Authors: Jacquie Johnson
“What do you want to do?” Cat probed, leaning her chin on her cupped palms and watching Angela intently.
“I liked the investigation part of my job.
Talking to people, gathering information and solving problems.”
Angela took a moment to consider her options.
“Sound like your dad’s job, doesn’t it?” Maddie commented.
Angela’s eyes shot toward Maddie who gazed back at her with soft sincerity. “It does,” she conceded in almost a whisper. Being busy the past few days had helped eased the ache in her heart, but the pain intensified when Maddie mentioned her dad.
“Wait!” Cat sat up quickly. “Don’t you own the company now?”
“I suppose,” Angela agreed. “While I was searching Dad’s office, I found papers making Dad the sole owner. They were never filed, but I’m pretty sure they’re valid. Why?”
“Well, if you like the investigation part, you could take over the company,” Cat suggested.
“Run it myself? Oh, I couldn’t. I wouldn’t have the faintest idea how to do that,” Angela objected despite the jolt of pleasure that ran through her at the idea.
“Who said you had to do it alone?” Maddie offered, turning to her dearest friend. “I don’t have a job. Granted, I haven’t worked in a few years, but I was pretty darn good at organizing and running an office.”
“You’d come to Manchester?” The thought of having Maddie nearby thrilled her.
“Yes. I’m done hiding. It’s time for me to move on, and I think being with you would help me. And if I can help you too, well, all the better, right?”
“Right!”
Angela agreed as the two shared a warm, affectionate hug.
“What about me?” Cat interjected.
“What about you?” Angela inquired confused by Cat’s comment.
“Is there room for me?” Cat wondered. “I’ve been thinking about working more openly helping victims of domestic violence. Maybe we could run an agency that represents and assists women. I don’t mean we won’t help men but more that our primary focus would be helping women. We can do the cheating husbands stuff, abuse and neglect investigations, that kind of thing.”
“We could take on some corporate clients too in order to have a steady income.” With each passing moment, Angela’s excitement grew.
“Background checks and theft investigations.”
Half an hour later, Angel Investigations, Inc. was born, and the deal was sealed with a group hug.
One week later
Chase leaned back in his chair in his office. He had finally finished writing up his report on Mac’s death. Blakely was in debt up to his ears. He even owed money to the Russian mob. When he realized the value of the software, he decided to sell it to the highest bidder. After feeling things out, he made arrangements with the Russian mobster whom he owed all the money to. Things fell apart when Mac learned of his plans and took the software and Griffin. Mac must not have realized that Blakely was involved in the plan to steal the software because he called Blakely and asked to meet. When they met, Blakely injected Mac with the drug. Mac collapsed almost immediately and Blakely searched him, hoping to reclaim the software. Once Blakely realized that Mac had stopped breathing, he panicked and hurried from the scene.
When Mac died, Blakely knew he no longer had anything to lose. He had to retrieve the software or Smirnov would kill him. When he couldn’t find the software or its designer in any of Mac’s usual hiding places, Blakely decided that Angela was the key. In truth, he never considered the possibility that he wouldn’t be able to find what he sought.
When the Russian mobster tried to kill him, Blakely panicked and faked his own death. Then, he went after Angela. He needed to find the software in order to fund his new life.
Chase turned away from the monitor as Zach entered his office.
“Sir.”
“At ease, son,” Zach replied as he dropped into the guest chair across from Chase’s desk. “Done?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“So, what’s your plan?”
“Sir?”
Chase was genuinely confused by his boss’s question.
“For Angela?”
Zach clarified, staring at Chase with a steely look in his eyes.
“Well, since my contract doesn’t expire for another year, I was hoping I could handle some of the less dangerous investigative work,” Chase proposed. “I’d prefer to avoid undercover work if I could.”
When Zach opened his mouth, Chase rushed on. “I understand if I have to take a few small assignments, but I’d prefer to be gone as little as possible. No more long term assignments where I’m out of touch.”
“Relax, Chase,” Zach cut in. “I understand what you want.” He
steepled
his fingers together while he considered Chase’s request. “Do you really love her?”
“I do,” Chase vowed. “I never thought a man like me would fall in love but I did. I know I’m not good enough for her, but I promise I’ll take good care of her.”
“I can’t make any promises, but I’ll do my best to keep you out of the line of fire until your contract expires. You have quite a bit of leave stored up. Might I suggest you take some time right now and check on Angela?” Zach stood and prepared to leave when Chase spoke once more.
“Thank you, Sir.” He paused and spoke quickly as Zach closed the door behind him with an audible snap.
Chase gathered his few belongings with a smile. He had a plane to catch and a woman to love.
Several hours later, Chase stood in the shadow of the large boulder where he’d originally watched Angela on this very beach. Glancing at the copy of the local newspaper in his hand, he couldn’t help but smile at the front page headline, “Local Girl Cleared of All Wrongdoing: FBI Apologizes.”
The FBI had officially offered Angela her job back last week after a review committee absolved her of any wrongdoing. Monroe had been sanctioned for accusing Angela publicly as well as trying to use her as bait without her knowledge or consent. He still had his job, but Zach wasn’t done with him yet. Monroe’s day of reckoning would come when he least expected it.
Setting the copy of
The Times
aside and stepping into the light, he waited for Angela to notice him. He gazed at her for a few moments before she spun around and squealed with delight. A look of pure joy spread across her face as she raced toward him, Chase meeting her halfway, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around while tears of happiness rained down up her face.
In between kisses, Angela poured out her plans to open Angel Investigations with Maddie and Cat. Carrying her over to the blanket, Chase listened to the women’s plans as he held Angela in his arms. With a smile, he asked if they had room for one more investigator on a part-time basis to start.