Xavier

by Miranda P. Charles

  “Why do you say that?”

  Eve told the detective what had happened after she’d come back to the station. “Everything was just a little too neat to be a coincidence. Plus, the timing of when he received the tip-off is suspect. We got there in time to see Barker and Xavier loading boxes onto the boat together, but you guys only arrived well after Barker had left.”

  Swanson nodded.

  Eve looked out the window. Xavier was innocent. His actions and the circumstances surrounding tonight’s events had proven it to her.

  And he’d asked her to report on his arrest.

  She’d read his lips. Do it, he’d said, like he’d thought she’d be in trouble if she hadn’t.

  Had he been able to tell that she’d started to suspect Trevor of being Barker’s crony?

  Regardless, Xavier had been willing for the country to witness his arrest while she reported on it.

  Her heart pounded as tears rushed to her eyes. Had he done it for her?

  Eve arrived at the police station, looking around and hoping to catch a glimpse of Xavier. Instead she saw Chester rushing to her.

  “Eve, are you okay?”

  “Yes, thank you. What are you doing here?”

  “I heard you went with the police to give an eyewitness account. I thought you might like a friendly face to greet you here.”

  She smiled. “Thanks, Chester.”

  “Do you need a lift home?”

  Eve glanced at Detective Swanson. The woman was going to take her home when she’d finished a couple of tasks here. But how long that would take, Eve had no clue.

  “Okay, I’d appreciate a lift home,” she said to Chester. She was so damned tired. And she needed to be alone.

  She said goodbye to the detective, then followed Chester to his car.

  “What do you think of everything that happened?” Chester asked as they drove off.

  “Xavier’s innocent.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “I could tell. Did you know Trevor played cameraman before Jim arrived in the news van?”

  “Yes. How did you end up going there with him?”

  Eve hesitated. How much should he tell this man? And could she trust him?

  Damn it, she was so tired and still reeling from shock that she might have made another wrong decision. She probably shouldn’t have gotten into this car. Shit, shit, shit.

  “Eve?” Chester prodded.

  “What?”

  “I said, how did you end up going with Trevor to Cabarita Park?”

  “Oh, Alex took me to his home for dinner.”

  “Alex?”

  “Yes. Did you know that Alex’s mum is Trevor’s girlfriend of five years?”

  Chester glanced at her in surprise. “Really?”

  “Yes.”

  “So you planned to have dinner with them tonight?”

  “No… I… Alex was doing me a favour…” Ah, Eve knew now why Alex had suddenly taken her to Trevor. She’d indicated to him that she wasn’t going to report on the Gerald Stirling matter.

  She inhaled sharply. And now Barker had had Xavier sent to jail. Who could she trust in her workplace? What about this man sitting next to her?

  She jumped when Chester’s phone rang.

  Chester took something from his shirt pocket and put it in his ear. A Bluetooth earpiece, from the looks of it.

  “Hello?” he said. “Good. That’s good.”

  Eve glanced at him sideways, wondering who he was talking to.

  Chester chuckled. “Well, we can’t do that… Okay, will do.”

  Chester took the earpiece out and smiled at her. “The police found Barker.”

  Eve gasped. “That’s great.”

  “Finally, hey?”

  “I just hope he doesn’t escape again.”

  “I think the police will be extra careful this time. Do you want to see Xavier?”

  Her heart skipped. “I can do that?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay. Yes, please.”

  Chester made a U-turn.

  Eve smiled, letting herself relax again. They were going back to the police station and she’d be able to see Xavier. Hopefully, she’d be able to talk to him at length too.

  She frowned when Chester made an unexpected turn, heading a different direction. Her heart hammered. “Where are we going?”

  Chester didn’t answer.

  Eve eyed the lock on the door and wondered if she’d be able to escape by jumping out of the moving car. They were going too fast, though.

  But not for long. Chester slowed to enter a basement car park.

  Eve gulped. “Chester, don’t do this, please.”

  Chester sighed. “I’m not the bad guy, Eve. And we’re really seeing Xavier. They let him go.”

  “Why?” she asked suspiciously.

  “Have you heard of the Indie Rebels?”

  “Yes. I’ve researched them.”

  “Well, they stepped in and helped. Don’t ask me how, but I think they know someone within the police who helped arrange it so it could be said that Xavier was working undercover with the authorities.”

  She gaped at him. Was this man telling the truth?

  Chester parked the car and alighted. Then he opened her door for her.

  She hesitated. She couldn’t tell who to trust anymore. But Chester would probably just drag her out if she didn’t obey.

  She got out, looking around. Maybe there was a door she could run for?

  No. And Chester was leading her to an elevator. She didn’t have a choice but to get in it with him.

  Chester pressed the button for level twelve—the top floor—and smiled. “I’m sorry you’re scared right now. But hopefully, you won’t be for long.”

  She eyed him. Why? Did he intend to kill her?

  The elevator doors opened to an apartment living room and Eve gasped.

  “Eve,” Xavier said, running to her.

  Then she was in his arms, and she was sobbing. She didn’t know what was going on, and she was full of relief and confusion and fear.

  “Shh, it’s okay,” Xavier said, caressing her hair.

  “Maybe the two of you should get out of the lift,” Chester said.

  Xavier let her go, but she clung to him.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” he whispered, holding her tight as they walked into the apartment.

  “I’ll leave you to it,” Chester said, getting back into the elevator and waving goodbye.

  Eve stared at Xavier. “So did the Indie Rebels really help you?”

  Xavier nodded.

  “Did the cops really get Barker?”

  “They did.” Xavier picked up a remote and turned on the TV hanging on the wall.

  Her colleague at their network was reporting a breaking story—the capture and arrest of the notorious Eugene Barker. She was interviewing a couple of young guys who’d apparently witnessed the event.

  “We saw five people swoop in from behind the trees over there.” The teenager pointed to the area not far from a docked boat being checked out by the police. “They came out so fast that the two people who got off the speedboat looked so surprised. The man tried to fight them off, but he was no match to the three guys who held him down. They were all wearing black, even dark sunglasses in the middle of the night! Anyway, they tied up the man and the woman and hoisted them back onto the boat.”

  “Blindfolded them too,” chimed in the other teenager.

  His friend nodded. “We called the police while it was all happening. Then one of the guys in black approached us with his arms raised, like you could tell he wasn’t going to hurt us. We thought we were hiding well. I don’t know how they knew we were sitting here, watching.”

  “What did he say to you?” the reporter asked.

  “He said the two people they tied up were wanted criminals and the police were coming to arrest them. We didn’t tell him we’ve already called the cops ourselves. Anyway, he said we should probably go home for o
ur own safety, then he left with his friends.”

  Eve stared at the TV. It was really true. Barker was in police custody.

  She turned to Xavier. “We also showed your arrest earlier,” she said in consternation.

  “No. Apparently, Chester managed to convince Aaron not to do a live feed on it, saying Barker’s arrest was imminent and they should make that the breaking news. So you guys were recording, but not broadcasting.”

  Eve sighed with relief. “Those five men, do you think they’re the Indie Rebels?”

  “I’ve no doubt.”

  “I can’t believe they’re actually as good as what they claim to be on those articles they’d posted on the website. I thought they’d embellished their accomplishments somehow. I can’t believe they helped you tonight—and also helped capture Barker.”

  Xavier smiled. “Hey, I spoke to my dad just before you arrived. He’s now willing to tell the police everything about this property development scheme that he was coerced to pretend he was involved in. He only did it because Barker threatened to kill Mum, Holly and me.”

  Eve placed her hand over her mouth.

  “And your dad’s friend Scott can breathe easier now too.”

  “You knew about him?”

  Xavier nodded. “I rang your dad when I couldn’t find you. How did you end up at Trevor’s house?”

  She told him about Alex. “I told Detective Swanson to also check out Trevor.”

  “The Indie Rebels are hot on his heels too. He and Alex would be in custody soon.”

  “That’s great. Thank you, Xavier. I’d like to go home now. I’m tired. I’m sure you are too.”

  Xavier frowned. “You don’t want to… stay with me?”

  It was her turn to scowl. “Why should I?”

  Xavier took her hands. “Eve, I’ve only just met Gloria Mendez. I didn’t even know who she was when she turned up at the gym with her manager. I lied to you about going to Perth because I thought it would be better for you if you weren’t seen with me. Barker was messing with my family and you were getting caught up in it. I didn’t want you in danger because if anything happens to you, it’ll kill me.”

  Her heart danced. Did he really care that much about her?

  Xavier cupped her face. “I love you, Eve. Only you.”

  Tears escaped her eyes. Could she really believe him?

  She sniffed. Her heart had always known the truth about Xavier, even if her head tried to confuse her.

  “I love you too.”

  Xavier smiled, his own eyes misting. “You’ll stay with me here tonight? I don’t think I can bear letting you out of my sight after all that.”

  She curved her arms around his neck. “Yes. Will Chester be back? I’m assuming this is his place.”

  “It’s their weekend pad.”

  “So why can’t we go home?”

  “Because they’re both too far away. And I don’t want to waste time.”

  She laughed. What a funny comment. But Xavier’s mouth on her banished all thoughts away.

  Chapter 22

  Eve woke up, feeling a heavy arm draped around her. She opened her eyes. Soft light was filtering through the blinds of the tastefully furnished room they were in. Needing to go to the bathroom, she extricated herself from Xavier’s embrace, careful not to wake him.

  She also took a quick shower, then wrapped the towel around her. She didn’t have a change of clothes, so she guessed she’d have to wear the ones she’d worn yesterday. She needed to brush her teeth too. Chester wouldn’t mind if she looked around for spare toothbrushes, would he?

  She opened the bathroom cupboards and saw only the ones already being used by Chester and his wife. She checked what she assumed was a linen cupboard just outside the bedroom. Ah, there were rolls of toilet paper here, so there could be other toiletries too.

  She spotted something hiding behind some towels and frowned when she realised it was a couple of picture frames. She pulled one out and gasped.

  In the photograph was a much younger-looking Chester, his arm around another young man.

  She ran to the bedroom and shook Xavier awake.

  “Huh? What?” Xavier said, startled.

  “Look,” she said in a whisper, shock still gripping her.

  Xavier stared at the picture. “This is Chester and… do you know who this is?”

  “My real father. He passed away when I was nine.”

  Xavier sat up. “What?”

  “Who is Chester, Xavier? Why does he have this picture?”

  Xavier shook his head, appearing as shocked as her.

  Eve picked up her phone and called her colleague. “Chester? Are you nearby? Can you please come over to your place as soon as possible?”

  “There has to be a good explanation,” Xavier murmured. “Or it’s a coincidence.”

  “Some coincidence,” Eve said.

  They both got dressed and waited in the kitchen for Chester.

  Fifteen minutes later, the man arrived.

  “I hope you found enough food in the fridge,” Chester said. “As you know, we weren’t expecting visitors.”

  “Chester,” Eve said, “what’s your relationship to this man?” She lifted the picture up to him.

  Chester’s mouth dropped, his eyes widening. “How did you find it?”

  “I was looking for a toothbrush.” She thought of apologising for snooping, but she wasn’t exactly sorry she had seen this.

  Chester inhaled deeply and smiled at her. “I will answer your question, but can you give me a minute, please?” He left the kitchen.

  “What was that about?” she asked Xavier.

  Xavier shrugged, looking equally intrigued.

  Long minutes later, Chester came back and sat with them at the dining table.

  “Eve, what do you really think of the Indie Rebels?” Chester asked.

  She frowned. What did this have to do with the picture? “Are you trying to avoid this conversation?”

  “No. Could you answer my question first, please?”

  She let out a heavy breath. “I think they’re an impressive bunch, from what I’ve seen last night and read in the past. Why do you ask?”

  “Your real dad was one of them. In fact, he was one of the first chiefs. And he was a very good friend of mine.”

  Eve took a sharp breath. She’d had no idea.

  “How did you know Eve’s real dad was a chief?” Xavier asked, scowling.

  Chester chuckled. “Call Aidan, Xavier.”

  “What?”

  “He’s waiting for your call.”

  Xavier’s phone rang instead. “Aidan,” he said.

  Eve watched as the scowl on Xavier’s face turned into a grin. Who the hell was Aidan?

  “Thank you,” Xavier said happily, then hung up.

  “What was that about?” Eve demanded.

  But Xavier turned to Chester. “Is that why you helped Eve get the job at Your Eyes and Ears?”

  Chester smiled thinly. “It so happened that Trevor Clarence asked me what I thought of Eve when she applied. I said I preferred her out of all the candidates, and he agreed with me. I didn’t know then that Trevor was connected with Barker. I was just happy that he was pushing for Eve—and that I could work alongside my old friend’s daughter. But I did encourage Eve to work on your dad’s involvement in the property development scheme. She had to be seen by Barker as investigating it, and you know why.”

  Xavier nodded.

  “Come on, guys,” Eve said with exasperation. “Fill in the gaps for me. And who’s Aidan?”

  “He’s an Indie Rebel,” Chester said. “Unfortunately, you can’t meet him in person. Only an Indie Rebel can know the identity of another Indie Rebel. It’s one of their safety precautions.”

  “Really? So how come you two know—” She gasped, springing to her feet and glaring at both men. “Don’t tell me you’re both Indie Rebels.”

  Xavier smiled sheepishly. “I’m only an initiate. Still on probatio
n, if you like. I believe Chester’s a full agent, though.”

  Chester nodded in confirmation.

  “You didn’t tell me,” she accused, her shock turning to excitement.

  “Sorry, babe. As Chester said, only an Indie Rebel can know the identity of another Indie Rebel.”

  “But I’m not an Indie Rebel, so how come you’re telling me this?”

  “This kind of special dispensation is only given to a very select few,” Chester said pointedly. “The chiefs are okay with you knowing about us because of four things. First, your father was one of the first IR chiefs. Second, you contributed significantly to the Barker case. You’ve no idea, but you’ve helped catch a few of Barker’s men too, from the information Xavier was able to get from you. Third, I’m your close colleague and it will be easier if you know why I’m working on certain things and not others. And last but not least, you’re Xavier’s girlfriend. We won’t have to worry about you investigating him secretly if you happen to be suspicious of his actions. In the whole scheme of things, it’s better that you know.”

  She frowned at Xavier. “So you’ve been hiding things from me.”

  Xavier nodded. “Sorry, babe. That’s why I’m so glad you now know about this. I won’t have to keep anything from you anymore.”

  “You’ll have to sign an NDA,” Chester said gravely. “You can never share this information with another soul or Xavier’s and my safety could be compromised. Crime syndicates have Indie Rebel agents on their hit list, Eve. We need to keep our IR identity a secret.”

  Eve inhaled sharply. She’d never want anything to happen to these two men, especially Xavier. “I understand. This secret’s safe with me. Now how do I become one of you?”

  Xavier looked horrified. “Tell me you’re kidding. It’s dangerous to be an IR.”

  “What, you lot can’t keep your fellow members safe?” she quipped.

  Chester laughed. “I daresay she’d make a good agent, Xavier. She’s already a great investigator and interrogator. She’ll be an asset to us.”

  “See?” she said triumphantly.

  Xavier sighed in resignation, pulling her to his lap.

  She kissed his lips. “I promise to be very careful if you do the same.”

  Chapter 23