Page 34 of Hidden Depths

“I’m sorry?”

“You asked what I was studying. I was studying law, but I changed my mind.”

“Why’d you give it up?”

“I lost interest. Life got to be a bit too much, and I wanted a change. I guess it’s like you needing a vacation.”

“Do you miss it?”

“Studying?” She laughed. “No. Now when I think back to it, I wonder how much good I would have done with a law degree anyway.”

“Is that why you wanted to be a lawyer? To do good?”

“That’s what I told myself, but really, it was a compromise. My dad wanted me to go into—um…his line of work. I didn’t want to, but law seemed to satisfy him.”

He had to push. It was better if she told him than if she found out he already knew. “What’s your dad do?”

“Nothing. He’s dead.”

“I’m sorry.”

She shrugged and took a bite. “Accidents happen,” she said after she swallowed.

“Accident?”

“Slippery road.”

“Car crash?”

“It happens. Mom and Dad both died.”

“Wow. I’m sorry to hear that. Is that who you inherited the houses from?”

“Yeah.” She glanced at his wrist again, then focused on the ocean as she polished off her taco. “That’s a lot about me. What about you? Have you always lived in Chicago?”

“No. I grew up in Washington.”

“DC?”

“The state. About an hour west of Seattle.”

“Did you always want to work for the FBI?”

“No. I spent a few years having no idea what I wanted to do. I travelled quite a bit. I like being active.”

“What made you finally settle down and get a real job?”

“You’re giving me grief about having a real job when you’re the one living off rentals—I’m sorry,” he said when her face fell. “That was insensitive. Obviously that’s never what you wanted.”

“It’s okay. It’s been five years. The loss is not as sharp as it used to be.”

“I got into the FBI after my dad died of a heart attack. My mom took it pretty hard, obviously. She needed the support, so I got my act together.”

“I’m sorry. Is she still alive?”

“She’s in a home.”

“At least she’s alive.”

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