Murders & Romance: A Psychic Detective Romantic Mystery (Isaac Taylor Mysteries Book 5) by Lashell Collins (ready player one ebook .TXT) 📗

nod and then unfolded her arms and looked down at her hands again, twisting her fingers together. She knew this process was necessary if she wanted to be cleared to go back to work, but she wondered how much she could, or should, say to this department shrink.

“I…”

She stopped and thought better of it.

“Gerri? What were you going to say?”

“I just… well, I… I’ve been thinking about transferring to another precinct.”

Dr. Newman sat back and stared at her.

“I see. Is this about being reminded of Curt here at this precinct?”

Gerri hesitated. Would he report anything she said to the chief? Would their conversation be stored in her file for anyone to read?

“Partly. Fresh start and all that.”

“What’s the other part?”

She suddenly met his gaze. She knew it was risky, but she had to ask.

“That doctor patient confidentiality thing… that’s in play here, right? You’re not going to take what I say to the brass and report me or anything?”

Dr. Newman frowned and then a slow smile turned up the corners of his lips.

“No, Gerri. I am employed by the city of Cleveland, not the police chief. And even if I were employed by Chief Branson, everything we say in these sessions stays between you and me. I’m your doctor. So yes, that doctor patient confidentiality thing is most definitely in play here.”

Gerri took a relieved breath and sat forward.

“Good. Because I need someone to talk to.”

“That’s why I’m here. It’s my job to be someone you can talk to, without fear of judgement or fear of being reported to the higher ups. Why are you thinking of transferring?”

Gerri hesitated still, searching for the right words.

“I’ve been thinking about transferring because… well, because it would make things easier. For my love life.”

“Your love life?”

Gerri nodded. “I’m…”

She stopped herself. Should she really do this?

“I’m involved with my boss.”

“Oh.”

Newman’s eyebrows lifted, then his gaze drifted off to the side and he breathed in that air of discreetness allies always did when they realize the unflattering truth about you.

“Who knows about this relationship?”

“No one but you. And it wasn’t an actual relationship until recently. Until after Curt died.”

“I see. Well, my question to you is, do you think it’s wise to make such a big decision based on a relationship that’s still so new?”

“The thing is it’s not new.”

“But you just said…”

“I know, I said it wasn’t an actual relationship until recently. And that’s true, in the… physical sense.”

“I see.”

The awkwardness in Dr. Newman’s tone told her that he did, in fact, know what she was implying.

“But the feelings, the connection, the magic. That’s all been there for a very long time. So long that I have no doubt in my mind that I love him. I love him enough to switch precincts so that we can be together without worrying about how it might look to the brass. Gavin’s been very worried about his position as Lieutenant if this should come to light.”

“And if he’s no longer your immediate supervisor there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Exactly.”

“Well, relationship help is not exactly my area of expertise, Detective, and I’m not about to pass judgment on what you or anyone else does with their love lives. But if it’s my advice you’re asking for, I can give you that.”

Gerri smiled at him. “Yes. Please.”

“All right. Here it is. Having zero information on what’s happened between the two of you… I would first caution you that, despite your feelings, this relationship is still very new. And it would be unwise to make such an important decision as switching precincts based on who you love.”

Gerri sighed and closed her eyes.

“That said,” Dr. Newman continued, “have you thought about looking at the in-house job postings?”

Gerri looked up at him, and her insides jiggled like jelly.

“The in-house job postings.” She repeated his words like a parrot. A pleasantly shocked parrot. “No. I hadn’t thought of that.”

Dr. Newman shrugged. “You might be surprised at what’s listed there. After all, the objective here is for Lieutenant Hayes to not be your lieutenant anymore. Correct?”

Gerri smiled a smile that she felt on the inside. A smile that was genuine and rejuvenating. A smile that she hadn’t experienced in weeks.

“Yes! That is the objective. Thank you for pointing that out, Dr. Newman. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it.”

“You’re too close to the situation. Not to mention you’ve been through a lot. You’re grieving. You’re not thinking objectively. And it’s all perfectly normal behavior.”

Gerri laughed, and it was a light-hearted sound she hadn’t heard from herself in a long time.

“I’m going to check those postings while I’m here.”

“I think that’s a great idea. And since our time is almost up, I think you should go do that now.”

She stood and gathered her things.

“Thank you, Doc. I was so nervous about coming here today, but right now I feel more hopeful than I have in weeks. Thank you!”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help.”

She rushed for the door.

“But Gerri!”

“Yes?” she turned back toward him.

“I’ll still need to see you again next week.”

“I know. Once a week until you feel I’m ready to go back to work. I understand. And I won’t cancel on you again.”

“All right. Have a good day.”

Gerri left Newman’s office on the second floor and walked around the corner. Beside the door to the dispatch office, was the huge bulletin board where employees posted everything from roommate searches to wedding invitations. But it also had a section that was reserved for department news, and a regularly updated listing of positions that would soon be opening up within the department.

Gerri’s breathing shallowed as she stepped closer and studied that list. It was a long shot, and she knew it. There was a good chance that there’d be nothing she was qualified for. Or worse, only positions she’d be overqualified for. But she was grateful to Dr. Newman for the suggestion all the same.

A listing caught her eye, and a slow smile sent a warm fuzzy zip of excitement up her spine.

She