Ladyfish

by Andrea Bramhall

  “Pete, are you in danger?”

  Pete let out a long breath before he spoke again. “Yeah, I am. After I hang up, I’m going to call Pritchard and go straight in. It’s Finn I’m worried about now.”

  “I’ll take care of her, Pete.”

  “How?”

  “I was in the navy for a long time. They trained me well. I won’t let anything happen to her.”

  “I’m probably just being paranoid. She doesn’t know anything about all this. Nothing. I’ve known her practically her whole life, and mostly her dad’s just ignored her. It wasn’t until she started to show some serious brains that he paid any attention to her at all. She’s ignorant to whatever the fuck he’s doing.” He exhaled loudly. “He may just decide that there’s enough going on and leave her alone.”

  “I don’t believe that, and neither do you, Pete.”

  “I wish I did though.”

  “Yeah, me too. Is he good? This Pritchard guy?”

  “Yeah, I think so. I don’t know much about him, but he’s got a good record.”

  “What else can you tell me about her father?”

  “They think he’s linked to terrorist training camps in North Africa, but they don’t really know how, and they can’t prove it at the moment.”

  “Al-Qaeda?”

  “Yeah, probably.”

  “Are you going in by choice?”

  “They approached me, but I’m not being forced. I haven’t done anything wrong. I want to be a good guy I suppose.”

  “Okay, when you go in he’s gonna have to keep you low for a while. Then he’ll give you a new number. Call me on this number, 555-4309. It’s a satellite phone and it’s secure.”

  “Why do you have—”

  “It’s my uncle’s. He’s an admiral in the navy. Please just call and we’ll get the message. Finn will worry otherwise.”

  “Yeah, I know. Tell her I love her and try to make her believe that this isn’t her fault.”

  “I will. Take care, Pete.”

  “Take care of her for me.”

  “Always. That’s a promise.” He hung up and flipped open his mobile phone to search for Pritchard’s number. He looked up just in time to see the car slow down across the street, the barrel of a gun peeking out of the half-open window, the silencer already in place. He felt the air rush from his lungs. He heard the glass wall of the cubicle shatter. He felt his hands move to his stomach of their own volition and saw them come away red. The coppery tang of his own warm blood hit his nostrils as he slid to the ground, the bright red blood seeping away from him, mixing with the shards of glass he lay in. He closed his eyes and laid his head on the ground. Each breath bubbled crimson on his lips as his vision narrowed to a pinprick of light before going dark altogether.

  “Fuck, that hurts.”

  *

  “Sir. It’s done,” Jack said when Sterling answered the phone.

  “Did he place the call to Pritchard?”

  “No, sir, but there may be another issue.”

  “I don’t like the sound of that, Jack.

  “Sir, after you left, he called your daughter as you expected. She’s in Florida—”

  “That’s what she told me when I spoke with her this morning. What is the problem?”

  “Mr. Green alluded to the fact that he was stringing you along. Just as you told me. However, it appears that your daughter has no intention of returning to England. She also seems to have some relationship with the woman she’s befriended.”

  “What are you telling me, Jack?”

  “Sir, the woman’s intentions toward your daughter are definitely of a sexual nature.”

  “And does my daughter share this inclination?”

  “It would appear so, sir.” The silence stretched along the line. “Sir?”

  “Do we still have eyes on her?”

  “Yes, sir, but she checked out of the hotel and is living with an old woman who rarely leaves the house. We have no phone number or devices in the house.”

  “Trace the number Green called.”

  “He called her mobile phone, sir.”

  “Fuck.” Sterling covered the mouthpiece and yelled to his secretary before coming back on the line. “Susan is going to call her and get her information. I’ll get the details to you. I want her watched. I want to know exactly what’s going on with that little bitch!” He disconnected the call and threw the handset at the wall. So much for marrying her off and keeping her on track. The perversion must be genetic. He’d have to see to her. Regardless of her intelligence, she wasn’t worth keeping around if she was going to be like her mother.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Finn walked into the study, placed the sandwich on the table in front of her, and sat in the chair opposite Oz.

  “Okay, unnecessary task done. Now will you tell me what’s going on?” She watched the guilt wash across Oz’s face before she rubbed her hand over her eyes and nodded.

  “I’m really sorry about that, but we need to talk about your dad.”

  “I know. I understand if you don’t want to get involved.” Finn’s head sank to her chest.

  “Finn, stop. That’s not what I mean.” Oz retrieved the envelope from her desk and held it out to Finn.

  “What’s this?”

  “It’s information I got from my uncle. It’s about your father. I know you’re probably going to be pissed off that I did this, but I needed to know what I was getting into after everything you told me about him. I’m sorry.” She watched Finn fight back her annoyance and peel open the envelope.

  Oz watched as she read page after page. Each business portfolio. Property details. She noticed every time her hand trembled when turning the page. Finn read the police report about her mother’s disappearance. The witness reports, the coroner’s verdict, and his bank statement. Tears wet the pages in her hands.

  “He killed my mother, didn’t he?”

  “I don’t know, baby, but it certainly looks very suspicious.”

  Finn wiped the tears from her eyes.

  “Why? If he wasn’t happy in the marriage, why not divorce her and be done with it?” Finn jumped to her feet and began pacing the room, anger clearly replacing her heartache.

  “It looks like there was a prenup.” Oz shrugged. “The money that started his business came from your mother. He would have lost everything, since he was the one cheating.”

  “So he killed her instead?”

  “It does look that way, but there’s no way to prove it. Her body was never found. Without a body, it’s very difficult to prove death, never mind murder.” Oz crossed the room. Gently, she held Finn’s shoulders, hating the pain and confusion in her eyes. “Finn, there’s more I need to tell you. Sit down?”

  Finn paced a little more before sitting down again.

  “Pete has given me a bit more information. You know about this Pritchard guy and the MI6 stuff Pete’s involved in?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, apparently, they’ve been tracing connections to al-Qaeda training camps in North Africa. Your dad is—”

  “Is this a joke? He’s my dad, not some kind of terrorist!” She jumped up and started pacing again, and Oz could see her hands shaking as she ran them through her hair.

  “Finn, I’m sorry. It seems like it’s all true. I wish it wasn’t.” She grasped Finn’s hand as she passed her, bringing her to a stop. “I really do.” She looked deep into Finn’s eyes, needing her to believe, to know how serious, and potentially deadly, the situation was. “Pete is in danger. His phone was bugged. There’s a chance MI6 bugged it, but we can’t be sure.”

  “You think it’s my dad?

  “I do, yes.”

  “Oh, God. Oz, I told Pete about us. Does that mean my dad knows?”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “If he can kill my mother he—Oh God. I’m going to be sick.” She ran for the bathroom. Oz followed and held her hair back as she heaved until her stomach was empty.

 
; “It’s okay, baby.” She stroked her head as the tears fell, waiting patiently for them to subside. “Are you okay?”

  “No.”

  “Sorry, stupid question. I’m going to call my uncle and see if he can get any more information.” Finn didn’t move, her eyes fixed on a spot only she could see as Oz walked quickly out of the bathroom.

  She grabbed her cell phone and dialed the number Charlie had given her. He answered on the second ring.

  “Uncle Charlie.”

  “Hey, squirt, you okay?”

  “Not really. I need some help. William Sterling.”

  “I’ve been digging, sweetheart. I’m on my way over now. Your dad is here with me. He’s gonna crash our party.”

  “Uncle Charlie, nothing in life could ever be that bad that we need to bring in my dad.”

  “True, honey, but you know he hates to be left out.”

  So they’re both worried about me. “Okay, you bring him around to play.”

  “See you soon, squirt.”

  Oz knelt next to Finn and stroked her back.

  “My dad and Charlie are coming over. They’ll be here in a few minutes. Are you up to seeing them?”

  “Do they know?”

  “Know what, baby?”

  “Do they know about my dad?”

  “Some of it. Does that matter?”

  “Of course it does.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  Finn washed her face and walked back to the papers she’d left on the table. She picked up the picture of her mother sitting on a swing with a young Finn on her lap. They were facing each other, Finn pinching her mother’s nose.

  “Your mom was beautiful.” She brushed Finn’s hair behind her ear. “You look just like her.”

  Finn traced her fingers over the face in the photograph. “You think so?”

  “Yup.” She kissed Finn’s head.

  “Oz, I wanted your family to be happy about us.”

  “Honey, I’m sure they will be. You do know that you’re the only person in my life who has ever been invited to Thanksgiving dinner, don’t you? Ever.”

  “This will probably change all that.”

  “Finn, my family knows that everyone is responsible for the things they do, and the decisions they make. I’m not to blame for the things my father has done, and he isn’t to blame for the things I’ve done. Despite what I might have told him when I was a kid.” She grinned as Finn chuckled. “You are not to blame for what your father is involved in. Whatever that may be. Nor will I allow you to be vilified because of it.”

  The doorbell rang and she got up from the sofa. “Are you coming?”

  “I’ll just be a minute.”

  Finn’s pain was terrible to see, and knowing she couldn’t do anything about it made it worse. This was why I didn’t want a relationship. The need to comfort, to protect another human being was foreign to her, and Oz realized that whether she had wanted it or not, Finn was her responsibility now. And she wasn’t about to let her down. She could deal with the relationship question later. Right now, she just had to keep her safe.

  *

  “I’m surrounded by giants.”

  Finn looked at Oz and her father and uncle and gave them a small smile. Charlie was looking around with a mischievous frown.

  “Did you two hear something? I’m sure I heard a squeak, but I can’t see anything.”

  “Watch it, Uncle Charlie. She’s got a pretty mean right jab.”

  Billy pointed at Finn. “You’ve been abusing my girl here?”

  Finn looked at him seriously. “Yes, sir, I’m afraid it was necessary.”

  “I always thought I let her off with too few beatings. Thanks for picking up the slack.”

  “You guys want coffee?” Oz put the kettle on the stove and reached for cups as everyone assented.

  Billy looked at Finn. “How much do you know about your father?”

  “Just what Oz and my friend Pete have said. Basically, he’s a bastard. It looks like he killed my mum, is some kind of terrorist, and is on MI6’s most wanted list. All-round nice guy, really.”

  Billy looked Finn in the eye. “Are you ready for this?”

  “No, but best not let that stop you.”

  “I really like her, Oz. She reminds me of your mother. Okay, here goes. Charlie?”

  “My sources tell me that Sterling has a lot of very legitimate businesses. Very easily covers all his traveling, but not his income. The funds we know about exceed a couple hundred million. That’s personal. Not from any company.” He took a sip of his coffee and looked Finn in the eye. “My sources also tell me that MI6 is looking at him in connection to al-Qaeda. CIA is looking at him in the same way, mostly because of the whispers around his biomedical labs. Rumors suggest he’s developed bio weapons and he’s got buyers ready to take them.”

  “Oh, God.” Finn bolted from the room, her hand over her mouth.

  “Is she okay?” Billy asked.

  “Would you be?” Oz shrugged. “She’ll be throwing up again. I’ll just go check on her.”

  They sat sipping their coffee until Oz came back.

  “Finn’ll be back in a minute.”

  “She throw up?”

  “Yeah.”

  “She don’t take after her old man then.”

  “No.”

  “Glad to hear it. How’d she react when you told her about your last mission?” Charlie asked.

  Oz blanched. “I haven’t yet—”

  “What haven’t you told me yet?” Finn slid back into her seat next to Billy and smiled at him as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed her in a quick one-armed hug.

  “Uncle Charlie’s talking about my last mission for the navy. The one where I got shot.” She took a deep breath, already hating the look in Finn’s eyes. The shadows of pain grew with every new detail she learned, and Oz’s self-loathing ratcheted up another notch as she spoke the words she knew would only add to Finn’s pain. But with her dad and Charlie there, she felt strong enough to tell Finn the truth. A truth she needed to know because she was about to depend on Oz and her family for her safety. It was now or never. “It went wrong. Rudy lost his leg, but a lot of other people lost their lives.” Silence filled the room. Charlie and Billy were watching Finn, waiting for her reaction. Oz white-knuckled her coffee cup.

  “You killed people?”

  Oz felt trapped. But she finally looked at Finn and answered. “Yes.”

  Finn looked at Billy and Charlie, and then at Oz before tears started sliding down her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I need to—” She left the room again. Oz stood to follow.

  “Give her a few minutes, Oz.”

  “But, Dad—”

  “No, everything for her has just changed. Give her a few minutes.”

  “He’s right, Oz. She’ll be okay. She needs a little time to adjust.”

  She desperately wanted to follow Finn, to hold her, reassure her, to make sure that they were still okay. She knew, deep down, though, that her relationship with Finn had just irrevocably changed. Suddenly, she felt queasy too.

  “Oz, we need to decide how best to deal with this. How close is she to her dad?”

  Oz pushed her feelings aside and focused on the problems they had to deal with to keep Finn safe. As long as she was safe, everything else could be dealt with later. She hoped. “Not very. He seems to think she’s a trophy more than a daughter.”

  “Does he know where she’s staying?”

  “Her friend Pete called earlier. She told him about us. I was speaking to him and heard an echo on the line. I’m pretty sure it was bugged by her dad’s guys.”

  “She hasn’t given him any other details though?”

  “No, just referred to me as ‘Oz’ and there was no mention of Mrs. Richmond.”

  “Well, that gives you a little anonymity.”

  “I asked her to avoid giving the address to either place if she can. She agreed.”

  “Good. How long is she planning o
n staying in the States?”

  “She has no plans to go back.”

  “How?”

  “She’s here on an American passport. Her mother was from Sarasota Springs.”

  “Well, that makes life a bit easier, baby girl. About time you did me a favor.”

  “I can get you a place on the base for a while if you need it. I’ve got a base full of sailors, armed guards on the gates. Doesn’t get much more secure than that.”

  “Thanks, Uncle Charlie. I might take you up on that. If Finn speaks to me again.”

  “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.” Oz jumped from her seat and ran the three steps it took her to cross the room, then kissed Finn full on the mouth. Finn was blushing deeply when she pulled away. “We need to talk about this, but there’s something I need to know right now.”

  “Anything?”

  “The people you killed, they were trying to kill you, weren’t they?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then you did what you had to do.”

  Oz stared deep into her eyes, wishing she could read her mind before she closed her eyes and nodded.

  Charlie cleared his throat. “I was just offering you both an alternative place to stay. If you think it will help, I can get you accommodation on the base. I can’t think of anywhere safer. As I was saying, armed guards on the gates, a base full of navy men. Think about it. If you need it, it’s there.”

  “Thank you, Charlie. I really appreciate that. Please don’t be offended if I tell you I hope we won’t need to do that.”

  “Not offended at all.” He smiled kindly. “I have a few questions for you, if you don’t mind?”

  “At this point, I’d be surprised if you didn’t. What do you need to know?”

  “You worked at the bio lab in London, correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “What did you do there?”

  “I was a researcher. My dad wanted me to eventually take over the running of the lab, but I wasn’t ready. I didn’t want it either, but that didn’t seem to matter. The promotion was meant to be my wedding present.”

  “What were you researching?”