The Fledge Effect Read Online Free

Song tune that played
before his beautiful bride had taken her walk
down the aisle.
She stopped her feet. “What’s this new
partner like? Is he smart enough to not get you
shot?”
“Well, heh, she graduated top of her
class in college. So I imagine she is smart.”
“ A woman ?” Christine shook her head
in silence.
“Don’t worry. I’m sure she is like ugly or
something. Besides, I love you, and only you.”
“You don’t have to love someone to
want to bone them.”
“In my case, I do. If I don’t love someone, I don’t want to even think about touching
him or her. Okay?”
Christine grinned. “Okay, sweetie. I’m
sorry,” she said, looking away. “I’m just trying
to think of any reason to keep you here.”
He chuckled. “Even being a jealous
wife, huh? I know. But you know me too well to
ever believe I would sink that low as a man.”
She crossed her arms. “Yeah.” She
turned back around, grabbing his hand. She
guided him to their bedroom. “Come on.”
“Sleep? I thought you wanted to spend
more time with me.”
“Well, we will be doing a type of sleeping.”
“Oh.” He thought for a moment. “ Oh !”
He realized what she was hinting at.
He pulled away, remembering his
promise. “Wait! Katie wanted me to read her a
story.”
Christine smiled. “Okay, but be prepared to tell her one. A mouse chewed up all the
books on the bookshelf.”
He followed her pointed finger to the
green, wooden, shelf. Shreds of papers filled
spots where full books were once sitting. “Crap.
Well, maybe she is already asleep.”
He crept up to her agape door. He
pushed it open. Katie sat up in her bed, with
wide eyes. She smiled when she noticed him
coming through.
“You have my favorite book?”
“No, sorry sweetie. But, I can try to tell
it from memory.”
“Okay.”
He sat beside her, leaning back. “Once
upon a time, there were, um, a cow and two
pigs? Then something to do with a princess being forced to eat too hot of porridge while
trapped in a castle. Right?”
“Dad.”
“What?”
“That’s not even close.”
“Then you tell me what it is.”
She propped herself up, holding her
hands together. She began telling the story as
she remembers it. Christine peaked in through
the door, she felt happier to see him spend his
last night with their daughter. She shut the
door, walking away as Katie’s voice faded behind her.
She walked back into the kitchen, sitting at the table. It was covered with late bills
from the hospital, Jack’s phone, and unusable
checks. She sighed, rubbing her throbbing head.
She reconsidered her notions to keep him
home. Maybe this job will be better for all of us, she thought. Maybe .
She turned her back to the pile of papers, looking out to the yard. In the sky, the
moon was full. She laid her eyes on the star next
to it, closing her eyes. “ I wish Katie would get
better soon. If I ever die before her, I would love
to see her healthy once again .”
She knew it was a long shot. But, she
has tried everything. Prayer, medicine, and now
wishing. Anything would suffice in order for her
to feel some level of comfort. She would sell her
soul to the devil, if she knew it would help save
her daughter.
Jack’s phone rang. It read AGENT
JANE BRINKS.
Jane , she thought. Sounds fake.
She answered it. “Hello?”
The other end cracked. “Yes. This is
Agent Brinks. Is Agent Carlson there?”
Jack ran into the kitchen. “Yes he is
here.”
Jack looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “Who is it?”
“Your new partner,” she said, handing
him the phone.
“Hello?” he said, walking into the living
room. “Uh-huh. Okay. Be there in thirty.”
“What?” Christine rubbed her hands on
his back.
“I have to go.”
“Oh,” she said, dropping her eyes to the
ground. “Is Katie asleep?”
“Sound,” he said, kissing her on the
cheek. “I love you. Call me anytime you need
me.”
“My phone is off. Remember?”
“Right. Well, I’m sure if it’s an emergency, the