by SD Saunders
“Aunty Mel, we’re making cookies”, an excited Lucy squealed, waving her spatula in the air.
“Mmm, smells good sweetie”, Melody laughed, placing a kiss on top of Lucy’s soft blonde head. For once, Toby ignored the smells of food and bounded over to greet Rex, Sarah’s beagle, as they began their greeting rituals. Melody walked over and opened the patio doors, shooing them into the garden. “Go play outside, you two silly things”, she laughed, shutting the doors as Toby and Rex excitedly bounded around the lawn, tails wagging.
“Coffee, love”? Sarah appeared from the pantry, wiggling a mug at Melody. Looking at her sister, she smiled; they looked so different from each other. While Melody was fair like her mum, Sarah was the image of their dad with his dark brooding looks. A lump caught in her throat as she still missed her parents terribly. The car crash that had stolen them from their lives four years ago still seemed so unreal; watching Sarah across the kitchen, her dark hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun, a smudge of flour on her nose and apron around her waist, her warm chocolate brown eyes turned darker when she was worried or upset. She was slightly shorter than Melody; the three inch difference in height a constant bone of contention, with Sarah teasing that Melody stole all the height genes leaving Sarah born a year later with less. At five foot three, her fuller figure gave her a cuddly approachable vibe.
“Oh yes please”, she smiled, pulling herself from her reverie as she stole a cookie from the plate on the kitchen island.
“So Mel, how’s things with you, you look tired”? Sarah asked, frowning as she placed Melody’s coffee down in front of her, glancing warily across at Lucy.
Melody shook her head. “I’m fine, sis”.
Picking up the silent entreaty, Sarah took the hint. “Lucy, why don’t you go watch some television, your favourite show will be starting soon”.
“Okay mummy. Can I take a cookie”, she pleaded hopping up and down.
“Just one, love”, Sarah smiled as Lucy grabbed the biggest one and headed out of the kitchen, grabbing her doll from the chair as she went.
Taking a seat at the opposite side of the kitchen island, Sarah leaned forward on her elbows, fixing her gaze on Melody. “Now Mel, spill”. Melody knew this conversation was not going to be easy, but after spending the last twenty minutes telling her all the details of the break-in, she had not expected Sarah’s reaction to be quite this intense. “What do you mean, no! Of course you must come and stay”! Sarah exclaimed, wringing the t-towel in exasperation.
“It’s fine sis, as I said Alex’s fitted a new sturdy back door with a deadbolt lock and a safety chain, and even as we speak, he and Joel are installing the best security alarm their company provides”. Gazing down at her hands, blushing, she added, “He even insists on staying over till I’m feeling comfortable again”.
Pouring them both another coffee, Sarah chewed her bottom lip. “Well, I don’t like the thought of you on your own, but knowing Alex’s there looking after you, I guess I can take some comfort in that; but promise me you’ll come stay with us if you feel the need”.
Feeling that she had got off lightly, Melody nodded her head in acceptance, adding, “Now let’s talk about something more cheerful. Lucy’s party dress is coming along quite nicely”. The change of subject had had the desired effect.
Melody spent the next hour chatting with Sarah about the dress and party plans, the only tell-tale sign of her sister’s anguish over the break-in showing in the overly tight hug she gave her as she headed out to the car.
“Promise, you’ll call me if you need anything”, Sarah emphasised the last word.
“I will, I promise”, Melody sighed, bending down to kiss Lucy goodbye, placing a kiss on her sister’s cheek, she turned and making her way to the car, she called to Toby. “Come on boy, let’s go”.
The sound of laughter from the kitchen made Melody quicken her step down the hall, the pizza boxes and bag of groceries in her arms holding no interest for Toby as he scooted past her into the kitchen to greet their guests. Finding Alex and Joel lounging at the kitchen table, their legs stretched out, Melody stole a look at them. Joel was as tall as Alex at six foot three; his dark black hair still cut in an army style with short back and sides and longer on the top, which suited him well. Wearing khaki coloured t-shirt and cargo pants, he looked ready for action; his well-defined muscles slightly smaller than Alex’s. Flicking her eyes towards Alex, she devoured the sight of him, his white t-shirt stretched over his pecs, strong arms resting on his legs and his biceps bulging. Meeting his eyes, Melody blushed as she saw the amusement dancing in them, realising she had been caught staring. She abruptly placed the grocery bag and pizza boxes onto the table.
“I thought you two might be hungry; I picked up a couple of pizzas”, she explained, pointing at the pizza boxes, then reaching into the grocery bag, she pulled out some bottled beer. “I got some chilled beer for you too, thought you might be thirsty”.
Joel laughingly took the beer. “Oh Mel, just what we needed, you’re a star”. After collecting some plates and a bottle opener, Melody pulled a chair out next to Alex and sat down. “You sure know the way to a man’s heart, pizza and beer”, Joel laughed opening the beers and handing one to Melody.
Grabbing a slice of pizza and offering it to Melody, Alex leaned closer. “So how has your day been, Mel”?
Biting into the offered pizza, she looked between Alex and Joel. “Well, I learned something very interesting about the necklace”.
Alex and Joel leaned in closer, their faces both registering their keen interest. “Go on”, Joel prompted, as she hesitated.
“Well, as the journals belonged to Christina Trafford, I decided to do a search on google for her. Turns out that on her eighteenth birthday party, she was attacked and the heirloom emerald necklace she had been wearing was stolen. The newspaper article described it and it’s just like the one I found”. Stopping abruptly, she looked uncertainly at Alex.
As if sensing her unspoken question, he reached out and took her hand. “I’ve told him all about it”, he said, nodding towards Joel. Sighing in relief, Melody continued filling them in on all she had learned, watching as Alex and Joel sat silently listening, occasionally glancing at one another, a worried frown settling on Alex’s face.
“I’d say, we have to tread really carefully here”, Joel announced after Melody came to the end of her story.
“Yes I agree, and I’m thinking of making some discreet enquiries about this Christina for our next move”, Alex spoke softly, directing his glance at Melody, waiting for her approval.
“Yes I agree, and if we could find out if she is still alive, we could visit her, maybe even reunite her with the necklace”? Alex and Joel nodded their approval.
“But from now on Mel, you need to keep an eye out for anything unusual, or that seems out of place. You have to be extra careful”.
Alex’s serious voice held Melody’s attention; forcing down her mouthful of pizza, feeling herself tensing as nervousness coursed through her, she croaked out.
“Okay, I will”. Taking a gulp of beer, she cleared her throat. “I still have a journal; I took it with me to the shop the day of the break-in”. Reaching into her bag, she withdrew it and placed it on the table. “It starts a few days after the attack on Christina. She says she lost her memory, but from what I have read so far, I’m sure the gown I’m unpicking and found the necklace inside, is the same one she was wearing the night of her party and attack”.
“My god”, Joel exclaimed, slamming his fist on the table.
Raising an eyebrow at him, Alex motioned for him to go on. “I think that blasted thief is after the journals for clues to find the missing necklace. Let’s just hope he doesn’t know there are three, or else…”. Alex’s frown and the slight shake of his head, silencing him. Turning back to Melody, he noticed her eyes nervously darting around the room.
Alex reached out and firmly clasped her hands in his. “It’s good that we have the se
curity alarm installed now”, he soothed, loosening his grip and rubbing her hands gently, smiling encouragingly. He apprised Melody of all the security measures they had installed, releasing her hands to slide a piece of paper across the table towards her. He nodded towards it. “The security codes, Mel, best if you can memorise them”.
“Yes and then destroy all evidence”, Joel laughed, winking at her in mock conspiracy, taking Alex’s lead and trying to lighten the mood as he tucked into another slice of pizza.
Alex glared at Joel. “I think it best she doesn’t want to leave it lying around. It’s important to put it somewhere safe or dispose of it”, he insisted, raising his hands in defeat. Joel looked at Melody, her head bent as she nervously chewed on her pizza. He could tell that Alex was in full protect mode, and could see why his friend had fallen so hard for her. She was quite beautiful, her blonde curls catching the sunlight, making her look like an angel as it fell softly around her shoulders, her slender figure and well-endowed curves would get any man wanting to protect her. He was glad that Alex had found her. She was just what he needed and by the looks of it, she was happily besotted with Alex. He felt happier, knowing when he eventually headed back to the city, he wouldn’t be leaving Alex alone.
“Do you have much left to do”? Melody queried, bringing Joel back from his musings.
“Just a couple of tests on the alarm, then clearing up the mess in the garden”, he grinned, looking at all the woodchips and tools lying scattered by the open backdoor.
“I want to put a safety chain on the front door”, Alex chimed in, “shouldn’t take me too long”. Throwing a pizza crust at an eager Toby, Alex walked over to the sink to rinse his hands.
“That’s great! I’m going to disappear in my craft room for a while, to continue working on Lucy’s party dress. You know where I am if you need anything”, Melody smiled, reaching Alex’s side, she passed him a towel.
Placing a finger under her chin and lifting her face up to look into her eyes, the gold flecks more pronounced as he kissed the tip of her nose, he said, “I thought we could take Toby for a walk later, Mel, if you fancy”?
Wrapping her arms around his hips, she leaned in and kissed his lips. “Mm, sounds good”, she whispered.
Clearing his throat, Joel loudly announced. “Well, I’d better get back to work. This mess won’t clean itself up”. Winking at them both, he headed off, singing an out of tune song.
After seeing Joel off and insisting that he drop by for dinner with them soon, Melody left Alex waving goodbye and went inside to find Toby’s lead. “Well, Joel sure seemed happy”, Alex’s softly spoken words felt like a caress as he nuzzled her neck.
“He did”, Melody agreed turning around into Alex’s arms, “has he got any plans for the evening”?
“He’s taking his latest date out to the movies”, his voice was husky, as he trailed hot kisses down her neck.
“Mm, that’s nice”.
“The kisses or the movies”? he enquired, laughing softly. He pulled back to look at her. Running a finger along his unshaven jaw and then tracing his lips, she looked into his now intense grey-blue eyes. Capturing her finger in his mouth, Alex pulled her tighter to him.
“Oh, the movies of course”, Melody teased, placing her hands around his neck, her fingers spearing into his thick hair, pulling him down to capture his lips.
An over excited Toby, having spied his lead on the chair, started barking repeatedly, breaking the spell. “I guess he wants his walk”, Melody murmured, reluctantly pulling out of Alex’s arms. Suppressing a sigh, Alex grabbed their jackets and after securing a bouncing Toby, Alex showed her how to set the alarm. It felt good to know the cottage would be safer from now on.
Melody settled into bed reflecting on the evening she had spent with Alex. Even with the alarm set, it was reassuring to know he was just below her bedroom in the front room. He had made her laugh with stories of his and Joel’s antics on different jobs they had done and the light feeling had been a blessed relief, until she had brought up the break-in and the mood had then turned serious.
Alex’s cryptic, “We are working on a plan”, was all he would say on the matter. Try as she might, he would not be drawn on the subject further, instead distracting her with kisses and she admitted to herself she was quite happy to let the matter go.
Chapter 5
Alex arrived at work early the next day. His first call to Frank, the local cop, had him feeling more settled. He had always found Frank helpful when dealing with him on various security contracts; the fact that he had agreed to look into the Trafford’s off the book was an encouraging start, the more information they had the sounder their plan would be. His next call to Joe at the local newspaper had ended in a decision to meet at one at mama’s pizza place, which gave him a few hours to sort through some paperwork and chase up some unpaid bills.
Having poured himself a coffee, he paused at Jane’s desk; his ever efficient receptionist had left the file he had requested in the middle of her desk. Looking at her neat pile of folders in her inbox, he smiled to himself. She was one of the best assets of this business, always punctual and eager to learn, staying on late without grumbling if a particular case needed additional attention, speaking her mind if she felt something needed to be rectified or needed a different perspective. Pulling her photo frame around, Alex looked at it. Her smiling eyes as she gazed adoringly at her husband Karl and their twin boys, a moment captured forever, he mused. Her red hair cropped short, the same colour as her boys, the freckles on the boys’ flushed faces bringing his thoughts to Melody. Would their children have adorable freckles too? Catching his thoughts, “Slow down Alex”, he admonished himself, as he moved the photo back into its original position.
Grabbing the folder, he headed to his desk, looking at the logo, a single rose with the words, “Hopes & Dreams” scrolled across the middle. Flipping the folder open, he looked at the list of names of his best men he had appointed to the security detail. The layout of the esteemed Crafton hotel spread before him, he looked over it again. It had been checked and double checked, the large ballroom exits marked out for security, the highly anticipated event in just over two weeks would be attended by all the top businesses and well to do elite; even a few celebrities had confirmed their support.
The charity event would be successful, he knew as he looked at the invitation in bold gold script against the black card. He read, ‘Crafton hotel presents the Hopes & Dreams charity gala’, the date and time inserted beneath and boasting a list of entertainment and a three-course meal with champagne, after which was a live auction with a speech on the charity’s cancer work to end the evening. Sitting back, he fingered the invitation where his name was inserted and a plus one. They had decided that he was going to be attending this event undercover as a guest; the price of the ticket had been covered by the hotel as part of the contract and with Joel happily taking the lead on this job, he would just be there to make sure everything ran smoothly. He had to get a move on and ask Melody to be his plus one. No doubt she would want time to buy a dress and organise all the things girls liked to do for these things; he just hoped she would agree.
Joel and Jane’s cheerful call of good morning pulled him from his reverie. Shuffling the papers back into the folder and placing the invite into his jacket pocket, he called out, “I’m in my office Joel, morning Jane”.
Joel appeared at his door. “Hey Alex, you been here long”?
Glancing at the clock, he grimaced. “Yes and the men will be here soon for their assignments”. Indicating for Joel to sit down, he leaned forward. “Before they arrive, I want to run an idea pass you. I haven’t worked out all the kinks but I think I’ve got a way of flushing Melody’s thief out”. Clicking the intercom, Alex instructed, “Hold all my calls, Jane and can you bring in two coffees, please”.
“Yes boss”, Jane’s playful voice boomed back.
Joel looked across the desk at Alex, his expression suddenly serious. He leaned in,
“so what’s the plan”?
Pulling the brush through her hair, Melody looked at her reflection, her golden curls bouncing back as she eased the brush through them. Winding the front of her hair into coils, she secured it back off her face with a butterfly comb, its wings studded with tiny red gems catching the light. After applying a light coat of mascara and a little red lipstick, she sat back in satisfaction. Glancing at her deep red silk blouse and black pencil skirt, she decided she would pass muster for an evening with her friends. Slipping from the stool, she grabbed her black peep toe shoes and bag. A glance at her watch made her quicken her pace down the stairs. Checking Toby had everything he needed for the evening and slipping on her shoes, she set the alarm and made for her car.
Pulling her car into the busy car park, Melody glanced at the welcoming sight of the restaurant’s familiar entrance. On either side of the doors stood double ball topiaries twinned with fairy lights, the dark interior aglow with subdued lighting, and the smell of good food permeating the air. Walking in, she spotted her friends, Lindsey and Charlotte already waiting for her at the bar. They turned and waved as she headed over to them.
“We got you a drink, Mel”, Charlotte smiled handing her a glass of white wine.
“So tell us all”, Lindsey gushed, as she reached in to hug her.
“Yes, have you and hunky Alex finally got together”, Charlotte chimed in, wiggling her eyebrows at her. Sipping her wine, Melody looked at her two friends. Lindsey, a bubbly slim brunette, with soft blue eyes and a killer smile was only a year younger than Melody but looked slightly older with her hair pulled back in a tight chignon; she was dressed in a navy pinstriped trouser suit and had obviously come straight from the solicitor’s office where she worked as a legal secretary.