Angel and the Assassin 3: Sins of the Father

Father
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    Chapter Eleven
    The river Mersey swept past, dark and cold, as they drove along the A56 toward
    the Albert Dock. Daddy had hardly said a word all the way to Liverpool. He had
    answered Angel’s questions but offered no conversation. The car was a place they
    always chatted, and Angel loved the times they spent alone together talking. That was
    when his problems came out and he asked Daddy for advice. But today Daddy was
    distant, and he looked worried.
    “Sir, how come we left Dorneywood early? There could have been another
    attempt on Mr. Romodanovsky’s life.”
    Looking directly ahead, Daddy said, “I assessed the threat and found it negligible
    after the first attempt. Anyway Thornton needed a chance to lead a team.”
    “She’s really good at her job, isn’t she?”
    “Yes, she’s good. She has courage, and she’s intelligent, just like you.”
    No one in Angel’s life had ever praised him or told him he was clever and
    handsome the way Daddy always did. “Didn’t that maid try to do something to him?
    When she came out of the room, she looked really roughed up and scared. Ellis said he
    thought she’d made an attempt on Mr. Romodanovsky’s life and you intercepted it.
    Was she a spy?”
    “That’s not exactly what happened, but I can’t talk about it.”
    When Daddy said he couldn’t or wouldn’t talk about something, Angel dropped
    the subject. There were parts of Daddy’s job he knew nothing about, but Daddy had
    something on his mind right now and Angel wished he could get him to share it.
    “Is something wrong? Why does Sharon need to see you?”
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    “Don’t worry about it. I’ll sort it out. Phone her and tell her we’ll be there in five
    minutes.”
    The minute they stepped out of the elevator, Sharon was at the door. That she was
    upset was obvious. Usually Angel grabbed her first for a hug and Daddy always let
    him, but this time she went straight for Daddy and wrapped her arms around him.
    “Can we go right away, Kael?”
    “Let’s get inside first, Mum,” he said.
    “Hello, Angel luv.” She placed a hand on his cheek, but her eyes were on Daddy.
    “Sorry, Kael. Do you want a cup of tea first? You drove all that way. I’m just so
    worried. Anything can happen in those places, especially with those sorts of charges.”
    So that’s what that old geezer has been arrested for. Everyone knows child molesters get
    beat up in jail . Walking over to the window to give them space, Angel watched.
    Something was really upsetting Sharon.
    “No, I don’t want anything. Just tell me where he is.”
    “They’ve got him in Walton Jail on remand. They call it Liverpool Prison now. It’s
    on Hornby Road, about an hour away by bus. You don’t need a visiting order when
    they’re on remand.”
    “You’ve been to visit him?” Daddy asked.
    “Yes. I told him you were coming. He was so relieved. You don’t need to give
    them any money, just sign a surety, but you have to prove you’ve got it. Let’s get
    going.”
    “You’re staying here,” Daddy said. “I’ll go on my own.”
    “No, Kael. I want to come,” Sharon said. “I told him I’d come. You will bail him
    out, won’t you?”
    “I’m going to talk to him and see what’s going on.”
    “Well, I’m coming too. I’ll get my coat.”
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    Taking her gently by the upper arms, Daddy said firmly, “Mum, I’m going on my
    own. I want to talk to him in private. You’ll stay here.” Angel watched Sharon’s face
    until he saw acceptance sweep over it.
    “All right, luv. He can stay with me until this is sorted out.”
    Daddy kissed her on the forehead and left.
    “Sharon, should I make you a cup of tea?” Angel wanted to do something useful.
    When Sharon opened her arms to him, a surge of happiness rushed through him.
    “Come here, luv. I haven’t given you a hug yet. I’m just so worried about Shawn.”
    While Sharon enveloped him in her arms, Angel remained still, letting her hug
    him tight. “I love you, Sharon.”
    “And I love you. Now let’s have that cup of tea. We’ll make it together.”
    Sharon remained quiet while she put the chocolate Digestives on a plate and got
    the milk from the fridge. When the tea was ready, Angel carried the tray into the living
    room.
    He dipped his chocolate Digestive into his hot tea and bit it quickly before it fell
    apart. “I never drank tea in my life before coming