After the Evil – A Jake Roberts Novel (Book 1) by Cary Allen Stone

reasons why she was hired as a flight
attendant. A great smile is one way to distract someone with a
fear-of-flying. Because Abrams isn’t going to be any help, I don’t
see any reason why I shouldn’t let it out. Sometimes it’s better to
confide in a stranger.
    “I was involved in a shooting recently, with a
militia group. A young girl was killed.”
    “The department requires a shrink visit after
shootings.”
    I read about the kid with the Molotov cocktail and
the assault rifle.”
    She doesn’t back away, and takes me straight on.
    “You were the officer who shot her? You were wounded
too, weren’t you?”
    “Yes I was, to both.”
    “Well, I want you to know Detective Roberts, what
you did was a courageous thing. You tried to make a difference in
this world. You performed your duty, and protected the rest of us.
I thank you for that.”
    Amazingly, I feel redeemed and absolved. The back of
my hand drags across each eye and I pinch my nose.
    “Thank you, I haven’t been doing well with it.”
    “It must be very difficult for you. Was Dr. Abrams
able to help?”
    You have beautiful, honest eyes.
    “It is, and no, but he tried. We really didn’t have
much time to get anywhere with it. I was resentful going to see
him. I don’t like exposing my weaknesses.”
    She reaches forward and gently pats the back of my
hand. I’m in the middle of a murder investigation, and she is
standing there with her reassuring smile comforting me. A lot is
racing through my mind.
    “I don’t have a degree in psychiatry, God knows I
was a patient of his too, but if you ever need someone to talk to,
someone to listen, well you know where to find me.”
    She points at her address and phone number on my
notepad.
    “Thanks.”
    I don’t know what else to say. It’s weird, but I
don’t know what to do with my hands.
    “What about you, if you don’t mind me asking?”
    She looks at me with little girl eyes.
    “After what you just told me detective, my story
seems trivial by comparison.”
    “I’d like to know, please.”
    She becomes sullen and starts to pace.
    “Well, my daughter, a few years ago, decided this
world wasn’t a fit place to live in.”
    She started to straighten things along the way she
thought were out of place. Tears welled up in her eyes.
    “She had just turned sixteen when... I never got to
say goodbye.”
    She looks off somewhere past me, while she uses a
tissue.
    “Is there a Mr. Powers, someone to help you through
it?”
    I try to make the question sound as if it’s coming
from a professional level, rather than an invasion of privacy for
personal gain. She looks at me with more sadness and anger.
    “Mr. Powers deserted us years ago. He wasn’t much in
the first place, but he really wasn’t much in the last place. The
truth is, I wish he had left sooner.”
    She looks away again during her recollection of how
events of the past had hurt her.
    “You know sometimes we protect our relationships, as
weak as they are, for some strange reason.”
    I’m glad to hear Mr. Powers is history. She never
mentioned a boyfriend, so that door is open. Strangely enough,
Abrams’s untimely departure may just have brought two of his
patients together, for no other reason than to console one
another.
    “The same offer goes to you, Mrs. Powers. If you
ever need someone to listen, I’m here.”
    I hand her my business card.
    “Lori,” she says.
    She reaches out and offers a long, slender hand.
    Maybe he is the one.
    I take her hand and hold it longer than a
handshake.
    “Jake.”
    “Very nice to meet you, Jake.”
    We both feel awkward, but sense something unique has
just happened. I’m uncertain about what the next move is. The
possibilities are endless. The moment lingers for a while.
    “Was there anything else, Jake?”
    “Will you be flying off soon?”
    “Actually, I just got back and I’m leaving to visit
my daughter. I make it a point to see her as often as I can.”
    Her mood drops a few levels