Page 339 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

He nearly said something else, caught himself, and motioned with a head tip to his office. “Sorry. That was unprofessional.”

He only said it for everyone else’s benefit. The entire office stared at the two of them like they didn’t know what was going on under the surface. Like they didn’t know she and Zimmerman had been a thing a few months ago.

“Thank you.” Addie had to acknowledge his apology. “I’m sure everyone would like to know how your conversation with Benning went.”

Zimmerman motioned again with his head. “Tomorrow.”

Addie followed him to his office and shut the door behind her.

He took of his jacket and hung it on the hook. “I thought you’d have gone home.”

“No one else did.” She didn’t fold her arms. Everyone watching through the glass would see her get defensive in response to his words. “Why am I repeating myself?”

“Because you’re burned out, and your mind can’t think of a better response.”

Addie frowned.

“I was serious about you taking time off.”

He had something else on his mind. She could tell. “When the case is almost done?” Addie asked. “It can wait. This team pulls together.”

“The team is no good if you’re off your game.”

Addie didn’t know what to say to that.

Zimmerman sat behind his desk. “Besides, the case will never be over. Not when another will begin before it’s wrapped. Then six years go by, and you realize you didn’t take a single day off. I’ve seen it before. And Iwon’tlet it happen to you.”

“I’m doing my job. Isn’t that why the FBI pays me? Why they gave me this shiny badge?”

“You’re a hair from losing it. You yelled at Stevens yesterday.”

Addie winced. “They told him I’d sign that ridiculous book.” The rookie had been pranked good, but he hadn’t deserved her reaction. “I’ll apologize.”

“Yes, you will.” Zimmerman sat back in the chair. “I thought I could help you, but I don’t know now.”

“Maybe you can.” Addie braced herself. “My apartment building is being fumigated, starting tomorrow. I need somewhere to stay.”

Zimmerman winced. “Ellie and I…we’re trying again to see if we can make it work.”

“I’ll get a hotel room, then. It’s fine.”

“Everything on your desk is being handed to Clarenson upstairs.”

She started to argue, but he interrupted before she even got started.

“This isn’t coming from me.”

As if that was all they were to each other. Orhad been. Their thing was past tense. “You can’t force me to go on vacation.”

Zimmerman lifted one brow. “You’d rather I suspend you? Or get the doc to sign off on mandatory leave?”

Addie pressed her lips together.

“You need a vacation.”

“What’s going on?”

“He got under your skin.” Zimmerman leaned forward. “You think any of us wanted to see that?”

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