Chapter 18

I Apologize

Angela stepped out the hot bath tub, dried off and walked throughout her suite completely naked. She was happy to finally be a free woman. She decided that she was going to enjoy herself until the next mission presented itself. Angela removed a bottle of wine from the refrigerator, opened it with a cork screw, and poured herself a glass. Captain Spiller had her staying in the best hotel money could buy so she figured she might as well take advantage of the perks. Angela laid on the bed, took a slow sip from her glass as she thought back on her performance. She gave herself a B+. It had been almost eight years since she’d gotten her hands dirty and she held up pretty well in her eyes. Angela had a few bruises and scrapes, but had conditioned herself to think of pain as a mental thing.

Angela laid across the bed relaxing when the cell phone that Captain Spiller had given her rung. She looked down at the phone and the word “unrestricted” flashed across the screen.

“Hello?” She answered.

“Angela?” The voice on the end snapped.

“Yes this is she.”

“The president here just wanted to tell you thank you so much for everything, I really appreciate how you went out your way for me.”

“Just doing my job sir,” Angela replied.

“Hell of a job Angela I know we kind of got off to the wrong foot I just wanted to apologize and tell you thank you, and if there’s anything I can ever help you with all you have to do is say the word.”

“Thank you sir and likewise,” Angela got off the phone and smiled. It wasn’t every day that someone could say that they saved the president’s life. She smiled and continued to sip her wine. She figured she might as well enjoy her night because it would only be a matter of time before Mr. Death showed his ugly head again.

The next day Angela headed out early to do a little shopping, something she hadn’t been able to do for a while, and she had to admit it felt good to be somewhat free again. Angela went in and out of stores buying things on the unlimited card that Captain Spiller had given her for “Emergencies only” after saving the president’s life it was only right that she was allowed to shop. Angela racked up on all the things she needed and had been deprived of for the last eight years, but while she shopped she help but to think about Ashley. Angela blamed herself for not being there for, Ashley, she knew Ashley was grown and, more than capable of holding her own but Angela still felt like it was more she could of done to keep her protected. Angela walked past a newspaper stand and purchased a copy. 

The front page read “Failed Attempt on the president’s life” and under the head line was a picture of the president smiling. Angela smiled knowing her skills were what kept the president alive. Angela looked at the date on the paper and realized that this was the same day eight years ago that she had met Ashley. She remembered it like it was yesterday, she’d never forget the frightened look on the young girls face when she bumped into her in the staircase. Eight years later, Angela would have never thought that, Ashley would become a trained killer that worked for the C.I.A.

Angela grabbed a bouquet of flowers, slipped in the back seat of a cab, and shut her eyes for a minute. Sleeping like a normal person wasn’t something she was privileged to do. Angela’s mind was always thinking so even when she laid down it was hard for her to fall asleep. Her eyes may have been closed but her ears were working over time listening for anything out of place a habit that she’d picked up years ago. The cab stop at the cemetery. Angela paid the cab driver and slid out the back door. She walked over towards a tombstone where a woman was standing.

“Hey I thought I would find you here,” Angela said placing the flowers on the tombstone.

“This was the day my life changed eight years ago,” Ashley said staring down at her father’s grave. “You know what’s crazy?” She asked never taking her eyes off the grave. “That if my father was a regular working man I would have never met you,” she laughed as tears rolled down her face. “Sometimes I wonder what my life would of been like if my father would of lived a normal life.”

“I hate to say this but people like you and me weren’t made to be normal,” Angela said softly. “You have a gift I saw it in you when I first met you.”

Ashley smiled. “I was just thankful that you saved my life. I owe you.”

Angela chuckled. “You don’t owe me anything I just did what I felt was right.”

“My father may of lived a life of crime, but he was a good man,” Ashley wiped the tears from her face. “You know Mr. Death will be coming for us soon right?”

Angela nodded. “I know and I’ll be ready when he does,” she leaned over and hugged Ashley. “If you need me I’ll be in my room,” she said leaving to give, Ashley her privacy. Ashley remained at the grave site for a few more minutes to pay her respects, but she couldn’t stay there all day, she had to get focused, and get back to work. Ashley knew that, Angela was going to need her help, and she planned to be ready.