Loves Redemption Kimberly Terry (i can read books TXT) 📖

him. She took it all in stride, happy they welcomed and trusted Mark, allowing her to feel

comfortable incorporating a relationship with her life’s work.

“I’m wrapping everything up as we speak,” Mark said with relish, the sound of papers

rattling, discernible through the telephone.

Maya laughed before turning back around in her chair to face her desk. “Okay I’ll see

you later then.” She returned to her work with renewed energy.

* * * *

“Lieutenant, have you seen Jordan?” Mark asked as Lieutenant Hernandez walked into

the open bay and went directly toward the coffee pot.

Unlike Mark, the lieutenant drank coffee around the clock, saying it took mass quantities

to affect him.

“He’s been in and out most of the afternoon following up on some leads. Did you need

something, Detective?” The lieutenant asked as he took a bracing swallow of the thick brew.

“Nothing in particular, just wanted to run a few things by him.”

“How’d it go with Agent Montgomery?”

“Fine. After he met with Dr. Richardson we went to the crime scenes he selected. Why?

Didn’t he talk to you about it?”

“Briefly. I wanted to hear your take,” Lieutenant Hernandez said with a searching glance

in Mark’s direction.

As Mark was answering, Jordan walked into the squad room and headed toward his desk.

“How’d it go today with the Special Agent? Did he come up with anything spectacular we amateurs overlooked?” Jordan asked, as he took off his jacket and sat down behind his desk.

Mark didn’t know what the agent had discovered, if anything. The incident by the crime

scene had left him ill at ease. When they’d arrived at the second scene, the agent had looked in his direction and he’d understood he wanted to be left alone again.

Mark told the agent that when he was ready, he could meet him back at the car, unless he

needed him nearby. Montgomery had assured him he’d be fine and immediately turned away to

look at the hallowed gravesite.

He waited in the car for thirty minutes before he caught site of the agent walking with

measured steps toward the car. He waited to see if he stumbled or gave any indication that he needed help. He didn’t notice anything different about him other then the methodical way he made his way toward the car.

Once inside the car, the agent then leaned back in the seat and closed his eyes. His

coloring was almost gray, and his features were etched harshly with tension, particularly around his eyes.

When he made no sound or comment, Mark started the engine and headed away from the

scene. When they arrived outside of his hotel, Montgomery turned toward him.

“I know that you have questions regarding what happened at the crime scenes. I can’t

give you any answers. I’m sorry. And I would ask that what happened stay between us.”

“I’m not sure what did happen, but whatever it was will stay between us,” Mark had told

the agent. Now, as he looked across at his partner he wasn’t sure what to say so he opted for the safe route. “He went over the scenes and kept any findings to himself, if he had any. I’m sure if he ‘finds’ anything we’ll be the first to know,” Mark laughed.

“Yeah, we’ll be the first to know.” Jordan laughed back with a shake of his head. He

glanced at his watch. “I was thinking about heading out early.”

“Oh yeah? Got a hot date?” Mark asked, with a knowing look.

“As a matter of fact, I do. She’s a friend of Maya’s.”

“Really? And who’s that?” Mark asked with genuine interest.

“Do you remember the woman Maya was sitting with the night at Hooligans? What am I

talking about? You were in such a rush to get out of there you don’t remember anything else but getting your woman home, right?” Mark’s sheepish grin was answer enough.

“Well her name is Arlinda Nyoni--Arlee to her friends. When the two of you abandoned

us, I made my way over to the young lady’s table and introduced myself. Me being me, I got a date for tonight out of the deal. It ended up being all right that you ditched me, man. I’m sure Miss Arlee will more than make up for it,” Jordan finished with a wolfish expression.

“Sorry about that. But listen Jordan about Maya’s friend. I’m not sure how close she is to

Maya, but uh…” He didn’t know how to ask his friend to be a gentleman with the woman. He

and Jordan had partied together, and he knew how his best friend operated. How he himself had operated before meeting Maya.

“Don’t worry. I won’t do anything to her she doesn’t want done.” Jordan laughed. “You

know me, Mark. I like to have fun, and by the way Arlee talked, it’s all she wants too. She and Maya may be friends, but I have a feeling they’re worlds apart when it comes to having fun.”

Jordan reached over to slap Mark on the back.

“Try to go easy on her, man,” Mark said with a reluctant laugh.

CHAPTER 27

As Mark was raising his hand to knock on the door of Imani House, Dalia was opening it

to leave.

“What are you still doing here? No study session tonight?” he asked, steadying her as she

stumbled into his chest.

Since he’d begun his Friday evening visits, Dalia left early to meet with other students in one of her summer session classes. Usually when he arrived, Dalia had already left for the day.

“Hello, Mark. Yes I am meeting with a few classmates this evening. I stayed a bit later in

the day to help Maya with some paperwork.”

“Is Maya in her office?” Mark asked her.

“No, I do not think so. She is somewhere in the House. She may be in the kitchen with

Jorge going over the proposed menu for the fundraiser.”

“Thanks, Dalia, I’ll find her,” Mark said to her retreating back. Turning back around, he

closed the door and went in search of Maya.