Page 70 of Two Kinds of Stranger (Eddie Flynn #9)

Eddie

I stood with my back to the cold marble in the hallway outside court.

Kate and Elly were in an embrace. Tears streaming down both of their faces. It was the first time I had seen Elly smile in real life. That smile seemed to come from a deep place within her that had lain dormant and subdued for months. It was good to see.

She was free. The case against her had been withdrawn, with prejudice, by Bernice, who now stood beside me.

‘One of these days, things are not going to go your way,’ said Castro. ‘Be careful, Eddie. You made a lot of powerful enemies today. And you could’ve gotten yourself and your own people killed in the process.’

‘Bloch and Lake knew Mont was coming for them. And they guessed that the stranger would come too. NYPD still have no idea who he is. They’ve done a facial recognition scan, but they don’t hold out much hope of finding his identity.

All I know is he’s dead. Elly knows that too.

Kevin and Christine, and Elly, are free.

My people are safe. And that’s all that matters. Apart from one thing.’

‘What’s that?’ asked Castro.

‘If you ever come for me or my family again, I’m going to take you out.’

‘Take care of yourself,’ said Castro. ‘I don’t want to be prosecuting somebody for your murder one of these days.’

I turned and watched Amy throw her arms round Kevin. He was crying. So was Christine. They embraced one another in the hallways of this old courthouse, ignoring the people milling around them.

They looked like a family.

I put my hands in my pockets and headed for the elevator.

A hand on my shoulder stopped me.

‘Thank you,’ said Christine. ‘I know what you did. What you all did. Lake and Bloch risked their lives for us.’

‘It was Kate. She won the case . . . ’

‘I know, and I already thanked her. But I know you. She wouldn’t have gotten that Mont guy on tape if it wasn’t for you. That was your play. Thank you.’

We hugged, and I left Christine, Amy and Kevin to themselves and headed back to the office.

It was dark by the time Harry, Kate, Lake and Bloch got back.

Denise had been busy all afternoon, handing out small checks to the former customers of Richard Reynolds Bail Bonds.

He’d sold his car collection, and we were making good on our promises.

Denise said he was booked on a flight to Toronto in the morning.

I watched through the glass partition in my office, as first Lake, then Bloch, Denise, and then Harry hugged Kate.

I stood up as she came into my office.

‘Eddie, I don’t know how to say this—’

‘Then don’t.’

She swept her hair away from her face, blew out her cheeks and stared at the floor.

Then she looked at me.

‘It’s not you—’

‘I know what you’re going say. You’re leaving. And it is because of me.’

‘No, it’s the job. You’re the best. You know that? Three people are walking around free today because of you. And I wouldn’t and couldn’t have done that. I need to take a break and figure out what I want to do with my life.’

‘You’re a lawyer, one of the best.’

‘I need time. I know I can’t do this job. Maybe I’ll come back to the law in a while. I just don’t want things to be awkward between us. It’s really not your fault. It’s the job. Sometimes you need to do whatever it takes to save somebody. And I don’t know if I can do that.’

She skipped forward, wrapped her arms round me.

‘Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I’ve learned so much.’

I put my arms round her, said, ‘You have a family here. Whether you own half of the business or not. These people will always be here for you. Me too. Whenever you need me.’

She stepped back, wiped away a tear.

I said, ‘I’ll split the business with you any way you want. You can take half of what’s in the business account and I’ll buy out—’

She waved her hand at me. ‘Don’t worry. We’ll work it out. I don’t care about money. I just want to clear my head. See my dad.’

She turned, opened my office door and stepped out.

‘Kate,’ I called after her. She swung round. ‘Take Harry and Bloch to lunch. When you feel up to it. They’ll be broken-hearted. When you’ve decided what you want to do, let me know and if I can do anything to help you I will. But you owe me coffee, once a week at least.’

‘Deal,’ she said.

I grabbed my coat. I couldn’t watch Kate clearing out her desk. Harry picked up Clarence’s lead, forced a smile, said, ‘Let’s take a walk.’

We stepped out into the dying winter chill of Manhattan. I threw my collar up and started walking.

We hadn’t got to the end of the block when I stopped. Something wasn’t right.

Clarence and Harry halted too. It was then that I realized what was bothering me.

‘You forgot your cane.’

Clarence stared at me. Then Harry.

‘I’m okay now. The physio said I could leave it behind for a while. Clarence agrees.’

Sure enough, he hadn’t barked when we’d left the office without Harry’s walking stick.

Just then, he reached into his jacket pocket. Checked his phone.

‘Look, Elly posted a new video.’

He angled the screen so we could both watch. Elly was in her hotel room. This was the first video she’d posted since she’d been arrested.

‘Hi,’ said Elly. ‘Thank you for all of your messages of support. It’s meant so much to me.

Now the truth is finally out there, I am so relieved.

I’m going to be posting more from today, but it’s not going to be about me.

I just heard from my agent that she’s sold the book rights to my story, so you can read all about what happened over the last few months.

I’m going to be okay, thanks to my legal team.

So I’m only going to post here about my random acts of kindness.

Most of you don’t know what happened to me on the subway when I tried to help a stranger.

It almost cost me everything. But that doesn’t mean people are all bad.

That’s just one sick person. It doesn’t undo all the good that comes from helping people in need.

So I want you all to share with me your random acts of kindness.

I’ll be doing the same. It’s how my parents raised me.

To help others. We could all do with more kindness in the world. Help me spread a little of it . . . ’

The video ended. Harry put the phone away.

We walked on in silence, crossed the street and Clarence came to a stop outside a bar.

He sat at the entrance and stared up at Harry.

‘This dog has more sense than I do,’ he said. ‘I’m going to go and get good and drunk, then probably get into some trouble. Would you care to join us?’

‘I’m going to walk for a little while longer. Get my head straight. Ask the bar tender to put on a pot of coffee. I’ll be there soon.’

‘Kate is going to be okay, you know?’

‘I know,’ I said.

Harry followed Clarence into the bar.

I didn’t know where I was going. I let my feet carry me through the streets.

All I knew was that from now on things would be different around here.

Kate had made a choice to turn away. To do what was right for her.

I’d had that choice once.

I chose different.

Not a day goes by when I didn’t wonder what would have happened if I’d chosen an easier life, saved my marriage, and been there for my kid.

My cell phone rang. A number I didn’t recognize.

‘Hi, is this Eddie Flynn?’ said the male voice.

‘Yeah, it’s me. Who is this?’

‘Chuck Buchanan, of Buchanan and Duff, attorneys. I’ve got a referral for you. Homicide case. Fair warning, this one is difficult.’

‘Is the client innocent?’

‘She’s pleading not guilty, if that’s what you mean.’

‘No, it’s not what I mean. Is she innocent?’

Silence on the phone.

‘She’s innocent.’

I stopped walking. Looked up at the dark skies covering the city.

‘Sounds like I’m your guy,’ I said.