Face in the Frame

by Heather Atkinson

  Impatience and a little foreboding swept over him as she took her time removing her coat and hanging it up then locking her purse and mobile phone away in her desk drawer - it wasn’t her co-workers she didn’t trust, in their line of work security was paramount.

  Hastily he looked down at his desk, pulling some papers in front of him so she wouldn’t know he was even aware of her presence. There was a knock at his office door and he didn’t call come in because she normally just walked inside without waiting to be invited. This time she didn’t and he smiled inwardly. It seemed she’d seen the error of her ways.

  “Come in,” he eventually barked after letting her stand there for a bit.

  He heard the door open then close, heard her boots as she made her way towards his desk then sensed her standing before him. Once again he didn’t react, studying the papers for another thirty seconds, hoping she couldn’t see what he was reading because he’d inadvertently picked up a leaflet about bras that had been stuck inside his morning newspaper.

  Eventually he deigned to look up at her and his insides melted. Those lovely dark eyes of hers were huge and full of regret.

  “I’m sorry Brodie,” she said.

  This wasn’t what he’d been expecting. He’d assumed she’d come in fighting and that was what he’d prepared himself for, that he could have handled but this was eroding all his armour. But he didn’t speak yet, he wanted to hear what she had to say before letting her off the hook.

  “I was out of order last night,” she went on. “I knew I shouldn’t have a drink and I did and I know you’re disappointed in me for agreeing to go out with Lucas.”

  “I’m glad you’ve finally seen sense.”

  “I feel terrible, I hate falling out with you.”

  His smile was gentle. “Me too Cass. It’s alright sweetheart, I forgive you.”

  “Thanks,” she beamed. “How about I fetch the coffees and cakes?”

  “That would be smashing doll.”

  Her grin widened and she made for the door.

  “Cass,” he called just before she went through it.

  She stopped and turned. “Yes?”

  “I take it this means you’re not going on your date tonight?”

  “I’m still going. Hear me out,” she added when he looked thunderous. “I messed up last night and I didn’t do the job to your satisfaction, so I thought I’d go tonight and see if I can get you more answers.”

  His amber eyes narrowed, well aware her intentions weren’t entirely altruistic. “I don’t like it.”

  “Please Brodie. I want to make it up to you.”

  “Or you want to see Lucas Thorne again.”

  “Give me another chance. I’ll find out for sure one way or the other to put your mind at rest.”

  He noted she didn’t deny that she wanted to see Lucas again but he wanted to give her a chance. “Alright, but you wear the mike. That’s my condition.”

  “Fair enough,” she said cheerfully. “Right, I’ll get the snacks. And by the way Bossman, I think you’d suit the black balconette with the satin trim.”

  He was confused until he looked down at the leaflet before him and grinned. “I think you might be right hen.”

  She flashed him a smile before vanishing out the door. He watched her go suspiciously, getting the feeling there was a lot she wasn’t telling him.

  Three minutes after she’d gone Brodie frowned as a disgusting smell wafted into his office, a mixture of decomposing food and stagnant water. Ross and Christian slouched through the door looking the worse for wear, Ross’s shock of red hair limp and stuck to his forehead and Christian’s usually sharp suit torn and stained.

  “What the bloody hell happened to you two?” said Brodie.

  “We’ve spent the whole night in and out of stinking squats and hovels,” replied Christian, assessing the damage done to his suit. “It was horrible.”

  “Did you find Fred?”

  “No and no one’s seen him, that’s the ones who spoke to us anyway,” said Ross. “The rest were either too scared or too spaced out to tell us anything. They wouldn’t have noticed if their own noses had set on fire.”

  “So you found sod all?” huffed Brodie.

  “It wasn’t for lack of trying,” exclaimed Christian. “Look at my suit.”

  “I can’t believe you wore that you daft bastard,” said Ross.

  “I would have changed but I don’t have any scruff clothes like you,” he snapped back. Christian and Ross were the best of friends but they were tired, smelly and annoyed.

  “Don’t start,” said Brodie, silencing them both. “Get yourselves home, eat, sleep and for God’s sake shower. Then I want you back here at four this afternoon.”

  “Why?” groaned Ross. He wiped the annoyed look off his face when he saw the anger flash in Brodie’s eyes.

  “Because I say so and if you hadn’t noticed, I’m the boss around here. Suddenly everyone seems to be forgetting that. Now sod off before we get moany arse from upstairs coming down here and whinging about the smell.”

  They left in a toxic cloud and Cass returned two minutes later clutching coffee and pastries. She paused and sniffed the air before grimacing. “What’s that smell?”

  “Christian and Ross. They returned from their search for Fred.”

  “Anything?”

  “Nope.”

  “Oh,” she said, disappointed.

  Brodie knew exactly what was going through her mind. If they’d found Fred she would have been free and clear to date Lucas Thorne.

  “Where’s my coffee then? I’m gagging,” he said.

  “Here you go,” she smiled, placing the coffee and a sticky doughnut on his desk.

  Cass returned to her own brand new desk and switched on her computer, Brodie covertly studying her. He was afraid it was too late. Lucas Thorne had already burrowed his way under her skin.

  “Did you take a shower?” Brodie demanded of Ross.

  “Yes, twice.”

  “Then why do you still stink?” When Christian sniggered Brodie turned on him. “I don’t know why you’re laughing, you’re not much better.”

  Christian’s dark eyes narrowed but he decided not to answer. “Why do you need us anyway? It’s just sitting here listening.”

  “Because I want to get your impressions on Lucas Thorne.”

  “Why?” said Ross.

  “Because I do,” snarled Brodie. “Now shut the fuck up so we can hear what they’re saying.”

  Brodie was back in Cass’s flat and wanted the opinions of his other two employees because he was doubting his own judgement, for the first time in his life. What if Cass had a point and he was completely on the wrong track? Sometimes his imagination did runaway with itself and in hindsight his theory was a bit batty. Wasn’t it more reasonable that Lucas took casts from these people’s faces? Then why did his gut rebel at the very thought?

  The sound of Lucas’s voice drifting through the speakers set up on Cass’s coffee table drew him back to the present.

  “I heard this is one of the best restaurants in Glasgow,” said Lucas as he and Cass took their seats at a table towards the back of the room, as requested by Lucas, who treasured his privacy. “Have you ever been here before?”

  “No, it’s a bit out of my price range,” she said wryly. Not strictly true, Brodie paid her extremely well but she had to stick to her cover. However she didn’t like lying to this man, for a reason she couldn’t define.

  He looked mortified. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you.”

  “It’s okay, you didn’t.”

  He flashed her a nervous smile. “Good. I don’t want to upset you.”

  “I’ll let you know if you do,” she smiled back.

  Their eyes connected and their smiles broadened.

  “What can I get you to drink?” said the waiter loudly, breaking the moment.

  “Orange juice please,” said Cass.

  “Nonsense, we’ll have champagne,” smiled
Lucas.

  “Not after last night,” she grimaced. “I’m still feeling a bit delicate.” That was only half true too, she was sure a hair of the dog would shift the headache that still vaguely pulsed behind her eyes but she’d promised Brodie and the last thing she was going to do was piss him off again.

  “In that case, I’ll have orange juice too,” Lucas told the waiter.

  “Please don’t on my account,” she said.

  “I insist. Champagne should never be drunk alone.”

  The waiter nodded and scurried away.

  Lucas rested his elbows on the table, closing the distance between them. “Tell me more about yourself.”

  Oh oh, dodgy ground. “There’s nothing much to tell really.”

  “Well, you’re not Scottish, that’s for sure.”

  “No, Lancashire born and bred.”

  “How long have you been in Scotland?”

  “Three years.”

  “What brought you up here?”

  She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “I wasn’t getting along with my family, I wanted a fresh start.”

  “Do you come from a big family?”

  “Nope. Just me, my older brother and my parents. I have an aunt and uncle in Canada and that’s it.”

  “Was it your brother you weren’t getting along with?”

  She cleared her throat and looked down at the table.

  “I’m sorry, I’m prying,” he said, recognising how uncomfortable she was with the conversation.

  “It’s alright, it’s just a sensitive subject. You see…I was attacked when I was a teenager by one of my brother’s friends. It was my word against his and my brother took his friend’s side. It’s always rankled between us. It didn’t help when my parents didn’t believe me either.”

  “That’s terrible,” he said, shocked. “Did his friend hurt you badly?”

  She nodded. “His family was wealthy and powerful and my family were too afraid of getting on their wrong side to support me. After that my relationship with them went downhill until I couldn’t stand it any longer and I had to get away. Sorry, do you mind if we change the subject?”

  “Of course not.”

  Cass looked down at her hands and took in a deep breath. That attack had changed her life. It had been the reason why she’d begun training in karate and kickboxing. She’d determined never to be a victim again a long time ago. Very few people knew about that trauma in her life. Apart from her family and the residents of the small village she came from, only Brodie knew. He was the only one she’d ever trusted enough to tell about it, not even Ross and Christian knew but this man had drawn it from her so easily. She looked up at him and smiled. There was something special about him.

  “So, what’s your favourite cartoon?” he asked with a grin, making her laugh out loud.

  “I’m bored,” muttered Ross. “Do you really need us here for this boss?”

  “Shut it ya dick,” Brodie said, straining to hear Cass’s exchange with Lucas.

  “What’s this guy done anyway?” said Christian.

  “He might have cut off a lot of people’s faces and stuck them in a museum,” replied Brodie.

  “What?” exclaimed Christian and Ross in unison.

  “You know you look gormless with your mouths hanging open.”

  Now they knew they were onto something exciting they perked right up and eagerly listened in on the conversation going on between Lucas and Cass.

  “I didn’t know Cass had been attacked,” said Christian. “Did he…rape her?”

  “He tried,” replied Brodie, voice strangled with anger. “But she managed to fight him off. She took a bit of a beating though.”

  “Shall we track down the bastard who did it and give him a good kicking?”

  “I offered a while ago but she turned me down,” said Brodie. “Don’t mention it to her, she doesn’t like to talk about it.”

  “We won’t, will we Ross?” said Christian.

  “Course not,” he replied, looking furious. They were all very fond of Cass.

  Brodie knew all too well how painful that memory was for Cass and it troubled him that she’d told Lucas about it so easily.

  “Don’t fall for him Cass,” he muttered. “Don’t you dare fall for him.”

  “So, what about your family?” said Cass, determined to get something of use out of Lucas to keep Brodie happy. So far they’d discussed trivial things like films and books and they’d just finished dessert. The meal was almost over. God help her if she went away from this empty-handed.

  To her surprise, Lucas looked as tense as she’d felt when he’d asked her the same question.

  “Have I said something wrong?” she said.

  “No, sorry,” he said, unwinding slightly, smile sheepish. “I get on as well with my family as you do yours.”

  “Oh no. Did something traumatic happen to you?”

  “No, not as such, not like it did to you. My parents and I have never got on. In fact they’ve done nothing but put me down all my life.”

  “They don’t appreciate how far you’ve come?”

  “Not really,” he said sadly, looking down at his plate. “No matter what I do, it’s never good enough.”

  “I can relate to that. That’s just how my parents treat me.” She wasn’t trying to reel him in, it was the truth. Her brother had always been the shining golden boy while she was the rebellious, disrespectful daughter.

  “Let’s not spoil a lovely evening talking about them,” he said. “Would you like to go for a walk? I love to walk in the moonlight.”

  “Okay, sounds nice,” she replied.

  “Cass, what are you doing?” sighed Brodie.

  “Why’s she wandering about in the dark with someone who likes cutting people’s faces off?” wondered Ross.

  “She’s probably hoping to get more information out of him,” said Christian. Although his relationship with Cass had always been purely platonic he adored her and was determined to defend her against Brodie’s wrath, which was clearly building, his amber eyes taking on that dangerous whisky sheen.

  “She’d better,” hissed Brodie through a clenched jaw.

  “Isn’t it beautiful?” enthused Lucas, leaning on his silver-topped cane.

  “Lovely,” smiled Cass, gazing down at the reflection of the moon in the water.

  “Look at all the different colours play.”

  “Colours? I only see silver and black.”

  “There are so many subtle shades and hues in between and they change with the movement of the water. It’s fascinating. Sorry, I hope I’m not boring you?”

  “Not at all. It’s interesting to hear an expert’s perspective. You see things other people don’t.”

  “I’m not sure I’d go that far,” he replied with that timid smile she was becoming so fond of.

  “I would. Some people would pay a fortune to hear what you just told me.”

  “But you get to hear it for free because you treat me like a normal person. It’s a long time since I’ve felt normal.”

  He looked so sad she wanted to cheer him up. Linking her arm through his she said, “let’s go dancing.”

  “Dancing?” he laughed. “Are you serious?”

  “Yes. I love to dance and I don’t often get the chance. It’ll be fun. Do you dance?”

  “Actually I do,” he said, grin broadening. He ran his thumb along the line of her jaw. “You’re amazing.”

  Her heart started to thud when he rested his hands on her shoulders. He was going to kiss her but he looked so unsure of himself and he hesitated. She solved the dilemma for him by pressing her lips to his, enjoying the warmth of his hands cupping her face and the way he tasted of the lemon sorbet he’d had at dinner.

  When the kiss ended Cass’s eyes slowly rolled open and she smiled. “That was nice.”

  “Very.”

  “Are you ready to go dancing now?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be,” he said, holding his arm
out to her, which she accepted.

  As they walked she surreptitiously slid her hand inside her dress, removed the bugging device and dropped it into the water.

  “What the fuck happened?” yelled Brodie.

  “The signal’s been lost,” said Ross.

  “I know that you prick. Why?”

  “Dunno,” he shrugged.

  “Fat lot of use you are,” he snarled back at him. “Now she’s all alone with him.”

  “How dangerous is this guy?” said Christian. “Cass is as hard as nails. If he tried anything she’d kick his teeth in.”

  “I’ve no idea how dangerous he is, that’s the problem and Cass isn’t invincible.” He thought furiously, eyes tick-tocking from side to side. “She mentioned dancing, she likes to go to Club Profile. That’s where they’ll be headed.” His eyes snapped back on Christian and Ross. “Get your coats on boys, we’re going dancing.”

  The two younger men looked at each other in dismay.

  CHAPTER 6

  “Wow, you’re really good,” beamed Cass as she and Lucas moved across the dance floor.

  “So are you. I haven’t danced in ages, this is fun,” he said, taking her hand and spinning her round, making her laugh. He was actually managing to dance with the cane in one hand, which somehow made him look even more impressive.

  A number of people in the nightclub were watching them, knowing exactly who Lucas was but neither of them cared, they were enjoying themselves too much. He pulled her against him and she gazed up at him, realising sensations were running through her that up until that point had only been for Brodie. Had she finally met a man who could take her mind off her useless crush? All the other men she’d dated had been temporary distractions but with Lucas it was different.

  As he spun her around again she glimpsed the watching crowd and was stunned to see Brodie staring back at her. Then she was spun back the other way and was facing Lucas again.

  “Are you alright?” he asked her. “You look a bit shocked.”

  “I thought I was going to fall over then. It’s these heels.”