Page 153 of Crow
CHAPTER26
Two months later.
Angie satbehind the desk in her new modest office and let out a gasp of relief.Finally!She was the boss, and in charge of her career. Even though she felt slightly queasy at the prospect of having her own practice, Angie was still ready for her new life.
When the promotion at HUD had come through, Angie had realized that she didn’t want it. She didn’t want a career consisting of government forms, unreasonable bosses, and unpleasant co-workers, having had enough of that in the investigative unit. Angie knew it was time to spread her wings and fly solo.
During the wholeshould-I-or-shouldn’t-Idilemma, Crow had been her biggest supporter with her decision to open up a clinical practice. She’d be working directly with clients, assisting them with dealing and adapting to life’s many challenges.
Angie had one full-time employee, her clerk, Raquel, who had been with her at HUD. Raquel had preferred to work with her than risk another year of no promotions.
She’d given Raquel the day off since they’d worked the past weekend unpacking boxes and getting the office space in order. Angie pushed away from her brand-new oak desk, picked up her fancy briefcase—a present from Dominic and Nick—and turned off the lights. If she hurried, she’d be able to take a quick shower before going over to her aunt and uncle’s for dinner.
Pulling into the garage, Angie noticed that the flowers she’d planted in late May were finally in full bloom. Since Josh had been apprehended, she moved back into her townhouse. Every time she thought about Josh being the shadow man, the one who had stalked and threatened her, it didn’t seem real. Crow and Josh had been friends since they were in grade school. It was hard to comprehend what had changed so drastically in his life to turn him into a monster.
Surprised to see Crow’s Harley already in the garage, Angie opened the door and walked into the kitchen. She heard the TV in the family room, and when she entered the room, Crow was lying on the couch, channel surfing.
Glancing up, he said, “You’re home early.” He scooted further back against the cushions and patted the empty space next to him.
“So are you.” She sank into the couch. “Are you nervous about meeting my brothers tonight?”
Crow jerked his head back. “Nope. Whatever they think of me, that’s on them. It doesn’t affect us.”
“I know, but it’s easier if everyone gets along.”
“I’ll give respect, but I demand it back. That’s the way it is, darlin’.”
“You’re a guest at my aunt and uncle’s house, so no one will disrespect you. I won’t let them, and neither will my aunt.”
“Your aunt and uncle are cool.” He tugged her toward him, and she bent her head and met his full lips. “Your brothers can’t be all that bad. Look how wonderful you turned out.” He kissed her again.
“Josh was arraigned today. I heard it on the news coming home.”
A dark cloud passed over his face. “I know.”
“It must still be really weird for you. I mean, you were friends with him for so long.”
“All that shows is no one really knows what demons lie inside someone. I had no idea that Josh’s family was in such a bad way. He hid it from everyone when we were in high school.”
“And when he bumped into his dad in Phoenix after coming back from Afghanistan, he was living on the streets.”
Crow sat up. “Yeah, but none of us knew that, and it doesn’t excuse what he did. If he had a problem, he should’ve confronted his dad, but he was always a pussy when it came to him.”
“As a clinical social worker, I should be able to see Josh’s bottled up torment and grief and try and understand him, but I can’t. I imagine Abe’s battered body in my mind, hear Josh’s raspy voice as he taunted me, and see how betrayed and hurt you are, and I can’t forgive him.”
“That’s okay, darlin’. I can’t either. Our club has a motto: God forgives, Night Rebels Don’t. That sums it up for me.”
“But forgiveness sets a person free.”
“I’m already free.”
“It’s not so easy for me. At some point, I’ll have to forgive him in order to get rid of the bitterness and anger, but it’s too soon.”
“I hope he gets what he has coming in prison.”
“I’m glad you didn’t end up there. What would I do without you?” She leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulder.
“I was ready to kill the bastard, but that would’ve been too easy for him. Life in prison is better than a quick death.”
