She sat for several minutes, considering blowing off the HR department. Wishes were not going to change her current situation. She would need the money to support herself and Avery until she got better or was forced to find the next step on the path.

Jordan dictated a response. Several times she stopped and redid her sentences, cutting out extra words. She was accustomed to seeing the computer screen, and visualizing the words in her mind was a challenge. Finally, satisfied, she hit send.

“Is that coffee I smell?” Avery asked.

“It is.”

“Did I hear you talking?” Avery yawned.

“Dictating an email.”

“Really? Using the accommodations like Sally taught you?”

“Yes. And I’ll have to see her soon to learn a few new tricks.”

“And you’ll pay attention this time?”

“Yes.”

Avery hugged her. “I feel like my little girl is all grown up.”

“Very funny.”

The sound of coffee pouring and then the refrigerator door opening and closing had Jordan turning toward the counter. She felt for her cup, discovered it was still empty. “No coffee?”

“You can pour.”

She filled the cup, sticking her finger inside and pouring until the heat reached her fingertip. The cream was a little more of a challenge, but in the end, another functioning cup of coffee. Hope. “We’re going to have to leave here by seven thirty. Morning traffic slows the commute.”

“I can’t remember the last time I drove in morning traffic. I either left really early to open the café or stayed late.”

“Triple whatever time it took on the off hours.”

“Will I have to go into the autopsy? I mean, if I have to I will.”

“No. Just get me to the autopsy suite, and I’ll take it from there.”

“Can you do it alone?”

“It shouldn’t be too difficult to slip on a surgical gown and gloves.”

“While I’m waiting, I can swing by the café and check in on the guys.”

“Great. I’ll call when we’re finished.”

At 7:00 a.m. they were on the road. Avery switched on the radio, a country-and-western station featuring several songs highlighting deep bass tones that thudded in Jordan’s chest. She had always enjoyed music but now seemed to feel the notes more.

Based on a few quick stops, horn honks, and lane changes, Avery’s driving remained bad, so whatever joy Jordan might have derived from the music was overridden by the fear that they would not make it to the medical examiner’s office alive.

Avery found parking easily, surprising since Jordan often had to circle the lot. “That was quick.”

“I applied for an accessibility sticker for you,” Avery said. “Captain Lee helped expedite the process.”

“Seriously?”

“I know. Another change. But it’s either use it or hoof it across the lot.”

“I used to park in the last row all the time. I liked the walk.”

“Well, then next time, we’ll park far away.”