The Dirty Dozen: Alpha Edition

by Kay Maree

  I picked up the next. Another property was referenced. An apartment in Mayfair in London. Tabby didn’t own property. Dad only rented the house we lived in, as we’d moved around so much.

  A sick feeling wound in my stomach. Was this where they’d hid the money? Through shady property deals?

  Then I looked again at the letter on my lap. It was addressed to Mr B Phillips. Not Dad’s initial. Farther down the page, a trust was named as the property owner. The mystery deepened.

  I opened every card, counting fifteen property purchases. All registered in the name B Phillips.

  Then, from the last birthday card—one from me with a blue bunny on the front, a thicker set of papers came.

  My hand shook as I read. It was the details of the trust. As I’d begun to suspect, the beneficiary was Benjamin.

  My sister had used her baby’s name.

  My sickness turned to anger, and I closed my eyes for a moment. Tabby had put him at risk for this.

  But then, farther down the page again, listed against my sister’s name as the holder of the trust until Benjamin turned eighteen, I spotted something else. Another name that should be nowhere near this criminal evidence.

  Mine.

  Trustee: Autumn Phillips.

  ****

  Immediately, I made a call to the authorities, to the head of the military police who had been investigating the crime previously. She’d interviewed me when I’d stood up to give evidence for the man whose job I’d lost, and she seemed fair and honest.

  Of course, there was no answer, so I left a garbled message then hung up and stared at the pile of papers in front of me.

  I’d run, taking Benjamin and all the evidence with me. No one would believe me. How could they? I wouldn’t believe me if I came back and said I’d been ignorant of it. The trustee papers held a good copy of my signature. A forgery, but close enough to mine.

  Two options lay open to me.

  I could plead my case with the authorities and hope they believed me. There was a possibility that they wouldn’t, and I’d end up in jail, and Benjamin… God, what would happen to Benjamin?

  Or, I could embrace the life my family had made for me and be a criminal. I could hire a solicitor and sell the properties, and Benjamin and I could stay together and be well provided for.

  I’d have to cut all ties. Not visit my sister, not that she deserved it. I’d have to leave Lena’s home and stay away, probably forever.

  I’d never see Bull again.

  Fat tears rolled down my cheeks.

  Carefully, I tidied up the mess of papers and placed them back into the big envelope. I got together the suitcases Benjamin and I had come here with and gathered all of our things.

  Then I went to the hall and readied to leave, my mind made up and my next steps perfectly clear.

  I swung the door open to find two men on the porch. Under their dark suits, the men’s gun holsters protruded in a silent threat.

  They were military police, without a shadow of a doubt. And they were here for me.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Lost

  Bull

  I spent the morning sorting. My life had stagnated after I’d moved into the apartment. I worked every hour I could and ignored the tattered state of the rest of my existence. I had boxes I hadn’t unpacked. Autumn hadn’t said, but she must’ve noticed the untidy state of the place.

  Finally satisfied that my home was presentable, and safer for a wee lad to potter around in, I took a shower and dressed for our afternoon date. I drove to Autumn’s home, my heart so full of a painful kind of hope that I had to rub my knuckles over my chest to ease the ache.

  Lena and her daughter waited on the step when I pulled up. The wee lass was crying in her mother’s arms, and Lena’s eyes were red.

  As she spotted me, she cried harder.

  “Is something wrong?” I was across the yard in a second.

  “It’s Autumn,” Lena burst out. “We came home and we thought she’d be here… Oh, Bull, I was hoping she was with you.”

  “What happened? Where is she?” I barked.

  “That’s just it. I don’t know. She’s gone. Both her and Benjamin. She’s taken their cases and left.”

  ****

  I drove back into town, my mind in a whirl of fear and confusion. She wouldn’t have gone without saying goodbye. No matter what, I knew she wouldn’t do that. I couldn’t have lost her.

  I knew her.

  Didn’t I?

  No. I couldn’t doubt the lass. She’d hidden and lied to protect herself, but every other part of her was honest.

  Something else had happened. Someone had come for her, I was certain.

  Frantic, I pulled up outside my bar. On the forecourt to his garage, Hank worked on a car. He waved me over.

  “This might not be any of my business,” he started, “but is Autumn in any sort of trouble? I know you two are item now. It’s just my wife saw her in the back of a car with her boy. He was crying, and she looked upset, too, and these two men in suits were in the front—”

  Fuck. “When was this?” I barked.

  Hank blinked. “Not more than half an hour ago. They drove past the house in a silver car. You know how you have to slow to get safely around our bend, so she got a great view in—”

  Adrenaline surged, and I whirled back to my car.

  “Bull? Can I help any?” Hank called, but I needed to go. Autumn needed me.

  Just as I pulled back into the street, a little red car zoomed up. A car I knew well—I’d bought it. Cindy braked, sliding the last few inches to block me in. She leapt out, and I did, too.

  “What the hell?” I snapped.

  “I can’t do this anymore,” she screamed, rounding the bonnet. Her silky dressing gown barely contained her body, and makeup stained her face where she’d been crying.

  “Move the car. I need to go,” I yelled.

  Cindy cranked open the side door and brought Archie from the car.

  “Not now.” I jammed my fingers into my hair.

  “Yes, now! You’re the only person who can take care of him. I need you to have him. I can’t… I just can’t!” Cindy threw Archie into my arms, and I caught the bairn, gathering him to me. His mother whipped around and got back into her car. Without another word, she backed up and spun off, only closing her door at the last second, the cord of her dressing gown trapped outside.

  “Da,” Archie said and whimpered, cuddling in.

  “It’s okay, lad.” I hushed him. Then I covered his ears. “Hank?” I bellowed. “I need to borrow a car seat. Now!”

  Five soul-destroying minutes later and I was speeding away on the track that passed Hank’s place and headed out of town. This way led to one of two places: the highway to Seattle, in which case I’d lost them, or to a holiday lodge. I had my hopes pinned on the second.

  In his car seat next to mine, Archie held his little hand out for me, and I took it.

  “We’ll sort your ma out later,” I told him. “It’ll all be fine.”

  “Da, Da,” he said again.

  I drove fast. We made the turn off for the lodge, and I peered ahead as we trundled up the track.

  A silver car sat outside the separate guesthouse.

  My heart thundered.

  Stopping in the main car park, I reached past Archie and collected my gun from where I had it stowed in the glove box. Then I locked the bairn in the car and stole around the back of the house.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Found

  Autumn

  The two men sat the other side of the kitchen table in the guesthouse. On my lap, Benjamin squirmed, but I wasn’t about to put him down.

  Fear slithered down my spine, and I swallowed against panic.

  The truth. All I have to do is tell the truth.

  They sifted through the paperwork, making notes as they went.

  “Finally, the apartment in Clavisham
Heights, Park Lane, Westminster,” the first man read from the paper.

  “No,” I replied as calmly as I could. “Not that one either. I’ve never heard of it, and I never visited there.”

  The second officer made an entry on his laptop, his mouth a flat line under his moustache.

  “Miss Phillips, you’re claiming you had no knowledge of all twelve properties, despite your name being associated with the purchases, and you being in possession of the papers?”

  My breathing stuttered. “I know how it sounds, but I really didn’t know. I ran because Tabby, I mean Tabitha, my sister, said we were in danger. We came home to find intruders in our house. What else was I to think?”

  The men exchanged a glance. Moustache adjusted his gun belt, his forehead creased in what appeared to be frustration.

  “She told me to take Benjamin and run, so I did. I came here,” I added.

  “We’ve visited your former residence. Are you expecting us to believe that you abandoned your whole life, your clothes, your nephew’s toys, family pictures, and all your possessions but still found the time to take these?” He held up the property documents.

  Tears welled in my eyes. “They were in cards which were bundled with our passports. Tabby said to grab them, and it was easy to do so. I didn’t think twice. Not until today when I realised something must be up with them. I returned to Lena’s, found the packet, worked some of this out, and packed our bags. Then you were at the door. I was going to find my friends”—and Bull, oh God, Bull—“and say goodbye before heading to the airport to go straight to your commanding officer. I even left her a message saying to expect me.”

  Another look was exchanged, and the second man left the room, closing the door behind him.

  The first officer eyed me, but his demeanour changed. Lightened slightly. “Why did you run?”

  “I told you, I was scared.”

  “Yet you were prepared to walk right back into that same danger today.”

  Benjamin stood on my lap, wobbling. I summoned my strength and tried to explain my thinking. “The most important person in the world is this little guy here. When we left, it was after a direct threat. People had invaded our home, so we couldn’t stay. Going back was risky, too, but we couldn’t run forever, not after I knew what I had in my possession. That’s why I rang your commanding officer: To put us under the protection of the military police. Even if you don’t believe me, you have to protect Benjamin. You must.”

  Moustache returned. He raised a single eyebrow to Officer Number One then rested a hip on the table.

  Against the odds, relief settled inside me. Whatever the men said or did now, the chase was over. I couldn’t think about missing Bull, or anyone else in Falls Ridge. It would tear me in two. But this would be done with. Done and over.

  The first officer rolled his shoulders. “The two investigators who searched your father’s home—”

  “Investigators?” I jolted upright.

  Benjamin squawked at my movement.

  “They worked for us and had been employed to find the department’s missing money. Your father and sister wouldn’t divulge where they’d concealed it, and it’s a substantial sum.”

  “The people searching our home were police? Why didn’t they say?”

  “Not police, but a specialist private investigation firm subcontracted to look into the case. I understand their methods are covert, which is presumably why they didn’t identify themselves to you.”

  I gaped at the men. All this time, I’d thought we were running from criminals. My sister had told me so. “We’re not being chased?”

  “Your father and sister defrauded the government. There is no one pursuing you but us.”

  All that running for nothing.

  But I couldn’t regret it. Without coming to Falls Ridge, I’d never have met Bull. The man I loved. Loved. The brand-new emotion slammed forward in my chest.

  I bounced my gaze from one man to the other. Neither glared now, but they watched my reactions carefully.

  “Miss Phillips,” the second officer said. “The message you left can and will be used as evidence in the case against your father—”

  “Am I under arrest?” I burst out.

  He held up a hand. “You will need to provide a written statement, and of course the properties will be seized.”

  They believed me, didn’t they? Otherwise they’d be arresting me. “I’ll provide anything you need! I don’t care about the properties, or any money my family had. I don’t want anything to do with them now.”

  With a crash, the door flew open behind the men. Bull materialised in the frame, and I sucked in a gasp.

  Both officers whirled, reaching for their guns.

  “Stop!” I screamed.

  Bull barged through, and I lurched to my feet, my chair toppling, and Benjamin clutched to my chest. Then, in a flash, Bull had us behind him, his arm holding us close.

  Benjamin chuckled. “Bull!” he said, beaming at the man’s huge back.

  “Don’t shoot. That’s my boyfriend!” I struggled to get around him.

  “I am Bhaltair Graham,” he barked. “I dinna give a flying fuck who ye are, but if you’ve laid one finger on my lass—”

  “Put the weapon down!” the two officers snapped in unison.

  It was only then I noticed the gun in Bull’s hand.

  Oh God, no.

  “Listen to them. Put the gun down,” I begged him, my heart hammering.

  “Are you okay, lass? Did they hurt ye?” he said, not dropping his arm and not looking around.

  “I’m being interviewed. I’m fine. These men work for the military. Please, Officers, this is Bull. He’s only trying to protect me. Bull, they didn’t touch me. Do what they say.”

  “You’re nae hurt?”

  “I’m fine. Please, Bull.”

  Finally, his arm lowered. I slid around him and hugged him hard, Benjamin held tight between us. “You found me,” I said. “I can’t believe you came for me.”

  “How can ye doubt it?” he replied.

  “You know, Miss Phillips. I have to say this: For a good person, you certainly seem to attract trouble.” The first officer gestured for Bull to hand over the gun. He did. The men kept their distance but holstered their own weapons.

  “Bull!” my nephew uttered again.

  “Yes, Benji, Bull came to save us,” I said. Maybe it was the reduction of the constant fear I’d been living under, or maybe it was the new-found rush I got whenever Bull was near, but a sense of safety suffused me.

  “I’ve been giving evidence,” I told my mountain man.

  “I thought you’d been kidnapped,” he replied, his face pale.

  “Kidnapped? Miss Phillips is here voluntarily,” Officer Moustache said. “You, Mr Graham, are interrupting a formal investigation.”

  Bull stood taller, intimidating in his stare and exuding menace. “Am I now?”

  “Is there anything more you need to know?” I asked the officers, more than a little frazzled. “Am I free to go?”

  “We have your address, so for now, you can.” Moustache tipped up his chin. “Be aware, you may need to give evidence again but, as things stand, the case is cut and dried. We have what we need, and you’ve witnessed the fact that this pack of letters was your sister’s property. We also have evidence from the solicitors who handled the purchases—they are under investigation for other crimes. Maybe don’t switch your phone off, and we’ll call if we need you.”

  Utterly relieved, I nodded agreement. “I never asked. How did you find me?”

  “After yours, Lena’s name was on a list of Benjamin’s next of kin when he was in nursery. We found she’d left the country, so it only made sense to follow her trail.”

  Bull collected Benjamin from my arms. “We’re going home,” he told me, then his gaze landed on the suitcases. “Are these yours?”

  “Yep. I was all ready to travel home t
o give up the papers. These men saved me a job.” I lowered my gaze. “I wouldn’t have left without saying goodbye.”

  “I know, lass.”

  I grabbed a case, and Bull took the other, then we left the guesthouse and went to his car.

  “Is that Archie?” I peered in the front window at the sleeping toddler.

  “Long story,” Bull said with a heavy sigh.

  “I have all the time in the world.”

  ****

  We drove back into town, and Benjamin dozed on my shoulder as Bull told me the story of what had happened with Cindy. Both boys woke when a fire truck and an ambulance screamed past, speeding around the corner at the top of the high street.

  “What the heck? I don’t think I’ve even seen a police car in the weeks I’ve been living here.”

  “I have a bad feeling about this,” Bull said. “Cindy practically threw Archie at me then drove this way. She was in a bad state. She said things I barely heard because I was so worried about finding ye.”

  Twisted fear rose once more in my gut.

  “Let’s keep going,” I mumbled.

  We pressed on, trundling down the icy road. Halfway along the route, a rocky ravine plunged to a river far below. The town of Falls Ridge was named for the beauty spot. On my walks, I’d hurried past this part, the howling winds terrifying and ghostly.

  As we reached it, emergency vehicles blocked the way. Craning forward, I spotted a gap in the railing, like a car had punched through it. “I think someone went over.”

  Bull killed the engine then leapt out, closing us in. He marched up to the scene and put a question to one of the attending crew. Then his hands flew to the back of his neck, and he whirled around, anguish plain on his face.

  Oh no.

  It was Cindy. I knew it. Archie gave a cute little gurgle, and Benjamin copied him. Then both boys were grinning at each other and making friends. But my heart had sunk to the ground.

  ****

  Hours later, Bull returned to Lena’s. He’d driven us home, leaving Archie in our care, then left again to help with the rescue efforts.

  I met him at the door, and he sank into my arms, freezing cold, and damp with river water and mud. “She’s dead,” he said, his voice fraught with despair. “She drove her car off the bridge. How am I going to tell him?”