He hauled me to my feet and crushed me against his powerful chest with one arm, pulling my hair out of its knot with the other. Heat flared between us like a living entity. We strained closer as I savoured the rock-hard length of his erection. Thrusting my hands under his sweater, I wrenched his shirt out of his waistband and slid my fingers over his hot, smooth skin. His powerful muscles flexed as I touched; his fingers raked the full length of my hair and settled around my bottom.
He slipped his muscular thigh between my legs and I rubbed myself against him. We staggered across the room, collapsed onto the sofa and tore each other’s shirts open. My bra disappeared. He drew my breasts up between his huge hands, then ran his tongue over first one, then the other, before drawing my nipples up into his mouth, sliding his tongue around the tips.
I was on fire.
He slid his hand inside my slacks to cup me through my panties, as we murmured incoherently against each other’s mouths.
‘God El, I wasn’t sure you…’
‘You must have known…I’ve got to…’
A resounding clang came from the kitchen, startling us into awareness of our situation.
‘Come on!’ James helped me up and we hastily arranged our clothing. He grabbed my hand and we went for the door, peering out into the foyer to make sure the coast was clear. We tried not to make a sound as we scurried up the stairs and barged into his bedroom. He turned the key in the lock and we fell on the bed, tearing at each other.
He ripped my panties off; I broke the zipper on his jeans.
It was as though we had never been apart.
Saturday: 4.30pm.
Rosalind rang, full of information about her new lover and to tell me she had been in Brisbane for a few days, although she reassured me my animals were being looked after. It wasn’t hard to keep my responses muted because I could barely speak to her. What was she playing at? Was she complicit in Georgie’s murder? Was she involved in Ally’s kidnapping? I knew I had to maintain control of my temper, but a few encouraging noises and she was well away.
Firstly, she swore me to secrecy. It seemed he was separated, but didn’t want to give his ex-wife ammunition to get more money out of him. I duly promised not to tell anyone and reassured, she rattled on. His name, she confided, was Tomaso Esposito, he was fifty-two and he lived at the Gold Coast. By the time she finally calmed down, I had far too much information. According to Ros, Tommy, in spite of his age, was a first class stallion.
‘Eloise, I’m so excited, I never thought in a million years I would actually meet an eligible man at my age. They always want the young ones, don’t they, but not Tommy!’
She bubbled over with details of her exciting, fabulous love life, eager to share her happiness with me for a further twenty minutes or so, after which I went to tell James all about it.
James re-assured me. ‘Well, firstly, it would appear she hasn’t a clue he was Georgie’s lover. You said Rosalind hadn’t seen him with her. She’s not going to be happy for too long if it turns out he murdered Georgie. And secondly, we don’t have any reason to suppose she’s told anyone about me or that this character is involved in any way with Ally’s abduction. From what you’ve told me about your long friendship, it’s most unlikely Rosalind would be a party to anything which would hurt Ally. And Georgie might still have been killed by someone robbing the house.’
He wrote Tommy Esposito’s name on a piece of paper and reached for the phone to send a minion on the hunt. That done, he turned and wrapped his arms around me, resting his cheek on the top of my head.
The few experiences of sex I had, paled beside the passion we shared during our afternoon of love-making. I tightened my arms around his waist and burrowed into his body, drawing comfort from the heat of his swift response and from his male smell. He ran his hand over my head and combed his fingers through the long strands of my wild, loose hair.
‘You do believe Ally’s going to be all right, don’t you?’
He kissed me. ‘As sure as I can be. We have to be positive, to believe there’s no reason to do anything to her as long as they’re getting the money and once it’s all over they’ll let her go.’ It was a lifeline. If James said it, then it had to be right, but…
‘Or kill her,’ my mind persisted. ‘Yes, that’s—’ No. Shut up. Oh, please, please…God, if you’re really there…
For a split second, I see myself standing over a supine form, saying, ‘Yes, that’s my daughter…’ No. Shut up, Eloise, don’t even think it. I thrust the terrible image aside and clutched at James’s words like a drowning ant to a piece of straw. ‘And then?’
‘He put me away from him and looked down into my eyes. ‘Eloise, I have something to ask you. When we get Ally back, would you come and live with me? I want you so badly, El and don’t want to lose you again.’
Could I give up my home, my job? My hard-won independence? My mind grabbed at thoughts, discarding them and moving on in a wild dance of indecision. I had a second chance to be with the one man I’ve always loved and now we knew who was really to blame for our separation. There was no decision to make, but something needed to be explained before I committed myself.
‘I’ve been on my own a long time, James. I would be a loving partner, yes, but I’m not a dependent person now.’
‘I wouldn’t expect you to be otherwise. Could you be happy in this house?’
‘This place is big, but it’s pretty full of your collection of music and art. There isn’t much room to move.’
He looked thoughtful. ‘I can have boxes of stuff shifted over to the storerooms above the garages. Old Bob can move them tomorrow, and then you can see where you want to put your things if we decide to remain here. That is, if you’ll come and be with me?’
‘James, I want to be with you so much, but I can’t think of anything except Ally’s safety right now.’
‘Of course, but will you come and live with me?’ he persisted.
The thought of losing him again was untenable. ‘Yes, of course I will,’ I answered, discarding practical considerations.
His face lit up as he enveloped me in his arms. Passion flared again, before he gently and regretfully held me away from him. Our eyes met, promises silently made.
‘This time we’re going to make it, darling. Don’t worry, we’ll sort it all out, and Ally will come home to us. Hold the thought close to you. Now, I’m going to do a little reconnoitring. Take the dog for a walk.’
He placed his fingers over my mouth as I started to protest. ‘I’ll be careful.’
My emotions swirled as he called the dog and they headed out the back door. If James suspicion proved right and his staff were involved … but if they weren’t, we would be no worse off. He had nothing to lose by investigating. I just hoped he wouldn’t run into trouble because if he did, I had nowhere to turn except to the police. What would happen to Ally then? And I’d be on my own forever.
The rest of my life stretched before me, bleak and lonely, the great hole left by the loss of my child…I pulled myself away from destructive thoughts. Eloise, for God’s sake, stop it. You’re not helping yourself or anyone else like this. Think about your future with James. You’ve loved him for twenty-six years, and now you’re going to get your wish. Be thankful for that, at least. And keep telling yourself that Ally will come home safely.’
My heart beat faster as I watched James and his dog set off toward the distant garages and accommodation block, where Mrs Fox, her father and the chauffeur lived. With its imposing façade and clock-tower attic, it seemed an excellent place to store unwanted goods.
CHAPTER 39
As Dusk Falls
Ally
Saturday: sunset.
A stranger told me I am going to die tonight.
Ice chips of fear trickle through my veins.
Minutes race as seconds; if I hold my breath, will it keep me alive longer?
No.
Please…I have so much to do yet, a career that’s only just st
arted and so many plans for my future.
I want to have a family one day, but now I’m being pushed out of the world before I’ve even lived.
The wooden floor feels like concrete beneath my knees. I wrap my arms around my body.
So cold. So scared.
My imagination forces the knife into my body—my stomach—my chest. Please, God, let it be a gun.
They’ve drugged my water for days. I could drink it all at once so I won’t know anything when it happens, but what if I get a final chance to run? Some small part of me is still hoping something will happen.
What did I do to deserve this? Deep down, I think I always knew I could never escape. The woman’s hatred grows stronger every day. It’s not all about the money, but what? They won’t tell. They’re too happy for me to beg.
God, please, someone find me before it’s too late.
I brace myself against the bleak timber wall and peer out into blackness.
The power of life and death.
Terror is giving way to rage.
How dare they decide how long I am to live?
CHAPTER 40
A Bit Of A Glitch
James
Saturday: 5.45pm.
A slight breeze stirred the leaves in the trees. The traffic on the main road murmured in the distance. A few early stars pierced the celestial canopy as the sun began its descent behind the hill, but still providing light for a walk in the garden.
Demanding the keys to the tower storeroom would allow me access to the immediate vicinity of the staff quarters. Despite the kidnapper’s threats, I intended to call the police when I satisfied myself there was good reason. Things had gone too far. Detective Senior Sergeant Susan Prescott’s warning about the consequences of not informing the police if we were in trouble kept returning to my mind. I had allowed the earlobe, along with a lock of Ally’s bloodied hair, to deter my intentions, preventing Eloise from calling the police after the first ransom demand and the phone calls since then.
My stupidity rankled. How could I overlook my staff’s access to the keys and to myself? It gave them a perfect opportunity, though currently a motive—apart from money—escaped me. I tried to comfort myself with the age-old assurance—surely people we know just don’t do things like that. It wasn’t working. Eloise’s return had clouded my judgment. My solitary life had made me complacent. Since Helen’s death, my emotions skimmed only the surface of my heart.
I walked slowly. Rage fought for control and I reminded myself to keep a sense of proportion. I needed proof of more than Mrs. Fox’s wig. There are many reasons why women wear them, but Eloise maintained Mrs Fox had beautiful natural hair.
Eloise. Her warmth, the incredible beauty of our love-making threatened to distract me further, but I needed my wits about me for the coming encounter. Fear for my daughter warred for first place with my love for her mother.
Benji hurled himself enthusiastically after the ball which I threw for him as I watched for signs of life. The staff residence, a medium-sized cottage adjoined to the workshop and garages, formed an L-shape. Two storerooms resided atop the structure.
I continued to let my gaze wander, seemingly aimlessly, skimming the windows, swinging across to the now defunct orchard and vegetable gardens at the far side of the compound, where lights showed behind the curtains of the staff cottage.
Inside Staff Quarters: 5.45pm.
They were pleased with themselves. The woman sipped her wine appreciatively between mouthfuls of food. The family munched on slices of roast lamb, gravy and mint sauce, crisp, roasted potatoes, pumpkin and onion with glistening, freshly-picked green peas on the side, washed down with Fourex. Pavlova would follow.
The stepson looked forward to an evening of clubbing, the grandfather, fixated on ‘The Bill’, chewed as fast as he could. The woman would attend her weekly card night. They left nothing to chance and would stick to their normal routine. The girl’s parents were so terrified that they wouldn’t—couldn’t—tell the cops. The primary reason for the kidnapping was about to play out, the money a welcome bonus. The Carpenter girl waited upstairs ready to be killed by Angelo after he arrived home from his night out.
It was a happy family party, until they heard the dog barking.
At first they took no notice, but as the barking grew louder, they realised his master would be close by. Three pairs of eyes met. The woman rose quickly, went to the window and peered around the side of the curtain. ‘He’s on his way here!’ She glanced wildly at her father, then at her stepson who pushed his plate aside and leapt to his feet.
‘I’ll head him off,’ he hissed, spun for the door, wrenched it open and barely avoided slamming it behind him.
The old man coughed nervously and spat into a pot plant. ‘Keepin’ her here under ‘is nose was always a mistake. I told him that,’ he snarled, staring truculently at his daughter.
She snatched up her glass of wine from which she proceeded to take angry sips between sentences. ‘No, it wasn’t! Where else could we operate without anyone knowing about it? He’s never come over here in all the time we’ve been working for him, so why now?’
Her father poured a cup of tea with a palsied hand, the pot shaking ominously, splashing droplets of hot liquid onto the tablecloth. Parkinson’s Disease had him in its rapacious grasp, but he could still function. His daughter made no attempt to help him. Her eyes flickered to the shotgun leaning against the kitchen cupboard and across to the door.
‘Calm down. It’s just a bit ‘uva glitch! No need to get yer knickers in a twist. He probably just wants to talk to Angelo about the cars. There’s no chance he knows she’s up there,’ her father re-assured. He glanced at the ceiling, then leaned forward and blew on his scalding tea before taking a long slurp of his beer.
‘Do you really think it’s about the cars?’ she asked.
‘Christ only knows, but the lad’ll divert him.’
She spared her succulent dinner a regretful glance and pushed her plate away. She opened the refrigerator and took out a brightly painted plate on which stood a glistening Pavlova, complete with strawberries on top, slathered in cream and dusted with icing sugar. Her father’s eyes focused greedily. ‘You’re not a bad cook, June,’ he conceded. ‘Not a patch on what yer mum was, but not bad for all that.’
His daughter cut a piece of Pavlova, eased it onto a plate and set it in front of him with rather more force than strictly necessary. The base of the meringue split, scattering sugary crumbs over the tablecloth.
‘Hurry up, dad. I’m going out shortly, so get a move on. You haven’t even finished your main course yet,’ she snapped.
Her father curled his hand possessively around the plate, guarding what was left of his meringue. ‘Oi! You didn’t hafta break it, luv!’
CHAPTER 41
A Just Reward
James
Saturday: 6.22pm.
As I neared the entrance to the workshop, Angelo burst out of the front door of the flat. I stopped and waited for him to approach. I’ve never thought about him personally one way or another, but Eloise maintains he is a cold, evil man. As far as I was concerned, he did his job and was civil, which was all I required.
My business agent advertised for staff just before I leased the residence the previous year, interviewed many applicants on my behalf and reported himself dissatisfied with most. Then Mrs Fox offered herself as package deal with her father and stepson as cook/housekeeper, chauffeur/ handyman and gardener. They produced impeccable references which were verified by a previous employer in Sydney. Only too glad to have my staff problems solved, I instructed the agent to hire them.
But as I watched Angelo come toward me, zipping up his black leather jacket against the cool night air, I understood why Eloise was uneasy in his presence. His dark eyes focused on me without expression; his muscular body appeared poised for combat. He stopped about a metre away, adopting a deferential pose. ‘Ah, Sir, I’m glad you’re over here because old Bob wants me to talk
to you about a new bore.’
I was taken aback ‘A bore? That’s for the owners of this place to decide. Can’t Bob discuss this with me in the morning? Where is he?’
Angelo does not normally take an interest in anything other than maintaining the cars, driving me or my guests if required or doing mechanical repairs around the place.
‘He’s not well tonight, so I offered to come and talk to you instead.’
‘I see. Nothing serious?’
He shook his head and appeared about to expand on it, but I cut him short.
‘I came to check out the space in the tower storeroom. Where’s the key?’
‘We don’t have one, sir. There aren’t any in the flat or the workshops.’
He avoided eye contact. Behind me, Benji whined. I glanced down. The dog was looking up at the tower. Something was out of kilter in the shadowed window. I glanced casually up at the tower then without pausing, turned my head to scan the trees surrounding us. I allowed my gaze to casually drift across to the staff quarters and back to Angelo. The dog moved closer and barked. Angelo picked up the slimy ball and threw it awkwardly in the opposite direction to the buildings. Benji glanced after it, but resumed his surveillance of the building. I bent down quickly, grabbed his collar and shook him gently. ‘Be quiet!’ We needed to get back to the house, fast, before the dog gave my game away.
‘I want a full scale hunt for the storeroom keys, otherwise we’ll have to get a locksmith in on Monday. I’ll ring you in the morning. Goodnight to you.’ I nodded briskly and turned to leave. Angelo returned my salutation with due deference, but underneath the veneer of good manners he appeared shaken. Damn.
I maintained a steady pace back to the house, trying not to bolt. My mind bounced around ways of discovering what was different about that window. Mrs Fox had advised us she and her stepson were going out for the evening. Bob would be watching television and would turn the sound up because he refused to wear a hearing aid.
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