Chapter 48
Chapter Forty-Eight
M adison stepped out of the courtroom, relief threatening to buckle her knees.
It’s over. Just like that.
The new judge hadn’t wasted time. Felix’s failed drug test had sealed his fate, and his failure to appear had only made things easier. The moment the words left the judge’s mouth— primary physical and legal custody to be retained by —her ears buzzed, and she didn’t hear anything else.
She’d felt Alex’s hand on her shoulder from his seat just behind her and didn’t doubt he’d had a part in this. In addition to Felix’s drug test results, the original judge, who had been so biased toward Felix suddenly recused himself. Madison had a feeling Alex had a hand in that too, but she’d learned by now some things were better left unasked.
She didn’t miss the looks they were getting from the surrounding people, primarily the women crowding the courthouse hallways. Alex was sinfully handsome and sexy as hell in his crisp, dark suit. He put his arm around her waist and held the heavy door open as they stepped into the long corridor spanning the width of the building.
The court-appointed child advocate returned with Jax, with Liev trailing only a handful of steps behind. Madison knew he had been tasked with watching over Jax while she and Alex were in the courtroom.
All of this might have made her uncomfortable six months ago, but now she was happy to know they were watched over. Safe.
Jax practically launched himself into Madison’s arms. She kissed the top of his head, inhaling the familiar, comforting scent of him before looking up at Alex.
“I can’t believe it’s really over,” she laughed, shaking her head, then looked at him with an arch expression. “I don’t suppose you know why Felix didn’t show up today?”
A muscle ticked in his cheek. “No.” He kept his voice low, conscious of the people around them. “He can’t hide forever.”
Movement across the corridor caught her attention. Mary walked out of their courtroom, her attorneys at her side. Her face was drawn, and it was obvious she’d been crying.
“She looks miserable,” Madison observed. “I’m surprised she showed up without Felix. I think she really does care about Jax. This can’t be easy for her.”
Alex glanced toward Mary before turning back to her. “Don’t waste sympathy on her. There’s no way she didn’t know what was going on. And if she didn’t, she just dodged a bullet.”
He was right. Madison didn’t plan on spending another second worrying about it. Her family was secure now, and they could finally move on.
A smile tugged at the corners of Madison’s lips as she looked down at Jax. “What do you think, buddy? Should we go celebrate? You wanna go get ice cream?”
“I want ice cream.” Liev piped up from behind them.
Alex shook his head, but the moment was shattered by a bloodcurdling scream from down the hall. Instantly, Alex and Liev shifted, moving so that she and Jax were sandwiched between them.
Madison’s eyes darted toward the commotion. Mary had collapsed in the middle of the hallway, surrounded by a cluster of people—including two police officers. Her attorney crouched beside her, trying to calm her down.
Madison’s pulse pounded as Amanda rushed toward them, clutching her phone, her face pale and grim.
“He’s dead,” she panted.
Alex’s body went rigid beside her, and Madison’s heart stilled in her chest.
“Who?” she and Alex asked at the same time.
Amanda swallowed. “Her father.”
For a moment, silence stretched between them.
“His boat exploded on Lake Hartwell.”
Madison’s stomach dropped. “Are they sure?”
Amanda nodded. “Witnesses saw him get on the boat with two other men.”
Madison turned to Alex, but he wasn’t looking at her. He was exchanging a glance with Liev.
Liev gave a low whistle. “Well, that’s a statement.”
“There’s still no sign of Felix?” Cami asked a few days later, as they watched Jax play at his favorite playground. “How is that possible?”
“I don’t know, but Alex’s mood is getting worse by the minute. He’s not really the patient type.”
“How do you feel now that it’s all settled? With the courts I mean?”
“Relieved, I think.”
“You think?” Her friend’s brows shot up.
“I’m not sure I’ve really processed the whole thing. It’s been hanging over my head for so long. I think it’s hard for my mind to just accept that it’s done. That I can relax.”
Cami hummed, one hand resting on her belly. “That makes sense. You’ve been running on adrenaline for months. Your brain probably doesn’t know how to shut off.”
“Very true. Not to change the subject—but really, let’s change the subject—the gas company got back to me about the meter. The person Jesse saw ‘messing with his gas line’ was actually their employee.”
Cami leaned forward. “If the meter was faulty, then they would have seen it.”
“Yep.”
“I think I found something last night,” Cami said slowly. “I couldn’t sleep because the babies have given me hellacious heartburn. While I was sitting up, waiting for my medicine to work, I studied the crime scene photos.”
“As one does when they can’t sleep,” Madison said wryly.
“Shut it. You’re the same. Remember I said I thought I was missing something?”
Madison grinned. “True. What did you find?”
Cami’s lips pressed together. “It might be nothing… But in the photos there is a pack of cigarettes on the floor.”
“We know Jesse was a smoker, they could have been dropped or knocked on the floor while the firefighters were putting out the blaze.”
“I know. What struck me as out of place was Cary said Jesse smoked unfiltered cigarettes, and the box on the floor is the same brand my mom used to smoke. They have a filter. The box was pretty sooty, but I used a magnifying glass and I’m 85 percent sure it’s the same brand.”
“It’s definitely worth looking into.” Madison could feel her excitement rise. “I wonder if we could get the photo enhanced?”
Cami opened her mouth to answer but was distracted by the approach of an older woman pushing a baby carriage. The hood was pulled up, shielding the baby inside, but one tiny, chubby foot peeked out from beneath a soft blanket. The woman gave them a warm smile as she slowed near their bench.
“Mind if I sit?”
“Of course not,” Madison said, scooting over to make room.
The woman settled with a sigh, adjusting the blanket over the baby’s foot. “I’m helping my daughter today. She hasn’t had a full night’s sleep since this little one came along.”
Madison smiled. “That’s sweet of you. Those early weeks are brutal.”
The woman reached into her bag, pulling out a small tin. “Would you like a cookie? I made them this morning.”
Cami eagerly grabbed two. “Yes, please! Are these oatmeal raisin? My favorite, thank you,” she said, already demolishing one.
Madison took one and smirked at Cami. “Are you going to blame this on the babies, too?”
“Shut up. These are delicious!” Cami started on the second.
“Sorry about my friend, she’s a little nuts about her food lately.”
The woman laughed. “I’m taking it as a compliment.”
Madison nibbled at the cookie to be polite, but once the word raisin had come out of Cami’s mouth, she was done. Raisins had their place, but it was not in a cookie.
Jax stood and then half bent, and using the truck for balance, he made engine noises while pushing it through the mulch.
“Is that one yours?” The woman smiled. “He looks just like you.”
Madison beamed. “Thanks. Yes, that’s Jax.”
“He’s adorable,” she said. “How old?”
“Almost sixteen months.”
“He’s precious,” the woman said warmly before shifting her gaze to Cami. “And when are you due, dear?”
Cami beamed. “October. I can’t wait.” She peeked at the woman’s grandchild. “Baby feet are the cutest.”
Madison’s chest tightened as she glanced at the tiny foot sticking out of the blanket.
Would her and Alex’s baby look like Jax? Or would it take more after Alex?
Whoa! Hormones. Slow down.
The woman’s eyes twinkled as she nodded toward the edge of the playground. “Is that the father?”
Madison followed her gaze to where her new bodyguard Fyor stood nearby, his sharp eyes scanning the playground. He was close enough to hear their conversation but kept his stance casual, arms at his sides.
Madison smirked. “No, he’s a friend.”
“He’s very handsome.”
Madison shot a mischievous look at Fyor. “He really is.”
Fyor groaned quietly. “Please don’t say that where your husband could hear.”
Cami snickered, reaching for another cookie. But as she did, her breath hitched, and her hand pressed to her stomach.
Madison immediately turned toward her. “Cami?”
Cami exhaled slowly. “I’m fine. Just—” She shook her head, forcing a smile. “I just need to use the restroom.”
The older woman frowned. “Are you sure you’re all right, dear?”
Cami waved them off. “Pregnant. It happens.” She sucked in another breath. “Actually, maybe we should go.”
“You can’t drive. Ride with me and you can call James on the way to my house.”
Fyor’s brow furrowed. “I’ll bring the car closer.”
“I’ll pack up our stuff and meet you there,” Madison said, as Cami walked slowly away. She stuffed Jax’s snacks and small toys back in the diaper bag and grabbed both of their purses, calling for Jax.
The older woman gasped. “Oh!”
Madison spun just in time to see Cami crumple to the grass.
“Cami!” Madison heart hammered, already moving toward her friend when she stopped to look back at Jax.
The older woman waved her on with a worried expression. “I’ll watch him. Go. Help her.”
Madison shot her a grateful look before rushing to where Cami lay in the grass, several people already rushing forward.
“Cami? Can you hear me?” She crouched next to her friend.
Cami looked dazed. “I’m okay,” she slurred. “Just tired. Damn babies.”
Something wasn’t right. “I think we should?—”
An explosion ripped through the air with a deafening boom. A wave of heat slammed into her back, sending Madison crashing onto her hands and knees.
Screams erupted from every direction.
Madison’s ears rang, drowning out all sound, as the world blurred around her. Her pulse roared in her skull, panic surging through her system. The acrid scent of smoke filled her nose as she blinked against the sudden dust and debris.
The SUV was on fire.
A twisted wreck of metal and flame.
Fyor was on the ground nearby, unmoving.
Oh my god!
Madison’s stomach plummeted, but instinct took over. Jax.
Spinning wildly, she searched the playground, her vision darting between running figures, parents scooping up their children desperate to flee.
Her breath came in short, sharp bursts, her body locking up as full-blown terror took over.
Where is he?
She shoved to her feet.
“Please.” She grasped the hand of a young mom with two children clinging to her. The woman was on the phone with someone, asking for an ambulance. “Can you stay with my friend. I need to find my son.”
The woman barely completed her nod before Madison was yelling. “Jax?”
Too many people.
I can’t see him!
Her pulse pounded in her ears, fingers ice-cold.
Cami’s lashes fluttered. “What’s—” She winced, struggling to push herself up.
“Stay down,” Madison ordered, frantically scanning the sea of bodies. “I need to find Jax.”
A group of people had gathered around Fyor, checking on him, and more were clustering around Cami, many clearly on the phone with emergency services.
Madison turned back toward the bench.
The woman said she’d watch Jax.
Madison glimpsed the baby carriage through a crowd of people, and she sprinted toward it her legs trembling.
Jax is right there.
I’ll see him any second.
But when she reached the carriage, bile rose in her throat.
The woman was gone.
The baby carriage sat untouched.
Madison’s fingers shook as she reached for the blanket, a horrible premonition slamming into her.
The tiny foot hadn’t moved.
Not once.
With trembling hands, she yanked the blanket back?—
A guttural, broken scream tore from her throat.
Lifeless, glassy eyes stared up at her.
Cold. Plastic.
Jax was gone.