“So how did he find out?”
“I told him of course.”
“Why? Why now?”
She drummed her fingers on her desk as she considered her answer, finally deciding on the truth. “Lately Jenny has been asking a lot of questions. And I always felt bad about not telling him. And I sort of expected that he wouldn’t want anything to do with us.”
“I take it that’s not the case?”
“No. He wants to be part of her life. They’ve met and they get on incredibly well. She’s also met his family.”
“Rory McCabe?”
“And Declan, and Logan’s sister and stepmother.”
“Jesus.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I can’t believe this. Do you really want a man like that in Jenny’s life?”
Gritting her teeth, she dredged up Logan’s advice. Stay cool and smile. She forced her lips into a semblance of a smile, though couldn’t quite make it reach her eyes. “I checked before I went to see him. He’s not been in any trouble since that first time. Otherwise I would never have told him. Everyone makes mistakes.”
“He’s an ex-con. People like that never change.”
She picked up a pencil and tapped it on the desk as she tried to control her anger. The pencil snapped. Crap. She didn’t recognize herself these days. She never got angry, things never fazed her, yet she was ready to stab Jack with her broken pencil.
“You know absolutely nothing about him. And he’s Jennifer’s father, so I’d be pleased if you didn’t say anything like that in my presence again. Logan paid for whatever crime he committed.”
She really hoped that would finish the conversation, but he stayed where he was, looking down at her. “I thought we had a chance together. That there was something between us.”
And now she felt guilty. Great. “I thought so, too. I’m sorry, Jack. I’m just at a strange place in my life right now. Jenny needs me and…”
“And you’re seeing Logan McCabe.”
“I am not seeing him. Well, not like that.” And it’s none of your goddamn business anyway. But she kept the words to herself.
“So what were you doing in the early hours of the morning with him?”
Breathe slowly and think nice thoughts. Christ, if Logan could do it, so could she. “He was giving me a lift home after my shift finished. Though that’s really none of your business.”
He shook his head. Again. “You’re making a mistake getting involved with McCabe.” He waved a hand to the computer screen. “And it won’t do your chances of getting into the bureau any good.”
“Why the hell should it have anything to do with the goddamn bureau? My private life is exactly that—private.”
“Don’t be naive, Abby. It’s who you know that matters. It always has been, and I’m telling you—Logan McCabe will drag you down.” Then he turned and walked away.
She watched his retreating back as she mulled over his words. Could Logan really hurt her chances of becoming a detective? Part of her wanted to deny that it could have any effect, but as Jack had pointed out, she was being naive.
Sometimes she hated the way things were.
She was good at her job, and she’d make a great detective, and that should be all that mattered. Putting Jack from her mind, she finished the application form, took a deep breath, and hit send.
When she got home an hour later, Jenny had just left for school. Her mother was drinking coffee at the kitchen table and glanced up with a smile. “You look tired.”
“I am. I’m going to go to bed.”
“Could we talk for a few minutes first? There’s something I need to tell you.”
Abby sank down into the chair, searching her mother’s face. As far as she was aware, her mum wasn’t due any check-ups for another two months, and she’d seemed so cheerful lately. “There’s nothing wrong is there?”
“No, nothing like that. I’m fine. Sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you. This is something else. Nothing bad, I just…”
She got up, poured Abby a coffee, and slid it across the table to her. Abby cupped the mug in her hands and waited. Whatever she’d said, there was something wrong—her mum was pacing the room. “Sit down and tell me.”
She sat opposite, pursed her lips, twiddled a finger in her hair, and said, “I’m going back to your father.”