Chase handed over some forms from his backpack. "And that's why I've come. I don't want the memories, I want the real thing... I want Angie."
Angela frowned in confusion as she scanned the papers, "But these papers say I agree to give up custody! There's no need, we can raise her together."
"Listen Angela it's over between us, I loved you once but not anymore. All I want is Angie, then I'll leave you and Nico in peace."
"It's not over Chase, that kiss meant just as much to you as it did to me, I could feel it. And anyway, she's not your daughter, she's mine."
"It's no use Angela, I had a DNA test done too; neither of us is her parent."
"But how?... you need a sample of my DNA..." Her eyes narrowed, "It was that kiss wasn't it? When my hair got caught in your damn watch. You bastard, I believed you!" Tossing her head, she laughed, "So you knew straightaway that I wasn't her mother?"
"It was the only explanation. When we met you'd never slept with anyone before and we were totally in love, you'd never have cheated. So who are Angie's parents?"
"I don't know," she shrugged, disinterested. "Nico was doing a drug delivery in Brentwood and found someone had been to the house before him. The couple was shot dead with the baby crying in her crib. Sometimes he'd bring things home with him from the deliveries. One time it was a kitten, this time a baby... he thought I might want it. I was still mad at you and wanted to mess with your life so I dumped her on you. When that didn't mess you up I thought of taking her away... I used to watch you with her, sometimes I'd follow you on your Saturday outings. You really love her don't you?... Well you're not getting her."
"You miscalculated Angela, you made a mistake."
Angela just raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"I had a month's notice before the Hearing... what's that saying? 'Know thine enemy'? It's surprising what you can learn about a person in four weeks, especially if you're willing to pay. One advantage to working in law enforcement is you learn all the ways to monitor a person. You also learn how not to get caught doing it."
He pulled an envelope from his backpack and spread out the photos on the front seat. Photos of Nico watching someone being severely beaten, more of him doing drug deals. There were over 30 photos but Angela merely flicked the uppermost ones with a fingernail. "Nico had his uses but I really don't mind if he goes to jail. I could do with a rest from him."
"So you won't mind if I show him these?"
Chase spread out some more photos, this time of Angela and a man in a very compromising position, lots of positions. "I don't think Nico would be too pleased about these, you with his best friend." He held up a photo and looked at it critically, "You always were very photogenic, I'm not sure which one captures your best side."
Angela lunged at Chase, her nails reaching for his face but he was ready for her and easily moved back out of range.
"What the hell happened to you Angela? You used to be so sweet and full of life, everyone loved being near you."
"I met you, that's what happened," she spat out angrily.
"Well I'm glad to see our time together didn't make you bitter or twisted... I need to get going so just sign the papers and I'll be off. It's for the best Angela, really."
"Fuck you Chase!" Angela hissed as she signed her name.
"Thanks, you can keep the photos. And trust me Angela, you come near Angie, Kim or me again I'll use the originals... so long."
Chase hefted his backpack and sat Angie in the pouch he'd arranged in the front, then he was off to retrieve his car. He was anxious to get moving. All he wanted to do now was get home to Kim. Everything had gone like clockwork and he knew his luck wouldn't last forever.
