Calculated Risk (Triumph Over Adversity #1) - Lynn Shannon Page 0,17
up a set of rickety outdoor stairs. The metal groaned under his weight. He had visions of them plummeting to their death. “This staircase leaves a lot to be desired.”
“I know.” Addison shot a glance over her shoulder as she rounded the landing to the second floor. “The building is run-down, but the people living here are great. It’s mostly families, and they watch out for each other. Chloe doesn’t have much personal money. Almost everything is tied up in the divorce.”
Jason had done enough research on Michael McCormick to learn the man was ruthless. In business and, it seemed, personally as well. How did a man turn out his wife and child to fend for themselves on their own? Then again, Michael was an accused wife beater.
“Chloe’s employed across the street.” Addison paused on the second-floor landing and pointed to a nearby church. “She works for the daycare, in the baby room. It’s a blessing because she can take her daughter to work with her.”
“How old is her little girl?”
“Stella’s nine months.” Addison started climbing to the third floor. “Chloe left her husband when she was three months old. Michael found a dirty dish in the sink and beat Chloe within an inch of her life.”
Jason’s blood heated. “Did she press charges?”
“She did. They’re pending. Michael’s gone on a media blitz to convince people Chloe is lying in order to get her hands on his money. It’s baloney, but the campaign against her is working. Most of her friends don’t speak to her anymore.”
“That’s why he was so angry with you yesterday.”
She nodded. “A disgruntled wife is easy to dismiss, but it’s a lot harder to overlook a second woman coming forward to say Michael is violent.”
Addison reached the landing, slightly out of breath. Jason joined her. His gaze swept the parking lot below. Everything seemed fine. Jason had taken evasive maneuvers to ensure no one followed them to Chloe’s apartment, but he wouldn’t let his guard down for a moment.
“Everything okay?” Addison asked, stepping to the edge of the railing. “What is it?”
He shook his head. “Nothing. I’m just being cautious.”
“Oh.” She let out a breath and the tension in her shoulders relaxed. “You’ll tell me if there’s something to worry about?”
“Absolutely.” Jason smiled to reassure her.
He followed her to the apartment at the end of the corridor. Addison knocked. The sound of rock music filtered through the closed door. The volume fell instantly, as if someone had rapidly turned the dial down. Jason didn’t hear footsteps, but he had the feeling Chloe was peering through the peephole in the door.
A second later, locks snicked. The door opened revealing a slender woman with a baby on her hip. Chloe’s dark hair was pulled away from her face and secured at the sides. She was makeup free and barefoot. The baby—Stella—resembled a chubby cherub. She chomped on a biscuit.
“Addison, hi.” Chloe gave her a one-armed hug. “Thanks for coming by. How are you?”
“I’m doing okay.” Addison gestured toward Jason. “This is the neighbor I told you about, Jason Gonzalez.”
Chloe hefted the baby higher on her hip before extending a hand. “Of course. Nice to meet you, Jason.”
“Likewise.” He shook her hand. “Your daughter is beautiful.”
“Thank you. I think she is too.” Chloe’s smile widened, but it didn’t erase the worry lingering in her eyes. She stepped back, holding the door wider so they could enter. “Please, come on in.”
The apartment was a tiny one-bedroom with an open floor plan. It was decorated minimally. The couch was a futon with a removable cover and there was a small end table on either side. Photographs of Stella at various stages of development had been framed and hung on the wall. There was no television. A playpen rested in the corner and toys were scattered on the floor.
“Can I get either of you anything to drink?” Chloe moved toward the kitchen. She hefted Stella higher on her hip again. “I have iced tea, coffee—”
“I’m fine.” Jason stepped over a ball. “But thank you kindly.”
“Nothing for me either, Chloe.” Addison smiled at her client.
“Please, sit.” Chloe waved toward the couch before settling on the floor with the baby. Addison joined her, picking up a rattle and waving it for Stella. The little girl grinned and crawled toward her.
Jason took a seat on the futon. The mattress was more comfortable than he expected.
Addison picked up Stella and tickled her belly, causing peals of laughter from the baby. “I swear she’s grown since I saw