The Deadline Series Boxset

by Wendy Soliman

  Alexi grinned. ‘Only after we’ve read them.’

  ‘Talking of which…’ Tyler pulled Natalie’s phone records from his inside jacket pocket and checked them against the list of numbers his sister had given him for her three dates. ‘She didn’t call any of them,’ he said, feeling relieved. ‘They must have communicated only by email.’

  ‘That looks good for your sister. Natalie was being cautious and hadn’t got too close to any of them. Not close enough to give them her phone number anyway.’

  ‘Unless she had a pay-as-you-go we know nothing about. One she used for her blackmail business.’

  ‘You have a suspicious mind, Mr Maddox.’

  He fixed her with an unrepentant grin. ‘It goes with the territory, Ms Ellis.’

  Their food was placed in front of them, bringing a temporary halt to their conversation.

  ‘This is good,’ Alexi said, cutting into her sea bass.

  He smiled at her. ‘I like seeing you eat.’

  ‘Are you implying I have a healthy appetite?’

  ‘Perhaps I’ll find out one day,’ he replied, watching in fascination as she held a forkful of flaky fish to her parted lips, shiny and moist…her lips, that is. Shit, don’t go there!

  ‘Stop flirting with me, Maddox. I felt the spectre of your partner hovering over the table giving me the evil eye just then.’

  He laughed, but decided she was right. He shouldn’t flirt with her. Not because of Cassie’s invalid claims, but…well, because she still had a shitload of personal issues to resolve and because he wasn’t up for a relationship himself right now. Yeah, right, keep telling yourself that.

  ‘Is that what I was doing?’ he asked innocently.

  Her accusatory look made him smile.

  ‘Sorry,’ he said meekly. ‘Won’t happen again.’

  ‘Okay, so how do we go about discovering what it was that Natalie discovered?’ Alexi asked musingly, spearing a baby potato and popping it into her mouth. ‘Whatever it was that made her decide to retire. I have a feeling that’s the key to everything.’

  ‘Her papers,’ Tyler said. ‘Everything comes back to her papers.’

  ‘I know she didn’t want to trace her birth mother, but supposing she changed her mind and actually did. She probably wouldn’t want anyone to know, just in case she was rejected again.’

  ‘But why would she, after so many years?’

  ‘Good question, but if she did, it would be easily done. At age eighteen, she would be entitled to apply for a copy of her original birth certificate, and details of her adoption, wouldn’t she?’

  ‘The law changed to allow that, but only for people born after ’72. She would have just missed the boat, which means she would have had to see a shrink appointed by the state and explain her reasons for wanting to see the records after all this time.’

  ‘Ah.’

  ‘Besides, she’d disappeared, remember; changed her name. She didn’t want her adoptive father to find her and, presumably, didn’t want to upset her adoptive mother. There would be a risk of them discovering she’d been asking questions and then Fay Seaton might find out what she did for a living.’

  ‘I thought all these things were confidential.’

  ‘They are, and the risk of the Seatons finding out would be slim, but don’t forget how obsessive Natalie is about her privacy.’

  Alexi flashed a pensive smile. ‘Do you think she was ashamed of what she’d become?’

  ‘Possibly.’ Tyler shrugged. ‘Probably. And as the years went by and she had more time to reflect upon what might have been, what she could have made of her life if it hadn’t been for Seaton, I’m guessing she became increasingly determined to have her revenge. What they say about revenge being a great motivator is right on the money, going by what I saw while I was on the force. You can have no idea the extreme sorts of crimes committed in the name of revenge. It’s got to the stage nowadays when kids take knives to school and stab rivals in the playground in revenge for…well, for something completely trivial.’

  ‘You don’t need to tell me. I’m a journalist, remember?’

  ‘Which is why I dislike you so much,’ he replied, blowing her a kiss.

  ‘Tyler!’

  ‘Sorry,’ he replied, probably not looking at all sorry, because he wasn’t. ‘Anyway, we’ll ask Natalie all those questions if we find her.’

  ‘Athena said it was her shrink who wanted her to trace her birth mother but the only way to do that was to talk to another shrink; one not of her choosing. How’s that for irony?’

  ‘Maybe her own shrink will tell us why he thought she should go down that route.’

  Alexi laughed. ‘Maybe the moon’s made out of cheese.’

  He affected surprise. ‘You don’t have a high opinion of shrinks?’

  ‘They have their place, but I sometimes think they do more harm than good. People bury bad memories for a reason and forcing them to confront them often backfires.’

  ‘The lady is not only beautiful, but she also talks a ton of sense.’ He paused. ‘Occasionally.’

  Alexi kicked his ankle.

  ‘Ouch!’

  ‘Don’t be such a baby. You asked for that.’ She pushed her empty plate aside and leaned towards him. ‘You agree with my assessment of the psychiatric profession, don’t you? Come on, Maddox, ‘fess up. What turned you against such a fine body?’

  ‘Working as a policeman requires a cynical mind-set, but that’s a discussion for another day. Back to business. Did you know there’re over fifteen hundred race horses in training in this valley?’

  ‘No, but it doesn’t surprise me. There seem to be way more horses than people.’

  ‘Right, and it costs a small fortune to keep them in training, which is why a lot of people sell shares. Doesn’t it strike you as odd that Natalie only negotiated with one trainer that we know of?’

  ‘Not really.’ Alexi wrinkled her brow as she pondered the question. ‘Perhaps a particular horse had taken her fancy.’

  ‘Possibly, but it doesn’t fit with what we know of her character. Any sentimentality she might have had in her dissipated the night her father raped her. She was never the same person again after that.’

  ‘You can’t know that for sure.’

  ‘I can make an educated guess, based on what I’ve seen of her cottage, and what we’ve learned from people who knew her.’ Tyler leaned back and fixed Alexi with an intense look. ‘When she ran away from home the second time, according to Fay Seaton, she took nothing with her except a few clothes and the contents of her father’s wallet. She loved her dog, and her horse, but didn’t take any snapshots of them; nothing. It was as though she pulled a curtain across that part of her life and started afresh which, in my opinion, shows the makings of one very single-minded, strong-willed teenager.’

  ‘Hmm, that’s a good point.’

  ‘Right, so why only enquire about the share in one horse? She was in a strong negotiating position because she had the cash to make it happen. Why didn’t she capitalise on that?’

  ‘I wish I knew.’

  The waitress cleared their plates, they both declined coffee and Tyler asked for the bill.

  ‘Cosmo will think you’ve been unfaithful,’ Tyler quipped.

  ‘He knows better than that. I’m a one-cat woman.’

  Tyler impulsively reached for her hand and kissed the back of her fingers. ‘Lucky Cosmo.’

  ‘Tyler, what are you doing? I thought we’d established that you wouldn’t—’

  ‘I’m simply paying you a compliment.’

  ‘Then, thank you.’ A small smile slipped past her guard. ‘I think.’

  ‘You’re welcome.’

  Tyler saw no reason to release her hand, and she surprised him by not attempting to snatch it away. She had elegant hands with long, slender fingers and neatly manicured nails. Holding her hand felt kinda natural, and right.

  ‘Tell me about you and Cassie,’ she said. ‘Why is she so possessive?’ />
  ‘We’ve never discussed it.’

  ‘Come on, Maddox!’

  ‘Okay, I suppose you could say she picked up the slack when I divorced.’

  ‘You dated?’

  ‘I wouldn’t call them dates exactly. More soul-searching conversations during which I did most of the talking and she just listened. There was nothing more to it from my perspective, but I sometimes wonder if I gave out the wrong signals.’

  ‘Which is why you tread on eggshells around her?’

  ‘Is that what I do?’ Tyler was genuinely surprised to hear an outsider say so, forcing him to acknowledge it was most likely true. ‘I was distracted by the divorce, blamed myself for putting too much time into the job and neglecting my wife.’

  ‘You didn’t want to divorce?’

  ‘I think I knew it was inevitable, and I was upset rather than heartbroken. I just didn’t want to feel it was all my fault. Cassie was a good sounding board because she knew us both and could be objective.’

  Alexi turned sideways on her chair and looked at him more closely. ‘You ended up in bed with her?’

  ‘No, but it got close. I was drinking too much, drowning my sorrows, she was there, available and…well, you know.’

  ‘Going into business together must have reinforced her belief that you’re interested in her.’

  ‘I don’t see how.’

  Alexi sent him a droll look. ‘Of course you don’t. You’re a man and haven’t taken the time to think it through. You told Cassie you felt your work had driven a wedge between you and your wife, then agreed to work with Cassie. What message do you think that sent?’

  Tyler had a light bulb moment. ‘Shit, I hadn’t thought of it that way. Cassie imagines I’m working with her with a view to having a relationship that work can’t interfere with.’

  ‘Give the man a prize.’ Alexi’s smile faded. ‘If you don’t want her that way, you need to straighten it out with her. It’s not fair to leave her hanging.’

  He sighed and released her hand. ‘No, you’re right.’

  The bill arrived.

  ‘Let me get this.’

  Tyler drilled her with a look. ‘Are you trying to emasculate me?’

  ‘Ah, an old fashioned gentleman. How refreshing.’ She leaned across the table and placed a kiss on his cheek. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘My pleasure.’ He placed his credit card on the plate and waited for the waitress to come back with the necessary machine. ‘Consider it payment for the soul-searching.’

  ‘I thought you didn’t approve of shrinks.’

  ‘I’ll make an exception in your case.’ Tyler treated her a languid smile. ‘So, your turn. What do you plan to do about the saintly Patrick?’

  ‘Unlike you, Maddox, I know my own mind. Patrick and I are history.’

  Tyler knew she meant it, but wondered if she realised just how deeply Vaughan was hooked on her. The man wouldn’t go quietly.

  ‘What about his offer of work?’

  She shook her head. ‘I can’t work with him. I haven’t had much time to think about it, what with everything else that’s going on, but I’m already starting to like the idea of going freelance.’ Her eyes sparkled. ‘Just think of the story I could write about Natalie’s life. Don’t worry, I won’t,’ she assured him, presumably in response to his horrified expression. ‘I can’t as things stand, but still, it’s made me realise how much freedom there is in having the luxury of pleasing myself rather than an editor.’

  ‘If you don’t mind not eating.’

  ‘I’m okay financially, for a while anyway.’

  ‘You absolutely should not tell me that as well as being beautiful, intelligent and talented, you’re also financially viable.’ He waggled his brows at her. ‘I’ve no objection to being a kept man.’

  ‘Says he who wouldn’t even let me pay for dinner.’

  ‘I was trying to impress you.’

  She laughed. ‘It worked.’

  ‘Good.’ He inserted his pin number into the machine, thanked the waitress when she handed him his copy, and then stood to pull the table out so Alexi could get up. ‘Come on then, let’s go and put your cat out of his misery.’

  ***

  They drove the short distance back to Hopgood House in companionable silence. Alexi had enjoyed the intimate dinner she’d just shared with Tyler. If she was honest with herself, she’d also enjoyed having the complete attention of a man who made female heads turn wherever he went. But he didn’t need to know he’d made an impression upon her. She had no intention of becoming another Cassie. He’d be gone in another day or two, once they got the business of Natalie sorted, and she could get on with her life, free of distractions.

  ‘Here we are,’ he said, breaking the silence as he pulled his car into its usual parking spot, next to her Mini.

  They walked through the hall, directly into Cheryl’s kitchen. It was empty, but for Cosmo and Toby, curled up together in Toby’s basket.

  ‘Hey, Cosmo, we’re home,’ Alexi said, dumping her bag on the table.

  Cosmo lifted his head and blinked at them like an outraged parent demanding to know why they’d stayed out so late. Then he stood up, pointedly turned his back on them and curled back up again with his face to the wall. Tyler laughed aloud.

  ‘He’s sulking.’

  ‘Women don’t have a monopoly on that particular trait.’

  ‘Obviously not.’

  Cheryl pushed through the door, her hands full of menus, looking distracted. ‘Oh, you’re back. Have you eaten?’

  ‘Yes thanks,’ Tyler replied. ‘We grabbed a bite on the way.’

  ‘Are you okay?’ Alexi asked, concerned. ‘You seem a little stressed.’

  ‘Bloody Marcel,’ she replied, tossing her head. ‘We just got the weekend’s menus printed up, then he throws a wobbly over the signature dish he insisted upon including. Something about consistency of the sauce that made the entire dish inedible.’ She shrugged. ‘I tasted it and thought it was divine. Honestly—’

  ‘You should stand up to him,’ Tyler said, relieving her of the menus and placing them on the kitchen table. ‘Let him know who’s boss.’

  ‘In his kitchen he reigns supreme, and don’t we all know it.’

  Alexi nodded sympathetically. She’d heard more than one verbal eruption coming from the vicinity of the kitchen since her arrival. ‘Why are chefs such prima donnas?’ she asked.

  ‘Because we let them be, I suppose,’ Cheryl replied. ‘But we can’t risk upsetting Marcel. He’s part of what keeps this place afloat. A very important part. He’s too good for us, and we all know it. I think he only stays because he likes the gee-gees and gets a few tips from the guys who come in here. But still, it’ll only a matter of time before he packs up his knives and legs it.’

  ‘Just so long as he doesn’t do any back-stabbing with them before he departs,’ Tyler remarked.

  ‘This is not funny, Tyler,’ Alexi said crossly.

  ‘But probably accurate.’ Cheryl threw herself into a chair. ‘Tell me what you found out. Anything to take my mind off domestic royalty.’

  Before Alexi could reply they were joined by Drew. Also muttering a few choice words about stroppy chefs, he made a beeline for the corkscrew. Seated around the table, Alexi and the guys shared a bottle of wine. Cheryl took orange juice.

  ‘Let’s get this straight,’ Cheryl said, looking a little taken aback when Tyler and Alexi had filled them in on the events of the day. ‘You found Natalie’s adoptive parents, went to see them, accused her father of rape and he admitted it. Phew!’ She fanned her face with her hand. ‘You guys don’t take any prisoners.’

  ‘The man’s a total creep,’ Alexi replied, wrinkling her nose. ‘But so charismatic that, at first, I was inclined to believe he was innocent.’ She shrugged. ‘It just goes to show how much stock we put on appearances. If he’d been a grumpy old bastard with bad breath and yellowing teeth, I probably would have automatically assumed he was guilty. No wonder N
atalie didn’t speak out. No one would have believed her; not back then.’

  ‘You weren’t taken in by a pretty face and the trappings of wealth?’ Drew asked, addressing the question to Tyler.

  ‘I’ve met men like him before. There were a few things about his reaction that didn’t add up, but I will admit I had my doubts initially too. From what Fay Seaton told us, Natalie was a happy, well-adjusted child and had no reason to run away. Something traumatic must have happened to her to make her take off, so I decided to go on the offensive.’

  ‘Seaton loves the limelight, is always ready to be the mouthpiece for the athletes he represents and doesn’t shy away from the camera,’ Drew said, screwing up his features in disgust. ‘He thinks on his feet and knows how to play his audience.’

  ‘Right,’ Tyler agreed.

  ‘So, we know he’s a rapist,’ Cheryl said. ‘Is he also a murderer?’

  ‘He seemed genuinely surprised when we suggested it,’ Alexi replied. ‘But, then again, his performance almost fooled me into doubting he was a rapist. And he certainly had a motive. But knowing he raped Natalie doesn’t get us any further forward in our quest to find her. Unless she turns up and wants to press charges there’s sod all we can do to make him pay. And probably not even then, given that she’s blackmailed him over it. Not that I blame her for hitting him where it hurts the most, but the law won’t see it that way.’

  ‘So, what next?’ Cheryl asked.

  ‘Tyler has some stuff to do for his day job before the morning,’ Alexi replied. ‘I thought I’d go through Natalie’s phone records, see if I can identify any of the numbers she called less frequently. They might throw something up.’

  ‘I’ll look at them with you,’ Cheryl volunteered. ‘If they’re local numbers I might recognise them.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘In that case, ladies, I’ll leave you to it.’ Tyler patted the wedge of papers Cassie had given him and pulled a face. ‘I have homework and my teacher is likely to test me on it. Catch you in the morning, Alexi.’