Page 57 of PSYCHOlogical

Chapter Twenty-One

Briggs

The state of Virginia has the shortest time period between the death sentence and the execution of death row prisoners. I’d killed two people—without the protection the Office of the DNI provided—in the last three hours, each of which could get me the death penalty.

At one point, Val told me “normal” was a moving target. As I drove to dinner with her seated at my side, I tried to convince myself things were normal.

They weren’t.

My life was being turned upside down.

Nevertheless, I intended to treat myself to dinner with a woman I’d been attracted to for years, and had recently learned to trust, admire, and respect.

“What would you like to eat?” I asked.

“I hate making decisions like that,” she said. “It’s too hard.”

I glanced over my right shoulder and chuckled. “Deciding what you’re going to eat is a tough choice?”

“Decisions in general. I like other people to make them for me.”

“Sushi,” I said.

She smiled. “I love sushi.”

I laughed. “That was easy.”

“You could have said McDonalds and I would have liked it,” she said. “I enjoy the company more than the food.”

“I enjoy your company, too.” I came to a stop at a traffic light and looked at her. “You did good today. For what it’s worth, I couldn’t have taken care of those two without you.”

Her expression went from joyous to fearful. She tried to smile but looked like she was on the verge of tears.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

“Are you alright?”

“No,” she said in a shaky voice. “I’m terrified. You have no idea how scared I am right now. I’m convinced they’re going to sneak up behind me at any minute. I can’t believe I’m wrapped up in all of this, but I don’t know what else to do.”

She didn’t have to tell me she was terrified, I could see it on her face and hear it in her voice. I needed to protect her, but there was only one way I knew to do it.

“This might sound crazy,” I said. “But I’m going to offer it anyway.”

She wiped her eyes. “What’s that?”

“Until this is over it would be best if you stayed at my house. I’d feel a lot better if I knew you were safe.”

“This might sound crazier.” A joyous tear escaped the corner of her eye. “But that’s the best idea I’ve heard in a long time.”