Shadows of Hunters Ridge

by Sarah Barrie

  ‘We’re working on it,’ he told her. ‘Did he do any of this?’ He indicated to her face and hands.

  ‘Just the neck. After I stabbed him, his face swelled up like some kind of grotesque melon and he could barely see to walk straight. And like I said, the wrists are my fault. I guess technically the rest is too, because I started it.’

  ‘Started it?’

  ‘I got loose and had a bit of a wrestle with one of those two little moron wannabe Masters.’ She turned her gaze back on Ebony. ‘I’m sorry, Ebs. I’m so sorry.’

  ‘What for?’

  ‘I couldn’t stop them. I thought they’d kill you and I couldn’t stop them.’

  ‘You tried everything.’ Ebony wrapped her arms around her. ‘Everything. You would have run for me. Thank you.’

  Mia stiffly eased back from the embrace. ‘I’m glad you’re all right.’

  ‘Mia, would you like me to get Indy in here before you leave?’ Ben asked. His tone, Ebony thought, was as gentle as she’d ever heard him use with Mia. ‘She’s … very easy to talk to.’

  Mia’s gaze dropped to the bed. ‘Yes, she is. I spoke to her several times at the surgery. But why would I?’

  ‘You’ll have to give us an account of what happened,’ he said. ‘I thought it might be better to do that with Indy.’

  ‘I’m happy to talk to whoever’s around. But I just told you pretty much all of it,’ she said dismissively. ‘Do you really think you’ll find him?’

  He looked for a moment like he was going to push the point, then sighed and nodded. ‘Rob’s lost everything now. His income, his sport, his network. He’s majorly screwed.’

  ‘He might just start up another one.’

  ‘That would take time, and it’s going to be hard with everything against him. There were others on the website who didn’t attend last night but they’ll be running scared. And we’ll find them. Nick’s – Carter’s not around to take down the website or alter it anymore. He changed the location of the hunt but as far as we can tell, didn’t have time to erase all the other information. People are already looking in to it.’

  ‘That’s good.’ Mia’s face brightened. ‘So can we all go home?’

  ‘We’ll have to check with the doctors,’ Lee said, ‘but Ally’s good to go.’

  ‘I just want to get out of here.’

  ‘I’ll call Indy in,’ Ben said. Then his face darkened. ‘I’m going to go hassle that wannabe, Boland.’

  ‘Do me a favour and make sure it hurts,’ Cam said.

  Ben took one last look at Mia. ‘You bet.’

  Mia had a sip of water, settled back on her pillows and smiled. ‘Now, tell me what happened.’

  * * *

  When Ebony’s parents turned up, Lee made himself scarce, spending some time in the cafeteria while she spoke with them. He had a cup of average coffee he didn’t need, read a magazine he had no interest in, even tried the crossword in the previous day’s paper. It had been years since he’d attempted a crossword. He wasn’t ready to be away from Ebony, wanted to get back in there. He knew it wasn’t rational – didn’t expect himself to be after what had gone on.

  How long had it been since he left Ebony with her parents? Just over an hour. Probably not long enough. Maybe Mia would be done with Indy. He could wander past Ebony’s room, keep going if she was still busy, see how Mia was doing. He knew why Ben had summoned Indy and hoped to hell that particular concern wasn’t warranted. But Mia’s flinching from Cam and Ebony, her general condition, had the worry creeping in.

  As he stepped into Ebony’s room, he heard her mother’s voice. Damn. He turned around and almost crashed into her father.

  ‘I’ll come back,’ he muttered.

  Cameron gestured to the hallway. ‘I’d like a word.’

  This should be fun. ‘Yes?’

  ‘I heard you took a dive out of a helicopter last night.’

  ‘Needed to cross it off my bucket list.’

  Cameron assessed Lee’s expression, giving nothing away. ‘That height – could have been fatal.’

  Lee shrugged carelessly. ‘If it’d killed me, it probably would have killed the guy under me. Ebony was safer either way.’

  ‘Speaking of killing … You took out King.’

  ‘I did.’

  ‘Any reason you took that final shot? Detective Bowden tells me Ebony pretty much had it sorted.’

  ‘The first bullet might not have killed him, the second one she put in him for me … it would have been enough.’ He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. ‘I didn’t want her bullet to be the one that killed him. I didn’t want that for her.’

  There was a moment’s silence, then, ‘That’s the conclusion Cameron came to. That’s two lives you’ve taken now.’

  ‘Yeah well, I feel a lot worse about the first one.’

  ‘You shouldn’t.’

  ‘Why’s that?’

  Cameron stopped walking, turned and looked him in the eye. ‘You were completely justified that night. If you hadn’t shot that informant, two good officers would have been murdered.’

  ‘Except he wasn’t armed.’

  ‘No, the gun was taped under the table.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘He thought the cops might have searched him when he turned up, so he already had it planted.’

  ‘You knew that and –’

  ‘The accomplice who put it there admitted it later.’

  A weight heavier than he’d realised he’d been carrying lifted from Lee’s shoulders. ‘Why are you telling me this?’

  ‘I ruined your career. I insinuated that you, at best, went renegade and acted recklessly; that, at worst, you were paid by the drug cartel to shut up a snitch. I don’t practise law to do that. It was my case, my client, but I overstepped a line. If you want your job back, I’ll do what I can. I’ll say what I have to say to the people who can make it happen.’

  That stunned him. ‘Well, I appreciate that, but I’m happy just where I am, working with Cam.’

  ‘I thought you might say that.’

  ‘And I intend to ask Ebony to marry me. I’m not looking for your blessing, just letting you know.’

  Cameron Blakely drew in a deep breath, let it out and stared into the distance. Eventually, he nodded. ‘I thought you might say that, too. I know my daughter. I know what she wants. It seems that’s you. I won’t lie, I hoped she might return home, find a life in the city. Especially after all this.’ His gaze returned to Lee. ‘As far as Cameron and Ebony are concerned, you’re family. It’s not you who’s caused the rift, it’s me. It’s going to be difficult for us to all be easy with each other, but for what it’s worth, I won’t stand in your way. I owe you my daughter’s life – and a bit more besides that. Her happiness matters more to me than anything else.’ He held out a hand. ‘So make her happy.’

  Lee stared at the outstretched hand. Shook it. ‘I intend to.’

  Cameron nodded and stepped back. ‘Well, I’ll leave you to go see her. Please let my wife know I’ll be in the lobby.’

  Lee turned away as Cameron called his name again. ‘Yes?’

  ‘I’d appreciate it if you would invite us to the wedding.’

  ‘She hasn’t said yes yet.’

  ‘Dalton, girls like Ebony don’t come along every day. You let her get away, you don’t deserve her.’

  Well. He’d never expected that. Lee stood there in disbelief, attempting to process Cameron’s words for several seconds, until Cam caught his attention.

  ‘You all right? You look a bit shell-shocked,’ his friend said as he came down the corridor towards him.

  Lee shook his head. ‘I just told your father I’m going to ask Ebs to marry me and he all but welcomed me into the family.’

  ‘He did? What – wait – you are?’ It was Cam’s turn to look shocked. ‘I didn’t realise you two were, I mean, I knew you were – but not that you were …’

  ‘Honestly? You said no details. You clearly said, “If my l
ittle sister has to be all grown up and –”’

  ‘I know! Oh, man. Congratulations.’ Cam hugged him.

  ‘Like I told your father, she hasn’t said yes yet.’

  ‘Well, hurry the hell up and ask her.’

  It was tempting. The way he felt just then he would have liked nothing more than to have that promise sealed between them. ‘No, I’m not going to rush it, so keep quiet. I’m going to do this properly.’

  ‘I can’t keep secrets from my wife. She’ll know.’

  ‘That’s okay. I think I might need her help.’

  ‘Just prepare yourself,’ Lee said as he took Ebony into the surgery two days later. ‘It’s pretty dramatic.’

  ‘I was there,’ she reminded him. ‘I could see my back gate from reception.’

  ‘Yeah – and you’ll see stuff from your flat on the ground floor. Just don’t go diving in after it.’

  As they rounded the corner the ruined building came into view, and the memory of the explosion wasn’t enough to stop the shaft of pain that struck her. ‘Oh no.’

  Her surgery was three-parts rubble, and without the shock, without the panic, without the smoke and dust to shield her from the reality, it was a disaster.

  He flicked her a glance and she managed a tight smile.

  ‘I guess it is worse than I remembered.’

  When he pulled over, she climbed out and looked around. Everything was destroyed. Rubble had blown out onto the road and was cordoned off with the same blue and white police tape that surrounded the whole site. ‘I’ve lost it all. What am I going to do?’

  ‘Lots of house calls?’

  She smiled wryly. ‘You’d just renovated it for me.’

  ‘Yeah, okay, that hurts. But a complete rebuild is always better. At least the new building is intact. Cam suggested we turn the large storerooms into temporary exam rooms when you want to come back to work.’

  ‘I want to get a closer look.’

  ‘You can’t go in there, it’s too unstable.’

  ‘The new building then.’

  ‘But not upstairs, Ben doesn’t want anything up there touched.’

  ‘Fine.’ She keyed in the code for the lock. Everything in the new building looked the same. She wondered how that could be after everything that had happened. It seemed a lifetime since she’d had a normal day in this place. ‘It’s not all gone,’ she told Lee. ‘Not all of it.’

  ‘And what is gone will be rebuilt better than ever.’

  She wandered around, appreciating the sense of continuity. This would be the base from which they’d rebuild. She stared at the stairs to the flat. The emotions she’d been burying hit her like a speeding train.

  ‘I shot him.’

  ‘Yeah.’

  The sigh, the quiet tone, the look of concern, all suggested he’d known she was going to get around to bringing it up. Because she hadn’t, not until now. She hadn’t wanted to face that. But there were the stairs. Up there was his apartment. Not everything was the same. The man who’d pretended to be her friend, the man who’d wanted to kill her, was dead.

  ‘Did I actually thank you for stopping him from putting a big hole in me? I’m pretty grateful I’m breathing today.’

  If anything could have stopped the reaction taking over, it would have been the even tone of his voice, the normality of it. But the barricade had cracked, and the grief of the whole ordeal crashed through her. ‘But I shot him.’

  ‘So did I. See how compatible we are? Okay … all right. I was joking. Ebs, come here. Honey, don’t … okay do.’ She went to him and he held her while she cried out her devastation.

  Eventually, he wiped the last of the tears from her cheeks. ‘Feel better?’

  ‘Sorry. I don’t know why that all suddenly got too much.’

  ‘Delayed reaction. Don’t be sorry.’ He led her out, locked the doors behind them. ‘You’ve seen the surgery, so how about we go home and watch one of those romantic comedies you like so much?’

  She considered it. ‘Any of those movies I like so much?’

  ‘Be kind.’

  ‘I could watch Kate and Leopold … and you could see the ending. Unless you already have?’

  He grinned down at her. ‘Nope, and deal. Let’s stop at the shops and get popcorn.’

  They ate popcorn and watched the movie. And after, they sat on his long veranda and looked at the sky. The stars were out, the night birds were calling. A quiet breeze touched the branches of the trees.

  ‘You liked it, didn’t you?’ she said with a teasing smile.

  ‘The movie? It had its moments. And see, we’re sitting under the moon, watching the stars. I must be a romantic.’

  She turned and slid her arms up his chest, linking her hands around his neck. ‘You jumped out of a helicopter for me. It doesn’t get any more romantic than that.’

  ‘You sure? ’Cause …’ He nibbled at the corner of her mouth, her ear, ran his hands over her, setting off sparks. She straddled him, her fingers going to his shirt. ‘I have some other ideas. And right now, you know what would be more romantic than watching the stars?’

  ‘Educate me.’

  ‘Making love under them.’

  ‘Hmm, I can get on board with that.’

  And she did. And the stars, the moon, the night sounds, everything but Lee, ceased to exist.

  CHAPTER

  38

  ‘Are you sure there’s no more consults today?’ Ebony asked Carla.

  Carla checked the computer and shook her head. ‘Nope. You’re done.’

  Ebony chewed on her lip and stared out at the empty car park. ‘I’m finally ready to start interviewing new vets – actually have three possibilities, and suddenly everything’s gone quiet? Do you think the town’s upset with me because of Nick?’

  ‘Nope.’

  ‘Well … perhaps I should advertise we’re open. Some people might not realise we’re running out of the new building while the old one gets rebuilt.’

  ‘That’s not it either. Oh … look at that.’

  The limousine was long, black and shiny and halted outside the surgery.

  Must be lost, or killing time. Ebony admired the car, wondering who would be lucky enough to be travelling in it.

  A solid woman in a tuxedo complete with top hat stepped out, looked around and, apparently satisfied she was in the right place, headed for the door.

  Puzzled, Ebony waited for her to come inside. ‘Can I help you?’

  ‘Miss Ebony Blakely?’

  ‘That’s right.’

  The woman smiled politely and held out an envelope.

  It was an invitation, gold-embossed ornate writing on a pretty card. Lee was requesting her company for the evening. She smiled, even though the gesture both surprised and confused her. Why had he gone to so much trouble? She looked at Carla, lifted the card.

  ‘You know about this?’

  ‘Just enough to get you out on time. Enjoy yourself.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  She stepped into the limo, stretching out and sipping the champagne she’d been handed. And when the driver pulled up outside Cam and Ally’s place, Mia and Ally were waiting on the veranda.

  ‘Hi. I gather you’re all in on whatever this is?’ she asked as she climbed the steps.

  ‘Your Prince Charming is spoiling you,’ Mia said, ‘because you deserve it.’

  ‘So we’ve brought a selection of dresses,’ Ally said. ‘You need to figure out what you want to wear.’

  She followed them inside and Mia unzipped a garment bag.

  ‘Just pick which one you like best. Neither of us will be offended because I chose them all,’ Mia said smugly.

  Ebony laughed. ‘Of course you did. Let me see.’

  She chose a blue silk dress, and Mia and Ally fussed over helping her get ready.

  ‘I feel like a princess,’ Ebony said, swishing in front of the mirror.

  ‘That’s the idea,’ Ally said. ‘You certainly look like one.’

/>   ‘And just in time,’ Mia said, checking her phone. ‘You don’t want to be late.’

  Ebony slid into the limousine, waved at her friends and sat back to enjoy herself.

  ‘Could you tell me where we’re going?’ she asked the driver.

  ‘Mudgee, Miss Blakely.’

  Mudgee? Perhaps one of the wineries was having a special dinner.

  When they turned in at the airport she was certain the driver had made a wrong turn, but they pulled up outside a hangar, and there was Lee. In a tuxedo. He looked … sensational.

  The limo door opened and Lee offered a hand.

  She took it and stepped out. ‘Hi.’

  He leant down and touched his lips to hers. ‘Hi.’

  ‘This is wonderful. Where are we going?’

  ‘It’s a surprise. You look beautiful, Ebs.’ The expression on his face, the warmth in his eyes, had her pulse jumping. ‘Come with me.’

  She took his arm and went with him over to a man waiting patiently just off to the side of the path. The man bowed politely and gestured for them to follow. As they rounded the corner of the building, she spotted a shiny black helicopter.

  Her eyes bulged. ‘You’re kidding?’

  Lee’s eyes twinkled as he smiled. ‘You may have had a recent ride in a helicopter, but this one you can enjoy. Shall we?’

  ‘I – yes!’

  She strapped in. Lee sat beside her. As they took off, she leant into him. They travelled over the countryside, watching the sky darken around them, lights appearing below as the sun slowly disappeared. She felt like she was in a dream and couldn’t have said how long it took to reach Sydney.

  They landed on top of a tall building overlooking Sydney Harbour. The view was breathtaking.

  ‘What are we doing here?’ she asked. ‘It’s spectacular. Is the helicopter coming back?’

  ‘Not right now.’ Lee took her hand and they walked along the roofline, enjoying the view. Then she saw it: a beautifully presented table for two. A waiter was lighting candles; he greeted them, then disappeared. Another man appeared, took out a violin and at Lee’s nod, began to play. Lee held a chair out for her.

  She sat, stunned. ‘You’ve recreated Kate and Leopold. I can’t believe this.’

  ‘Told you I had it in me,’ he said. ‘Wine?’