Page 33 of Demise

I rub my eyes, remembering that this woman has been a big part of my life since I was a teenager. A-Street Flower Shop was my place of work for many years. She gave me a start and trusted me enough to let me run things without her. Billie talked to me about heartbreak and taught me how to move on. I owe her more thanI’m fine.

“No, you’re right. I’m not fine.”

“Would you care to meet up? We can talk.”

I look back at the glass on the floor. “Yeah. I’d like that.”

“Meet you in a few at the coffee shop in town?” she asks.

“Yes. I’ll leave now.” I hang up with Billie and steady myself to stand. My ankle isn’t hurting bad, so I can put a bit of pressure on it to grab my crutches. I bend down, and as I do, I realize my wedding band is gone.

My eyes frantically search the floor. It’s never fallen off. How have I not noticed it missing? I lift my crutches and head for the stairs, taking them as quickly as I’m able.

Did I lose it at the cemetery?

I hit the top step with a big exhale, limping to my bedroom. I pull the covers back on the unmade bed and then look on the floor, under the bed, and in the bathroom.

Oh God, I must have dropped it somewhere out. And then I notice it lying on the nightstand on Samuel’s side. I walk over, moving around the bed. I don’t remember doing this. I stare at the ring, the circle of gold. The ring that represented the love Samuel and I shared.

Our marriage.

I recall the day he put it on my finger. The promises we’d made to be together forever. Forever isn’t always a long time. Sometimes forever is only thirteen years. He’s been gone over a month now.

I look over to the open closet where his clothes hang. When do I stop wearing the ring? When do I remove his things from this house? Is there a proper time frame for these kinds of things?

It was different when Mom died. Uncle Hale had a yard sale. I didn’t really want a say in what stayed and went. I was a kid. I kept the locket around my neck and, of course, he kept important things, such as photos, but I didn’t have to decide on the clothes and all her belongings.

This is all on me.

I leave the ring and head to meet Billie.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Bones

The room is quiet for several minutes, and then Henry gets up from his seat and walks over to the window. He opens the curtain, peeking out at the street before turning back to us.

“I’m sure you’re wondering why we didn’t arrest Johnny and Carson sooner.”

I lift a brow in curiosity. “I am wondering that.”

“We were buying time. Trying to find you.”

I laugh. “Sure.”

“No.” Henry shakes his head. “We were, because it’s not Johnny or Carson we want.”

I narrow my eyes. Sweep shifts in his seat.

“Who is it then?”

“Moretti Galo.”

I laugh out loud before taking a sip of my drink. I clear my throat and place my glass on the coaster. I look to my brother. “Did you know about this?” I ask.

“We’ll talk later,” he says. “Listen to what Henry has to say.”

Paul knows I give two fucks about what a cop has to say. He knows I don’t like being cornered either. And this looks like I’m being backed into a corner. I already know the plan before he says it. He’s using Sweep and Trig’s freedom as leverage to get to Moretti. He wants me to work with them. He wants me to be a narc. He wants me, Danny O’Brien, to be a fucking snitch.

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