Broken Trust
Page 12
“Not your fault, Chrysalis. And you weren’t the one who shot me, remember?”
“I know, but it was my apartment.”
“All part of the job.”
“I know, but I still wanted to apologize. For you getting shot, and for me lying to you. And for everything.”
“Not to worry. Zack explained it all. I probably would have lied too, if I’d been in your situation.” She leaned back, taking a deep breath.
“You’re getting tired. I should leave.”
She adjusted to a different position. “Actually, I'm bored. Not tired.”
“Now who’s the one lying? I’m a nurse, you know. You don’t have to act tough for me. I can see you’re in pain.”
“OK. Maybe a little. Friends don’t lie to each other. So how about we make a deal to stop doing that?”
A friend. That was something new in Chryssie’s life. “Sounds good. So were you and Zack working on my case together?”
“Something like that. He convinced me you were innocent, and that there had to be a good reason you were saying you shot Lonnie Davis. That’s why we didn’t arrest you. We wanted to see where you’d lead us.”
Zack had been her cheerleader all along. Protecting her and doing his best to keep her safe. “I didn’t know he was a policeman. He sure doesn’t look like one.”
Annie laughed. “That’s sort of the way it works when you’re undercover.”
“I suppose.”
Annie was wilting fast, so after assurances to visit her again, Chryssie walked out of the hospital. She savored the warmth of the afternoon sun. But more than that, she felt a warmth in her soul. God had replaced that void she’d always felt with His love—His warmth.
A heart-shaped garden filled with wild flowers beckoned. Brightness and beauty. The possibilities were endless in her life, now that God was a part of it. She could create her own bouquet of life.
All she had to do was make the right choices.
And with God’s help, she could start doing that.
Scenes from the night before flashed in her mind’s eye. She had made the right choice last night when she walked out of the woods. She’d never been more terrified in her life. But she couldn’t stand there and let Zack get killed because of her.
And because she’d made that choice—the right choice, everything had worked out.
The thought of Zack made her smile.
“Chryssie. Chryssie.” Her sister waved.
Their hands met, and the two of them twirled around. After a few whirls, Chryssie leaned down and hugged her little sister. “I missed you, sweetie.”
“I was on vacation. I had the time of my life.”
That was the same term Marv had used. “Where’d you go?”
“Disney World with Mama Ramona.”
“Did you have a good time?”
“It was fun, but I missed you.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about that anymore, Gabriella.” A man’s voice spoke behind her.
She turned toward the voice, still holding Gabriella’s hand. “Zack? I didn’t recognize you.”
The ponytail had been replaced with a short cut that spiked up slightly. His biker clothes were gone, and he now wore jeans and a red and blue team T-shirt. The tattoos were gone.
“You’re not the only one who can transform, Glitter.” He grinned.
“What happened to the tattoos?”
“Fake, but really good fake ones, huh?”
“So you don’t have any?”
He lifted up the sleeve of his shirt showing the fish and the cross. “Just these.”
“I like those. But what about your undercover work?”
“All done. I can’t really woo this woman I’ve had my eye on for a while if I’m pretending to be someone else. I want her to get to know the real me.”
Chryssie smiled. “But what you were doing was important.”
“You’re right, but it’s all done now. After last night the investigation is finished. Now it’s time for the lawyers to take the info and make their case.”
“Will he…will he get out on bail?” Her heart thumped. If Marv were out, Gabriella might not be safe.
“Not after what the judge heard me testify to. No bail and nothing for you to worry about. You won’t play a major role in Marv’s trial, but Roman’s is a different story. But he’s not going anywhere either.”
Gabriella tugged her hand. “What’s a trial?”
“It’s where you tell the truth about things. And remember telling the truth is always, always important, Gabriella.”
Gabriella nodded. “I know.”
Chryssie looked at Zack. “What time does she have to be back?”
“Oh, that’s the best news, isn’t it, Gabriella? You want to tell her, or should I?”
“Me. Me. I’ll tell her.”
“Go ahead.”
Gabriella looked up at her with a huge grin. “The judge told me I can stay with you.”
“Forever?” Chryssie’s voice shook.
“If you want me.”
“Oh, Gabriella. Of course, I want you. But...” She looked at Zack. The smile on his face was all she needed. “Did you have something to do with this?”
“Just a little. The judge granted you temporary custody. But there are some conditions you’ll have to meet before the permanent custody hearing in two months. Think you can handle that?”
“Oh, yes, I can.” She didn’t care what the conditions were, she’d find a way to meet them—all of them.
Gabriella grabbed Zack’s hand. “This is Zack. He’s my new friend.”
Chryssie’s gaze locked with his. “Mine too, Gabriella. I have a feeling he’s friends with both of us.”
Zack winked. “You can count on that. Now, how about some pizza?”
“I love pizza,” Gabriella said. Her little sister held both their hands.
Chryssie closed her eyes. This was exactly how she imagined life could be. When she opened her eyes, three butterflies flew by them. One small butterfly between two larger ones.
“Oh, look, Chryssie. Those butterflies are just like us,” Gabriella said. “You, me, and Zack.”
“You’re right, Gabriella. Just like us.” Chryssie’s voice filled with wonder.
Zack smiled. “I told you God would work it all out, and He did. I think it’s time you get that butterfly tattoo.”
“I think you’re right.” As she spoke, the cocoon of doom and gloom fell away. She felt as happy and free as a butterfly.
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