by Lois Kay
“I need you to instruct your staff about a few things, and I need to know every little nook and cranny in this building where Martin could hide. I don’t care how absurd it sounds, if you think it’s a possible place to hide, I want to know about it.”
“What’s the plan?” Sam asked in a calm voice. Her mind was already scanning the building, mentally taking notes of places where a person could try to hide.
“I know he’s angry and frustrated, and he’ll be doubly pissed it was the Inspector who showed up at the door of that room and not me,” Trishia answered with barely veiled anger. “Hopefully his madness will make him less careful.” Trishia turned around and shot the women at the bed a determined look. “I’m going to turn the tables on, Martin Coles.”
*
Fiona woke to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and even before she had opened her eyes, her nostril already flared, taking in as much of the delicious scent as possible. Her mother only allowed her a few cups a day and the one she usually had right after she woke up, was the best of them all.
Yawning and stretching Fiona turned onto her other side to cast a look at her friends. Her eyes twinkled when she noticed that Yarra and Alice had gravitated toward each other during the night and were now almost cuddling. They were lying side by side, with Alice almost spooned against Yarra whose hand rested on Alice’s arm.
Fiona grinned and pushed herself upright, softly whistling the tune of ‘Love is in the air.’ It only took a few moments for Yarra to stir and when she opened her eyes, they visibly widened when she noticed how close she and Alice had been sleeping. Fiona’s persistent whistling penetrated her fog-filled mind, and, carefully not to wake Alice, she turned onto her other side, bracing herself for what was to come.
“Morning,” Fiona greeted her with a cheerful smile.
“M’ng,” Yarra mumbled, still feeling dazed and anything but awake.
“Did you have a good sleep?” Fiona inquired.
“Yes, I did, thank you,” Yarra managed to croak in a coherent sentence.
“I thought you would have,” Fiona stated, sounding so cheerful and awake that Yarra would have liked to choke her. “You and Alice looked so…cozy together.”
Yarra groaned, regretting that Fiona had woken up before she had, something that rarely happened. “Give it a rest, Fi, Alice and I are just friends,” Yarra replied, not awake enough to be quick witted.
“That’s what Jody kept saying until Lucy caught her kissing Sam behind the shed,” Fiona chuckled, enjoying the teasing. It wasn’t often she had the opportunity to make Yarra squirm.
“Smart ass.” Yarra sighed. “Do me a favor, Fi, don’t involve Alice in this pathetic theory of yours. She is too vulnerable, alright?”
“As if I would do that,” Fiona snorted, looking slightly insulted. She fell back on the bed and turned on her side so she could have a good look at Yarra’s face. “I won’t tease her,” she promised, seeing a pair of dark brown eyes soften. “You like her, don’t you, C.J.?” she asked gently, all traces of teasing vanished.
Yarra could only nod and swallowed away a big lump in her throat. Fiona was right; she did like Alice. A lot. She was very much attracted to the cute blonde but realized that Alice still had a long and challenging journey ahead of her on the road to healing. “She’s going through a tough time, Fi. All I can do right now is to try and be her friend. Maybe I’ll get over it,” she added with a humorless laugh, deep down inside recognizing the pull she felt towards Alice for what it was.
“Maybe not,” Fiona mused. “You two do make a cute couple. I hope something beautiful will come out of this, Yarra. You both deserve that.”
“If I can be her friend, I’ll be happy, Fi.” Yarra smiled wistfully.
Fiona opened her mouth to reply, but a loud knock on the door interrupted.
“Rise and shine, beauties,” Joan McDonnell walked into the room, heading for the curtains and mercilessly yanking them open to let in the bright sunny glare.
“Mom!” Fiona cried out, covering her eyes against the harsh light. “Yesterday I told Yarra and Alice you were the best mom in the world, don’t make a liar out of me.”
“Breakfast is waiting, love,” Joan continued, smiling when Alice opened her eyes and groaned when she noticed the sunlight streaming in.
“Breakfast?” Alice sleepily echoed, making both Yarra and Fiona chuckle.
“Yes, girls, breakfast. I’ve seen freshly squeezed orange juice, coffee, tea, toast, eggs in all sizes and shapes, pancakes, oatmeal and a lot more. It seems The Reef’s staff is intent on spoiling us.”
“They won’t hear me object,” Fiona laughed, jumping off the bed and racing toward the bathroom, while Joan stared at her retreating back with a soft smile. When Fiona had closed the door behind her, she took a seat on the edge of the bed and looked at the two sleepy teenagers.
“Did you girls have a good sleep?” she asked.
“The best I had in ages, except for that nightmare,” Alice answered with a frown. “That was…really frightening, but Yarra told me a beautiful story, and I fell asleep again.”
Joan McDonnell sent Yarra a grateful smile and patted her knee. She had always liked Yarra. The girl was kind and mature, and she had proven to be a great friend to Fiona and now also to Alice. Joan remembered the words of Lisa Bailey and had to agree with the psychiatrist: she too believed that the three teenagers shared an extraordinary bond and she hoped they would always remain that close.
“Yarra is a sweetheart,” she told Alice, seeing Yarra roll her eyes. “Of course, Yarra will never admit that, but believe me, I’m telling the truth.”
With a smile and a wink, Joan got back to her feet again and walk toward the open door that let in some very enticing scents, making Yarra sniff the air with an appreciating grunt. Alice’s stomach rumbled. She pressed her hands against the offending organ and grinned sheepishly when Yarra looked at her with raised eyebrows.
“What can I say?” she mumbled. “I’m a growing girl?”
Yarra’s dark face split in a big grin and she playfully nudged Alice’s shoulder, glad to hear her friend make a joke. “By the sound of it, we really do need to feed you,” Yarra gently joked. “Make sure you’ll leave us some?”
“Oh, ha ha,” Alice snorted, but her blue eyes were twinkling.
When the girls entered the sitting room, they noticed a disheveled Jody sipping coffee, staring at Sam, Trishia, and Peter who were sitting around the coffee table with something that resembled a blueprint spread out in front of them. They were talking softly among themselves, and every now and then, Peter scribbled something on a notepad he was balancing on his knee.
With a sleepy smile, Jody waved at the teenagers and motioned them to come closer to the table that was transformed into a breakfast buffet. Fiona gave her a quick hug, before turning around and looking at the table with sparkling eyes. “Wow, impressive,” she said. “Who ordered all this?”
“I did,” Jody answered. “I didn’t know who wanted what, so I asked the kitchen to bring up a selection.”
“And they did.” Fiona snatched a piece of crispy bacon from a plate and popped it in her mouth.
“Pig,” Yarra mumbled.
Fiona grinned. “I think it was, at some point.”
“Sit down girls and help yourselves before it gets cold,” Joan encouraged. She grabbed a plate and filled it with toast, eggs, and fruit.
“Jody, what are they doing?” Alice asked nodding her head in the direction of the small group around the coffee table.
“Trishia needs some information about this building,” Jody said. “Sam is showing her a blueprint.”
“Because Martin is hiding here somewhere?” Deep down inside, Alice knew something had happened while they were asleep.
Jody looked at the pained expression on Alice’s face. All traces of sleep had vanished, and her eyes were dark with concern. She gestured Alice to take a seat next to her, and when she did, she gently patted her knee.
“What did he do?” Alice whispered staring at the carpet where her bare toes were digging into the soft material.
“I can’t tell you, Alice, I’m sorry. That’s Trishia’s call,” Jody said gently.
“Did he…did he hurt someone else?” Alice scooted closer to Jody and grabbed her hand. “Jody, I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.” Her voice was pleading.
Trishia raised her head and cast a look over her shoulder. She smiled at Fiona and Yarra, who were playfully discussing their choice of eggs and let her gaze travel to Alice’s bent head. Trishia raised her eyebrows in a silent question and Jody nodded.
“Five minutes,” Trishia mouthed, and Jody sent her a grateful smile.
“I’m sure Trishia will tell you all she can, Alice,” Jody said. “They’re almost done with studying the floor plans. Try to keep in mind that, no matter what Martin Coles has done or will do, you have absolutely nothing to do with that.”
“He killed those girls because he believed they looked like me,” Alice whispered in a barely audible voice. “If I’d died when Mom and Dean did, those girls would still be alive.”
Jody closed her eyes and felt Alice’s pain crashing over her like a tidal wave. Tears were stinging the back of her eyes when she realized the enormous amount of grief and guilt Alice was carrying around. She put down her empty coffee cup and turned so she could face Alice. “Come here,” she invited, opening her arms.
Without hesitation, Alice crawled into Jody’s arms and immediately felt better when strong arms wrapped her in a warm hug. Gently rocking back and forth, Jody rested her cheek on Alice’s head and softly talked to her.
“You’re not responsible for Martin Coles’ actions, Alice. From what I understand he was already abusive when he and your mom dated. He has a twisted mind, sweetie. He’s a sick person. What he does has nothing to do with you. Those girls may have died because he thought they looked like you, but that was something Martin Coles did, Alice. He was the one who took their lives, not you. You are as much a victim of him as the others are.”
“But they are dead, and I’m not,” Alice mumbled.
“Their deaths are tragic, and I can only imagine what their families go through, but you are alive Alice. And I am so grateful you are. I’m so thankful that you came into our lives.”
Alice sniffed. “You are?”
Jody slightly pulled away and lifted Alice’s chin, so she could look her in the eyes. “Yes, Alice,” she said. “I am. Never doubt that. I know we can’t replace the family you lost, but know that you have a place to stay with us at Murrook Farm. For as long as you like.”
Alice knew Jody had spoken those same words before, and again she could see nothing but genuine affection and honesty in her eyes. “If I don’t have to ride those big horses,” she replied with a sniff.
Jody’s face relaxed, and she let out a soft laugh, pulling Alice in for another hug. “Only if you want to, Alice. So, what about breakfast?”
Alice’s talk with Jody had helped her to feel better. Her nerves had settled, and the nausea she had felt before had disappeared. She pulled away from Jody and sent her a grateful look. “I think I can eat now,” she admitted.
“Then go ahead and dig in, before Yarra and Fiona eat all the good stuff first,” Jody encouraged.
“Thanks, Jody,” Alice softly whispered.
“Anytime, Alice.”
Jody watched Alice jump up and join Yarra and Fiona at the table. Her gaze traveled to the coffee table, and she was not surprised when she caught Sam’s eyes. They shone with so much love and pride, it made Jody feel warm inside. Her own eyes mirrored the same sentiment, and for a moment the room faded away, and there was only the radiant blue of Sam’s eyes and the deep feelings they conveyed. Only when Trishia’s cell phone buzzed, they both returned to reality, and with a smile in Sam’s direction, Jody stood up to get more coffee, while the rest of the room’s occupants listened to Trishia’s one-sided conversation.
“Phil, do you have news? That fast? Great…So nothing vital has been damaged…yeah, I guess in a way she was fortunate, but don’t underestimate our Inspector’s reflexes. She might have a desk job, well, most of the time anyway, but I know she holds a black belt in karate and is an excellent kickboxer. I’ve seen her in action, and it was quite impressive.” Trishia had walked toward the table and snagged a grape that she quickly popped into her mouth. “Try to find a clue as to what his next move might be, Phil. We’re going over a blueprint of the building, and I’ll be downstairs within the next hour. What the plan is? I want to piss him off and smoke him out. I want him to make a mistake. Make sure there are two experienced uniforms at every entrance of this building. No, I want them to be in uniform. Our friend needs to know that the noose around his neck is tightening…Great, Phil, thanks…Yeah, I’ll give you a call as soon as we’re headed for the lobby.”
*
A pair of eyes peeked around the door of the emergency exit on the second floor. Although he had not been able to see what had happened, he had heard enough to know that Trishia Waters had not fallen into his trap, but the Inspector had. He had been consumed by rage until he realized the Inspector had been a good target as well. He’d get Trishia. Eventually.
With a chuckle, he shut the door and quickly made his way to the first floor. Again, he first peeked around the corner before stepping into the quiet lobby. It was still early. From the restaurant came the sounds of clattering silverware and subdued voices.
Taking a deep breath, he stiffly made his way across the lobby, looking like an old man again, with a gray mustache and the same color hair. It was time to leave The Reef and do some shopping. When he looked at the entrance, he abruptly halted. Two uniformed police officers were standing in front of the door. The same guard who had opened the door for him the previous evening was talking to a couple of guests who were about to leave the building. He noticed the couple showing the guard their key card and identification.
Martin Coles turned around, and he was so angry, he almost forgot to pretend to be somebody else. He realized it was impossible for him to leave The Reef through the main entrance since Trishia had apparently ordered to check the guests’ identification and key cards. The only card Martin Coles had in his possession was the key card to room 297. And he was not carrying any identification. Rubbing his tired eyes, careful not to touch his gray eyebrows Martin casually made his way back toward the hallway that led to the indoor pool and sauna where he knew he’d find an emergency exit. But when he turned the corner and had an unobstructed view of the exit, he saw two uniformed officers standing guard.
“Filthy dyke,” he spat feeling the rage bubble up inside. The intensity of his anger in combination with the lack of sleep made him dizzy, and for a moment he had to grab the wall for support. “If you think I won’t be able to get out of here, you have another thing coming,” he growled, shaking his head vigorously to get rid of the annoying vertigo. “Nobody will stop me when I want something.”
*
Lucy woke up because something annoying was tickling her face and she had no idea what. Sleepy eyes blinked against the dim light in the bedroom and noticed a tall figure sitting on the bed, staring at her with a loving smile.
“Morning, sunshine,” Trishia greeted her.
“Is it?” Lucy responded with a croaky voice. “Morning I mean?”
“I’m afraid so,” Trishia answered, leaning down to kiss a pair of soft lips.
Lucy was not too sleepy to wrap her arms around Trishia’s neck and to pull her closer to deepen the kiss, not caring that the sheet slid down, revealing her naked body.
“Oh, my goodness,” Trishia mumbled against Lucy’s lips, feeling her libido kick in high gear. “Honey, we don’t have time for this,” she said with regret. “I have a nutcase to capture.”
Those last words brought Lucy back to reality, and with a groan, she loosened her hold. Before she let go completely, she kissed the tip of Trishia’s nose. “You’re r
ight,” she admitted. “Besides, I can hear the girls are up, and I really don’t want to give them any reason to humiliate me.”
Trishia laughed and cupped Lucy’s cheek. “Never apologize for being passionate,” she gently teased, stroking the soft skin with her thumb.
“I didn’t intend to, but I’d rather be passionate with my family at a safe distance,” Lucy grinned.
Trishia laughed and quickly stole another kiss. “I love you, Miss McDonnell.”
“Good.” Lucy smiled. “Because the feeling is mutual, Senior Sergeant Waters.”
Trishia rolled her eyes and chuckled, wrapping her arms around Lucy and pulling her in for a hug. “Breakfast is ready, and I was wondering if—.”
A loud knock on the door interrupted her, and with a frown, Trishia looked up. Her friends and partner knew she was waking Lucy up and wanted a few moments of privacy. “This should better be good,” she grunted, stood up and walked toward the door to yank it open. “What?”
Sam could perfectly understand Trishia’s reaction, and she didn’t blame her for snapping at her. She knew she would probably have done the same thing. But Sam did have a good reason to disturb Trishia’s precious time with Lucy. Holding up a phone her eyes looked straight into Trishia’s, who could see the anger, frustration and worry brew beneath the surface.
“Miriam from the reception desk just called. She had an anonymous phone call. Somebody claims there’s a bomb somewhere inside the building.”
Chapter 21
Pacing the floor with long, aggressive strides, Trishia tried to walk off some of the restlessness and frustration she was feeling. She was so angry she had to control herself not to snap at anyone who was in the room. It was not their fault Martin Coles had come up with a cunning plan to escape The Reef.
“He’s bluffing,” she almost growled. “I can hardly believe he has planted a bomb somewhere. He’s discovered there are two officers at every exit, and he’s trying to come up with a way to get the hell out of here. There’s no way he had time to pull off a bloody stunt like this.”
