Jessie sat with that for a moment before responding.

Can anything be done? she asked.

Elodie seems willing to testify against Otis, Parker said. She told me that she was terrified theyd do the same thing to her they did to Marlene, so she made herself invaluable, even after turning eighteen. She claims to have recruited more girls in the last two years than most of the other high school recruiters combined.

What about Salah? Jessie asked.

Parker shook her head.

Weve already put in a request for his extradition to the State Department, she said. But theyre not optimistic. They say that as long as he doesnt return to the U.S. or visit a country that has an extradition treaty with us, hes probably untouchable.

Jessie exhaled deeply, nodded, and stood up.

If thats all for now, I think Im going to take the rest of the day off, she said.

Decker walked her to the door.

Once youve had some time to decompress, Id like to discuss how we can get you back soon. Remember, Im shorthanded.

Captain, she said, trying to sound diplomatic despite feeling exhausted to her bones, I have a seminar to teach on Friday. Im supposed to start a new one next week. My boyfriend is learning to walk and talk again. My sister was just used as bait in a sex-trafficking sting. You might have picked the wrong moment to broach this.

Theres never a right moment, Hunt.

Maybe not, she conceded. But Im not going to think about any of that right now. Well talk later. I have some people at home I need to hug.

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

Ryan made dinner that night.

Admittedly it was just grilled cheese sandwiches, but Nurse Patty said it was part of his physical therapy and he seemed quite proud of the accomplishment. Kat, deciding that both Jessie and Hannah needed a bit of a break, came over to assist.

When they finally sat down to eat, it felt almost like a holiday. In addition to Jessie, Ryan, Hannah, and Kat, Jessie asked Patty to stick around for dinner even though it was officially Nurse Johns shift. Jessie snuck her an extra fifty bucks for her trouble. They even had to bring in a couple of folding chairs from the garage to accommodate all six of them.

Everyone was in a good mood.

I think we know who the real chef in this house is, Ryan teased Hannah.

Dont get cocky, Kat shot back at him on her behalf. Until you can make something thats not a middle school cafeteria staple, shes still got the belt.

Is this some kind of fancy cheese? Hannah asked, feigning wide-eyed innocence at Ryans culinary accomplishment.

Yes, he answered. It called melted.

The two nurses, sitting next to each other, compared notes quietly and Jessie swore she heard Patty utter the phrase amazing improvement.