Devil Mail by P. V. Edwards

beginning and earnestly wanted to be there at the end.
                  “I’ll have Liz fill you in later.”
                  “Okay, thanks.” She was grateful for Sharon’s consideration, but Liz’s update would be no substitute for her soaking up the atmosphere of the trial herself; experiencing the tension during jury deliberation; sensing the arrested breathing right before the verdict was delivered; watching the expressions and telltale behaviors of the plaintiffs and defendants when the verdict was read. She wanted to be there for all of that.
                    When the telephone rang at seven o’clock, Angela smiled. It was the melodious voice that touched and soothed something deep within her. If this was to become her new morning routine, it was one that she could adjust to with natural rhythm. “Hello, my name is Aiden Jacobs and I’d like to report a theft.”
                  “Well, this is not the police department, but I’m interested to know what was stolen,” Angela croaked.
                  “Ooh, what happened to you?” A combination of shock and concern squelched his romantic overtures.
                  “I spent a perfect day with this amazing guy yesterday, and now I’m paying for it; system overload.”
    His response was quick. “Funny you should say that; I spent a perfect day with an amazing lady yesterday, and I’m sure she stole my heart. She was the only one who has had access to it recently.”
    That was t he type of comment that got Judith’s eyes rolling and sarcasm simultaneously rolling off her tongue. If she were present, she’d say, “You’re gonna need a burger with half a cow in it to balance all that cheesiness!” But Angela loved this sort of attention when it was directed towards her.
    “I’ll keep an eye out for it. Can you describe it? Is it a big heart, tiny one, a tender one or is it more on the shriveled, stony side?” Angela was amused by her own response.
    “It was a massive tender one , actually, but now that I think about it, I might just let her keep it.” He continued before Angela could reply, “Poor baby, you sound awful.”
    Having informed him that she had called in sick and would stay home from work, her forbidding appearance and achy body made it easy for her to decline his offer to come over and nurse her back to health. Besides, she had promised her sister and her best friend that she would be careful, and she was not about to breach that promise by facilitating ‘alone time’ with Aiden at her apartment. She would let him know if she felt up to a date on Friday night, as previously discussed. Zumba class with Julia was definitely off.
    Angela stayed in bed, dozing in and out of awareness. Her waking moments were spent thinking about Aiden. Her thoughts were potent enough to bring a tingling sensation to her aching body as she recalled his scent, the times that he had touched and embraced her as well as the words he had spoken that made something within her come alive.
    She had forgotten to respond to Matt’s me ssage after Judith and Julia left the night before. This was something she felt able to do while resting in bed. She read the informative message again. He was obviously making an effort to discuss subjects that he supposed she would be interested in, but Angela lacked the inspiration to address the points he had raised.
                 
    “Is there any subject about which you DON’T possess a wealth of information?
                  A very impressed Angela.”
     
                  She hesitated before sending it, in the knowledge that she wasn’t that impressed, but just had no other comeback. She sent it anyway.
                  A new message from ‘leonardog87’, who held a pose with a lowered head, glowering at the camera out of the corners of his eyes, was briefly entertaining. It contained the lyrics of a