Page 138 of Maddox

“He’s been a lead prosecutor for Chicago for years fighting organized crime. He’s been responsible for several convictions ofseveral mafia leaders and enforcers, some who did business in New York.”

Maddox was taken aback. “So you’re saying he was investigating Alfaro as well.”

“Maybe. I guess. That’s the only thing that makes sense. He used rather unscrupulous methods before.”

“But to use his own ex-wife?” He gritted his teeth.

“The one thing Brian said he admired about me was my tenacity, including when I wrote the article on Alfaro months ago.”

“O-kay. So what else?”

“Listen. Just listen.” I closed my eyes, praying what I’d heard wasn’t true.

But I knew in my heart it was.

He took the phone from my hand, hitting replay.

“Char. You need to go somewhere. They know where you are. I’m so sorry I got you involved with this, but I knew you were the right person to help bring these people down. Now, I regret it. They’re coming. They know everything. You’re not safe.”

Maddox shot a look into my eyes.

“What the hell?”

With my finger pointed to try to keep him listening, I cringed as I heard the noise. Maybe his door had been kicked in. There were pounding footsteps and… And…

“Charmaine!”

Pop! Pop! Pop!

As soon as the hard thump was replayed, I slumped against him. “He was trying to save me. He was the one I met in the coffee shop. Brian. The man who betrayed me.” The words were jumbled, repetitive, and I could barely breathe.

“This doesn’t make any sense. Why would he place you in harm’s way?”

“I don’t think he realized how dangerous Alfaro was. I didn’t either, but it might have been his single chance to have enough evidence for an indictment.”

“I can’t call him a hero for what he put you through.”

“He’s dead, Maddox. He knew my work was important to me.”

He exhaled, tipping his head as Kage walked closer. “Breathe for me, honey. Just breathe. How long ago did this come in?”

“Hours,” I told him as I tried to hold back the sobs. For all the hatred I’d felt for the man, my heart was breaking. Brian didn’t deserve to die. “I didn’t hear it. Maybe I could have saved his life.”

“Okay. I don’t know what this means, but I’ll see if I can find out. Do you know where he’s living? His address.”

I nodded. “I’ll get it for you. But he might have been at the office.”

Maddox shook his head. “Give me as much information as you have and I’ll see if Gray can find out. Maybe he’s alive.”

I nodded. “Okay. I need to know what happened to him. Please.” Why had I jumped into the middle of something I had no business doing? How many lives had I endangered?

The loud knock on the door immediately drew Maddox’s attention. He grabbed his weapon, Kage as well and both headed for the door. As soon as he swung it open, the man on the other side jerked back.

“Whoa. Mr. Grant. I’m sorry to interrupt, but you weren’t answering your phone. The barn is on fire. I’ve called the fire department, but they’re on another call.”

“Fuck,” Maddox snarled. “Fuck.”

“The assholes who set the fires before were seen running away,” Randy added. “At least I think it was them.”

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