Craving Justice (Sons of Sydney Book 1)

by Fiona Archer

  What could he see that she couldn’t?

  ****

  Seth followed Adam through the door of the coffee house in West Seattle. His gaze swept the largish room, with its mood lighting and woodgrain interior. At the far side, he saw Heath sitting at a table with three coffees in front of him.

  He nodded to Heath as he and Adam sat.

  “Three Americanos. Large.” Heath pushed two of the takeaway cups toward him and Adam.

  “Don’t tell Harper I drank the competition’s coffee.” Seth frowned as Adam’s expression hardened but said nothing. What had crawled up Adam’s arse now?

  The commando pushed his cup aside and opened his laptop. “I traced the credit card post and the one on Dillon to the wifi at this café.” He clicked on his keyboard. “The hacker’s trail wasn’t as elaborate as with the other occurrences, but was still convoluted enough to dissuade most would-be sleuths.”

  “You think the hacker’s getting lazy?” Seth tapped his fingers against the warm cardboard of the cup.

  “Or the person who hired the hacker decided to save some money and do this job himself.” Adam shrugged. “I gained access to the tapes from the café’s security cameras.”

  Seth felt his eyebrows rise. He and Heath exchanged a look.

  “Don’t ask how.” The oldest Aussie turned his laptop to face Seth and Heath. “This recording is from Thursday night, the evening of the posts.” A color video started playing on the screen showing the parking lot next to the café. A blue Prius drove into the lot. Something about the vehicle looked familiar.

  “That’s Harper’s car,” Adam said in a flat tone. “The camera caught the license plate and I checked the vehicle’s registration.”

  Seth stared at the screen. What the hell was Harper’s car doing at the café the same time the posts were made?

  Adam enlarged the view to full screen mode. “Wasn’t this the night you were supposed to spend the evening with her but she told you she was unwell?”

  Seth looked at Adam seconds before a movement on the screen caught his attention. A woman, dressed in a hoodie and jeans, exited the vehicle. Big black sunglasses masked a fair portion of her features as she passed under the camera and into the café.

  “And my guess is that’s Harper.” Adam switched to another video, this one showing inside the café. “She keeps her head down, like she’s aware of the cameras.”

  Seth replayed the phone call with Harper in his head. I’ve got a tummy bug. Just a twenty-four hour thing, I’m sure. He’d worried about her. Wanted to come around and check she was okay, but she’d convinced him she needed a good night’s sleep.

  Seth ignored the knot forming in his gut. “There’s no proof that’s Harper. Her car, yes, but I can’t fully see her face.”

  “Right body shape and height.” Heath sat forward in his seat, resting an arm on the table. “Can you get a better angle?” he asked Adam.

  “No. She keeps her chin lowered, making a clear image of her face impossible, even when ordering. Look, she collects her drink and sits at a table near the front with her back to the camera.”

  Seth watched as the woman typed on her laptop. A waitress delivered a sandwich to her table and chatted for a moment. Once alone again, she recommenced typing.

  But still… This couldn’t be right. Harper sending an email tipping off I.A. about Heath’s bank account and a story discrediting Dillon to a blog? She liked Dillon. Liked all his brothers. Supposedly had deep feelings for Seth, for fuck’s sake.

  A chill spread over his skin, starting on his back and reaching outwards.

  “A close resemblance isn’t proof.” Seth glanced at his brothers. No way. There had to be an explanation. “Have you both forgotten some fucker broke into her apartment ten days ago?” His raised voice drew stares from nearby customers. He sighed. “I can’t see the logic.”

  “But she wasn’t attacked by the intruder, Seth,” Heath reasoned in a cautious tone. “Only Nitro was hurt, and not seriously.”

  Seth flexed his jaw. “You think she hired someone to break in?”

  “Not her.” Adam interjected. “Her father.”

  Stanton Fox was capable of just about anything, but Harper? “I’m going to need more proof than a video of her car and a woman wearing a hoodie and glasses.” Even voicing his brother’s suspicions seemed disloyal to Harper, leaving a sour taste in his mouth.

  “As you should.” Adam clicked on his keyboard. “I examined the tapes of this coffee shop for the week following her last visit.” A new video played. This one showed daylight through the café’s front windows. “This video’s from the Wednesday afternoon following the break-in at her apartment, which is a week in between her previous visit and today. The woman is wearing the sunglasses again, but no hoodie.”

  Seth’s gut churned, the knot in his muscles now pulled tight. He recognized the woman’s peasant-styled top and necklace as she stood at the counter. They were the same ones Harper had worn the day after their first night together. The day of the first cyberattacks on him and his family. The day of the first attack on her.

  He heard Adam speak, but his concentration was locked on the screen, watching as the woman took a seat at the same table as her last visit. Her long hair, roughly the same shade as Harper’s in the low lighting, was knotted on top of her head. Just how Harper often styled hers.

  “Wednesday.” Harper should be at work. “Why would she be here instead of at Seven Dishes?”

  “Good question.”

  Heath’s words were a bucket of cold water to Seth’s face. Christ, he’d already slipped into voicing his doubts of Harper.

  Adam glanced at Heath. “This is where your badge comes into play.” He nodded toward a waitress wiping a nearby table. “That’s the one who served her Wednesday. We need to ask questions.”

  Heath studied Seth before speaking in a tone that brooked no compromise. “You ready to let me do my job without interrupting? No matter what you hear?”

  Seth’s chest tightened. Whether it was resentment or dread he wasn’t sure, but he gave a nod and remained silent.

  Heath pulled his badge from his belt and signaled the waitress, who came over. Her eyes widened upon seeing his detective’s shield. “I’m Detective Justice from Seattle PD.” He glanced at her nametag pinned to her brown shirt. “Becky, we’re following up on an enquiry and need your help.”

  “Okay.” The young woman, likely no older than twenty, glanced over her shoulder to the counter where her co-workers were busy making coffee and ringing up purchases and then back to Heath.

  “Great.” Heath flashed a smile that charmed the waitress as her tense posture visibly relaxed. She even flicked the bangs on her blonde fringe, ready to impress.

  “I need you to look at this video and tell me what you remember of the woman you served. She came in last Wednesday.”

  Adam replayed the video, showing Becky talking to the woman—Seth refused to call her Harper—after delivering what looked like a large cookie and a coffee.

  “That’s from inside the café.” Becky switched her gaze from the video to Heath. “How did the police get that tape?”

  Heath’s voice firmed with authority. “Becky, do you recognize this woman?”

  She blinked under the detective’s stronger tone. “Sure, I remember her. She gave me a big tip. Said she worked in a café and knew how hard a gig waitressing was.”

  That chill covering Seth’s skin now sank down into his bones.

  Unware of the power of her words, Becky warmed to her role as witness and waved a pointed finger at the guys. “In fact, she was funny, in a good way. When I delivered her giant cookie, she said she was dating some Aussie and the guy had never had cookies and milk before. He told her they call cookies biscuits in Australia. How strange is that?” Becky’s giggle ended abruptly as the impact of Heath’s accent made a connection. “But, um, you’re an Aussie. Are you him?”

  Seth froze. His heart seemed to stop, before starting
again, this time beating so much faster against his ribs.

  “No, just asking for a friend.” Heath stood, signaling the interview was over. “You’ve been a great help, thanks.”

  The waitress nodded. After a long, assessing look at Heath, she resumed wiping the tables.

  Seth rose. He needed air. Needed to get out of this café with the smell of roasted coffee that reminded him of another place, one where he’d felt welcome and even adored by its owner. With quick strides he made it out to the parking lot.

  He told her they call cookies biscuits.

  “The stuff about the cookie. That was you, wasn’t it?” Heath’s voice was laced with regret.

  Seth nodded. He felt his brothers get closer, but all he saw was her on the video talking to Becky.

  He moved toward Adam’s black SUV. Not ready to get in the car, but not wanting to stand still, either. To his right, he saw a discarded door leaning against a dumpster parked beside the cafe. He didn’t think. Just moved. Then his fist slammed into the wood. Pain shot through his hand as he studied his bloodied, throbbing knuckles.

  Fuck, yeah. Physical pain was real. It never lied. Never had a hidden agenda.

  His chest heaved with each drawn breath through his nose. As he flexed his hand, images in his mind mixed with the burning injury. Harper showing him how to dunk a cookie in a glass of milk; her face so intent, as she’d talked about the importance of whether to dunk it in milk first or eat the cookie dry. He’d thought her seriousness so endearing.

  And it was all a lie?

  “But what if the bastards controlling her father blackmailed her into taking part?” Seth asked.

  That made sense. If the Russian Mafia were tied up with Fox anything was possible.

  “Then we examine the evidence.” Adam gripped his shoulder. “But we do this smart.”

  “I sat in there and heard what that girl said, and I still can’t fucking believe Harper lied to me.” Was he simply pathetic or could Harper be innocent?

  “Seth, Adam’s right. You can’t confront her tonight. We’ll get Dillon and talk this out. Tomorrow we see what Harper has to say.”

  Dillon… “The sale,” Seth started to rub his hand through his hair and winced, dropping it by his side. “If it is Fox, that changes everything.”

  “No, all that’s changed is we now know who made the latest posts.” Adam held his laptop in one hand, his other resting on his hip. “There’s no proof yet Fox and Harper were responsible for the first round.” He waved his hand at Seth’s derisive snort. “I agree, it’s likely, but so far, the only one implicated is Harper.”

  Fox stayed clean while Harper took the rap. What a prince of a father.

  But surely Seth couldn’t go on as if nothing had happened. “You want me to continue with the sale?”

  “I want you to stay focused. We don’t know Fox’s motivation yet. Simply saving a few million on the purchase price of Shazad seems trivial to a man who runs a multi-billion dollar company. Plus, there’s the DHS and Tollison and Fox’s criminal network.” Adam sighed. “Let’s give ourselves a few hours to refine our plans. Call Dillon. We’ll meet at Heath’s.”

  “Fine.” Seth walked to Adam’s SUV while pulling his phone out of his back pocket. As he tapped the contact listing for Dillon’s number, he couldn’t banish the picture of Harper’s face from his mind. He’d been so sure, so convinced her open, loving nature and sassiness were genuine.

  How could he have been so bloody stupid to fall for Harper’s act? While his heart told him he needed to hold out for more proof, his head yelled the damning evidence was right there in the videos and Becky’s words.

  He told her they call cookies biscuits.

  “Seth, what’s up?”

  Dillon’s greeting cut off his thoughts.

  He had plans to make. And an imposter to catch.

  ****

  Harper turned down the volume on season six of David Boreanaz-World’s Sexiest Vampire and reached for the phone. Her sister’s name showed on the caller ID.

  “Hey, babe.”

  “Hey, have you got a minute?”

  Harper frowned at the worried tone in Sienna’s voice. “You okay?”

  “I was wondering if you’d spoken to Dad lately?”

  “His secretary called to see if I was okay the day after you and Mom visited me,” Harper shared. She had rung her sister on the Sunday with the news of the break-in. Sienna, horrified, had wanted to come around immediately, but Harper had convinced her the next day was easier. So Monday, Sienna had turned up with their mom in tow. In truth, Harper was surprised by her mom’s concern, which was a sad indictment of her bond with her parent.

  “But he hasn’t called you himself?”

  Harper rolled her eyes. “Um, no. I’m the bad child, remember?”

  At Sienna’s lack of return laughter, Harper lifted the bowl of popcorn off her lap and placed it on the sofa beside her where Mal gave it a cursory sniff. She leaned forward. “Sienna, what’s wrong.”

  “I was over at the house today, helping Mom with plans for the spring gala at the club.” Sienna shared and Harper did her best not to groan. Thankfully, she wasn’t expected to attend since her break up with Aiden, who was a member. In fact, her mother actively encouraged her to give the event a miss since “you’re not comfortable around our social set.”

  “Right, and...”

  “Dad came home early,” Sienna stated as if that alone was cause for concern. “He walked into the living room where Mom and I were working and poured a scotch. Mom asked why he was home early, and he exploded.”

  Harper’s brows drew together. “He never loses it with Mom, at least never in front of us.”

  “I know. He accused her of checking up on him and monitoring his every movement. Totally over the top. She was really shaken up.” After a few beats of silence, Sienna spoke, her tone now subdued as well as worried. “Lance said Dad’s been that way in the office, too. Fired his chauffeur last week and hired some guy who looks like a thug from an action movie, all muscle and evil stares. He keeps staff away from Dad, like sits outside the door to Dad’s office. Even Lance can’t enter without getting past the man.”

  “That’s weird.” After all, Lance was his son-in-law. And why would he need protection from his own staff, especially his hand-picked management team? His secretary usually guarded the door from any unnecessary interruptions. “Honey, I wish I had some answers for you, but you saw at the fantastic family bonding session that was your birthday dinner how much Dad values my opinion. I’m the last person he’d call or confide in.”

  But that didn’t stop the concern she felt for her mother. “Regardless of whatever stress he’s under, that’s no excuse to be an ass to Mom. I’ll call her tomorrow and see how she is.” For all the good it would do. Harper would lay odds on her mom dismissing the incident and saying Sienna overreacted. Such was the way of the country club set. Publicly a woman smiled serenely; in private, she reminded herself how lucky she was to have pretty things and a generous allowance that never quite made up for not having the things she truly desired—like a loving partner and self worth.

  “I envy you, Harper.” Sienna’s admission left Harper speechless. “You are so strong. I’ve never known anyone as strong as you.”

  Harper swallowed around the sudden tightness in her throat. “Honey.”

  “It’s true. You’ve always been…well, you. Loving. Loyal. Passionate. Even as a teenager, when Mom and Dad put so much pressure on you to stifle your personality, you stayed true to yourself.” Sienna sniffled. “I should have been the big sister you needed, but I was a coward.” She drew in a shaky breath. “I am so proud of you, sis.”

  Tears blinded her vision and slid down her cheeks. “I don’t know what to say.” She grabbed a Kleenex and wiped at her cheeks.

  “Say that you’ll take me under your wing. Be there to cheer me on as I throw away my life-preserver and rock the boat.”

  Harper held her breath.
“What are you saying? Lance works for Dad.”

  “Maybe not for long. We’ve talked about making some changes. And hey, it’s not like we’re destitute. I’ve got my inheritance from Gran. But,” she broke off. When she spoke again, her voice was stronger, determined. “But Mom and Dad likely won’t like our changes. I hope I’m as brave as you when Lance and I reveal our plans.”

  “I feel like kind of a hypocrite. Their words have the power to hurt me at times. Nobody can send me on a guilt trip quite like Mom, and saying ‘no’ to Dad can sometimes scare me spitless.” All three points Harper needed to work on. “So how about I back you and Lance up when you face the music?” And then nobody has to be alone. “Maybe in future we can cheer each other on?”

  “I like that idea,” Sienna’s voice clogged with emotion.

  They chatted for a couple more minutes, but long after their call ended, Harper couldn’t get her mind off their conversation. Whatever was going on with her father at Brooke-Porter Digital, it seemed way out of character for a CEO to have his personal driver act as a gatekeeper when his secretary had done an admirable job all these years. Maybe she could ask Seth’s opinion? After all, he wanted to know if her dad had done or was doing anything out of the ordinary. Hiring a thug as a driver qualified in Harper’s mind.

  Of more importance to Harper, she and Sienna had bonded more in that short phone call than over the last twenty-seven years Harper had graced this earth. And wasn’t that wonderful?

  Now that was something she couldn’t wait to share with Seth tomorrow.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Harper read back the order to the two women sitting at one of the café’s tables. “Okay, so two lattes, two plum flans, eat in, and one Baileys cupcake to go.”

  The woman ordering the cupcake grinned. “Thank God we’re here on a Thursday.” At Harper’s inquisitive look, she laughed. “My husband’s on this get fit craze and only allows himself one treat a week on Thursdays. I saw the cupcake in the case and new he’d want one.”