Chapter 80

The next few days felt lonely and quiet. The space he left felt like a huge void. The case Logan was working on was taking off. The media had finally got hold of the story. He sent me an article that had been released. I couldn’t believe it; the local police commissioner was being accused of marital rape and abuse. Logan admitted they had been asked to help prosecute the police commissioner. I was in shock. He had found no evidence that he could prove. Everyone was very tight-lipped.

Logan talked to me as much as he could, and I offered snippets of advice here and there when he looked like he was going off track. Before I knew it the weekend was here, and Logan was stuck on the case. We managed to grab a few calls in between his meetings and brainstorming sessions. My phone started ringing late on Saturday night. I looked at it to see a mobile number I was not familiar with.

“Hello.” I answered cautiously.

“Leah?” The voice seemed familiar, but I could not place it.

“Speaking.”

“Leah, it’s Jack. Jack Carter.”

“Jack,” I paused for a second, “How are you?”

“Always so pleasant. I need to ask you a favour as I know Logan will not ask you.”

“Of course.”

“I and my wife Chelsea, Logan’s mum, are having a family get together next weekend for his birthday.”

“His birthday?” I questioned.

“Logan didn’t tell you?”

“No!” I was surprised but also not somehow at the same time.

“Well now I am definitely glad I phoned you. We are having a little get together. Logan told us you two are official now and we would love you to be there.”

“Of course, send me the details. I will make sure I am there.”

“Good because we may need your help actually getting Logan here.” He laughed.

“You need help getting your son to his own birthday party?” I replied.

“You know Logan he’s not the most outgoing guy, and he is not a fan of being the center of attention so a birthday celebration with everyone’s eyes on him...” he paused.

“I see, how can I help?”

We put a plan together over the next 20 minutes and ironed out some details. Jack said he would phone back later in the week with more details. Once we were off the phone every nerve in me wanted to phone Logan and ask why he didn’t tell me about his birthday, but I knew that would cause more questions than I could answer. Instead, I took a different approach.

‘Hey, I know you are busy but thought I would let you know I am going to come visit you next weekend.’

It didn’t take long before he responded.

‘I can’t ask you to do that! Besides with the case taking off I'm not sure what time I will have free.’

‘You’re not asking, I'm offering. Besides you have travelled here the last two times. It’s about time I returned the favour. If you don’t get much time that’s ok. Even if I only get chance to steal 5 minutes with you the trip will be worth it.’

‘Have I told you recently how amazing you are?’

‘Nope, but I’m happy to keep hearing it if you want to carry on telling me.’