“I don’t believe her and I’ll tell you why. Dillon gave me the keys back to my house. He was so angry when I told him I was dating Mario that he threw the keys on my desk. There is no way Kelly could have stolen them away from him if I had them.”
“Ms. James, even if that is true, Kelly tried to hire an undercover officer to murder you. Do you believe he had a hand in that?”
“I don’t know what he would be capable of doing anymore. But I would like to know how Kelly knew how to inquire about hiring an assassin. Did she look it up on the internet?”
“We have a person of interest who may have helped her in her quest. She won’t rollover on him, and we’re hoping her attorney will get her to talk.”
“Detective, I stayed at my sister’s house the night of the car accident. There was a man in the woods behind her house…”
“Oh yeah, that was the undercover officer. We had to keep any eye on you just in case Kelly’s plans changed or she figured out we were onto her.”
Taylor sighed. “That is a huge relief. Thank you so much for everything, Detective Diego.”
“My job is to serve and protect. I’m glad to have been able to solve two cases with one.”
“Me too! Um, Mario mentioned you wanted to get together one day soon. I would love to have you and your wife over for dinner next weekend if you are free?”
“We’d love to come. Gracias,” he said smiling.
Mario joined them in the hallway. “Hey, what’s wrong? Did it go okay with Kelly?” He asked rubbing her arm gently.
Taylor licked her lips. “Mario, she didn’t put those cameras in the house. Dillon had to do it. He had the opportunity and my neighbors were used to him around my house. Sebastian for some reason, questioned his being there when I wasn’t that night.”
“Taylor, we can’t interrogate an unconscious man. And when he is conscious, he may not remember doing anything. Heck, he might not even know who he is.”
She cocked her head to one side. “What if he does remember and lies about it.”
“Baby, really? Aren’t you grasping for straws?”
She folded her arms tightly across her chest. “Call me a cynic or whatever you like, but I will bet my last dollar Dillon did it.”
“Ms. James, why would you suspect Dillon all of a sudden? You were in his corner believing he was being bullied by Kelly.”
“He played me and Kelly like a cheap guitar. He knew I would suspect Kelly since she was insanely jealous of our friendship and Kelly would overact to him finding out we had slept together.”
“Just to strengthen your theory, about how often was Kelly inside your home, specifically the bedroom and basement?” Detective Diego asked.
“She has been there but not as often as Dillon, and she would not know the layout of the house. My house belonged to my parents. When they moved to the eastside, I purchased it from them.”
Mario slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand. “Damn. He knew every inch of the house because he’d been inside it often as a kid. He would know where to place the cameras where you wouldn’t notice them.”
“Yes, he would,” she answered. “I made changes to the house but not that many; the layout is basically the same.”
“Wow,” Detective Diego said shaking his head. “He is a modern day peeping Tom. Why waste time looking through windows when you can do it from the privacy of a computer screen.”
“What will be the next step, Detective?” Mario asked.
He chuckled. “I have no idea. This is the wackiest case I’ve ever worked. I have a man in a coma that is now a suspect, and his girlfriend behind bars for attempted murder. If you had not been kidnapped, Ms. James, there is a strong possibility you could be dead.”
“Who would have known the fat bastard would be the one to save my life,” she said sarcastically.
Mario hugged her from behind. “Detective, until Stevenson is conscious, there isn’t anything you can do right?”
“Technically, no there isn’t. He has to be conscious to understand the charges being filed against him and aware of his rights to have a lawyer.”
“Unfortunately, his charge will be lesser than Kelly’s. In the meantime, I can take my lady on a much needed vacation. We have the tickets for the cruise, and what a better time to go than now.”
Taylor’s light brown eyes brightened with her smile. “Really—you want to go to the Bahamas now?”
“I will call the travel agent and see if I can exchange the tickets for August to an earlier departure date. With any luck, we can be on the Royal Caribbean Allure in a few days if you’re willing.”
Her arms went around his waist clutching him tight. “I am so willing to do that. I cannot wait to get away from all this for a while.”
Detective Diego gave Mario the thumbs up. “Good luck with your cruise and I will be in touch with developments concerning Mr. Stevenson,” he said as he walked inside the police station.
Mario kissed the top of Taylor’s head. “You have skills. Instead of putting on a power suit every day, you should don a magnifying glass and pipe and become a PI. You pretty much solved the case.”
Taylor looked at him. “I could not have done it without you and Detective Diego. Men don’t normally listen when women speak, but you two listened to me. I am so lucky to have such a forgiving man like you in my life.”
He grinned. “Who says I am forgiving? Once we are on that cruise, you might have to do some freaky things,” he joked.
“Just name it, Papi, and I will do it,” she said teasing him.
“I like it when you call me Papi. Come on, let’s get out of here,” he said sliding his arm around her waist.
Epilogue
Four Months Later
The brisk November air had Taylor pulling the lapels of her coat around her neck to shield the cold. She admired the calligraphy on the sign above the double glass-paned door Sebastian had hung. In a few days, the grand opening of Legal Minds was set to happen, and they were making every effort to impress current and potential clients.
Sebastian folded the stepladder together leaning it against the building. “How do you like it?”
“I love it, Sebastian. You have done an outstanding job remodeling this old building into a modern and efficient place to do business. How can I ever thank you?”
“Ah shucks, this is what I do best. Thanks to you and Mario, I have gained a lot more exposure,” he said gathering up his tools and tarps.
Taylor gushed. “I don’t know what will get more oohs and awes….the detail you put into the outside or the offices you remolded. The reception area is absolutely beautiful, Sebastian. No one would expect this type of elegance for a one-story building with six offices.”
“It does me proud to know how satisfied you and Mario are with my work. Also, I have the best legal counsel representing my company now. I am confident I won’t get ripped off anymore.”
Taylor rubbed her gloved hands together to ward off the cold. “You took a bullet for me. I’m going to make sure you always have the best representation if you ever need it.”
“Let’s put that incident behind us. We’ve survived it and moved on with our lives. Oh, before I forget, my painters should be done with your house in a day or two. Are you sure you want sell it after putting all the extra work into it?”
Taylor nodded. “Yes, I do. Now that Mario and I are married, we selected to live in his house and sell mine. I think it’s for the best.”
“Well, I will miss seeing you every day but you have to do what is best for you.” He tucked the dusty tarps under his arm and picked up the red toolbox. “I will be back to get the ladder in a second, I have a date tonight and don’t want to be late. And you should get inside before you catch a cold.”
Taylor raised her brow questioning him. “Who is your date with tonight?”
“I’ve been keeping it quiet until I was sure we would hit it off. I’ve been seeing a nurse I met when I was in the hospital. If I p
lay my cards right, I could be getting married come next year.”
She hugged Sebastian elated with his news. “I’m so happy for you! I can’t wait to meet her. What is her name?”
“Kelly,” he said with a wide grin on his face.
Taylor dropped her eyebrow. “Say it ain’t so, Sebastian.”
“Nah, I’m kidding; her name is Kathleen. I’m gonna scoot, Taylor. I will see you tomorrow.”
“Have fun tonight and behave,” she laughed going inside the building.
The fresh paint and clean smell of the reception area hit her nose immediately. The high-polished marble floors and warm brown hues on the walls were pleasing to the eyes. The cream-colored modern furniture was stylish and elegant.
Mario was standing by a large oak bookcase talking to Todd Brantley, who chose to work with them instead of retiring as planned. He had convinced a majority of Cartwright & Associates clients to follow him to Legal Minds. It wasn’t hard to do once the FBI named Anderson Cartwright as the person of interest in helping Kelly with getting an assassin.
Taylor waved to both men as she went to her office. The décor of her office reflected her love for African art. She’d moved some of the artifacts from her home to her office since Mario’s home didn’t have enough room for all her belongings.
Mario knocked on the opened door, closing it behind him when he entered. “We did it, Taylor. We are finally ready for business.”
The gleam in her eyes told how happy she was. After months of pure dread, she was happy again—happy with her life and deeply in love with the man of her dreams.
She walked over to where Mario was standing. Fingering the large round Chocolate Diamond engagement and wedding ring, she said, “I could not have done any of this without you. When we asked the captain to marry us on a whim, it was crazy. But, I knew in my heart we were doing the right thing and so far, it has been four months of wedded bliss, and some stress trying to get this office together.”
“It has all been worth it, Taylor. We’ve had four months of being newlyweds and the years to come will be even better as we grow old together.”
“I have to pinch myself to believe it is real. The nightmares are finally behind me.”
“It’s all about new beginnings, baby. With Kelly locked away in a prison facility thousands of miles from us, and Dillon having no memory of anyone; we are free to live our lives; however, we want.”
Taylor moved away from him to pour a glass of water. “If Detective Diego had not witnessed it for himself, I still wouldn’t believe Dillon doesn’t remember anyone. How is he going to function not knowing who he is?”
“The doctor’s aren’t saying he will remain an amnesiac. But, when he regains his memory, I will be sure to remind him of the hell he put you through.”
“Baby, in a way he is being punished. He is sitting in a convalescent home with no memory of his life. He has to re-learn the basics of talking, reading, walking, and using the bathroom; that has to be hard,” she said drinking the water and feeling sad.
“Taylor, he can talk, but he’s choosing not to talk to anyone.”
“That is true.”
“Sweetheart, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. But, I’m going to be honest, I feel bad for him. He was my best friend at one time. It’s like I’ve lost a family member that I will never have a chance to get back.”
He took her in his arms hugging her. “You are too caring and passionate to be angry with him. That is so rare to find in a person these days.”
“I accept we have to share the blame in what we did to each other. I should’ve never let him comfort me, and he should’ve been upfront with me about his feeling.”
“Taylor, I’m not taking his side or anything, but I think he did show you how he felt about you; you just didn’t see it the same.”
“He did and I ignored it on purpose. Anyhow, that is in the past,” she said fingering the tip of his chin. “We have a bright future ahead of us. I was thinking we could maybe try for a baby or two before you’re too old.”
“Hey! What are you trying to say?” He frowned pretending to be upset.
“I am younger and you might not be able to keep up with me in the bedroom.”
Mario tilted her chin upward. “I will never be too old to do that with you. I love you, Taylor.”
She awaited his lips to capture hers saying, “Yo te amo, Mario.”
*****
Dillon sat in a chair staring out the window at the vastness of Lake Michigan. His parents had sent him to a convalescent and rehabilitation center, in Chicago, Illinois for care until he was able to function on his own. He had not spoken a word since opening his eyes four months ago. He could not walk but had limited use of his arms and legs.
The nurse came to check on him. “Mr. Stevenson, do you need anything? Blink once for yes and twice for no,” she said adjusting the blanket on his lap.
He blinked twice and continued to stare out the window.
“All right, if you do need anything, here is your special call button. You remember how to use it right?”
He closed his eyes and opened them once. The nurse patted him on the shoulder and left him alone. He reached inside the pocket of his robe removing a wallet-sized picture. Thumbing the image, he murmured, “I will never forget you Taylor James and I will be back to get you.”
Table of Contents
Blurb
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Epilogue
OBSESSED WITH TAYLOR JAMES Page 27