pretty when she cries ; fitz

chapter seventeen

"you can't be serious."

"look at all the prices, amalie. it's the same amount on his bank as everything that comes up online."

she rubbed her eyes.

"that's...that's a fucking gun, the fucking gun."

she reached over and scrolled through all of the images of the gun, looking at the blue light screen in disbelief.

the images sheriff maloney had shared with her of the crime scene flooded her head, the bloody wounds scarring her memory.

"it is," swagger confirmed, his voice soft as amalie processed this undeniable information. "and also, his flight was scheduled to leave the next morning."

amalie licked her lips, shaking the images from her brain. she needed to keep going, and get to the bottom of this. justice needed to be served in honor of her family.

"can i take pictures of this, swags?"

swagger nodded hesitantly.

"but, if possible, i wasn't the one who did it. just say it was you, okay? you have access because you have partial ownership of the credit card, so there's no way that can get you in much trouble." paranoid dripped from his plea.

"of course," amalie dipped her head, hugging swagger from behind. "thank you," she shut her eyes. swagger lifted his hands from the keyboard and mouse to hold onto her hands that crossed his chest.

"i mourn for your loss, but i applaud your strength. you're something else, kid."

***

the rest of the afternoon, amalie's company was made known to the rest of her friends. they spent the day outside on the patio, soaking in the sun and playing uno, cards against humanity, and bullshit. as the sun started to go down, amalie suggested it would be best to go home.

"are you sure that's a good idea?" toby asked. amalie had finally caved and explained to everyone her current hardship. silence had beckoned the room, amalie feeling embarrassed for opening up.

"i should. i don't want him to think things are off with me or anything..." amalie trailed, trying not to think about what her uncle could do.

"i'll drive you. i should get home anyway, i haven't gone live for a week or so now." cam stood from the lawn chair he'd been sitting in.

they all said their goodbyes, wishing amalie the best.

the pair piled into the front of cam's car, a comfortable silence hanging in the air.

"maybe you should get in touch with cal," cam started the engine, amalie staring at the veins sticking out of his arm as he switched the gear from p to d. "i know you guys are still beefing, but she might have some other information to add."

just as cam said that, amalie's phone buzzed.

"speak of the devil." amalie mumbled.

cal

hi ams

i know we sort of butt heads the other day and i'm really sorry for it. i don't like having this edgy feeling, knowing we're in a bad place. even though i didn't and still do not agree with what you said, our friendship means a lot to me and i miss you terribly.

you make me feel wanted, seen, heard. and it would only be right that i gave you the same.

are you home?