Progressive Properties is aggressively taking over where small neighborhoods once flourished. Now Angelique's Shelter, St. Gabriel's, is under attack. Who shows up at her door to deliver the news? John McDougal, now a prominent property attorney, an...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Would you like a cup of coffee, Sergeant...?"
"Reid," the officer supplied. "Love some thanks. That was some pretty fancy footwork you did back there. Care to tell me where you learned it?"
Angelique pulled out a certificate from the top drawer of her desk. She handed it to the officer, along with his cup of coffee.
Taking a swig, he scorched his throat as he forced himself to swallow the fiery liquid to avoid the spray he knew would occur from the force of laughter stuck in his throat. "Well, doesn't that beat all?" he commented, reading over the paper. "A little thing like you registered as a weapon with the New York State police department."
"I had to be schooled in the martial arts, Sergeant Reid. Like you pointed out, my size is not exactly intimating."
"To say the least," Officer Reid agreed with a slight chuckle, "but there is a big difference to being schooled and mastering a black belt in Brazilian jiujitsu.
"My father doesn't believe in violence but I was bullied so often in school, he wanted me to be able to protect myself. It was something that proved unnecessary until today."
"Smart dad, well we can hold him for twenty-four hours, but if I were you, I'd press charges. Assault with a deadly weapon would put that boy away for at least 3 to 5 years. Unless he still a minor then he may be sent to a JV detention center. Either way, he'd be off the streets and out of your hair. Of course, I don't know if I'd still want to be here when he gets out."
"Well, that may be easily arranged," Angelique mumbled.
"Come again?"
"Nothing. Sorry, never mind. Officer Reid, the reason I asked to speak with you is that, that boy in your custody was looking for a girl who I believe may be in grave danger."
"Do you have a name?" Officer Reid asked, flipping open a notepad and clicking his pen to jot the information down.
"No, no name, but I can tell you the girl is safe for the time being, but not until after this boy attacked her. My concern is, however, that he doesn't normally work alone. He usually travels with three or four other boys, any of which may wish to harm this girl out of retaliation, if they found her."
"Look mam' I understand your concern but there really isn't much I can do unless she will come forward."
Playing with her necklace, Angelique rubbed her tired eyes and sent a silent prayer to God to give her strength. "Well, thank you for your time, Sergeant. I guess I'll need to find another avenue to keep the girl safe."
"Well, by protecting this girl, it sounds as if you're asking for more trouble. Maybe even inviting it right in your front door."
Angelique thought how she opened her door to John this morning and all the trouble that had brought with it.
