The Angriest Angel

Chapter 26

Sarah was not at all what Avery expected.  She wore a tight black athletic tank top which exposed a tattoo on her right shoulder, but she was small—just a wisp over 5 feet.  Her dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and her features were cute—almost sprite-like.  It was difficult to believe that someone like Chase would ever be controlled by such a diminutive woman.

They arrived at her house much later than intended.  Chase had asked Avery to wait in the car while he went to the front door, but when Sarah answered it and saw a woman in the driveway she insisted that Avery come in.

He held the door open for her and said, "This isn't going to take long."

Avery gave a tolerant smile and stepped into the front room, not knowing what to expect.  The house was moderately comfortable and fairly decorated.  A radio played music in a different room, though it was loud enough to reach them.  Sarah stood near the bay window wearing a curious expression.  She held a wad of money in her hand which she had just begun counting, but seemed much more interested in Avery. 

"Who is your friend?" Sarah asked.

"She's my bodyguard," Chase said.  "Avery, this is Sarah, Sarah, Avery."

"Well you need one," Sarah said, ignoring the joke and waving to his facial abrasions.  "What the hell happened to you, anyway?"

"Cut myself shaving."

"I'm not really his bodyguard," Avery pointed out.

Sarah smiled at her and said, "I know that, dear." 

"So, where's Mark?" Chase asked.

"Working," Sarah said pointedly.  "Imagine that!  Somebody going to their job instead of getting arrested."   She smirked, and then turned back to Avery, slowly looking her up and down.  "Let me guess.  Lawyer?"

Avery saw that Chase was preparing an answer, but she preempted him, "I am his employer.  He was working my garden this morning, that's when he got hurt."

Sarah laughed, "Gardening?  Get out!"

Chase hesitated, and said, "It's true.  Community service."

Avery added, "That reminds me, I never paid him.  How much does he owe you?"

Sarah's eyes widened, "Uh—well, he owes me a thousand for this month, but there's only two hundred here."

Avery took off her purse and laid it on the coffee table, sitting down on the couch.

"What are you doing?" Chase asked dangerously.

She didn't answer him.  There was a lot of money in her purse and she wanted to count it discreetly, but there was no easy way with the two of them hovering nearby.  Avery always carried a lot of cash—all Caelans did.  Cash currency was untraceable, and was a lot easier to use in situations like this.

Chase uttered an obscenity when he saw the amount of money she had.  She quickly counted out eighteen $100 bills and handed them to Sarah. 

"This should cover this month, plus next month."

Chase and Sarah spoke over each other in volumes.  Chase was vehemently protesting, while Sarah thanked Avery, even complimenting her beautiful purse and nice accent.

"Avery, no.  Don't do that," Chase insisted.

"It's okay," she smiled.

Chase turned to Sarah and said, "Give that money back to her."

"No way," she said as if he were daft.

"Did you or did you not work my garden all morning?" Avery asked him.