“Okay.”
“I can imagine how scared you must be. But, please, don’t worry. You’re going to be fine, Angelica. I’ve put my best agents on your watch.”
“Thank you, Brent. Promise me you’ll keep Max safe. I don’t want to bring this baby up by myself.”
“Of course. I promise you this. I’ll watch over him myself.”
“Okay.”
I started packing after our call. It was almost impossible to know what and how much, but I did my best. Josie came home early. She must have known I needed her.
“Hey, Angel. Are you okay?” she asked when she saw the packed bag.
“Hi. I’ll be better once this is over.”
She hugged me tightly.
“Are you crying?” I asked her.
“Of course, I’m crying. My best friend is disappearing for God knows how long. I don’t even know where you’re going.”
“That makes two of us.”
“I’m sorry, Angel. I don't want to upset you, but the gravity of what’s happening is sinking in. I’m so frightened for you.”
“I’m in good hands, Josie. I’ll be fine.”
“I don’t suppose you’ll be allowed to drop me a message here and there?”
“No, but Stevens promised me he’d keep you posted.”
“He’d better.”
“Oh, what I wouldn’t do to have a shot of tequila right now,” I sighed.
* * *
Inessa and her family were at the house when I arrived with Agent Stevens.
“Welcome to the nuthouse,” Inessa sighed and hugged me.
“Hi, Inessa. How are you?”
“Fed up. You?”
“The same. How’s Charlie? How did he take the news?”
“He wasn’t happy. Neither of us is. But what are you gonna do? How are you feeling?”
“Tired. Stressed. Fat!”
“Nonsense,” I heard Charlie saying, “you look beautiful.”
“Hi, Charlie. You’re sweet. How are you?”
“Desperate to kick Grigoriy’s ass all by myself. Pity the DEA will beat me to it.”
“Yeah. He deserves every bit of what’s coming to him, the asshole,” Inessa chimed in.