by Wade, Maddie
“Hi, Nate.”
“Hey, Ava. How’s it going?”
“Okay, I think. I’m getting somewhere. It’s just slow. Hardly anything is known about Thracian, so it’s a constant back and forth.”
“Will you be going home for Christmas?” he asked, making conversation.
“Yes, or my son will come here. I can’t bear to be away from him–” She stopped suddenly, as if she hadn’t meant to say that.
“I didn’t know you had a son.” She didn’t answer, just nodded her head and started to empty the boxes.
Nate thought it was time to leave, “See you later.”
“Yeah, see you, Nate.”
Well, that was odd.
Nate finally got a lead at 11a m when he managed to corner Ceecee Camden-Jones. She was a known fuck buddy of Hugo`s. He’d seen her coming out of her private gym and followed her. He wasn’t normally one to corner women, but these were extenuating circumstances.
“Hello, Ceecee.”
“Fuck off, Nathan.”
“Well, that’s not very nice is it? Have you seen Hugo?”
“No,” she said indignantly, “And if you do, tell him I said fuck off, too.”
“Wow. For a jewellery dynasty princess, you sure have a sewer for a mouth.”
“Do you fancy trying my sewer mouth Nate?” she tried to purr, and to his horror, ran her blood red fingernail down his chest. He grasped her hand, halting its progress, and threw her hand away.
“Ouch, you pig, that hurt.”
“Don’t touch me,” he said angrily. God, he hated women like her. Time to cut the crap, “Tell me if you have seen Hugo, Ceecee, or I will make sure that little sex-tape you made with Katie Phillips in that club’s toilets makes it to the internet.”
He gave a satisfied smile as she paled. “You wouldn’t–”
“Oh, but I would.” He saw her shoulders slump and knew he’d won.
“Fine. Last I heard, he was heading to Lockwood Manor.”
“See, that wasn’t so hard was it?”
“Fuck you, Nathan.”
“Not in this lifetime, sweetheart,” he replied as he jumped in his car. He quickly called Zack and filled him in. The one thing that came out of the meeting about Sly was that regular two hourly check-ins were now required from all team members in the field.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Skye looked at the intercom screen as Ambrose buzzed.
“Hey, chicken, I have a Lizzie, Mimi, and a Pop here to see you.” He must have recognized them from the hospital, when they had been visiting over the last few days of Noah`s stay. She was impressed by his professionalism though.
“Okay. Send them up,” she was glad of the company and she’d been worried about Lizzie since she heard the news about her long-lost sister.
She opened the door and they trouped in. Mimi was holding a wicked looking Welsh cake griddle. It was made of solid iron and looked heavy as hell.
She kissed them all, holding Lizzie for just that fraction longer.
“Noah,” she called, and seconds later, heard him running down the stairs.
He had grown very close to Mimi and David these last few weeks, and had even started showing David how to play Xbox.
“Aubela! Pop!” he exclaimed, and dove at them both for a hug, which they heartily returned.
“Oh, mind your head on the griddle pan,” Mimi warned him.
“What is that for?” Noah asked eagerly.
“It’s for making welsh cakes. I thought you and I could make some if mummy doesn’t mind.”
“Of course not,” Skye laughed, “I love welsh cakes and someone else making them sounds great.”
“Well, then, why don’t Noah, Pop, and I go into the kitchen and you girls have a nice catch up.” Mimi caught Skye’s eye and Skye knew she had been told.
“Sounds great.” She linked her arm through Lizzie’s and towed her towards the living room.
Sitting her friend down, she settled next to her and asked her the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question.
“How you feeling?” Lizzie looked at her and burst out laughing. Skye wondered, for a minute, if she had cracked up under the pressure. Lizzie laughed until she cried and Skye wrapped her arms around her.
“I’m not crying because I’m sad–well, I kind of am–but not about Megan,” Lizzie sniffed and wiped her eyes with the back of her sleeve.
“I’m thrilled to know she’s alive. Gosh, you should see her, Skye. She looks just like Lucy. But she has mum’s hair. I’m so excited about meeting her. I know it might be hard for her, and it will be an adjustment, but, oh my god. How wonderful to have her after all these years. Dane was furious, but that was because he felt left out of the loop.”
“What about Lucy?” Skye asked, and watched as her friend’s face fell.
“She seemed indifferent and kind of annoyed by it. I guess she was just worried about Sly. Poor Sly. I hope he’s okay.” Lizzie was wringing her hands together now.
“They’ll find him, Liz,” Skye assured her.
“I know they will. I’m just worried about Lucy and Dane and Sly.”
“What about you, Liz? Who is looking out for you?” Liz brushed it off, “Oh, I’m fine. Just a little tired, that’s all.”
Skye was about to reply when the door buzzer went again. She went to the unit on the wall and answered.
“Girl, this man says I have to ask if I can come up and see you. Will you, please, tell him to let me up?” She smiled, hearing Uncle Reg’s voice.
“Ambrose, you can let Reg up.” She buzzed, letting him up and stood by the door for him.
“Hey, Uncle Reg,” she said as she kissed his cheek. Today his beard was green. It was a mystery to her how he did that without getting it all over his face–she kept meaning to ask him.
“Hey, pretty girl.” His face went soft, then. “Best news I’ve ever had was hearing that Noah was cured. I’m so happy for you and so is Tilly. Oh, there she goes again, butting into my conversations. ‘I will tell her, now shush your nagging, wife.’ She says she is happy, too, and she always knew she wouldn’t be seeing him for a good many decades, yet.”
Skye swallowed past the lump in her throat, “Good. I’m glad. I love you, Uncle Reg and, I’m so sorry about your house.” He waved it away.
“Forget it. It’s done and it won’t your fault. Anyhow, I struck me a deal with that Zack character. I bought all the surrounding acreage and buildings next to Fortis and deeded them over to him. All I wanted was one building and a 1% share in the business. Boy is sharp, he almost bit my hand off.
“I’m going to sign the deal after Christmas and start me up a woodworking business.” Skye was, floored. When, what, how. “Don’t look like a fish, girl. I ain’t always been a weirdo, freak I used to be–quite the tycoon in my day. It’s a good, solid investment and, I like them and it means I can be closer to my family.”
She hugged him tight then, “Girl, you are going to strangle me.”
“Don’t care. I love you, Uncle Reg, and we’re lucky to have you.”
“Well, I reckon I’m the lucky one, sweetheart. Now enough with this mush. I’m a bearded biker. It ain’t good for me image, being all mushy. Now do I smell Welsh cakes?”
They went into the kitchen and Lizzie had joined Mimi, Pop, and Noah, who was having a whale of a time. And by the looks of him, he’d eaten more mixture than he cooked.
“Mimi, Pop, have you met my Uncle Reg?” Pop stepped forward and thrust out his hand.
“Pleasure to meet you. Skye and Noah are an absolute delight.” Skye blushed at the compliment from Nate`s, normally quiet, father.
“Thank you, and you sure are right. They are the lights of my life.” Reg still had his arm around Skye, but she was shoved aside when Noah wheedled his way in for a hug from Reg.
“How is my favourite superhero today?” Reg asked Noah playfully.
“I’m great, Uncle Reg, we’re making Welsh cakes,” he picked one up to show Reg
.
“I thought I could smell them. Can I try one?” Noah looked to Mimi, who had been watching the exchange with a soft look on her face. She stepped up to Reg, “Nice to meet you, Reg, and please, let us know your verdict,” she said, indicating the plateful of welsh cakes. Reg took a bite and closed his eyes in bliss. “Heavenly!” he stated with a smile.
Skye went to Lizzie, who was brewing tea, and the others carried on chatting. She could hear Pop and Reg talking about woodworking and how not enough true craftsman were left in the world.
Reg had always loved working with wood. She still had the doll’s house he had made her when she was five. It was in her roof space. She, Lizzie, and Mimi carried on chatting about normal, mundane things. They included Noah, who was giving them a rundown of his Christmas list already.
“Do you ladies mind if I steal David away to see my new space for my workshop?” Reg asked them as a group.
“Of course not,” Mimi waved her hand, “You boys go play. We have a world to set to rights.” David kissed his wife, and Skye got a happy, content feeling in her tummy. You could see the love those two shared even after so many years together. She knew in her heart that she and Nate would be like that.
Smiling to herself, she missed the wistful look Lizzie gave her and the look of approval Mimi gave her. Noah had decided he’d had enough hanging with the girls for now, and went to his room to play Legos.
The three of them went into the living room with mugs of tea and a plate of Welsh cakes. They settled on the sofa and Skye saw Mimi watching Lizzie. Her lips pursed as if unsure about something. She must have decided to hell with it, though, because she addressed Lizzie when she asked, “What did he do to put that look in your eyes, chiquita?” Lizzie’s head shot up and she blushed before trying to hide it.
“Nothing,” she replied, shaking her head.
“Please. I have raised a fine daughter and she is happy and in love. But do not think I don’t know when I see a broken heart. Tell me, let me help you.” And just like that, Lizzie caved.
It all came out about how she had caught her despicable husband cheating on her with his younger, thinner, blonde secretary. How he begged for her forgiveness, and like a fool, she had believed him, only to find out he’d done it again with the girl who ran the local pub.
She explained how stupid and humiliated she felt. Mimi wrapped her in a motherly hug and murmured soothing words while she rocked Lizzie like a baby as she cried. Skye held her friend’s hand, offering what comfort she could. She felt a little hurt her friend hadn’t confided in her.
“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything,” Lizzie sniffed as if sensing Skye’s thoughts. “I didn’t want to bring you down with my problems.”
“Oh, honey, you would never do that. I’m your friend and I always want to be there for you. Please don’t shut me out.”
Lizzie nodded, “Okay.”
She explained how she and Mateo were staying with her dad until she could find somewhere of their own. They agreed to try to keep things amicable for the sake of their son, with Mateo spending every other weekend with his father.
Skye felt bad that her friend was going through this alone. Dane and Lucy didn’t even know. Lizzie was worried they would try to beat her soon-to-be ex-husband to a pulp. She, for one, thought that sounded like a good plan, but refrained from sharing that.
“We have many lessons to learn in this life,” Mimi started, “One of those is forgiveness. You must forgive yourself for being human and trusting in love. The one who holds the other half of your soul is out there. I know you won’t believe me, but it is true. You have kissed a frog who turned out to be a toad, but you got something very precious from it. A love so pure it breaks your heart the same time it fills it to bursting. That is something to be proud of. When you are ready to open your heart again your prince will come. You mark my words.”
Mimi’s words made Skye’s heart swell with emotion and she could see they had the same effect on Lizzie.
“Now, it’s time for more tea. Come, Lizzie, help an old woman.” Lizzie smiled a true, beautiful smile that reached her eyes, and snorted just like her sister.
“Old my ass,” she laughed.
“I’m going to go check on Noah,” Skye said suddenly, wanting to kiss her son’s soft cheek. She climbed the stairs and found him playing happily with his Legos. That was the last thing she thought before all hell broke loose.
A loud crash sounded from downstairs followed by the sound of gunfire. Her heart stopped then continued to beat double-time. Oh my god! They were here for Noah! With no time to think, she grabbed Noah and dragged him up to Nate’s room. Her son was silent with fear. She had no time to think of that now–she needed to hide him.
She heard more gunfire from downstairs and prayed Mimi and Lizzie were okay. She knelt to Noah, “Sweetheart, listen to me. I need you to hide in here.” She opened the door to Nate’s weapon store. He’d made her memorize the number in case this very thing happened. He’d shown her a compartment in the back of the room, just big enough for two adults.
Noah nodded and she thrust her phone at him. “When it goes quiet downstairs, call Nate, but do not come out of that room. This is very important, Noah, no matter what you hear you stay in here. Got it?”
“Yes, mummy,” he said in a small voice. She kissed him then pushed him inside the room.
“Love you, baby boy,” she whispered as she shut the door and ran back to the third floor.
As she ran to the stairs, a shadow came at her and grabbed her–one arm round her waist, the other around her face.
“Cyka!” the man in the black balaclava shouted when she bit the hand that grabbed her. She realized it was Russian. He was speaking Russian. That was her last thought as the man backhanded her so hard she fell to the ground and blacked out.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Mimi and Lizzie clutched each other’s hands as the two men yelled at them in Russian. They herded them into the corner of the kitchen and tied them, back to back, with thick rope. Lizzie felt sick as she saw the third man walk down the stairs with Skye thrown over his shoulder.
She had blood dripping from a cut near her eye and she was out cold. Mimi saw her and let out a tirade of Spanish. Mostly promises that her son would tear out their innards with his bare hands for this. She was sure some curse words were thrown in, too but A level Spanish was a long time ago and she was a bit rusty.
She glared at the two men who were now shouting at the man who had Skye. He turned back to them, and in broken English, demanded they tell them where Noah was. Lizzie didn’t get time to answer because Mimi did.
“He is with his grandfather you, hijo de puta,” she spat on the floor next to him. Lizzie was sure that was a bad idea. But Mimi had lost her cool now and was railing at them in Spanish. She questioned their parentage, their manhood, and promised retribution that Lizzie was sure she must have misunderstood, it was so gruesome.
The tallest man was looking at Mimi with a look of complete bewilderment. Like he’d never met a woman who looked like a sweet motherly type and spoke like a sailor. He must have decided he’d had enough because he lifted his gun to hit her, when gunfire exploded from downstairs.
The men looked at one another and decided it was time to leave. They ran for the door, more gunfire erupting from the ground floor.
“Quickly mi hija, help me work these ropes. We have to get to Noah and tell Nate what’s happened,” Mimi said in a strong, confident manner that belied their situation.
Lizzie felt Mimi tugging at her ties and in no time had them undone. Lizzie untied Mimi and got up, racing for the door. Geez, where did this woman get her energy? Mimi stopped short as a large, dishevelled man stepped through. He looked scary as shit and the fact he had a gun in each hand did not help.
Mimi backed up, keeping Lizzie behind her.
“Who are you?” Mimi asked indignantly. He didn’t answer but asked a question of his own, “Where is Noah?”
Mimi kept backing her up towards the stove.
This man seemed more formidable than the others, and his cool demeanor did nothing to make her feel better In fact, it scared her more. It was a shame, really, she thought. He was hot in a scary assassin kind of way.
God, she had finally lost the plot. He was speaking English, though, and his voice had a strong, almost lyrical, quality. English was good though, wasn’t it? Lizzie felt Mimi groping around behind her when they came to stop with her wedged up against the stove. What the hell was she doing now? The woman was going to get them killed.
The man in front of them must have thought they weren’t a threat because he turned towards the stairs, and when he did, Mimi struck. Grabbing the iron griddle, she swung with all her might, nearly taking Lizzie’s head off in the process, clonking Mr. Scary on the head. He went down like a lead balloon.
Liz didn’t know whether to be proud or terrified. What if she had killed him? Liz knelt down and checked the man’s neck for a pulse. It was strong and steady. That made her feel better.
“Quick help me tie him up,” Mimi said. Lizzie knew where Nate got his badass moves from now. They quickly found some brown packaging tape and wound it around his hands and feet. Thank god, he was still breathing. She didn’t think she would survive prison. The thought made Lizzie laugh and she wondered if hysteria was setting in.
She wasn’t like Lucy–she had never been one for adventure and intrigue. She owned a bloody antique shop for, Christ’s sake. And yet, despite that, she couldn’t stop the tiny bit of excitement from unfurling in her belly.
“Come on, let’s find Noah,” Mimi said and headed for the stairs. They hunted high and low but couldn’t find him. Mimi decided it was time to call her son. No, this wasn’t for her, she decided hours later when the adrenalin wore off.
~~~
Nate was in his car, pondering his next stop. It was 4 pm and he had struck out with his last lead. Despite Ceecee telling him that Hugo was at Lockwood manor, he wanted to try his other haunts, again, first. Eidolon had sent people to Lockwood Manor earlier today and he would have heard if Hugo was there. He was thinking maybe it was worth a shot trying Lockwood Manor when his phone rang. He swiped the screen, a smile on his face, “Hey Ma, what’s up?” His smile froze and bile filled his mouth while she told him what had happened. “I’m on my way,” he said stiltedly.
