by Lucy Clark
‘Yeah.’ Wil smiled. ‘Right now, it sounds nice.’
Logan chuckled. ‘I’ll remind you of that in a day or two.’ He kept the banter light, pleased that the Haemacell was doing its job and Wil’s vital signs had stabilised.
‘How am I doing?’
‘Not bad.’ Logan unwrapped the pressure cuff from Wil’s arm. ‘You’re in fine shape for an operation.’
Wil looked up at his friend, his gaze intense. ‘Who’s going to do the operation? Do you trust them?’
‘I’m not sure who’s rostered on today but I’d trust all of those surgical guys with not only myself but my kids as well.’
‘Then I know I’m in good hands,’ Wil replied, satisfied with Logan’s answer. ‘Although I’d still feel better if you could be in the theatre with them. You know, checking up to make sure they don’t do anything wrong.’
Logan smiled. ‘If it’ll make you happy, I’ll be there.’
‘Thanks.’ Wil paused. ‘How are you holding up? I mean, about Charli.’
‘I’m focusing on you right now.’
‘You love her, don’t you.’ It was a statement but Logan still replied.
‘Yes.’
‘We’ll get her back. We’ll find her.’
‘You just concentrate on getting better.’ The ambulance slowed down as it approached the hospital. ‘Ready to rock and roll?’
‘After you, mate.’
While Wil was off having X-rays taken, Logan was on the phone to the Stawell and Ararat police, giving them as much information as he could. He told them that Charli had suffered from amnesia and didn’t have a passport, that Wil had been in contact with the American Consulate. ‘Wil shot him in the shoulder so he’s bound to be hurt. Besides, if Charli doesn’t have a passport, he can’t get her out of the country, right?’
‘Stranger things have happened,’ the cop told him. ‘We’ve sent the information to the police at Tullamarine airport and have put out a call for the car we were told they’d driven off in.’
‘Can’t you trace the car? He’s American. He probably hired the car. Check with the Melbourne car-hire companies.’ He raked his hand through his hair in total frustration.
‘That’s what we’re doing.’
‘Wil had information of where Charli’s car hire came from. Perhaps it’s the same place. Send someone over to his office in Halls Gap to check out his notes.’
‘That’s being organised as well. Look, Logan, I know you’re upset about this—’
‘You don’t understand—I love this woman. I need you to find her.’
‘We’re doing our best.’
Maree Farnsworth came into the room. ‘Logan, he’s back from X-ray.’
‘I have to go,’ Logan growled into the phone. ‘Keep me informed.’
‘Will do.’
Logan slammed the receiver down and clenched his jaw hard.
‘Every muscle in your body is tense,’ Maree said softly, and he spun around to face her.
‘Wouldn’t yours be? She’s out there, Maree. Goodness knows what’s happening to her. She’s been through enough trauma as it is. She doesn’t need more. And, to top it all off, my best friend’s been shot!’
‘I know, but you need calm down.’ Maree’s tone was firm and to the point. ‘Yelling and getting agitated with the police isn’t going to solve anything.’
He closed his eyes for a moment and forced himself to take a breath. He slowly counted to ten before opening his eyes and looking at his colleague. ‘I hate it when you’re right.’
Maree smiled. ‘Let’s go. Hopefully, by the time you’ve finished in Theatre, the police will have better news for you.’
‘Hopefully,’ he repeated, but he couldn’t shake the sense of foreboding that was overwhelming him.
It was after five o’clock by the time Wil was wheeled out of Theatre into Recovery. Logan sat with him for a while and once he was satisfied with Wil’s prognosis, he stalked to a phone and called the police.
‘Logan. How did the surgery go?’
‘Wil’s doing fine. He’ll make a full recovery. What’s happening with Charli?’
‘We’ve tracked the car down. It was dumped just outside Ballarat. There was blood on the driver’s seat—which fits with you saying the man was shot—but nothing else so far. Also, there was a gun in the car, which we think is the one used to shoot Wil. Forensics are taking both the car and the gun now. We’ve been in contact with the American Consulate—’
‘Have you found her or not?’ Logan growled down the phone line.
There was silence for a moment. ‘No.’
Logan thumped the desk in anger. ‘What about the airport? Have they left the country?’
‘Security’s pretty tight and, as far as we know, no one matching their descriptions have boarded flights for America.’
‘So she could still be in the country?’
‘It’s possible.’
‘But it’s also possible they’ve got out somehow.’
‘Logan, this guy seems to have everything planned. He had a car ready to switch, he’s left the gun behind, he’s covered his tracks.’
Logan shook his head as the fog began to clear. ‘This is what she was afraid of. She knew something like this was going to happen. It all makes sense.’
‘Run that by me again?’
‘Charli was suffering from hysterical amnesia, which means her loss of memory was triggered by an emotional event. She must have something or know something that these people want, and she was running from them.’ Logan felt as though one piece after another of the jigsaw was beginning to fall into place. His mind raced ahead, working through different scenarios, and he knew one thing for sure—he’d be able to get things done a lot faster than the police.
‘I have to go.’ He put the phone down and walked out of the room with a firm, sure stride. He was going to get back the woman he loved and heaven help anyone who tried to stop him!
CHAPTER TEN
THE touch of someone shaking his shoulder made Logan sit up, instantly alert.
‘What?’
‘Dr Hargraves,’ the flight attendant said. ‘We’re about to land in Los Angeles.’
Logan looked around the plane and remembered where he was. He was on his way to find Charli. The past seventy-two hours hadn’t been good to him and he felt as though he’d been running on pure adrenaline the entire time.
Wil was recovering nicely and had his mother fussing over him. ‘Feeling cared for?’ Logan had teased, making Wil laugh and then complain because it hurt when he laughed. The day after Wil’s surgery, the two men had discussed Logan’s strategy and his impending trip to the States. When Logan had returned to Halls Gap, he’d made sure his children were all right, patiently answering their questions about Charli and Wil and the entire situation. Then he’d headed to Wil’s police office and found copies of the information his friend had gathered on Charli.
As Logan clipped his seat belt into place, he recalled the conversation he’d had with Charli’s mother and the light it had shed on the entire situation. Mrs Summerfield had just arrived home after a few days away. She’d won a holiday, which had had to be taken immediately.
Her mother had been terrified to hear what had happened to Charli. ‘Is she all right?’
‘I wish I could answer that, but I don’t know. She was suffering from amnesia, Mrs Summerfield. We’ve been trying to get in contact with you for days,’ Logan had said.
‘And now you’re telling me some wild man has kidnapped her? Oh, my poor, dear Charlotte. What’s being done? Do the police over there follow up on overseas visitors?’
‘Yes, Mrs Summerfield, they do. Can you tell me, was Charli travelling with anyone on her trip to Australia?’
‘Oh, let me think. Oh, I’m going all hot and cold. I need to sit down. My poor Charlotte. I hope she’s all right.’
‘Was she travelling with anyone?’ Logan had found it hard to control his impatience.
‘Yes. She travelled out there with her boyfriend, Chuck.’
Logan’s eyes had narrowed at the information. ‘Boyfriend? Are you sure?’
‘Oh, yes. They’ve been together for the past four months now. Before that they worked together. Chuck is a junior vice-president for a large pharmaceutical company. They became very involved on a project of Charlotte’s, one that she received funding for. The pharmaceutical company paid for her trip to Australia. All expenses.’
‘Do you know what the project is?’
‘Oh, I don’t go in for any of that technical mumbo-jumbo. That’s Charlotte’s forté. She’s the genius in the family.’ Mrs Summerfield choked on a sob. ‘Oh, my baby.’ She took a breath. ‘I have to call the police. I’ll have to let them know to do something for my little girl. Oh, dear, it really doesn’t make any sense at all. Chuck called me the day I left for my little trip away and said that everything was fine. That Charlotte’s conferences had been a big success and that they’d decided to stay a few extra days to do some sightseeing.’
Logan sat up straighter in his chair, the hairs standing up on the back of his neck. ‘When did Chuck call you?’
‘Um, oh, think, think. I left on Sunday evening—’
‘What’s Chuck’s last name?’
‘Fleming.’
‘Can you describe him, please?’
‘He’s a handsome fellow. I know he’s going to take good care of my girl.’ Logan clenched his teeth at her words but forced himself to keep calm. ‘He’s about six foot, has sandy-blond hair and grey eyes. I have a picture of them up on my Web site. They make such a cute couple.’
‘What’s the web address?’ She gave it to him and Logan scribbled it down, reaching over to switch on his computer. ‘And you say they’ve been together for the past four months?’
‘Oh, yes. Charlotte was quite taken with him. She’s rarely dated at all. Well, you know, she’s been so busy with studying and working so I can’t really blame her, but Chuck wore her down. He sent her flowers and bottles of wine and all sorts of things to show her his affection and he gave her that lovely gold necklace. I don’t think Charlotte was too happy with it, said it wasn’t really her style, but she wore it nevertheless. He’s a charming man and I can’t think of anyone more perfect for my Charlotte. She needs someone to take care of her. Although she’s a genius, Dr Hargraves, I’m not short-sighted when it comes to her failings. She’s not too good with normal social situations but, then, the true geniuses hardly ever are.’
The Internet was taking its time and Logan’s impatience was now at boiling point.
‘Oh, dear.’ Mrs Summerfield started weeping again and then gave a startled cry.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘Someone’s at my door. Oh, my, it’s the police. I’d better go, Dr Hargraves. They need to be told everything. Someone has to do something to get my Charlotte back.’ She hung up and Logan put his receiver down.
‘Someone is doing something, Mrs Summerfield,’ he growled, as the Web site loaded and a picture of Charli standing next to her kidnapper slowly came onto the screen. Chuck Fleming’s arm was about her shoulders and although Charli was smiling, it wasn’t a true smile. Not like the ones she’d shared with him.
Regardless of what her relationship had been with Fleming in the past, it was obviously now quite different. The only question was, if she and Fleming were a couple, why had he held her at gunpoint? Logan did a search on the pharmaceutical company Mrs Summerfield had said Fleming worked for. After scrolling through the information, he found what he hoped was the key to this entire traumatic episode.
Charli’s research grant for one of her current studies, ‘New birth defects caused by the overuse of steroids in pregnant women’, was listed there. Charli had briefly touched on it at the conference he’d attended and had announced that she’d be presenting her findings at the international conference in Los Angeles the following week. The conference was scheduled for Wednesday evening. This Wednesday evening!
He knew then without a doubt that she had found something, something that wasn’t in keeping with the shiny reputation of the pharmaceutical company. Perhaps Fleming had threatened her. That explained why she’d been so agitated when they’d first met. She’d looked over his shoulder and he’d be willing to bet his life that it had been Fleming who had terrified her. Somehow she’d managed to get away from Fleming and had driven to Halls Gap…to find him. The knowledge made him feel special.
It also explained why the hotel had merely said she’d checked out and why her passport and luggage hadn’t been found in the room. Fleming had had everything the entire time and Logan knew instantly that, somehow, Fleming had managed to get himself and Charli out of the country.
His stomach lurched as the plane lost altitude and the drive to find Charli and protect her increased once more. As soon as he’d disembarked and gone through immigration formalities, he headed for a phone. He checked in with his parents and spoke to both of the kids. Next, he contacted Stawell Hospital and spoke to Wil.
‘I still say you’re crazy,’ Wil said, his voice echoing down the line.
‘That’s because you’ve never been in love.’
‘I’ve been in close contact with the FBI and they’re checking the information we’ve sent over. The fact that Fleming shot a police officer is a big thing to them. Fleming has been formally charged here and we’ll seek extradition, but the fact that he’s kidnapped Charli and any other violations he’s committed since returning to the US will take precedence over our charges. Either way, as soon as they catch up with him, they won’t let him walk.’
‘First they have to catch up with him.’
‘What are you going to do now?’
‘I’m going to Charli’s research lab. The information she’s discovered, which the pharmaceutical company is trying to keep quiet, must be there.’
‘You’re crazy, Logan. Contact the authorities. Agent Smith is the man I’ve been dealing with. I’ve given you his number, so use it.’
‘I will,’ Logan promised.
‘I’m worried about you.’ Wil’s tone was serious. ‘You have a family and a life here. Don’t go thinking you’re a superhero. Those kids of yours have already lost one set of parents.’
‘I know. I won’t let them down. Take care, mate.’
‘You call me every five hours,’ Wil demanded.
‘I’ll do my best.’ Logan rang off and carried his hand luggage out of the airport. He hailed a cab and gave the address of Charli’s hospital. He had no idea where her lab was and no idea how he was going to get into it, but something would come to him…it just had to.
When he arrived at the hospital, he went to Information and received a map of the facility. He finally found his way to the research building and came face to face with a security checkpoint. ‘Here goes nothing,’ he mumbled. There was one woman behind the counter and he hoped Charli’s statement about his smile being lethal was true. He cleared his throat and smiled.
‘Hi. I’m Dr Logan Hargraves and I was hoping to see Dr…’ He thought for a moment, as though trying to remember who he was supposed to see. ‘Dr Charles Summerfield. That’s it.’
The security woman smiled at him. ‘You mean Dr Charlotte Summerfield.’
Logan frowned. ‘I was told the doctor’s name was Charlie.’
‘It is, but it’s short for Charlotte. I’m afraid Dr Summerfield isn’t here. Did you have an appointment?’
Logan smothered a yawn. ‘I’m sorry. I’ve just got off a flight from Australia. I wasn’t able to see Dr Summerfield on his…er her…’ he corrected himself ‘…recent trip to my country, and so a time was set for me to see her this week.’
‘Right.’ The woman checked the computer and shook her head. ‘There’s nothing here, but Charli’s done this before—not told us about meetings, that is. For a genius, she can get a little absent-minded at times.’
‘I know what it’s like.’ Logan rolled his eyes. ‘I was pos
itive I had a piece of paper here from my secretary, informing me of this appointment, but I have no idea where it’s got to.’ He patted his coat pockets for emphasis. ‘Is her lab assistant available?’
‘Of course, Dr Hargraves. I’ll ring and ask him to come down.’
Five minutes later, after meeting Charli’s lab assistant, Logan found himself standing in her research lab, looking at the Monet painting on the wall.
‘Can I get you a cup of coffee, Dr Hargraves?’ the assistant asked.
‘That’d be beaut. Uh, but I don’t drink coffee. Do you have any herbal teas? I’ve found they’re excellent for combating jet-lag.’
‘Uh…no, but I believe the doctor downstairs has some. I’ll go and get you a cup.’
‘Thanks, mate.’ Logan counted to ten, then headed over to the Monet. Sure enough, there was a wall safe behind it, with a keypad. ‘Believe in yourself,’ he mumbled, and took out his cellphone. He checked the numbers against the letters but found that after three numbers the safe gave him an error message. Logan took a breath and thought. ‘Believe in yourself.’
He put in the first number corresponding to the first letter in each word but that still didn’t work. He frowned. ‘Come on, Charli. Help me out here.’ He stared at the cellphone once more and remembered the word yourself had been shortened to urself. He put in 2, 4, 8 for B, I, U, and, like magic, the safe opened. ‘You little beauty.’ There was one CD in there and he pulled it out, quickly putting it in his bag. ‘Why couldn’t she just make it easy on herself and remember the three-digit number?’ he muttered as he closed the safe.
He’d just put the painting back in place when the lab door opened and a man in a suit walked in.
‘Your bandage needs changing again, Chuck.’ Charli sat on her chair and looked at the man opposite her, watching as the blood seeped through his crisp white shirt from the dressing beneath.
Chuck looked nonchalantly at his shoulder and shrugged. ‘I’ll live. Besides, it’s just a flesh wound. Country cops are always lousy shots.’
‘You’re risking infection, not to mention ruining another shirt.’
