When they arrivedat the Alensworth residence, the dingy blue Honda that Joshua had described was parked in the driveway. Flanked by the two large police officers, Colin approached the house and pounded on the door. After only a moment Chrissy Alensworth answered.
“Can I help you?”
“No, you can’t. What youcando is get your husband. It’s him we want to see.”
“You’re Doctor Abrams’ husband aren’t you.”
“I am indeed. Please get your husband, Mrs. Alensworth.”
“He’s sleeping. Can’t this wait?”
“No, ma’am, it can’t. This is a court order that has to be placed into your husband’s handsrightnow!” Colin’s voice was flinty, and as he spoke, he moved a half-step closer, forcing Chrissy to step back.
She blinked and swallowed hard as Colin stood stock-still in the doorway, two police officers at his side. His bearing and steely voice made it clear that he wasn’t moving until he got what he wanted.
Colin could sense her apprehension as she made her way down the hallway. “Keep your hands on your revolvers,” he murmured to the two officers. After only a moment, a raised male voice echoed down the corridor, and seconds after that, Dale Alensworth exploded toward them, halting only inches from Colin, who stood solid and unmoving, his eyes drilling into Alensworth’s.
“Mr. Dale Alensworth?” he asked, his voice carefully neutral.
“Yeah? So what?”
A white-hot tongue of rage raced up Colin’s spine. He thrust the court order at Alensworth. “That,” Colin ground out through clenched teeth, “is a restraining order requiring you to keep your slimy, wife-beating ass away from my husband!”
He nodded as Alensworth, took the paper from his hand. He stared down at it for a moment then lifted his eyes to Colin’s face. “Right! Myhusband!I’m Colin Campbell-Abrams,Mr. Alensworth. Joshua’s been gay since the day he was born, and he’s been married tome—happilymarried I might add—for over a year. So, your absurd accusations against him and your wife served no purpose other than to establish yourignorancebeyond the shadow of a doubt.”
Alensworth took a step back, fumbling with the court order, and Colin moved with him, invading his personal space, his aggressive stance unyielding. The two police officers at his side also moved forward, one hand resting on their service revolvers, the other on their batons.
“Now let me tell you what will happen if youignorethis court order,” Colin seethed. “First off, you’ll find yourself in jail for contempt of court! Second, and even more importantly, I will personally come back to this house and give you the beatdown you so richly deserve! A beatdown that I promise you’ll remember for the rest of your worthless life!” He moved his face to within an inch of Alensworth’s. “And trust me, you’ll find dealing withMEa muchdifferentexperience than beating the shit out of a defenseless woman.” His eyes drilled into Alensworth’s. “Weclear,asshole?”
Alensworth stared back at him. His lips were drawn back over his teeth and both hands fisted at his sides, the court order crumpling in his fingers. His eyes swung from Colin’s face to the two officers at his side, taking in their resolute demeanor and the hands which still rested on their weapons. Breathing heavily, he lifted his head. “Clear.”
For another moment the two men stared into each other’s eyes, then Colin leaned closer. “Stay away from my husband!”He bit off every word, his voice a low rumble in his chest and filled with such menace that Alensworth flinched.
Colin took a step back and glanced at Chrissy. “Have a nice day.”
* * *
In the carhe called Joshua and assured him that the meeting with Alensworth had been heated, but uneventful. “He’s a coward, Josh. He’s a big shot when he’s bullying defenseless women or blindsiding their doctor in a parking lot. But put him up against anyone even half his size, and he wilts like the pansy he is.”
“I still don’t like it that you did this.”
“I know.”
Joshua heard him draw in a deep breath and let it out. “Josh, Ihadto. That’s all there is to it. Ihadto confront this guy. I couldn’t let anyone do that to you. I couldn’t”
“We’re going to talk more about this,” Joshua warned, but his voice was warm with affection.
“I’ll see you at home, sweetie.”
“Colin? I love you, Colin. I love you with all my heart.”
“Just as I do you.”
* * *
Later that eveningColin lay sprawled on the couch watching as Joshua moved between the kitchen and dining room. “What’re you making, babe?”
“A couple of frozen entrees,” Joshua told him, walking backward as he moved through the kitchen archway. “Sorry about that. I didn’t get home in time to fix anything more elaborate.”
