SHELTER

by Boston, Claire

  He gritted his teeth. He couldn’t make promises. “I’m not a doctor, but she’s talking to us.”

  A sigh of relief. But Jeremy had been to far too many crashes to know it was no indication of survival. “I’ve got to go. I’ll see you there.”

  He hung up before Ollie could ask any other questions and placed Moira’s bag in the back of the ambulance. Then he went back to Moira’s window. Nicholas was there with the spreader to pry the door apart.

  “Be quick,” Guy murmured.

  Jeremy’s throat closed over and he moved to the front so Moira could see him. “Mum and Ollie will meet you at the hospital,” he told her. “Right now, Nicholas is going to force the door open and then Guy and Cynthia will help you out, OK?”

  She nodded, her face paler than it had been.

  “Jeremy, can you come here for a second?” Lincoln called.

  He glanced back at his sister. “I’ll be right back, Moi-Moi.” He strode over. “What’s up?”

  “We found these in the back seat of the sedan.” He held up a bunch of passports. “Is this Zamira’s cousin?” He showed Jeremy one of the passports.

  “Yeah.” He glanced back at the sedan. The driver had already been extracted and lay on a stretcher, covered with a cloth. Another ambulance arrived to take it away. “Did Border Force raid this morning?”

  Lincoln frowned at him. “Yeah. Henk got away.”

  “Think he was in the passenger seat?”

  “Possibly. I want to set up a search.”

  The crunch of metal made Jeremy turn around. Nicholas had the door open. “I’ve got to help.” He didn’t wait for Lincoln’s permission.

  “We’ll lift you out,” Guy told Moira. “I’ve given you some pain medication, but tell me if anything hurts.”

  “Jeremy.” She reached for his hand and he squeezed it.

  “We’ve got you. You’re in safe hands.”

  “Nicholas, get her legs,” Guy said. He glanced at Jeremy. “Best if you stand back.”

  He nodded. Having family involved was asking for trouble.

  Moira groaned as they lifted her out and placed her on the stretcher. Guy examined her and then said to Nicholas, “Let’s get her into the ambulance.”

  “I’m going with you,” Jeremy said, shooting a look at Lawrence.

  He nodded. “Get in.”

  Within moments, the sirens wailed and the ambulance sped towards Albany. Guy checked Moira’s vitals and Jeremy sat in the spare seat, his hand on Moira’s shoulder. Her eyes fluttered closed.

  Guy swore. “Open your eyes, Moira.”

  They stayed closed.

  He checked her pulse and Jeremy’s heart clenched. “She’s still with us.”

  Guy didn’t need to say anything else. It was touch and go.

  Jeremy prayed.

  Chapter 15

  Zamira paced Jeremy’s living room. She’d stayed at the bakery for another half an hour in case Moira arrived, but no twenty-something woman had come in. She ached for Jeremy. And now he was out there, having been stood up by his sister, dealing with a car crash.

  How was he?

  She wanted to call his sister and give her a piece of her mind. She wanted to call Jeremy or send him a message, but he didn’t need the distraction. She could wait, even if she hated it.

  Would he go straight back to work afterwards? He must be devastated his sister hadn’t come. How could Moira be so callous?

  Anger filled her as she thought of all the things she wanted to say to Jeremy’s family. To abandon him when he was so young, when it had been an accident, when he’d been grieving too.

  It was inexcusable.

  Fetch watched her warily and she unclenched her fists, took a few deep breaths.

  Why did she care so much? She’d only known him a few days.

  But she liked him — a lot. It was impossible not to. She’d really miss him when she left.

  She sighed.

  She checked the time. Border Force were supposed to be raiding Henk’s property today and so far she’d heard nothing from them. Surely Agent Franklin would call her to let her know Annisa was safe.

  Her pacing took her down the hallway to the bedroom. The bed was still unmade. She’d barely stirred when Jeremy got up, but she’d missed him when she’d woken properly. It was far nicer starting the day in conversation with a sexy man than alone. She smoothed out the sheets, remaking the bed, her muscles still twinging today. Then she picked up the clothes on the floor, folding hers and putting them back in her case and throwing Jeremy’s into the laundry basket which was almost full.

  On a whim, she carried it into the laundry, went through the cupboards until she found laundry detergent and put a load on to wash. The first drop of rain hit the tin roof and then another.

  Great. Where could she hang the washing when it was done?

  A hunt through the cupboards found some pegs and a clothes horse which she put in front of the fire. Inspired now, she returned to the laundry, cleaned the bench top and took more cleaning products from the cupboard.

  If nothing else, she could be useful while she waited.

  As Zamira got the vacuum out a little while later, her phone rang. Border Force. Finally. “Hello?”

  “Ms Musa, this is Agent Franklin. Were you home earlier this morning?” Her tone was direct, authoritative.

  “No. I went into Blackbridge to meet Jeremy.” She sat at the table.

  “Where was he?”

  “At work. The Blackbridge Holiday Park. What’s this about?”

  “We raided Henk Jennings’ property this morning and Henk escaped. We hoped you might have seen something.”

  That wasn’t good. The man deserved to be locked up for what he’d done. She shook her head, her heart racing. “No, I didn’t see or hear anything. Is Annisa all right?”

  Agent Franklin was silent for a moment. “Annisa was not with the group of migrants we found.”

  “What?” Zamira leaned back. “Is she at work?”

  “We’re interviewing people now.” Franklin hesitated. “We could use your help translating.”

  She got to her feet. “Sure. Do you want me to go to Henk’s?”

  “I’ll send someone to pick you up.” Franklin hung up.

  Zamira hurried to the bathroom and washed her hands. Please let Annisa be at work. One of the other workers would know where.

  Henk wouldn’t do anything to her when he knew she was on Jeremy’s radar.

  She sent Jeremy a text. Going to Henk’s to help Agent Franklin. If you need me, call me. How would he cope after the crash? Would he need her support? She might not be able to get away.

  She sighed. She’d finally got the opportunity she wanted and she was more worried about Jeremy and Annisa.

  Rain battered the roof. Fetch was curled up on his bed near the fire. She didn’t have the heart to put him out in the cold.

  Instead she grabbed her coat and went outside to wait for her ride.

  ***

  Zamira’s heart thudded as she got into the Border Force car and was driven next door to Henk’s place. Several cars were parked by the main house including the mini bus full of migrants staring out the window. It must have been stopped before leaving for work. Had they been told what was going on?

  People in Border Force uniform were going in and out of the main house, and a temporary gazebo had been set up in the front yard, three of its sides down against the rain.

  This was what she wanted to be involved in.

  She put her rain jacket hood up as she got out of the car, following the driver over to the temporary gazebo. Franklin was inside with a man.

  “Thanks for coming.” Franklin shook her hand. “This is Adnan. He’s going to question the migrants.”

  “Take a seat,” Adnan said. “Hopefully you can help me sort out who is who.” He called out to a man on the house porch. “Can you bring over the first person?”

  “I’ll leave you to it.” Franklin went inside.
/>
  Zamira sat. “What do you need me to do?”

  “Translate what I ask and what they answer.”

  It was easy enough. The first man was brought over, his expression worried. “What is happening?” he asked in Malaysian.

  “He wants to know what is happening,” she said.

  “Tell him to sit and ask him his name.”

  Zamira repeated this and the man answered. Adnan scanned through his paperwork. “I’ve got him here. He’s got a legitimate visa. Ask him what work he’s been doing and how much he’s being paid.”

  She translated and waited for his answer. “He’s been working full-time at the Vale winery, doing odd jobs. He gets a hundred dollars a week.” Outrageous.

  “Is he free to leave?”

  The man shook his head when she asked him. “Henk has my passport and we must stay here when we’re not working.” He paused. “Am I in trouble? Will they send me home? My family needs the little money I send them.”

  “You’re not in trouble, Henk is,” she told him. “He should have been paying you more and letting you leave the property.”

  The man scowled and swore. “I knew something was wrong.”

  “What’s he saying?” Adnan asked.

  She repeated the information.

  “Ask him if all the workers are in the bus.”

  The man nodded.

  Zamira frowned. “What about Annisa?”

  His eyes widened. “You’re the lady who came with the fireman. You spoke to Annisa.”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m sorry. She and the other lady were taken away yesterday.”

  No. “Other lady? Taken where? By whom?”

  “Another woman stayed at the house. Henk and one of his men drove them away.”

  “What’s wrong?” Adnan asked. “What’s he saying?”

  “My cousin Annisa was here,” Zamira told him. “Henk took her and another lady away yesterday.”

  He scanned his list. “I don’t have any Annisa here.”

  “She doesn’t have a legitimate visa. It must have been forged.”

  Adnan frowned. “Ask him if he’d recognise the other man if he saw him.”

  Zamira repeated the question and the man nodded.

  “We’ll get a sketch artist down here.”

  Agent Franklin ran out of the house, heading for her car.

  “What’s the rush?” Adnan called.

  “We might have found our escaped perpetrators,” she yelled. “There’s a crash just out of town.”

  Zamira tensed. The crash Jeremy had attended. Had Annisa been involved? “I need to make a phone call.”

  She rang Jeremy and this time he picked up. “Miri.” He whispered her name. In the background sirens wailed.

  “Are you OK?”

  “No.” His voice wavered. “Moira was in the crash. We’re taking her to hospital.”

  Her heart squeezed at the pain in his voice. That was why she hadn’t turned up. “Is it bad?”

  “Yes.”

  He needed her. She wanted to be with him. She glanced at Adnan. “I’m at Henk’s translating for Border Force, but I’ll be there as soon as I can. Which hospital?”

  “Albany.” He cleared his throat. “Annisa must be happy to see you.”

  She didn’t want to burden him. “We’ll talk about it later.”

  “I’ve got to go. We’ve arrived at the hospital.”

  “Take care of yourself.”

  “You too.” He hung up.

  “Who’d you call?” Adnan asked.

  “My friend Jeremy attended the crash. His sister was in one of the cars.”

  Adnan swore. “Was Henk there?”

  “I didn’t ask. His sister is being rushed to hospital.” She desperately wanted to leave, go to Jeremy and comfort him, but Annisa needed her too. She wasn’t in the crash, which meant she was still out there somewhere. Only Zamira could question the men to find out where Henk had taken her. She had to find her. Annisa could be in real danger.

  Guilt filled her. Zamira should have insisted Annisa go with them on Sunday. Then she would be safe and Zamira wouldn’t be torn in two by her desire to go to Jeremy as well.

  She sighed. Jeremy had other friends he could call. One of his crew was probably already with him.

  Another migrant was brought over. She clenched her hands. She had to stay. Had to find Annisa.

  “What do you want to know?”

  ***

  The ambulance pulled into the emergency department and the doors swung open. Jeremy’s mother stood there, arms wrapped around her waist, fear in her eyes.

  She had aged, more grey in her hair and lines on her face, and her lips were pinched in an expression he remembered. She wasn’t happy. Next to her hovered Heather and Ollie, all their focus on the stretcher being rolled out.

  He waited until Moira was wheeled into the emergency department before he followed. If only Zamira was here. He’d desperately wanted to tell her he needed her with him, but her dream was to work for Border Force and this was the ideal opportunity. He couldn’t stuff it up for her. And he couldn’t let himself rely on someone who was leaving soon. Better he make the break now.

  The paramedics took Moira straight through double doors which closed behind them.

  “Wait!” his mother yelled. “That’s my daughter.”

  A nurse hurried over. “Please, take a seat, ma’am. The doctor will be out as soon as possible to give you an update.”

  “I should be with her.”

  “That’s not possible. The doctors need to assess her condition.”

  “I want to see my daughter.” Every word rose in volume and Jeremy winced.

  “Tracey.” Ollie put an arm around her. “Moira’s in good hands.”

  She shook him off and spotted Jeremy. “You!” Somehow she made the single word an accusation.

  “Mum.” He nodded as Heather gasped.

  “You had something to do with this.”

  Jeremy stepped back and the breath left his body. He swallowed. “I responded to the accident,” he said. “My crew extracted Moira from the car and put her in the ambulance.”

  Ollie strode over. “How bad is she?”

  He closed his eyes briefly and then focused on Moira’s fiancé. “The paramedics thought she had a fractured pelvis,” he said. “She was conscious and lucid when I arrived and answering questions. The paramedic gave her something for the pain.”

  “And then?”

  The guy was sharp.

  “She coughed up some blood. Might have been a cut in her mouth…”

  “But you don’t think so.”

  Jeremy shook his head. “Her skin was pale and she lost consciousness after we got her into the ambulance.”

  “Internal bleeding?”

  He shrugged. “I’m not a doctor, but there’s trauma of some kind.”

  “Where did the crash happen?” Heather glared at him.

  He shouldn’t be surprised — she’d always been their mother’s favourite — but it still cut him. “On the road between Albany and Blackbridge. Another car T-boned hers and pushed it into a tree.”

  “What was she doing there?” Tracey asked. “She should have been at work.”

  Jeremy glanced at Ollie.

  “She had patients to visit in Blackbridge,” Ollie said. “She left early so she could stop at the bakery.”

  Jeremy gave a tiny nod of thanks.

  His mother stared at him as if wondering how she could blame him. And maybe he was to blame. If Moira hadn’t been meeting him, she wouldn’t have been on the road so early. He should steer clear of all his family in future.

  Guy and Cynthia walked into the waiting room. Jeremy pushed past his mother and Heather, and strode over. “How is she?”

  Guy glanced at the others behind him. “They’ve taken her for scans. Her vitals are good, but it’s likely she’ll need surgery.”

  “What kind of surgery?” Tracey demanded.

 
; Guy shook his head. “Depends on what they find. They’ll send someone out after the scans are done to update you.” He smiled. “Thanks for your help, mate. You kept her distracted so I could do my job.” He shook Jeremy’s hand.

  Jeremy had no words. To be appreciated, especially after the grief from his family, made his throat close over. He blinked rapidly.

  Guy’s radio blared with dispatch requesting an update. “I’ve got to go. See you at football on Sunday.”

  He nodded and let out a breath. Moira was in the right place. The doctors would fix her. The doors opened again and a doctor walked out. “Are you here for Moira Mendelson?”

  “Yes.” His mother pushed in front of him. “I’m her mother.”

  Jeremy winced at Ollie. It wouldn’t be long before Ollie was Moira’s next of kin.

  “She’s stable but she’s got a ruptured spleen and a broken pelvis. We’re taking her into surgery now.”

  “Will she be all right?” Ollie asked.

  “We’ll do the best we can,” the doctor said.

  “How long will it take?”

  “A couple of hours,” the doctor said. “I need to get back in there. I suggest you get a coffee while you wait.” He walked back through the doors.

  Jeremy tugged on his beard. He wasn’t waiting here. Not with his family’s death stares.

  “You want to get a drink?” Ollie asked him.

  “Ollie, this is Moira’s brother. We don’t speak to him,” his mother said.

  Jeremy shook his head. Still, after all this time…

  Ollie lifted an eyebrow. “He helped to rescue my fiancée and that deserves a drink at least.”

  Tracey gaped at him.

  Before she could respond, Jeremy said, “Thanks, but I’d better get back to work. I’ll call for an update in a couple of hours.”

  “Typical,” Tracey muttered.

  He ignored her.

  “I’ll call you if anything changes,” Ollie said. “What’s your number?”

  Jeremy gave it to him and then glanced at his family. “I’ll see you later.”

  They said nothing, though Heather gave him a slight smile.

  He walked out of the emergency department and stopped. He didn’t have a car.

  Adding a large taxi fare to his day was just perfect. He sighed and made the call.