Her Dom's Secret Past

by Suzy Shearer

  “Good morning, Miss Rowley. May I call you Anabelle?”

  She nodded.

  “My name is Prashant. I’m one of the doctors on this floor today. I’ve just reviewed your ultrasound. The bleeding appears to have stopped, but we’ll do another ultrasound tonight to check.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’m going to examine you. I’ll be as gentle as possible.”

  He went over Anabelle’s body with a fine-toothed comb, muttering to himself softly all the while. Finally, he straightened, nodded, and spoke. “I’m happy with everything. We’ll keep up the intravenous antibiotics until tonight. The swelling and bruising will settle, although the bruises will get worse before they get better. The burns will heal with the ointment. Did the cosmetic surgeon explain about your face?”

  “Yes,” she said.

  “Your ribs will take about six weeks to heal. You’ll find it uncomfortable for the first few weeks. Those stitches in your foot can come out in a fortnight. Any questions?”

  “When can I go home?”

  “Mm. Let’s see. Today’s Friday. I’d like to keep you in tomorrow. Let’s say unless your condition changes, you can go home on Sunday.”

  “When will she have to report to her own doctor?” I asked.

  “We’ll give you a discharge summary for your own doctor. You’ll go home with cream for the burns and the bruising, some medication for pain, antibiotics, and unless you feel unwell or hurt too much, there isn’t any need to until you get your stitches out. As well, you need to have a couple of X-rays over the next few weeks for your face, but we’ll set them up this end before you’re discharged.”

  He nodded to us both and left the room.

  Anabelle contemplated that and then said, “When do I hear what happened?”

  “A police inspector, Inspector Clemson, will be coming in later. He wants to interview you and me. I’ve written out a report for him. Do you want me to read it to you?”

  When she nodded, I pulled them from my jacket pocket where I’d put the reports. I looked at them both and put the one for Clemson on the table.

  “Why two?”

  “That’s the one for the Inspector. This is the one I sent to my old bosses.”

  “Is that the full story?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then that’s the one I want to hear.”

  I understood her exactly. Quietly, I read her the agency’s report. She didn’t interrupt and when I reached the end, she stared at me in disbelief.

  “You went over everyone’s head and got your old boss to reinstate you?”

  “Sort of. Mind you, Cooper was in charge at the scene, but I wasn’t going to risk your life for anything, Ana. I didn’t care if the whole police department thought I was a right arsehole, all I cared about was you.”

  “What did you leave out?”

  “Nothing.”

  “John.”

  How the hell did she know? I shook my head. I wasn’t proud of the fact that Cooper had to stop me firing.

  “Please, John.”

  Hesitantly, I told her about the final few minutes. She gave a very self-satisfied sigh.

  “I never thought I’d be so glad you killed people, but I am, I actually am.”

  “I don’t want to ever do that again. I meant it when I told you I was through with that life.”

  “I know you meant it, but I’m very glad you could pull enough strings because I honestly thought I was dead.”

  I wanted to hug her tight and kiss her but knew I couldn’t. I had to be satisfied with kissing her hand. She ran her other hand across my head and tried to lift it.

  “My lips aren’t too sore, hun.”

  She pursed them carefully as I raised my head and I kissed them ever so gently.

  “Ana, do you feel any better?”

  “Not really. I mean, I do because it’s over but I hurt so much, dearest. Everywhere hurts.”

  “It will soon stop. You’re going to get better.”

  I sat sort of half-lying with my face as close as possible to Anabelle’s. Later in the morning, we both raised our heads as Becky and Cass came into the room. Becky held out a bag.

  “I brought you some stuff.”

  Inside were toiletries and clothing.

  “You left these at my place last month and I figured you’d need something to go home in. Don’t know what happened to your clothes or your shoes. Guess the ambulance people cut them off you.”

  At those innocent words, Anabelle burst into loud sobs. None of us knew why and we stared at each other as I tried to calm her.

  “Sweetie, what is it?”

  She waved a hand, trying to get herself under control. When she finally stopped crying, she rubbed her nose carefully.

  “I’m okay. I … It’s … what he did to my clothes.”

  My heart plummeted. I never thought. When I’d seen she was naked, I’d made the same assumption that the paramedics had done it.

  I whispered, “Hush, forget him. It’s okay.”

  Becky gasped. Horrified she said, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

  “It’s okay, Becks. I guess I’ll be doing this crying lark all the time for a while.” Anabelle sniffed and tried to carefully dry her eyes.

  Becky was still mortified and Cass gave her a hug. I could see tears in her eyes, that she’d unwittingly caused her friend more pain. I got up and gave her a kiss, telling her it would be okay. When I sat again, Anabelle nodded to her friend through her tears.

  “Honestly, Becks, it honestly is okay. How on earth would you have known?”

  “But I should have, I should have thought.”

  “Stop it, please. Can we change the subject?”

  Becky sniffled, nodded, and then gave a watery grin. Cass pulled over a chair and she sat down while Cass put the things away and out of sight.

  “Belle, when do they let you out?”

  “They’d better let me home Sunday.”

  I was worried she may not have recovered enough as I said carefully, “Sweetheart, if they have to keep you longer it’s because you need it.”

  “They said Sunday and I’m going home Sunday.”

  Her voice dared anyone to contradict her. I kept quiet but crossed my fingers nothing would go wrong. I thought she’d explode if the staff insisted she stay longer. The four of us talked about nothing in particular with Anabelle snoozing on and off until her lunch was delivered. We got a message from Inspector Clemson, saying he’d be in sometime tomorrow. He’d been delayed but would go over things with Anabelle. She looked worried, but I told her I’d be there the whole time.

  In the evening, Justin and Charlie arrived. Charlie told her he’d changed the booking with the reporter for four weeks’ time.

  “She was fine with the change. She’d read the papers and asked if you were okay.”

  “Papers?”

  “Sorry, Belle, you made front page news. Bridal Boutique Owner Kidnapped. Mind you, we’ve had about a dozen calls asking for you to design their wedding outfits. I guess some good always comes from bad.”

  “I’d much rather not have that sort of publicity.”

  “Anyway, the reporter is fine with having to wait. She said she’ll get the article together and you can actually approve it on the day rather than after.”

  “Oh, that’s nice of her. She seemed lovely when we spoke at the Expo.”

  “Everything is fine. I’ve rearranged any bookings that need your special touch and I’m not taking any appointments for you until the beginning of next month. That’s only three weeks away, anyhow.”

  “Thanks, Charlie. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  Charlie fluttered his eyelashes at Anabelle and went all gay. I just shook my head. It was very funny when he did it. It actually took a lot of people by surprise. They honestly didn’t think he was homosexual and assumed he was play-acting.

  By eight-thirty, the visitors all left, promising to call into the house
. I still had my fingers crossed she’d get out Sunday—nothing had been said to contradict it, but you never know.

  Anabelle sighed. “You look tired, John.”

  “I’m okay. I’ve had a few cat-naps.”

  “Do you want to go home tonight and get a good rest?”

  “No! I told you I’m not leaving you alone and I mean it.”

  “Okay. I understand. Try and get some sleep here tonight.”

  “I will, baby, I will.”

  She closed her eyes and I thought she’d gone to sleep when suddenly she tried to sit up as she burst into tears.

  “They took my bracelet!”

  “Hush, the staff will have it.”

  “No! No, it was missing when… No, they took it.”

  I hadn’t realized. I thought the staff must have taken it off and had it somewhere for safe-keeping.

  “Don’t cry, my darling. We can get another. It’s only a piece of jewelry.”

  “No, it’s more than that.”

  I knew better than to argue with her at the moment. Once I had her home, we could talk about it rationally. I patted her hand and told her I knew how much it meant. The night-duty nurse came and checked all Anabelle’s obs. She had her in tears when she applied the cream to the burn, but she did say it was healing up nicely. I tried to sleep but even though the chair was reasonably comfortable, after a while it certainly wasn’t. In the early hours of the morning, Anabelle started screaming. I jumped up and a nurse rushed in.

  We both were surprised to discover Anabelle was asleep but obviously re-living some of her ordeal. The nurse gently woke her and together we reassured her she was safe. After giving her a couple of Tylenol, the nurse left. I held Anabelle’s hand until she drifted back to sleep.

  It left me wondering exactly what had happened. She still hadn’t told me. Anabelle and I talked about everything but what had happened during her kidnapping. She was moving much easier now, although she limped badly because of the stitches in her foot. The swelling appeared to have reached its zenith and nothing was said about when she would be discharged, which meant Anabelle was convinced she would be going home tomorrow.

  ****

  At one, Clemson strode into the room and dropped a bombshell.

  “You’re to report to the Deputy Commissioner’s office this afternoon. There’s a full meeting with him, myself, and Cooper, as well as a representative from the UK. I’m to bring you back with me now.”

  “What?”

  “You heard. I also want your version of what happened.”

  I pulled out the report I’d written for him and thrust it at him, seething that I was expected to be in the city instead of here with Anabelle.

  “This is ridiculous. I need to be here with Ana.”

  “You have no say in the matter. This has come from the top brass both here and in the UK.”

  Anabelle looked as stunned as I was but did tell me she’d be okay.

  “Miss Rowley, I need to get a statement from you. I need to know what happened.”

  Anabelle paled. Her eyes filled with tears and she grabbed hold of my hand. The inspector pulled out his phone.

  “To make it easier, I’ll record it. Later, I’ll transcribe it and get your signature on it. Okay?”

  She nodded fearfully.

  “Right, let’s begin.”

  He switched on the recording part of his phone and spoke into it. “Anabelle Rowley. Kidnap victim, Wednesday October ninth at ten AM.” He nodded to Anabelle. “Just stick to what happened. Ready?”

  She took a deep breath and began to haltingly speak. The longer she spoke, the more heartache I felt. Nothing could convince me otherwise—this was all my fault. She’d endured horrible torture because of me. Finally, she got to the end then it all rushed out.

  “He … he kept trying to force my legs apart, I kept screaming, kicking, anything to make him stop, but he kept laughing at me. He had hold of his … his penis and was tapping it on my leg. They…” She was practically screaming now as she raced on. “They … he said he was going to fuck me everywhere then kill me. He told Scarface to hold me down, and they kept laughing! They thought it was funny!”

  Tears were pouring out as she cried loudly, “They thought it would be funny to rape me before they killed me!”

  Clemson went back over a few points and asked a tearful Anabelle to clarify them. He made copious notes, all the while Anabelle sobbed. A few more questions, and then he finally switched off his phone and put his notebook and pen away.

  “Thank you, Miss Rowley. We have enough. Please try and put it all behind you.”

  Anabelle howled. She’d had to re-live the terrors of hell for Clemson. I knew he had to know, but at the same time I resented him, even though I could hear the compassion in his voice.

  “I’m very sorry I had to put you through this. I promise you’ll never have to speak about it again unless you want to.”

  She nodded as I handed her a few tissues. The inspector got to his feet and nodded at me. “Five minutes.”

  He left the room and I saw him waiting in the corridor.

  “Ana. Ana, I don’t want to leave you.”

  I was the one practically crying now. I didn’t want to ever be parted from her.

  “I know, John, I know, but you have to go. You have no choice.”

  I held back a groan and kissed her on the mouth as gently as I could.

  “Come back to me as soon as you can. Promise me.”

  “I will, my dearest, I promise I will.”

  It was the hardest thing I ever did, walking out of that room. I knew if I even glanced back, I’d cry as I followed the inspector to the lifts and then out to the waiting police car.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Anabelle

  I watched John walk from the room, my head in turmoil. Everything I’d been trying to suppress bombarded my thoughts. I needed John to hold me, to let me cry after the ordeal of re-living it all, but instead I was left with an empty room. Every agonizing detail imprinted in my brain, every movement, every horrid touch, every hellish laugh was playing over and over again. I was beyond crying, beyond grief.

  I actually didn’t know how to react as the visual movie in my head continually played. Somehow, I had to make it stop. Somehow, I had to burn the reel that held those terrible scenes, but I didn’t know how. And now the one person I’d been leaning on was taken from me. For the first time since my rescue I was truly alone.

  I lay watching the clock over the nurses’ station. It seemed to tick slowly. I figured an hour and half to get into Sydney and the same back. Then the meeting maybe an hour, two at the most. Right, he should be back around seven.

  I watched seven come and go and still no John. Becky, Cass, Charlie, and Justin all came, but I didn’t follow their conversations. I was too worried about my John. Finally, the buzzer went for the end of visiting hours and John still hadn’t come back.

  I remembered him telling me if he was ever found to have killed someone without permission then he would be sent to jail—what if that was why he wasn’t back?

  What if they’d found he’d overstepped the mark and charged him with murder?

  I tossed and turned, thinking up all the worst-case scenarios, and still no John. Finally, around one-thirty, I asked the night nurse for something to make me sleep. Twenty minutes later, and I was out like the proverbial light.

  When I woke in the morning around six forty-five, there was still no John. That started me crying. I was convinced he was now in some jail, rotting away, never to be released, so it was more than relief when he walked in about nine-thirty with another man.

  “John.” I knew I was crying, but I couldn’t help it.

  He raced to my side, took me carefully in his arms, kissed me, and then stood.

  “This is Peter Hamilton. He’s from the UK and was at my hearing.”

  “Hello, Miss Rowley. I’m very sorry for what happened to you.”

  I nodded. I got the impre
ssion this was John’s old boss and wondered why he was here. Did it mean that John was under arrest or something? I went to ask but Peter spoke instead.

  “I know this is unpleasant, but I need to ask you a couple of questions. I’ve listened to your testimony.”

  I blushed at that point and squirmed a little. I didn’t want everyone and his dog listening to what had happened.

  “You said Riley kept asking where Gordon Jennings was. Did he or Carruthers at any time mention any other name?”

  “No. I didn’t know who they were talking about. They kept on about a Gordon Jennings and I kept telling them I didn’t know him.”

  “Did you at any time mention John’s name?

  “No. They said they’d seen me with him and he was tall and black. I knew then they meant John, but I never mentioned his name at all and neither did they.”

  “Very good. You did amazingly well under a very distressing situation. Thank you.”

  “How did they know?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Why me? Why didn’t they simply grab John?”

  “They didn’t know where he lived or his new name.”

  “But they knew about me? How?”

  It stunned me to see Peter squirm and kind of blush.

  “I’m afraid that is my fault. This is not the place to discuss it. John’s told me you’re being released this morning. With your permission, I’ll come to the house later today.”

  “O … okay.”

  I had no idea what this man had done, but I was kind of angry and kind of frightened. I looked at John. He smiled and spoke to Peter.

  “We’ll see you this afternoon, Peter.”

  Peter nodded and was about to leave the room when who barged in? None other than Ed Baines!

  I screamed. Peter jumped in surprised, and John?

  Well, John grabbed him. I imagined he knew it was someone I didn’t want to see. Pandemonium broke out as John and Peter rushed on Ed. The nursing staff were yelling and racing around and I was hyperventilating. It was then I realized he was on crutches, but John was shouting at the nurses to get the police as he manhandled a shouting Ed from the room. Peter follow John out. I could hear Ed screaming and yelling as they moved down the corridor.