Read Online Relentless by Patricia Haley and Gracie Hill - Free Book Online

would appreciate it if you could attend a nine a.m. community meeting tomorrow here at City Hall. There will be some key city officials and clergymen in attendance. Our goal is to reduce the mounting gun violence in the city and build alliances with at-risk youths.” Maxwell stared straight ahead envisioning the mayor’s meeting. “I apologize for the late invitation. However, your legal expertise and insight could be very beneficial to our overall objective.”
    Maxwell suppressed the laughter rumbling in his throat. He continued with the surprised facade. “Absolutely, Mayor, I wouldn’t want to miss something so desperately needed. And the fact that you are including clergymen will certainly add value to the meeting.” Maxwell was charged by the notion of having a flock of ministers feeling awkward in his presence. He gave the mayor a lively, “I will see you there.” Maxwell hung up with a newly motivated drive that thrust him to the white board. For the next few hours he sifted through papers, lined up questions, and mapped out a course of action for blindsiding Bishop Jones.
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    The afternoon had sliced away the early morning haze and Maxwell hadn’t left his office. It didn’t seem like Sonya could quell her curiosity about the mayor’s call any longer. For the second time today, she knocked on Maxwell’s door and entered without being directed to do so. “Mr. Montgomery. I’m checking to see if you would like me to order you some lunch? You didn’t even have your coffee this morning.”
    Without glancing in her direction, he responded, “I’m fine, thanks. I’ve got a lot of work to do today, and I don’t want to stop right now.”
    â€œDid you need me to do anything for you based on the mayor’s call earlier?”
    Suddenly, he looked up from the paper he was holding. “Oh, yes, you can cancel my appointments for tomorrow. Clear my calendar. I will be out most of the day.” She left with him intentionally giving her no additional information.
    Maxwell got up from the table and added another item to his list on the white board. Considering the number of young folks at Jones’s church, he wondered how many of them had been arrested, incarcerated, or had gang affiliations. What had Jones done to help steer any of them in the right direction? Had he bailed any of the young men out of jail? Had he mentored any of them? Had he put any of the federal funds to good use, those specifically earmarked for helping at-risk youth? Maxwell snapped his fingers and pointed to the list in front of him, thinking that might be an effective line of questions to toss at Jones and the other ministers. Drawing upon guilt instead of blood would be his strategy.
    He called Garrett to work another miracle and get answers before the meeting. It would cost more money. Maxwell didn’t care. Every dollar spent was deemed a wise investment.

Chapter 11
    Maxwell took anxious strides as he walked up the steps of the city hall building, his eyes scoping out every minister and politician he recognized. A barrage of oohs and aahs forced him to turn around and see just what commanded the crowd’s attention. The shiny black automobile held onlookers captive. It was elegant, big, and bold. The taunting chrome grille accented the car’s sleek body along with the signature crafted rims. It was unmistakably a top-of-the-line Mercedes, and there was no confusion about who the owner was.
    Bishop Jones stepped out of the car, pulled at the lapels of his suit jacket with both hands, and plastered a wide grin onto his face. Walking away, he turned to aim his key ring at the luxury vehicle. The car’s alarm engaged, sounding off with some sort of customized trumpet and saxophone blended melody. The bishop supposedly relied on God for other conveniences. Maxwell wondered why a man as holy as the bishop professed to be wasn’t trusting