Working the Case

22

♥︎𝙴𝚟𝚒𝚎♥︎

I almost don't want to get up in the morning today. The motivation to do so leaves my body the moment I start trying to move.

I'm afraid to get out of bed.

I don't want to get up and meet my team downstairs. I'm afraid of being approached with a dry expression and a somber voice.

It takes me too many minutes to get out of bed, something I've noticed is starting to become a habit. For months now, even.

Every single day—whether we're on a case or not—I don't want to get out of bed. I never want to answer my phone or shuffle my way into work because I know it will always result in bad news and a long flight.

But I do it all anyway.

Something about today is different though. The sense of dread is heavier than normal. I blame it on my instincts, aware that something is wrong here. Maybe something happened last night.

With a dreadful groan, I get up and start getting ready to head downstairs with my team. And, as if they know how much I'm dreading this, someone knocks on my door to retrieve me.

"Just a second," I call out, in the middle of jumping into my fucking pants.

So, I need to go shopping for new jeans. Who cares?

I hurry to the door the moment I have my jeans buttoned, unpleasantly surprised to see Adler standing at my door.

His expression doesn't give anything away as he stares back at me. "Jennings and Mills have gone to the station. I sent Beckett to Cassie Campbell's home to profile her way of life." He declares.

I stare.

Adler presses his lips together. "It's just us today." He clarifies what he really means.

How is it just us? I have no fucking clue. I didn't wake up late or anything, and I highly doubt everyone purposefully woke up before me.

He did this on purpose. The realization makes me want to scowl.

Instead of doing that, I nod simply and start leaving my room. Adler steps back to allow me my space.

I don't let myself look in the direction of Finn's door, perfectly aware that things would end terribly if I did.

Adler would for sure notice the extra, unnecessary glance.

"So, what is our plan for the day?" I question, glancing Adler's way curiously as we start down the hall.

"Our killer has gone dormant. There hasn't been a sign or a word from him in days." Adler points out.

"Yes." I nod slowly, accepting that fact and waiting for more.

But there isn't more. Adler stares at the ground with a troubled expression as we go down the stairs.

"Sir?" I coax when we start to get too close to the front door.

Adler doesn't answer me just yet. He chooses to leave me in suspense the whole way outside. I'm forced to silently follow his lead towards one of the cars, climbing into the passenger seat silently with him.