Page 28 of Taken from Her
“The vigilante case last year. When I was working with a key witness on protection protocols.” Julia’s smile was rueful. “I got emotionally invested in keeping her safe and started makingdecisions based on what felt right rather than what procedure dictated.”
“And?”
“And it worked. She stayed alive, we caught the perpetrator, and the case was closed successfully.” Julia paused. “But the emotional toll was higher than I expected. When you care that much about individual outcomes, every decision carries personal weight.”
Diana felt something loosen in her chest, recognition that someone understood the territory she was navigating. “How do you manage it?”
“You don’t manage it. You use it.” Julia shifted in her chair. “The key is understanding that caring more doesn’t mean compromising your judgment. It means your judgment becomes more comprehensive.”
“Meaning?”
“Procedural distance gives you objectivity, but it can miss crucial context. Emotional investment provides that context, but it can cloud objectivity.” Julia gestured toward the case files on Diana’s desk. “The trick is integration. Using both perspectives to see the complete picture.”
Diana nodded slowly, thinking of how Lavender’s community insights had revealed patterns their interviews had missed. “And the personal complications?”
“You acknowledge them. You set boundaries where possible. And you accept that some investigations change you whether you want them to or not.” Julia’s expression grew serious. “Chief, this case is already changing you. The question is whether you’re going to fight that change or work with it.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning you’re more effective this week than you were last week. The community trusts you more, your team is getting better intelligence, and we’re finally making progress onfinding three women who have been missing for three weeks.” Julia stood, moving toward the window overlooking downtown. “Whatever personal connections are driving that improvement, they’re working.”
Diana felt the weight of Julia’s unspoken understanding. “You know.”
“I know you brought a handmade mug to a team meeting, you’re referencing community insights with unusual frequency, and you’ve got that particular combination of contentment and nervous energy that comes with new relationship territory.” Julia turned back from the window. “What I don’t know is whether you’re comfortable with how it’s affecting your work.”
“I don’t know either,” Diana admitted. “Everything feels different, but I can’t tell if different is better or just…different.”
“Then you experiment. You pay attention to results, and you trust that decades of professionalism doesn’t disappear just because you’ve let someone past your walls.”
Diana laughed. “Is that what I’ve done?”
“That’s exactly what you’ve done. And from what I can see, it’s making you a better chief, not a compromised one.” Julia moved back toward the chair. “Can I offer some practical advice?”
“Please.”
“Set clear boundaries between operational decisions and your personal feelings. Don’t let relationship dynamics influence resource allocation or strategic planning. But don’t artificially separate yourself from things just because it comes from personal connections.”
Diana absorbed this, recognizing the wisdom in Julia’s approach. “Professional integration without personal compromise.”
"Exactly. And Chief? Give yourself permission to be human during an investigation. It doesn't make you weaker."
"What does it make me?"
Julia smiled. "More like the rest of us, which, considering the results you're getting, might not be a bad thing."
Diana felt something settle into place—not the anxious uncertainty she'd been carrying, but a clearer understanding of how to navigate territory she'd never explored. "Thank you, Julia. For your counsel and perspective."
"Anytime. Though I suspect you won't need much guidance going forward." Julia paused at the door. "You're figuring out how to be both Chief Marten and Diana. That's not an easy balance, but it's an effective one."
After Julia left, Diana sat alone in her office, afternoon light streaming through windows that faced the harbor. Somewhere across the water, Lavender was moving through her own day managing the café and supporting community members who have become so vital to the investigation.
Diana picked up her phone and typed:Looking forward to tonight. Fair warning, I might need to talk through case developments.
Lavender's response came quickly:My houseboat comes with excellent listening skills and very discreet cats.
Diana smiled, gathering her case files for the afternoon briefings. For the first time since the investigation began, she felt like she was moving in the right direction in more than just the case.
6
