by SD Saunders
“Would she now, lass”, Jack’s eyes twinkled at her. “I think I’d like that too”.
Sipping her lemonade, Melody listened as Alex filled Jack in about Christina, and Jack spoke of his life and three grown children and grandchildren, his pride in them evident in his voice. “Well, we better be going, Toby will be needing a break”. Glancing at his watch, Alex rose from his chair, shaking Jack’s hand. “We have your number now, we’ll give you a call once we arrange a meeting with Christina”.
“Thanks lad, I’ll look forward to it”, his gruff reply softened by the twinkle in his eyes. Walking over to a shelving unit, he selected a small cactus. “Here, take this lass, you never know you might have green fingers too”, he smiled, handing Melody the plant, delicate hot pink flowers adorned the flat green stems.
“It’s beautiful, thank you. What type is it”?
“It’s an Easter cactus, likes a sunny spot and a drop of water”, he winked at her, his old face still handsome, she noted smiling back at him.
“I’ll take good care of it”, she promised as they headed outside. “Nice meeting you, Jack”.
“And you, lass”, he grinned, waving them off.
“He seemed nice”, Melody praised as they drove away, the cactus in her hands.
“He did, the old charmer”, Alex laughed, looking at the cactus. “I think he has a soft spot for you”.
“Oh Alex, really! He’s just a lonely, kind old man”. Alex’s low throated chuckle made Melody’s lips twitch with laughter. “Oh, you beast”, she laughed, thumping his arm in play. Leaning forward, she switched the radio on, selecting a pop station. ‘Better in time’, by Leona Lewis was playing. She sat back and closed her eyes as the potent lyrics washed over her, she thought of Jack and Christina.
Pulling up outside the cottage and cutting the engine, Alex turned to Melody who was sleeping peacefully, a slight smile on her lips. Brushing a few wayward curls off her face, he leaned in. “We’re home, sweetheart”, his breath warming her as her lashes fluttered open, a contented sigh escaping her lips.
“We are”, she murmured, straightening up and looking around to get her bearings.
Unclipping his seatbelt, Alex headed around to the passenger back door and let an enthusiastic Toby out, smiling as he watched him head straight to the gate and cock his leg. “Busting was you mate”, he chuckled, turning to help Melody out of the SUV.
Entering the cottage, the enticing smell of the lamb casserole had Toby darting to the kitchen, his nose held high. “Always thinking of your belly, aren’t you boy”, Melody playfully chastised Toby as they followed him in.
“I’m with him there”, Alex groaned appreciatively, lifting the slow cook lid to inspect the casserole.
“Alright, you two. I’ll feed you both soon”, she laughed, placing the cactus on the windowsill.
Scooting Alex and Toby into the garden and grabbing two bottles of beer from the fridge, Melody made her way to the garden and sat down on the lounger, looking at Alex as he stretched out on one beside her. “Dinner should be ready in about thirty minutes”, she explained, handing him a beer.
“Oh Mel, anyone ever tell you, you’re an angel, a man could get used to this”, he murmured, taking a swig from the bottle.
“Once or twice”, she laughed, swinging her legs onto her lounger.
“When will you contact Christina about Jack”? She paused, raising her hand to shade her eyes from the sun as she looked at Toby rolling around on the grass.
“Monday probably, I was thinking of calling her from work, I have a couple of questions to ask her”.
“Like what”? A small frown settled on her face.
“Well, I was wondering if she would have any old estate workers’ documents or any birthday cards from the guests who attended her party that night, so we can compare them to the notes’ handwriting”.
“But didn’t we give them back to her with the journal”?
“I have photocopies of them back at the office”, he grinned sheepishly.
“Wouldn’t it be perfect if we could get them back together after all these years”, Melody dreamily reflected.
“Always the romantic, sweetheart”, Alex murmured, gazing appreciatively at her. “How about a little of that directed my way”, he teased, opening his arms to her. “Room for two”, he patted the lounger as Melody settled down beside him, laying her head on his chest, her head nestled under his chin, her legs entwined with his. Life could not get any better, she mused laying her hand on Alex’s chest.
“So, what did you have in mind, a candlelight meal, and flowers”? Feeling his chest rumble with laughter at her words, she inched closer. “Maybe I could spout some poetry”, she teased playfully.
He loved the way she always had a smart quip to say, he never knew what to expect from her mouth. Gazing down at her laying stretched out against him, her long bare legs entwined with his, he felt his body tense; she was undoubtedly the complete package. Feelings he had long thought buried bubbling to the surface, placing a finger under her chin, he raised her face to his.
“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day”? He quoted his eyes twinkling playfully as he gazed into her eyes.
“Shakespeare huh, I never imagined you’d know that”.
“Ah yes, from my school days, Mrs Cartwright, our old English teacher drummed it into all of us wayward boys”, he paused drawing in his breath, “good boys should always learn the sonnets, now turn to sonnet 18 and repeat after me”, he mimicked the teacher’s high-pitched voice.
“So, you were a wayward boy, were you”? She emphasized the word were playfully, tracing her finger over his lips.
Capturing her finger in his mouth, he had a devilish glint in his eyes. “Still am”, he murmured, nipping enticingly at her finger.
Toby’s low whine brought their embrace to an end, his nose gently pushing into Melody’s thigh. “I think he’s telling us it’s time for dinner”, Melody sighed reluctantly, pushing herself up from the lounger.
“Damn the dog’s timing”, Alex playfully growled, reaching for the empty beer bottles. “I think we need to set up some boundaries, boy”, he playfully chastised Toby as they all headed into the kitchen. Dinner was a success, Melody thought happily as she cleared the plates away while Alex helped himself to another portion of the peach cobbler.
“I better keep an eye on you”, she teased, eyeing Alex’s second dessert helping.
“My compliments to the chef, another extra mile on my run tomorrow should pay for this”, he laughed, tapping his flat stomach.
Melody gazed at him beneath her lashes as he sat at the kitchen table, not for the first time admiring his athletic frame and well-defined muscles. Not an ounce of fat to be seen, the muscles in his strong arms flexing as he spooned the dessert to his mouth, and what a mouth, full and firm lips that had taken her on a sensual journey earlier. She absentmindedly touched her own lips, still swollen from the kisses they had shared. The shrill ring from the telephone pulled Melody from her thoughts, heading quickly into the front room, she answered the call, returning to the kitchen a little while later, a worried frown on her face.
“Problem, love”, Alex’s concerned voice stopped her mid step.
“That was Sarah”, she sighed, “she was just checking up on me. I told her about your offer to investigate Richard”. Wringing her hands, she sat down next to Alex.
“And how did she take it”?
“Well, at first she absolutely refused, but after pointing out that it would be better to know one way or the other, she finally accepted”.
“And”, Alex pressed.
“It’s just if we do prove he’s cheating, she’ll be devastated. I don’t know how well she will cope”.
“She’s stronger than you think love, and she will have you to support her. Who knows it, maybe he’s not even playing away”.
“Oh, I do hope so”. Lifting her head, she gazed at Alex, her tears threatening to spill. “What will you do now�
�? She asked bravely, blinking the tears away.
“I’ll phone Joel tomorrow and set things in motion, and Mel”, he paused reaching for her hand, “it’ll be okay, try not to worry too much”. Staring down at her small hands engulfed in Alex’s large ones, she had a comforting feeling that everything would be okay.
Chapter 9
The days flew by as Melody concentrated on her work and making her gown perfect for the upcoming gala. Alex had made good on his promise to get someone onto Richard’s case, and soon they would all have an answer. For the millionth time, Melody desperately hoped it would be favourable news.
“What’s with the frown, love”, Susie’s concerned voice pulled Melody from her melancholy thoughts.
“Just thinking of the gala”. Melody balked at the little white lie, but it was not her place to talk of Sarah’s situation, even though Susie was her dearest friend, whom she would normally confide everything in.
“Ah love, you’ll be fine, you have that big strapping fellow Alex to keep you safe”, she clucked, shaking her head, a smile playing on her lips. “A fine man, and he really cares about you too”. Picking up some papers from the counter, Melody busied herself, shuffling them, aware of Susie’s watchful eyes on her. “So how’s the gown coming on”.
“Oh, it’s nearly done. I had it dry cleaned before attaching the lace. I never realised how dusty it was, the rose pink is much prettier than I first realised”. Thankful for the change of subject, Melody smiled.
“Sounds lovely, you’ll have to show me sometime”.
Reaching for her mobile phone, Melody grinned. “I can do one better, I have a picture of it on here”. Scrolling through, she found it and handed the phone to Susie.
“Oh wow, it truly is stunning”, Susie sighed appreciatively, “you really will be the bell of the ball”, her eyes misting as she looked at Melody. “I bet Alex will look good and yummy, all scrubbed up in a tux”, she teased as Melody blushed.
“Oh Suse, I’ll tell him you said that”.
“Well, if you ever get tired of him send him my way, I could teach him a thing or two”, she laughed, her mischievous eyes dancing in merriment as she wandered away.
Alex looked at the untouched pile of paperwork on his desk. With only nine days left until the gala, his time that morning had been spent busily checking and double checking the security. Throwing his pen down, he grabbed the top folder, his eyes narrowing as the photos spilled out onto the desk. Damn, he swore as he looked at pictures of Richard and a rather plump blonde girl kissing and holding hands, another of them gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes and the most damning as they headed into an apartment building, Richard’s hand planted intimately on her backside, no mistaking an illicit relationship. “Damn the man”, he growled, slamming his fist on the desk. How was he going to break this news to Melody. He hated the thought of distressing her and her sister, but there was no backing out now they had caught the scumbag red handed.
Taking his wallet out, he opened it to look at the photo he had of Melody tucked inside, her sweet smile warming his heart. If only he had better news for her, he thought, rubbing his finger over her image as if willing her to appear. The business card slotted beside catching his eye, frowning, he pulled it out. ‘A1 Employment Agency’, he read, suddenly remembering Melody giving it to him, thinking it was his. Pressing his intercom, he waited for his receptionist to answer.
“Yes boss”, she quickly responded.
“Jane, is Joel in”, he asked, reigning in the impatience in his voice.
“He sure is, want me to send him in”.
“That would be great, thanks”.
Joel strode into the office minutes later, slumping down in the seat opposite Alex. “You summoned me”, he stated, raising an eyebrow at Alex.
“Ah Joel, good to see you. Yes, I wanted to know if this business card belongs to you”? Alex indicated the business card lying on the table.
Joel picked up the card. “Nope, not guilty. Why, do you think I’m looking for er”, he paused, taking a closer look “casual work at this A1 Agency”.
“No, of course not, it’s just that I promised Melody I would ask if it belonged to you”.
“And why, prey tell, would she think it’s mine”. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, a puzzled look on his face.
“She found it in her front room under the armchair and she knows it’s not hers, or any of her friends’, or mine”, he concluded, frowning.
“So, if it doesn’t belong to any of us”, Joel paused, leaping up from his chair, “damn, you think it belongs to the thief, don’t you”?
“That was my next conclusion”, Alex nodded, his expression thoughtful.
“Well, the bugger’s finally slipped up, so how do you want to play this out”, Joel snapped, dropping the card onto the table. “Guess it’s too late for checking for fingerprints”, he groaned as he paced up and down, thumping his fist into his hand.
“I was going to see if Frank could pull any from it, it’s a long shot but worth a try. Meanwhile, I think I might pay a visit to the agency, see what I can dig up”.
Joel nodded at Alex’s plan. “Anything I can do, just ask”.
“There is one thing you could do for me”.
Joel stopped pacing and rested his hands on the back of the chair, looking intently at Alex. “Yes, name it”.
“Have you got any plans for Saturday”?
“Nothing important that can’t be moved, what do you want me to do, a stakeout”?
Alex laughed at his friend’s eagerness. “Nothing like that, actually I want you to come to dinner at Mel’s. I have to give her some bad news tonight and I thought a few friends over for dinner on Saturday would cheer her up”.
“You got the file on Richard then”, Joel stated, his eyes settling on the file on the desk.
“Yes, and it’s not good news, I’m afraid”.
“Right then, Saturday it is. What time do you want me”?
“Seven, and Joel, be on your best behaviour, I’m inviting Charlotte and Lindsey too”. Joel’s feigned look of hurt causing Alex to laugh. “You know what I mean, just be your charming self”.
“No frisking the pixie, then”, Joel grinned at Alex’s shocked face. “You know Charlotte, she kind of reminds me of an angry pixie”.
“Well then, yes, no frisking pixies, angry or otherwise”, Alex laughingly chastised him. Bowing theatrically, Joel left Alex’s office.
After placing the two calls to Charlotte and Lindsey, arranging for them to come to the dinner party on Saturday, he sat back in his chair thoughtfully rubbing his chin. Picking up the business card with a tissue to avoid further fingerprints, he jotted down the address carefully, wrapping the card into the tissue and placing it inside his jacket pocket. Dropping it into Frank at the station would be his best course of action and then a visit to the A1 agency. Better to go in person, he theorized that way he could see the honest reaction on their faces as he put his questions to them, something an impersonal phone call could never do.
Stopping by Jane’s desk on the way out, he informed her. “I’ll be stepping out of the office for a while, if anyone needs me you know what to do”.
“Yes boss, and boss”, she peered up at him over her glasses.
“Yes”.
“Rick came in earlier and left this for you”, she waved a manila envelope at him.
“Thanks Jane”. Taking the envelope, he headed out of the building.
After calling in to see Detective Frank at the station, and a brief discussion on the business card, he left with Frank’s words of caution running through his mind that while he would get the lab to run a fingerprint check on the card, chances were, with all of them touching it, the results may not be good.
“Rooky mistake, Alex”, he chastised himself as he headed into the ‘coffee pot café’. After ordering an espresso, he made his way to the back of the café. Selecting a secluded booth, he slipped in, placing his cup down and pul
ling the manila folder from his jacket pocket, unfolding it, he shook the contents free. One photo, a pen drive and a note fell out, the grainy photo taken from a security camera of a small white van, its occupant a slim built Caucasian male, his baseball cap pulled down low on his head, making his face impossible to see. Grabbing the note, he started to read.
‘Hey boss, thought you’d better see this. I went to all the local shops with cameras and searched through all the security footage as you asked looking for white vans. It wasn’t till I went back to footage from the 12th May, that this popped up. It’s from Wilsons Builders Merchant, located opposite the back entrance to Melody’s shop. The juicy bit is it seems to be following Melody as her car turns into the entrance, he parks, waits a bit, then heads over and out of shot. You never get to see his face, but I’d bet my last pound it’s our guy. He returns empty handed fifteen minutes later, looking like he’s rushing somewhere. Check out the pen drive, I copied the clip onto it’ Rick.
Alex eyed the photo still again, taking a large swallow of his cooling espresso. If this was their thief, then the net just got a little tighter. “I’m coming for you”, he promised, slipping the photo into his pocket and the rest of the contents back into the envelope and inside his jacket. Downing the last of his coffee, he wandered over to the counter, ordering two flat whites to go and a couple of cinnamon buns. He headed out with them and over to Melody’s shop.
Susie looked up from her seat at the counter as the bell above the door tinkled, her pricing gun poised in her hand.
“Hi Susie, I bring gifts”, Alex greeted her, wiggling the pastry bag in the air.
“Be still my beating heart”, she laughed, placing a hand dramatically on her chest, “a good-looking man and pastries, can a girl ask for more”.
Placing the pastries down, he handed her a coffee. “Flat white two sugars”, he confirmed, scanning the shop.
“She’s in the back, checking stock”, Susie grinned, a knowing look in her eyes.
“You got me”, he lifted his hands in playful surrender as he walked to the back room.