Page 54 of Finding You

Wiz had gone through the backgrounds of everyone who worked for the clinic. Especially those who might have financial issues. He found two people that fit the criteria and then narrowed it down to a single mother in her mid-forties who was on the verge of bankruptcy. Maximus paid her to help him. He’d given her a hundred thousand dollars and created a scholarship fund for her daughter who needed money for college.

“It took some time to find the money because her bank account didn’t show any large sums of money. Turns out, shehad opened an account for her second youngest son, and that’s where the money had been deposited in three payments over a two-month period.”

Zion shook his head as Wiz continued. The woman had been paid to manipulate two existing documents from another set of fraternal twins. The results information, one for Zanaya and Andrew, included their name and Maximus’s name. According to Wiz, and by all accounts, the document would’ve held up in court unless a lawyer really looked deeply into the situation.

Zion couldn’t help thinking about one of Raven’s fears. She’d said more than once that she was glad she had found Zion before Maximus could take her to court. Otherwise, she would have had a serious fight on her hands. Sure, her lawyer could’ve insisted new paternity tests be done, but the thought of her and his kids having to endure something like that pissed Zion off.

“I want that bastard and his accomplice locked up forever,” Zion spat, anger gripping him even more than when he’d first learned of Maximus’s dealings. He didn’t care how wealthy the guy was, Zion planned to do whatever he could to make sure this guy paid with his freedom, as well as his money.

“Yeah, but like you already know, whether Maximus gets jail time will depend on what his intent was. If he just wanted it to look as if Andrew and Zanaya were his kids, and he got the right to be a part of their lives, then he might just get slapped with a fine. If he was doing this for some type of financial gain—”

“I don’t want to even think about him trying to get my kids so he could sell them. If that’s the case, I might kill that son of a bitch.”

“Yeah, we need to keep you far away from the guy,” Wiz said with humor in his tone. “Sadly, the clinic might get shut down for not having protocols in place to keep something like this from happening. There will be a full investigation, and I’ll keep you posted on how all that shakes out.”

“Good. Now tell me Maximus has been arrested or will be soon. I would volunteer to assist with that, but I don’t trust myself not to lay hands on the bastard.”

“Well, there might be more going on in this situation.”

Zion leaned forward in his seat. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m not the only one who has been investigating Maximus. When I knew I was getting closer to exposing the guy, I reached out to a PI friend who lives in Houston. I wanted someone who I trusted to keep an eye on Maximus. Funny thing is, when I gave the guy Maximus’s information, he informed me that he’d been hired to run background checks and do surveillance on Maximus and one other person who’s connected to him.”

“Whaaat?Get the hell out of here. What are the chances of that?”Zion asked, his curiosity stoked.

“It happens, but this one surprised me. It makes me wonder what else Maximus has been up to and if it’s connected to Raven and the twins.”

“Yeah, I’d like to know that as well. Was your friend able to give you any information?”

“Not really. He couldn’t give me the client’s name but agreed to talk to the person. I’m hoping the client will be willing to share why they’re looking into Maximus. Who knows, maybe it’s something connected to why he’s gone through so much trouble to prove the kids are his. The more evidence we can stack against him, the better chance of jail time for the guy.”

“Well, I’m glad you at least found the person who helped him with the test results. Though I want them both behind bars, I mainly want Maximus out of our lives. If he goes to jail, even better.”

“Yeah, I hear you, and I want the same. Unfortunately, we have a problem.”

“What’s that?”

“Maximus is nowhere to be found. I had asked my buddy to keep an eye on his movements, but Maximus hasn’t been home or at the office of his oil company. We’re looking for him, and I’m in the process of checking to see if he’s used his credit cards anywhere.”

Zion was clenching his jaw so tightly, he feared he’d break a tooth. Maximus had enough wealth to disappear forever. He could be anywhere. Maybe Christopher knew of his whereabouts. Zion could tell him what they’d found, while also seeing if he knew where his grandson might be. Actually, it would probably be best if Raven called him because Zion was too pissed to talk to the old man.

“Wiz, I’ll have Raven call his grandfather. Maybe…” Zion’s words trailed off when his phone beeped notifying him of another call.

Lynix.His friend was still on duty, and Zion debated on whether to answer. He had a few more questions for Wiz, but he needed to see what Lynix wanted. Whatever he was calling for would probably only take a second.

“Hold on a minute, Wiz. I’m getting another call, and it might be about work.”

“Yeah, yeah, go ahead. Actually, I’ll need to call you back anyway. The PI who I was just telling you about is on my other line. I’ll keep you posted.”

“Cool, and thanks for the update.”

Zion disconnected that call and clicked over to Lynix. “What’s up, my brother?” he said and drove out of the parking lot. “If this is about—”

“You need to get to the hospital. Now!” his friend said seriously, and fear like he had never experienced before clawed through Zion’s body. He gripped the steering wheel tighter as fifty-million scenarios ran through his mind at once. He braced himself for the worst and asked, “Who is it?”

“It’s Raven… and the twins.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

---