Case by Case Love ✔️

Chapter 78: Plea for Help

Erin makes her way up the stairs to the Intelligence Unit office the next morning, walking down the aisle between the series of desks that her co-workers took up. It was not lost upon her that Jay's desk sat empty once again this morning, a feeling she did not want to get used to.

She makes her way to the glass door that was open, making her way through it to the office that rested on the other side. Normally, she would've gone through the door next door, made herself a cup of coffee, and returned back to her desk. Most mornings, that was a pair of coffees with one being placed on the desk across from her own. That was another part of the morning routine left out since everything had happened.

It was why she stood inside the office, taking a deep breath, as she shut the door behind her. The motion resulted in a pair of eyes leaving what they were looking at in paperwork on the desk to look across at her, confusion and perhaps a bit of anger laced behind the stare they held. She did not care what he had to say about the behavior she exhibited. She did not care if she broke habits, or entered without asking, or interrupted him. 

There was only one thing that mattered on her mind that morning. It was the same thing on her mind the night before. It was the same thing that caused a restless sleep, with her waking up multiple times the past night to ensure she was cuddled right into him without a gap in sight.

"Please tell me that you are doing something to help him," she states without a drop of hesitation in her voice. She hoped it commanded authority and a direct response so that way she would be comforted in how she was feeling right now. 

"You were there when it happened," Hank starts as he hoped the conversation was still fresh in her mind. It had remained in his mind, playing over when the pair had met before to discuss what was happening. Jay wanted to drill those feelings into his mind, and he hoped he had done the same with her as well. "You heard what he told me."

"I've also told you before that I did not want you involved. We've all once upon a time said that we could handle a situation without your involvement. You got involved with his ordeal with Ray Price without him knowing before. I know how you do business, Hank. Please tell me that you are doing something to help him." The lack of response was not sitting well with her as she felt all of her fears coming to surface once again. Why was this situation different than the others? "He could lose his badge over this. He could go to prison over what happened. How is that fair? Are we seriously just looking the other way while this happens?" 

"Eri-"

"We both know working for this unit and for you specifically puts us under a microscope. We both know that people get targeted for that reason 10 times more than others for doing the same thing. Part of why he is in this situation is because you are his boss. Are you seriously just sitting on your hands while he puts his career on the line, Hank?" Hank was taken back by her words but he knew she was right. He was never someone that would just allow things to happen with ease. He would always handle it in his own way, no matter what. It was why he had talked to Trudy a couple times. It was why he had looked into the members of the Internal Affairs Department, wondering if other agendas were on the table.

"I am respecting his wishes, and he told me twice that he wanted to handle it his way and the right way. I thought you would understand and respect those wishes, Erin." Erin was now surprised by the tone of his voice and what he was intending behind those words. "He says he did not do it and he is innocent. I believe him when he says that he did not do it on purpose. There's those sayings - the truth will set you free, justice will be served, the truth will come through - and he is standing by those." 

"Ha-"

"Believe in Jay. Believe in what he is doing and the fact he is doing it right, by the book, and everything will be fine. That's all that we can do." Erin crosses her arms as she knew that was a big fat lie as there was plenty which could be done. How many times had they twisted the book before? "You marching into my office because you care about your boyfriend is not going to change things. We have a job to do. Can we focus on that, please?" 

"We both know he means more to both of us than just another detec-"

"And this isn't the time or place. The line needs to always be drawn between personal and work. Did you forget that when you both got together originally?" Erin was ready to shout something in response, but bit her tongue. It was obvious her discussion with Hank was getting her nowhere right now. There were so many thoughts and theories she wanted to say and think, but yet it was just a wave of shock that washed over her. Was this a sign of how much things had changed since she left? "Please open the door on the way out. Let's get back to focusing on the work at hand. We have work to be done, Erin." 

"It's insane how you can just sit here and focus on work and pretend nothing is happening. Meanwhile, your righthand man, the person that would do anything for you, the person that has helped you out of jams and been there for you, could be sent to prison by the end of the day. I thought you cared about all of us...."