BROKEN PROMISES
CHAPTER NINE
Friday morning – 5:33 am – The Agency
Instead of taking her to his office, where he would have to pass through the Bullpen and prematurely alert everyone to the loss of their fallen colleague, he took her to the Q Bureau. He thought the dreaded conversation would go more smoothly there.
After unlocking the door with his master key, Billy opened it wide, allowing Amanda to step inside. He was alarmed by her calm. Other than a few shed tears and a shaky disposition, Amanda had been eerily silent since they left the post-op room.
Amanda silently stepped through the door. As she walked through the Q Bureau, she took in the images – his desk adorned with the coffee cup inscribed with his name; his suit jacket hanging haphazardly on the coat rack; the faint scent of his aftershave lingering in the air.
Suddenly, she could no longer contain her composure. She stumbled to Lee's desk then collapsed her sobbing mass into his chair. The voice that had escaped her finally found its home as she sobbed uncontrollable at the realization that her husband was gone. Longing to have him hold her one last time, she wrapped her arms around herself and held on for dear life.
Billy felt his heart breaking all over again as he watched her grieve. He knew how hard this news would be for Amanda. He was hoping to have more time to process his own grief before having to witness the impact of hers. The sight was more than he could bear.
Billy walked over to the couch on the other side of the room, sat down and placed his head in his hands. For the first time that morning, Billy Melrose allowed himself to fully mourn the loss of his best agent, his friend, the man he had come to love as a son.
Somehow through her grief, Amanda became aware of Billy's silent vigil. Through her tear-stung eyes, she looked up and saw the mighty Section Chief, head in hands, shedding silent tears. She slowly rose from Lee's chair and walked towards him.
Arriving at the couch, she gently sat down. Billy looked up, sorrow etched on his face and tears streaming down. They regarded each other then she embraced him and together they sat there … and cried.
TBC
