Everything Started Here With You

It Ain't Over

"It's always too soon to quit."

-- Norman Vincent Peale

"Mhmm. I think I have it. It's been awhile since I've looked at it." I sighed as Jacobi shoved another packet under my nose. "...Are we finished yet? I swear I'm seeing white everywhere."

"You promised to help out and now everything's running together?" Jacobi shook his head.

"I have a high tolerance for work, Cobi. Ever think someone hates seeing printed paper for two hours straight?"

"...You've been gone for almost a week and a half. How else am I supposed to catch you up on everything?"

"I'm not slow, Cobi. I know how to get caught up. It's not like I wasn't doing important things there."

Jacobi looked me in the eyes and frowned. Of course he knew I was playing around in California. But again, I wasn't. The NYIA never calls for nothing. Jackson got what he wanted. I was able to spend the weekend with my husband. It was an amazing break. One I never intended to have, but was worth it.

Jacobi stood up from his perch on my desk and headed to the door. He's not going to say anything else? No lectures about how I should be focusing only on his work? I feel like he's betrayed me in some way. Maybe that's how he feels too. I'm getting back into the role of Lawyer Sha'Kera Williams. It's not easy when you're a mother and an agent. Caring for almost three families isn't all fun and games.

"Go home, Kera. It's late and I'm more than sure your children want to be in your presence." He opened the door, not looking back at me. "I expect you to be willing to work Tuesday."

"Of course, Jacobi. I always give my all," I said with a hint of sarcasm. I'm sure he caught it.

"Whatever. Don't stay here too long."

I wasn't planning on it. As soon as the door closed and I couldn't hear his footsteps any longer, I began shoveling papers into messy stacks. No way was I about to get stuck here looking through old cases and finding patterns. Tuesday was for that. I was going to come in here that day and do something productive. Yes! I'm always ready to please Jacobi. He deserves it for having to put up with me.

When I finished making my office look presentable, I grabbed my belongings and skedaddled. Most of my fellow lawyers were either home sleeping or out drinking. I never accompanied them on their daring escapades. Drinking before coming in to work the next morning was something I gave up a long time ago. No way was I about to try it all over again. I have to keep reminding myself that I have a family to take care of. Whether I want to or not.

When I got in my car, my phone began buzzing erratically in my purse. I dug around in the mess, pulling my hand back without my phone. Ugh, I really need to clean it. But we all know it's going to look the same in two days. For some reason, I can find everything I need when I need it. Just not my phone. It gets lost in the mess and I can never find it until it stops ringing. This time it didn't.

I kept digging until I clutched around the buzzing device. I pulled it out and sighed. Dang it! Maybe I should have left it buzzing at the bottom of my bag.

"Yes?" I answered and started the car. "I'm heading home."

"I didn't ask, now did I?" Jackson snapped. "Thanks to you and Hayden, the police are swarming the area. We can't even leave to kidnap Cameron."

"Kidnap Cameron! How do you think you're going to do that?"

"Just like I did Asher."

Like he did Asher? I suppose he thinks I'm going to cheer him on. I never wanted him to do that in the first place. Hayden should be the one he called. He cares more about getting on Jackson's good side. I just don't want my name to come up if the police catch him and he snitches on everyone. As much as the media thinks they know, Hayden and I have been back in New York since before this kidnapping happened.