Blind Retribution

by K. T. Roberts

  “I do. Would you like to meet them?”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t want to bother them.”

  “They won’t mind at all. You’ll get to see the inside that way.” Max hesitated, but he egged her on. “C’mon. They really won’t mind.”

  “Well, if you’re sure.”

  “I am.”

  “What if our order comes while we’re visiting with your neighbors? They won’t be able to find us,” she said with concern.

  “We won’t be that long.” He took her hand and pulled her toward the steps.

  Max clutched her chest, the excitement strumming through her body. “I’ll bet my mother is smiling down from heaven right now, seeing me walk up these steps.” When Cory pulled out a set of keys and shoved one into the lock and opened the door, another gasp escaped her mouth. “You have a key? Are you house sitting?” He shook his head, and her eyes opened wide with shock. “You do not live here.”

  He held his hand up and grinned. “I swear, I do.”

  “Oh my God!” She was suddenly struck with unexpected warmth that rippled through her as she remembered her childhood. Tears welled in her eyes. “I can’t believe it. This was your grandparents’ home?”

  “It was,” he said with a smile.

  “I remember them well. They’d sit on the steps during the summertime with their grandson.” She stopped talking. “Oh my God.” She repeated the words, “with their grandson.” She turned to look at him, and her heart was pounding from the coincidence. “Was that you?”

  “That had to be me. Did the little boy ever hand you a lollipop?” he asked.

  “He did. He gave my sister one too.” Max shook her head. “What a small world! How do you know it was you?”

  “Because my grandparents only had one grandson. C’mon, let’s go inside before we freeze to death.”

  Before Max mounted the steps she stopped to admire the recessed entryway straddled by gothic carvings on pillars that connected to the ornately engraved overhang. Cory smiled at her reaction and reached for her hand to pull her inside.

  “So I’ve known you for a long time,” Max said.

  “So you have.” He chuckled.

  “Okay, moratorium is officially over, we’ve courted way longer than we should have.”

  “I thought that was over a while ago.”

  “Well, not officially, but it is now.” She winked at him.

  “Good, then it behooves us to stop this fooling around and get down to business right away.” He opened the door wide and stopped her with his hand. “Allow me to give you the same disclaimer you gave me. My house looks like a bachelor’s pad. My bed isn’t made.”

  “Who cares? It’s only going to get messed again anyway.”

  He shook his head. “God, I love that mind of yours.”

  Stepping into the foyer, she drew in a deep breath and stared at the long hallway. There was a parlor on the left side and a long winding stairway up to the second floor. The walls were a beige plaster with dark wood framing the openings to the rooms.

  “Let me have your coat,” he said. Max unbuttoned it, and he helped remove it from her shoulders, placing it on the sofa next to them.

  “Cory . . . I’m so excited to be here with you in my fairy-tale house.”

  “I am too,” he said, pulling her into his arms. He teased her by brushing his lips over hers. When they separated, he stepped back and their eyes locked. Emotion snaked through her like an electric current.

  “Make love to me,” she whispered in a breathy voice.

  Cory nodded and scooped her up into his arms and carried her to his bedroom. As he eased her down onto the edge of the bed, they stared into each other’s eyes while they quickly removed their clothing, tossing the pieces onto the floor. Completely naked, she watched his eyes rake over every part of her body.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered and slowly lowered his mouth to her breasts, his tongue gliding over her nipples and sending her over the edge. She quivered as she lay back onto the mattress, trembling with desire as his hand seared a path to the moisture between her legs, his hardness electrifying her as he brushed against her thigh, building her sexual desire beyond anything she’d ever experienced. She begged him to hurry, but he wasn’t in any hurry—not until he tasted every inch of her. Waves of ecstasy throbbed through her as his slow, gentle touch had her surrendering to his seduction, the heat scorching her insides until she was intoxicated with desire. And when he finally lowered his body over hers, she gasped and instinctively arched toward him as he dove into the depths of her body, rocking into a tempo that bound them in perfect harmony. She writhed and moaned until they could no longer hold back and together they soared into complete erotic pleasure.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  “Breakfast is ready,” the deep timbre of Cory’s voice called out as she exited the shower.

  She wrapped the towel tightly around her body and walked out to the kitchen. “Hmm, it smells good. I love that you cook, but I have to confess, I don’t.”

  “That’s okay. I’ll teach you,” he said, pulling the chair out for her. “Hungry?”

  She laughed. “After that workout and the amazing smell of bacon and coffee, I’m famished.” He poured coffee into a mug and handed it to her. “I should probably get dressed first, no?”

  “Not on my account. I love seeing your creamy skin wrapped in a towel. It’s giving me ideas, but I’ll try to behave because I know you need to get to the office.”

  “Oh darn. I forgot about that.”

  “Yeah, I’ll bet.” He laughed. “Today is going to be a banner day for you, so I’ll tuck my needs away and let you do what you have to.”

  “My banner days started after the first time we made love.” Cory moaned his approval. The happiness she felt was exhilarating, something she’d never experienced before. She shook her head. “Who could have ever imagined this?” Certainly not her. “This is so amazing, Cory, I feel like I’m dreaming.” She felt giddy and giggled. “And all this from the guy I thought was a creep.”

  “Yeah, I didn’t like you very much either, but there was something about that smile of yours that day I walked into your office that set my heart afloat. And now, we’re a couple?” He wanted to hear her say it.

  She nodded in agreement. “Yes, we’re a couple.”

  He stopped what he was doing and pulled her upright and kissed her so tenderly, it brought tears of happiness to his eyes. “You’ve just made me the happiest guy in New York.”

  She took a fast glance at the clock, then pulled the towel off her body and let it drop to the floor.

  “You’re going to be late.”

  “I’ll eat on the run,” she said.

  “Aw, but this breakfast was supposed to be a celebration.”

  “Honey, this is a celebration!”

  On the ride into work, Max couldn’t stop smiling. As a matter of fact, her cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Rushing toward the subway, nothing seemed to faze her this morning, not the sirens, not fighting her way through the crowded sidewalks, or any of the things that normally pissed her off first thing in the morning, but that was because she couldn’t focus on anything else except the glorious time she and Cory had spent together last night. Max was amazed, after all this time, that she was finally smitten with a man who understood her needs, her work, and best of all, her heart. If anyone were to ask her right now if she was in love with Cory Rossini, she’d deliver a resounding yes.

  When she got to the office, she greeted Riley and said, “I’m heading over to see Maddie Thomas. I need to share some good news and see one of these people happy for a change. Do you want to come with me?”

  “No.” Riley smiled. “I want you to have that pleasure all to yourself. She seems to have taken a liking to you.”

  “I hope so. I’ll see you later.”

  “Did you get the copy of the deed to present to her?”

  “I sure did.”

  Max rode the elevator down to
the parking lot, thrilled to be the one giving Maddie Helen’s long-overdue gift. The trip seemed to take forever, and she was thankful when she pulled into the circular drive. Max shoved the gear into park, cut the engine, and made her way to the carriage house.

  She walked up the path, rang the doorbell, and waited for Maddie to answer. A few minutes passed before a young man appeared at the door.

  “Hi, are you Mandu or Fejoku?” His only response was a smile. Max hadn’t expected them to be so tall, since Maddie was a short woman. Her son was tall and lean, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. He didn’t respond. “I’m sorry. I’m Detective Max Turner,” she said, showing him her badge, “and I’m here to see your mother. Is she in?”

  He opened the door and allowed her entry into the home. The room was sparse, with cardboard boxes stacked three high up against the wall.

  “I’m Mandu,” he said in a low voice.

  “Very nice to meet you.”

  “Mama,” he called out. “She’s back.” Max could only imagine what he meant by that. She assumed Maddie had been expressing her discontent.

  Maddie rushed into the room, a frantic expression on her face until she saw Max.

  “Detective Max, I wonder if I ever see you again.”

  Max leaned in and hugged the tiny woman. “It’s so nice to see you again, Maddie.” Noticing Maddie’s new hairdo, she commented. “I love the haircut. Short cropped hair looks good on your pretty face.”

  Maddie ignored the compliment and blurted out her sadness. “Dr. Jeffrey—” She began to cry. “He kill my Mrs. Helen.”

  “We think so, Maddie, but that’s not why I’m here. Is your other son at home too?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “I’d like to take you somewhere.”

  “I’m sorry, I need to pack,” she said, waving her hand at the empty boxes. “I have to move.”

  “I know, but this is very important.” Max held up her hand. “I swear you won’t be disappointed.”

  Maddie resigned herself. “Okay, I pack later.” She called out to her sons and together they piled into the car. “Where we go?”

  “You’ll see. Where are you moving?” Max asked.

  “Mrs. Stallman, down the street, she say I can work for her, but she doesn’t have a house like we live in now, but we can stay in her basement.”

  “I’ll help you find something, Maddie.”

  “Thank you, Detective Max.”

  The entire ride to Englewood, Maddie rested her arm on the doorframe and looked out the window at the scenery. When Max turned down Willow Lane, the confusion on Maddie’s face set in.

  “This is a very beautiful street,” she said.

  “It is indeed.” Max pulled into the driveway.

  “Who we visit?” Maddie asked, perplexed, as they walked to the front door. “You live here, Detective Max?”

  “No, Maddie, you’re going to live here.”

  “What?” she shrieked. “Oh, no.” She frowned. “This is too far from Mrs. Stallman’s. I don’t drive.”

  Max chuckled while grabbing her briefcase, and together they walked to the front door. Max inserted the key into the lock. “I know, but what if I told you that you own this house?”

  “I’d say no money to pay for this house.”

  They walked inside. Max was impressed that Helen Barrett loved her employee this much that she would gift her something so expensive. An older home, it offered the typical floor plan with large rooms. A white-brick fireplace in the living room extended from the ceiling to the oak floors, present throughout, and the whole house was nicely furnished with traditional furniture. It appeared that Helen Barrett made sure Maddie had everything she would ever need. Maddie didn’t say much, but the appreciative smile on her face was heartwarming. Making their way around from room to room, they stopped in the kitchen, and Maddie walked around the room admiring everything, stopping to slide her hand over the counters and cabinets. A long center island with a sink at one end and bar stools the length of the counter had Mandu and Fejoku taking turns trying out every stool. Old brick walls and white cabinets made the room spectacular. Off to the side of the kitchen was a breakfast booth built right into the wall with leather-covered benches. Maddie stopped to view the six-burner stove.

  “And what if I told you that you’d never have to work another day in your life?” Max gestured toward the living room. Maddie’s confusion intensified. All three family members sat down on the sofa. Max sat across from Maddie, pulling her chair close to the coffee table in front of the sofa. Unzipping her briefcase, she pulled out the documents. The boys were laughing and making noise until Maddie gave them a stern look. They calmed down, frequently releasing a low laugh, speaking in their native tongue.

  “Do you remember going to an attorney’s office, a John Paterno, with Mrs. Barrett?”

  The woman thought for a moment. “Yes. I remember. I sign papers for Mrs. Barrett.”

  “Well, those papers you signed—it wasn’t for Mrs. Barrett, it was for this house, and now you own it free and clear.”

  Concern crossed her face. “I don’t understand.”

  “Maddie, Mrs. Barrett bought this home for you and your family.”

  “No. That’s not possible.”

  Max gave a slow nod, and Maddie burst into tears. Max pulled out tissues from the pocket of her briefcase and handed them to the woman while the sons took off to check out each room, releasing frequent bursts of whooping sounds when they discovered something new.

  “No. This too expensive of gift, Detective Max,” she said in a wobbly voice.

  “Mrs. Barrett did this because she loved you and your family, Maddie.” Max unfolded the deed. “Do you know what this is?” Maddie shook her head negatively. “It’s a deed for this home showing you as the owner.” She pointed to Maddie’s name.

  “It’s my name.”

  “It is. So that means that your Mrs. Helen bought this house for you and your family.”

  Maddie gasped, placing her hand against her chest. “I can’t believe Mrs. Helen do this, but I can’t keep it. I don’t have enough money to pay for the bills people pay to keep their homes.”

  “Well,” Max said, opening up the bank statement. She put it on Maddie’s lap and pointed to the header. “See here? It has your husband’s name on it. That means you own this house, it’s all paid for, and she left you a lot of money to take care of everything. Now you can afford to pay for your family to come to the States.”

  “My Souley?” squeaked from her mouth.

  “Right, the bank account is in his name.”

  “But if my Souley’s name is on the account and he’s in Jamaica, how I pay for him to come?”

  “Don’t worry, I will go to the bank with you to explain and get the money transferred to you.” Max looped her arm through Maddie’s. “C’mon, show me your beautiful new home.” Maddie smiled, but Max wasn’t sure she understood the magnitude of her good fortune. In the distance, the boys argued about which bedroom was going to be theirs, and by the time Max and Maddie made it downstairs to the game room, the boys were already playing pool.

  “I think they’re happy,” Max said.

  “Yes, Detective Max, I think so too. Thank you.”

  Max reached inside her briefcase and pulled out the letter from Helen addressed to Maddie and handed it to her. “Here’s one more thing Mrs. Barrett left for you.” Maddie immediately tore the envelope open. Her hands were shaking as she pulled out the letter and read, the tears flowing more freely now because she understood. When she was done, she looked skyward. “Thank you, Mrs. Helen. I love you.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  Later Sunday afternoon, Max dialed Cory’s number. “Hey, want to meet us so we can discuss where we are with the case?”

  “I’d like nothing better. Can you come over to my new office?”

  Max’s head jerked back in surprise. “I didn’t know you were looking for a place to hang your shingle. Will it be for law offices
or private investigator?”

  “It could be either. I haven’t totally decided yet, but I’m leaning more toward PI.”

  “Okay, give me the address.”

  “One-sixty-five Broadway, suite 504. My name isn’t on the door yet, so text me when you arrive and I’ll wait in the hallway.”

  Walking up the five flights of stairs to Cory’s office, Riley stopped and bent over to catch his breath. He was panting.

  “For chrissake, Riley, don’t you ever exercise?” He wagged his head from side to side while taking in gulps of air. “You sound like you’ve been smoking two packs of cigarettes a day.”

  “I know. I have a physical coming up soon,” he said between pants. “I guess I’d better hit the gym.” He frowned at her. “Do you exercise?” he asked her.

  “I have an elliptical machine in my apartment and use it whenever I’m free.” Max gave him a quizzical look. “Don’t you ever get outside and play football with the boys?” she said while texting Cory. It wasn’t long before he appeared with a toothy grin.

  “I guess I need to start,” Riley breathed.

  Max felt the stress leave her the moment she saw Cory’s delicious body standing in the opening of the office doorway. He winked at her, and she knew he’d read her mind. Riley shook hands with him, and entered right behind Max, practically collapsing on the chair.

  “Apparently, Riley hasn’t climbed stairs in years.”

  Cory laughed. “I can see that. Anyway, welcome to my new home away from home. It’s still a work in progress, but the conference room is set up. Shall we go in there?”

  “Sure.”

  “Aha,” Max said, forgetting Riley was standing right next to her, “so this is why you have an empty dining room,” she teased until she realized what she’d just revealed. A sudden rush of heat colored her cheeks.

  Riley laughed.

  “Honestly, Max, did you think I didn’t know? Seriously? The smile on your face all day yesterday when you didn’t have anything to be happy about was a dead giveaway. I’m a trained detective too.”