapter 79: Chapter 79

“Thank you,” she said softly. “You and Russ were my biggest regrets,” she admitted. “I so badly wanted to tell you.” Russ had been her partner on the force. “But I couldn’t tell anyone.”

“Did your family know?”

“No,” she said softly.

Shafer laughed. “Don’t ever do that again.”

“Everyone tells me that.”

* * * *

Maggie met Craig as he was leaving the hospital. He redirected her to the cafeteria.

“I was going to call you,” he said as they sat down for coffee. “She’s doing real well, isn’t she?”

“Yes, she is,” Maggie agreed. “Did you expect less?”

“No, no.” Craig grinned, shaking his head. “She always comes out on top.” He shifted nervously in his seat. “She needs to be debriefed. What do you suggest?” he asked.

Maggie tapped her spoon on the table. “I can’t do it, Craig. I’m too close to it. I’d love to observe, but you need to bring someone else in. I’m not sure I want to hear it all. Reading it will be hard enough.”