Tic Tac Toe (A Suspense Novel)

by Kel E. Mitchell

  “Do I have a meeting scheduled?”

  “No.”

  “Find out what story it’s concerning and whether or not it’s urgent. If it’s not, reschedule it. I’m swamped.”

  “I certainly wouldn’t consider it urgent, especially since it has nothing whatsoever to do with work – but when I asked the lady to schedule an appointment, she became enraged. She simply won’t take no for an answer.”

  “Did you get her name?”

  Diane paused for a moment and then with a knowing smile said, “Tweed Richards.”

  “Oh man! She is relentless. I can’t say I’m surprised.” Max smiled. “Go ahead and send her in – I’ll deal with her myself.”

  Diane left his office and returned a few moments later with Tweed. Diane showed her into Max’s office and then shut the door behind them as she left. She wasn’t in the mood to hear Tweed’s obnoxious voice – neither was he.

  “Sorry for just dropping in on you like this,” Tweed said to Max once they were alone. Her mouth spread into an alluring smile as she added, “I really hope it’s not too big an inconvenience.”

  “That’s very thoughtful of you, Tweed,” he responded impatiently.

  Her practiced smile faltered, and it took her several seconds to recover. “So, how are things with work?”

  “They’re fine.”

  “And your uncle – how’s he?”

  “He’s fine.”

  “Good . . . good.”

  After a long, uncomfortable pause Max said, “So, are you going to tell me why you’re here?”

  Tweed looked taken back. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Don’t you?”

  She was surprised by his tone and pursed her lips as she said, “I’m not used to this. You’ve been hanging out with Luke more than usual haven’t you?” She waved her hand to dismiss any answer from him. “He’s rubbed off on you. It’s a shame he’s so vile – otherwise, he could have had some potential.”

  Fed up with her incessant chatter, Max responded, “I’m pretty sure he’d say the same thing about you.”

  Tweed’s composure snapped, and her demure façade melted away with her next words. “I don’t care what Luke thinks about me! He’s not what I came here to talk about. I want to know what’s going on between us.”

  “The same thing that’s been going on for years – nothing!”

  Trying to manipulate him in order to get what she wanted – she smiled flirtatiously and tamed her shrill voice to a softer tone. “You don’t really feel that way. I know you don’t.”

  “Trust me, I do.” He turned his back to her, and her smile vanished. It was obvious to her that Max was signaling the end of the conversation, but she refused to leave until she knew the answer to one more question.

  She was seething, and her voice sounded caustic. “This is about Irene isn’t it?”

  “Let’s leave Irene out of this, shall we?”

  “No!” Tweed shouted. “Tell me yes or no. Is this about Irene?”

  “What would you say if I said yes?”

  “I’d walk out of here and never come back.”

  Max turned around to face her, crossed his arms over his chest, and smiled as he said, “It’s about Irene.”

  Tweed’s breathing escalated, and her face went red with rage. She stormed out of his office and slammed the door shut behind her. Max realized this was the first time he’d ever told anyone openly how he felt about Irene.

  Chapter 59

  “How are you, Max?” Blake questioned as his nephew pulled out an upholstered, high back chair and joined him at the table where he had already started on his appetizer. “I was surprised to hear from you. I thought that you said you wouldn’t be able to make it today.” They usually met for lunch every month at their favorite restaurant. However, Max knew how heinous his day at the office was going to be so he had canceled lunch that morning only to call and re-schedule it after what had happened with Tweed.

  “Change of plans – things got complicated, and I need to talk to you.”

  “Go ahead. I’m all ears.”

  Max rested is hands on the table and took a deep breath. “Tweed dropped by my office today.”

  Blake shook his head – not quite understanding where this conversation was headed. “Go on.”

  “She asked me where things were going with us.”

  Blake raised his eyebrows and said firmly, “I hope that you told her things were going nowhere between you.”

  Max nodded. “I did.”

  “So, what’s so complicated? It sounds like you straightened everything out. Hopefully, she’ll get it this time,” he added with a laugh.

  Max cleared his throat and Blake could sense his hesitation. “There’s a little more to it than that.”

  “I haven’t got all day, and from the sound of things at your office, neither have you – so you’d better start talking.”

  “I guess you could say that things got complicated when Tweed asked me if the reason that I wasn’t getting back together with her was because of Irene.”

  Blake tried not to let his immense interest or delight show as he questioned, “And did you tell her that Irene was the reason?”

  “I don’t want to be with Tweed regardless.”

  “Don’t skirt around my question like a politician – answer me.” Blake looked Max directly in the eye and asked the question that had been on his mind for years. “Is the fact that you’re not with Tweed, or anyone else for that matter, because you have feelings for Irene?”

  He looked down at his hands and then back at his uncle. A slight smile touched his face and he nodded. “Yes. If I can’t be with Irene, I’d rather be alone.”

  Blake grinned and slammed his hand on the table. “That’s the best news I’ve had in ages. It’s better than learning I’m one of the richest men in America.” He let out a deep sigh and leaned back comfortably in his chair. “You know – on second thought – I do have all day. Let’s make sure and order dessert.”

  Max couldn’t help but smile at Blake’s obvious delight with the situation. “There’s just one little problem.”

  Blake’s smile faded slightly, and he looked puzzled. “What’s that?”

  “Irene. It’s possible that she may simply tell me where to go.”

  “Possible . . . but not likely. You made a mistake once before where she was concerned – I’d hate to see you make another one.”

  Max looked intently at his uncle and said, “What do you mean another one?”

  “You’ve regretted for years how things turned out between you and Irene. Now you have a second chance. You’ll always regret it if you don’t find out if things could be different this time around.”

  Max ran his hand through his hair. He was nervous to tell Irene the truth. “How do I just blurt out something like that?”

  “Trust me – when the moment’s right – you’ll know what to do.”

  Chapter 60

  As Irene sat relaxing in her family room late one evening, she heard the doorbell ring. Puzzled, her brow furrowed as she glanced over at the antique mantel clock. She had spoken with Max earlier that evening, and he had said nothing about coming over. But when the doorbell rang yet again, Irene quickly concluded that he must have changed his mind and, due to the lateness of the hour, decided to ring the doorbell rather than let himself in so that he wouldn’t startle her.

  Irene got up off the couch and moved quickly to answer the door, which she opened without preamble. However, instead of seeing Max waiting there as she’d expected, Irene found Dr. Steven Archibald on the other side of the now open door. Her heart rate immediately sped up, and it took a great effort on her part to keep her face expressionless. At last, Irene found her voice, a voice that sounded remarkably calm even to her own ears. “Dr. Archibald. What an unexpected pleasure.”

  “Please, Irene,” he replied familiarly, “call me Steven.�
� She forced a smile in response but had no intention of complying with his wishes. After some time, he continued, “I think you know why I’m here.”

  Irene hoped that Dr. Archibald couldn’t see the panic in her face or that her hands were shaking. The questions started to race through her mind, and she couldn’t help but wonder if he had somehow learned that she suspected him of her father’s murder. She tried to calculate for a moment whether she could shut the door in his face and lock it before he was able to stop her. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that it took her longer than normal before she finally said, “Actually, I have no idea why you’re here.”

  “Didn’t you get the flowers I sent?”

  “Yes. Thank you. They were very beautiful.” She paused for a moment before adding, her face full of confusion, “But, I’m not sure exactly what they have to do with your being here now.”

  Dr Archibald clicked his tongue. “Stop trying to behave so innocently, Irene.” He paused and then added meaningfully, “I know what you’re up to.”

  Irene felt an intense sense of terror – disaster lurking in the shadows – just waiting to break free. This time when she spoke, her voice trembled. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  A slow grin spread across his face, and he took a step nearer. “Why don’t I just come inside so that we can talk about it?”

  “Now’s actually not a good time for me.”

  “Why not? We both know perfectly well that you’re home alone.” His face was intense, and when he took another step closer, her hand moved to hold the side of the door in an attempt to prevent him from coming any nearer.

  Irene was terrified, and she felt as if she were about to faint. Just then, she saw a pair of headlights turn onto the circular driveway and watched as the vehicle came to a stop in front of her home. Two police officers emerged from the car and approached her.

  “Ms. Duncan. We’re with the Boston Police Department. We have a few more questions to ask you,” one of the officers explained. “If now’s not a convenient time . . .”

  “No, officer,” Irene interrupted, “now is just fine.” Irene opened the door wider and gestured for the police officers to enter. They walked through the door and into the library which was located just off the entryway. Irene turned back to face Dr. Archibald. “If you’ll excuse me, Dr. Archibald, I’m afraid this can’t wait.”

  Left with no other alternative, he nodded as he said, “I understand.” He paused for a moment and then added, “I’ll be seeing you soon.”

  Irene tried to keep her face calm and her smile convincing as she responded, “Thanks again for the flowers.” She shut and locked the door behind him.

  After he’d gone, Irene leaned her forehead against the closed door. She was breathing heavily, and she shivered involuntarily – as a result of not only the cold night air. She stayed that way for some time as she tried to steady her nerves. Once she was calmer, she walked into the library where the officers sat waiting for her – they had unknowingly timed their visit perfectly.

  Chapter 61

  Luke sat quietly in the hospital cafeteria one morning as he researched the three cases he’d found in Bryson’s cabinet, but so far, his search had been unlucky. He’d already looked into two of the cases and found nothing that he believed to be motivation for murdering the judge. He only had one more case to go.

  He let out a discouraged sigh and looked at the last case listed on the note – Peter McCune v. Heathshore Reality, Inc. He meticulously read through the information – careful not to miss a thing.

  At the time of the litigation, Peter McCune was in his late thirties and a member of the lower middle class. One day, a few days after a snowstorm, McCune was on his way to an interview at a prominent business complex when he slipped on some ice in the parking lot. He hit his head on the curb and sustained severe injuries. His fall resulted in subsequent seizures and large medical bills. McCune sued Heathshore Reality, the owner of the complex for negligence. He maintained that it was Heathshore’s duty to keep the parking lot free from ice.

  Heathshore disputed McCune’s claims stating that there was no negligence on its part. Heathshore asserted that it had cleared the snow from the parking lot. Therefore, it was not responsible for the damage done to the plaintiff. McCune argued that the cleared snow had melted and then refrozen.

  Luke looked up from the computer screen. His gaze moved about the room, but his thoughts were still focused on the case he had just read. Reading the case triggered his memory, and he tried to recall how it had turned out. He remembered how insurmountable a feat it had seemed for one man to take on an organization as powerful as Heathshore Reality. It was one of the most prestigious and affluent business developers in the state and the surrounding areas.

  Luke rubbed his hands together thoughtfully for a moment and then glanced back down at the screen as he continued to read. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, with a four to three split, ruled in favor of Heathshore Reality, Inc. stating that there was no negligence on Heathshore’s part and that the ice in the parking lot was a result of natural accumulation rather than snow removal.

  Luke let out a slow whistle. There was little doubt in his mind that Heathshore Reality had paid Duncan for swinging the outcome its way. After all, it had billions of dollars at its disposal. Peter McCune, on the other hand, lost a potential fortune. Luke thought to himself for a moment, and he couldn’t help but wonder if Duncan’s decision had been reason enough for Peter McCune to commit murder.

  Chapter 62

  As Luke was returning from the hospital cafeteria that afternoon, there was a flurry of activity in and around Sarah Jane’s hospital room. Frantic, he rushed through the door to find several doctors and nurses crowded around her bed. He moved quickly to her bedside to see what was causing all the commotion. Even though he knew it would be difficult for him, he had to see what was wrong. As he broke through the circle of hospital personal surrounding the bed, he came to an abrupt halt. All he could do was stare at her – Sarah Jane had regained consciousness.

  Tears of relief formed in his eyes, and when he spoke, his voice was quiet and sounded almost reverent. “Sarah.”

  She smiled slightly and couldn’t stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks. Luke moved forward until he stood by her bed and gently took her hand in his. “They told me that you were here – that you’ve been here for days.” He nodded, and she took a breath and then continued, “Thank you.”

  “For what,” he questioned, his face puzzled.

  “For not leaving me alone.”

  He smiled and didn’t even try to stop the tears that came. “Never.” He bent down and gently kissed her.

  ***

  Later that night, after Sarah Jane had had a chance to rest, Luke sat in a chair next to her bed where he told her about what had been happening since her attack. “I was finally able to track down your parents.” Her parents were deep in the jungles of Cambodia where her father was on an aid assignment as a physician for the charitable organization Doctors Without Borders. “They’ll be here as soon as they can, but it could take a while because they were basically in the middle of nowhere when I got in touch with them.”

  She nodded. “Thanks for doing that, Luke. I feel better just knowing that they’re on their way.”

  She let out a relieved sigh, and it was then that she commented on his disheveled appearance and noted his obvious exhaustion. Rather than a suit, which he normally wore to work, he had on jeans and a black, button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up. It appeared that he hadn’t shaved in days, and his brilliant eyes had dark circles under them. Luke noticed her careful scrutiny and jokingly volunteered, “I know, I know – at the moment I’m not what you’d call every woman’s fantasy. Am I right?”

  She smiled. “I wasn’t thinking that.”

  He grinned, “Oh, you weren’t?”

  “No. I was just thinking how diff
erent you look right now than when you go to work.”

  “Speaking of work,” he teased, “I’m thinking everyone is going to know that something’s going on between us, seeing as I haven’t been there since you were attacked.”

  Sarah Jane’s concern was obvious in her voice. “You haven’t been at all? You’re probably going to be buried when you get back.”

  “Not really. I’ve been doing a lot of work from here – with my laptop. Max and Irene brought it to me. They’ve stopped by several times. They’ve been really worried about you.”

  “They are so sweet.”

  “Irene brings fresh flowers every time she comes.” He gestured across the room to the vast assortment of flower arrangements as he said, “It’s practically a garden in here.”

  Sarah Jane smiled at him, but her smile faded as she noticed that he appeared to be worried about something. “Is something wrong?”

  Luke tried to look relaxed, as though he were perfectly at ease, but Sarah Jane could tell that he was hiding something as he said, “No, nothing’s wrong.”

  “Liar,” she teased. “Why don’t you just go ahead and tell me what’s bothering you rather than making me work it out of you. I’m sure my doctor would say it’s not good for my recovery.”

  He looked down uncomfortably at his hands as he said, “I feel like this whole thing is my fault. I never should have gotten you involved in any of this mess. If I hadn’t, you never would have gotten hurt.” He paused and took a labored breath. “I’m sorry, Sarah.”

  Sarah Jane placed her hand softly on the side of his cheek, and his gaze moved from his hands to her eyes. “I don’t want you to be sorry, Luke – I’m not.” He said nothing, and she elaborated, “The only thing that I’d feel sorry about is if I’d never had the chance to meet you.”

  He smiled warmly at her, and even though his tone sounded playful, he meant every word he said. “I hope you really mean that because now that you’ve got me, good luck getting rid of me!”

 

  Chapter 63

 

  “Irene?” Max called as he walked up the stairs in her house.

  “I’m in my bedroom. Go ahead and come in. I’m almost ready.” He had tickets for them to the Boston Ballet’s fundraising production of The Nutcracker that evening. He thought that she needed a little diversion from all the stress of the past weeks.