Broken Trust

Chapter 2

AUDREY!”
The shout snapped me out of my daze.
I blinked and looked up to see Millie standing in my doorway, arms crossed, concern etched across her face. We’d worked together for years—long enough that she felt more like family than a coworker.
“You okay, hun?” she asked. “You look miles away.”
I swallowed. “Today’s Shawn’s birthday. He would’ve been thirty-seven.”
My gaze drifted to the framed photo on my desk. I picked it up, my thumb brushing the edge, and pressed a quick kiss to the glass before setting it back down.
Millie’s expression softened.
“Do you think,” I said quietly, “that Shawn and X could’ve been connected somehow?”
She sighed, the kind that carried too much honesty. “I don’t know, Audrey. Maybe. But that case went cold years ago. It’s been six years.” She hesitated, then added gently, “I know this is hard—but you have to let yourself move on. This isn’t good for you. Tristan’s worried about you too.”
She rested a hand on my shoulder.
“Thanks,” I said, forcing a smile as I covered her hand with mine.
“Enough of the past,” she said. “Are you coming to the work party tomorrow?”
“Of course. It is my promotion.”
“And you becoming the new sergeant,” she added with a grin.
Right on cue, Tristan walked in. “Well, if it isn’t Sergeant Audrey Lowe,” he said, clearly enjoying himself.
“Careful,” I said dryly. “Tease your future sergeant and I might fire you.”
“Oh no,” Millie said, laughing. “Sergeant Lowe is going to be stricter than our current boss.”
“Hey!” Tristan protested, pretending to be offended. “Don’t jab me again.”
I shook my head, smiling despite myself.
“So,” Tristan said, “have you finished moving into your new office yet?”
“Not even close,” I admitted. “I’ve barely started.”
“We’ll help,” Millie and Tristan said together.
I thanked them and finished clearing my desk. The last thing I packed was Shawn’s photo. I placed it carefully on top of everything else and lifted the box.
The walk down the hall felt heavier than it should’ve.
My new office was bigger—brighter. Too clean. I set the box down and looked around, feeling oddly disconnected.
“Earth to Audrey,” Millie said, snapping her fingers.
“Sorry,” I murmured. “I was just… thinking.”
I exhaled slowly. “Do you think Shawn would be proud of me?”
“Yes,” Millie said without hesitation. “If he were here, he’d be amazed at everything you’ve accomplished.”
A bitter laugh slipped out before I could stop it. “That’s not what he used to say at home. He always told me I wasn’t doing enough. That I didn’t deserve this job.”
Millie’s face fell. “Audrey… I’m so sorry.”
“I don’t need your pity,” I snapped.
The room went quiet. I immediately regretted it.
“I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “I didn’t mean— I’m just… starting to think this was both a blessing and a curse. I loved him. I still do. But what if this was always meant to happen?”
Millie and Tristan exchanged a look.
“Maybe someday,” Tristan said carefully, “we can revisit the case. Just not now.”
I nodded. “Yeah. Especially with New Year’s coming up. Drunk drivers, reckless calls—it’ll be chaos.”
“Exactly,” Millie said. “Another day. Not now.”
“Not now,” I repeated.
They said their goodbyes and left, the door clicking shut behind them.
Alone in my new office, I unpacked slowly. Pens. Files. A nameplate.
Then my fingers froze.
A familiar folder sat at the bottom of the box.
Shawn’s case file.
My heart thudded as I pulled it free and sat down. Inside was the evidence bag—untouched, preserved. The same crumpled white paper Officer Robbins had found in the park.
The words stared back at me, dark and unmistakable.
Catch me if you can — X
Six years.
And I still didn’t know who X was.
Or whether Shawn had ever stood a chance.
I closed my eyes, forcing the file shut.
Not now, Audrey, I told myself.
Not now.