Page 33 of Shielding Aubree

He smoothed his fingers over the newest article he'd clipped.

The title in bold font made him smile.

DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ASKING FOR CASES TO BE DISMISSED BECAUSE OF IMPAIRED ARRESTING OFFICER

"Impaired." He laughed out loud. "I bet her father's proud of her now. That'll take them all down a notch."

8

The end of her time at The Refuge loomed up over her like a big, dark shadow.

The only bright light ahead of her was a date with Ruben.

Henley sat her down for what was their last planned session and Aubree didn't like the look on her face.

"Good Morning, Aubree."

Aubree looked over at the door to Henley's office. They'd advanced to having their sessions in the office and during the session before Henley had closed the door with Aubree's permission.

"Morning, Henley." She blew out a breath and tried to relax back against the cushions.

"How are you feeling?"

Aubree closed her eyes for a moment before she spoke. "Stronger. I'm using a cane now to help with balance while I'm walking."

Henley nodded toward the cane that was leaning up against the armrest of Aubree's chair. "I'm glad."

"Me, too." Aubree filled her lungs with air. "And I'm looking forward to going home."

Henley looked down at the paper on her clipboard and then back up at Aubree. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about."

Aubree fought off the sudden stab of panic by working through one of the relaxation mantras that she'd been taught in her head.

When she'd finished, she looked up at Henley who had patiently waited for her.

"We wanted to offer you the chance to extend your visit to continue to address your claustrophobia."

"That's... a generous offer, Henley, but I need to get back to work. The brass has given me more time than anyone else has had for rehabilitation."

Henley narrowed her eyes and looked down at her clipboard. "Your injuries were more severe than others in the State Police who were out for medical reasons. And there's also the missing gap in your memory. We have some other treatments that we can try."

"Try." She shook her head. "No. Thank you, but no."

Henley's expression was filled with concern. "Do you want me to tell you about these treatments?"

Aubree pressed the heel of her hand against the center of her chest. "I appreciate what you're trying to do, Henley, but I don't think I'm going to be able to get rid of my claustrophobia anytime soon, but I do have to get back to work. There are cases that depend on me. Victims depending on me. I've had so much help here, I will forever be grateful for everything that your staff has done and you, too."

She could tell that Henley didn't like the answer.

Neither did she.

She knew she was making progress, but her job and the cases that she was involved in weren't going to sit around and wait for her.

If she didn't want the cases to flounder, or worse, be dropped altogether, she had to get back and make sure that her lapse of memory wasn't going to cause the victims to suffer.

"I just know that the advancements that I've made here are invaluable and both myself and my family never forget the miracles that have happened here. I just can't take any more time away and consider myself much of a law enforcement officer."

Aubree looked over at the watch on her wrist and stood up. Her smile was genuine as she reached out to shake Henley's hand.

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