Blind Retribution

by K. T. Roberts

  “I don’t need friends. I need to solve cases.”

  Max threw her hands in the air, realizing there was no convincing him. Howe stood and walked out of the room.

  Lucio snorted. “Don’t give it another thought, Max. He’s just one of those disgruntled people who takes his insecurities out on everyone else. I thank you for doing an outstanding job.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  Max dialed Cory’s number. “Well, hello there.”

  “Hi, yourself. What’s happening?”

  “The case has been solved, and the guilty party is on his way to Bellevue for observation. I’m exhausted, I’m sad, and I can really use a shoulder to cry on.”

  “Then that ought to work out well. I have two shoulders and a lot of hugs. Do you want to have dinner out or here at the house?”

  “I don’t really feel like celebrating at the close of this case, so why don’t I pick up a pizza and bring it over?”

  “Good idea, only I’ll pick you up, and we can choose our food together,” Cory said.

  “By the way, Jack’s papers are in the works,” she said. “I thought it would be nice if we went over to the jail together to tell him. He should be free within the week.”

  “Thanks, Max. I’m sure he’ll be relieved to know he’s been cleared.”

  “I’ll meet you downstairs in an hour after I type up the DD5.”

  “See you then.”

  Max disconnected and pulled the form from her file drawer, slowly turning toward one of the empty rooms to fill it out. Riley had already left for the day, and the night shift was just beginning to arrive. She waved to Gary Johnson, the detective who occupied her desk at night, and continued to walk. Gary was one of those overly sociable men who could talk to a stop sign. She was in no mood to entertain him or anyone else. Sitting down, she looked over the familiar form and took a moment to reflect on the events of the past few days.

  She was thankful the case was solved, but it was a bittersweet conquest. Charles Wiggins, who suffered PTSD from his four tours in Afghanistan, had served his country proudly. He had come home to a daughter who was in desperate need of a heart transplant, which was denied because two individuals corrupted the system, sending him into a meltdown that brought out the worst in him. Having served two tours in Iraq herself, Max felt a kinship toward him because she knew what he’d gone through, and she hoped the courts would take some pity on him due to his mental state.

  She knew that Charles would live the remainder of his life in a six-by-six-foot cell. What she didn’t like was knowing the senator and Barrett would never feel the kind of pain Charles Wiggins felt.

  Walking the finished form into the lieutenant’s office, Max turned and headed for the elevator, taking it down to the sidewalk level where Cory waited. Seeing the opened door of his car, she slid inside.

  “Hey, I see an awfully long face.” Cory latched onto her chin. “I know this was a tough case for you, but think about the positives. The Stansbury child is alive, the bad guys are behind bars, and you’re sitting next to a man who’s falling madly in love with you.”

  Max smiled. “I’m sorry. I’m suffering the aftereffects. This job doesn’t always have a pleasant ending, but it’s the nature of the beast.”

  “Would you rather wait to see Jack?”

  “No. I don’t want him to have to wait another day to hear the news. Seeing him might help lift my spirits, although I’m sure he doesn’t hold me in the highest regard.”

  “He might not, but he has to respect you for doing your job.” Cory pulled her closer to him and held her hand.

  The drive to Rikers Island was quiet, with only the background noise of the radio. As they pulled into the parking lot outside the facility, Max took a deep breath. They entered the prison, and she held up her badge for the guard. “Detective Max Turner of the 51st here to see Jack Hughes, with private investigator Cory Rossini.”

  “I’ll call down and have Mr. Hughes brought to the visiting area. Please sign in.”

  “I haven’t seen you before,” Cory said to the guard. “Are you a new hire?”

  “Yes, sir. Tonight is my first night, and the natives are restless.”

  Cory snickered. “Don’t let them get to you. That’s their initiation for new guards. Stay firm and show your confidence or they’ll try to walk all over you.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Rossini. The warden told me the same thing.” Pushing a button on the wall panel, the heavy steel door unlocked, and the pair walked through. “I assume you know where the visiting area is located?”

  “We do. Thanks.” The heavy door clunked to lock behind them. Max shuddered. “That noise gets me every time,” she said. “It’s so final.”

  “Yeah, I hear you. Thanks for doing this tonight, Max. You could have waited until the morning.”

  “I know. But if I were in Jack’s shoes, I’d want to know right away too.”

  Walking inside the room, Jack looked surprised to see Max. “Did you come to give me more bad news, Detective?”

  “Not unless you think putting the bad guys behind bars is bad news.”

  “Does that mean what I think it does?”

  “Yes, Mr. Hughes. That’s precisely what it means. You’re getting out of here. The paperwork has been initiated through your attorney, Bill Cates, who is currently going through the process. It should take about a week and then you’ll be a free man.”

  Jack blew out a breath. “Thank God.”

  Cory shook his hand. “I told you, buddy, didn’t I?”

  “Yes, you did. You said she was one of the good guys.”

  “But you didn’t believe him,” Max said.

  “No, I’m afraid not.” He stared at her for a few minutes. “It’s going to take some time for me to warm up to you, Detective, but knowing how Cory feels about you gives me more of an incentive to get over my snit.” Cory shot him a look of despair. “I know you were only doing your job and that you don’t know me the way Cory does, so I have to say, I respect you for that. As soon as I’m out of here, we’ll have plenty of time to get to know one another.”

  “I’m sorry I was mistaken about your guilt, but I’m sure, given the same set of circumstances, you might have come to the same conclusion.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  “Okay,” Max said and stood. “I’ll let you two visit with one another.”

  “No. Please don’t leave,” Jack said, reaching for her hand. “Getting to know you starts right now. Can you tell me if Barrett is behind bars?”

  “Yes, he and the senator are both behind bars.”

  “Hot damn. That’s music to my ears. And he killed her, right?”

  “No, he didn’t, although he’s still being charged for the murder of the child he denied the transplant. I can’t give you specifics, but just know that the right person is behind bars.”

  “So he didn’t kill her? That’s a big surprise. Maybe he did love her after all.” Jack shrugged.

  “I think not.”

  “You look exhausted, Max,” Cory said. “We’re going to say good night, Jack. I’ll come back tomorrow and spend some time with you.”

  “Should I start packing?”

  “You don’t have anything to pack, do you?”

  “No. I was trying to be cute, but I can see it failed.” He eyed Max. “Were you in the military, Max?”

  “Yes, sir, two tours in Iraq.”

  “I could tell by your stature. You walk like military. So, I guess we have more in common than I thought. I’ll look forward to sharing war stories.”

  On the ride back, Max seemed more upbeat. “It’s nice to see you coming back to life again,” Cory said, squeezing her hand.

  “Yeah. I sulk for a while and get it out of my system. There’s nothing much I can do about the poor choices other people make.”

  “I understand. I was like that when I practiced law. Some cases could tear your heart out.” He leaned over and kissed the tip of her nose. “Hungry
?”

  “I am. How about we go to our favorite Italian restaurant?” she suggested. “That was where we had our very first date.”

  “It is, isn’t it?” He reached for her hand. “Now that the case is over, we pull out all the stops, right?”

  “We’ve already pulled out all the stops.” She leaned in and kissed him.

  “I just want to be sure.” He gave her a loving smile. “You’ve just made me the happiest man on earth.”

  “How so?” she inquired, knowing full well she was baiting him.

  “I’ve been waiting for the right time to tell you how I feel, and now I can say it.” He looked in her direction. “I love you, Max Turner.”

  A wavy feeling fluttered in her stomach. She reached for his hand. “You do?”

  “With every breath of my being.”

  She was taken back by his comment. She’d never had a man be that straightforward about his feelings. “That’s the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me.”

  “Then I’m glad to be the first one to say it. You know, I’m going to tell you how much I love you whenever I feel it.”

  “Really?”

  “Why hold back?” Cory said.

  “I wasn’t suggesting you hold back. I’m just surprised to hear a man express his love the way you do. But you know what? You’re exactly the kind of man I want in my life. I need to know I’m not the only one working on the relationship. I’ve had enough of those one-sided relationships to last a lifetime.”

  “Yeah, but that’s a thing in the past now. Erase all that trash from your mind, because this is the first day of the rest of our lives. So what do you think about our future?” he asked.

  “I think it’s looking mighty good.” And she meant it.

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  All too often, our military veterans come home after having served several tours in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere fighting wars to keep us safe, only to return with a serious disability: PTSD. My own nephew did four tours in Afghanistan and struggled through this disorder himself.

  Based on what I know and what I’ve seen portrayed in movies like American Sniper, to help make people aware of this horrible disorder, I will be donating a portion of my royalties to the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation. This nonprofit organization’s mission is to help those men and women affected reenter society as well as their marriages.

  I have a deep respect for our veterans and hope that by playing a small part in their recovery, I can do justice to their sacrifices. May God bless them, and may God bless America.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  As has been said many times, no book would be possible without the help from others who so willingly share their knowledge: A heartfelt thanks to my sister, former Detective third class L. Jessie Esposito, for her knowledge and thirty-six years of experience working undercover in the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. She makes sure I’m always on the right track.

  Additional thanks to retired NYPD Detective third class Donald Hamilton, who bestowed good fortune upon me when he moved into our neighborhood. He has willingly taken time from his golf to answer my unending questions.

  On the home front, a warm thank you to my wonderful husband, Bob, who spends an inordinate amount of time brainstorming with me, researching, and continually showers me with his ongoing support and encouragement. I will be forever grateful he came into my life.

  And lastly, to Montlake Romance, the best publisher on the planet, for consistently going out of their way to make sure recognition is given to their authors. I’m extremely proud to be a member of the family.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  K. T. Roberts writes romantic suspense with sass and brass, and she is the alter ego of Carolyn Hughey, an author of humorous contemporary romance. In 2012, Carolyn decided to try her hand at self-publishing and wrote her first mysteries, the Kensington-Gerard Detective Series, using the pen name. Blind Retribution is her first romantic suspense for Montlake Romance.

  Originally a Jersey girl, she lives with her real-life hero, Bob, in Arizona; they have four children. And as a former chef, on those rare occasions when she’s not writing, she loves to whip up some gastronomic treats for family and friends. For more information about K. T.’s books, visit her website at www.ktrobertsmysteries.com.