Loves Redemption by Kimberly Terry (best novels to read in english .TXT) 📗

“Right. Do you have an idea which ones you’d like to check out first?”

“We’re going to Imani House to visit with Dr. Richardson, why don’t we start with the

site where her sister was found? Depending on how that one goes for me, we’ll play it by ear.”

“How that one goes for you?” Mark repeated the odd phrasing.

“What I mean is how long it takes to view the scene. Sometimes I can go over a scene

easily, and sometimes not.”

Mark glanced at his watch. “This is about the time Dr. Richardson is expecting us, so

why don’t we move out so she has enough time to sit down and talk.”

Leaving the conference room, Mark led him through the open bay precinct, toward the

area where he and Jordan’s desks were. Noting Jordan was on the phone, Mark motioned to him they were leaving before he and Montgomery headed to the elevator.

As they were approaching the doors, they were closing. Reaching out his arm Mark kept

them open until he and Agent Montgomery could move inside.

“Sorry, Detective, I saw you coming and tried to keep the doors from closing, but the

button stuck,” the lone occupant of the elevator said.

Glancing in the direction the voice came, Mark noticed the small man who was punching

the defunct open door button on the lit panel. Looking him over, he noticed he wore the distinct hanging badge all government employees wore around his neck.

“These elevators are pretty old. They’re long past due for an overhaul,” Mark agreed, and

turned his attention to the agent. Mark noticed Montgomery was observing the clerk, his head tilted to the side.

“The lieutenant has commented on the help Dr. Richardson has provided for the case.

Does she come into the precinct very often?” Montgomery asked, returning his attention to

Mark.

“Rarely, although, she and I communicate pretty often. In fact, I go to Imani House every

Friday. She has an incredible workload. She goes in early and stays late most nights. She’s been working even later on Fridays. That’s the best time for me to get a chance to speak with her.

When I’m there, it allows me an insider’s look into the lives of the women who live there.”

“Yes, I could see where it would.”

As the elevator came to a stuttering halt, the two men exited as soon as the laboring doors opened without a backward glance.

As soon as the men left the elevator, the man left inside repeatedly stabbed the button to

close the doors. The benign smile left his face, and in its place a look of distaste fell upon his small pinched features.

CHAPTER 23

“Dalia, do you have a list of the new volunteer counselors?” Maya called out through the

open door as she sat behind her desk, eyes glued to the computer screen.

“Yes I do, Maya. I think the numbers are a little short of what it is you were expecting,”

Dalia answered. She walked into her office and leaned her rounded hip against the corner of Maya’s desk. “I am printing off a copy for you as we speak.”

“Where are we short exactly?”

“We could get by with one more counselor for the day sessions. And another one for

nights and weekends would not hurt either. Otherwise, you will be working yourself to death, as you usually do.”

“I’m fine, Dalia,” she said, as she went back to entering figures into her computer, her

mind on the monthly budget.

“You know, Maya, it has been nice to see you not work every day and spend more of

your time in the pursuit of more pleasurable things,” Dalia said with a sly grin. “As you are doing the budget, maybe you should see if we can see our way clear and hire another full-time counselor.”

“Actually, that isn’t such a bad idea, Dal. I’ve been thinking another full-time counselor

would be nice to have. It would ease the workload, and I could devote the free time to organizing the fundraiser.”

Mentioning the fundraiser reminded her she hadn’t called Arlinda back. When she’d

arrived at work, Arlinda had left her a message with a demand for her to call her ASAP. She’d been busy from the moment she had walked in and hadn’t gotten around to calling her friend.

“Would you like for me to place an ad in search of an additional counselor?”

“Yes, Dal, we probably should. You know what we need. Just write up the ad and I’ll

proof it,” she teased her assistant.

Although Dalia’s English was accented, and she didn’t always use the right euphemisms

when she spoke, her written form was perfect, and Maya would often have her proof drafts.

“I will make sure I do,” Dalia said, giving her a wink in return.

As Dalia turned to leave the office, she came face to face with Mark, making her take a

small step back to avoid bumping into him. She glanced past him and caught sight of the man with him.

“Oh, hello there, Detective. I didn’t hear you coming,” she said with a smile, her hand

going to her chest.

“Hi Dalia. I’m sorry, we didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”

“Maya, would you like for me to hold your calls?” Dalia asked as she allowed the two

men to enter.

“Yes please, Dalia. Could you also start writing the ad for a new counselor?” she asked

her departing assistant, and caught Dalia running an admiring glance over the man standing near Mark.

“Maya, this is Special Agent Nicolai Montgomery. Agent Montgomery this is Dr. Maya

Richardson.” Mark made the introduction as he came around to shake Maya’s hand.

“Hello, Agent Montgomery--it’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Richardson,” the agent replied.

Not a jealous man by nature, Mark nevertheless didn’t like the way the agent was holding

on to Maya’s hand. Very subtly he maneuvered himself closer, separating them as he guided her back to her chair.

“Please have a seat, gentlemen.” When Maya waved a hand in offering for them to