“At this time of night, this better be important.”
“Got a recording of Truit and his cohort, think you need to listen.”
“Can’t this wait until morning Yuri?”
“Nope, you need to know that Truit knows he’s Ana’s father, he plans on killing Fletcher and taking Ana for his own,” Yuri gagged at the last bit.
“Fuck, sometimes I hate this job.”
“We’ll be down at Trengrove in the morning Yuri, not much I can do now other than...” He’d turned to look over at Ana, who was stretching her muscles completely naked on the rug, “...get a message to Tallon at the hospital. We may need to double the guard.”
“Are you all right boss?”
“I-I, yeah, no, I mean. Sod off Yuri, I’ll contact Tallon and see you tomorrow.”
“Yes boss,” he laughed down the phone.”
“Fuck off Yuri,” he closed the phone rolling closer to Ana his hands sweeping gently over her.
“What’s happening now?” Said Ana yawning as she sat up in front of the fire.
“Truit knows who you are, it seems he wants you and is going to get rid of Fletcher,” he sighed raking his hands through his hair.
“Bugger,” she stood grabbing her clothes sliding them back on, “so much for a night of peace eh.”
“Night of peace we shall have. I’ll just ring Tallon and send Quin over then there’ll be the three of them.” Mal pulled on his jeans. Opening the lounge door, they strode silently across the foyer up the stairs. “Sleep with me tonight Ana?” She nodded with silent assent grabbing his hand; they entered his room, Mal talking into his phone.
“Tallon, keep a close watch on Fletcher. I’m sending Quin over.”
“Is everything all right?”
“It seems Fletcher’s on a death list!”
“Ok, no worries.”
“See you in the morning Tallon.” Mal closed the phone turning Ana back into his arms. “This call won’t take a moment Ana,” he smiled as he released her. By the time Malachy had finished Ana was waiting naked on his bed, her eyes gleaming in the candlelight, dropping his jeans, his shaft springing out ready and waiting.
“Seems tonight’s going to stay fun after all,” she smirked eyeing his hard shaft with anticipation, “come here then Mal it’s time for dessert.”
With a huge grin, Malachy got into his bed, pulling Ana towards him, cupping her bottom they started on dessert.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
They delivered Maggie to a safe house on the way to Trengrove, Frank and Jones staying as her guards. Mal deciding there was no way he could trust her. He wanted her safe, no more beatings from her brother. She was pitiful, all that luxury and a nasty home life.
Ana and Mal dropped their bags off with Abby, making their way directly to the compound; it was eerily quiet in the communications centre compared to full on alarm of yesterday. They found Cameron bleary-eyed at the computer stacks of dirty coffee cups at his side. Grace was asleep, her face buried in her arms.
“Cameron, why don’t you go to bed now? I’ll get someone to oversee this for a few hours.”
Cameron jumped he’d not heard them enter. “Shit Malachy, you scared the hell out of me.”
“Get some sleep Cam,” Mal ordered.
“Update first if you don’t mind since Grace is asleep.”
“Fine, it’s best to find out what’s happening. We’re winning Malachy,” Cam smiled, “They think they’re so bloody smart, well they are to a degree. I must admit; it’s just I’m much better.”
“Isn’t that why I employed you?”
Smiling cheekily he responded, “That be about right Malachy, anyway I know who put this worm in place, there are few with the expertise.”
“Really Cameron?” smiled Mal. “Well, that’s good news. How do we stop it and how do we find him?”
“Still trying to pin him down Malachy, he is a few miles from here, though I want to confirm he’s in the Johnson house.”
“That’s as close as you have Cameron?”
“We’re getting closer with every moment Malachy.”
“Right go have some down time,” he turned to Ana, “Get Conrad down here.”
“Yes boss.
What about Grace?” asked Ana looking over at the sleeping woman, her head on her arms.
“Leave her, she looks comfy enough.”
“Go get some sleep, Cameron!”
“Conrad is on his way down Mal.”
“Thanks Ana.”
“Yuri is around somewhere…oh; here he is must have heard us.”
“Way ahead of you Ana,” smiled Yuri.
“Where’s the tape Yuri, what did you get for us?”
“The two guys in the lounge were very interesting. Some of the stuff was about you Ana, though it didn’t make a lot of sense.”
“What else?”
“Here listen, and you’ll find out,” he said, tossing a memory stick to Mal.
Mal plugged in the stick pulling up the relevant sound file…
“You did well Hayes, there again, you always have.”
“Your plan is moving along well sir.”
“Yes, it is. I’m very pleased with the action.”
There was quiet for a few moments.
“Have you heard anything from Hardwick yet Hayes?”
“Nothing sir, he’s gone silent in the last twenty-four hours.”
“Check up on him then. I don’t like the not knowing what my people are up to. That idiot grandson of mine is useless with messages.”
“I’m sure your son is fine sir.”
“Where is Anastasia at the moment, Hayes?”
“Apparently lucky she isn’t dead sir.”
“Lucky? Dead?” the man roared, “Who the fuck did what?”
“Your idiot grandson Sir,” he replied, “I have my spies keeping checks on him.”
“What the fuck did he do?”
“Set up a car chase sir. It looks like he tried to take her out.”
“I could kill him solely for that Hayes. Get the fuckwit on the phone, now!” He demanded.
Silence again for a few moments.
“Answer the fucking phone.”
“Hello Gr….”
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing you idiot,” he snarled.
The voices faded.
“We presume they moved from that room, so no more voice from them.
“What about the other person?” he enquired.
“Sadly, he just muttered and mumbled the night away saying things like “Clever sod.”
“I need a copy of that other voice. Give it to Cameron when he wakes, see if he recognises it. Let me know straight away if he does.”
“Yes boss.”
“Oh and Yuri get some sleep.”
“Next place I intend to be boss.”
“What about Fletcher, Mal?”
“Tallon’s checking in at ten this morning. Just need to see if Moran and his cohorts found anything yet.”
Maggie found herself in a small cottage with Frank and Jones watching over her. The cottage was in the middle of nowhere. It was tiny, and she hated it. Frank and Jones stood grimly looking down at her.
“What?” she yelled at them. “Are you too goons just going to stand there and glare at me all bloody day or something?”
“Now that depends,” answered Frank. “Are you going to be a good girl or …” he trailed off.
“A good girl?” she said scornfully. “What the fuck do you think, it isn’t as if I can walk out and go home is it?”
Jones grinned. “Well, you could if you wanted.”
“Go fuck yourself Jones.”
The men laughed heartily. “Behave Miss, or I’ll lock up in your room to the bed,” Frank replied. “Jones, you irritating shit, go make some drinks and sandwiches. We don’t want her dying on us, might make the boss mad.”
Ten o’clock came around, and Fletcher still hadn’t stirred. The Doctors didn’t s
eem concerned. Tallon reported to Malachy.
“So Tallon how’s Fletch?
“All the monitors check clear boss. However, he’s still sleeping which is a bit weird.”
“Yeah, surely he should’ve come round by now. I’ll ring the hospital for an update shortly they may tell me more.”
“Okay boss.”
“Anyone other than the medical staff tried to see him?”
“Only Mr Haier visited boss.”
“Fine, keep an eye on him; we’re not sure how trustworthy he is yet.”
“Yes boss.”
“Are Quin & Ivan sleeping?”
“Yeah, I’ll swap with Ivan at four this afternoon.”
“Tell him to give me an update at six please.”
“Yep, no worries boss, I look forward to waking him up.”
Malachy grinned at that. “Right, be nice Tallon.”
Putting the phone down, he turned to report to Ana; finding her errant. Puzzled, he walked to the cafeteria only to find her laughing with some of the trainers. Sighing, he got himself a mug of coffee wandering over to see why they were laughing so hard.
“Hey Mal, how’s things? I see Conrad’s arrived,” Ana said
“Yes, he’s working on the computers now. Grace woke and found her bed. There’s nothing urgent happening right now. Everything is on close watch,” he sighed. “So what you lot laughing over?”
“Yuri was telling dirty jokes,” grinned Matt
“Hey, it wasn’t me, come on guys be honest. It was Anders.”
“Ana what was the joke?”
“Ask Anders, Mal.”
Anders went red in the face, “That’s right, blame me bloody typical.”
They all roared with laughter slapping Anders on the back as they went back to their work.
“So Ana, Fletcher is still sleeping, I’m going to ring the hospital now to see what’s going on, we all thought he’d be awake by now.”
“That’s odd! You’d better make that call.”
Malachy finally got through to the doctor in charge.
“Morning Doctor Harris, could you please give me an update on my brother.”
“Yes. Certainly Mr Garrett.” He replied, “He’s not regained consciousness yet, which raises some minor concerns, though all his vitals are fine. The nurse changed his dressings this morning; he seems to be healing exceptionally fast, can’t say I’ve seen the like before.”
“When do you think he’ll wake?”
“Well, he should be awake now. We’ve never had anyone stay out this long before. If he isn’t awake by this afternoon, we may have to wake him. It’s like he’s put himself in a coma, well a deep sleep.
“Let me know immediately anything changes, please doctor.”
“Yes, Mr Garrett. Will you be in to visit today?”
“No, I’m out of town. Hopefully, I’ll be able to drop in tomorrow.”
“Thanks for your call Mr Garrett, I’ll keep you informed.
Closing his phone, he turned to Ana. “Well, what did you think of that Ana?”
“I must admit I’m curious to how or why he heals so quickly, though funnily enough, I seem to mend quite quickly too.”
“Yes, you do, don’t you! Very curious, makes me wonder what did they do to Fletcher and your DNA?”
“I don’t think I want to find out thanks, Mal.”
They walked back to the communications hub finding Conrad already settled at the computers, organising what Cameron had left for him to do. The worm was at a full stop so Conrad was pulling what he could apart to see how it worked.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” he muttered.
“Apparently Cameron has.”
“What. Hi Malachy,” he smiled. “Thanks for bringing me down, this is real interesting.”
“Yeah well, running riot on the system hasn’t been fun for Grace and Cameron.”
“Yes, I heard.”
Going to his office with Ana, he closed the door looking at her.
“Well, let’s hope all this settles now.”
“It’s the calm before the storm, more likely Mal.”
“Don’t say that, there again you already have,” he sighed as he crossed to his desk. “Look, I need to set up meetings with the CEO of Haven and Detective Moran. I need you to be careful if you go out of the compound Ana; please take someone with you.”
“I’m all right Mal stop worrying about me. I know how to take care of myself.”
“Humph,” he muttered. “Could you check on Abby. She’ll be happy to see you.”
“All right I get the hint I’ll go, see you later.” She slammed out of the office, stalking back towards the cottage her face full of storm clouds.
The circle was tightening; tension filled the air; Maggie knew something was going to happen soon. She could feel it in her bones; goose bumps covered her arms as she shivered. Rubbing her arms, she looked around the bedroom, wishing she could escape. Tears slipped down her face as she huddled on the bed. The door clicked open as Jones entered with a tray of food, putting it down he turned to leave when he heard her sob. Hesitating; he turned back.
“What you crying for now?” he growled.
“I’m dead meat.”
“Look like you’re very much alive to me Maggie.”
“You just don’t understand. Blaze will…”
“Look love, we’re here to protect you, you’re safe.”
“That’s just what I mean Jones,” she cried out, “I’m not safe at all. When he finds me he’ll kill me, I should never have agreed to this.”
“He won’t find you.”
“Yeah, he will. He always does,” she sighed.
“Eat your dinner Maggie; we’ll make sure you stay safe.”
“Thanks Jones.”
Walking down the stairs, he pondered what she had told him maybe she should be somewhere more secure. He went to find Frank.
“Fuck, fuck. Where’s that fucking bitch sister of mine?”
“Sir, from all reports she was stuck in the traffic yesterday.”
“I know that you fucking idiot. I sent her out after all.”
“Yes sir. If I may be so bold as to say, we think they caught her.”
“Fuck.”
“Sir we put a homing device on all our vehicles. We found one abandoned on an off road close to where Malachy Garrett lives.”
“Crap that’s all I bloody need, first my grandfather now this,” he slammed his hand down on the desk. “Find her. Let me know when you do.”
“Yes sir,” his henchman said as he backed rapidly out of the door.
Blaze’s phone rang.
“Now what the fuck you want Haier.”
“Perhaps I’ll call later.”
“Look, just having a bad day. First grandfather gives me a smack over the fucking knuckles, now Magdalena is missing,” he sighed. “Anyway, what do you want?”
“Have you been to see Fletcher yet?”
“Hell no and I ain’t likely to either.”
“Maybe you should. I met someone called Malachy Garrett there; it was an interesting conversation to say the least.
“Tell me what you learnt.”
“Apparently Malachy Garrett is brother to Fletcher.”
“If you believe that then you’re more of a fucking idiot than I thought.”
“He seemed to be serious Blaze.”
“Hell no way.”
“Well, I get to learn the rest of the story tomorrow. I’ll let you know after.”
“No fucking way is Fletcher a brother of Malachy’s.”
“Well, you can’t say I didn’t warn you Blaze,” Haier said clicking off his phone.
“Moron,” muttered Blaze tossing his phone on the desk.
Anastasia found her way to the garden centre, needing to burn off her temper with work. Lifting and carting plants around on a trolley she banged into Kevin Truit.
“Hello there. Not seen you out running recently Ana?”
&
nbsp; “That’s what happens when you’re busy running a business, Mr Truit.” She replied striding past continuing on her way.
“May I walk with you?”
“Whatever, I’m busy so don’t get in my way.”
“Charming to customers are you not?”
“Look Mr Truit, I’m working on filling the empty trays. I don’t do customer service. If you want help go and ask Brandy over there.” She left him standing, hands shoved in his pockets; eyebrows lifted in surprise. It seemed something or someone had upset her; he smiled as he planned how he could take advantage of it. Walking over to Brandy, he tapped her on the shoulder.
“Hi, could you help me pick out a couple of rose bushes for a friend.”
“Certainly sir, do you know what colour they like; perfumed or un-perfumed?”
“I think white would be lovely,” he looked thoughtful, “Yes a nice fragrance too, please. I like a rose that can entice,” he smiled.
“Well sir, come this way we’ve quite a few different white rose bushes.”
“Thank you.”
Walking up and down the aisles of white roses, he stopped by a tall, elegant one, very few thorns by the buds, though rather prickly towards the base. He leant over inhaling the fragrance. Smiling, he turned to Brandy.
“This one will do fine, thank you. I’ll take two of them, please.”
“Certainly sir, if you wait here I’ll get you a trolley.”
As Brandy walked away, Ana turned down the aisle, looking in a better mood.
“So Ana what do you think of this rose.”
She stopped, looking and smelling, smiling up at him. “I’m sure your wife will enjoy them. They have strong flowerage and give plenty of buds.”
“That’s nice to know Ana, though they’re not for my wife. I don’t have one anymore; she died a few years ago.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that Mr Truit.”
“I hope to have a lovely woman in my life one day soon.”
“Good for you. I must get this finished, see you again sometime.”
“Yes, I’m sure we shall.”
Ana left him thinking about what he said, just turning the corner she stopped and shuddered finally realising he meant her ‘eww what a creep,’ she muttered under her breath. Parking the trolley Ana wandered back to Rose Cottage for dinner trying hard not to think of her encounter. Wondering how Malachy’s day had gone. She’d missed his company, though knew they both needed a break, everything was moving far too fast.
Hidden Secrets (Garrett Investigation Book 1) Page 15
