Loves Redemption Read Online Free PDF Page B

into bed and within moments fell into a deep, content sleep.

CHAPTER 4

    Monday morning, Mark was at his desk working before his customary 8 a.m. He’d been
    restless the entire weekend, at loose ends.

    It wasn’t as though he didn’t have plenty to do in his off hours. He’d recently purchased a turn of the century Victorian farmhouse and had already clocked in most of his free time
    renovating it. Jordan often joined him, and the two would participate in traditional male bonding that only the presence of hammer and nails seemed to inspire.

    “Hey, man, when did you get in?” Jordan went directly to the coffeemaker after entering
    the squad room.

    Mark silently asked for a refill before answering. “A few hours ago. I needed to clear up
    a few cases. This damn case has demanded so much of my time, I haven’t had much time to do
    anything else.”

    “Yeah, tell me about it. By the way, did the lieutenant get the DNA results back from the
    strand of hair they found on the female victim?” Jordan asked as he handed Mark the steaming Styrofoam cup.

    Mark took a tentative sip before grimacing. “Damn, man, how long has this stuff been in
    there?” He set the coffee aside and went back to his files.

    “Snob.” Jordan laughed. “The night crew made it, I think. Man, what happened Friday
    with the doc? Did she make a positive ID?”

    “Yes. It was her foster sister, Allison Hill. I asked Maya if she knew any of her sister’s
    ‘friends’ but she didn’t. It seems as though Allison kept a tight lid on who she hung out with.”

    “Maya, huh? First name basis? I guess the two of you got pretty acquainted.” Jordan
    flopped his large frame in his chair and crossed his equally large feet on Mark’s desk.

    Mark rudely tossed his partners feet back to the floor and decided to ignore the question
    for the moment. He remembered the necklace that Maya asked about. “Jordan, do you remember
    seeing a necklace with a pendant on the female victim’s neck? I don’t remember seeing it on her body or in the evidence bag.”

    “I don’t think so. Why?”

    “Maya mentioned that she and Allison wore matching necklaces from the time they were
    kids. You know the type; they look like two halves of the same whole. I’ll go and check in the evidence room later.”

    After several hours of nonstop work, Mark glanced down at his watch and noticed it was
    well after lunch. Thoughts of Maya had made their way fleetingly into his mind throughout the morning. He’d had enough, and knew if he didn’t do something about it soon, he’d lose it.

    Mark stood and looked at the clock. Jordan noticed him and said, “I didn’t know it was so
    late. You want to go grab a sandwich or something? Man I’m starving. Chips and coffee can
    only hold a man so long.”

    “Go ahead without me. I need to follow up on something, and I’m not sure how long it’s
    going to take. I’ll catch up with you later.”

    “Do you need any backup?” Jordan volunteered as he stood and kneaded his neck, and
    then picked up his jacket.

    “No I can handle it. I’ll be back as soon as I’m finished.” Mark didn’t want to disclose
    the exact nature of his errand. “I’ll pick something up to eat on my way back.”

    Before he left the station, he verified the address for Imani House, and as he went to his
    SUV, he felt an unfamiliar clench in his stomach. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear it was nervousness. Which, he thought, was ridiculous. He never felt nervous about a woman, no matter how good she looked.

    After he arrived at Imani House, the door opened and he came face to face with the nosy
    neighbor who’d interrupted his intimate encounter with Maya on Friday.

    “May I help you, Detective?” she asked in a husky voice.

    “Yes, ma’am. I came to speak with Dr. Maya Richardson on official police business. Is
    she available?”

    “She is conducting group counseling at the moment. When she finishes, I will let