Page 115 of White Raven
Brent sat up and dragged his hand through his hair, contemplating it. “I—maybe you’re right.”
“About?”
“It’s someone. That’s my problem. I never…I never stayed at my ex-girlfriend’s place. I always told her no. I thought I loved her, and it turns out…I’m a real asshole, who cared more about my lavish things, than the woman that was supposed to become mywife.” He turned himself to put his feet on the floor and face the doctor. She peered at him over the rim of her cat-eye glasses. “Ever since I almost met my maker, I don’t think I’ve thought about a single thing I own. It’s like my need for it is just…gone. Like I’m just realizing that none of it ever made me happy.”
“And you think it has something to do with your near-death experience? Or thegirlthat you’ve been seeing?”
“I’m confident in saying both.”
“Alright…so? Where do you think you’ll go when you sell your home?”
Good question.
He had mentioned leaving Boston, but did Wren want to do that? Would leaving the city and trying to start somewhere else be something he’d end up doing on his own? Would it cost him that little red-headed menace? He couldn’t imagine being happy anywhere she wasn’t around. Not now. Not after what they’d been through, and how strong their connection was now.
“I’m—I’m not sure, I—”
His phone started buzzing in his pocket, and he pulled it out, glancing at it. Dr. Lennox gestured for him to take it. “Go ahead. It’s about that time. We can pick up next week if you want.”
“Thank you,” he said, sliding the call open. “Brent Stratford.”
“Brent? Hey, it’s…it’s Dr. Ambrose.”
He hadn’t seen or heard from her since—that day she’d tried to seduce him. The day Wren finally…
“Dr. Ambrose…it’s good to hear from you. I’ve been meaning to—”
“You don’t have to do that, Brent. It was terrible judgment on my part. Completely unprofessional and impulsive. I truly apologize for that.”
“I didn’t exactly help the situation.”
“I shouldn’t have put you in that position. It’s on me. That wasn’t the reason for my call, though.”
“Everything alright?”
“Yeah, everything’s fine. Are you still…well, did you find another firm to work at?”
“Uh, no…I’ve kind of put it off. Enjoying some time to myself.”
“I’m glad to hear it. You need some joy. I’ll let you go, then.”
“Wait, wait…if you need some help with something, I’m still licensed. I haven’t been disbarred or anything.”
“Oh…well, it isn’t for me. But the medical examiner’s office has someone with no next of kin. It looks like this case was taken by your friends at the precinct you were at the day I came there. I recognized the names.”
“Are you talking about an old woman named Nell?”
“Um…lemme see…Anelle Kincaid. Yes, that might be it. Did you know this woman?”
“No, my—um…my girlfriend. She worked with her. They were becoming pretty close.”
“Right…the girlfriend. Wren, wasn’t it? So, the two of you are together. I’m really glad for you, Brent.”
“Thanks. So, no next of kin…you’re looking for some legal responsibility? Her will and such?”
“Exactly that, yes. But…you probably should come down here and see this for yourself.”
Something twisted in his gut. Not just about the fact that if he went a foot close to Dr. Ambrose, Wren would likely chop his nuts off. But the way she had just said that didn’t settle right with him, either.
