Frankie's Obsession

7 - Law and Disorder.

"Revenge is a kind of wild justice."

- Francis Bacon

I woke up in Noah's bed still wearing last night's clothes, the stiffness in my neck a sharp reminder of how long I'd been out. The memories of yesterday pressed at the edges of my mind, but I shoved them back. Today needed a clean start.

I stretched, showered, and dressed fast. I had to get to the precinct before noon to collect files from the arresting officer on Daniel Pierce. And I hoped Jamie's name wasn't on the report, but I knew better. If a Pierce was getting hauled in, my brother would be first in line to claim the satisfaction.

Sooner or later, he and I were going to collide.

I sat on the couch fastening my heels when Noah came in, iPad in hand, eyes locked on the screen with total focus. That look usually meant he'd found something worth chasing.

"Morning, baby," I called, shaking out my hair before crossing to him. I tilted my head toward the tablet. "What's got you so glued this early?"

He looked up, his eyes sharp with that quiet wit only he carried. "They still can't figure out who breached the system at the Pierce gala," he said with a low laugh. The pride in his voice was unmistakable, and he'd earned every bit of it. No one else could have pulled that off. Still, guilt cut through me. He should never have been dragged into my war.

I lowered myself onto the couch, my voice heavy. "I'm sorry for involving you, baby. You shouldn't have to be in this with me. What kind of sister uses her brother for something like this?"

Noah walked over and crouched in front of me, setting the iPad aside. His hands framed my face with a gentleness that always undid me. "You're the kind of sister who lets her brother prove he matters," he said. "That he can share the load and stand with you instead of watching from the sidelines. That's who you are, Frankie."

The guilt loosened its grip, replaced by a warmth that pushed tears to the surface. I wrapped my arms around him and held on, grateful for the clarity he always gave me.

He kept his arms around me, his voice calm and soft. "Don't carry this like you're alone. I want to help. I need to. Let me."

I buried my face against his shoulder and nodded, too full to speak. Words never felt like enough with him, but he already knew. He always knew.

──●◎●──

Sawyer dropped me at the office and stayed in the car while I went inside. I needed to check on Scott, to make sure the mountain of work I'd left him hadn't collapsed under his usual chaos. He had a talent for excuses, and I didn't have patience for another one today.

"Good morning, ma'am," Dalilah greeted me from the reception desk.

"Morning, Dalilah. Is Scott in?"

"No, ma'am. He hasn't arrived yet."