Fatal Consequences Read Free Page B

destination. “We were just there before the wedding.”
    “That was hours ago, and she’s really sick.”
    Elin’s face twisted into a petulant pout. “Doesn’t she have any friends who can check on her?”
    “Sure she does, but she only has one son.”
    “Who is a total mama’s boy.”
    “Guilty as charged. She did everything in the world for me all my life, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her. You’d better get used to that.” The animosity between his mother and Elin had escalated over the last few weeks, which was the only black spot on an otherwise satisfying time in Freddie’s life. After holding true to a vow of celibacy for twenty-nine long years, he was enjoying the hell out of his first sexual relationship—except for the fact that his beloved mother hated his new girlfriend and did very little to hide her contempt.
    When he’d picked up Elin earlier and gotten his first glimpse of a black dress cut low enough that the cupid tattoo on her left breast was visible, he knew he would be the envy of all his cop friends at Skip’s wedding. Sure enough, he’d gotten lots of nudges and winks from the guys who’d barely tried to hide the fact that they were lusting after his girl. Freddie loved that she was his and his alone. If only he could convince his mother to give Elin a chance. That was the only thing standing between him and true happiness. Well, that and the fact that his partner Sam could barely tolerate Elin, either. Two of the most important women in his life didn’t much care for the third one, and their disapproval was taking something away from his enjoyment of the relationship. How he wished he could be the type of guy who could tell his mother and Sam to piss off, but that was so not him. It mattered that they disapproved, and he hated himself for letting it get to him.
    He pulled up in front of his mother’s apartment building, located just a few miles from his own place.
    “Leave it running,” Elin said. “Since she was so pleasant earlier, I’ll wait here this time.”
    Freddie leaned over to kiss her. “I’ll be quick.”
    “You’d better be. I’m losing the mood.”
    Freddie laughed. “When have you ever lost the mood?”
    “If you don’t hurry up, you might find out.”
    “I’m going. Lock the doors.” He waited until he heard the click of the doors locking before he jogged into his mother’s building. Since it was quicker than waiting for the elevator, he ran up the four flights, taking the stairs two at a time. His still-recovering shoulder made a small protest at the rapid movement. Freddie ignored it but wondered just how long it took for a bullet wound to fully heal.
    Using his key, he let himself into his mother’s neat, cheerful apartment. He found her propped up in bed sipping a cup of tea.
    “Hi there.” Even though her voice was heavy with illness, she still managed to work up a smile for her only child. “I didn’t expect to see you again tonight.”
    “I couldn’t go home without making sure you’re doing okay.”
    “You’re such a good boy.”
    He sat next to her on the bed and leaned over to kiss her warm forehead. In her early fifties, Juliette Cruz was still a beautiful woman. “I’m told I’m a mama’s boy.”
    Juliette’s expression hardened. “By your girlfriend, no doubt.”
    Freddie shrugged. “It’s not like it isn’t true.”
    “It’s never been an issue before.”
    “Still isn’t.”
    His mother put down her tea and reached for his hand. “She’s all wrong for you, Freddie.”
    “So you’ve said. A few times now, in fact.”
    “I just don’t get what you see in her.”
    He laughed. “Really? You don’t? The other guys at the wedding had no trouble getting what I see in her.”
    His mother frowned. “You’ve never been one to let your head be turned by a pretty face and a killer body. There’s a hard edge to her that I don’t care for.”
    “I know you don’t, Mom. Believe me, I know.”
    “I hope