Hidden Secrets (Garrett Investigation Book 1)

by Claire Plaisted

  “Mal,” she asked quietly, “would you mind if I did some research on my birth mother?”

  “I don’t see why not since you’re going down to Trengrove in the morning.”

  “You come to Mal; it may be safer; those last shots were just too close for comfort.”

  “I’ll think about it tonight Ana. I may come with you over the weekend. I need to be in the office on Monday.”

  “Let’s get back, I’m getting cold, noise or no noise I need a bath.”

  Malachy wrapped his arms around her, escorting her back to the house. Yuri grinned at them as they passed him in the foyer.

  “Tell Quinton that Ana’s going to Trengrove in the morning. Make sure he’s ready at ten. I want Ana out of harm’s way.”

  Ana rolled her eyes saying nothing in her weariness just accepting Mal’s support up the stairs to her room. Opening her door, he gently nudged her inside, turning her to his chest where she snuggled into him, inhaling his fragrance. Quietly they walked over to her bed where he sat her down.

  “I’ll run you a bath Ana, get what accessories you need. It looks like your about to fall asleep.”

  “Hmm,” she murmured falling back on her bed sleep overcoming her.

  “Well Damn,” muttered Mal, looking down at her. Gently he took off her shoes next pulling off her skirt and stockings. He unbuttoned her blouse smoothly removing it from her arms slipping it from under her. Gently he pulled down the bed covers tucking them around her a tender smile escaping him as he drew her hair away from her face watching her sleep peacefully.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  At last, the house was quiet. Bunching his hands in his pockets Malachy decided to look over the study where progress was slow but good. Opening the door, he inhaled the smell of wood and paint. A steel frame window was now secure with bulletproof glass. The plasterboard surround was still bare.

  The floor was a mess of cables and sawdust. Walking around Mal tripped over a floorboard unbalancing himself into his new desk bruising his thigh. Crouching down, he touched the floorboard poking up, with a puzzled frown he tried - without success - to pry it up further. He was muttering and cursing when Quin entered.

  “You okay boss?”

  “Something not right here,” he muttered quietly.

  Quin walked over looking over Malachy’s shoulder. “What’re you doing?”

  “Get me a crowbar Quin, should be one in the garage.”

  Frowning at the request, he walked off asking Tallon to keep an eye on Malachy. Returning with a crowbar, he grinned, noticing Tallon’s eyes widened.

  “Everything ok Quin?”

  “We’ll soon find out Tallon; the boss has a floorboard loose and wants to tear it up instead of nailing it down.”

  Back in the study, Quin found his boss with a puzzled frown on his face, his eyes curiously alert. Looking up, he took the crowbar from Quin.

  “Won’t take much I hope.”

  “Want me to do this? Your shoulder’s still weak.”

  “Thanks for the reminder Quin,” he grimaced. “I’m trying to forget about it.”

  Angling the crowbar he pried up the floorboard and with Quin’s help pulled it free. Malachy raised his eyebrows in surprise. Underneath was black metal, though he couldn’t see much else. Crouching down again he knocked on it; it sounded hollow; puzzled, he wondered what secret it held.

  “Well, I don’t know what it is Quin. However, I’d appreciate it if you got some of your men to help pull more floorboards up. As you said, my shoulder is still a bit sore.”

  “Yes boss. Are you sure about this?”

  “Well, since the place is still a mess I may as well find out what this is.” He said with a wry smile.

  It was the noise thumping which woke Ana. Yawning, she realised she was in her bed with not a lot on, blushing she sat up wondering what the noise was when she heard it again. Getting out of bed, grabbing a robe strode out her door. Nobody was about. The loud sound came again. Slipping downstairs, she followed the sound until she came to the study Tallon was standing outside.

  “What on earth’s going on?”

  “Extra maintenance Miss,” he smiled.

  “At this time of night,” she exclaimed. “For god’s sake!” opening the door she entered a room swirling with sawdust. Looking over, she saw three men looking down into a gaping hole in the floor. “What the hell are you doing now Malachy isn’t the idea to get the place mended, not destroyed?”

  “Have a good sleep Ana?” He enquired looking up smiling, “I found something when I was walking around earlier. Wanted to see what it was.”

  Walking over she looked down raising an eyebrow, “And just what did you find?”

  “As you can see, it seems we have a trapdoor to something I never knew existed.”

  “So open it, get your mind settled. It’s getting late if you’re coming to Trengrove with me in the morning you need some sleep.”

  “Yes mam,” the others smirked at his reply. “Depending on what I find depends on if I join you in the morning, Ana.”

  “Fine, I’m going back to bed; please be quiet with it,” she said yawning. Traipsing back to her room, she left the men to their work too exhausted to wonder what it was all about.

  Cutting the lock with bolt cutters the men heaved back the trapdoor looking down into the black depth starting with two steps.

  “Right, where’s the torch. I’m going down.”

  “You sure it’s safe boss.”

  “Closed up for this long, should be okay,” he laughed, “maybe spiders and rats if anything,” he grinned.

  The torch on he walked down into the dark, he felt a handrail and at the bottom his head struck a light bulb. Flashing the light on the wall, he found the light switch, flicking it on. Once his eyes adjusted to the light, he looked up and around his eyes wide in surprise at what was before him. Filing cabinets filled all but one wall. On the end wall, there was a portrait of his mother. Her blonde hair and blue eyes staring back at him with a lush smile. She held a baby on her knee that could surely only be him.

  “You ok down their boss?” called Quin.

  “I - yes, good. You can retire for the night. I’ll be down here for a while longer.”

  “Yes boss,” he replied, over his shoulder, he said to Tallon, “Keep an eye on him.”

  “Yes will do Quin. Wonder what he found?”

  “None of our concern right now, though I am sure we’ll find out eventually.”

  Malachy approached the portrait realising as he got closer the baby had black hair and was, in fact, a little girl. More puzzled than ever he looked harder wondering who she was, he’d never heard about a sister. The baby had green eyes similar to Ana’s; he smiled wondering what a child of theirs would look like!

  Turning away, he walked to the desk where he found a pouch covered with dust. Wiping the dust off, he found his name etched with gold letters. Sitting down, he opened the pouch removing the documentation he began to read.

  Three hours later, angry, bewildered at what he’d read, he retired to bed. How the hell was he going to tell Ana? With a disgusted sigh, he slept tossing and turning for the rest of the night wondering what to do, cursing his father for the first time in his life.

  Ana awoke early to find she’d slept alone, disappointed she went to find Malachy. Creeping silently along the hallway, she quietly opened his bedroom door. He was tossing and turning, his sheets twisted around his delectable body. Quietly walking forward, she could hear him murmur her name, smiling she slipped into his bed and began to stroke his body.

  Slowly Malachy’s body became aware of feather light touches; he groaned as a kiss landed behind his ear. Turning, he opened his eyes seeing Ana, quickly sitting up; he put his head in his hands.

  “God, what time is it Ana? What are you doing here?”

  “It’s seven, still early I know. I missed you last night Mal.”

  He looked up a small smile on his face, “Does that mean you’re ready t
o move in then Anastasia?”

  “Hell no,” she said, sitting back. “Whatever gave you that idea?” Leaning forward, she looked at his face. For the first time, he looked old and tired. “Are you ok Mal? You look terrible.”

  “I-a just need some more sleep Ana. I have a lot to think about.”

  Sweeping her hair out of the way; she touched his shoulder feeling him flinch as if she’d hit him. Frowning, she took his face in her hands looking deeply into his eyes. For once she felt shut out; she knew something had upset him. Leaning closer, she brushed a kiss over his lips making him shudder.

  “Don’t Ana,” he said quietly, “I can’t do this, not now. I’m sorry I need some space to work something out. I promise I’ll tell you in a few days.”

  “Mal please,” she whispered.

  “Not now Ana, let me be,” looking up at the hurt in her eyes he continued, “I’ll tell you everything when I get down to Trengrove.”

  She backed away, getting to her feet she walked to the door sadness in her posture. “Ana, please believe me.”

  “Whatever Mal,” she replied with flashing eyes as she quietly shut the door behind her. Shaking his head, he thumped his bed wondering why he’d looked, too nosey for his own bloody good.

  “That’s it I’m over men,” she spat out in anger as she stormed back to her room nearly crashing into Tallon. “What, can’t you see where you’re going,” she yelped.

  “Whoa, little lady, you walked into me,” looking at her face. “You ok Miss you look a bit distraught.”

  “Fine, I’m just bloody over the sodding moon.”

  “Err, ok,” he said, backing off. “I’ll just continue with my round then.”

  “Typical fucking male,” she muttered as she walked away, slamming into her room. A long hot shower would do the trick, dressed and packing a bag to take with her. She’d kept clothing at Trengrove since she was part-owner of the place. With a sigh, she wondered what had happened to Mal. Taking herself downstairs for breakfast she decided on scrambled eggs with bacon.

  With the smell of frying bacon; the security men entered the kitchen, huge smiles on their faces, breathing deeply they asked rather sheepishly if she’d cook more. Rolling her eyes, her humour nearly restored, she made copious amounts of food for the hungry men, smiling at them as they demolished it all.

  Malachy found them all sitting laughing and eating around the table when he walked in, grumpily he looked to see if there was any left.

  “Any left for me?”

  “Nope boss, Ana such a good cook we ate it all, you’ll have to ask.”

  He looked across to Ana, who met his glance with a ferocious glare. “Never mind toast will do. Quin, I need you ready to take Ana down to Trengrove at ten.”

  “Yes boss,” the men took their leave of the kitchen. Ana and Mal looked at each other the atmosphere strained.

  “I’m ready to go now Mal, so why wait?”

  “I need to show you something, Ana. It’s to do with what I found last night.”

  Ana followed Mal to the study. Mal stood at the opening showing Ana the relocked trapdoor.

  “Ok, so you found a trapdoor. What of it?”

  “There is a room below full of files. One had my name on it. I’m still trying to get my head around its contents.”

  “What of the contents Mal?”

  “That’s what I am trying to sort through. Give me a few days, and I’ll tell you what you need to know and maybe some stuff you never wanted to know,” he said sadly. “I can’t take this information lightly Ana; it’s rather explosive.”

  “So you’re going to leave me in limbo rather than take me into your confidence, fine, whatever. I’m sure I’ll get over it.”

  “It’s not that I won’t. It’s that I don’t know how,” he shrugged his shoulder. “Not this time. My father left information that I’ve no knowledge about. I wish I’d never found the damn stuff,” he sighed.

  “All right, you’ve three days. I’ll see you on Monday evening at Trengrove.”

  “Ana.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “You’re the only person I’ve said anything to. I wish I could deal with this now. With Fletcher on the loose and god knows who else, I still need to work.”

  “I’ll deal with it.” She turned to walk out just as he caught her hand hauling her into his embrace kissing her ferociously before letting her go.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Trengrove was idyllic. A small cosy thatched cottage made of thick stone had stood for 300 years or more. The cottage had beautiful rose gardens Ana’s aunt planted many years ago. Behind the cottage, there was a garden centre continually bustling with activity. Unknown to most the cottage had its secrets. Only select people knew about the underground training centre and communications hub.

  Rose Trengrove discovered a love of thrills long before her stepbrother started the Agency in New York. They’d always been close and with the loss of his wife, his stepsister became his confidante, during this era they created the training centre.

  Ana spent all her summers with her aunt, training in martial arts without even realising what was going on. She’d never known about the centre below the cottage until she turned eighteen when her aunt finally decided she was ready.

  Her Aunt Rose’s secrecy stunned Anastasia, amused at how her secret stayed closed. She continued to train, given easy assignments by her aunt to prove her worth before she joined the Agency.

  Now the car drew up the drive; the front door flew open as Abigail flew down the path throwing her arms around Ana, who picked her up spinning her around.

  “Oh, Abby I’ve so missed your cooking.”

  “Miss Ana, you’re such a sight for old sore eyes, my dear. It’s wonderful to see you again. I do so hate it when you go away.” Pulling her into the house, Abigail fussed, sitting her in the front parlour, bringing her afternoon tea.

  “Made your favourite, Ana love,” Ana groaned at the plate of scones placed in front of her.

  “I do hope you’re going to sit and help me eat some of them, Abby? It would be great to catch up on local news.

  “Oh, if you insist,” she laughed contentedly happy to have a guest at the cottage.

  Abigail was a long-time friend of her aunts who’d taken over running the cottage after her death. Ana inherited half of the estate, including the cottage and garden centre. No one claimed the other half of the Trengrove estate so far; mystery surrounded the other heir. No one knew who it was.

  Settling into her room she showered, changed before going for a run. It was good to settle into a training routine. In the morning she was looking forward to seeing Matt, who’d be her training partner once more, even better she had direct access from the cottage.

  First her long-awaited run, two miles later she turned into the forest pounding her favourite trail. As she approached the top of the hill, she stopped bending over relaxing her body before taking a sip from her water bottle. Looking out at the view, she smiled at the cottage in the distance.

  Something snapped behind her; she froze. “Lovely view from up here,” said a male voice she didn’t recognise.

  “Yeah, I suppose it is,” she replied continuing to look at the view, “don’t get many up here this time of year.”

  The man approached standing beside her, looking sideways at her profile. “Can’t say I’ve seen you up here before,” he enquired.

  “Don’t come here as often as I’d like.”

  “Pity, you cheer the place up.”

  “You’re new around here? I don’t remember seeing you before either.”

  “Been here a couple of years now, live quietly over yonder,” he replied pointing over his shoulder.

  “Oh, the old Johnson place. I remember it being up for sale,” finally she turned to look at him. She found a rugged man who looked to be in his early 50’s. He had dark blonde hair with hints of grey, deep blue eyes. His polo shirt fit snugly over his massive shoulders stretching taut over his chest. He had an oddly sma
llish nose, which didn’t fit the rest of him. His bronzed skin made him look like an Adonis.

  “Yeah, that’s the place; seems you know this area rather well.”

  “Spent my summers here as a child. Who’re you?”

  “Truit, Kevin Truit.”

  “Ana.”

  “Nice to meet you Ana,” he smiled, “you’re one beautiful young woman.”

  “And I’m not looking to be a playmate either Mr Truit,” she said.

  Shaking his head back, he roared with laughter as she raised an eyebrow in question. “No worries there Ana, I’m not interested, you look young enough to be my daughter.”

  “Well, I’d better get going Mr Truit, might see you again sometime.”

  “If you run this way frequently; then more than likely you’ll see me. Stop by the house sometime if you wish. I can offer tea or coffee.”

  “Thanks, I’ll think about it.” Ana set off back down the hill towards the plains, not seeing the admiring look on Kevin Truit’s face, nor did she see the satisfied smile as he turned away, trudging his way back home.

  The following morning refreshed from a shower Ana walked to the canteen at the training centre for breakfast. Espying Matt in the corner; surrounded by work mates, she made her way over tapping him on the shoulder.

  “Hey Matt,” she grinned.

  “Surely it’s not time to slaughter me again? The mighty Ana back!” Matt said, putting his hands up in mock horror.

  “Idiot,” she laughs as grins spread across the table. It seems she still had a reputation to hold on to.

  “So what you doing here Ana?” asked Matt.

  “Had a few problems at the Agency, needed some downtime.”

  “Ah, we heard about your car blowing up, what else has been going on?”

  “Oh, just some noise Matt.” She grinned. “Thought we could have a round in the boxing ring later if you’re free?”

  “For you anything,” he grinned.

  “Great, cya laters,” her stomach rumbling they all laughed as she walked away to grab some food.