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Author's Chapter Notes:
In responding to the challenge, I decided to delve into the backstory of one of
my two main characters, Rick Thompson, for my novel License for Murder.
Originally, my novel was going to be a cozy mystery, but it's turning more into
a romantic mystery. Anyway, this isn't from the novel, but takes place about
seven months beforehand. I hope you enjoy it!

Angie
Rick's Revelation

Rick stood on his apartment’s balcony, looking out across the deserted pool
area. It was a pretty mild night by Texas standards, even for February. He took
a swig from his Shiner beer, then heard a screech from below. ‘THAT DARN
CAT’, he thought to himself. ‘Must be digging in the trash again.’ He
took another swig, then turned back into his darkened apartment. He saw his
phone light up and grimaced. Kylie must not have given up yet. He picked it up
and saw nine text messages from her. He tossed the phone onto the table and
swore. She just wouldn’t give up.

He flipped on the TV and found a Mavericks game on. His phone lit up again and
he threw it across the room, breaking it into pieces. He shook his head, then
shrugged. He’d have to replace it tomorrow, but it was worth it. He turned the
TV off and went over to his computer. He looked over his letter of resignation
one more time. He’d spent the last six years with the Dallas Police
Department, but knew it was time to move on. His aunt needed him and it was time
to pay back all those years she’d devoted to him, taking him in and treating
him as her own.

He glanced at his email inbox and saw three emails from Kylie. “Damn it,” he
swore, slamming his fist onto the desk. He highlighted the messages and deleted
them. There was no point in reading them… he knew exactly what they said. She
was sorry, she hadn’t meant to hurt him, would he give her another chance. She
should know him better than that. He could forgive a lot of things, but betrayal
wasn’t one of them.

Against his will, images from that night a week ago flooded into his mind.
He’d been anticipating seeing her all day. He’d made reservations at the
Mansion on Turtle Creek and had bought some gorgeous yellow ROSES. When he
arrived at her apartment, he’d heard music, but Kylie hadn’t answered. He
figured she was still getting ready, so he used his key to let himself in. He
called out to her as he walked towards her room, pushing the door open as he
said, “Happy Valentine’s Day.” The words had died in his throat as he saw
the love of his life scrambling to throw on clothes as his fellow cop, Marty
Sanders, struggled to pull his pants on.

Rick shook his head, forcing the images to retreat back into his mind. He’d
been a fool to think Kylie Richardson had been the one he would spend the rest
of his life with. He forced himself to forget about the ring he’d thrust into
the back of the desk drawer that night. No, it was time to move on. He was
quitting the Department in the morning and then he’d figure out what his next
move would be. Aunt Willie Mae would be thrilled. In fact, he had an idea
she’d try to get him to take over her various business interests. He knew that
wasn’t really where he wanted his life to go, but for now it would do.

He glanced at the picture collage hanging across from his desk. His aunt had
given it to him when he’d first moved out on his own. There were pictures of
his late parents with him, as well as one from their wedding. He picked up his
beer bottle and walked over to the pictures, looking more closely at their
engagement picture. His aunt had always said it was her favorite picture of
them, and he could see why. It was a candid shot, caught one afternoon on the
seawall down in Galveston. His mother was laughing and his father was gazing
down at her with an expression that was filled with joy. Rick sighed and walked
back out to the balcony. He’d thought he’d found that kind of love with
Kylie, but he had been sadly mistaken. From now on, he was going to focus on
building a new life and a new career, not on love.
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