by Rayna Morgan
"Yes, sir." Max put his elbows on his knees and buried his head in his hands. "He wasn't conscious when I found him under the Pier, but I could see the wound you inflicted wasn't serious. Standing over him, all the hatred I'd been feeling toward your wife welled up inside me. She's never treated me as an equal as you always have; she's never been kind. You deserved better, too, sir. You've always deserved better. When I realized she was carrying on with the likes of that upstart, I couldn’t stand what it might do to you."
Art stood over the broken man, putting an arm on his shoulder. "But, Max, I've always been happy with Margaret. You've never understood our relationship, I know, but it works for us. I can see now I should have shared my feelings about her with you. Maybe then you would have known I was alright. My honor didn't need defending. My heart was never broken." His voice choked. "Until now."
Tom was the first to recover from the startling revelations. "One point I'd like to clarify, Max. Were you the one who broke into Neal's condominium?”
Max sighed, looking at his employer. "I was afraid he might have something incriminating against Madam. I was sure he wouldn't hesitate to blackmail one or both of you. All I found was a picture of her talking to him at the fundraiser. It wasn't much, but I didn't want him to have any proof of their carrying on."
Tom didn't mention the picture Max hadn't found; the one that could, indeed, have been used for blackmail.
An officer appeared at the doorway. Tom helped Max to his feet and the officer marched him out.
"I'll do everything I can for you, Max," Art promised as they passed.
The Pattons were the first to take their leave. Art reminded his wife they were without a driver. She laughed: "Don't worry, Honey. I can drive that big, black limousine. Next week, we're trading it in for something more practical. With more cargo room to take the dogs to their shows. Something I can see out of, without all that darn window tinting. Right now, I'm taking you home to cook up the best meal you've never had from me."
He hooked his arm in hers, smiling. A gleam was returning to his eyes.
"I can't thank you yet, Detective," he told Tom. "The heartbreak of the outcome is still too fresh. Someday, I’ll be able to appreciate how well you've done your job. When that time comes, I hope to find a way to repay you."
"But not by bribery," his wife was quick to add, bringing them all some much-needed laughter. "That reminds me . . . all kinds of interesting things have been happening since you three started gracing City Hall with your presence."
"What are you referring to?" Paul asked.
"Charles White resigned today. Didn't give much reason other than his wife wanting to move closer to their grandchildren. Took everyone by surprise. Except me, maybe." The corners of her mouth lifted in a small smile as she looked at Tom. "You wouldn't know anything about that, would you, Detective?"
Tom shrugged his shoulders, looking in turn toward Paul. "I'm as surprised as anyone. I have no idea what precipitated his resignation."
The Councilwoman pressed Lea's hand as she and her husband turned to leave. "My special thanks to you, Lea, for bringing me to my senses in time for me to have a second chance at getting things right. You and I will talk soon."
The friends watched the couple walk toward their limousine as a setting sun of burning red and orange began slowly disappearing into the ocean.
A janitor walked in, then quickly backed out. "Sorry, I thought the Councilwoman was done for the day."
The threesome looked at each other, nodding. Lea swept her arm in front of her. "Come on in. We’re all done for the day."
Paul grinned. "We've each got our own car. The last one to the Crab Shack buys drinks."
As they raced down the hallway, Lea asked, "Should I . . .”
The two men shouted in unison. "Yes . . . call Maddy."
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Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for joining Lea and Maddy . . . and the dogs . . . in their sleuthing adventures.
If you enjoyed your time spent with them, would you please consider posting a review on Amazon? Reviews are very helpful to other readers and are greatly appreciated.
If you have questions or comments, I can be reached at [email protected] and would love to hear from you.
Until our next adventure,
Rayna