Already Dead (Laura Frost FBI)

She ended the call, turning to go back into the kitchen. Chris was watching her walk back in with concern on his features.

“Everything alright?” he said. “I didn’t mean to listen, but… you need to take Lacey back home?”

“I’ve got a case,” Laura said, shaking her head in frustration. “Of all the times for something to come up…”

Truthfully, though, she knew she was lucky. Lucky that it hadn’t happened before now. Between her psychic abilities, and the way she gelled so well with Nate, they had built up a reputation for being one of the best agent teams out there when it came to homicides – especially pattern homicides that looked to originate from the same killer.

Nate.

Was he even going to be there?

“I can look after Lacey, if you need it,” Chris said. “It sounds like you have to get there pretty urgently – you can come pick her up afterwards?”

Laura hesitated. She knew the drill: Rondelle would give her the briefing, tell her when her plane was leaving, and then she’d have some time to get back and sort Lacey out. She might even make the normal handover time instead of having Marcus sneer at her for bringing her back early. It would be a much better option.

But, leaving her with a stranger…

Only, Chris wasn’t a stranger. Not anymore. Laura was confident, now, that he was a good guardian for Amy – someone who would never willingly hurt her or put her in danger. The time they’d spent together since he’d taken over her care had shown her that. And Lacey was having a good time, playing with her friend.

It would be a shame to split them up early, wouldn’t it? Especially if they were in good hands already.

“Alright,” Laura said, gratefully. “Thank you. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Chris nodded. “Don’t rush too much,” he said. “We need you back here in one piece, and I know the traffic can be heavy getting into the city and back. They’ll be fine. I’ll make them some food while you’re gone, so Lacey will be ready to head home.”

Laura nodded. “Thanks,” she repeated. “I’ll…”

“Just go,” Chris said, smiling at her. “Honestly, you don’t need to worry. I’ll call you the second anything happens, if it does.”

Laura nodded again, slowly backing out towards the hall. “Lacey,” she said, pausing by the living room door. “Honey, I’ve just got to pop out for a bit and run an errand. Will you be okay staying here with Chris and Amy?”

Lacey didn’t even look up from the game they were playing. “Yes, Mommy!” she called out.

Laura bit her lip, took one last look, then turned for the door.

Time to be an FBI agent again, instead of a mom.

She wondered if this was ever not going to feel like a wrench, to walk away to do her duty and leave Lacey behind.