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

youth have received GEDs through your federally funded ‘Not Too Late to Learn’ program? How many moved from failing grades to passing grades after participating in the ‘Afterschool Home Work Club’ hosted at Greater Metropolitan?”
    Piercing stares crawled across the table and onto Maxwell like leeches desiring his blood. He didn’t flinch a bit. Maxwell was pretty sure Jones’s intense demeanor was sculpted by the thoughts tumbling around in his head while he grasped for quick answers that would keep him from looking ineffective. Maxwell didn’t need Jones to toss out numbers. He knew the answer to each question. He was sure the community would be interested, too, especially since Community Development Block Grant funds and Federal Faith Based Initiative funds were awarded based on taxpayers’ money.
    Jones leaned forward with his right forearm pressed into the table and his left hand anchored to the arm of his chair. “Are you questioning the church’s motive and commitment to community change?”
    Maxwell decided to let Jones off the cross. It wasn’t his intent to persecute him publicly just yet. He only wanted to sow a few seeds. “Not at all, Bishop; I’m sure those programs were successful and the money put to good use.” Maxwell could taste his own unsavory lie. “We should consider some of the best practices that you implemented and use them as a stepping stone toward the objective of our meeting.”
    Maxwell began to paint with a broader stroke of his brush. Commanding the room, he pulled everyone in, and he continued with his previous line of questioning. “How many young men have you bailed out of jail and put into mentoring programs? How many young gang members have you invited to the church to settle a turf war with a rival gang? How many drug dealers have you tried to help get a job? Have any of us done enough?” Maxwell included himself to disguise his covert mission. “These are questions each of us should ask ourselves. Our at-risk youth aren’t going to stop doing what they’re doing. They’re not going to stop making poor choices until they have alternatives.”
    The thick aroma of contempt and unrest in the room dissolved, allowing Maxwell to witness fewer pinched foreheads and several men relax in their chairs.
    â€œI knew you would have some valuable input, Mr. Montgomery,” the mayor said. “We should all accept some level of accountability for what’s wrong in our communities. And we all must share in the responsibility to steer our youth down positive pathways and identify ways to derail those who are already on a locomotive headed toward destruction. What you’ve said is a great segue into a strategy that Bishop Jones and I have been discussing for several weeks now.” The mayor stretched his hand out toward Jones and nodded his head for him to have the floor again.
    A calm satisfaction washed over Maxwell, much like when he finished an opening statement in court. He settled into his chair, twirled it slightly to the left, and locked in his line of vision on Jones. He picked up his pen ready to take notes. Maxwell didn’t want to miss a single word that fell out of Jones’s mouth. His very words could possibly be used as a wrecking ball later.
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    The meeting drew to a close after a half day of discussion. Maxwell’s time was premium at $1,000 an hour, although most of his money came from contingency payments after his client won a case. He gladly offered his services pro bono this morning. If asked, he would have easily stayed another four hours. His ax had been sharpened. Notification had been duly served to his adversaries. Every crooked clergyman under his foot was subject to be crushed at his whim. That’s how he felt, and if they didn’t realize it, shame on them.
    Maxwell gathered his belongings and prepared to exit as quietly as he’d