Page 3 of When You’re Forgotten (Finn Wright #10)

Finn pressed down on the accelerator harder than he ever dared under normal circumstances, weaving in and out of the afternoon traffic with all the precision he could muster.

He barely registered the blare of angry horns or the irritated gestures from other drivers.

His focus was singular: the phone call that had told him Amelia was hurt and was waiting for him at Hertfordshire Constabulary HQ.

He was so locked into that focus that he almost missed the first warning sign from his red Corvette.

A deep metallic clunk sounded somewhere beneath the hood, like two pieces of heavy machinery colliding.

Gritting his teeth, Finn ignored it, urging the car forward.

The engine gave a tortured groan, but he refused to relent.

Still, the car protested with renewed vigor.

A thin thread of smoke curled out from under the hood and trailed along the side of the windshield.

The smell of heated metal and burning oil seeped into the cabin.

Finn’s heart lurched with a new concern: if the engine seized up entirely, he’d be stranded.

Clenching the wheel, he forced the Corvette onward, eyes scanning the upcoming signs for the turnoff to the constabulary.

“You’ve got this, old girl,” he muttered under his breath, giving the dashboard a reassuring pat with one hand. “Just get me there.”

Moments later, the sprawling brick building of the Hertfordshire Constabulary HQ came into view at the end of a one-way street.

Finn could see a smudge of black smoke now pouring out from under his hood, but he refused to let up on the gas.

Only when he pulled into the parking bay, screeching to a halt with tires squealing, did he allow himself to turn the key off.

The engine sputtered in indignation, but Finn was already out the door, pushing aside a swirl of smoke as he bounded toward the entrance.

Inside the station, he jogged past the reception desk—ignoring a startled shout from a uniformed officer to sign in—and took the stairs two at a time. His pulse thundered in his ears. He’d been told Amelia was on the second floor.

He burst through the second-floor door. A cluster of detectives turned wide eyes on him, but he didn’t pause to explain. Racing down the hallway, he spotted a half-open conference room, fluorescent lights spilling across the threshold. That had to be it. Heart hammering, he swung into the doorway.

Amelia was there—bandaged hand resting on the table, a small bruise visible on the side of her face. Instantly, relief and worry flooded him in equal measure. Rob, seated next to her, raised a quick hand to calm Finn’s near-frantic expression.

“Whoa,” Rob said, half-rising. “She’s all right. Take a breath.”

Amelia stood gingerly, meeting Finn in the middle of the conference room.

He fought the urge to crush her in a hug, uncertain how badly she might be hurt, but the tension in his chest demanded some contact.

He reached out; she rewarded him by stepping closer, letting him gently take her uninjured hand.

“You’re okay,” he murmured, his voice rough with emotion.

Amelia nodded, biting her lower lip. “I’m sore, but yeah… still in one piece.”

“What happened?” he asked, eyes flicking from her face to the bandage. “They said you fell through a floor? And you were chasing Wendell—”

She exhaled, raking her free hand through her hair.

“I was with the task force checking out that old school. The tip said Wendell Reed had been captured on camera going in and out of there. We set up a sweep, but I got separated from the others.” She shot a look at Rob, who nodded for her to continue.

“It was a bust. I mean—someone was there, but it wasn’t Wendell.

The floor caved in during the fight, and we both went down. ”

Finn’s gaze dropped to her bandaged hand. “Let me guess, you couldn’t wait for backup? You know how dangerous that psycho is!”

Her eyes flashed with a mix of frustration and affection. “Finn, you would’ve done the exact same thing,” she pointed out. “Besides, we did have backup. They were just… too far behind.”

A reluctant grin tugged at his lips. He couldn’t deny the truth in that. “All right. Fine. I just don’t like you facing him— or his stand-in— without me.”

Amelia sighed, her shoulders drooping slightly. “I hate it, too. But Wendell’s out there. I can’t just… stand aside.”

Finn gave her fingers a gentle squeeze and was about to respond when Rob interjected, “She was knocked unconscious for a few minutes. Luckily, the suspect ended up pinned under debris, and we managed to secure him. The paramedics gave Amelia the all-clear after checking her for a concussion.”

“So it’s not Wendell?”

Amelia shook her head. “No. Not Wendell. Just one of his pawns. Probably working for him. Wendell deliberately showed up on a security feed, but he left someone else behind in that school—someone who dressed like him, tried to lead me on a wild chase.”

Finn’s brief surge of excitement dissolved into anger. “So it’s another trick. He knows you are in the task-force looking for him.”

A sudden voice behind them made Finn turn.

Inspector McNeil stood in the doorway, arms folded.

His eyes flicked disapprovingly from Amelia to Finn, then to Rob.

“That’s precisely why I never wanted her on this task force— she can’t be objective about Wendell Reed.

She keeps charging in alone, risking everything. ”

Finn bristled, but before he could speak, Rob spoke up. “I seem to recall stories about a certain hotshot McNeil taking all sorts of reckless risks in his younger days. With more than a few bruises to show for it.”

McNeil’s frown deepened, but his gaze remained locked on Amelia. “It doesn’t matter what I was like before. All that matters now is stopping Wendell Reed before he kills someone else. Winters is a liability, and I’m petitioning the Home Office to remove her from the task force.”

The words hung in the air like a hammer blow. Amelia’s cheeks flushed, but she raised her chin defiantly. Finn’s pulse spiked with anger, fists clenching at his sides.

“You can’t do that,” he said in a low voice.

McNeil’s expression hardened. “I can and I have. She’s too deeply involved. It’s not just about her— it’s about public safety. She’s a risk to the operation, the public, and herself.” He glanced at Rob. “You can fight it all you want, but I suspect the Home Office will agree with me. Good day.”

With that, McNeil turned on his heel and strode out, ignoring Finn’s glare.

“Charming fellow,” Finn remarked, voice laced with sarcasm.

Amelia turned to Rob, tension visible in every line of her posture. “Is he serious? Am I really going to be taken off the task force?”

Rob gave a heavy sigh. “I’m not in control, Amelia. It’s a Home Office matter. If he’s made an official application, they’ll at least consider it. That means a mandatory suspension from the team for a number of days while they review. Possibly longer, depending on their verdict.”

Amelia gritted her teeth in frustration. “So I can’t do anything about Wendell—he’s out there, threatening everything, and I’m stuck on forced leave?”

Finn turned to Rob. “Then I’m not leaving her. If she’s at risk, I stay.”

Amelia’s eyebrows rose. “What do you mean? Are you assigned somewhere?”

Rob nodded. “Finn’s been tapped to investigate a suspicious death in Wales—some critical lead the Home Office wants him to follow. He’s supposed to leave soon, but—”

Finn turned fully to Amelia, expression resolute. “I won’t go if you need me here.”

She inhaled slowly, wincing as the motion strained the bruise on her ribs.

"Actually, I have an idea. If I'm off the Wendell Reed case for a few days anyway, why don't I go with you?

It'll keep me out of the crosshairs and stop me from going mad pottering around my flat or the cottage.

" She allowed a small, hopeful smile to break across her lips.

Rob, arms folded, studied her. “Are you sure you’re up for traveling? You literally crashed through a school floor.”

Amelia gave a half-shrug. “I’m bruised, not broken. Maybe some distance from Wendell’s direct line of sight wouldn’t be the worst thing.”

Finn felt a sense of relief and something akin to excitement. Investigating with Amelia—like old times. The mention of traveling side by side gave him a renewed surge of energy. “If it helps you heal— physically and mentally— I’m all for it. But only if you’re certain.”

Rob nodded. “It actually sets my mind at ease, too. At least you won’t be going off on your own around here with McNeil breathing down your neck. The question is: Are you both okay with being out of the Wendell loop for a bit?”

Amelia managed a wry smile. “For a bit, yes. Though I’ll definitely want updates if anything changes.”

Finn turned serious. “Speaking of updates… Did that man you were chasing—the one who fell with you—give you anything on Wendell? Any leads?”

A frustrated look crossed Amelia’s face. “I haven’t been allowed to question him. McNeil’s running that show. He’ll only share details if he sees fit. So I’m in the dark right now.”

Finn stepped forward, folding Amelia into a gentle hug. She sighed into his chest, relief warring with her frustration. “I hate not knowing where he could be hiding,” she murmured against his jacket.

He kissed the top of her head, letting himself savor the closeness. “At least you’re safe. And hey, the bright side is that we’re heading off together on a new case—just the two of us again.”

She pulled back enough to look up at him, eyes glinting. “Think you can handle me telling you how to do your job?”

He allowed a teasing grin. “Only if you can handle my sparkling wit.”

Rob cleared his throat, stepping away from the table with a slight grin.

“And that’s exactly why I’ll be staying put.

Do me a favor, you two—keep me in the loop on whatever you find in Wales.

We’re not sure if it’s murder, but the victim is an important figure, and he died running into his panic room. ”

Finn dipped his head. “We will. You keep an eye on any Wendell developments here, yeah?”

“Count on it,” Rob replied, moving toward the door. “Good luck, both of you.” He ducked out into the hallway, leaving Finn and Amelia alone.

Finn offered Amelia his arm, which she took with a playful flourish. He lowered his voice conspiratorially. “You ready to bail on this place? The Corvette might still be smoking, but I promise to fix it before we head anywhere far.”

She laughed softly, a sound that eased the tension in the room. As they strolled out, side by side, Finn murmured, “Once more unto the beach, dear friend.”

Amelia smiled, leaning into him. “Let’s take a work car. I’ve had enough danger for today.”