Chapter 23

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The night of July 3rd Gary Fredo called Miguel and updated him. He also had Miguel check on Michael Morgan, specifically about sheriff Duncan's theory. It turned out that the sheriff was right, Michael was an undercover FBI agent who helped bring down a ring of child-molestors. Unfortunately for Michael not all of his enemies were sent to prison, some escaped before they could be arrested. So Michael and his mother were placed in Witness Protection. Even now Michael was doing his part to try and prevent future incidents of molestation, Gary decided to apologize to Michael when he saw him next. Tomorrow was the 4th of July, Gary and Miguel were both taking the day off. Miguel to celebrate with his family, Gary to enjoy the local festivities. He decided to take Leita Rose. She might be a murderer, but she seemed like a nice old lady now. Besides, she killed her abusive husband to protect her daughter, who was he to judge? And she'd served her sentance so, why shouldn't she enjoy today? All over town there were barbeques, picnics. Most of the food on sale was a bit more expensive than Gary could have bought at the store, but people assured him that the money went to the local schools, so he sucked it up and overpayed. Patriotic music was playing in the streets, kids were squirting each other and adults with water guns. Because of the heat, Gary didn't mind being squirted with water. He also heard some local kids planning a baseball game for tonight. The annual fireworks lit the sky up just enough for their one night game of the year. Much of the town of Sanctuary came to the pageant. Mary Elizabeth Merchant and Jimmy Tinker were here, apparently they were still a couple. Yusef and Danielle brought little Nadia. William Lambert and his wife Jane came with their children. Their seemed to be a little friction, given how William had told Angel about Jane's past, but they were trying to give their children a good day. Jamal and his husband Sawyer were here. Mayor Bowen was here with her husband, children, grandchildren. Sheriff Duncan was here with his wife. Abby Flint was not here, she had been assigned a new legal guardian. Whether this guardian told her yet about her mother, Gary did not yet know. Michael came to this event with his mother. Gary knew he owed Michael an apology so he went to see the man. Michael did not look happy to see agent Fredo.

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Michael: I have my valid driver's lisence if you'd like to see it.

Gary: That won't be neccessary. I now know you're innocent, and I know what your support group is really about.

Michael: Do you now?

Gary: It's okay if you can't confirm it, I just wanted to apologize.

Michael: I supposse, given the evidence you had, I can understand why you thought certain things. Apology accepted.

Gary: Thank you my friend.

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Michael and Gary shook hands, then went in seperate directions to enjoy the festivities. It was custumary for the previous year's winner to present the crown to her successor, but that wasn't possible this year. So Samantha Larabee, the previous year's runner-up, would do this. Samantha began with a small speech.

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Samantha: As many of you know, normally last year's winner would be here to give the crown to this year's winner. Sadly, that can't happen. Angel was taken from us far too early. I'd like to have just a brief moment of silence for her.

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The crowd stayed silent. Even Jimmy Tinker and Mary Elizabeth Merchant, who didn't get along with Samantha Larabee, stayed silent. Whatever their differences they all loved Angel. When the moment ended the pageant began. Teenage girls trying to look pretty and perform talents. While the crowd was looking at this, one person was in the crowd, plotting revenge. Someone had taken Angel from this world, that person had to pay. This hunter stalked their prey, crept up behind them. Before this person even knew what was happening, the hunter shot him several times with her gun.