“The thing Price didn’t count on is your corruption was never about money. Right?” Queen teased.
“My corruption?” Maverick chuckled. “I’m not corrupt. But go-on. I’m listening. You know so much, tell me,” he said.
“You’re a revenge junkie,” Queen tossed.
“A what?” Maverick laughed.
“You heard me. You act out of revenge—the people who were killed by you in the line of duty. The chances you took, they were always to settle a score and make you superior. When you thought Dee was using her money and power to take your kid from you after losing your wife, you acted out of revenge, not for Noah. The same way you acted out of revenge with Jose Garcia when he killed your girlfriend. You getting close to my friend while she’s vulnerable to take her kid is for revenge.
“Then it’s your time to enlighten me. What’s the plan, playa?” Queen asked.
“I’m in love with her,” he said.
Queen choked on her beer and spat some up on herself before she jumped from her seat. She set the bottle down and grabbed a Kleenex. She wiped herself and her mouth. “So that’s the plan? Complete bullshit!”
“I can prove it. And when I do, I want something from you,” Maverick said.
Queen frowned. “Something from me?”
“I want you to keep this theory of yours in your head, not in Delilah’s. She’s going through a lot. Make her doubt me, and she won’t trust anyone. Give her a chance to figure me out on her own. She’s smarter than both of us.”
“Why the hell would I do that?” Queen laughed. “My friend trusts me.”
“For the same reason, you brought that beer and sat down to taunt me with your theory. The same reason you haven’t told her what you think about my intentions. Because you want to use me, and because you’re right. Armand Al Jabaar is a person of interest for you.”
“I’m listening,” said Queen.
“He did fund everything. Like you said, he showed up at my garage to destroy Delilah. He still thinks he can. That’s your way in, isn’t it? You want to find this missing friend of yours, Goodiva; you want to protect both your friends, but to do so, you need me.” Maverick sat forward and stared at her, never breaking eye contact. “Fine. Work me.”
Queen shook her head with a smile. “I don’t need to work you. I needed confirmation that you were slime and working for Jaxon Price. You just gave it to me. Please. You love Delilah, yea right.”
“You’re a smarter detective than that,” Maverick said.
“What?” Queen tensed.
“I can help. I can pull Armand in. Bring him close enough for you to catch him at his game. You can then turn him to tell the truth about Goodiva and what Jaxon Price is up to. I make this happen, you find Goodiva, you give me a chance to know my son and get to know Delilah without your interference. I earn your trust. Put me to work.”
“She’ll never want anyone like you, Maverick. She’s confused, but Dee, she won’t stay that way. I know her. Look around you. Dee was born for this life. You’re a foster kid turned bad cop, nobody. You’re more like me than her.”
“That’s strange,” Maverick said. “I thought you two were really close?”
“We are!” Queen defended herself.
“Why do you sound like the rest of them? Judging her, thinking she can’t change or grow. She wasn’t born for this life either. She was chosen and pushed into it because of some test scores.”
“What if I tell her who I think you are? What then?”
“Then she’ll declare war on me. She’ll think I’m a fraud and try to keep my son from me. All this progress she and I made will be flushed down the toilet. Nobody wins.”
“So?” Queen shrugged.
Maverick stared at her for another long pause. His patience had snapped. Now he was angry. And he didn’t know how far anger would take him in this conversation. “You read my file, detective. You think I’m a revenge junkie. You said you know the man I was. Then I’ll ask you. Do you think I’ll walk away from my son? Ever? Do you think I won’t fight back to have him? Is that the man you see?”
Queen’s face pinched with anger.
“I said I’m in love with her. It’s the only way I can describe how I feel for her. You can believe me or not—your choice. I suggest you put me to the test and let me prove it. That’s all I’m asking. Hell, all of you are here watching me. She’s safe. I’ll help you bring down Jaxon Price. I’ll help you find your friend. I’ll prove loyalty over revenge. Deal?”
Queen didn’t bother to answer. Maverick stood and walked toward her and drank her beer in her face before he set the bottle down on the coffee table. He then extended his hand. “Make the deal, detective.”
Queen looked down at his hand and then up into his eyes. She accepted his hand and shook on it. “If you fail. If you turn this on me and do anything that hurts my friends, I’ll make you pay just like I intend to make Jaxon Price pay. Try me.”
“I believe you,” Maverick gave her a half-smile. Queen didn’t appreciate the gesture and left, slamming the door behind her. Maverick sighed and reached for another beer. He’d said he loved Delilah out of reflex, and he wasn’t sure that love was the right word. Maverick’s feelings felt foreign in him. All he knew was, he could not and would not abandon what he’d found with her.
DELILAH’S PHONE BEEPED just as the driver arrived at Falcon Cove City Hall. The historical building was used by the socialites of the Cove for their significant charitable events every year. It had been lit up for the distinguished affair though it was two in the afternoon. Delilah removed the phone from her purse and checked her text messages. It was from Maverick. It read: ‘Give them hell!’
The vote of confidence was a needed boost to her courage. Delilah wanted to text Maverick and apologize for her behavior. She stopped herself. The apology would be better served to him in person. It was showtime.
Delilah released a deep relaxed breath. She mumbled her own little prayer as the door opened, and the driver helped her to step out. Delilah nodded her appreciation to him and started up the steps. She couldn't miss and not be aware of all the eyes that fell upon her during her arrival. When she passed through security, she was approached in an instant. Several ladies who were on the board and a few who were aspiring to be elected had agendas. It became hard to take a step without giving hugs and accepting condolences and well wishes as they all vied for her recognition. All of it felt forced, and their smiles were more ghoulish to her than welcoming when they parted.
Delilah missed Goodiva. Her friend had a way of socializing friends or foes that she often envied. Instead of dwelling too much on her friends' absence, she pulled strength from her fierceness. There was entertainment. A young woman she mentored in the Junior Women’s League chapter played the harp. Delilah winked at her with an encouraging nod. The young girl smiled brightly and nodded in return.
Not everyone inside was her enemy, and knowing that relaxed her troubled thoughts. Delilah paid more attention to the details and planning of the event that was done without her input. The small tall round tables with long white cloths had crimson roses that year. The mere sight of them made her teeth clench. She never approved of red roses. It must have been Karen’s touch. Men in tuxedoes with white gloves served champagne as others dined on finger foods passed around on sparkling bright silver trays. Balloons were added this year. It made the place look like a fancy birthday party instead of a distinguished brunch. Delilah rolled her eyes at the festive banners and advertisement cards put on easels for local businesses. This was not the place or time for such blatant salesmanship. Besides, the companies belonged to the women sponsoring the event, so it came off as a desperate ploy: something she vetoed every year but this year.