Page 69 of The Flame of Carson
“Evelyn I...”
“I swear if I was there, I would slap you upside that stubborn Marine head of yours.You have in no way, shape, or form dropped the ball.Do you hear me?Ever since I met you and Sean, you have been there for me, for him.After he...after he passed, you could have just brushed me off, but you did not.Grant, I would not have gotten through these last eight years if it had not been for you.
“You told me last week that you had promised Sean at his grave that you would always look after me.You have gone above and beyond.So, this last year and a half you and I have not talked much.You had that trial and that Malconi case on your plate.Now, you have another one and this one is hitting close to home, isn’t it?”
Grant stopped pacing and sat in his armchair.“Yeah, very.Gage and his woman, Stacey, are being stalked.This guy went as far as blowing up half of Gage’s house.Luckily, he is okay, but he’s no longer directly involved in the case, and he thinks HE’S the actual target and Stacey is just the road to get to him.This asshole has us chasing our tails and now Blackout must protect not just Stacey, but one of our own.”
“My god Grant.Poor Gage and Stacey.I wish I could do something more than say a little prayer that things will work out in your favor.I can hear in your voice this case is getting to you.I am sure it’s getting to all of you.”
“It is and that’s not good.We must remain objective despite Gage and Stacey being targets.It’s hard to just flip that switch off.”
“I can only imagine.I tell you what.You make me a promise right here and now.If you feel your head getting too bogged down with fears, or worries, or even anger, you call me.Did you hear me?I don’t care what time of day or night.I know I’m not Sean, but if I can be a sounding board for you to clear your head, then damn it I will.Promise me.”
Something in Grant shifted at the insistence in her voice.An old feeling, he thought he had buried began to creep back in.Like before, he pushed it deep down.“Evelyn, I don’t want to burden you...”
“Grant, you wouldn’t.For these last eight years you have been my springboard.Now it’s time for me to be yours.Promise me you’ll call me.”
“I...I promise.If I feel too muddled, I will call you.”Grant replied, his voice sounding awed.
“Good.Now, why don’t you grab yourself a beer, turn on that damned movie you and Sean loved so much...um oh right, The Postman, and just unwind.All right?”Evelyn all but ordered him.
“Yes ma’am.”Grant laughed.“Evelyn, thank you.I guess Stacey was right.She’s the one who told me to call you and tell you.I guess I’ll text her and let her know she was right.”
“I like her already, a smart woman.Maybe if I get out to Austin I can meet her.And don’t text her.Send her flowers.Just run it by Gage so he doesn’t knock your head off thinking your poaching on his woman.”Evelyn giggled.“Again, I’m glad I could help and I’m here.Day or night.Good night, Grant, relax and sleep tight.”
“Good night, Evelyn.”Grant said and hung up.“Sleep with the angels.Evie.”He then whispered to his silent house.
Chapter 15
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Gage and Stacey wavedas Celeste and Lewis walked into the airport.Two weeks had flown by and now his parents were returning home.While Gage was sad to see them leave, he was relieved at the same time.He knew, as did his teammates and Stacey, that things were nearing endgame.He and Stacey turned from the gate and made their way toward the exit.God Gage hated using the cane, it only slowed him down.
“Oh, quite pouting.Only a few more days and hopefully you can ditch it.”Stacey chuckled.
“Ha.Ha.Laugh it up.”Gage grumbled.“I so can’t wait to go back to work tomorrow.”
