Loves Redemption by Kimberly Terry (best books to read for teens .TXT) 📕

“No I didn’t. Why? Did you get flowers again? Who sent them?” Jealousy sprang

quickly, and Mark had to force it away.

“Yes I received them this morning. I didn’t think you’d sent them to me, and I’m not sure

who did. There was a card, but it wasn’t signed.”

“What did the card say?”

“That I wouldn’t be bothered by that cretin again. That was pretty much it.”

“Who’s guarding the House today, Rowan or Walter?”

“Neither one. It’s Miguel today,” she told him mentioning the third guard who worked

weekends and overnights.

“I’m on my way. I’ll be there as soon as I can, baby. And don’t let anyone else touch

those flowers okay?” He asked as he picked up his jacket and threw it over his shoulder.

“I won’t. They’re in my office.”

After Mark hung up, he turned to Jordan. “I’m going to go and take care of Maya. I’ll be

back as soon as I can.”

“What’s going on?”

“Maya received an anonymous gift again,” he told his partner and quickly left the squad

room.

“Where’s Mark on his way to?” Lieutenant Hernandez asked as he and Nicolai were

walking out of his office.

“He got a call from Maya and he’s on his way to Imani House. Said he’d be back as soon

as he takes care of the problem,” Jordan informed him as he went back to reviewing his notes from the earlier interview.

“Problem? What type of problem is Dr. Richardson having?” The Lieutenant asked with

a sudden worried frown.

“I didn’t hear the details but I think she got an unwanted package. Mark’s on his way to

Imani House to find out what’s going on.”

“What type of package was it?”

“I’m not sure. I try not to listen too carefully when he and Maya are on the phone just in

case it’s contagious.” Jordan laughed.

“What’s contagious?” Nicolai asked in curiosity.

“That love bug they caught,” Jordan said with a laugh, and Nicolai gave the barest hint of a smile in return.

“Dr. Richardson and Mark?” Lieutenant Hernandez voice had risen in his surprise.

“I thought you knew, boss.”

“I guess I didn’t know it was very serious. Well good for them. Good for them. Why

don’t we take a look at what we have so far? No use in being here all day. Agent Montgomery has briefed me on the findings at the sight so why don’t you brief the agent on your findings.”

Lieutenant Hernandez instructed.

Before he spoke, Jordan looked in Agent Montgomery’s direction, and caught the FBI

agent eerily observing Lieutenant Hernandez. His head was cocked to the side, as though he

were in deep concentration.

When he noticed Jordan’s look, Montgomery turned in his direction. The agent’s gray

eyes were opaque, and looked out of focus for a split second before they returned to normal, and Jordan felt the hair on the back of his neck rise before he forced his attention back to his notes.

CHAPTER 35

Mark approached the small parking area at Imani House, and barely missed hitting the

small car barreling out of the lot. He honked his horn, and quickly maneuvered out of the way. If he hit the car with his oversized SUV, it wouldn’t be a pretty sight. As he parked, the incident swiftly left his mind as he ran up the stairs and entered the House. He was met at the door by the security guard Miguel.

“Hello Detective good to see you again.”

Mark swallowed the automatic grimace as the large man pumped his hand vigorously in

greeting. The guard was massive, and had aspirations of joining the police force. He’d asked Maya if she would put the good word in with Mark on his behalf.

“Hi Miguel good to see you. How’s everything going around here? Where’s Dr. Maya?”

Mark asked, as the guard released his hand.

“She’s in her office sir, waiting for you. I decided to hang out close to the door. Too

many odd things have been happening lately, and I want to make sure everyone is safe.”

“Thanks Miguel, keep up the good work. I’ll go and find her. By the way, I checked on

the status of your application and you should be hearing some good news soon.”

“Thanks sir, that’s great. Thanks a lot for your help.” The guard grabbed Mark’s hand

again, and nearly squeezed his fingers off in his exuberance.

“Miguel you didn’t need my good word. Your application was sound and you’ll make a

great addition to the force.” He clapped the big man on the back with his good hand, and

unobtrusively checked the other for damage, as he went in search of Maya.

“Maya are you in here?” He never walked into her office without knocking first, because

she often held her counseling session with either staff or residents inside.

“Come in, Mark, I’m here.”

He opened the door and walked inside. His eye zeroed in on the large bouquet of mixed

flowers perched on a side table. He walked directly over to the arrangement to get a closer look.

Maya came to stand beside him as he surveyed the flowers.

Turning away from the flowers, he leaned down to kiss her lightly on the lips.

“Everything okay? You sounded a little ‘off’ on the phone.”

“I don’t like getting anonymous flowers and this is the second one I’ve received in the

last two months,” she admitted with a worried look as she pulled at her lower lip with her top teeth.

Whenever she did that, Mark knew she was upset or worried and it didn’t sit well with

him. “Don’t stress, honey, it’s probably nothing to worry about.”

He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a pair of surgical gloves before he picked up

the card nestled between the flowers. After he’d read the card he returned it to its position and carefully pulled out a plastic bag from his pocket, and covered the entire bouquet within it.

“Maya, I want to take these in to have them dusted for fingerprints if that’s okay with

you.”

“Of course it’s fine with me,