Chapter 3
*a few hours later*
Howie, Kevin and AJ were sitting in the dining room.
"Calm down, AJ, you're scaring us." Howie said.
AJ got up and paced the room, "I swear, I will never rest until I avenge Brooke's death."
Kevin remarked authoritavely, "AJ, this is something you have to leave up to the law. There's nothing you can do. Besides, you might get yourself in trouble too."
AJ was not convinced, "I don't care, nobody will get away with this."
"Where is he?", they heard a very angry voice from the front door.
"In the kitchen. What's wrong, Nick?" asked Brian, who was sitting in the living room.
Howie, Kevin and AJ looked up to see Nick walking toward them. They stood out to greet him when suddenly, Nick pulled out his fist and hit AJ in the face.
AJ staggered back.
Brian ran into the room and grabbed Nick's arms to subdued him. Kevin went to AJ's aid.
"You bastard!" shouted Nick, "How could you get my wife mixed up in this. Those two cop friends of yours came by and asked her questions like she was a criminal. I can't believe you would actually imply that she was a suspect!"
AJ massaged his throbbing cheek. "I just answered their questions, Nick. They made assumptions on their own. "
Nick was breathing heavily, "Did you know how hard it was to explain to my son why the police came looking for his mom, huh?"
AJ hung his head, "No, I don't. Believe me, I wouldn't want to hurt Nora. You guys are my friends."
Nick pried himself away from Brian's grasp. "Well consider this friendship over." He stormed out of the house.
"Ahhhh! Daddy! Come here! I need you!", AJ heard a little voice cry in the night.
He ran over to Crystal's room to find her siting up in her bed.
"What is it, honey?" he asked as he stroked her hair.
She pointed to the window, "Somebody was at the window. I think he was gonna hurt me."
AJ walked over to look out the window and saw nothing.
"No one's there, honey, you're probably just dreaming."
She paused and replied, "Maybe."
"Ok, now go to sleep. Daddy won't let anybody harm you." He kissed her forehead and closed the lights as he left the room.
