Naive Retribution

by Dawson, H A

  Delight set in his eyes. She was beautiful, worthy of his distraction; her skin was soft and delicate like oiled crepe paper, her smell was deliciously sweet and intoxicating, and her eyes large and full of wonder. Unable to resist, he crept towards her and his heart melted. She was asleep, yet she almost appeared to smile, as her lips were set in a horizontal line rather than being relaxed and her cheeks were raised. Ava was too young to project genuine happiness, and he knew it was only a reflex smile; still, his heart skipped a beat.

  He leaned forward, craving a closer look. She was a wondrous addiction, and the pressure built in his chest, seeking the sensation of her soft, fragile body pressing against his chest. He wanted to kiss her, soak up her aura, and make sure she felt his love; he wanted the contentment that was set in her expression to remain there for always.

  Ava shuffled and squeaked, and Luke’s pulse quickened. She opened her eyes and stared, and gradually he could see the recognition settle in her face. Slipping his finger onto her hand, allowing her the comfort of his touch, he spoke to her in a high-pitched singsong voice, forgetting his earlier decision to remain quiet, and told her she was beautiful and intelligent, and was going to lead a fantastic life. Luke was so immersed that he did not hear the bell tinkle on the outer door.

  ‘Aw, that’s so sweet,’ Imogen said.

  He spun around, and colour flushed his cheeks. He shuffled to his desk.

  ‘Don’t let me stop you,’ she continued, removing her red jacquard jacket.

  ‘Not so loud. I want her to sleep.’

  ‘What’s she doing here, anyway?’

  ‘Sarah’s doing a bit of shopping. She’ll be back in a couple of hours.’

  Imogen held a thoughtful gaze.

  Luke knew she had never approved of their relationship, and it unsettled him. ‘It’s not going to be regular event, so don’t worry.’

  ‘I’m not worried. It’s your business.’

  Luke kept a surreptitious eye on Imogen as she smoothed out her tight fitting mini dress and checked her makeup in a small hand mirror. Her outfit accentuated her hourglass figure, and her three-inch stiletto heels enhanced her shapely calves. She looked stunning, as always.

  ‘Sarah’s looking for a new outfit. She’s glad to be getting her figure back.’

  ‘It must be strange being pregnant. Some women try to disguise it, although I can’t imagine why.’

  ‘Not everyone wants to show off their curves.’

  Imogen looked up. There was hurt in her eyes and her jaw dropped. ‘Are you being mean?’

  ‘No. Why do you say that?’

  A smile flooded her face. ‘That’s all right then. Just checking.’

  His curiosity soon faded and his thoughts reverted to Ava. He glanced across, but could not quite see her, and his panic was triggered. She seemed a little too quiet, and he could not hear her snuffling or squeaking. He leapt from his chair.

  ‘Don’t keep disturbing her,’ Imogen said, ‘she needs to sleep.’

  ‘I just wanted to check she was all right. I’m not used to all this responsibility.’

  ‘I can see that.’

  ‘Have you spent much time at Sarah’s?’

  ‘Most of the last two weeks. I’m back home now. We’re both trying to get into a routine.’

  ‘Is she happy doing it alone?’

  ‘It’s what she wants.’

  ‘Really?’

  Luke slipped back into his swivel chair and scowled. Imogen was digging for information and wondered if Sarah still treated him badly. Yes, he had had his struggles with Sarah, but it was in the past and Imogen knew that.

  They had been together for a couple of years when Sarah announced she had fallen out of love with him and ended their relationship. He was distraught, and willingly accepted her suggestion that they remained friends. One thing led to another and they spent the night together. One night turned into several. Luke knew his feelings of love were not reciprocated, but it did not matter. Spending the occasional day together was better than nothing.

  Their relationship hit a turning point when Sarah got pregnant. She had not intended to tell him as her mind was set on an abortion, but he had found out by accident. Initially, she said he was not the father, but later admitted she had lied, explaining that her decision to abort was hers and hers alone. Given her deceit, and the pain his love for her caused him, Luke removed her from his life. When he saw her again and saw she was almost nine months pregnant, he suffered monumental shock. Sarah apologised for her behaviour and announced she wanted their relationship to reform. Luke was quick to oblige.

  ‘Relationships are funny things,’ Imogen said, drawing his attention. ‘What is good for one person may not good for the other. I’m not sure how much compromise there should be.’

  Luke scowled. ‘I wanted to return home. I’ll still see Ava most days.’

  ‘Right.’

  ‘I know you don’t approve of her, but I am happy.’ He glanced towards his daughter. ‘How could I not be?’

  ‘Why are you being so defensive?’

  ‘I’m not.’

  Imogen lifted an eyebrow, causing him to ponder the tone in his voice. He shouldn’t need to keep reiterating that Sarah was what he wanted and that they were happy together. It should be obvious. Why was Imogen so blind?

  ‘Aw, your lips are pouting,’ she said.

  He pulled them in. ‘They are not.’

  Imogen giggled.

  He shook his head in dismay.

  ‘I hope you’ve not forgot that I’ve arranged for us to have a couple of drinks at lunchtime,’ she said.

  ‘No, I haven’t. I was thinking of asking Sarah.’

  ‘Sarah?’

  ‘Yes, the mother of my child.’

  ‘If you think it’s a good idea.’

  She hurried to the drinks area, switched on the kettle, and placed coffee and dried milk into a mug. Then, whilst the water was warming, she stepped towards the pram and cooed at Ava. Imogen’s bottom was projected towards him; Luke absorbed every detail.

  ‘Sarah won’t know anyone who I’ve invited,’ she said, turning slightly and peering over her shoulder.

  His gaze was drawn to her flesh edging out of her low-cut v-necked dress. Noticing the site of his focus, she covered her cleavage with her hand.

  ‘She knows me,’ he said, ‘and anyway, I thought we were having casual drinks.’

  ‘We are.’

  ‘Is Mark going to be there?’

  ‘Mark? Why would he be there?’

  ‘Because he’s your partner.’

  ‘I don’t want him there!’ She turned her back to him, mumbled that he would be working, and poured the boiling water into the mug.

  Her movements were tense. Either she was having difficulties with Mark or she was troubled by his invitation to Sarah.

  ‘Okay, I won’t ask Sarah,’ he said.

  Imogen’s face lit up, her eyes gleamed and her arms swung by her side. ‘You won’t regret it. I have a surprise for you.’

  ‘Great,’ he said with a hint of sarcasm, ‘I love surprises.’

  ‘You’ll love this.’

  She danced around the office and started telling him about a recent surprise she had planned for one of her girlfriends. Her manner was pure and childlike, and her fawn hair bobbed around her shoulders. He’d missed this; he’d missed her.

  A screeching cry pierced the air; Ava had awakened.

  Luke pecked Sarah on the cheek, waved goodbye to Ava, and shut the door. A deep sense of satisfaction slipped through his body. He had survived the morning alone with his daughter, and there had been no problems. She was the perfect baby, and despite a brief interval had slept well.

  ‘I don’t know what the fuss is about with babies,’ he said, ‘that was a doddle.’

  Imogen smirked. ‘Try doing it all the time, you’ll soon get frustrated.’

  ‘How could I ever get frustrated with Ava? She’s so wonderful I could eat her.’

>   ‘All they do is poop, vomit, cry and eat. Where’s the pleasure in that?’

  ‘Aw, come on, you can’t mean that?’

  Imogen frowned and leaned back into her seat. ‘You’ve gone all soft on me.’

  He lowered his gaze and shuffled back to his desk.

  ‘It’s weird,’ she said, ‘I can’t cope seeing a permanent glint in your eye. It’s not like you.’

  ‘I’m happy. What’s wrong with that?’

  ‘You might forget how to be miserable.’

  ‘Not a chance.’

  She laughed and returned her focus to a document on her desk. The report she looked at was a summary of the evidence against a man in a case of infidelity. It was disappointing being involved in the spying, but there was much a stake. The woman was very wealthy, and had inherited a fortune a couple of years before the onset of their marriage, and was looking for absolute proof of her husband’s betrayal before starting divorce proceedings. Luke knew they had done a thorough job. Now, he was looking forward to taking on a new and more demanding case.

  ‘I’m happy with this report,’ Imogen said. ‘Have you checked it?’

  ‘Yes. Put everything in an envelope and we’ll drop it in the post this afternoon.’

  ‘Will do.’ She stood up and smoothed down her dress. ‘Are you ready for your surprise?’

  ‘I suppose.’

  ‘You could show a bit of enthusiasm.’

  ‘I’m happy inside.’

  As they finished off and prepared to leave, Luke frequently caught sight of Imogen’s curious glances. She seemed satisfied by something, and kept smiling to herself as well as glimpsing at him out of her eye corner. He thought her behaviour odd, especially so when she told him to be receptive to her offering.

  His nervousness gathered in his throat. ‘Can’t you just tell me what’s going on?’

  ‘No, but it’s going to be so cool seeing your reaction.’

  ‘Will I like it?’

  ‘You’ll love it.’ She studied his expression. ‘Why do you look so afraid?’

  ‘I’m not afraid.’

  ‘You so are!’

  ‘I’m just not sure I trust you.’

  Imogen slipped her arms into her jacket and slung her handbag over her shoulder. Her mobile phone sounded, an incoming text. She grabbed it, read the text, and chuckled. He gave her a puzzled look.

  ‘What?’ she asked, her expression aglow.

  ‘Is that to do with the surprise?’

  ‘None of your business.’

  Luke guided her to the outer door, then set the alarm and stepped outside. Still, her amusement lingered. He believed she was expecting him to persist with his enquiry but he did not consider it that important.

  ‘I’d forgotten how boring you are,’ she said.

  ‘What?’

  ‘You’ve no sense of fun. I would have told you what that was if you’d insisted. But I won’t, not now.’

  ‘Doesn’t bother me.’

  ‘No, I don’t suppose it does.’

  They headed towards the town centre. Out of his eye corner, Luke looked to her small, upturned nose and lush lips. It was fun being around her again, and a change from being with Sarah, who was far more serious, even without a newborn baby to consider, yet for some reason, Imogen acted younger than he remembered. She was twenty-four years old, a little more than ten years younger than him, and it showed. Nonetheless, it was an admirable quality.

  ‘What are you looking at me like that for?’ Imogen asked.

  ‘No reason.’

  ‘I hope you’re not ogling me.’

  ‘I wouldn’t dare.’

  ‘Good, because my Mark wouldn’t approve.’

  ‘He should be pleased.’

  Her expression turned soured and her gaze dropped to the paving stones. ‘Yes he should.’

  ‘Problems?’

  ‘Nothing I can’t handle.’

  They skipped across the street, taking a chance between two slow moving cars, and arrived at the entrance of The Rusty Mackerel public house.

  ‘Now, promise me you’ll behave yourself,’ Imogen said.

  ‘Why shouldn’t I?’

  ‘I don’t want you turning grumpy on me.’

  He narrowed his eyes and stepped inside. The bar was to the left, and three rows of low round tables, and padded chairs to the right. There were a few people about but no one he knew. He glimpsed at Imogen and saw her beaming smile.

  ‘Where are they?’ he asked.

  ‘You’ll see.’

  ‘Are we early?’

  ‘No.’ She grinned. ‘Look over there.’

  His eyes followed hers. There were a couple of men in suits standing between two tables and they had pint glasses in their hands. He did not recognise them.

  ‘Behind them,’ she said impatiently.

  Luke edged to his right, and then he saw her, sipping a glass of wine and perched on the edge of a seat. She looked as beautiful as ever.

  ‘Surprise!’ Imogen said.

  Luke could not remove his gaze. Spellbound, his pulse raced, his skin tingled, and his eyes locked onto her red curls and innocent expression.

  ‘Shut your mouth and go say hello,’ Imogen whispered.

  He floated towards her and reached out to her hands. There was hope and love in her eyes, and warmth oozing from her body. She looked sensational, and smelled like a fresh spring day.

  ‘How are you?’ Crystal asked.

  ‘Good. You?’

  She nodded, easing her hands free, encouraged him to a two-seater. Dazed, he sat beside her, riveted. He wanted Crystal to offer her forgiveness, and give her an explanation for ending their relationship weeks previously, and he wanted to tell her about Ava Rose. Instead, he wrapped her in his arms and soaked up her essence.

  ‘I’ve missed you Luke,’ she said.

  ‘I’ve missed you too.’

  Chapter 8

  Jade’s belief William had done the right thing rearranging her appointment with Luke had faded by the next morning; instead, she was frustrated that she was being forced to cancel her reunion with Joe and mooched around the house, putting off the moment. She did not want to postpone something she had been looking forward to, and the more she thought about it, the more she blamed William for putting her in that situation; he should not have interfered, and in the very least, he should have consulted with her before making a new appointment. Did he not think she had a life, a mind of her own?

  Her desperation set upon her face. She shuffled to the window, folded her arms and stared blindly at her front garden, the road, and the properties across the street. Maybe she could have resisted his puppy-dog eyes and told him she had plans, but it had not been so easy. He had put her in a position too difficult to argue against.

  It wasn’t too late to act. She could cancel her appointment and go see Joe and deal with William later. He couldn’t force her to speak to Luke. Ultimately it was her decision. She headed back to the sofa, reached for her handbag, and sank onto the cream leather fabric, keen to contact him whilst she had the courage.

  She poked through her belongings, plucking her phone free. The drawing of the dead body caught her eye and her breathing restricted. Her stalker had already progressed from text messages to drawings. What was next? Did he have a plan? He could be watching her from the street; he could be one of the neighbours. Fearing what was before her, her finger hovered over the dial button.

  How was she ever going to be able to answer Luke’s questions about the family tragedy? It was too traumatic to discuss even the few bits she remembered, and she could already feel a block form in her throat. Her muscles, too, were tightening, and she pressed her hand against her middle, needing to release her turmoil. It would not shift, and a burning sensation rose up through her oesophagus.

  Feeling as though her panic was about to burst through her skin, and needing to maintain a little control, she hurried to the dining room, searching for a distraction. There were no objects o
ut of place, the floor had been cleaned and the surfaces dusted. She straightened a dining table chair and wandered to the kitchen. All breakfast items had been returned to their rightful location, but the washing up was still in the dishwasher. Noticing that the cycle had completed, she opened the door and started to put the cutlery and crockery into the appropriate locations.

  The outer door opened. Jade jolted and spun around.

  ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,’ William said.

  ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘I thought I’d finish early.’

  Jade frowned and opened a cupboard to place a dish inside. There were smears on the sides and grit on the bottom. It needed a clean and she started to yank out the contents.

  ‘I don’t have time to see Luke,’ Jade said, ‘I’ve got these cupboards to clean.’

  ‘They look okay to me.’

  ‘William, are you blind? They are filthy, unhygienic.’

  He placed a hand onto her shoulder. ‘They really are not that bad . . . and it won’t take all afternoon.’

  ‘I’ve been putting it off for weeks. I can’t put it off any longer.’

  ‘You can afford a hour away, surely?’

  ‘No, I can’t. I have other stuff to do as well. I don’t have time. You’ll have to cancel.’

  William frowned.

  ‘If you don’t I will. I don’t need this, not now. I’ve enough to deal with.’

  ‘I understand how hard this is for you, but I thought we’d been through this. The messages could trigger-’

  ‘This has nothing to do with the stalker. I’ve already told you, I’m just too busy.’

  William passed her a disbelieving look.

  ‘He’s just a prankster. He doesn’t know any more about my past than I do. What he said was a lucky guess.’

  ‘You don’t really believe that.’

  ‘He can’t know anything. It has to be coincidence.’

  ‘That’s why we’re hiring Luke . . . to find out the truth. He seemed a nice guy. I can tell him to go gentle on you if you like.’

  ‘Gentle? I’m not some feeble helpless case. I don’t need any help. I made a mistake contacting him and now I realise that. Why can’t you let it be?’