Page 4 of When You're Forgotten

“You’re okay,” he murmured, his voice rough with emotion.

Amelia nodded, biting her lower lip.“I’m sore, but yeah… still in one piece.”

“What happened?”he asked, eyes flicking from her face to the bandage.“They said you fell through a floor?And you were chasing Wendell—”

She exhaled, raking her free hand through her hair.“I was with the task force checking out that old school.The tip said Wendell Reed had been captured on camera going in and out of there.We set up a sweep, but I got separated from the others.”She shot a look at Rob, who nodded for her to continue.“It was a bust.I mean—someone was there, but it wasn’t Wendell.The floor caved in during the fight, and we both went down.”

Finn’s gaze dropped to her bandaged hand.“Let me guess, you couldn’t wait for backup?You know how dangerous that psycho is!”

Her eyes flashed with a mix of frustration and affection.“Finn, you would’ve done the exact same thing,” she pointed out.“Besides, we did have backup.They were just… too far behind.”

A reluctant grin tugged at his lips.He couldn’t deny the truth in that.“All right.Fine.I just don’t like you facing him— or his stand-in— without me.”

Amelia sighed, her shoulders drooping slightly.“I hate it, too.But Wendell’s out there.I can’t just… stand aside.”

Finn gave her fingers a gentle squeeze and was about to respond when Rob interjected, “She was knocked unconscious for a few minutes.Luckily, the suspect ended up pinned under debris, and we managed to secure him.The paramedics gave Amelia the all-clear after checking her for a concussion.”

“So it’s not Wendell?”

Amelia shook her head.“No.Not Wendell.Just one of his pawns.Probably working for him.Wendell deliberately showed up on a security feed, but he left someone else behind in that school—someone who dressed like him, tried to lead me on a wild chase.”

Finn’s brief surge of excitement dissolved into anger.“So it’s another trick.He knows you are in the task-force looking for him.”

A sudden voice behind them made Finn turn.Inspector McNeil stood in the doorway, arms folded.His eyes flicked disapprovingly from Amelia to Finn, then to Rob.“That’s precisely why I never wanted her on this task force— she can’t be objective about Wendell Reed.She keeps charging in alone, risking everything.”

Finn bristled, but before he could speak, Rob spoke up.“I seem to recall stories about a certain hotshot McNeil taking all sorts of reckless risks in his younger days.With more than a few bruises to show for it.”

McNeil’s frown deepened, but his gaze remained locked on Amelia.“It doesn’t matter what I was like before.All that matters now is stopping Wendell Reed before he kills someone else.Winters is a liability, and I’m petitioning the Home Office to remove her from the task force.”

The words hung in the air like a hammer blow.Amelia’s cheeks flushed, but she raised her chin defiantly.Finn’s pulse spiked with anger, fists clenching at his sides.

“You can’t do that,” he said in a low voice.

McNeil’s expression hardened.“I can and I have.She’s too deeply involved.It’s not just about her— it’s about public safety.She’s a risk to the operation, the public, and herself.”He glanced at Rob.“You can fight it all you want, but I suspect the Home Office will agree with me.Good day.”

With that, McNeil turned on his heel and strode out, ignoring Finn’s glare.

“Charming fellow,” Finn remarked, voice laced with sarcasm.

Amelia turned to Rob, tension visible in every line of her posture.“Is he serious?Am I really going to be taken off the task force?”

Rob gave a heavy sigh.“I’m not in control, Amelia.It’s a Home Office matter.If he’s made an official application, they’ll at least consider it.That means a mandatory suspension from the team for a number of days while they review.Possibly longer, depending on their verdict.”

Amelia gritted her teeth in frustration.“So I can’t do anything about Wendell—he’s out there, threatening everything, and I’m stuck on forced leave?”

Finn turned to Rob.“Then I’m not leaving her.If she’s at risk, I stay.”

Amelia’s eyebrows rose.“What do you mean?Are you assigned somewhere?”

Rob nodded.“Finn’s been tapped to investigate a suspicious death in Wales—some critical lead the Home Office wants him to follow.He’s supposed to leave soon, but—”

Finn turned fully to Amelia, expression resolute.“I won’t go if you need me here.”

She inhaled slowly, wincing as the motion strained the bruise on her ribs."Actually, I have an idea.If I'm off the Wendell Reed case for a few days anyway, why don't I go with you?It'll keep me out of the crosshairs and stop me from going mad pottering around my flat or the cottage."She allowed a small, hopeful smile to break across her lips.

Rob, arms folded, studied her.“Are you sure you’re up for traveling?You literally crashed through a school floor.”

Amelia gave a half-shrug.“I’m bruised, not broken.Maybe some distance from Wendell’s direct line of sight wouldn’t be the worst thing.”

---