“Charles Macavoy from CID - we’ve known him for years. He’s one of us.”
“It’s a little crowded in here. Why don’t we go for a walk?” Brad turned to JJ with a look that said the floor was his until he returned.
“Okay, Charlie, you’ve got five minutes.” He directed the last part at Alicia before he followed Charlie outside.
He waited until they were out of earshot to speak again. “So, why the mystery? We have telephones now, my friend.”
Charlie chose to ignore the dig. “I overheard a discussion this morning between Dan Potts and his partner. It concerned me.”
“What was the discussion about?”
They had arrived at Charlie’s car. Brad got in without being invited.
“Let’s put it this way, the name Helen Fairfax came up in the same sentence as yours.”
“Is there a point to this, Charlie, other than busting my balls?”
“I’m worried about you. If there’s a possibility she’s involved…”
“Are you saying something new came up?”
“No, that’s not what I’m saying. What I’m saying is be careful. When I found out you’d accepted the case I had to come and check in. I wouldn’t be honouring your brother if I didn’t look out for you.”
Nathan Morgan had been his partner. Before Nathan died, he’d made Charlie promise to look out for his brother – the only thing he expected of their friendship.
“I appreciate that. But I’m handling it.”
Charlie nodded, knowing that it was all he could expect. “Like I said, I wanted to come and see that for myself. I was passing… just call me if you need anything. I mean it. Don’t get yourself in trouble over that bitch, she’s not worth it.”
“You’re preaching to the choir, my friend. Right now I have a job to do, and my responsibilities are to her daughter.”
“She’s a beautiful woman. That’s got to be as distracting as hell.”
“Like you even noticed with Susannah in the room.”
Charlie chuckled, not bothering to deny his crush on Brad’s number one. “I guess I’m pretty obvious, huh?”
“Obvious - you all but drooled on the carpet.” He was relieved they were back on an even keel.
“Get out of here, tough guy. You’ve got your work cut out for you.”
“Good to see you, Charlie.”
He stepped back out of the car, not needing or wanting to say more. A quick glance over his shoulder told him the reporters had spotted him; they had been waiting for him and were now closing in like a pack of hungry wolves. He averted his face when the first flash exploded, quickening his step to put distance between them. It was a relief when the RV door opened and JJ let him in; his face spread into a grin, which was thoroughly caught on camera.
Chapter 11
Alicia looked at Jack’s face on the screen and felt things settle again. They’d been given the all clear to return to work, but she’d missed her afternoon slot with him.
“I heard about the excitement,” Jack said, unable to hide his concern.
“A false alarm. It’s all over now.”
“I don’t like it. Are you sure it’s safe to be there?”
If she’d been in the room with him she’d have ruffled his hair, as it was she mimicked patting his screen head and made him laugh. “There’s more security on site than at Buckingham Palace. I’m safe.”
“Okay.” She watched the fall of his chest, seeing rather than hearing his gentle sigh.
“It’s hard being stuck here. I feel helpless.”
“You need to concentrate on getting well. Nothing’s going to happen to me, Jack.”
He nodded, relieved that she understood. “There’s little to do but worry when you’re stuck in a room 24/7. If it wasn’t for Kel, I’d die of boredom.”
Alicia laughed, even as she caught the signal from Doug. “He’s not there for your entertainment.”
“You’re the prima donna in this family, remember. I take it from that subtle glance towards the action you need to go?”
"Yes, we’ve lost a lot of time today.” She looked at him for a minute, smiling into the camera. “I love you, kid. I’ll get by to see you soon.”
“I love you too, sis. Stick close to the big guy.”
“Count on it.”
She caught Brad’s eye, mouthing her thanks as she closed the laptop. He inclined his head, making her smile; she was growing used to his small but subtle movements.
He watched her walk across to Doug Chambers. She was handling the disruption admirably. In part, he suspected it had to do with her earlier life experiences, but the main reason was the unwavering faith she put into her friend. He believed in giving credit where it was due and Sarah had organised up a storm. It was impressive to watch. He was curious about her.
“Hi, Brad.” Tim appeared beside him, holding out a cup. “I thought you could use a little caffeine buzz. I never see you take a break.”
He took it with a smile, experiencing a brief stab of guilt that he’d been taking advantage of Tim’s good nature. The kid was a good source of information so he had encouraged their little side discussions. He’d tried to convince himself his interest in Alicia’s life was purely professional, but knowing it was a lie made it harder to swallow.
“You’ve got to admire her strength,” Tim was saying.
Brad nodded in encouragement – an indication that he was listening.
“The press give her such a hard time. They don’t see the good she does - how much she gives.”
“I imagine they’re looking for the catch.”
Tim grinned. “She does seem a little too good to be true, doesn’t she? I think most reporters, those who get the chance, see what we see when they’re granted an interview.”
Brad knew from experience the full strength of her magnetism. It was clear that most people wanted to be around her; their reward was the sheer energy she gave off. It was hard for him to gain immunity from that.
“It has to be someone she’s never met.” Tim had a worry frown, which appeared when he spoke of something uncomfortable. “I can’t understand why someone would want to hurt her. The people I know are loyal to the bone.”
It made him think of Sarah, but it felt wrong to pry where she was concerned, especially as she was standing only a few yards away. “She has a good group of friends - people watching out for her. It makes my job a little easier.”
“Speaking of jobs… I think they’re about ready for you,” Sarah said to Tim.
She’s quick too. Either that or she had a listening device he didn’t know about.
“Bring it on. I’m up for smacking Carl around a little. Come and watch. You might learn something.”
Brad grinned at Tim’s enthusiasm. He wasn’t the only one. He could see Carl running through his moves before the scene; adding his own brand of energy. Alicia was bending over a monitor, deep in conversation with Stuart. It had become a familiar sight.
“So,” Sarah said, as Tim wandered over to the action. “Have you told her about Helen yet?”
He whipped around in surprise. He wasn’t often caught off guard, but she had a habit of it. “Not yet.”
Sarah raised a perfectly arched brow.
“Is there a reason you didn’t?” he asked, despite already knowing the answer.
“I’m sure you’ve already worked that out. But in truth I don’t know what Al’s reaction would’ve been had I mentioned it. She had enough to deal with at the time and I didn’t want to add more tension.”
“So you thought you’d leave that to me.”
Sarah’s smile was sly. “I knew it would be harder for her to back out if you were already here.”
“That’s not very reassuring.”
“No. I don’t suppose it will be easy to break the news now.”
Brad looked down at her. “It must be hard to live with all the secrecy.” He laughed when the eyebrow shot up again. “I’m talking about the personal sk
eletons. It’s not like her job is a matter of national security. What does it matter where she came from?”
She didn’t say anything for a moment; clearly thinking about her loyalties. “When Alicia first attracted attention, the fact that she didn’t have a past only fuelled their interest more. I’m sure it wasn’t easy to dig into her background but plenty tried.”
“She changed her name.”
“Yes, more than once. It’s inevitable that people started to come out of the woodwork, and eventually one clever reporter found out about Helen Fairfax. The information would have damaged her in a number of ways… had it got out.”
The implication impressed him, but then she was a very resourceful woman. “You killed the story.”
“Right again. I’m fortunate to know a few people in the industry who owe me a favour or two. So I put out a few fires now and then. Alicia values her privacy. She also carries a great deal of anger towards her mother.”
“Not unusual,” he said, picking up her warning.
“No, it’s not. She trusts you, Brad, but that could change if you don’t find a way to tell her soon.” When he didn’t respond Sarah touched his arm briefly. “There’s a lot she doesn’t know about her mother. I, on the other hand, know all about Helen’s life.”
He felt an old anger bubble to the surface and fought it back down. “I get the feeling you want Alicia to show more of an interest.”
Something passed across Sarah’s face and it looked suspiciously like panic. It was clear there was something she wasn’t telling him; he just wasn’t sure who she was protecting or why.
“Why the serious faces?” Alicia called to them from the refreshment table. They had slowed their pace even further, but now Sarah returned to her usual ten-speed.
“I’m just impressing him with my skills as the ‘go to’ girl. One day, when I grow up, he’s going to offer me a job.”
“I knew there was a reason you picked him, aside from his movie star good looks.”
“Oh no...” Brad held up his hands. “You’re not dragging me into your little games. I’m going to be stood right over there.”
He walked away before they could jibe him further. Neither one of them noticed the smile on his face – he’d managed to keep it in check until he had his back turned.
Sarah may have been joking about her future employment prospects but it wasn’t a bad idea. He didn’t often meet someone who would fit so well into their unit, but something told him she’d be perfect.
As he kept one eye on the partners in crime, he took a moment to check his messages. An additional team briefing was scheduled for 20:00 and he had a number of things to bring to the table. First, he had to get through a scene involving a water stage and part of the lake that backed onto the studio. They were controlled risks, but the public would be that much closer – he had to factor in the additional security.
Chapter 12
Alicia sank into her favourite chair, closing her mind to the sights and sounds around her. She usually spent her breaks with the production team but the urge to be alone was too strong – she didn’t often get a chance. The stress headache had been building all day – lack of sleep didn’t help. It was starting to feel like it would never end. But she couldn’t falter now. Too many people were relying on her.
For ten minutes she cleared her mind of everything; Brad on the other side of her trailer door, Sarah who was watching her like a hawk, the looks of speculation, and the expectations. For now she was in her own place, the one she used during meditation to refocus herself.
In her mind, she opened her eyes and welcomed the sight of the cool stream she often envisaged. She could hear the gentle lap of water, feel the breeze on her face, and she was calm. Her eyes focused on the willow tree; its branches hung so low they were, in places, catching on the ground. Sometimes she sat under the tree and used it as a blanket to shut out the rest of existence. Today she merely reached out a hand and willed herself to feel the texture in her palm.
A sound began to hum around her like an annoying insect. It was her mobile phone, but Alicia was in a place where realities were easier to ignore. Instead of a telephone, the sound was the humming of a persistent bee. Indulging herself, she sat by the stream and dangled her toes in the water. Her eyes fluttered shut as an intense feeling of peace settled. This time when she opened them, she was back in her trailer and ready to face the next gruelling task.
But not before coffee. She rose slowly, lethargic now, and walked into her kitchenette. She remembered then that she was out of coffee. It didn’t irk her as much as it had earlier; she opted for finding a substitute in her recently stocked fridge.
Her eyes honed in on the foreign object immediately. She stared open-mouthed at the milk carton and the neatly printed note pinned to the front. She knew it was from him before the words even registered. He was playing with her. The blanket of calm from a moment ago slid to the ground, and the note was in her hand before she realised she’d reached for it. In a rush of anger, she screwed it into a tight ball. It didn’t really matter - the message was already burnt into her mind.
THEY CAN’T PROTECT YOU, ALICIA. NO ONE CAN.
THIS TIME I WON’T BE INTERRUPTED. I’M GOING TO
ENJOY WATCHING YOU SUFFER.
“What the hell do you want?” She said to no one but herself. She was tired of his games.
Despite the anger bubbling away on the surface, her heart gave a frightening lurch when the phone rang. He’d found the new number. She had no doubt of that. It was why she was circling the phone as if it was a poisonous snake, instead of an inanimate object.
When the ringing stopped, her relief was instant. It was also short-lived. In under a minute it started again. It tormented her; made her want to pick it up and hurl it against the wall. The image was enough to snap her out of the daze.
Get a hold of yourself. On a deep breath, she picked it up and spoke defiantly into the receiver. “Hello?”
“Did you have fun today?” When she didn’t answer he laughed mechanically. “It’s a shame the cameras weren’t rolling.”
The sound of his voice sent a wave of disgust through her. “Why are you doing this?”
“Come now, Alicia. You know I can’t give away the final act.”
She felt a swell of anger so strong that she responded to it without thinking. Her phone flew across the room and hit the wall with surprising force. It shattered on impact. If she hadn’t been so angry she would have felt remorse, but however she felt there was nothing she could do to take it back.
There was barely time to react before the door burst open, and Brad filled the doorway. “What happened?”
She laughed self-consciously and looked towards the debris at his feet. “I had a little accident with the phone.”
He followed her gaze, his eyes clouding with anger when they met hers again. “He called you.” It wasn’t a question. It was a statement of fact.
Alicia bent forward to retrieve the crumpled piece of paper she hadn’t realised she’d dropped. “He left this too. It was attached to a carton of milk in the fridge.”
A muscle worked in his jaw as he processed the information. “So he’s either a member of the production team or he has someone on the inside.” When she raised an eyebrow, he gestured distractedly to the set behind him. “There’s no way he’s good enough to get past Abe’s guys, and since everyone was evacuated it’s likely he took an opportunity to slip in during the disruption.”
He stepped over the phone debris and closed the door behind him. His own phone was already in his hand. “There’s been another breach...a note...yeah. Can you gather the troops?” He grinned when Alicia’s eyebrows shot up at the expression. Susannah’s responding comment had him swallowing a laugh. “Mansfield’s office in ten. Morgan out.” He was still smiling as he snapped the phone shut.
Alicia figured it was an inside joke and didn’t ask. She liked this side to him – when he was relaxed and at ease.
; He stepped aside when the door opened again and Sarah stood with a frustrated expression behind him.
That was quick. “I take it you’re one of the troops?” Alicia said with a smile.
Sarah blinked, but she didn’t move further in. “I have no idea what that means but I just got a call from Susannah. I was on my way to find you. What happened?”
Brad passed the note across, amused at the shock on her face when she saw the broken phone pieces scattered at her feet.
Alicia shrugged. “I lost my temper. He phoned just as I...”
“You mean he’s watching?” Sarah looked at Brad, her voice raising an octave.
“I think it’s more likely he got lucky. The note was pinned to a carton of milk and it’s not hard to find out about Alicia’s penchant for coffee.”
Alicia walked to the slim cupboard to the right of the door and pulled out a dustpan and brush. If they were going to pretend like she wasn’t in the room she may as well get to work. In a few brisk sweeps of the brush, what was left of her phone was in the pan.
She caught Brad eyeing her with surprise. “If you make a quip about having someone to do that for me I swear to-”
“Easy, tiger, I’m not the enemy here.” Brad stepped to the side as though he expected her to throw it at him.
The fact that Sarah was pressing her lips together to rein in her amusement tipped her over the edge. She laughed until tears came into her eyes and Brad stepped forward again with her humour reflected in his.
“We should go.”
“Yeah, I’m sure the news is playing havoc on Stuart’s ulcer. We’ve had enough delays for one day.” Sarah reversed her steps, glancing around her suspiciously. It nearly set Alicia off again.
They walked in silence to the main production building; Brad a couple of steps behind, on alert. Alicia tried not to think about the possibility that someone she worked with had a secret vendetta against her. She felt at home here, and she needed that security. She’d be lost without it.
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