Eclairs and Extortion (Maple Lane Mysteries Book 5) by C. A. Phipps

Author:C. A. Phipps [Phipps, C. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cheryl Phipps
Published: 2019-10-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

“Afternoon, beautiful.”

Ethan arrived as Maddie was preparing for the cooking class she’d postponed until tonight. Having thought about him all afternoon, she ran into his arms. He squeezed her in that way that stole her breath and made her insides turn as gooey as a molten lava cake.

“Tough day?” he breathed softly in her ear, before setting her down. Then he gave Big Red a scratch as the large cat wound around his legs.

She smiled at their mutual affection. “Not compared to yesterday. I’ve just missed you, and my head won’t be quiet trying to figure all this out.”

“I know what you mean. We got back the reports on William, Nicholas, and Marcus Blackwell.”

“Already?”

“I called in a favor. You’re not the only one with New York connections.” He waggled an eyebrow.

Having lived there for a couple of years, Maddie had a good friend she’d worked with in the city. They rang each other periodically with updates about their lives. Ethan knew they were long conversations—and the next one would be even longer!

“Very funny. What did the report say?”

“William is clean. Nicholas and Marcus, almost. There have been links to a few shady deals.”

She shook her head. “Wow. I’m glad William is aboveboard. I wonder if he knew Marcus was dodgy. After listening to Mom, I don’t think he would think his cousin or his brother capable of anything underhanded.”

“It sounds like Marcus, although devoted to William, had a few recent business dealings with Nicholas.”

Maddie made coffee for him. “Maybe that’s why he was killed. What kind of deals?”

He sat at the table and gratefully took his mug. “They supplied cars to people—expensive cars.”

“Stolen cars?”

He shrugged. “Nothing’s proven yet, but several have been impounded.”

“I don’t understand.”

“It’s still unclear what was happening or who was responsible for which part of the scheme. Nicholas was having money problems because of deals falling over and has been selling anything he can get his hands on back in England. Marcus had connections in New York. According to William’s secretary, who’s home now, Marcus and Nicholas had a heated discussion about whether to involve William. Apparently, it didn’t go well.”

“They had a physical fight?”

Ethan nodded and drank deeply. “That might explain the bruise on the side of Marcus’s face.”

Maddie's chin lifted. “I don’t recall a bruise. So you think Marcus was dragged into this unwittingly?”

He shrugged. “Perhaps.”

“Where is Nicholas?”

“We’re still searching for him. He hasn’t been back to the apartment he leased next to Ava and William since William left the hospital.”

Maddie tapped her thigh. “That’s interesting. I wonder if he’s in Maple Falls too?”

Ethan grabbed her hand. “Let’s not panic just yet.”

Suddenly, Maddie had the impression that Ethan had other information. In light of other questions she had, she decided to let it go for now. “I’ll try not to. You said William’s secretary told the police about the fight. Were all the staff as willing to talk?”

Ethan shrugged. “It’s my impression that many wealthy people don’t actually see their key staff members. Literally. It’s like they’re part of the furniture and can’t hear conversations or see what’s going on.

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