Her eyes lowered while she played with the wrapper from the straw in her drink, refusing to make eye contact. “Someday I’ll tell you everything, but for right now, let’s just say it was horrible.” Max fought off her emotions, trying not to make a spectacle of herself in a public place. “Our only blessing after that horrible time was knowing he would be in prison for the rest of his life, and that somehow helped us, because we knew he wasn’t getting away with anything. But the real celebration was learning that he’d been killed by an inmate when he bragged about what he’d done to my sister and me.”
“Oh God. That bastard got what he deserved!” Cory got out of his seat and squeezed in next to her in the booth. “I knew you were a strong woman, Max, but now I’m in awe of your courage.” He leaned over and whispered into her ear, “I’m sure it wasn’t an easy time, and trying to forget what happened must have been a struggle, but you made it, and today, you’ve developed into a beautiful human being. I think you’re amazing!” He leaned back and stared at her for a moment. “I can’t tell you what it means to me that you’ve shared this part of your life with me. I can only imagine how hard it was.”
“Thank you for saying that.” She gave him an appreciative smile. The heavy weight in her chest dissipated, and she was glad she’d told him. Not that she thought he’d have second thoughts about her, but because she was able to share it with him—something she’d never done before, and it made her realize he meant more to her than she’d been willing to admit.
Max cleared her throat and told him about the rest of her family. “My sister, Julie, lives here in New York, with her husband, Mike, and their rambunctious nine-year-old girls, who drive my sister crazy. And the only other relatives I have, besides my cousin, John, who is a priest, are the overseers of the convent we lived in after our stepfather’s incarceration: Monsignor Bishop and Reverend Mother Francis Louise, who became my mother, for all intents and purposes.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t become a nun.” Cory returned to his side of the booth and looked at her.
Max laughed. “Funny you should say that. I actually did go through the two-year candidacy, but every time I tried to let go of my past, it came back to haunt me. I bowed out and told the Reverend Mother that my calling was law enforcement. She understood without me even going into a long list of reasons.”
“And your sister’s okay too?” Cory asked.
Max nodded. “She’s very happy.”
Max cut into her chili relleno and took a bite when a mariachi band began to play, a welcomed intrusion after baring her soul.
“I’m curious,” she said, “will you go back to practicing law after your suspension is lifted?”
“I’m ambivalent at the moment, although I plan to keep the title at least until I finish using my new business cards.” He grinned. “Truth be told, I’m really enjoying this PI stuff, but that might be because I’ve met you. I’m a firm believer in fate. If I hadn’t broken up with Lyndsey, if my suspension hadn’t happened, then I wouldn’t have met you.” Now it was Max who was sliding her open hand across the table, and he latched on.
“I wish none of that had happened to you,” she said. “But I am impressed with your acceptance and willingness to do the right thing.”
“My troubles pale by comparison to what you’ve lived through, Max. I’m grateful I only got suspended.”
“What happened to your clients?”
“Once they heard, they bailed, and I don’t blame them one damn bit.”
They walked out of the restaurant hand-in-hand and the close connection Max felt with him was overwhelming. “Want to come back to my apartment?” she asked. If he was shocked by her invitation, he didn’t show it. “I still have some decadent brownies my sister insisted I take home with me from the pasta dinner the other night. I don’t want to eat them all by myself.” His mouth broadened into a wide smile.
“I thought you’d never ask. Does this mean we’re going to become a couple?” Max didn’t respond. A taxi pulled up in front. Passengers were just getting out to go into the restaurant. Cory and Max got inside, and Max gave the cabbie her address. She sat back and they snuggled close to one another. Max could barely handle the anticipation, and when they stopped in front of her building, Cory paid the tab then exited the vehicle. He walked up the stairs behind her and waited for her to unlock the door to the brownstone.
“Brace yourself. It may be messy.”
“I’ll keep my eyes closed. How does that sound?” Cory didn’t give her a chance to respond because the minute the door closed, he had her in a tight embrace and his lips were devouring her mouth, sending a jolt of undeniable passion through her body. She felt weak in the knees, and all she wanted to do was pull him down onto her bed. He nuzzled her neck and his hot breath sent her senses soaring out of control. Their breathing increased to a pant. When Cory could no longer take it, he stepped back.
“I want you so bad, Max,” he whispered.
“Me too.” Her breathy words came out crystal clear. “Right now.”
He pointed toward the hall. She nodded and he slowly backed her toward the bedroom as they each pulled at one another’s clothing, leaving a trail of garments on the floor. The heat between them intensified. Reaching the room, Cory scooped her naked body up into his arms and gently eased her down onto the bed, kissing every part of her body, starting with her toes. And when he entered her, she begged him never to stop.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“We’re off to the hospital to go through the medical records at Mount Sinai,” Max said when Cory answered her wake-up call. He’d been sleeping so soundly when she’d left, she didn’t have the heart to disturb him. Besides, she liked seeing him in her bed.
“Do you need help?” he asked.
“Thank you for offering, but it’s not allowed. HIPAA will be all over us,” she said, making sure she sounded professional so Riley would not suspect they’d spent the night together. “We’re only allowed to have six months’ worth of records, and only under complete supervision. I hope we find what we’re looking for right away.”
“By the way, you were wonderful, you know that?” Hearing his compliment sent currents of pleasure through her stomach and had her wishing she was lying next to him.
“Thanks. My sentiments exactly.”
“Mmm, you’re welcome,” he said in a dreamy voice. “Am I going to see you tomorrow or will you be sleeping all day?”
“Both,” she said. “By the way, I left a house key for you on the kitchen counter.”
“Thank you for entrusting your apartment to me in your absence. Okay, we’ll discuss tomorrow over dinner tonight—that is, if you’re free and don’t have a hot date with someone else.”
“Oh, I’m as free as a bird. I’ll pencil you in on my calendar,” she teased.
“That’s very kind of you,” he joked right back. “Text me when you’re ready and I’ll meet you outside the precinct.”
“That sounds like a wonderful idea,” she said, noticing Riley was ready. “Listen, I’d better go. We’re ready to rock ’n’ roll over here.”
“Have a great day.”
“You too.” Max sighed and disconnected the call. “Are you ready, hotshot?” Max asked Riley when she turned around.
“Yes, I am.”
After finding the appropriate floor, Max and Riley exited the elevator and followed the signs to the administrator’s office. Stopping at the secretary’s desk, Max identified who they were and held up her badge. “We’re here to review the hospital’s medical records.” Hearing a voice from behind, Max turned.
“I’m Valerie Morrison, the hospital administrator, and I haven’t received a call from my legal department giving me the okay yet, ” she said. Her secretary called out to her. She excused herself and picked up the receiver. Max heard her chastise whoever was on the other end of the phone for not letting her know. As soon as she disconnected, she dialed another number. Minutes later, she was on her way over to
Max and Riley.
“Okay, Detectives. That call was from our legal department. I guess it’s better late than never.” She gave a slight nod and turned to the young woman. “Margaret, please escort these detectives to our conference room.” Turning to Max, she continued. “The files are currently being transferred to the room.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Morrison,” Max said. “It’s nice to have your cooperation.” The pair followed Margaret to the elevator.
When they reached the room, the files were already on the table when Margaret unlocked the door. The room was a normal plain conference room with a long table and chairs around it. Pieces of art hung on the wall.
“As you can see, you have plenty to check, but allow me to give you a few pointers. The year any incident occurred is marked on the outside of the file folders. Then,” she said, pointing to the front of the file boxes, “the alphabetical markers are in the front.”
“Do you have an inventory of all the files?” Max asked.
“As a matter of fact, we do,” she said. “Why don’t you get set up while I return to the records room and make a copy of the complete list of our files.” Margaret left the room.
“Why don’t we split these files in half, Riley.”
“That’s fine.”
Ten minutes later, Margaret returned to the room. “Here’s the list. As you can see,” she said, running her finger down the line items, “it’s broken down by month, the name of the complainant, and the category in which their complaint belongs.”
“Great! That really makes this task easier.”
“Happy hunting,” Margaret said, pulling out a business card. “Here’s my card with my direct contact number in case you need to get in touch with me.” Margaret reached out and handed a spiral wrist keychain bracelet to Max that had the room key on the end. “Take this in case you need to leave the room, but please remember to call me when you’re finished for the day so I can pick it up and return the files to their proper place.”
“Of course. Thank you. I won’t forget.”
As soon as the door closed, Max noticed Riley staring at the long row of boxes they were about to dig into. She grinned when she heard him sigh.
“Oh boy! This job is going to take a lot of caffeine,” he said.
“So who wants to go for coffee?” Max asked Riley.
“Nicely played, Max.”
“Well, I was giving you an option. Look at it this way, Riley: trudging down to the cafeteria gives you another half hour of freedom before you have to tackle the files. How’s that?” When Riley didn’t move, she prodded. “Should I give you more time to talk yourself into it?”
Riley groaned. “Point taken, Max. Tell me what you want.”
“I’ll take a large black coffee.”
“Do you want anything else?” Riley asked.
Max had a good answer for that, but vocalizing it might have Riley blushing. “That’s it. Thanks, Riley,” she said as he walked out the door.
Max checked the boxes and leafed through the files until Riley returned about twenty minutes later with the coffee. “My God, we have a whole lot of work ahead of us today,” she said.
“Okay, so tell me specifically what we’re looking for.”
“Anything having to do with patient complaints, medical malpractice, unresolved issues, and specifically those where Barrett was involved. For now, we’ll just pile the Barrett files up on this table to review them together.”
After three hours of bending over and checking the files, they each stopped at the same time. Max stretched her arms over her head and yawned, wishing their search was finished and they could move on to the next thing. “How freakin’ boring is this?”
“Yeah, I have to agree with you on that one,” Riley said.
“Judging from the pace so far,” Max said, “we’re never going to get these files reviewed by end of day.”
Riley made a face. “And I’m not giving up my weekend off. I promised the kids I’d spend the entire weekend with them doing whatever they wanted.”
“We’re not,” Max confirmed. “I’ve already put in a request for someone to finish what we started. Wallace was in agreement. We’ll be taking off.”
Riley blew out a breath. “If we work tomorrow, this would be the third weekend.”
“I know. We need to clear our heads.”
“Hear, hear!” Riley exclaimed. “That being said, I could really use a lunch break. How about we go down to the cafeteria for coffee and something to eat,” he suggested.
Max chuckled. “I’m not crazy about the shuffling through boxes either.
Riley blew out a breath. “Amen.”
She pointed to the closed door and nodded. “Let’s go eat.”
The pair exited the elevator on the ground level and followed the signs for the cafeteria.
Walking inside, Riley got in line with the throng of medical staff who were waiting in the grilled-foods line, while Max headed for the salad bar, filling her bowl with all her favorites. Reaching the condiments section, she removed two small containers and filled them with salad dressing. On her way to check out, she noticed Riley had a lot of food on his tray, and was surprised when he stopped at the soft-serve station to fill a bowl to the brim with frozen yogurt. She paid for her food, walked out into the dining room, and was looking for an empty table when she heard a familiar voice behind her.
“Detective Turner?”
She turned to face Jeffrey Barrett.
“Investigating. How are you, Dr. Barrett?”
“I’m getting better every day. What are you investigating?”
“Now, you know I can’t tell you that. It’s nice to see you.”
“I don’t want to bug you, Detective, but you’ll let me know if you have anything to report, right?” he said sharply. Max just smiled and nodded slightly.
Riley was frowning when he approached the table, having noticed Barrett walking away. He gave Max a questioning look. “He wanted to know why we were here,” she said, popping the lid off the small container of salad dressing that she poured over the leaves. “I asked how he was doing, and—”
Riley interrupted. “Wait. Let me guess. He wanted assurance that you’d contact him if you had anything to report.”
“Exactly.”
Riley chewed on a french fry. “When is the team serving the other warrants?” he asked.
“Monday morning.” They made small talk until they finished their lunches. Then Max released a sigh. “Sadly, lunch break is over.”
“Yeah, I know. It’s back to the salt mines.”
Back in the room, Max eyed the pile of tagged files. Sitting down, she opened the first file. “Okay, it looks like this patient’s family sued Barrett for malpractice because he prescribed the wrong medication and the patient had a stroke. The suit was settled in the plaintiff’s favor.” Placing the file aside, she opened the next one. “Here’s another malpractice,” she said as her eyes scanned the information, “and it looks like the plaintiff lost.” She pushed the folder over to Riley. “Let’s get a copy of all the proceedings from this case, contact the attorneys of record, and see what we can find out. The plaintiff’s name is Mifflin, and he claims he was not notified about the side effects of a procedure and now has issues with blurred vision. It says the court ruled in favor of the defendant.”
Scanning the file, Riley remarked, “I’m surprised the court allowed the case to even go to trial. With the kind of malpractice doctors face today, they have all their patients sign their lives away before any surgery.” He read down a little further. “Yep,” he said, “that’s exactly what happened. The guy had forgotten he signed the papers and lost his case, nor did he read the fine print. That’s too bad,” Riley said. “I really can’t wait to see what we find when we do the searches on Stansbury and Barrett. I think we’re going to open a huge can of worms.”
“Yeah,” Max said, “bring on the worms. I’ve asked to have four teams serve those warrants simultaneously before
either of them has time to hide anything.”
Checking the time, Max looked at Riley. “Shall we call it a day?”
“I love the sound of that song. Let’s call Margaret and let’s get out of here.”
Parking the car in the underground garage, Riley cut the engine and turned to Max. “I feel like a kid excited the school year is over.”
“Me too,” Max said. “Now, get out of here,” she told him. He saluted and rushed down the street to the subway. Before walking into Wallace’s office, Max texted Cory.
Max was happy to see Cory standing next to his car with the door open for her when she exited the precinct. She rushed over and kissed him. “You’re a sight for sore eyes, Cory Rossini,” she said.
“Right back atcha.” He backed out of the space and gradually eased into the traffic. “You look exhausted.”
“I am.”
“Well, I’ve planned a very quiet evening tonight.”
“Oh good, because the last thing I want to do is to see anyone other than you.”
“Well, then this should work out well.” She gave him a curious look. “Dinner is waiting at your apartment.”
“Who did you order from?” she asked.
“You’ll see.”
“Ooh, that sounds exciting.”
He laughed. “Now put your head back and rest.”
It seemed like only a few minutes had passed when Max felt a hand shaking her. She blinked her eyes open and stretched her hands over her head. “I guess I snoozed.”
“You needed it.”
Mounting the steps, Max unlocked the front door and inhaled the smell of Italian food. “Is it my apartment that smells so good?”
“I believe it is,” he said as they both entered the kitchen. A red tablecloth was draped over the table, with a candle in the center dividing the place settings where two glasses of wine waited for them.
Max glanced around the room, surprised by the sight. “You know how to cook?”
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