Loves Sharp Edges

Chapter Four - Max

"We're here. . " Tipsy says as you both take in the massively ornate Fifth Avenue building. 

"I bet she's loving living here, I can't see mother dearest ever wanting to leave." You say with you sassy lilt. 

"Its a good job she's not actually anyones mother." Tispy jested back. You both exit the car, handing the keys to the valet and walking into the building. 

"Good evening, sir, Ma'm" The concierge smiles at you. 

"Hi, Detective Colins and my associate Jason" you say smoothly "there should be a room rented under NYPD?" 

"Yes, yes of course I see that here, let me get the key." She disappears and heads to grab the keys  "May we help you with your luggage?" She looks a Tipsy's bag. 

"I got it. Thanks." He says with a smile before you're pointed to the right floor and head on up to the penthouse. The elevator doors open and Max is there waiting for you both. The apartment is massive. 10,000 square feet, you step through and take in the luxurious maze of wealth displayed in the room, you wonder in awe seeing the view in the windows that overlook Central Park.

"Welcome to the penthouse" Max says smiling as Tipsy darts around excitedly, he eyes some whisky "help yourself" Max shrugs. "You like?" 

"Why do you think I picked him?" You turn back to Max as he walks towards the window you're looking out on, the evening sun lighting up the horizon. 

"Madeline likes it here. . . I think she likes it here too much." Max sighs. You felt a little bad, but not bad enough to make a remark. 

"Odds on she likes him a little too much too." You say, Max eyes you trying to work out if you were serious or not. "Tell me I'm wrong, you've seen them together." You shrug nonchalantly. 

"I don't like the way she looks at him." He admits. You suppress a smirk. 

"I'm sure she won't fall for him, come on Max, she loves you right?" You say with a callousness even Tipsy looks over with a raised brow. You walk around the apartment. "Fancy a game?" You motion to the chess board. "We have time to kill." Max looks at you, the walls you'd had when he'd first met you were well and truly back up, but he didn't understand why, you'd got what you'd wanted right? 

"Sure." He says and you sit down in the office to play on the most expensive chessboard you'd ever seen. "What happens if you win." 

"You give that money back." You stare at him. He chuckles darkly as you both sit down "Black or White?" You motion to the pieces. 

"Black." He confirms "How can I give it back when I didn't take it." 

"I move first then. . " you move your first piece "you'll think of something." you ignore his arrogance at pretending he hadn't. 

"And if I win" he said with a sarcastic cockiness that made it sound like a novelty idea "then you have to give the money back." He stated flatly, moving his next piece on the board. 

"How can I give it back when I didn't take it?" you mimic his early comment. Your move, you slide another piece across the board. 

"You know there was a time when you trusted me with everything." He takes one of your pieces. 

"And there was a time. . ." you pause to take back one of his putting yourself in a perfect position. "That you wouldn't have cheated me, scammed me or lied to me." You say arms folded.  Max stared at his options, how had you outdone him in so little moves. 

"I don't understand why you're sticking with this story." He looks flabbergasted "You at Tipsy ran with the money. . . just say it." 

"Check." You move again. "I'm not saying that because it's a lie, you and Madeline took it. She was right after all." You say a little sadness sliding into your bitter voice.