by Shaw, Vicki
Once we get to the airport, Martin has to rebook our take-off time as we missed our last one. Thank goodness, we don’t have a long wait. We decide we will wait in the private plane so I can try to get a little bit of rest.
I wake to a woman screaming. What the hell. Who is screaming? Strong arms wrap around me, pulling me into a warm hard chest. “Roxie, it’s ok, your safe.” Martin is softly whispering into my ear. That’s when I realise it was me who was screaming. I was back in the basement, but it wasn’t just me, there were all these other girls and women. It takes me a few seconds to work out where I am and start to relax against Martin’s chest. I love being in his arms. He makes me feel so safe.
“Have we taken off yet?” I ask.
“Yes, we are just about to start the descent to land,” Martin said as he loosens his arms a little. I am now able to turn around to face the front in my seat again. “Are you ok? What were you dreaming about?” I can hear the concern and worry in his voice. ‘I’m ok now, thanks. I don’t really remember what I was dreaming about?” I lie. I don’t want him to worry about me because I want him to let me go back to Carly’s until I work out what I want. I know I am going to be in for a fight as soon as we land. I want to put this fight off as long as I can so I don’t say anything yet about where I will be staying.
We are all getting into the cars Jake has waiting for us. Martin and I are in one car because Jake is going straight to his office. He has been talking to some other AFP officers trying to find this guy, Sinclair that Mum told me to give the file to. From the information Jake has found out so far he retired about 8 years ago after being injured on duty. He is just trying to find his current address to go and talk to him.
Martin gives our driver his address and as soon as he is finished, I give the drive Carly’s. Just like I thought, Martin is not happy. “You are coming to my place, Roxie. There is no way I am letting you stay with Carly. I can work from home for the next few weeks to look after you until you are back to one hundred percent.” I can see the pleading in his eyes while he is talking. I don’t think he wants to fight either, but I’m not giving up my right to stay where I want to.
“I’m sorry Martin. I don’t want to fight with you. I’m sick of fighting everything and everyone, I need some time. Carly had holidays owed to her so she has taken two weeks off so she can help me if I need her to.” I don’t have the energy to get angry or raise my voice. I am in pain and just want a hot shower and my bed.
“Fine. We will drop you off at Carly’s. However, I will be over there at nine in the morning to bring your breakfast and for us to sit down and talk.” Martin did not react as I thought he would. I thought he would fight me every step of the way. Maybe he is sick of fighting as well.
When we arrive at Carly’s, Martin carries my bag in for me. I am thankful Jake was able to get my bag from the airport as it had all my photography equipment in it. He carries it up the stairs and into my room and places it on the floor at the end of my bed. Without a word, he turns and walks back out the door. I sit on the end my bed and take a deep breath, well as deep as I can without it hurting my still sore ribs. I hear someone at my door and look up. Martin walks in and hands me two pills and a glass of water. I’m surprised as I thought he had left. I guess I should have known better as he is always looking out for me, and now his unborn child. After I have taken the pills, I hand him back the glass. He walks over to the bedside table and places it next to my lamp. He leans in and softly kisses my check. “I will see you tomorrow. If you need anything, please call and I will come right over. Try to get a good night’s sleep. I still love you.” He puts his head down and walks to the door. Just before he steps out of my room, he stops. I thought he was going to turn around and say something else but after a few seconds, he keeps walking. I hate how defeated and sad he looked as he said he still loved me and walked away. I hate that I am the reason he is feeling this way.
FIFTEEN
Martin
I hated leaving her at Carly’s and I hated it even more that she wouldn’t stay at my place. The only good thing about her being at Carly’s is it will give me a chance to catch up with Jake and find out what is going on without her overhearing anything. I know she wants to know what is happening and where the investigation is headed, but right now, I need her to get some rest and get better. I don’t want the baby or her stressed.
As soon as I walk into my place, I dump my bags next to the door and ring Jake. Jake said he would be over in an hour or two so while I wait I go to my room and unpack. It didn’t take as long as I thought it would so when I’m done I go into my office to try and do some work. I turn my computer on. While I wait for it to load up, I go through the stack of mail sitting on my desk that my housekeeper has left there for me. Most of it is the normal things like bills and junk mail. I’m about to put it all back down as there was nothing there that couldn’t wait when I saw a handwritten envelope. My curiosity got to me because who hand writes anything these days. I sit down to see what is inside. I look at the postmark to see where it was sent from but it is smudged and I couldn’t even read the date. I flip it over and carefully open it. For some reason, I have this uneasy feeling rising from my gut. I slowly slide the letter out, unfold it and start to read. At first it doesn’t register what I am reading.
Martin
I hope this finds you before anything else happens to Roxie.
I never wanted her to get hurt. I just wanted to make her see that I am the man for her. I could see how much you cared for her and would do anything to protect her. I was counting on that when I gave Mr. Richards her number and told him he wouldn’t find a better more passionate photographer than her. I was counting on the two of you fighting and Roxie going by herself. I know how stubborn and strong willed she is.
You must be wondering by now how I got caught up in all this. Well, just after I arrived home Jayce came into the office and found me. He told me about some file and asked me if I knew anything about it. I told him I didn’t have a clue what he was talking about. He then asked me to help them get Roxie back to town. At first I told him no, even though the money they were offering for my help would line my bank account nicely. Jayce left me his number and told me if I changed my mind to give him a call.
I had sent a few messages to Roxie about us getting back together. Her answer was always no. I didn’t give up because I thought I could wear her down. That was before she sent me a message about you. She asked me to stop going on about us getting back together and the only thing she could offer me was her friendship. I saw red. I was so angry with Roxie for choosing you over me. That’s when I rang Jayce and told him I was in.
At the time, I didn’t realise what I had gotten myself into and by the time I found out I was in too deep. If I left or told anyone, they would have killed me. It made me sick to see what they were doing to her. I still love her and it tore my heart out when they were talking about what they were going to do to her even after she found what they were looking for.
You have to get here as soon as you can. They have her locked in the basement under her house. They have already whipped her once and god knows if she doesn’t keep her mouth shut what else they will do to her. Even if she finds the file, they are going to rape her and send her to one of their customers who has a house full of women and girls that are his and his friend slaves in every sense of the word. From what they have been saying happens in this place it is worse than your worst nightmare.
I have also found out that The Boss is not really THE BOSS. He takes orders from someone else. I have not asked questions but from listening to the other guys, no one but The Boss knows who this other person is. It is made to look like The Boss is in charge, but it is all a front.
I didn’t know how else I was able to help her. This seemed like the only way without getting myself killed as well.
Hurry because time is running out.
Steven’
I don’t know how many times I have read the letter or ho
w long I was sitting there. I have so many thoughts going through my mind. So many emotions running through me. Sadness, hurt, regret, pain, sorrow and anger. So much anger. Anger at Roxie’s parents. Anger at myself. Anger at Jake and the police but most of all myself. I should have taken better care of her. I should have followed her to Perth even without her knowing. I should have kept her safe. I keep thinking about all that I could have lost if we didn’t get there when we did.
Jake clears his throat at my office door. I didn’t even hear him come in. I gave him a key when he and his team first started using my place when Roxie got the first message.
“You look like you have seen a ghost. What’s up?” Jake asks. I don’t reply I just hand him the letter. He takes a minute or two to read then reread the letter. He runs his hand through his hair as he looks up at me. “Fuck. Now we know Steven’s story is true. He didn’t go into this much detail with us, though. What are you thinking Martin? I don’t think I like to look on your face.” Jake looks a little nervous as he speaks. He has known me for years and has seen me lose my temper a few times, but I have never felt the rage that is flowing through my blood at this second. “I want to kill every one of them.” I respond though my clenched teeth. “They could have taken everything from me. They still might have. I can see in Roxie’s eyes that she has lost some of the spark that used to be there. I don’t know how to help her or how she is going to get through this. I know she wants to be kept up to date with the investigation, but I don’t think that is a good idea.”
“You need to give her time. Look at everything she has lost as well. They killed her Mother. Not one but two people she thought she loved at some point in her life were trying to hurt her. She finds out she has a half-brother that has also hurt her. On top of all that she finds out she is having an unplanned baby. That’s without even thinking about the physical and mental ordeal she has been through. We don’t have to tell her every little detail” Jake has a grim look on his face and I know what’s coming. “We have to tell her about this letter don’t we?” I ask but already knowing the answer. “Yeah, we do. It will have to be put into evidence for court so she will find out about it then if we don’t do it now.” Jake doesn’t look any happier than I am about it, but we both know what will happen if we keep it from her.
“Have you spoken to this Sinclair yet?” I need some good news to get my mind off all the murderous thoughts in my head. “Yeah, I have spoken to him. He is going to fly here tomorrow with his old partner he was working with before he got injured. He was working this case as well. He said he also has something for Roxie that her Mother gave him to give to her when her father died. He was monitoring her for years until he got hurt. He didn’t know her father had died. He also wouldn’t tell me what it was. He also wouldn’t go into much detail about the case over the phone. That’s why he is flying in.” Jake sounds frustrated, he can’t get the answers he so desperately wants.
“Have you looked to see what is on the file?” My frustration is starting to pick up as well now. I just want this all finished as fast as possible so we can all get on with our lives. “No, we haven’t been able to get into it yet. Sinclair has a code or some shit to be able to read what is on there.” “Have you found anything out at all yet?” I am trying not to take my frustration out on Jake, but it is becoming harder with the less information he has to tell me. I know he is doing everything he can and is bound to do things ‘by the book’ and can’t tell me everything, but I need to know that things are happening.
“Steven has told us everything he did to help get Roxie to go back to Rocky but when it didn’t work, that’s when they decided to kidnap her. Jayce has been with the organisation for years, but we can’t get too much more out of him. Andrew joined when his father rejected him and wouldn’t tell Roxie he was her half-brother. That’s about all we could get out of them at this stage. The one they call The Boss isn’t talking at all yet, but now we know he is not the real boss. He was the front man. We don’t know anything about the real man in charge yet. That is what we are hoping is in this file.” Jake isn’t looking very confident at this stage. If that is not the real boss then who is? Will he still be after Roxie? Jake must see what I am thinking on my face. “Come on let’s go and get some coffee then I’m going to head home and try and get some sleep. You need to do the same thing. I have put a couple of bodyguards at Carly’s house to keep an eye on things. I will keep her as safe as I can. I would stay there myself, but I am useless to everyone if I can’t function due to lack of sleep. And don’t you even think about going over there yourself.” Jake warns me. He knows me too well because I was going to go there as soon as he left. I can see his point so decide to stay here and try to get some sleep.
Looking at the clock next to my bed, it reads 4.30 am. I have been tossing and turning all night unable to turn my brain off. I have to find a way to convince Roxie that her, and the baby’s future is with me, as a family. I do not understand why she is fighting this. I know she loves me and I sure as hell love her. It is useless to try to sleep so I head downstairs to make a cup of coffee and try and do some work before I go to see Roxie. As I walk into my office with coffee in hand, my phone starts to ring. My heart stops and I just about drop my coffee when I see Carly’s name flashing on the screen.
“What’s wrong? Is Roxie ok?” The panic is evident in my voice. I have to stop myself from asking any more question so Carly can speak.
“Martin I don’t want you to panic, but Roxie has had a really bad nightmare. I can normally calm her down, but I just can’t this time. I think you had better come over.” Carly said with worry in her voice. “I’ll be right there.” I am already in my room getting dressed before Carly even finished speaking. I hear my text message beep letting me know I have a new message. I don’t look at it until I’m walking out my door. It was a message from Carly letting me know she has left the front door open for me as in her words ‘the babysitters will not let anyone in that hasn't been cleared’. That made me chuckle a little. Carly certainly has an attitude. I know that if it were just for her safety she would have sent them away or given them the hardest time until they could not put up with her anymore. However, because it is for Roxie, she will grin and bear it. I am glad Roxie has such a great caring friend like Carly. Someone she can always count on and is always there for her.
It doesn’t take long for me to get to Carly’s. I am sure I broke every speed limit getting here, but I couldn’t help it. I need to get to Roxie. The two bodyguards Jake told me about were standing on either side of the front door. At first glance, you would think they were out the front of a nite club or private party. As I get closer, I recognised both of them. As soon as I am at the top of the stairs, they both extend their hands to shake. We shake and do the male slap on the back thing. I tell them we will catch up soon and walk in the door. I want to get to Roxie as soon as possible. I walk up to her room. As I walking along the hall, I can hear her crying. I can also hear Carly talking softly to her. However, I can’t make out what she is saying. When I reach the door, I just stand there looking at the scene in front of me. Roxie is on the bed with her back to the door. Carly is sitting next to her rubbing her back. Carly must sense I am there and looks up. She places a kiss on Roxie’s head before leaving the room. I remove my shirt, pants, shoes and socks and climb into bed next to her. I pull her into my chest so we are spooning. I can feel her shaking with every sob that leaves her body. I feel helpless. I don’t know how to make it better for her. I rub my hand up and down her arm trying to comfort her as best as I can. I don’t say anything because I don’t have the words to say. I just hold her letting her know I am here. It doesn’t take long for her breathing to even out and her sobbing to stop. As soon as I know, she is sleep I relax and close my eyes.
SIXTEEN
Roxie
The morning after we arrived in Brisbane, Martin and I woke up late. When we did finally crawl out of bed, it was mid-morning. Carly had left a note saying she was go
ing out with Matt for the day so Martin and I had time to talk without anyone around. Martin made us some food while I had a shower and got dressed. By the time I come down to the kitchen, he was just putting it on the table. “I was just about to come and get you. I thought that maybe you washed down the drain with the water.” He joked. While we were still in bed, we finally talked about our future. I listened to him and he did the same for me. For the first time since we met we talked, not fought or argued. Neither of us got angry or upset. It felt good to finally tell Martin my thoughts, fears and hopes for the future. I’m surprised that some of my goals and dreams had shifted since my time in the basement. I didn’t even realise that until we started talking. After our talk all I wanted to do was make love but Martin being the over protective man he is, would not have anything to do with it. “When you're healed a bit more.” Is what he told me so I marched into the shower while he cooked, “For his woman and baby” he said.
