finding maximum frequency
What you need to know is that the signal $$s(t)=e^{j2\pi f t}$$ has frequency $f$. At any time $t_0$, $s(t_0$) is a point on the unit circle. As time advances, this point moves on the circle, and it completes $f$ turns in one second.

Knowing this, you can easily see that the maximum frequency in your signal $x_c(t)$ is 9000 Hz. That is because, for $k=9$, you can write the exponent as $j2\pi 9\cdot 1000 t$.

The sampling frequency you mention has no bearing on the signal's maximum frequency. However, if you intend to sample this signal, you need to make sure that the sampling frequency is at least twice the maximum frequency, or $f_s=18000$.