“Save your breath, Josh. There’s nothing that either of you can say to stop me.”
“Colin, please!”
“I’m not going to hurt him,” Colin told them. “I’m going to grab the two biggest, baddest cops I can lay my hands on and take them with me while I serve Alensworth with the restraining order. Then I’m going to let him know what will happen from this point forward if he violates the terms of that court order. I’m going to let him know in no uncertain terms! He doesnotget away with this, Josh.”
Joshua moved to Colin’s side and grabbed his arm. “He’s got agun, Colin! He left a bullet on my car!”
Colin reached to caress his cheek and smiled. A slow, satisfied smile. “If he pulls a gun on me and my cop escort, he will end up having averybad morning.”
“Baby,please. I’m afraid he’ll hurt you!”
Colin snorted out a laugh. “Fat fucking chance.” He cupped Joshua’s chin and kissed him. “I plan to be standing between two largecity policemen, and they’ll both have their hands on their weapons.” He released Joshua and moved to Miranda’s desk. “He doesn’t leave this office,” he instructed, tilting his head toward Joshua. “Got it?”
Miranda nodded then turned to Joshua. “You can see your patients in the group therapy room for the next few days. Alensworth won’t get throughthatdoor.”
Joshua’s head gave a taut shake. “I won’t do it! The other therapists need that room. I’ll see my patients in my own office like I always do!” He heard Colin exhale an angry breath and spun to face him. “I won’t let this bastard force me to cower behind a steel door!”
“And I won’t let your damned Israeli bravado get you killed!” Colin snapped.
“You’re making too much of this.”
Colin shook his head and gave Joshua a grim smile. “I’m sure that’s what a lot of people thought, right up to the moment when some bastard put a bullet between their eyes.”
“Now you’re trying to scare me.”
“I hope so because I’malreadyscared! I wish youwerea little more scared, Josh!”
“Guys, why don’t we go down to city hall and get the process started,” Miranda said. “Colin, I’m sure they won’t let you handle this, so we’ll do whatever the Commonwealth’s Attorney advises. In the meantime, I’ll keep things here as buttoned down as possible.”
Colin scowled down at the floor but nodded and reached for Joshua’s hand. “We’ll meet you at city hall, Miranda.”
As they walked to Colin’s car, Joshua saw him scanning the lot. He drew Joshua to a halt and gazed about them until he was satisfied that there was no one else around. “What kind of car does Alensworth drive?”
“He drives a beat-up Honda Civic,” Joshua replied. “Dark blue.”
Colin nodded and again, scanned the lot. Seeing nothing, he led Joshua to his car and climbed in. “Do me a favor, Josh,” he said as he fastened his seat belt. “Take this a little more seriously. This guy is dangerous.”
“Idotake it seriously, Colin! I won’t be forced into hiding. All that does is give him the power he wants. Itrewardshis behavior!”
“I personally don’t give a flyingfuckif it rewards his behavior if it also keeps you out of harm’s way!”
“I wish you wouldn’t talk to him.”
“Not happening, Josh.”
“Colin, we need todiscussthis!”
“Why? I know how you feel. And this time, it’s not a consideration.”
“Not aconsideration?”
“No,” Colin snapped, wheeling his car into city hall’s parking structure. “Not this time, Josh.”
* * *
Colin leftJoshua and Miranda at the city police station to give their statements while he dashed up the stairs to his own office. Once there he stopped and leaned against the doorframe, thinking.
Quirky though the lawyers in his office might be, they were still highly qualified, dedicated attorneys, who took their jobs seriously. But Colin wanted Joshua’s restraining order handled by the best. The absolute best.
