Destiny's Wrath (Destiny Series - Book 3) by Straight, Nancy (read full novel .txt) 📗

recipe and really didn’t know what he was doing. He’s been troubled for a while, but no one ever expected this.”

The two of us walked to the back of the estate, past the guest house and behind a grove of trees. We could see lights from the stables pouring through the open doors. As we approached, I was pleased to overhear their conversation.

“. . .Someday I’ll find me a man that I can lead around like a puppy-dog, too. If you eat white bread every day for the rest of your life, eventually you’re going to wonder about that honey wheat on the shelf.”

“Lauren is more appealing to me than a flavor of bread; I doubt I’ll ever feel cheated. Thanks for your offer, but I think you’d better get back to your guests.”

Dennis cleared his throat. Max and Ebony looked at us, and she didn’t even have the courtesy to look embarrassed at trying to put the moves on Max. My blood was boiling, “You’ve got some nerve. We just met, and you’re trying to sneak him off to a stable, for what?”

“I was just letting my friend know that he has some options. He don’t need to feel tied up like a tether ball. He his own man and can make his own decisions.”

I spoke slowly, “That’s where you are sorely mistaken. He is my man.”

“He’ll be back. One day he’ll wake up and realize that he made a mistake. When that day come, I’ll be right here.” She turned to Max, “I’ll be very happy to make your acquaintance then, Sexy Man.”

Dennis interjected, “Okay, Ebony, that’s enough. Lauren and Max are friends of mine. If you’re going to treat them like this, I think we’ll all call it a night.”

Max took my hand and led me away. I don’t know if he was worried the incident might ignite after my spark of jealousy, or what? It didn’t. I was pleased as punch that he had no desire to take Ebony up on her offer. She threw out one final bit of advice as we made our way toward the guest house, “Don’t you forget about what I told you. It only a matter of time. He’ll be back.”

I looked at Max, questioning without words. He shook his head at me in response, “I sure hope you two had a good conversation because that was painful. Good timing by the way.”

“So, what was that all about?”

“Nothing, she just felt pretty strongly that we needed to meet with Jimmy.”

Dennis looked odd when he answered, “She doesn’t even know Jimmy.”

Max gave Dennis a harsh look, “Yes, she does, better than you might expect. She’s one of your confidential informants right?” Dennis nodded that she was, and Max continued, “Then you better stop screwing around with her behind Maggie’s back.”

Horror shot on Dennis’ face. “I never touched Ebony. Did she tell you that?”

“Hey, it’s none of our business. Ebony is a live wire, but if you care at all for Maggie, you need to end it with Ebony before she exposes you.” I could feel the confusion on my expression without having to utter a word. Max looked at me and said, “Remember Jimmy’s mom, Maggie? I think our new friend Dennis is a little too close to the situation to be involved in the investigation.”

“Ebony and I had a romp a long time ago, way before Maggie and I met. I haven’t touched her in over a year.”

“Dennis, I believe you. You better make sure Maggie knows about Ebony, because she was pretty open with me. She believes the two of you have an ‘open relationship,’ not that you are no longer partaking.”

I could see Dennis felt his life was beginning to crumble. I’m sure he was envisioning what would happen next, just as Ebony appeared out of nowhere again. “Lauren, I need to speak to you without these two. Will you help me in the house for a minute?”

Still reeling from her near attack on Max, I wasn’t about to ask Max to come with me. Acid mixed with my words, “Sure, lead the way.”

We had just passed the guest house when she held out her hand, “Dakota doesn’t know you’re here, does she?”

“No, how do you know Dakota?”

“Never you mind how I know her. She got a big heart and she likes you. I was just testing your Max for you. He passed with flying colors.”

“Throwing yourself at my boyfriend isn’t going to win you any points with me. Where do you get off?”

“Listen, we haven’t much time. That boy you want to help, he be’ond help. You two watch yourselves. You gonna get Dennis in a heap of trouble if you keep this up. Go home, jus’ like Dakota tell you.”

“How could we get Dennis in trouble?”

“I cain’t spell it out for you no clearer. Go home!”

With that Ebony sauntered away. I returned to Max not sure what had just transpired. I’ve always been able to get a read on people, but she kept me off balance the whole time I interacted with her. She knew Dakota. Could she be on the Cabinet, too?

Chapter 14

Bert Ross - Detective

Bert looked in the mirror. He looked okay, but something wasn’t right. He hadn’t been right since he arrested Jimmy Jacobs. He was blacking out, losing long passages of the day. Going to a doctor and telling him the truth could get him an immediate suspension from the force. He couldn’t tell anyone, yet he needed to know what was wrong with him. Maybe if he went to see a doctor under a different name, so no record would be kept, no insurance filed, he could find out what was wrong.

Bert picked up the phone book and started scrolling through doctors closer to Charleston, somewhere he wouldn’t be recognized and could legitimately go in under the radar. Just as he located one he thought looked promising, his hand shut the phone