‘I’ve spoken to Tim. He’ll talk to the crew watching Lucy and Gabe. He’ll make sure everyone remains hyper alert.
‘I think we also need to give Adam a heads up. I just wanted to run it all by you first.’
He met my eyes with a solemn look.
‘I don’t like the feel of this one, JB. I—’ his words faded, and he shook his head.
I stood and went over to him, rubbing his back.
‘I know, hon, I know, and I’ll be ultra-careful.’ I kept my voice soft. ‘Forewarned is forearmed. We have a lot of information and we’ll keep digging. If we happen to find any evidence we can use, then that will be great, and we can rethink then, but we need to continue as we are at present.’
Jethro sat still, he knew what I said was the truth, but that didn’t mean he had to like it.
‘What we need to do now is find out if she did, in fact, choose Adam, and if so, why, where and how?’
This was where Jethro needed to apply his focus.
I glanced at the monitor as Adam strolled into the living area. I got up and headed to the door. ‘You ready for Adam now?’
Jethro nodded, so I opened the door and beckoned Adam in.
Adam listened, a stunned awareness settling over him. He whistled. ‘This just keeps getting better! Are you sure Lucy and Gabe are safe?’
‘The crew with them is aware and are on high alert. We’re aware and know to be careful.’ I looked at Jethro. He smiled slightly.
‘We can resolve this, but it’s ultimately up to you how we do that. We can keep going as we planned, or we can look at other ways. It’s ultimately your choice as to how we proceed.’
Adam looked from one to the other, trying to read our faces. We kept our faces neutral. If Adam didn’t want to proceed, we would find another way to stop her.
Adam worried his bottom lip. Then looked from one to the other of us. ‘What would you do if it was you?’
‘That has to be your choice,’ I told him softly.
Chapter Sixteen
Adam
I looked at Jethro and JB, trying to guess what they were thinking.
JB said it was my choice, but right now I was feeling overwhelmed by the weight of what Eliza had done.
I couldn’t get Lucy and Gabe back until it was safe, and my life was empty without them.
I realised now, how lucky I was that Kim had made me talk and encouraged me to see her friends. I shuddered as I realised how close I had come to losing Lucy.
Had I done nothing, it might already be too late. Then, when things had still not gone as she wanted, Gabe and I would have been in her sights. I would have lost everything because of this woman’s psychotic desires.
I couldn’t think of another way to resolve this situation, but was I putting JB in harm’s way?
This woman was a killer: there were far too many coincidences for me to believe otherwise.
My head was spinning. I paced the floor to try and relieve the pressure and then turned back to JB and Jethro.
‘What are our options?’
They exchanged a glance, but it was JB that answered.
‘We can keep going as we are, perhaps adding more safety measures. We can take what we already have to the police. Or we can pull back a little, give ourselves a little more time by putting you and your family in hiding while we continue to investigate, regrouping and changing tack.’ She ticked the options off on her fingers.
‘What do you think is the best way to go?’ I asked looking from one to the other.
Again, a shared look between them. This time Jethro answered.
‘We think it best to proceed as we are. What we know doesn’t really change the basic plan, just gives us a better idea what she’s capable of. Things we had already suspected. We removed Lucy and Gabe because we felt they were in danger. We can add measures to improve your and JB’s safety.’ He flicked JB a determined look.
‘But the reality is she’s not going stop! She’ll have to be stopped!’
‘We don’t know why she let the Dawsons go, that was an aberration, as far as we can see, unless he was always a means to an end and you were the target all along. But even with everything we now know, or suspect, the current plan still gives us the best chance of success.’
He paused and looked to JB. She continued. ‘Jethro is right and taking things to the police will most likely not change things in time. While there are a lot of coincidences, we haven’t yet established enough fact or proof.’
They were right. Eliza wasn’t going to stop.
‘You know, I racked my brain trying to understand why she had fixated on me. I was friendly when she started working for me, but no different to how I was with everyone. Looking back, she seemed to have targeted me from the day she started. In fact, if what you say is correct, she had targeted me and finagled the job to achieve her goal! It makes no sense.’
I was talking aloud but was mainly trying to figure things out in my head. Something suddenly occurred to me. ‘Oh shit!’ The exclamation ejected with force as I realised I had seen her before. They both looked at me the question hanging in the air.
‘I just remembered. I have seen her before, but I forgot all about it.’ I rushed to explain.
‘Lucy and I met for a meal at Puccini’s. Ella, Lucy’s sister, had Gabe for the night. A woman stopped at our table and we both got the impression she thought I should know her and was peeved when I didn’t. It was Eliza Roberts, but it was quite a while before she came to work for me. I never gave it another thought, didn’t remember it till just now.’ What did this mean? Now I was even more confused.
Jethro and JB exchanged concerned glances. It was Jethro who spoke.
‘That ties in with the theory her target was Adam all along. We really need to find out why.’
JB nodded and both watched me. ‘What do you want to do?’ JB asked quietly.
I thought through the options and it became clear we had no choice but to continue.
‘There really is no choice for me! I want my family safe, and back with me. We need to continue with the plan!’
‘Right.’ JB was all business again. ‘Let’s make some calls.’
Chapter Seventeen
JB
Jethro and Adam made, and ate breakfast, while I made calls. Jethro put a plate in front of me, and I picked at it as I worked.
The coffee I gulped down, asking for another cup. Jethro gave me a glare, he thought I drank too much coffee, but he got me one anyway.
I half listened to their conversation as I worked. Adam was concerned he was putting me in danger, but Jethro managed to allay his fears, even though I knew he held the same fears.
Finally, with everything in place I joined them at the kitchen table.
I looked first at Adam. ‘You, my love, are feeling very ill this morning and will not make it into work.
‘I’ve let your secretary know, and told him he can ring you, if there are any problems. Mike said not to worry, he’ll cover for you and make sure the right people know you’re ill.’
Adam laughed. ‘You know what they’re going to think? What with me having a new life and all!’
‘And that works even better for us.’ Jethro joined in his laughter.
‘One track minds!’ I muttered, supressing a smile.
I continued to work through my notes.
‘We know you’re safe in the office. Mike can cover anything needed. While you’re out it will be interesting to see if any one tries to access your office.’ Adam looked worried. ‘It’s okay, Mike has your back. It’ll just give us more ammunition if she does anything.’ He relaxed slightly.
‘You and I’ll keep a low profile today. If we have a bit more time we can hopefully figure out what triggered her obsession with you.’
‘We also need to make sure you’re covered’!’ Adam looked at me with a determined expression. Jethro laughed out loud. I glared at him, but it didn’t stop him.
‘You’re right,’ I agre
ed. ‘But you should understand I never take unnecessary risks. Jethro is just a worry wart.’ I glared at him again. ‘We’ve had a crew trailing us since the beginning. I’ve alerted them to the new information, and they may change things around a bit because of it, but basically we’re already covered.’
‘I’ve never noticed anyone else around. All the time? Surely I would’ve noticed?’ Adam said, puzzled.
‘Good, aren’t they?’ I grinned at his puzzlement. ‘They’re the invisible line of defence. We use them in all dangerous cases.’
There was a knock at the door. Jethro looked at the hall camera. Three people stood at the door. Grinning, he moved and swung open the door.
Sara and Jules Green walked into the room, a husband and wife IT team who were contracted for specialist work. They always gave us priority because Jules said he could never repay the help Jethro had given him at a difficult time. Jules was simply brilliant on computer. He was also deaf, but most people failed to pick that up. If it existed, he would find it. Sara’s skills lay in her being alert to small details that others missed. Her eyes seemed to be drawn to tiny clues.
Jules had dark hair and eyes, with a hooked nose that gave him a slightly hawkish appearance. Sara was a blue-eyed blonde, with an English rose complexion.
They were followed in by a dark man slightly shorter than, but very like, Jethro.
Jethro greeted Jules and Sara then grabbed the third person in a bear hug. ‘Ro, long time no see.’ Ronan laughed but returned Jethro’s hug.
We waited for them to join us at the table. Adam sat quietly while I made the introductions.
‘Adam, this is Jules and Sara Green. They’re IT wizards and often give us a hand. They’re going to take over here, so Jethro can go help keep Kim and Lucy safe.’
Jethro gave me a huge smile. I knew he’d been wanting to go and make sure the women were truly safe. Having realised how dangerous Eliza was, he needed to be there. He would know I’d called in Sara, Jules and Ronan, so he could get away.
‘And this gorgeous man is Ronan McGregor. Jethro’s cousin. He’ll stay here with Jules and Sara, keep them safe and be handy if we need him.’ I acknowledged Ronan with a smile.
‘Guys, this is Adam. He and I are working very closely on this one.’ I waggled my eyebrows. ‘Very closely,’ I added, making everyone laugh.
Jethro made everyone coffee and the we sat around the table drinking while Jethro gave a quick overview of what he’d found so far. The intention was for Jules and Sara to keep digging and expand his search. I knew Jethro would also keep looking but I wanted him to be able to focus on Kim, Lucy and Gabe. Bringing in Sara and Jules was important because it would allow Jethro to relax a little.
Having finished his report Jethro stood to go. ‘You can give the details, yes?’ he asked me with a grin.
‘Yeah. You go.’ He turned to go, but I called to him, ‘And Jethro, try to get some sleep as well, hey!’
He gave me a thumb-up and turned away again, heading for the door. He grabbed his leather jacket from the hook as he opened the door.
‘I’ll call in and see Kim, at work, on my way to Lucy’s,’ he said as he shrugged into his jacket.
‘No need,’ I told him, winking as he looked at me. ‘I arranged for Kim to take a few days off. I thought it safer to keep everyone together as much as we can.’
Jethro grinned. ‘Well, I’ll be off then.’ With that, he was gone.
Sara, Ronan, Adam and I stayed at the table, sculling coffee, while I filled them in on the details of what Jethro had uncovered. Jules left us too it, going to set up and arrange the equipment how he liked to work.
I could see Adam getting more anxious, so I suggested he go through to the bedroom, and give Lucy a call.
He didn’t wait to be asked twice, slipping into the other apartment and out of sight.
Ronan got up and moved to where Jules was setting up his extra equipment. He was moving things around. I knew better than to offer to help. Sara and I looked at each other. ‘Yep, best to keep out of the way at this stage,’ she whispered.
Ronan soon realised the error of his ways and returned to sit with us.
‘It’s been too long,’ he grinned. ‘I forgot how territorial he is.’ We all laughed.
Sara caught my eye. ‘How’s it really going? It’s been a while since I’ve seen you look so tired and drawn!’
I shrugged but didn’t try to fib my way out of it. I’d known Sara a long time and she knew me better than most.
‘This is a tough case,’ I allowed. ‘Adam had been through a lot, before he came to us. What he and Lucy have is special, and it’s frightening to think how close they came to losing it all.’ I shrugged. ‘The tough thing is, that’s still a possibility, if we can’t work out where her obsession came from and rechannel it. Or get proof of her psychotic actions. It’s hard to fight something so unpredictable.’
‘Do you need to change tack and try something less risky?’ Sara knew I would have thought of all possibilities, but gave me the chance to again convince myself that I was following the best path.
I didn’t often have moments of doubt. But I was having more than one with this case. There just seemed to be so much riding on the outcome.
‘Don’t tell me you haven’t gone through all the options and chosen the plan with the best chance of success!’ She watched my face. ‘And knowing you, I bet your contingency plans have contingency plans!’ she grinned.
I smiled at Sara, ‘Thanks. I needed to remember I know what I’m doing!’
‘Glad to be of assistance.’
I spent the rest of the day fetching and carrying, while Sara, Jules and Ronan explored leads and tried to unravel the mystery that was Eliza.
Adam joined us after a while, looking much more relaxed.
Chapter Eighteen
The next morning, I walked with Adam to work, going in with him. I saw the receptionist pick up the phone as we passed. I wondered who she was alerting to our presence.
Mike stood from behind the desk as we walked into Adam’s outer office.
‘Ms Roberts was trying to reach you all day yesterday, Mr Sullivan. She was most upset at not being able to contact you. She’s waiting in your office. She assured me you wouldn’t mind her waiting there.’ He kept his face and voice impassive.
‘Thank you, Mike,’ Adam responded. ‘You coming with me, honey?’ he queried, turning to me.
‘You bet, my sweet,’ I replied with a sweet smile.
‘Just call if you need anything,’ Mike said, winking at me. He went back and sat at the desk. Adam and I went to the office. I carefully left the door open, so Mike could keep an eye.
Eliza was lounging on the couch and as we entered the office, she smiled at Adam. Her face changed quickly when she realised I was behind him. She jumped to her feet, her anger apparent. She had clearly expected to get Adam on his own.
‘What is she doing here?’ Eliza spat, her face livid with rage. She seemed about to spit, and then visibly calmed herself.
She spoke to Adam, ignoring my presence.
‘You and I need to talk,’ she said softly. ‘We have to sort this out.’ She was almost pleading with him. ‘We are meant to be together, we both just forgot for a while. But we can fix it now. You must trust me, and I can help you rid yourself of these hangers-on. They’re no good for you, Adam. Let me help you so we can have the life we were meant to have.’
I stepped in front of Adam as she went to place her hand on his chest. When her hand touched me instead, she recoiled.
‘Adam, you need to tell her to go. She doesn’t belong with you and never will. Can’t you see she is just another barrier to our love?’
I backed into Adam and nudged him gently with my shoulder, making him take a half step back, while also alerting him to the fact it was declaration time!
‘You need to stop this!’ Adam stated firmly. ‘I don’t know how many times, or how many ways, I can say this.
‘I. H
AVE. NO. INTEREST. IN. YOU! I never have. I never will. You can’t just latch on to some stranger and expect them to accept your professions of love. It just doesn’t work that way. I think you need help, professional help! I don’t care what you do, but you need to stay out of my life. I’m not interested.’
By the end of his speech, Eliza was looking at me with hate in her eyes.
‘You need to leave him alone. It’s you, confusing the issue. He thinks he’s in love with you, but it will never last. He needs me. Soon he will realise that. I won’t let him go again!’ She had leaned in closer to me, and was almost spitting in my face by the end of her rant.
Adam put both hands on my arms, and pulled me behind him, placing himself between me and Eliza.
‘That’s enough,’ he said quietly. ‘You need to leave my office NOW. Don’t come near us again.’ He turned to the door. ‘Mike,’ he called.
‘Yes, sir?’ Mike said, coming to the door.
‘Ms Roberts is just leaving, see her out, will you? Oh, and Mike—’ Mike paused in escorting Eliza out and half turned. ‘She’s not to be let in here again.’
‘Very good, sir.’
Eliza turned despite Mike’s grip on her elbow.
‘You’ll both be very sorry!’ she spat. ‘I didn’t go to all this trouble for some slut to get her claws into you.’ Her voice had reached a high screech. I put my hand to my ear, trying to block the worst of it.
Mike saw her out. As he came back to his desk he raised his brows at me. I gave a slight nod. The scales had tipped.
I looked at Adam, his hands were trembling slightly, his shoulders hunched and head down. I put my hand on his arm and waited for him to look at me. I smiled then said aloud, ‘She’s a complete psycho, Adam. You really are going to have to do something about her. We’ve waited long enough for our chance. She can’t be allowed to make trouble for us. She needs to realise that you and I are together and leave us alone. What do you want to do?’
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