Page 95 of Range
“I can’t answer a question I don’t have the answer to, unfortunately. Mr. Blackwo–”
“Wouldn’t blink twice if he felt like my life or my daughter’s life was in danger. He wouldn’t hesitate. And, he wouldn’t be remorseful. Like now. I just can’t shake this feeling, you know?”
“Feeling?”
“That he’s protecting me again. I just want to know why? From what? From who? I just want answers. I need answers.”
Her sureness of Josiah’s guilt led me to believe she knew her brother very well.
“You think Josiah would kill for you?”
“Without question,” she rushed out. “I don’t want to be the reason he’s turned his life upside down. I won’t be able to handle that. I’ll never forgive myself.”
It wasn’t the heartbreak of her husband’s death that was leading our conversation. It was the idea that she’d caused her brother his career. It was the idea that she’s ripped Josiah’s life right out of his hands. It was the idea that she’d taken his freedom away from him.
“Aubrey can survive without Anthony. Aubrey can not survive without Josiah. I can’t survive without Josiah. Neither can our parents. He’s our glue.”
She was breaking my heart. I couldn’t bear much more of her agonizing whimpers. She was hopeless. Afraid. Lonely. Heartbroken. I couldn’t watch her crumble. I stood from my seat and straightened my threads.
“Josiah will be home, Janeese.”
With my briefcase in my hand, I exited the study. I didn’t search for their mother. Neither did I search for Aubrey. I excused myself from their home and slid into my vehicle withone question on my mind that I planned to get to the bottom of before I laid my head on my pillow tonight.
Whose life has Josiah ended to protect Janeese?
TEN
Sent
I pressed the power button of the black device until the screen shut off. My palms ran across my hair. I was long overdue for an appointment with my barber. Just like almost everything else on the outside of these walls, that would have to wait.
I stood from the bed and stretched my limbs. With both arms out in front of me, curled at the elbows, I twisted leftward. Then, rightward. I grabbed my left arm with my right hand and stretched upward.
“Mm.”
The switching of arms proved to be just as beneficial. Immediate relief washed over me. I lowered my body to the floor, hands against the concrete.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
I lifted and then lowered. Lifted. Lowered. Lifted. Lowered.
The familiar spot on the brick wall became my focal point, again. I set my sight on it, zoning out completely.
Nine.
Ten.
Eleven.
Twelve.
“Blackwood.”
