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  He let his eyes roam around the hospital room before rolling over onto his back and staring toward the ceiling. Emptiness filled the space, a stark contrast to the scene surrounding him earlier. Even his great legal mind wasn’t able to explain away the obvious. There was no one at his side, no one doting on him. He was alone. He rubbed the bandage above his eye and shook off the slightest bit of despair. There was no time for pity, no tolerance for weakness. His convicted father had taught him that much. Shake it off. Get healthy. More work was the cure.

  The phone rang, startling Maxwell into consciousness. Scanning the small room, it took a second to figure out where he was. He searched around the bed for his cell phone with no success. He suspected it must be in his suit jacket, which was out of arm’s reach. He rolled over ready to ignore the noise until it stopped temporarily and then began again. Finally he realized the ringing was coming from the phone resting on the nightstand situated off to the side. The volume seemed to get louder, with each ring intensifying the throbbing in his head. Irritated he snatched the receiver determined to keep the conversation short. “This is Maxwell,” he said without softening the edge in his tone. The person on the other end should get the message quickly.

  “Paul, it’s Christine.”

  He didn’t respond. His sister was the last person he expected to be on the call. It had been at least a year since they’d last spoken.

  “Are you okay?” she asked.

  “I’m good,” he said, intentionally not elaborating.

  “I was watching the news and saw you drop to the ground. They played it over and over. I’ve been frantic trying to find out what happened to you,” she said speaking very rapidly. “Mom is worried to death too. You should call and let her know you’re okay.” There was no reason to reply. She knew that wasn’t an option for him. “You are okay, aren’t you? I mean really okay?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “So, why are you in the hospital?”

  “Ah, don’t worry about that. I’ll be out of here tomorrow morning, no big deal. Getting hit by a rock isn’t going to put me out of commission. I have a pretty thick skull.”

  “That’s true.” Her tone was lighter.

  “How did you know I was here?”

  “Oh my goodness, that’s a long story. I called the news station. They told me the name of the ambulance company who took you to the hospital, and I called them to find out where they’d taken you. I’ve been on the phone all afternoon making at least thirty calls.”

  “I’m surprised the ambulance company gave you the name of this hospital. That’s violating a patient’s privacy.”

  “Don’t worry; I’m not going to stalk you; although if it were left up to our mother, she’d have me rush over there to check on you.”

  “No need to do that.” Maxwell gently rubbed his forehead.

  “Don’t worry, I’m only joking, at least partially. I’m not going to bother you unless it’s an emergency.” Exactly what Maxwell wanted to hear. “But, Paul, I am concerned about you and what you’re doing with the churches. It seems really dangerous, and we’re worried about you.”

  The edge which had softened in his tone was sharpening again. Twenty-two years and she was still calling him Paul. The day he received the letter confirming his full scholarship to college, he’d walked out of the tiny apartment in Chester, PA, leaving behind respect for his parents, any support that they might be willing to give, and his name. Spending the last three months of high school in a shelter was one of the best decisions he’d ever made, except the part about having to leave his little sister. Christine was as much of a victim during their childhood as he’d been, but she was grown now and too connected to their parents to have a meaningful relationship with him. Distance had to be maintained. “Can you please call me Maxwell, please?” he requested firmly, refusing to mask his agitation.

  “I’m so sorry. I know you’ve told me over and over but I just forget sometimes. I’m sorry.”

  Maxwell gained no satisfaction in berating his sister. The stabbing edge of his words penetrated his hard interior, softening his tone again. “Don’t waste your time worrying about me.”

  “Well, you can’t stop us from worrying. You might not talk to us, and you might not want to see us, but you can’t stop us from caring about you. You’re the only brother I have, and like it or not, I love you.”

  Maxwell’s head began hurting again. He didn’t want to get into an emotional back and forth with his sister. The call was civil and ready for closure; best to leave something to talk about next year. “Like I said, don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself. I always have,” Maxwell insisted, knowing she understood every bit of what he was saying and not saying. “I’m getting tired. I better let you go.”

  “Sure, sure, I’m glad to know you’re going to be all right. I’ll let Mom know.” He figured the call was over until Christine called out, “Maxwell, there’s something else I need to tell you.”

  “What; is there something wrong with Tyree?” He sat up in the bed, pushing past his headache. “What’s wrong? Tell me,” he asked, anxious, almost demanding an answer.

  “No, no, there’s nothing wrong with Tyree. Your nephew is perfectly fine for a six-year-old. I would let you speak to him, but he’s at school.”

  Maxwell drew in a deep breath and sighed with relief. “If he ever needs anything, I hope you’ll let me know.”

  “You know I will, but honestly this isn’t about Tyree. It’s Dad.”

  Maxwell’s headache intensified, seeming to come at full force. He wanted to get off the phone. “Christine, my head is killing me. I better go.”

  “But, he’s not doing well. We think it’s cancer.”

  Maxwell didn’t hesitate. “My head really is killing me. I have to go.”

  “Wait, do you want me to give Mom or Dad a message from you?”

  “Tell my nephew hello for me, and I won’t forget his birthday in a few months.”

  “But you sent him plenty last Christmas. He doesn’t need anything else.”

  “Who’s talking about need? Every now and then it’s all about what we want.” He’d wanted his old room back, the one he had before his parents lost their house and crammed them into a two-bedroom apartment. Being forced to share a room with his little sister was a sobering reminder of how gullible his parents had been and how they’d let the church ruin their family.

  “Thanks for the call and take care of yourself.”

  “You too, and remember that I’m praying for you,” she said ending the conversation.

  Maxwell adjusted his head on the pillow. Chester was only twenty miles from Philadelphia, but it might as well have been 20,000 miles away. As long as the crushing memories of his past lived in that town, he didn’t plan on returning. He closed his eyes and rested. Tomorrow would come quickly and so too would his burning desire to get cracking on the next case, perhaps the largest of his career—Greater Metropolitan. Years in the making, he was finally ready to take a stab at the great Bishop Ellis Jones, the man responsible for destroying his family. Vindication was the way and Maxwell was excited. The anticipation ushered him to sleep.

  Chapter 3

  His release couldn’t come fast enough. Spending another night stuck in the hospital was absurd. A second night wasn’t an option. As soon as the doctor told him he was free to go and the nurse handed him a filled prescription for pain, Maxwell had dashed from the hospital glad to catch the last remaining hour of daylight. A short cab ride and he was driving from the courthouse parking garage. He should probably go home he thought, gently massaging his temple. The notion was fleeting. Maxwell was barreling down the street before the notion could fully form into a slight possibility, let alone action. Instead, Maxwell whipped his Porsche 911 into the reserved parking space, stopping inches from the M. M. sign. Late Saturday afternoon, the parking lot was practically empty. Perfect; he could go inside and regroup. Space and privacy was what he yearned and his office was the id
eal oasis.

  Maxwell was out of sorts having found his cell phone with a dead battery. He couldn’t get any calls or messages, causing him to be agitated. He’d poke around his receptionist’s desk to see if there were any messages left for him. There was bound to be a stack from Nicole. If his sister had tracked him down in the hospital, he figured Nicole would make the same effort in reaching him. He didn’t want anyone swooning over him. Keeping love at least an arm’s length away from his heart worked and Nicole understood. She’d allowed him the space he required for going on two years. Fear had a way of skewing perspectives though. His mishap at the courthouse was bound to get her all worked up and worried about him. He figured that’s what companions did. Fourteen- and fifteen-hour days didn’t leave much time for dating. So, he based her reaction purely on what seemed logical. He was poised to tell her he was okay and not to worry. He ruffled a few papers on his receptionist’s desk and didn’t find any messages, not from Nicole, not from other clients offering concern, from no one.

  He lingered at the desk for a moment. His eyes moved around the room noting its emptiness and the solitude that mocked him. Refusing to play the victim, Maxwell toughened up and went into his office. It was the room where dreams came true for the weak and retribution was realized for him. Entering his sanctuary was the boost he needed. A few sharp pains here and there and a little blurriness was the only lingering reminder of his recent attack. Couple of days and that would be gone but the troubles strapped to Reverend Morgan weren’t going away as quickly, not after the reverend lost his case yesterday. Neither would those of Bishop Jones once Maxwell orchestrated his due justice.

  He plopped into his chair and extracted the files from his lower right side drawer. They were waiting on his arrival. He opened the folder feeling revived, alive. The absence of Nicole’s call was hurled out of his mind. His heart was entangled in only one love affair and that was his commitment to making hypocritical leaders accountable. Dusk would soon be rolling in and night would quickly follow. Maxwell didn’t mind. Working most of the night in total submersion was the best medication for his mild headache.

  Hustling through the airport was commonplace. Shuttle service, freezing hotel rooms, lavish dinners eaten alone night after night was the reality Nicole knew, one she acknowledged without resistance. Becoming senior consulting manager was the reward, an achievement she’d sacrificed her personal life to earn and graciously accepted. She flipped the magazine pages, hastily without recalling a single image or story title. She checked her watch repeatedly, each time with only two or three minutes having elapsed.

  Maxwell continued crashing her sanity. On any other occasion his memory would be shoved into her bag, surfacing when her plane landed at Philadelphia International. Today images of him couldn’t be suppressed. Hearing the news about his attack yesterday stirred her in a way she hadn’t felt before. She pulled out her phone, wanting to call him again, but how could she? The two calls she placed earlier today and the one last evening were sufficient. That’s what she’d have to keep telling herself. She knew he’d return the call if and when he was ready. That’s how they worked: no stressful relationship business, no commitment, and no issues. It was the way Maxwell wanted it. Nicole began flipping the pages again checking her watch. It was what she wanted too, she guessed.

  “Flight number 467 for Philadelphia now boarding at Gate 41,” the departure gate attendant announced.

  Nicole gathered her belongings, trying to shake off her uneasiness. Restlessness in the pit of her abdomen would not go away. She stuffed the magazine into the front pocket of her shoulder bag and snatched up her Starbucks cup. “Our Executive Platinum guests are welcomed to board.” Nicole walked briskly toward the door, ready to hop on board and sleep away her jitters, hoping to land refreshed after the red-eye flight.

  “Mommy, can we go now?” the little girl asked the lady standing near Nicole.

  “No, dear, that’s for people who fly all the time and don’t get to go home very much.”

  Nicole shortened her strides. Someone from behind asked if she was in line. “Uh, no, go ahead,” Nicole said, pretending to search for something in her bag as she stepped aside to let the other passengers go ahead, those with the distinction of having racked up 100,000 air miles in a year, the equivalent of about twenty round trips from one coast to the other. She fumbled in the bag until all platinum and even gold members had boarded. Families were next, a category she didn’t plan on joining too soon. At least that’s how she’d felt, particularly with a shot at making partner in the firm being squarely within her grasp.

  “Excuse me, miss, are you in line?” another mother asked who had been standing nearby holding a baby.

  “No, you can go ahead,” Nicole said taking a few steps back. Her first-class seat wasn’t going anywhere. She’d wait and board with the final group. Standing slightly off to the side gave her a view she hadn’t seen before. She was always in the front of a line, never having to wait near or sit by families. For those few minutes, she watched the mother in line with her children. From a distance, the view was more endearing than she’d imagined. But it was from a distance, the place she’d always preferred. Suddenly, making partner didn’t seem as electrifying but it was all she had. She stepped in line with boarding pass in hand. There was no need to fret. She was only thirty and had plenty of time to obtain it all: another promotion or two and a family. Nicole glanced at her phone again hoping for a call; none came. She strolled down the Jetway, certain Maxwell was okay. He had to be.

  Chapter 4

  Nicole tapped away at the keys on her laptop as the dim light shadowed her space. She’d caught a nap right after they’d left Los Angeles around ten-thirty. Four and a half hours into the flight, she was wide awake. The other people around her were sleeping, including the mother and baby sitting across the aisle. Admittedly, Nicole was perturbed when she boarded the plane. She sat in first class for a reason, and spending an overnight flight near a crying baby wasn’t going to work. Surprisingly, the baby had done very well. Nicole continued typing, stopping to read the screen. She pressed the call button overhead.

  Shortly, the flight attendant came to the seat. “How can I help you?” she asked reaching to turn off the lit button.

  “Could you please bring me a cup of coffee, with two sugars?”

  The attendant returned immediately with the hot cup. Right after she set the cup down, the plane dipped. The liquid jiggled in the cup a little. Flying constantly, Nicole had adjusted to moments of turbulence. A few dips here and there came with the territory. She went back to typing. The plane dropped again, this time spilling coffee into the cup holder. People began stirring. The baby across the aisle woke up and peered around. Nicole made eye contact as the baby began cooing. Nicole released a smile, intrigued.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re coming into a rough patch of weather flying over Ohio. I’m going to ask everyone to please take your seats and secure your seat belts. It may be a little bumpy, but we’ll do everything we can to make the ride as comfortable as possible,” the voice blared over the intercom.

  Before the pilot could finish, the plane dropped like a roller coaster. “Oh,” Nicole exclaimed as the plane took a dip, splashing coffee onto her leg and burning the skin underneath her pants. She snatched a couple of napkins lying on the armrest and patted the coffee spots. The baby began crying. Cabin lights were turned on and everybody in first class seemed to be sitting up in their seats. She refused to panic. The baby was wailing now. Screams from the rear of the plane could be heard all the way up to first class. Nicole sat back in her seat, with arms braced and hands clutched around the ends of the armrests. Once she realized the motion wasn’t going to stop, fear set in. Panic clicked into high gear. What if the plane was damaged in the storm and couldn’t land? She couldn’t stop thinking about Maxwell. Plenty of what-if scenarios took over. Her heart raced. The plane shook like the sides were going to blow off followed by a drop. It felt like she had fall
en several stories. Nicole jumped in her seat as the overhead air masks came down. “Oh my God,” Nicole yelled, not caring who heard. She wasn’t a spiritual person but if God was listening it couldn’t hurt to call Him for help. Maybe she should have gone to church more often. Maybe then she would have learned how to pray. She gripped the armrest tighter and squeezed her eyelids shut.

  “This is your captain speaking. Please stay in your seats and remain calm.” Screaming and moans drowned out the captain as the plane continued dipping and rising. “The air masks have automatically released as a precaution, but the cabin pressure is stable. I repeat; this is only a precaution.”

  Nobody seemed to be paying attention to what he was saying. He was secure behind the cockpit security door and couldn’t see or hear the chaos in the cabin. “Flight attendants, I’m asking for you to stay seated too. We’re going to climb higher and try to find a smoother elevation. When we’re at a safe cruising level, I’ll turn off the seat belt sign.”

  Nicole winced. She didn’t care about a silly seat belt sign. Didn’t he know the plane was about to crash?

  The mother across the aisle cradled the baby girl until her cries dissipated to a whimper. Reflecting on the vacant seat next to her, Nicole was empty. If she were to die at this very minute, who would care? Would there be anyone crying themselves to sleep because she was gone? Not Maxwell. He’d surely attend her memorial service at 11:00 a.m. and be in the office by 12:30, not having enough time to join the procession going to the cemetery. There was no one she could think of, and the revelation caused her to tear up. Water droplets filled her eyelids as she stared at the little girl. Maybe there was more to life than her career. She pulled a tissue from her purse and dabbed her eyelids. The plane was settling down as her anxiety escalated.