Protection

by Shelley Munro

  “Nothing else.” Rita dipped her head in tiredness and defeat, as if she knew her run had ended. “I don’t know how you did it or where the money came from but the overdraft is back under the limit and the bank is happy. You fixed the order I pretended was canceled.” She covered her eyes with trembling hands. “I’m sorry.”

  “Yeah, we know. Just go, Rita.” James opened the door.

  “Go?” Rita glanced at Alice for clarification.

  “We can’t work with someone we don’t trust,” Alice said.

  “You can’t do that! Fancy Free is my life. I don’t have anything else.” Anger turned Rita’s face blotchy. Her hands clenched and she cast them a look of hatred. “Oh, look at you. You’re both judging me, but you don’t understand. I loved Alicia and she treated me like a possession. She didn’t give me credit for having the idea for Fancy Free. She owed me, dammit!”

  “Goodbye, Rita,” James said in a terse voice. Implacable determination stamped his face. Alice shivered, fiercely glad his anger wasn’t directed at her.

  Rita met his gaze for an instant before storming from his office. She paused at her desk and opened a drawer.

  James followed. “Don’t bother to clear your desk. We’ll have everything sent to your house this afternoon.”

  Rita grabbed her handbag and marched from the office, fury apparent in every line of her stiff back. A woman scorned. Alice shivered again. Thank goodness she hadn’t confronted Rita on her own, which had been her initial reaction.

  James sighed. “God, I had no idea all that festered under the surface. Rita was the last person I suspected.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault.” He wrapped his arms around her and drew her close. Alice needed no persuasion to sink against his muscled chest and take the comfort he offered.

  “I feel as though it is.”

  “Don’t. Alicia knew exactly what she was doing. She left Fancy Free to you for a reason.”

  “I don’t know why. I don’t even remember her well since I only saw her a few times when I was a kid.” Alice pulled away to meet his gaze.

  James cupped her face with his hands. He stroked her cheek with his thumb. “It seems to me she picked the right person for the job. You paid off the overdraft.”

  “Yes,” Alice whispered, trying not to think about her empty savings account. Her heart blipped in alarm anyway. She’d risked her security for Fancy Free. Maybe she had something of Alicia in her after all.

  “That was a brave thing to do, Alice. You won’t regret it. Fancy Free is a solid company. It might not look like it at present, but now that we’ve discovered Rita’s tricks, we’ll make headway. You’ll get your money back.” James pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “We’d better inform the board members.”

  “They’ve gone to prepare for the fete.”

  “No problem. I’ll call an emergency meeting for tomorrow.”

  Alice sighed at the loss of his protective heat but nodded at his suggestion. “I’ll start clearing Rita’s desk.”

  “We make a good team,” James said before striding away.

  Alice forced a smile. They did make a good team. Too bad it was only temporary because she’d fallen hopelessly in love with the dashing and dangerous James Bates.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Alice?” Steven appeared in front of Rita’s desk. “We need to talk.”

  “I thought you were leaving. I won’t marry you because I don’t love you.”

  “But we’re good together,” he countered. “We’re perfect for each other.”

  “No, that’s only when I do everything you say and go along with whatever you want. I’m not willing to be your doormat any longer.” Alice said the words without a stutter, without backing down. “No, Steven, I won’t marry you.” A feeling of accomplishment filled her once the words were in the open.

  The stunned expression on his face made her want to laugh. She’d never spoken to him like that before, with such firmness and honesty.

  “Are you sure?”

  A snort escaped her. “I’m positive. You might as well go home.”

  “Are you going to marry him?”

  “No, James is going overseas in two months.” She didn’t want him to go but she wouldn’t beg him to stay either. One thing she’d learned while living in Sloan and helping to run Fancy Free was that she could cope with anything that came her way. Money didn’t equate with security. Security came with the discovery of a comfortable niche. Sloan and Fancy Free were hers. A man in the equation might be nice but it wasn’t necessary.

  Oh heck. Who did she think she was trying to kid? She wanted James. When he left, he’d take her heart.

  “If you change your mind, you know where to find me,” Steven said.

  Alice pushed aside her irritation and graciously inclined her head. “Thank you, but I won’t change my mind.”

  For the first time since she’d known him, he appeared uncertain. He raised his hand before dropping it again. “I guess I’ll go.”

  “That would be best.”

  “Are you still here?” James growled, appearing without warning.

  “Steven was just leaving,” Alice said. “I’m ready for a coffee.” Or something stronger.

  They had a quick coffee and a blueberry muffin at the cafe before James dropped her off to help Lindy.

  “That wasn’t so bad, was it?” he asked when he pulled up outside the bed and breakfast.

  “No, it felt worse,” Alice muttered. “Everyone stared.”

  “Tomorrow we’ll be yesterday’s news.”

  “I don’t know if I’ll survive until then.”

  “Course you will.” James leaned over and took possession of her mouth, moving his lips slowly, deliberately over hers. Stealing her breath. His hands cupped her head, holding her still. When he finally pulled back, they were both breathless. “You’d better go before Lindy comes outside to see what’s holding you up.” He ran his thumb over her swollen lips. “Take care at the fete. Luke told me he intended to discuss the matter with the cult leaders and put the fear of god into them. His words, not mine.”

  “I hope it works. I’m jumping at shadows and I hate feeling that way.” She climbed from the SUV and waved when he drove away.

  “Lindy. I’m here,” she called, tapping on the door.

  “About time,” Lindy grumbled, unlocking the door to let her inside.

  The scent of orange and spice filled the kitchen. Several tins were sitting on the table ready for transport to the fete. “Do you need a hand with anything? Luke said I could go back into my room. I’m going to move in with James so I thought I’d pack.”

  “I couldn’t bear cleaning up in there,” Lindy confessed. “I hired commercial cleaners from Auckland. They threw away anything damaged beyond repair. I hope that was all right.”

  “That’s fine,” Alice soothed, relieved she wouldn’t need to face the task herself.

  Working together, they packed the last batch of muffins and loaded the tins inside Lindy’s car.

  The school grounds bustled with parents and excited children racing in all directions. The fete started officially at one, and it was almost that when Lindy stopped in the drop-off zone. They unloaded and Alice and two eager students carried the tins of home baking to their allocated stall while Lindy parked the car.

  A familiar face reigned at the cake stall.

  “We’re organized here, dear,” Harriet said. “Why don’t you stroll around the stalls? Grab some bargains.”

  Alice was happy to oblige. She wandered past a variety of stalls—one selling secondhand books, the white elephant stall sold all shades of weird, a plant and flower stall and one for clothes. The scent of coffee, candy floss and flowers filled her senses.

  A large bouncy castle wobbled in the soft breeze. Over the far side of the field, several parents organized games such as egg and spoon, wheelbarrow and three-legged races for the children. A group of adults took turns hurling a
gumboot through the air. Alice noticed the judging was very serious indeed. A loud shout of pain rent the air when one of the fathers struck his thumb with a hammer in the nail-driving contest.

  An hour melted away as Alice wandered aimlessly, fascinated by the activities. There were displays inside the classrooms. Children had constructed animals from vegetables and decorated saucers with a floral theme. Excited children bounced up and down and shrieked when they saw their exhibits had won coveted prizes.

  Another open classroom door beckoned and she strolled inside, stopping several steps into the empty room. She’d come to the end of the exhibits and was about to retrace her footsteps when the door slammed behind her. Alice whirled, her eyes widened and she backed up, fear spiraling through her gut.

  The clown and the dog.

  Oh god. They had her trapped.

  Alice opened her mouth, ready to scream for help.

  “Don’t bother calling for aid,” the dog growled. “Don’t give me reason to inflict pain.” Something about the voice struck a familiar note. The awareness seeped away when she noticed the dog outfit came complete with tail. It swished from side to side each time the dog moved, making it look friendly. Alice knew better.

  “How nice to see you,” the clown said, his voice at odds with his beaming, oversized grin. At least Alice thought the clown was a male. It was so difficult to tell.

  The dog didn’t utter another word, merely strolled over to another door and opened it.

  Alice saw it was a storage cupboard with a key on the outside of the door. Her legs developed a tremor and she thought she’d topple. Dammit, she should have listened to Luke and not wandered off, but she hadn’t thought anyone would hurt her at the school with so many people present.

  “Inside,” the clown ordered. “Leave your handbag.”

  The dog growled when she failed to comply, and Alice imagined she saw its hackles rise like a real dog.

  “Hurry,” the clown snapped. “Inside. Now.”

  Alice dropped her bag on a child-size desk, sidled past and entered the storage cupboard. The door slammed shut and she found herself in total darkness. The key turned with a scraping, mocking click.

  She waited for an instant, listening intently for any sound to give her a clue about the activities in the main classroom. Nothing. She couldn’t hear a single sound apart from her rapidly pounding heart and panicked breathing.

  Once her eyes adjusted to the darkness inside the storage cupboard, she checked out her surroundings. Her fumbling fingers found something wet and gluggy. Glue by the smell of it. And that was a jar of paint brushes. She was locked in with the art supplies.

  Apprehension unfurled from the tight ball inside her stomach. What were they intending to do? Frighten her? Because they’d managed that. But what if they intended to do worse? Like set the classroom on fire. Her panic rose then, seizing her tightly and making her hyperventilate. Alice grasped the edge of a wooden shelf, desperately concentrating on her breathing, just as the specialist had shown her all those years ago. She would not slip into her old habits and have a panic attack.

  She refused.

  Time elapsed. Alice wasn’t sure if it were five minutes or fifteen.

  Slowly, she regained control over her breathing. It remained noisy and raspy but she regulated her inhalations enough for her to concentrate on escape. Alice placed her head next to the door and listened carefully. She gave the door an experimental thump. It rattled but remained closed. Half expecting it to open without warning, she waited. Either they’d left or they waited outside entertaining themselves at her expense.

  Alice banged on the door. “Help! Help! Someone help me.” She paused. Nothing bad happened. The clown and the dog didn’t protest her cries for help.

  “Probably because there are so many people about,” she mumbled. “They’d risk discovery if they hung around here.”

  But what if they intended to come back once everyone had left? “Help!” Alice shrieked. “Help!” She rattled the door with her fists and kicked it for good measure. “Somebody help.”

  Alice screamed until her throat turned raw. With no idea of how much time had passed, her terror grew. She’d offered to help on the baking stall, but Lindy had told her to enjoy herself. No one would miss her. “Help! Somebody help me!” Alice beat her fists against the wooden barrier.

  A thud came from the other side.

  Alice froze, hope surging in her hard and fast. “Hello?” Her voice emerged as a low croak. “Help!” The second attempt wasn’t much better. Panicked, Alice kicked and beat her fists on the wooden door. After another frenzied series of thumps, she paused to listen.

  “There’s someone in there.” The voice sounded far away.

  Another voice sounded, young and high in pitch, but she couldn’t understand the words.

  Alice thumped the door again. “Please let me out,” she croaked. They had to release her. She didn’t want to wait for the clown and dog to return. No telling what they’d do next.

  The key scraped. The handle turned and the door opened. Alice blinked at the surge of afternoon sunlight that struck her face. Half blinded, she stumbled from the storeroom, blinking rapidly to focus. She turned to thank her rescuers. One glimpse and fear gripped her tightly. A scream of terror rippled from her strained throat and she backed up rapidly, her body hitting a wall. The three clowns stared at her, their smiley mouths gaping and red button noses jiggling.

  Alice screamed again and again and again.

  Dimly, she was aware of the sound of running feet and that her screams had made the clowns scatter.

  Finally, the clowns parted and she focused on a familiar face. Luke. Luke was here. He’d make the clowns leave. Alice pushed away from the wall and threw herself at him. She shuddered as his strong arms closed around her. Safe.

  She knew she was safe. Luke would make the clowns go away.

  “Alice. Alice, it’s okay. You’re all right,” Luke murmured.

  She cuddled into his muscular chest, inhaling his musky scent. His blue uniform shirt felt soft under her cheek and his steady breathing soothed the ragged edges of her fear. Gradually her tremors receded.

  “Did you arrest the clowns?” Her voice came out low and raspy and it hurt to speak.

  “Alice, they were kids. There’s a face painter here at the fete and they’re selling clown noses. Lots of the children are wandering around dressed in clown suits.”

  “The clown and the dog locked me in the storage cupboard.” Lord, it hurt to talk.

  “Okay, come with me. We’ll get you a cup of tea while I search the school grounds. Can you tell me what they looked like?”

  “The same as before.”

  Luke nodded and guided her from the classroom. Once they walked farther down the corridor, the noise from the people attending the fete increased. Alice heard the excited shrieks of the children and the strident words from a parent when she repeated her instructions not to touch the exhibits.

  With the amount of noise it was no wonder her cries for help had gone unheeded. Alice’s mouth tightened. It also explained why the clown and dog had left her alone. They’d assumed she would remain there until their return.

  “Alice, there you are. I wondered what had happened to you,” Lindy said.

  Luke spoke up. “She’s had a bit of a scare. She needs a cup of tea and a quiet place to sit. Can I leave her here with you?”

  “Sure thing, Luke.” Lindy’s freckled face creased in distinct worry. “Does she need to go to the doctor?”

  “No, I think it’s just shock.” Luke pushed her down into the chair and crouched to talk to her. He smoothed a lock of hair behind her ear and studied her intently, concern in his brown eyes. “Do you want me to call James?”

  “He’s busy,” Alice said. “I’ll be fine now that I’m out of the cupboard.” Her voice was scarcely louder than a whisper, and she swallowed to ease the throb inside her throat.

  “Okay, sweetheart. Just as long as you’r
e sure.” With a final smile he stood. Alice watched him until he disappeared. Tears stung her eyes while each movement of her throat caused a twinge of pain that echoed in her heart. Why couldn’t James be more like Luke? Oh, she knew James cared for her, but he still intended to leave.

  “Here’s a cup of tea,” Lindy said. “What happened?”

  Alice sipped a mouthful of tea, the warm liquid easing her throat. She swallowed more tea before attempting to answer. “I was looking at the exhibits, going from classroom to classroom. I walked into a classroom right down the far end of the corridor, not realizing it was empty. After I walked inside the clown and the dog followed—”

  Lindy cut in with a scowl. “The ones who Luke thinks broke into our house?”

  “Yes. They locked me in a storage cupboard and left me there. Luckily some of the children heard me and let me out.”

  “Alice.” Lindy squeezed her arm in sympathy.

  “I hope Luke catches them. They’re making my life miserable.”

  “But why? What have you done?” Lindy asked.

  Alice sighed, lingering traces of anxiety bringing a tremor to her hands. After wiping at the tea she’d sloshed on her skirt, she frowned. She’d probably dream about clowns tonight. “I don’t know. It seems tied to the company and the cult, but honestly, contraception isn’t that big a deal.” Scorn laced her voice. “The culprits need to focus on bigger issues. Maybe world peace.”

  * * * * *

  The emergency board meeting they held the day after the fete went well. They hashed out a plan and James assigned jobs and responsibilities. Alice loved the way they took the problem in their stride, treating Rita’s betrayal as a hiccup rather than a full-out disaster, although not one of them understood her attitude.

  “Are you clear on what you need to do?” James asked.

  Everyone nodded.

  “What do we do if Rita has done other things we haven’t discovered yet?” Katarina asked.

  “We deal with them,” Alice said. “Aunt Alicia believed in this company and you obviously do too otherwise you wouldn’t be here. We give one hundred and ten percent and that’s what will make this company a success.”