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Havenwood

Kara sat on the couch in Athena’s old house and drank a full bottle of water that Michael handed her. She was exhausted—physically, emotionally. Matt was in the adjoining room being checked over by a SWAT medic.

Ryder sat in the corner looking relaxed for the first time in days. He had been working communications for the last several hours, but was taking a much-needed break. She was glad he was here now.

Michael sat across from her. “It’s over,” he said, drinking his own water.

For them, but not for Riley and the others. Evan had been taken into custody and would be on suicide watch for the time being. Dean and Sloane were coordinating interviews with all Havenwood residents with the assistance of Denver FBI. They were using the barn to do it, after clearing all food and drink from the area. They still didn’t know if Evan was lying that Calliope had poisoned their tea, but Kara thought not.

The woman had been half senseless with fear. She would rather have killed everyone she knew than leave Havenwood. Would she have killed herself, as well?

Riley was assisting Dean with the interviews, because no one would talk to the FBI without her present. They could have asked for lawyers, but no one did, even after being read their rights. It was odd, and something Kara would be thinking about for a long time. But it seemed most of the people in Havenwood were thrilled that Riley was alive. It would take days, maybe longer, to sift through everything here in Havenwood.

But Kara wanted to go home.

Matt came out of the room and the SWAT medic left. He had a bandage around his left wrist and the cuts on his face had been cleaned and taped. He looked as tired as she felt.

Michael handed him a water bottle, and Matt took it and sat on the couch next to Kara. He kissed her.

“Promise, I won’t do it again in front of Michael, but I had to.”

She kissed him back. “Ditto.”

At that moment Catherine walked in. Great, Kara thought. She’d probably write them up for inappropriate display of affection while on duty.

Matt put his arm around Kara, as if sensing her thoughts, and pulled her to him.

“How are the interviews going?” he asked.

“It’s a process,” Catherine said. “Riley is doing surprisingly well. She’s stronger than I thought.”

Kara nodded. She knew there was a spine of steel under the fear. She was glad she was right.

Catherine sat on a chair. “Dean, Sloane, myself, and a couple Denver agents are going to stay here overnight to finish the interviews and search. The searches may take a few days longer because of the unmarked graveyard on the far south end of the property. Riley will lead us to it in the morning. There’s a lot to sort through. It’s going to take time.”

“Do you need me to stay, as well?” Ryder asked.

Normally, Ryder would do anything that was asked of him, but Kara sensed in his tone that he wanted to leave.

“No, you need downtime. We all do.”

“I’ll book us on a flight out of Durango first thing in the morning,” Ryder said. “I made hotel reservations, and arranged with one of the Denver agents to drive us.”

“Thank you,” Matt said. “I owe you.”

“No, sir, you really don’t. I’m glad you’re not seriously injured.”

Catherine cleared her throat. “Kara, I owe you an apology.”

Kara couldn’t keep the surprise off her face. Not only because Catherine was apologizing to her, but because she was doing it in front of Matt and the others.

Kara shrugged. “I doubt it.”

“I allowed my personal feelings to interfere with my professional responsibilities. You are a very good cop. You see and understand a lot more than I gave you credit for, because I—” she cleared her throat “—I didn’t like that you were in a relationship with Matt. That’s my personal issue, not yours. You haven’t done anything to make me or anyone believe your relationship has put any case in jeopardy. So, I am sorry.”

Kara didn’t know how to respond. Matt didn’t say anything. Accepting the apology was solely up to her.

She didn’t want to, because sometimes Catherine intentionally made her feel inferior. But that was Kara letting Catherine make her feel less than. Now, with the apology, Kara hoped that would change. And if it didn’t...maybe she’d just call her on it.

“Accepted,” she said.

Catherine visibly relaxed. “Thank you.” She stood and said, “Have a safe trip home. I’ll see you in a few days.”

When she left, Kara said, “Wow. I didn’t expect that.”

“It was a long time coming,” Matt said.

“Agreed,” Michael said. “Though maybe now you can stop deliberately baiting her.”

“Maybe,” Kara said with a half smile. “But sometimes, it’s fun to pull her chain.”