Redeemed

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Redeemed Page 17

by Patricia Haley


  He stood there, frozen, and watched her dash away. What had just happened? He hadn’t intended to make her angry, but he’d done the right thing, so long as it didn’t cost him their friendship. Watching her flee a second time bothered him. Maybe their friendship wasn’t the only thing he wanted to preserve.

  Chapter 37

  Nicole drove through traffic as tears blurred her vision. She had called James’s office before taking off and had found out that he’d gone home for lunch. Pedestrians and downtown traffic didn’t allow her BMW to go as fast as Nicole wanted. She wiped at her eyelids with the backs of her hands. The things Maxwell had told her couldn’t be true. She just had to get to her fiancé and have him reassure her that it was all a lie, a mistake, something, anything. There was a reason for this error, and they would figure it out together. But the gnawing ache in her gut was stirring up a fear inside her that hung on to every word that had been spoken by the man who wouldn’t commit to her.

  She zoomed into the driveway so fast, the car stopped only two inches from the garage door. Nicole marched up the cobblestone steps to James’s front door, the key still in the car’s ignition and her purse on the passenger seat. She pressed the doorbell repeatedly. Less than thirty seconds later, her knuckles pounded on the door.

  “James. James. I know you’re in there. Open this door.”

  Just as she lifted her hand to pound the door again, it flung open. “What’s wrong?” He peered around the doorway. “What’s going on?”

  Nicole stomped past him. “We need to talk.”

  “How did you know I came home for lunch?” He followed her inside.

  “I called your office, of course.” Nicole stood in the middle of the living room with her hands on her hips and her piercing stare shooting darts at him.

  “You have me worried. What’s wrong?”

  She gasped and then slowly exhaled. “I need to ask you a question. Please, please tell me the truth.”

  “Ask your question, babe. I don’t have anything to hide.” He closed the distance between them and slipped his hands into hers, forcing her hands to fall from her hips.

  “Have you been married before?”

  A couple of silent seconds spoke first. Then he answered, “You know that I haven’t. Why would you ask me that question?” He allowed her hands to slip out of his grip.

  “I don’t want you to lie to me. I need to know that I can trust you. Tell me the truth. I can find out if I have to. So, don’t make me go chasing a lie.” Her bottom lip quivered slightly.

  The psychiatrist, who was usually on the other end of the hard questions, squeezed his eyelids tightly. He hung his head and walked a few feet away from her. He randomly unleashed a fierce right punch into the air. Finally, he faced her, with the truth on his lips. “Yes, I was married, and I have an eight-year-old daughter.”

  “Oh, my God. It’s true.” Her hand flew to her chest. “You have a child?”

  “Wait. Give me a chance to explain before you go off. Let’s sit down and talk about this.” He waved his hand toward the love seat.

  Nicole clenched her fist and pounded it against her leg. “I don’t want to discuss it. Just tell me the truth. You were married? You are married? What?”

  “We’re just going to stand here in the middle of the floor? Please sit down.” He stepped toward her. His eyelids were wide, and his voice was softer.

  Instantly, Nicole moved away from him, closer to the fireplace. “Why did you lie to me?” The corners of her mouth twitched.

  James plopped down onto the arm of the love seat. “What was I supposed to do? You made it very clear that when you got married, it would be to someone who had never been married. You didn’t want to deal with the drama of an ex-wife and past issues that would prevent you from holding that special place in your man’s heart. Do you remember?”

  “And that’s your excuse for lying to me?”

  He lifted his right hand and placed it on his chest. “I’m not making an excuse. I’m telling you the truth.”

  “Huh?”

  “What do you want me to say? I was interested in you. I couldn’t tell you that I’d been married. I thought for sure you wouldn’t want to see me again.”

  “Exactly when did you plan on telling me? After we got married? When your daughter dropped in for a visit?”

  He stood slowly and dragged his hand down his face and pulled at the ends of his mustache. “Why did you have to dig this up? Why does it matter that I was married or have a child? I told you I don’t want kids.”

  “What do you mean? You already have one,” Nicole cried out.

  “Yes, I have a daughter, but her mother keeps her from me. Regrettably, she’s not a part of my life. The woman I married knew I didn’t want children. I believe she got pregnant on purpose. Neither of them has anything to do with us.”

  “The woman you married? You mean your ex-wife? I guess she’s your ex.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  “Don’t make it seem like the assumption is automatic.”

  “Come on, Nicole. My past has nothing to do with us. We have a good thing going. Why ruin it?”

  “Are you kidding? Your past has everything to do with us. I want to marry a man I can trust, one who shares his whole life with me, the good and the bad. I want a man who will protect me and respect my feelings, not hurt me. I don’t have time for a lying fiancé.” She turned her back to him quickly, determined not to shed a tear. She massaged her forehead with the heel of her hand to soothe the headache that had formed above her right eyebrow.

  James went to her. He gently planted his hands on her shoulders. “Babe, please . . .”

  Her rage immediately erupted. She jerked her shoulders from his touch and spun around to challenge him. “Don’t you touch me. I don’t even know you. From the day we met, you’ve been dishonest. How can you have a child and not be a part of her life? What kind of a man does that?” She waved her hand in front of him. “Wow. What a sorry excuse for a man.”

  “I’m still the same man you agreed to marry.”

  She gave a hearty laugh. “No, you’re not. I thought you were honest, genuine, someone I could trust, a man I could raise a family with. I can’t believe I wasted my time dating a stranger that I almost married.”

  “Stranger? Come on, Nicole. I’m the same man you met at Heathrow Airport in London eight months ago. I’m the same man that makes you laugh.” His voice was inviting, and he dared to take a step closer to her.

  “Stop.” Her hand flew up in front of his face. “I don’t want to hear any more of your lies. You obviously don’t know how to be honest,” she yelled as her nostrils flared.

  “Hey, why are you yelling? Calm down. I’ve got neighbors.”

  “And I bet they would love to know that you abuse women.”

  “Are you crazy? I’ve never laid a hand on you.” His cheeks blossomed red as fury claimed him.

  “But you broke your wife’s arm, right?”

  Three wide steps and he was standing in front of her. With almost no distance between them, James growled, “Who told you that? Where did you get that from?” He grabbed her arm hard, demanding answers.

  Nicole screamed, “Let go. You’re hurting me.” Terror gripped her body.

  James recoiled. “I’m s-sorry,” he stuttered. “I’m not that guy.”

  She quivered, though her arms were crossed and her hands were tightly gripping her shoulders. “I don’t know what guy you are.”

  Nicole could feel his breath on her face. His next words sounded like the roar of an angry lion. He was too close. Nicole stumbled backward, almost falling to the floor to escape his towering physique.

  “Get away from me. I’m done with you, whoever you are.” She slid the sparkling, bold diamond engagement ring from her finger and threw it at him. It hit James in the chest. His eyes followed the ring as it landed on the floor and bounced close to a table situated in the expansive room not too far from the front door.

 
; “Nicole, don’t do this. We can work it out.” He stooped to scoop up the ring.

  The wounded fiancée had already begun to make her exit. She stepped briskly to the front door, passing the marble table with the eight-by-ten framed photo of her and James on the beach in Aruba.

  “Nicole, just hear me out,” he pleaded when she reached the front door.

  She didn’t respond. Instead, she planted her feet on the other side of his doorway, making it to freedom. Nicole ran across the yard to her car as James continued calling out to her. She backed out the driveway, her tires squealing, and left tread marks behind on the street.

  James made it to the driveway as she sped away. He ran to the sidewalk, calling after her. “Nicole, Nicole, stop. Don’t do this.”

  Two neighbors stood in their yard and looked on, and another one stopped mowing his lawn to watch the action unfold publicly. James took notice and retreated inside. Secrets had a way of being revealed at the most inopportune time. This was his time.

  Chapter 38

  Maxwell sat in a chair, flipping the pages of a magazine too fast to get a good gander at the images or to read one word. He scanned the lobby while his right foot tapped rapidly against the floor. A man approached him with his hand extended.

  “Mr. Montgomery, good to see you. Follow me. I will assist you in accessing your safety deposit box.”

  He followed the man to the secure area. Maxwell signed his name on the required signature page and then placed his key in one of the many locks. The man inserted his key into the lock just above Maxwell’s. The locked door opened, and the man slid a long steel box out of its dark tunnel. The man excused himself and left his bank patron in the private room with the door closed.

  Maxwell opened the lid on the box, then removed a thick envelope from the inside pocket of his suit jacket. He opened it and ran his thumb across the stack of hundred-dollar bills inside. Then he placed the envelope in the box and started to close the lid. He paused for a few moments. On second thought, he’d just take a quick peek in the box and make sure everything was in order.

  The inquisitive attorney removed the items individually. He started with the new envelope. His last will and testament lay prominently on top. The deed to his house was underneath. He opened the folded document and slid his fingers over the name Tyree Washington. His nephew would own the house free and clear if something were to happen to Maxwell. Tyree’s father was gone, but Uncle Maxwell would always make sure Tyree was taken care of. Next out of the box was a trust fund document, which was also in Tyree’s name. Maintaining a home took money. It wouldn’t make sense to give the young fella a beautiful home if he couldn’t afford the upkeep. A five-hundred-thousand-dollar life insurance policy with only one beneficiary, his cleaning lady, lay before him. Her two children were dead, and there was no one else to take care of her. Maxwell would gladly do it. There were four other documents in the box, and he checked only to be certain they were there. He did not examine them like he did the others. Next, he fished four envelopes of money from the back of the box; they were labeled CHRISTINE, ETHEL, and PAUL SR. After a quick glance into each envelope, he tossed them back into the box, along with the new envelope. He was tempted to scribble the words Deacon Burton’s Family across the new envelope but didn’t. He wouldn’t earmark the cash for anything, in case another situation popped up that required quick, untraceable cash. He hoped there wouldn’t be too many more of those to deal with, but hard-fought wars had casualties. Maxwell gripped the back of his neck with his hand and squeezed hard, forcing the knot of tension to settle down.

  He replaced the other items. With everything back in the safety deposit box, he slid the box back in its dark tunnel. Maxwell shut the little metal door and turned the key, securing the future of those he cared about. His phone chimed with a text message. He slipped his phone from his belt clip. It was Garrett.

  Need to talk. Do you have any time this afternoon?

  Maxwell composed his reply. I’ll call you. Then he sent the text and checked the time on his phone.

  Chapter 39

  Maxwell thought of Nicole and patted his hand against his pant leg. She was probably still angry, but he couldn’t allow that to stop him from checking on her. Hopefully, she would answer his call. He breezed through the bank lobby, paying no attention to the caramel-skinned woman with a model’s looks who slid her shades down the bridge of her nose as he walked past. He didn’t have time for distractions.

  In the bank’s parking lot, he pointed his key fob at his Porsche. He climbed behind the wheel, and with the engine purring and cool air pouring out of the vents, he pushed the call button on his cell phone, hoping to get an answer this time.

  “Nicole King, please.”

  “I’m sorry, sir. Ms. King is not in the office today. May I take a message?”

  He jerked the phone from his ear and peered at it through squinted eyelids.

  “Sir, are you there?”

  “Sorry. Yes I am. She’s not in the office now, or she hasn’t been in the office at all today?”

  “She won’t be in the office today or tomorrow. I would be happy to take a message.”

  “No. No thanks.” He ended the call.

  Nicole wasn’t in the office. That was definitely out of character for her. She lived in her office, just like he did, or at least Nicole used to when they were together.

  Maxell backed out of the parking stall slowly after looking to his left and his right multiple times. He didn’t want any more near collisions, like he’d had in the parking lot at Faith Temple several weeks ago. He gave a command to dial to the hands-free system in his car, expecting his call to go to Nicole’s voice mail. To his surprise, a live voice answered.

  “What do you want, Maxwell?”

  He spun the steering wheel hard to the right and pulled his car to the curb and out of traffic. “Hey. I called your office and found out you’re not going in to work today.”

  “No, I’m not working today. I’m okay, though, or at least I will be.”

  “Nicole, I’m sorry—”

  “I really don’t want to talk about it,” she snapped. “My personal life is no longer your business.”

  “I’m not trying to upset you. I just wanted to check on you.”

  The sincerity in his voice softened her reaction. “I’m sorry about biting your head off. I do believe your concern for me is genuine, unexpected but genuine.”

  “Definitely genuine. I know you’re hurting. If you—”

  “I can’t deal with this right now. I’ve got to go.”

  Dead air on the phone line screamed back at Maxwell. She’d answered the phone, yet there was a heavy cloak of emotion blocking their friendship. He couldn’t let the call end that way. “Dial Nicole King.” Before the voice command was executed, he changed his mind and hit the CANCEL button on the steering wheel. He’d give her some time. A self-sufficient woman like Nicole would be fine. However, the sadness she’d exhibited when they broke up made him a little less sure.

  Maxwell couldn’t sit there forever and lament the past. He had a meeting back at the office with Garrett. On second thought, he wanted a change of scenery. Maxwell made a call to Garrett as he drove toward the office. “Can you meet me at the coffee shop in the lobby of my office building?”

  “Sure. I’ll see you in twenty minutes.”

  The minutes and blocks flew by as Maxwell struggled with Nicole’s situation. He really didn’t have the right to tell her anything about the man she was engaged to marry, or did he? Was she right? Maybe he should have stayed out of her business. Worse yet, what if she passed on this guy too quickly and ended up never getting married? His mind raced to a few decades down the road. What if Nicole blamed him? His initial inclination was to feel badly, but he abandoned the notion. There was already a hefty portion of guilt on his plate. He didn’t need another serving.

  Maxwell parked his car in the stall labeled with his name and went directly inside. He hadn’t eaten lunch, b
ut coffee was what he craved. Sitting in his usual spot, a booth with a window, he faced the door. People walked up and down the sidewalk. Some holding hands, some kissing, and others exhibiting that look that said they knew happiness. His mind fluttered with the past and questions about the future. Suddenly Garrett appeared at the table. Maxwell hadn’t noticed him enter the coffee shop and hadn’t even heard his footsteps.

  “I hope you haven’t been waiting too long. Traffic was thicker than I expected,” Garrett said, still standing.

  Maxwell jerked his head away from the window and gazed up at his investigator. “I’ve only been here a few minutes.”

  Garrett sat down across from him in the booth, eager to jump right into why he wanted to meet. A waitress interrupted before either man could speak. Both of them ordered coffee and nothing else. The waitress returned promptly with their coffee.

  Garrett kicked off the meeting once they were alone. “I’ve got feelers out, and I am hearing crazy noise that might not make you too happy.”

  “What are you talking about?” Maxwell took a sip of his coffee and then dumped in another spoonful of sugar.

  “There’s an article coming out that could be damaging.”

  “Damaging to whom?” Maxwell asked. “Reporters are already breathing down my neck, trying to stir up doubt about Burton’s guilt.”

  “This is worse.” Garrett gulped his coffee. “There’s a reporter who is paying close attention to our investigation of Pastor Harris. He’s coming after you.”

  “Let him. Won’t be the first person.”

  “I’m not so sure that’s the position you want to take. My source tells me the reporter is working on an angle that could tie Greater Metropolitan and Faith Temple together. He believes there is more driving you than just your interest in bringing down corrupt church leaders. He thinks it’s personal, and he’s determined to find out what it is.” Garrett strummed his fingers on the table.

 

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