Epilogue
Six Months Later
Montana
“Fury, I need your help on a case.”
Claire looked up from her desk at the Missoula FBI field office to see Garrett standing in her doorway. He was wearing tactical pants and a Shadow Point polo, looking every inch the commander.
Looking like home.
“Don’t call me that,” she said, fighting a smile.
“It suits you.”
“I’m Special Agent Dawson.”
Garrett stepped into her office and closed the door. “Special Agent Dawson, Shadow Point Security requests your consultation on a serial arson case. Three fires in the past month. All targeting women’s shelters.”
Claire’s professional interest sparked. “Missoula?”
“Helena. But the arsonist is escalating. We think he’ll move locations soon.”
“Send me the files. I’ll review tonight.”
“Tonight you have dinner with me.”
“Do I?”
“You do. I made reservations at that Italian place you like.”
Claire raised an eyebrow. “Presumptuous.”
“Hopeful.” Garrett’s smile was warm. Real. The smile he only gave her. “What do you say, CJ?”
She should probably still object to the nickname. Should maintain some professional boundaries.
But they’d been together for six months now. Really together. Honest together. She’d moved into his place last month—a cabin outside Missoula with a view of the mountains and enough space for them both.
Therapy was helping. Dr. Nunnely via video call three times a week. Couples counseling once a week with Dr. Montgomery—Vivi, who’d become more than a psychologist. She was a friend.
Derek’s trial had happened two weeks ago. Claire had testified. Garrett had sat in the courtroom every single day, supporting her silently from the gallery. Derek had been convicted on all counts. Life in prison, no parole.
It was over.
And Claire was finally, finally healing. “Okay,” she said. “Dinner. But I’m still reviewing those files tonight.”
“I’m counting on it.” Garrett moved closer. Leaned against her desk. “I love you, you know.”
“I know.”
“Do you? Because I don’t say it enough.”
“You say it every day.”
“Still not enough.” He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I love you, Claire Dawson. Former Paperclip. Current Fury. Future—” He stopped. Smiled. “Future consultant for Shadow Point Security?”
Vivi had been relentlessly recruiting her. “Maybe. If the pay is right.”
“We’ll negotiate.”
Claire stood. Walked around her desk. “I don’t work cheap, Commander.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Garrett pulled her close. Kissed her forehead. “See you tonight?”
“See you tonight.”
He started to leave, then paused at the door. “Hey, Claire?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for giving me a second chance. For trusting me again.” His voice was soft. “I know it wasn’t easy.”
“No,” Claire agreed, “it wasn’t. But you were worth fighting for.”
Garrett’s smile could have lit the entire office. “So were you.”
He left. Claire sat back down at her desk. Before she started working, she looked at the photo on her desk. Two photos, actually. Side by side in a double frame.
On the left was Lily, laughing at something off-camera. On the right were Claire and Garrett, taken last month at Ian and Vivi’s anniversary party. Claire’s head on Garrett’s shoulder. His arm around her waist. Both of them smiling.
Happy.
Healing.
Home.
“I love your brother, Lily,” Claire whispered. “I think I’m going to propose to him.”
And somehow—impossibly—she could have sworn she felt her best friend smile.