Chapter 211

"That wasn't really nice, Henson." The lady frowned, narrowing her bright blue eyes at him.

"It wasn't meant to be nice. I don't get why she's here. She isn't the first pregnant woman someone tried to poison, and it isn't like she took it. Like we aren't already having a hard time babysitting one rich pregnant snob, another one was dumped on us out of nowhere. This isn't a goddamn maternity home," Henson snapped, slamming his fist on the table, thick muscles bulging.

"Watch your mouth!" Jeffrey snapped, glowering at him. "This is your goddamn job, so do it without running your loud mouth. And before you insult Ms Adams, remember that she's one of the main reasons we're close to busting down Paul Graff's syndicate, a case that you've been handling for years without any breakthrough. I advise you to do what you ought to do, or I'll kick you off this case, and you know what it'll cost you. This is your last straw."

"Fuck this. Of course you'll take the side of your rich friends," he huffed as he stood up and stormed away.

"Blair isn't the only bitch we've had to deal with." The other guy snorted, and the lady giggled.

"Um... if I'm really an inconvenience, I think I should leave. I get you guys already have your hands full, and my coming wasn't planned at all," I said.

"Don't mind Henson. He's just cranky because he can't get the credit for bringing down Paul, so he's taking it out on everyone," Jeffrey said as he twirled his pasta.

"The credit and the promoting too. He always bragged about how solving the case was going to be his big break and how he was going to be promoted. It was always so annoying listening to him boast." The guy said, rolling his eyes.

"I guess I understand how he feels. I would be mad if someone suddenly swooped in to do something I've been working on for years," I said, and he snorted.

"I would have pitied him, but I swear he's incompetent. All his evidence either led to a dead end or wasn't even evidence at all. The only reason they hadn't pulled him off it was because he had solved other cases. If you asked me, he wasn't putting as much effort into this as he did in the others."

"Don't let Henson bother you. He might act like a brute, but you can trust him to protect you." The lady smiled.

"Thank you, um..."

"I'm Leah. I'm the designated nurse. You can always meet me if you're in pain or have any type of medical issues. And he's August. He's in charge when Jeffrey is away," she said, patting the other guy's shoulder.

"Hi," August grinned, waving at me.

"Hi, I'm Iris. Thank you for your services. I really appreciate them," I replied.

"You're welcome."

"You'll meet the rest of the team whenever they come back from patrol. And if anyone makes you feel uncomfortable, let me know. I'll kick them out before they can say jack, including Henson," Jeffrey said.

"Thanks, but I don't think I'll have a hard time with anyone. I plan to stay out of everyone's way so they can do their jobs," I said, eyeing the chair where Henson was sitting. "So, um... please, is there anything else I can eat? The pasta makes me nauseous. Like maybe um... bread."

"Sure, we have bread and peanut butter and jelly too. They're in the fridge," Leah said, pointing at the fridge behind me.

"That's perfect, than—"

Blair trudged into the dining room; her bloodshot eyes glared at all of us, but fear flickered in them as they met my gaze.

She huffed, puffing her flushed cheeks, and she stomped to the stove.

She slammed the cover of the pots on the counter, served a huge helping of pasta and sauce, and shut them with a loud clank. She almost pulled the door of the fridge off its hinges, took out a bottle of juice, banged it close, and stomped back to her room.

"Dinner without her bossing us around? I'm in heaven." August grinned once she was out of earshot, and Leah rolled her eyes.

"Be nice," she said as she continued eating.

"But I'm nice. Hopefully she continues to ignore us the rest of her stay here. I'll take her silent treatment over her attitude any day." He replied, and I nodded as I walked to the fridge.

Hopefully that was what she intended to do. Forget making peace with her; at this point, I just wanted her to completely pretend like I didn't exist.

It would be better for both of us. Shouting at a fellow pregnant woman wasn't a habit I wanted to have. And I doubted it would be good for my BP.

I helped myself to the bread, peanut butter, and jelly and stared at the table. August and Leah had left their conversation about Blair and were focused on politics, while Jeffrey's entire attention was on his phone.

I nibbled on my lips as my gaze flickered between them and the door. Making friends won't be a really bad idea while I am stuck here, but honestly, I needed time with just my thoughts. Besides, they were almost done with their dinner anyway. I'd still end up being alone, and I'd prefer being in my room to here.

"I hope you guys don't mind if I go eat in my room." I asked, and Leah's and August's gazes turned to me.

"No, it's fine. We're already done here anyway. Don't forget to take your medicine, though. Gordon insisted I should always remind you, so unfortunately, you're going to see my nose in your business a lot." She smiled.

"I understand. Thank you. I promise I'll be a good patient for as long as I'm here." I smiled back at her.

"Which won't be fit for long," Jeffery smirked, dropping his phone as he leaned back into his chair. "Thomas has taken the bait."