Chapter Text
You need proof that the world’s a better place because you're in it? Go home, Morgan.
Morgan swallows dryly as Adam leaves the room. He does this sometimes, she realises. Whether it’s with a touch to the shoulder or his choice of words, Morgan isn’t sure, but he moves something within her.
It’s usually subtle, when he buys her a coffee on days she really needs one, or checks in on her when her mind is spiraling. But Adam cares for her in ways that are loud too. He keeps her out of danger. He insists on driving her home after particularly tough cases. He reminds her of why she matters, of her achievements and not her failures, and he makes sure she hears it.
They’re friends after all, Morgan reminds herself, and friends are supposed to look out for each other. But when he speaks to her as softly as tonight, she almost forgets where they stand.
Morgan’s vision is blurry as she blinks into the empty room. The crime board before her is still reminding her of her dad - Adam read her too well - and of that familiar sense of not belonging. And so she goes home, and it instantly warms her heart. Ava and Elliot are sitting on the sofa with a bowl of popcorn between them and they’re arguing about whether to watch Star Wars for the millionth time, or try the new action film with Ava’s favorite actress in it. Chloe’s sleeping soundly, and Morgan leans against the doorframe to Chloe’s room. The sight of her kids is the one thing that eases her mind.
Hearing a buzz from her phone, Morgan quickly fishes it out of her purse. She feels a pang of disappointment as she stares at the email notification. It’s from a dating app she signed up for ages ago, and Morgan notes that it’s time to remove it. She’s not sure why she ever thought she’d be able to find a good match for her there.
Looking over at the flowers on her kitchen counter, Morgan thinks of Rhys. Everything about him has been intriguing. His presence has led to more questions than answers. But although Rhys was right about Morgan liking a challenge, she'd felt more unbalanced around him than she'd like to admit.
Morgan scrolls through her messages and without much thought she types a quick message and sends it to Adam.
Thank you for what you said earlier.
She’d meant to thank him then and there but he had somehow managed to leave her speechless, something that very few people have the ability to do when it comes to Morgan.
The response comes shortly after, and Morgan sighs deeply, fearing that the pull she feels towards her friend and her coworker, is not just imaginary after all.
Anytime, Gillory.
Adam is chewing on the inside of his cheek. He’s doing his best to keep his focus on the case file splayed across his desk. Phones are ringing and voices overlap. There’s a worker repairing the door hinges to Selena’s office, and the drill has already visibly annoyed most of the staff.
Not Adam though, as all he can concentrate on is Morgan leaning against his desk. She claimed that spot as hers ages ago, and he should be used to it by now. But there’s been a shift in their dynamic lately, something unspoken and charged. Adam slowly pushes his chair back and steals a glance at her.
It’s the same Morgan he’s known for the past year now, but the sunlight reflects differently on her flowery blouse and wavy hair. Everything that revolves around her and around them has his attention on work falling short. The late night text messages aren’t exactly helping either. They started about two weeks ago, after Adam had found her doubting herself again. There’s a tone there now, in Morgan’s texts, and a whole bunch of smiley faces he’s yet to digest what they mean.
”You’re staring, Karadec.” Morgan points out, and she doesn’t lift her eyes from the document in her hands.
Adam clears his throat, feeling caught. “Have you found anything useful there?”
He gestures towards the papers and thinks back to the case. The person they’re looking for has committed two murders already, and there’s a chance they’re not done.
Morgan hurriedly pushes off the desk, “I think I just did. And if I’m right, I know exactly where we can find them.”
“What do you got?”
“The two bodies were purposely put outside of this building. I couldn’t figure out why the killer chose a property that’s been shut down for years, until I found this-“ Morgan hands Adam a list of different company names. “These are all the same company, just with a new name and different location. As soon as the company is due for an inspection, it changes. Look at the first address.”
West Marrow Lane. Adam nods. That’s where the bodies were left.
“Our suspect isn’t just killing people, they’re trying to make a point. My guess is that our two victims were the co-founders of the original company, but according to this, Rose and Vincent sold the company two years ago. From what I can tell, the new owner is following in their footsteps. And if our suspect knows all of this, it’s just a matter of time until they go after this woman too. We need to get to her before that happens.”
The drill whines as if protesting, but Adam’s already reaching for his jacket. ”Good work, Gillory. We’ll fill the captain in on the way there. Let’s go.”
As they reach the motorway, Morgan starts fidgeting with her nails. Another one of her silences, and just as Adam is about to ask her what’s wrong, Morgan’s voice rents the air.
“I hope I didn’t keep you up last night.”
Adam grips the wheel tighter. Are they really acknowledging this right now? “It’s fine, Morgan. Don’t worry about it.”
“To be fair, you did start it. Asking me to explain Elliot’s science project is a dangerous thing to do if you want to prioritise your sleep, Adam. I could talk about my kids for hours, you know that.”
“I do in fact know that.”
Morgan exhales sharply. “Wait- Is that why you asked me? To keep my mind off this case?”
”I just thought if you weren’t going to sleep, it’d be better to focus on something other than work. And for the record, I was actually interested in hearing it.” Adam admits, and he feels his heart pounding. He cares for Morgan a lot, but he cannot quite access the why. Perhaps it’s purely because of their partnership, but Adam’s never gone to these limits for his previous partners. Hell, he’s barely gone to these limits for anyone.
There’s a pause, in which Adam can feel Morgan thinking. He is waiting for her to say something, but when she doesn’t, Adam decides to give them both an out.
“We’re only five minutes away, will you check if Daphne has any more information about this woman?”
From the corner of his eye, Adam sees Morgan quickly reach for the phone. “I’ll put her on speaker.”
As they step out of the car, Adam tilts his head back, taking in the narrow building that rises above them. Floor eleven, Daphne had told them over the phone, along with a pile of background information on Amanda Reed. Morgan was right, Amanda was stealing money from her own employees whilst managing to keep the small recruiting agency under the radar.
“Karadec,” Morgan says. “I recognise that car. It’s the same one seen on the CCTV near Marrow Lane, the one that was parked in the restricted area.” She nods at the red car down the street.
“Are you sure?”
“It’s a red Toyota, and it has the same number plate.”
Adam begins to move towards the entrance. “Okay. You go back to the car and call for backup, I’ll head straight up.”
“No, I’m coming with you.”
He shakes his head. For many reasons.
Because Morgan gets into verbal fights with murderers. Morgan steals evidence from suspects. Morgan splashes paint on police officers and gets arrested for only god knows which time since Adam met her. Morgan is too fearless. That’s something he’s had to learn the hard way, but nevertheless he can’t handle the thought of her getting hurt.
“Gillory. Wait here.”
It’s a plea, one that Adam wishes Morgan would listen to, but only moments later the second elevator dings and Morgan appears through the doors, eyes immediately attached to Adam’s drawn gun. And then she’s scanning the office.
Their suspect is here. And he has a gun pressed against Amanda’s side. His eyes are bloodshot and his breathing is frantic, a combination that has Adam extremely worried. There’s overturned chairs, abandoned desks, and figures crouched beneath them. Staff. Hiding.
“Put your weapon down. Now.” Adam’s voice comes out steadier than he feels. His finger is resting just outside the trigger guard as his eyes flick between the man and Amanda.
The man laughs, a sharp and broken sound. “She did this to herself.”
Morgan doesn’t move. Her hands stay raised, palms open, and her eyes are locked on the man’s face instead of the gun. That alone makes Adam’s stomach twist.
“Hey,” She says softly. “It’s Malcolm, right? I remember your face- you were one of the first workers at Northline Recruitment.”
Adam shoots her a look, but she doesn’t glance back. Of course she doesn’t.
“They stole my money.” The man snaps. “It was mine. And I needed that money to- to save her. They deserve to pay for what they did.”
“The woman you’re holding hostage didn’t do any of that. No one else needs to get hurt Malcolm, you’ve made your point. This company is gonna shut down and never reopen, you’ve made sure of that.” Morgan tries.
The man- Malcolm, shakes his head. Sweat beads at his hairline, and his breathing grows louder. He’s scared, Adam realises, terrified even.
“Stop. Just shut up. She’s doing it too. I know she is.” Malcolm says.
Morgan takes a step forward, “She’s not. The numbers were wrong, and I can prove it to you, if you just let her go.”
“Morgan.” Adam says carefully, not taking his eyes off the gun. “Step back.”
She’s stalling, waiting for the backup to get there, but by doing so she’s putting herself in a dangerous position.
Much to Adam’s surprise, Malcolm begins to lower his gun, and then he loosens his grip on Amanda. The woman quickly takes cover behind a desk nearby Adam.
The elevator suddenly jerks into motion. It could be their backup, and just as Adam is about to tell Malcolm to drop his gun and make the arrest, the man speaks again.
“No. No. No. You’re lying. The numbers didn’t add up. I know what I saw. You’re a goddamn liar.”
Morgan is approximately three meters to Adam’s left, and Malcolm is now pointing the gun at her, his finger trembling against the trigger.
The sound of the shot ricochets off the walls. Adam moves in an instant, slamming into Morgan and shoving her out of the line of fire. They hit the floor hard. For one brief weightless second, he thinks they both made it. Then the pain blooms in his lower stomach, sharp and unmistakable.
Adam groans, his hand instinctively presses to his stomach and when he pulls it back, his fingers are slick with warmth.
“Adam.”
Morgan’s voice is right there, and he hears the tremble. She’s on her knees beside him, one hand hovering over his jacket like she’s afraid to touch him.
“I’m okay,” he lies, blinking rapidly as the room tilts. His breath comes out shallow. “Stay down.”
Adam forces his gaze back to Malcolm, struggling to see how he could get them out of this mess alive. But before he knows it, officers begin to pour out the elevator behind them, weapons raised and shouting commands. Someone tackles Malcolm, and the gun clatters to the floor. Lev starts yelling for medical services.
Adam barely hears any of it. All he can focus on is Morgan’s face, pale and wide-eyed, and the fact that she’s still here. Still breathing.