That's Not My Baby

by Erosa Knowles

  “The notes were sent first, just to scare her into considering an abortion. Then she disappeared and we thought the threats worked.”

  Max realized that was the time he placed her in a safe house from Vincente.

  “When she returned home, we received word she still carried the child, and sent in someone to rough her up a bit. Not to kill her,” he stressed and Max wanted to hit him.

  “Rough up a pregnant woman? Are you serious? What if I roughed up your wife while she was five months pregnant? You didn’t think it could kill her, you stupid asshole,” Max yelled, his fists opened and closed tight.

  Major Wilson eyes shuttered. “You’re right, I didn’t think clearly. I don’t know who shot at her, but that wasn’t me.”

  “Why not let it go? Why send them after her on the road? She could’ve been killed.”

  “I assumed a neighbor or friend would pick her up and take her home.”

  “That’s beside the damn point,” Max said growing aggravated. “Why did you send them to take her? What did you plan to do with her?”

  He looked at Max and then dropped his gaze. “Convince her I suppose.”

  Max stood quickly, knocking the chair over, without thinking he slammed his fist into the man’s jaw. “You bastard. You’re a disgrace to the uniform. How can you think of harming a defenseless woman? Where’s the honor in that?” He backhanded the man. Blood trickled from his lip.

  Murderous intent thrummed through Max’s veins. He took a few steps back or he would kill an unarmed man. There were other ways to destroy a man’s future. Max decided right then that Jerry Wilson’s career was done.

  “What changed?” Max asked when he pulled himself together. “One of the men talked first before they died. The assignment was to kill everyone in the house. Was it because you learned Adele had help? Is that why those men died without honor?”

  Major Wilson’s eyes closed and his chin hit his chest. “That’s not… it wasn’t supposed to happen that way. We just… she should’ve just…”

  Max straightened. “Just what? Aborted her child for your convenience? So the world won’t know Chip cheated on his wife? Don’t be an ass. Your father knew all along because Viola told him of the agreement she and Chip had.”

  The Major’s head snapped up. “What are you talking about?”

  Max told him what he knew about Chip and Viola’s agreement.

  “If he told you that, he’s lying. He refused her, humiliated her to the point she almost killed herself. She wants him but he hasn’t wanted her since they were married. If anyone should take a lover, Vi should.”

  Max’s brow rose. “I agree. Since they both have lovers, what’s the problem?”

  “Vi didn’t bring home a kid. No one knows, that’s the difference,” he yelled.

  “Give me the name of the man who hit Adele,” Max said not wanting to be derailed by Chip’s family drama. These people didn’t think rationally.

  “Adolpho Grant took the call.”

  Max would give Sergei the man’s name to slake his guilty thirst for vengeance. “After the call from your sister, what did you do? Who’s going after her now?”

  “I placed another call to Grant. He said he’d take care of it.”

  Max shook his head.

  The door opened and Chip walked in. Major Wilson’s eyes widened and then narrowed. “None of this would have happened if you’d kept your pants zipped. This is all your fault.”

  “Fuck you asshole.” He turned to Max. “Adolpho’s name is on the list for the pins.”

  Max dug into his pocket, pulled out the pin and shoved it beneath the Major’s line of vision. “Have you seen this before?”

  “No. I don’t think so.” He stared at the pin. “Looks familiar but I can’t be too sure. Why?” He stared at Max.

  “No reason.” He returned it to his pocket and looked at Chip. “I got what I came for, what about you?”

  Chip waved and turned away. Max imagined his friend tried to deal with the announcement of his wife’s sex life all these years, while refusing him. “Major, because your word is worthless, I have a little something for you. Watch this. By the way, I lied, Southern isn’t dead.”

  Detective Vargas sat at a table with three other officers, and a prisoner who spoke. “State your name for the record.”

  “My name is Ronnie Southern. Major Jerry Wilson contacted my partner, my friend, Franks to carry out a job…”

  Wide-eyed, the Major listened as a bruised Southern told the story of being used by the Major. Max checked the restraints, took a picture and left the room. The Feds would be arriving shortly and that information would be viral by tonight.

  Chapter 27.

  Adele lay next to Sergei, listening to his breathing. How long did it take for the sedative to kick in? It knocked her out in minutes when they gave it to her in the hospital. With him it was hard to tell, the man heard everything and woke at the sound of birds chirping or crickets singing.

  The ticks from the clock marked wasted time. Maria waited nearby to take her away. If she didn’t get out of here, she’d scream. Sergei didn’t push for answers, but his silence was worse. The man would accept her decision but she didn’t know what that would be. Not yet. After Jose, Adele knew what loving a man did to her insides and the only thing she felt with Sergei was safe. The man had a hot body and was great in bed, but that wasn’t enough. Not for what he wanted.

  Inch by inch, she moved to the side of the bed, intent on leaving while Skinny was in the shower and Sergei slept. Heart racing, she sat on the side of the bed and glanced over her shoulder. Good, still asleep. Adele stood and slipped on her jeans, top and sneakers. She opened the nightstand drawer, grabbed her watch, phone and purse. Bless Charlene’s heart, she stuffed a small toiletry bag in the drawer. Adele took it and headed toward the door.

  She stopped and listened.

  Skinny was in the shower. She needed to leave now or Maria would leave the meeting place. Adele walked carefully to the security panel and turned off the alarms, thankful Max had shown her the other day when she complained about being a prisoner. Sergei explained his system as well, allowing her to disable the cameras and alarms.

  Leaving through the back door, she ran through the woods until she came to the road and saw Maria’s car. Excited and overwhelmed with gratitude, she made her way to the vehicle and tapped on the window. Maria turned and smiled. Opening the door, she hugged Adele and helped her into the back seat.

  They took off down the road. Adele leaned back against the headrest and closed her eyes. She had so much to think about. Chip wanted their child, never in a million years had she expected that, hoped, yes, but she knew how the military worked. He’d lose everything. And Sergei, silent, strong, deadly, he wanted to protect her, to keep her safe but he didn’t love her. Or maybe he was incapable of love, she didn’t know. But she needed to get someplace and clear her head. Maria offered her a place to do that.

  “Thanks, Maria. I appreciate this. I just need some time to think, to make a decision about what I want to do next.”

  “No worries, Chica. I’ve got you.”

  Adele smiled as smooth jazz flowed from the radio. Her thoughts drifted to the last time she and Chip were together. Hearing him deny her child cut like a knife, especially when she knew it had to be him. Could they get past this? What about his wife? His career? She didn’t have all the answers, not yet.

  “Wake up, Chica, we are here.” Maria opened her door and got out the car. “Come you can rest and we will talk of all your plans. No one will find you here.”

  Adele closed the door and followed Maria through the garage around to the front of the house. “This is nice, I didn’t know you had another house.” There were no other homes that she could see. The house sat a good distance from the road and would be impossible to see unless looking for it.

  Maria looked at her. “You have been here before.”

  Adele frowned as she looked around. “No, I’ve never s
een this place. Did you just buy it?”

  “No. Vincente owned this land. I discovered it after he disappeared.” She watched Adele as they headed toward the front door.

  “He did?” Adele looked around the well landscaped yard. “I didn’t know that. How long did he have it?”

  “Come on, you were his friend, close friend. He never told you about this place?”

  Adele started at the hard tone. “No. Never. Why? Is something wrong?”

  Maria stopped and turned. “Seriously… you have never been here?”

  Adele frowned. “No. I’ve never been here, Vince never told me he had a place other than the house in Raleigh.” They entered the foyer and turned right.

  “Please have a seat, I will get you something to drink, you are tired,” Maria said pointing to a large comfortable looking sofa in the living area.

  Exhausted, Adele slipped off her shoes and sat on the chair while looking around. Whoever decorated this place did a great job playing with neutral colors. The overall effect was soothing. She stretched out and lay her head on the arm rest.

  “Here, drink this.” She handed Adele a bottle of water.

  Thirsty, she sat up and gulped down the cool liquid. “Thanks, I didn’t realize how parched I was.” She yawned. Tired, her eyelids heavy, she fought to stay awake. There were things she wanted to discuss with her friend. Decisions she needed to make. Fading, she yawned again.

  “Hello Adele, miss, me?”

  Ice traveled down her spine at the sound of the voice she never expected to hear again. Slowly she turned and looked into his dark, mocking eyes and fainted.

  Chapter 28

  “Here it is, the information I found on Adolpho Grant,” Brock handed Max a file and took a seat opposite him at the dining room table. They had made good time on the return trip. Tamara and Kevin had left for the day. Max set up operations in his home.

  “Served twenty years, honorable discharge…” Max read the information but didn’t see anything that could help them. He looked at Brock. “What am I missing? You found something I don’t see.”

  “Read his personal bio, where he’s from, his family.”

  Max flipped the page and read. “Robert Grant why does that name sound familiar?” he looked at Brock.

  “Because Bobby is a common nickname for Robert. A Bobby Grant raped Adele when she was in high school. He’s from the same area Adele grew up.”

  “There’s the connection. What happened to Bobby? Did he serve time?”

  “Yes, he’s still in prison. A repeat offender, can’t keep his hands to himself.”

  “This says Robert is his son. Was this a coincidence or revenge? Not revenge, the rape happened a long time ago. Major Tyler claims he hired Grant for the job. He didn’t target her until then.”

  “Perhaps, it’s not personal, just a job and a coincidence,” Brock said.

  “Got a picture of him anywhere?” Max asked while skimming the rest of the report.

  “Yeah, here.” Brock slid the photo across the table.

  Max looked at the picture. Grant wore BDU’s and looked tired as if he’d just come in from an assignment and someone took this photo. He didn’t look familiar. “Send this picture and all the information we have on him to Sergei. He’s got first shot at tracking the man down.”

  “Will do.” Brock retrieved the photo and slid it into a file.

  The phone beeped. Max looked at the ID and answered. “Crystal?”

  “Chief, you and Brock need to get here to the club, stat. Sergei and the Captain are going at it. Mark and Cody are telling them to take it outside but they’re not listening.”

  “Damn it. Put me on speaker.” He stood and told Brock what was going on.

  “Where’s Adele? Sergei left her alone with Skinny?” Brock asked as they headed out the door.

  “Hell if I know,” Max said.

  “You’re on, Chief,” Crystal said.

  “Stand the fuck down,” Max yelled. “I’ll be there in a few and if I find either of you fucked up my place I will take it out your asses. Now stand down or leave, I don’t give a fuck what either of you do. But you will not disrespect my place of business.” He clicked off, slid into the passenger seat of Brock’s truck and they headed out.

  Max waited for Crystal to call and let him know what happened. When she beeped, he answered on the first ring.

  “They separated, sitting in opposite corners of the club. You should’a seen it, Chief. When you yelled it sounded like you were walking in the building, everybody started looking around. It was sooo funny.”

  Max didn’t laugh. “No fights in the club, I mean that shit.”

  “Yes, Sir. You on your way?”

  “Yeah, we should be there in less than an hour. Neither of those hot-heads get alcohol.”

  “Got-it.” She clicked off.

  Max called Skinny. “Why is Sergei at the club and not watching Adele?” he asked when Skinny answered.

  “She left. Gave him something to put him to sleep, turned off the alarms and everything while I was in the shower. Must’ve been planned. When Sergei woke, he was groggy and then pissed when he realized what happened. He stormed out of here after we realized what she did.”

  “I do not need this shit,” Max growled.

  “I was going to box up the equipment, or do you need me to do something else?”

  Max needed to talk to Chip, Sergei and Brock first. “Stay put until later today. I’ll know what’s going on by then.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Adele ran away.” Max told Brock what he learned.

  “There’s only one person who’d help her, Maria which may not be a bad idea. Might give her the time she needs to think about her next move and decide who she wants in her life.”

  Max agreed. “But she didn’t have to drug him.”

  Brock laughed. “Yeah, she did. He wouldn’t have let her go visit without him.”

  “Hmmm.” Max looked out the window, wondering how to bring all of this to a close. There were just a few loose ends and Adele could return home to have her baby.

  When they pulled into the parking lot of Reclamation, Max wanted the situation over and done. Mark, Charlene’s man, nodded when he and Brock approached.

  “Everything good?” Max asked him.

  “Yeah, they calmed down when you spoke, that’s a good idea, and they weren’t listening to us.”

  Max clapped him on the shoulder and walked inside. Sergei sat across the room alone. Max tilted his head toward the stairs to his office. Sergei looked to Max’s right where Chip sat with Bernard.

  “Chip,” Max said and kept walking to his office. He entered first, then Sergei, followed by Brock and last Chip.

  “Have a seat, gentlemen.” Max sat behind his desk and looked at Sergei. “What happened to Adele?”

  Sergei’s face tightened. “She left. I came here to find clues where she may be.”

  “Have you heard from her?” Max looked at Chip.

  “No. I thought you had her safe somewhere.”

  Max rubbed his forehead. “Sounds like she no longer wanted our hospitality. Chances are she’s staying with Maria a few days. When she left the hospital, that’s where she wanted to go, but it was too dangerous.”

  “The danger has lifted?” Sergei asked.

  “Almost, he placed an order before we arrived.” Max looked at Brock. “Give him the file on Grant.”

  Brock handed Sergei the file.

  “According to the Major, this guy is the same one who attacked her. He hired him to finish the job.”

  “Does this major still live?” Sergei asked in a calm voice as if they were discussing a dinner menu.

  “Physically, yes. By the end of day, he’ll wish he never heard Adele’s name. By the end of the week, he’ll resign his commission,” Max said thinking of the plan to blow the whistle on the Major Wilson.

  “Did he act alone? Is there anyone else other than this man?” He tapped the folder.
>
  “The Admiral and the General, his father and brother, knew about it, but I got the impression the Major handled the job,” Max looked at Brock for verification.

  “So did I. Grant’s been contracted to finish the job. Terminate Adele. We need to find him first,” Brock said handing Chip a folder with the same information he had given Sergei.

  “What about Adele? Aren’t we going to look for her?” Chip asked.

  “Right now she’s safe with Maria, let’s focus on Grant,” Brock said. “With him out of the way, Adele should be able to rest easier.”

  “This major, you trust him to keep his word?” Sergei asked while reading the bio.

  “No. But if he continues, him, his father and his brother will be investigated and could lose their commissions. He is aware of the price he has to pay.”

  “I don’t understand,” Sergei said without looking up from the page he read. “Why was he involved?”

  Max explained Viola and her dysfunctional family.

  “So this is because of you?” Sergei looked at Chip. “The family attacks Adele because she is pregnant with your child. They do not want to shame their daughter and sister.”

  Chip glanced at Sergei but didn’t say anything.

  “Have we heard anything since we sent his picture across the wire? Sweet and Jace make it to his hometown yet?” Max asked.

  Brock looked at his watch. “They should be arriving in another thirty minutes, depending on traffic.”

  “He is somewhere nearby,” Sergei said reading another page in the file.

  “Most likely,” Max said wishing he had more information. His cell beeped. “Yeah?” he answered wondering what Crystal needed now.

  “Jimmie and Greg want to talk to you.”

  “Send them up. Wait, make sure Charlene fix them something to eat, ask them what they want and then send them.”

  Chip and Brock looked at him with interested gazes. “Jimmie and Greg.”

  Brock nodded.

  Chip frowned.

  Max wondered if Chip had seen his wife since she asked him to leave the other night but didn’t want to ask. Asking meant a conversation on their marriage and Max didn’t want to know anything else. Listening to the two of them the other night made him think hard on what he wanted with Tamara. People changed, he understood that, but it seemed as if Viola scammed Chip from the beginning. There had to be signs, something Chip overlooked. If not, how would you ever really know a person?