by Clare Revell
“It’s fine. Few weeks and I’ll be fighting fit and back to scaling fences again.” He kissed her cheek softly. “I promise, I’m OK.” Her fingers gently traced his collar bone, making him wince. Then hiss.
“Sorry.” She moved her hand.
“It’s fine. It’s a clean wound, just a little uncomfortable.”
Nate appeared beside him, holding out a glass of water and the pills. “Here.”
He took them. “Thank you.” He looked at Amy. “So, short story is I’ll live. Who are the flowers from?”
She shrugged. “They came before I left to take the kids to school.”
Nate picked up the card. “’Dearest Amy. With sincere condolences. Kevin.’ Kevin who?”
“I don’t know.” Amy shivered. “No one knows I live here.”
“But you knew Rosalie.”
“Yes. But no one knows I live here,” she repeated. “I haven’t spoken to Ray or Rosalie in weeks.”
Dane looked at her, trying to work this out in his mind. “You didn’t give them this address?”
Her voice rose. “I told you. No one has it. No one knows I’m here.”
“Well, someone obviously does.”
“I haven’t told anyone, why would I? And you can’t go telling Ray where I am either.”
“Why ever not? If you were as close as you say you were, you should ring him. He’s going to need every friend he can get right now.”
She pushed up. “I have my reasons. You can’t tell him, please.”
Surprise filled him. “It’s OK.”
“Not OK. Never OK.” Her voice rose, her agitation tangible. “Please, promise me you won’t tell him I’m here. You can’t.”
“All right, we won’t say anything.” Dane reached for her, but she pulled away and ran from the room. He sat there stunned.
“Well, that was weird,” Nate said quietly.
“Yeah, right.”
“Did you ever do a background check on her?”
“I didn’t think I needed to.”
“Maybe you should.”
Dane drew in a deep breath, trying to ignore the growing nausea. “Why? Because I’m falling for her? Because she’s my daughters’ nanny?”
Nate shook his head. “No. Because she knew Rosalie. Someone sent her flowers the day after we saw Rosalie Malone kidnapped and she winds up dead. She jumped off a cliff because of screwed-up hormones? I doubt that very much—not the way she reacted when that guy grabbed her. Then there are the phone calls Amy got.”
“Not since the number was changed.”
The phone rang three times and stopped as Dane picked it up. “Amy must have gotten it.” He put the phone down again.
It rang again, and then stopped.
Nate raised an eyebrow. “You were saying?”
It rang a third time. Then stopped. Dane stood. “OK, this is beyond a joke now.” He moved to the door. “Amy? Who was on the phone?”
“It was a wrong number. I’m going for a shower.”
“OK, but let me get it next time.” He went back into the kitchen.
Nate stood by the kitchen window and glanced over his shoulder at him. “I didn’t think you were doing a bonfire this year.”
Dane shook his head, rubbing his arm. It really hurt now, not that he was going to admit it to anyone. “I’m not. We already discussed this. You’re taking the girls to the church one. Amy and I are staying here.”
Nate nodded to the garden. “Then what’s that?”
“I don’t know. You tell me.” Dane turned to the window. “What the…”
A huge bonfire made of twigs, leaves and branches sat in the middle of the lawn. A scary looking guy made of black cloth with a red wig, and dark red cricket balls for eyes rested on the top.
He swallowed. “I don’t remember it being there.”
“Maybe the kids built it while we were up north.”
“No, I mean that wasn’t there when I got home. I’m sure it wasn’t. And no one’s been outside. The kids are at school, and I’ve been in here with Amy. I would have noticed a bonfire and a guy that scary.” He pulled his mobile from his pocket and, pulling up the camera app, snapped several photos.
The landline phone rang again. Dane answered it. If this was another prank call, he was getting the line traced, no matter what Amy wanted. He didn’t say anything, not wanting to tip the caller off that it wasn’t Amy answering the phone.
Heavy breathing hissed in his ear, followed by a husky voice. “Burn in hell, Amy.”
The bonfire in the garden exploded.
15
Amy watched from the kitchen window as Dane put the fire out with the hose one handed. She’d heard the shouts from upstairs and gotten to the landing window in time to see them both bolt outside. Nate raked over the embers to ensure the flames were completely out and no sparks were left to reignite later on.
She couldn’t stay here. She was putting everyone in danger. He’d probably gotten shot because of her. There were too many coincidences, and she didn’t believe in them on a good day. And this was definitely not a good day.
There was the blood, dead critters, phone calls, the man outside the house. And now this. She hadn’t built the bonfire. The girls hadn’t. And it hadn’t been there when she left the house that morning. She knew that because she’d been in the garden clearing up the dead animals.
Why are You letting this happen? Haven’t I paid enough without Dane, the girls and now Ray paying for my mistake? I heard what they said about the woman being kidnapped and they thought it was Rosalie. It’s my fault. All of it.
The men came in, wiping their feet on the mat. Dane looked right through her as he shut the door. “Well?” he demanded.
Nate leaned against the back door, arms folded tightly across his chest.
She held Dane’s gaze. “Well, what?”
“What are you hiding?”
Amy swallowed nervously, her tongue darting out to lick her lips. “Nothing.”
Dane moved over to her, blocking her exit. “Don’t give me that. Did you build that bonfire and guy?”
“No.”
“Did the girls?”
“No. They wanted to build one, but I said they had to wait until you got home. But as they were going to the church one, there probably wasn’t any need to. And besides, I wasn’t going to go through your clothes and give them some. That’s up to you.”
“So you didn’t build the one outside?”
“No, for the third time.” She screwed her face up in confusion. “There wasn’t one there earlier on.”
“Then who did build it?”
“I don’t know. I just said there wasn’t one before I left to take the girls to school this morning. Next door’s cat left a dead bird in the garden. I went out there to remove it. I think I’d have noticed a bonfire.”
“Was it there when you got back?”
“I don’t know.”
“Amy!” Exasperation flooded his voice.
“I don’t know. I don’t routinely look out the windows to check stuff like that.”
“That last call mentioned you by name Then the fire went up outside. That is one awfully big coincidence. Never mind the fact the guy was wearing a long red wig.”
Amy turned around, afraid she was going to throw up then and there. She shook hard, wrapping her arms around her middle. “I should just resign and go away before anyone gets hurt.”
Dane’s right hand gripped her tightly, spinning her around. “That won’t help. If you’re involved in something, or if there is someone after you for whatever reason, then I need to know. I can stop him.”
“I’m not,” she whispered. “I told you, I don’t know who he is.”
“What about those previous calls today? Did he say your name?”
“No. Whoever it was didn’t say anything. There was no one there.”
“You said it was a wrong number.”
Nate moved over and put a hand on Dane’s arm. “Calm
down, Dane. Getting in her face isn’t going to help.”
Dane stepped back, cradling his arm.
Nate nodded, and then looked at Amy. “Amy, think for a moment. When did the phone calls start again?”
“Today,” she whispered. “Just before the fire started.”
“Those three calls earlier?” Dane asked.
Nate silenced him with a look. “Is anything else happening?”
She hesitated. “No.”
Nate narrowed his eyes. “Because we can’t stop it if you don’t tell us.”
“There isn’t,” she whispered, looking down. Something prompted her to be honest, but she couldn’t. They were cops. Who would they believe? Her or her criminal record? She was a convicted criminal—she wasn’t allowed to work with kids. Dane would want her out of his house, away from his kids, away from him. She’d lose everything. Again.
The phone rang, and she jumped, her breath catching in her throat.
Dane snatched it up. “Hello.” He listened for a moment. “I’ll be there.” He hung up. “Vicky fell in PE. They need her to be picked up and checked over at the hospital.”
“I’ll go and get her,” Amy said. She grabbed her bag from the side and left before either of the men could stop her.
Dane growled as Amy shut the door. “I was going with.”
“So go with,” Nate said. “Just calm down a bit first.”
“Don’t you tell me to calm down,” he snapped. “I’m not going to lose anyone else I love to some maniac with a grudge.”
“Then let me call the guv. Get the arson boys over here to check it out.”
“Arson?” He opened the door. “Amy, wait up.”
Nate lowered his voice. “You said yourself it’s not a coincidence, and I don’t believe in spontaneous combustion any more than you do. Someone built that fire and the guy. If it wasn’t Amy or the girls, then it’s someone trying to tell you something. And I’ll put a trace on the line.”
“Just unplug it.”
“And that will do what? Just go with Amy and pick up Vicky. I’ll stay here.” Nate pulled out his phone. “It’s probably best you’re not here for this.”
Dane headed after Amy. “Amy, I said wait.”
“I am waiting.” She stood on the path.
He struggled into his coat. “We should take the car in case she needs to get her arm x-rayed. It’s a long walk to the hospital.”
“You can’t drive. Nor can I.”
“Do you know how to? Can you drive? Have you passed your test?”
“Yes, but…”
“Then you drive.”
“But, Dane…”
What was it with her and answering him back or not answering him at all today? She’d picked the wrong day to wind him up, that’s for sure.
He snapped. His home had been hit by an arsonist, he’d been shot, and now his daughter was injured. “It’s not up for debate. You drive my car with my permission. Now get in.”
Amy reluctantly got in the driver’s side and sat still while Dane quickly ran through where everything was. She started the car. “It’s been a while.”
“You’ll be fine. It’s like riding a bike. You never really forget. You can park just down from the gates of the school.” He leaned back in the seat, cradling his arm.
“Did you mean what you said just now? About not wanting to lose someone you love?”
“You heard that?”
“Yeah, sorry. I didn’t mean to overhear, but your voice carried.”
“Yes, I meant it. After Jas died, I didn’t think I’d ever live or love again. You’ve shown me otherwise. I love you. I don’t want anything happening to you. Which is why if you know anything, you have to tell me.”
“I don’t.”
“OK.”
“What did the school say about Vicky?”
Dane noted the change of subject, but went with it. For now. “She fell off the beam and landed on her arm. One of the kids said they heard a crack. It’s swollen, she won’t use it, and she screams if someone touches it.”
“Screams?” Amy took her eyes off the road long enough to look at him.
“Yeah. This is another reason to worry.” He took a deep breath. “Pull in just along here somewhere.”
Amy parked and turned off the engine.
Dane leapt out of the car as soon as it stopped moving. He waited for her to catch up with him. The door opened before he could ring the bell, he assumed because they’d seen him coming.
Vicky waited in reception holding her arm and crying. Her teacher sat with her.
Dane knelt beside her, wrapping his good arm around his daughter. “It’s OK, honey. Daddy’s here now.”
Vicky clung to him, sobbing hard.
Miss Macnin looked at him. “I don’t think it’s broken, but you should go and get it X-rayed just to be on the safe side. It’s not like her to make such a fuss.” She looked at Vicky and smiled. “Hope you feel better soon.”
He nodded. “OK, thank you. Come on, honey. Amy’s going to drive us to the hospital, so they can take pictures of your arm, too.”
Vicky looked at him, tears running down her red and blotchy face.
Dane pointed to his shoulder. “Uncle Nate took me to the hospital when I hurt my arm and the doctor took lots of pictures with a special camera that can see what your bones look like. Maybe we both get a sling.”
Four hours later, they got back to the house. Vicky’s arm wasn’t broken, just sprained. They’d wrapped it in tubigrip and put her arm in a sling. It meant she’d be back to nodding or shaking her head for a day or two, but Dane could live with that.
Amy parked in the garage, while he took Vicky inside. He hung up her coat and then slid out of his.
Vicky clung to his hand tightly.
Nate sat in the kitchen with Jodie and Vianne. He glanced up as they came in. “Hey, matching slings. Neat.”
He tilted his head slightly. “Yeah. It’s just a sprain.”
Jodie hugged him. “Vicky or you, Dad?”
He hugged her back. “Vicky. Mine’s a little more serious than that, but I’ll live.”
Nate winked at her. “One fence too many in his case. He’s not as young as he likes to think he is.”
Dane rolled his eyes.
“As long as you’re all right, Dad, that’s what matters.” Then with typical teenage aplomb, Jodie changed the subject. “Can I sleep ‘round Vianne’s tonight? It’s OK with Uncle Nate.”
“Sure.” That would be one less child for him to worry about right now.
Nate looked at Vicky. “Did you want to come too?”
She shook her head, not letting go of Dane’s hand.
“OK. Jodie, go and get your stuff.”
Amy came in and put her bag on the counter.
Dane glanced at the window then back at Nate. “Study for a few?”
Nate nodded.
Dane looked at Vicky. “Honey, can you help Amy make Daddy something to drink?”
She nodded slowly.
Dane kissed her forehead and followed Nate from the kitchen. He shut the study door behind them. “Well?”
“It was arson.” Nate said without preamble. “But we knew that. They found the remnants of a radio device in the ash.”
“How did they get in?”
“The lock on the back gate is broken. It’s been fixed now and the bolt moved further down. The girls still can’t reach it, but no one can just reach over the fence and open it anymore. You didn’t notice anything at all when you got home?”
“No. I was busy with Amy.” He paused. “Nothing like that. Stop raising your eyebrows at me. She was really upset, and I rang you within a couple of minutes of getting in.”
“OK. We need to speak to her again, then. If it wasn’t there before she left for school, it was either done while she was out, or while the three of us were talking.”
Dane shuddered at the thought. “The school run
takes about twenty minutes. Maybe fifteen minutes longer if she was taking Jodie and Vianne as well. Is that long enough?”
“Maybe, I don’t know. Talk to her later on tonight. Then ring me and let me know if she remembers anything.”
“Will do.”
“Then there are the flowers. I’ve given the card to Pete to try to trace. Jodie said the flowers arrived before they left for school. Which was before Amy found out about Rosalie Malone.”
Dane’s stomach turned. “It sounds like she’s being targeted.”
“Or you are. Maybe you should take her away this weekend.”
“And go where?” He sighed. “I can’t drive. She can, but won’t for whatever reason. I practically had to force her to drive to the hospital and back. No, I’ll unplug the phone, put the security lights on and get a patrol to drive past a few times.”
“Already done. Oh, and the guv said no unplugging the phone. She’s put a trace on the line. Right, it sounds as if the girls are ready. Ring if you need anything. Otherwise I will see you tomorrow.”
Dane saw him out and went back into the kitchen. Amy leant against the counter, sipping a mug of tea. He stood next to her. “Where’s Vicky?”
“She’s watching TV in the lounge.”
“I need to talk to you about this morning.”
“I already told you. The bonfire wasn’t there when I left, and I didn’t notice it when I got back. I was gone about forty minutes or so.”
“Did you lock up the house?”
“Of course, and I set the alarm, just like I always do.”
“OK. Nate said the back gate was broken, so that’s probably how they got in.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. Even if this person is after you, it’s not your fault. We’ll get him.” He wrapped his arm around her and gently kissed her cheek.
Amy turned into him at the same moment, grazing his lips.
He needed no more encouragement and kissed her deeply, only breaking off when he felt a tug on his sleeve. He glanced down and smiled. “Hey, Vicks. Are you all right?”
She signed awkwardly.
He nodded. “Yes, I do love her. Is that OK?”
She shot him a thumbs-up and mimed a drink.
