Chapter 5

“Why did you leave?” Matthew drops his gaze from mine, his hand resting over his mouth and chin. Sighing, he drops his hand and looks back at me. “The week before I left. You uh remember the Hannigan case? And how I got shot.” I nod.

“I came home from the hospital to find Anne’s bags packed. The shooting scared her, and uh, she said if I wanted to be involved in our child’s life, I would have to be more responsible with my life.” My eyes widen when he says child. “She was pregnant?” I ask in disbelief.

“I couldn’t leave her, Elizabeth. I’ve always wanted to be a dad. She told me to leave the force or to at least transfer to an office setting.” His hand running through his hair. I could see the sorrow in his eyes. “I knew if I had called you, I wouldn’t have been able to leave.”

Overwhelming guilt consumes me. “Matthew, I…” sensing my emotions,