You couldn’t have made her stay. Her life isn’t with you; her life isn’t even her.

Kara would stay in Los Angeles because that’s where she could disappear into her dangerous world. That’s what she wanted, and Matt knew from himself and everyone around him that you couldn’t change people who didn’t want to change.

And he didn’t want to change her. Then she wouldn’t be Kara. He just wished... Hell, what did he wish? That he could spend more time with her? That he could get to know her—the real her? Even now, after he had a couple days to reflect, he wasn’t sure she had ever shown him her real self.

If she knew who her real self was.

Kara would stick with him for a long, long time. She’d told him they’d find time—a couple days when they both had time off. Right. Because they both had jobs that enabled them to take time off.

Chris walked in from the back and seemed surprised to see Matt.

“Catherine said it was okay for me to come,” Matt said.

“You’re always welcome,” Chris said.

“Lizzy ran upstairs, if you’re looking for her.”

“Her friends are up there. The adults are around back. Want a beer?”

He hesitated, then nodded. “Thanks.”

“You’re not blood, but you’re family. That’s not going to change.”

Matt followed Chris to the kitchen, where he retrieved two beers from the refrigerator, but instead of taking him out back with the crowd of birthday guests, they went down the hall to Chris’s office. Matt was relieved. He wasn’t quite ready to socialize.

Chris tapped the neck of his bottle to Matt’s and drank. “Catherine told me about the case.”

“We couldn’t have solved it without her. She also told you I want her on my team. I was surprised when she said you were okay with me coming here.”

Chris nodded. “We both care about Catherine, but I love her, and you need to give her more time.”

“It’s been nearly a year, Chris.”

“You need time.”

Matt shook his head.

“You jumped right back into work after Beth died.”

“Beth was murdered, Chris. I couldn’t sit back and trust someone else to catch the bastard who killed her.”

“You know it’s more complicated than that.”

Matt knew, but he didn’t comment.

“I want Catherine home. I’m close to bringing her back, and I won’t have you ruin it.”

“I want her back home, too. I’m on your side, Chris. I always have been. Catherine is the best profiler the FBI has, and I need her. But I won’t push it right now. Fair enough?”

Chris nodded. “I convinced Catherine to pull her resignation.”

That surprised Matt. “I thought you wanted her to quit.”

“No. I want Catherine to be happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. But Catherine isn’t someone who can let herself be happy, not like other people.”

Matt thought about himself. About Kara. Was Kara happy? He didn’t think so. But she was comfortable in her own skin. She had a confidence about herself that most people didn’t have.