Chapter Eighteen
Maddie closed her eyes and let the morning sunlight warm her face as Jack steered her Harley through the streets of Detroit, having decided it was far less conspicuous than his Porsche. Her arms tightened around his waist, enjoying the moment of sheer freedom and joy they shared just then—a brief reminder of the days when they’d first fallen in love and their only concern was keeping their affair secret from her father.
If she’d had any idea how her life would change soon after that, she would’ve spent far more time savoring their moments like this and less time worrying about what the future might hold.
She rested her cheek against his back, reveling in the feel of him, the way their bodies fit together. It was chaste in comparison to their lovemaking the night before, but she felt the same contentment, the same happiness that she’d known as they lay together in each other’s arms. Just being together was enough. Knowing he was safe was all she needed. And as soon as they’d dealt with the threat from Antonovich and Kozlov, if Will decided to reassign her to another commandery, at least she’d know that Jack was safe.
All too soon they arrived at the apartment building where Eva Antonovich lived. The stone structure looked like it could’ve doubled as a set for a gothic horror novel. But the illusion immediately vanished the moment they entered the dingy, poorly lit lobby lined with small brass mailboxes set into the walls. The lone elevator bore an Out of Order sign, so Jack gestured toward the door that led to the stairs. The stairwell was just as oppressive as the lobby, its concrete walls painted a mint green that was dingy and pitted.
“Well, isn’t this a charming place?” Maddie mumbled. “You’d think dear old Granddad could afford to help his granddaughter find a decent place to live.”
“Maybe she doesn’t want his money,” Jack suggested, taking the lead up the stairs, his gun held down at his side.
Maddie reached for the handrail but recoiled when a cockroach skittered across the rail where she’d nearly placed her hands. “Well, I think if I lived in a shithole like this, I’d be willing to take a few bucks from the family. My pride only goes so far . . .”
When they reached the third floor of the building and opened the door to the hallway, Jack put out an arm, blocking her way. “Where is everyone?”
Maddie frowned and glanced up and down the hallway, which was as dingy and dimly lit as the stairwell had been. The hair on the back of her neck prickled in warning. “You know,” she whispered, “I’m really getting sick of dealing with shit in hallways . . .”
Jack sent an amused grin over his shoulder. “Last one for a while, love. Promise.”
“Damned right,” she muttered, following him toward Eva’s apartment and taking up position to the right side of the door.
He leaned in from his position on the opposite side just enough to knock lightly on the door. His knock was met by silence. He knocked again, a little louder this time. A moment later a tremulous voice asked, “Who is it?”
Maddie shared a glance with Jack and could see he’d also picked up on the fact that something was wrong. “Eva? My name’s Jack—I’m a friend of your grandfather. We just need to ask you a few questions.”
There was a moment’s hesitation, then Maddie heard the bolt lock turning. The door opened a crack, the security chain still in place. A young woman peered out at them through the opening, her wary gaze taking in Jack and then Maddie.
“What do you want to know about my grandfather?” she asked, her voice slightly accented.
“Could we come inside, Eva?” Maddie asked, keeping her tone friendly. “We’d rather not talk out here in the hallway.” She offered Eva a smile. “I doubt you want your neighbors to know your business, right?”
Eva studied her for a moment, then closed the door. Maddie heard the security chain disengage, and then the door opened to reveal a lovely young woman with chestnut hair and a heart-shaped face. Her wide gray eyes were still untrusting even as she stepped back to allow them in. She was dressed in pale pink scrubs and sneakers, either getting ready to go to work or having just gotten home.
“Could I get you something?” she asked as she closed and bolted the door. Her invitation seemed more the product of good manners than a genuine offer.
Maddie offered her a kind smile. “No. Thank you.”
Eva nodded and took a seat on the edge of a shabby chair in her apartment’s sitting area. “What do you want with my grandfather?”
“Have you seen him lately?” Jack asked, glancing around the apartment.
Eva swallowed and shook her head. “No. He doesn’t visit often.”
“Do you have any other family in the area, Eva?” Maddie asked, watching Jack stroll around the apartment.
“Um, no,” Eva assured her. “My parents died when I was young. My grandfather is all I have. He sends me money when he can.”
Maddie’s brows lifted in surprise before she could check her reaction.
Eva gave her a tight smile. “It all goes toward my tuition. Grandfather wanted me to come to the United States to become a nurse. He wanted a better life for me than what he could give me in Russia. But being an international student is expensive. I’ll soon be finished though, and then I can find a better place to live.”
“When did you hear from your grandfather last?” Jack asked, opening a door that presumably led to Eva’s bedroom.
She sent a nervous glance toward her room and shifted in her chair. “You must understand,” she said to Maddie in a low voice, “I love my grandfather very much. I don’t want anything to happen to him. What do you want from him?”
“Just answers,” Maddie assured her. “Is he in trouble, Eva?”
