Whispering Stream Lane, 8:00 p.m.

Devon sat crossed-legged on the living room floor, his favorite show on the TV.

Leslie smiled at Jess. “I can’t believe it’s really over.”

Jess patted her arm. “You and Devon were instrumental in helping us solve this case.”

The girl’s eyes widened. “We were?”

“Absolutely,” Jess assured her. “I don’t want you to worry about Child Services or work or anything but being happy. You deserve it.”

“That won’t be so easy.” Leslie sighed. “I missed all these days and I got fired from my job. I have to find a new one soon.”

“No you don’t.” Those silly old emotions Jess hated dealing with rose like a big old tidal wave. She absolutely refused to cry. “Dr. Baron is going to pay for yours and Devon’s schooling. She’s also offered you an intern position at the coroner’s office—in the file room, of course—around your class schedule so you can be home in the evenings with Devon. No more working at night away from your brother.”

Leslie wasn’t so successful holding back her tears. “I don’t know what to say.”

Jess smiled. “And, Lieutenant Grayson is so thankful to Devon for checking on his wife and child that awful night that he and some of his friends in the South Precinct are going to start working on your house to get it back in shape.”

Leslie threw her arms around Jess and hugged her tight. Jess hugged her back. She might turn into a hugger after all.

Tugging on her jacket had Jess pulling away to look down at Devon. “Did we leave you out?”

He made a face and shook his head. Leslie laughed. “He’s not much of a hugger.”

A boy after her own heart, Jess mused.

Devon offered her a drawing. “For you.”

Jess smiled. “What an artist you are, Devon.” The drawing had a stick figure lady with yellow hair standing in the sunshine. At her feet sat a big black purse and a silver badge-shaped object. There were large buildings in the background, maybe to signify Birmingham. “I’m hanging this in my office. But first”—she pointed to the bottom right-hand corner—“can you sign it for me? All artists sign their work.”

Devon took the picture and ran back to where his crayons waited.

“Thank you, Chief Harris.”

Jess turned to Leslie. She hadn’t really done anything. It was Baron and Grayson who were doing all the wonderful things for these kids.

“You’re our angel.”

Lakefront Trail, Bessemer, 9:30 p.m.

By the time Jess reached her sister’s house, an unmarked car still tracking her every move, she was way past burned out.

Lily was sitting on the porch swing waiting for her.

Jess climbed the steps and joined her. “Where is everybody?”

“I made them go to the movies.” Lily smiled. “They’ve all been so worried about me they’ve been hovering. I needed a break. The kids leave next week, they needed some fun time with their dad.”

“You want me to fix us a cup of tea or something?”

Lily shook her head. “You go ahead. I’m good.”

“In that case,” Jess snuggled closer to her, “I’m good, too.”

“I went for some more tests today.”

“When will you hear something?”

“Next week, I hope.”

Jess put an arm around her sister and pulled her close. “You listen to me, Lily. Whatever this is, we’ll get through it. You hear me?”

Lil nodded. “I know. I’m glad you’re home, Jess.”

Hells bells. The tears started to flow and there was no stopping them. “I’m never leaving you again. I promise.”

They held each other and sobbed softly for a long while. Then they both sucked it up and went inside to play a game of Scrabble. Lily had always beaten her at the game. But Jess didn’t care. It was being here, with her sister, that counted.

“I love you, Jess.”

“Love you, too.”