“Sir, Mr. Montgomery needs to rest,” the nurse advised.
“Sure,” Maxwell responded, squinting his eyelids to regain his focus. He turned to see tears streak down the side of his father’s face. Maxwell pondered the moment. A man he’d never seen cry before, and today there it was. Without thinking about it, Maxwell rested his hand on top of his father’s. Paul Sr.’s eyelids parted halfway. He gazed up at Maxwell.
“I’ll see you soon,” Maxwell said squeezing his father’s hand. He didn’t know how to bridge the valley of distance. How could they fill in all the missing years and create a father-son relationship where one hadn’t existed? He didn’t know. The gnawing ache crawling around in his belly, and the clarity he now saw his father with, infused him to consider the possibilities.
Chapter 50
It was early afternoon by the time Maxwell left the hospital and steered his car into his private parking stall at the office. Over the past three days in Delaware, his thoughts had weaved in and out, up and down. Maxwell considered his father’s heart attack and the expression on his mother’s face when she saw him at the hospital. Christine’s words echoed in Maxwell’s mind with an annoying frequency. “It’s a shame it took a life and death crisis to get us all in the same city.”
The distance between Philadelphia and his past no longer felt like thousands of miles apart. The ding of the elevator, when Maxwell reached his office floor, flipped a switch in his mind. He stepped out of the elevator and headed toward his office. His energy, passion, and drive were rejuvenated just by entering his corner of the world.
“Mr. Montgomery, you’re back,” the receptionist announced, standing.
“Yes, and I need to get caught up quickly. Hold any calls for the next couple of hours,” he directed never breaking his stride. He passed her and around the corner Sonya was in his sights.
“Good, you’re back. I’ve got a list of questions about the Greater Metropolitan civil suit and some mail you need to see right away.”
Sonya moved and talked at Maxwell’s speed. She was the only paralegal who worked at his pace, able to anticipate his needs, and knew his priorities. He’d gone through plenty before hiring her. Maxwell forged into his office with Sonya on his heels. “Have a seat and let’s get right to it,” he told her, tossing his leather briefcase to the side and claiming his high-back chair. “Bring me up to speed.”
Sonya spent forty-five minutes briefing Maxwell on everything that had taken place in his absence and gave a thorough update on the Greater Metropolitan case. She handed him a blue stack of small papers. “Here are your messages. They’re sorted by priority. The first eight will need your attention ASAP. By the way, the temp told me about the personal emergency you had the other day. Is everything okay?”
Maxwell glanced up at Sonya then back at the messages, continuing to sift through them. “Ah, yeah, I think things will be okay. I’ll just have to wait and see.” Maxwell kept sifting through the papers. “Anything else I need to know about?”
“Yes, one more thing.” Sonya pushed a pile of mail bound by a thick rubber band across Maxwell’s desk.
Just as he picked up the bundle, Sonya announced, “You might want to read this one right away.” She held a single white envelope in her hand. “It’s a letter from Deacon Steve Burton at Greater Metropolitan.” Sonya stretched her arm across the desk almost shoving the envelope at him.
His gaze swept over the name on the envelope; then he placed it next to the other mail. “Okay, I guess we’re done for now. I may need you to take some notes later.”
“You’re not going to read it?”
“I’ll get to it later.” Maxwell riffled through the other pieces of mail.
“Deacon Burton keeps calling, and you know he dropped by the office before you left town. It seems like he really needs to speak with you.”
“Okay, okay. I’ve got to get caught up first.” Maxwell handed Sonya a piece of paper from his briefcase. “Can you check on the case law surrounding these charges and the precedents for monetary awards?”
“Sure,” Sonya answered getting up to leave. She had to calm herself and be realistic. He’d been out of the office and needed to get his head around things. He’d read the letter, commit to helping her uncle, and then she could continue working for this man. Her patience was nearly depleted.
She’d kept busy, but time seemed to inch by, while she struggled not to bolt into her boss’s office and ask, “Did you read Deacon Burton’s letter yet?” Hours had passed and Sonya couldn’t wait any longer. She needed to know and only Maxwell Montgomery could satisfy the aching curiosity slithering through her body. With a manila folder in hand, she rapped on his office door.
“Come on in,” she heard.
Sonya entered Maxwell’s office hopeful and with a pleasant countenance. “I have the case law and information you asked for earlier.”
“Thanks; just put it on top of the pile.”
As she did so, Sonya scanned the desk for her uncle’s letter. It wasn’t in view. “So, did you find out what Deacon Burton wanted?”
“Ah no, not yet.” Maxwell didn’t take his eyes off the document he was working on.
“He might be trying to tell you something about the case. I mean, you never know.” Sonya fidgeted with the bangle bracelet on her wrist as she stood with her hands behind her back.
Maxwell stopped writing instantly. “That’s a thought,” he said glancing up at Sonya. He pulled the letter from his desk drawer and ripped into it. Sonya watched his head move from line to line. Halfway through the letter Maxwell sounded off with a loud grunt. Sonya anxiously waited as her palms sweated.
Maxwell read the last few lines and folded the letter. She was stunned when he stuffed it in the envelope and dropped it into the trashcan beside his desk. He looked up at Sonya. “More of the same; he wants my help to get out of this jam he’s in.”
“Didn’t you promise to help him?” Sonya’s hands fell to her side.
“Why would I? He’s not my client.”
“He’s been trying to reach you for weeks now. He seems to think you promised him your help, and apparently he needs it.” Sonya folded her bottom lip in and filled her lungs with a deep breath. She turned away from him, marching toward the door.
Maxwell’s words pierced her like a dagger. “Why are you so concerned? He’s just another criminal. He’ll have to pay the cost for his sins just like the rest of the bunch.”
Sonya spun around abruptly almost losing her balance. “My uncle is not a criminal.” The retort flew out of her mouth with no filter.
Maxwell fell back into his chair. “Your uncle?”
“Yes, my uncle. When he told me about his suspicions at Greater Metropolitan, I told him to call you. I believed you would get to the bottom of things, and he could trust you. I had a lot of respect for you. I saw you as a man of integrity. I thought you genuinely cared about the truth. Now I—”
“Sonya, what in the world are you rambling about? I had no idea he was your uncle. Another little something you weren’t completely honest about,” he said pressing his thumb and index finger into his temples with eyelids shut tightly. “And, I don’t care who he is, guilty is guilty. That’s what I do: uncover the corrupt actions of snakes lying beneath the surface.” He stared at her harshly. “Don’t blame me because your uncle got swept up in the net when arrests were made.”
“You promised to help my uncle avoid criminal charges if he told you what he knew. He helped you build a case against the bishop and the other people. You didn’t have a case before he got involved,” she snarled. “Now thanks to you, my uncle was arrested for something he didn’t do.” She stepped closer to Maxwell’s desk. “He and my aunt had to get a second mortgage on their house to bond him out of jail.” Her nostrils were flaring in and out to the rhythm of her heartbeat. “This is crazy, and it’s just wrong.”
“Young or old, the guilty parties have to suffer the consequences of their actions. I didn’t make ou
t the arrest warrants. If he’s in jail then the authorities must feel he deserves to be there.”
“That’s just it; he doesn’t deserve to be there.” Sonya snapped back with her head wobbling. “You make me sick standing there in your tailor-made suit. I can’t believe I admired or respected you,” she told him with a creased brow and narrowed eyelids. “What was it you said in one of those ridiculous interviews of yours? ‘Work together to restore the integrity of the community and the church.’ Yeah, right. That’s what my uncle was trying to do and look where it got him.” Sonya turned around in a full circle, taking in a panoramic view of his fancy office, and pointed her finger at Maxwell. “I see how you got to where you are, railroading innocent people into prison.”
Maxwell leaned forward, pressing his palms hard into the top of his desk. “Just who do you think you’re talking to? Obviously, I should have fired you when I found out you didn’t tell me about your membership at Greater Metropolitan. You can believe—”
This time it was Sonya’s strong voice taking charge. “Oh, you don’t have to worry about it. Unlike you, I have a life and family outside this place. My family means more to me than this job.” Sonya shoved her hand down into her skirt pocket and yanked out her office keys. She flung them onto Maxwell’s desk. “You can have this job. My loyalty and integrity aren’t for sale.” Shaking her head, she said, “I feel sorry for you. Your life is defined by what you do for a living. You don’t have any family or friends who want to have anything to do with you. That’s why all you have is your relentless and heartless attack on churches.” Stabbing the air with her forefinger, Sonya shouted, “My uncle isn’t guilty of anything but the poor judgment of trusting you.” She bolted from Maxwell’s office leaving his door standing wide open.
Maxwell scooped up Sonya’s keys and tossed them into the air. Then he pulled out his desk drawer and threw them inside, slamming the drawer shut. Mechanically, he moved to the door, closed it, released a frustrated breath that filled his cheeks, and then counted to ten in his head. He trekked to the trashcan and fished out Deacon Burton’s letter, rereading it. Now standing at the window, Maxwell stared off into the distance not really pinpointing anything with the letter crumpled up in his hand.
Had he done the right thing by not helping Deacon Burton? Was he just an innocent bystander who was caught in the crossfire of corruption around him? Maxwell thought about his parents, their innocence, and the price he and his family paid for his father’s efforts to do the right thing. He unrumpled the letter and ripped it into small pieces tossing them into the air. The pieces of paper lay scattered on the floor about his feet. Deacon Burton would have to pay the cost. He would get no more mercy than Maxwell’s father had received. The decision was made and there was no turning back as long as Maxwell had anything to do with it. He’d had the last say thus far . . . or was God about to show His hand? Only time would tell.
Readers’ Group Guide Questions
Makes you go “hmmm!”
Now that you have read Relentless, consider the following discussion questions.
1. As head of Greater Metropolitan, was Bishop Jones rightfully or wrongly charged? Were any, all, or none of the charges appropriate?
2. Is Maxwell justified in wanting Bishop Jones to be held accountable for wrongdoings in the church?
3. Maxwell seems to be softening regarding his family. Do you think he will forgive his parents and fully reconcile? Is this important? If so, why?
4. Will Nicole really give up on Maxwell and move on?
5. Sonya seems pretty mad. Since she’s been exposed to unlimited amounts of confidential information in Attorney Montgomery’s firm, do you think she’ll use any of it to get even?
6. The phrases “what goes around comes around” and “you reap what you sow” are typically used when a person is perceived to deserve a setback. Do you see the current set of events as Bishop Jones’s past catching up with him? If so, why? If no, why not?
7. Was Deacon Burton misguided in taking his suspicions about Bishop Jones and Minister Simmons to Maxwell? Why? If yes, what should he have done instead?
8. Paul Montgomery Sr. was a seasoned Christian. How did he end up convicted of a crime he didn’t intentionally commit?
9. Forgiveness is a key element in our Christian walk with the Lord. Maxwell’s father allowed many years and old issues to keep them estranged. Does this affect your opinion of his Christianity or is it just his humanity?
10. What similarities do you see between Maxwell Montgomery and the Apostle Paul?
11. How does a church survive the type of crippling scandal Greater Metropolitan was faced with?
12. What impact does this type of scandal have on the communities’ view of church and organized religion as a whole?
13. Bishop Jones entertained the thought of partnering with Simmons and his drug scheme because he needed money for his church expansion project. Though he decided that wasn’t the right thing to do, how do you feel about his considering the possibility?
14. Maxwell refused to believe that Jones was innocent of any of the charges against him. Even when Jill was insistent that the bishop did not sexually harass or assault her, Maxwell refused to believe her. Did Maxwell take any shortcuts or skirt too close to illegal activity when gathering evidence against the bishop? Is it okay to bring someone to justice by any means necessary even if it’s illegal and/or immoral?
15. If all the charges were true about Bishop Jones (they’re not but for discussion purposes let’s say they are), should Bishop Jones’s wife stand by him? Why or why not?
Note: The Redeemed drama series is loosely based on the biblical leader Apostle Paul. Originally named Saul, he was known as someone committed to persecuting the church. It seemed that would be his legacy, but God had other plans for him. Saul had an encounter with God on the road to Damascus and his philosophy converted, and he became a faithful believer. His name was changed to Paul and he repented. He spent the rest of his life preaching the good news of salvation and deliverance, through the acceptance of Jesus Christ, to a list of struggling churches (New Testament).
Acknowledgments
We are grateful for each reader who has graciously allowed us to entertain them with our new Redeemed series, beginning with Relentless.
We must thank Joylynn Ross for taking on this project with us. We couldn’t ask for a more supportive, insightful, and inspiring editor. Many blessings to our dear sister as God continues to use her literary gifts in many ways. We also have to thank our agent, Andrew Stuart, who goes the extra step to do all that he can on our behalf. You’ve made the business aspect easy. We give a big shout out to the Urban Christian production team, especially to Smiley Guirand who designs great covers. Finally we give a huge thanks to Emma Houston Foots for the encouragement and amazing editorial feedback she provided on this manuscript. Blessings to you always.
From Patricia
I will also thank my family, daughter, parents, brothers, friends, advanced readers, spiritual parents, church family, prayer warriors, Delta Sigma Theta sorority sisters, booksellers, book clubs, and so many other well-wishers. I especially thank my dearest husband, Jeffrey Glass, the man who keeps me laughing, inspired, and reminded of how truly blessed I am. I am grateful and honored to do this project with Gracie Hill, my high school friend and sister in Christ. To God be the glory in my life as I fulfill the purpose for which He created me.
From Gracie
I thank God for all of His rich blessings unto me. I also thank my family, friends and my loyal readers who have supported and encouraged me with each book that I released. I am so appreciative of my loving church family, Promise of Life Ministries; you are a blessing in my life. I thank God for Patricia Haley-Glass for including me in this awesome literary journey.
Authors’ Note
Dear Readers:
Thank you for reading Relentless. We hope you were entertained by this first installment in the Redeemed Faith-Based Drama Series. Look
for Redeemed, the second book in this saga.
We look forward to you joining our mailing lists, dropping us a note, or posting a message on our Web site. You can also find each of us on Facebook at Patricia Haley-Glass and Gracie Hill.
As always, thank you for the support. Keep reading, and be blessed.
www.graciehill.com
www.patriciahaley.com
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