You got him? Rob said, his face suddenly animated. Harley realized with a sense of embarrassment that she hadnt told him shed caught the killer. It was a sign of just how disconnected theyd become.

Its probably on the news by now, she answered. I would have told you, but…

But we dont really talk much, do we? Not even on the few occasions youre actually here. There was an edge to his voice. The sudden shift was jarring to Harley.

Im here now. She smiled, offering an olive branch. I hate that they put me on leave it makes me want to tear my hair out, not having a case to work on but at least now we have some time to talk, time to figure out… She paused, treating the subject delicately. How to make this work better.

Rob stared hard through the windshield. And what happens when they reinstate you? Everything goes back to the way it was?

Rob, she said, baffled by his intensity, thats my job. I put killers away. Id like to spend more time with you, but one of the sacrifices of my line of work

Sacrifice? He smiled at her, but it was an ugly, wounded smile. Whose sacrifice, yours or mine?

She frowned. Ours.

Oh, yeah? Are you the one having to explain to your parents why your spouse is never around? Are you the one spending the weekend in front of the TV, furious because your spouse promised to fly back but broke that promiseagain?

I apologized for that. She shifted, turning her body toward him. What is this really about, Rob? Is it about starting a family? I told you Im not ready to be a housewife.

It was one of the points of contention between them. When they married, they had made a vague agreement on starting a family in the near future. The problem was, neither was willing to give up their career to stay home, despite Robs intimations usually after a few beers that it was a womans role to tend the house and raise children. With Harleys biological clock winding down, the chance of them ever having kids of their own was becoming increasingly unlikely, a fact that had caused Rob to express a good deal of resentment.

The resignation in Robs voice chilled her. And you never will be, Harley. He sighed. I spent years being angry with you for putting this off, for prioritizing your job over our family. But thats not fair, is it?

She waited, watching him.

You havent changed, he continued. You were the same way when we started dating, so if I couldnt make peace with that, I shouldnt have married you.

They pulled into the driveway. Rob turned off the engine and sat there, staring at the house.

Go on, he said gently.

Arent you going to get out? Harley said, growing more troubled with every passing second.

Rob did not answer.