A sense of unknown dread, like an approaching drumbeat, began to pulse in Harleys mind. Obeying her intuition, she decided to leave the suitcase and enter the house empty-handed.

When she opened the door, the first thing that greeted her was a wall of cardboard boxes, all marked in Robs neat handwriting: dress shirts, electronics, paralegal books, shoes. All neatly taped and ready to be loaded into the back of a truck.

Harley heard the scuff of a shoe and turned to see Rob leaning in the doorway, arms folded. I didnt want to do it this way. I wanted to have my things out by the time you returned, maybe leave a letter on the table for you. But then your case ended… He trailed off.

Harley rested her hand on one of the boxes, desperate for something to ground her. Rob, I dont understand. She blinked, feeling as if she had just been hit by a train.

Come on, Harley. This has been a long time coming. I cant be your glorified roommate any moreI wont do it.

Thats not fair, Harley answered, still absorbing the shock of what was happening.

No? I take care of the house while youre gone. I pay the bills, wash your dirty laundryall while working my own job to pay for a huge house in a fancy neighborhood, a house you insisted we buy.

I seem to recall your signature on the purchase, Harley retorted, feeling the first stirring of anger.

He stepped back, shaking his head. Everything is a means to an end with youyour house, your money, your marriage. Theyre a life support system for your work.

The words struck Harley like an arrow. She decided to make one last, desperate attempt to get through to him. She reached for his hands, and to her surprise, he let her take them.

We can still have the life we dreamed about, she said, staring earnestly into his eyes. If the distance is too much, well move. She was assuming the investigation wouldnt find anything damning, which was far from certain. Still, she was trying to be optimistic.

You know the credit union is local. I cant transfer.

She sighed, frustrated at his inflexibility. Then well figure it out. We can sit down and make a five-year plan. Whats one thing I could do to convince you not to give up on us?

He was silent for several heartbeats. Then he said, Leave the Bureau.

What? The words hit her like cold water.

Leave the Bureau. You do that, and Ill stay.

She was at a loss for words. It seemed crazy at first, but was it really? They might not even want her back anyway. Maybe it was time to begin a new chapter, start fresh.