‘Catherine?’
‘Hello, Sarah.’ Should she tell her? No, better not.
‘Catherine, I’ve just had a call from your uncle, trying to contact you. He sounded pretty mad. He wants you to go and see him.’
Reality came flooding back and banished her other thoughts.
‘We thought this would happen, Sarah. Alex and I went out for a meal last night and we saw a friend of my uncle. We had to tell him about us being married. It was obvious he would pass it on… but this quick? I suppose I’d better see him. I ought to tell Alex first, though.’
‘Yes, Catherine, you must tell him. He would want to go with you, I’m sure.’
‘Yes, I’ll do that, then. I’m sorry you were bothered.’
‘Don’t be so silly, it’s no bother. When are we going to have our shopping trip, poppet? Jerry says he feels it’s only fair that if we’re going to do that, he and Alex should have a pub crawl, and he’ll be in touch with him.’
Catherine laughed. ‘Yes, it does sound fair doesn’t it? I’ll tell Alex.’
They fixed up a possible date for their shopping trip, and then after replacing the receiver, Catherine looked at her watch. Would Alex have reached his office yet or ought she to leave it until he came home tonight? She felt cold and sick, needing the warmth of his strong arms around her. Pull yourself together, she chided herself. You’re a married woman – and maybe more – it’s about time you faced up to life and coped on your own.
She had never rung Alex at work before and was diffident about ringing the number he had given her, but his calm voice on the other end settled any apprehension.
‘Alex?’
‘Yes, my love.’ His voice now betrayed the surprise at her call. ‘Is anything wrong?’
‘I’ve just had a call from Sarah—’
‘Ah, now I know something’s very wrong,’ he interrupted, but she could hear him smiling. ‘I can feel my bank balance groaning already.’
‘No, Alex. Please listen a moment.’
For a second or two there was silence, then he said, ‘What is it, Catherine?’
‘Sarah’s had a call from Uncle Lionel this morning. He wants to see me, and she said he sounds angry.’
‘Don’t worry, Catherine. We’ll both go and see him tonight. He’ll just have to wait until then. Perhaps you could ring Grace and tell her to pass the message on, but Catherine, please don’t speak to your uncle at all before tonight. Do you understand me?’
‘Yes I do, Alex. I’ll… I’ll see you later on.’
She wanted to tell him about her new suspicions, but now was not the time.
*
Alex replaced the receiver and looked over at Dougie. They had been discussing the events at the restaurant last night.
‘Things have moved fast. Her uncle wants to see us. A royal command!’
‘Well, now, that can either be because he’s not keen on his friend being spotted by you, dining with an undesirable, in public or not; or he’s just upset at the lack of a wedding invitation.’
‘I doubt it’s the latter. I’ll bet he’s more upset that his golden goose has well and truly flown the nest.’
‘Going back on what we’ve discussed,’ mused Dougie, ‘do we suppose that the dinner invitation was a thank-you for getting an employee a lesser sentence than might have been the case? Or a chance for client and solicitor to discuss new or old business?’
‘Whatever it is, I still can’t get my head around why a prominent lawyer would want to dine in public with a known hoodlum. There are plenty of other places they could have gone which would have been more private. Who’s trying to impress who, I wonder? The trouble is, because the guest turned out to be Villiers, it’s going to look pretty suspect that I just happened to be there at the same time.’
Dougie looked over at the other man. ‘I think you ought to watch yourself tonight, Alex. It could turn nasty, and I don’t trust Franklin an inch.’
‘I’ll try to make it as short a stay as I can. He can rant all he wants, he can’t change a thing.’
‘Just watch it, that’s all I say, Boss.’
Alex smiled his thanks at his colleague and tried to turn his mind to the other matters of the day.
CHAPTER 5
It was a silent ride out to Richmond, neither wanting to start a conversation. As they walked towards the familiar front door, Alex took Catherine’s hand and gave it a squeeze.
Arthur showed them into the Judge’s study, with a grimace concealed behind his hand. The Judge looked up at them as they stood in front of his desk. Like naughty schoolchildren, Alex thought. They were not asked to sit down.
‘Well, I understand you have something to tell me.’ The voice was cold.
Catherine spoke first. ‘Yes, Uncle. Alex and I were married a few weeks ago. We’ve been quite busy, but we were going to come and tell you.’
‘How kind.’ The snide remark was not lost on either of them. ‘I heard the news first from Geoffrey Villiers.’
Alex put his arm around Catherine’s shoulders. He could feel her trembling. This had to be nipped in the bud as fast as possible, for her sake.
‘Catherine is quite correct in what she has said, but in any case you are now aware of the situation.’
The cold, pale eyes settled on him. ‘Oh yes, I’m aware of a situation which is of considerable benefit… to you.’
‘Perhaps you would care to explain that.’ Despite himself Alex could feel his anger starting to rise.
The Judge gave a small smile, as if he sensed the discomfort in the other man. ‘Perhaps Catherine would care to renew her association with my staff, while we have a little chat?’
Catherine looked up at Alex. ‘I want to stay Alex.’
‘It’s alright, my dear. You go and have a chat with Grace and I’ll be through in a minute.’
He kissed her and ushered her out of the door. He turned back to face the other man.
‘Well, what is it you want to get off your chest?’
‘How charming a scene. I must admit you are a class act, Hartman.’ Franklin was still smiling in that superior way. He leant back in his chair. ‘I could see something developing between the two of you while you were in this house. Nothing too overt. Just enough to stir romantic notions in an inexperienced girl. I wondered why someone of your rank was involved in the day-to-day workings of a simple protection operation. Were you aware of my niece and thought this might be a useful opportunity? Masterful, my dear Hartman.
‘Then, of course, your very clever rouse to remove her from my immediate control. I never did trust that girlfriend of hers, either. It took no time at all for you to achieve the desired result, did it? You must be a very accomplished lover! Still, the lure of a pretty girl and money can drive most things.’
Alex felt cold fury sweeping through him. He clenched and unclenched his hands. ‘Just what are you getting at?’
‘Oh, I must hand it to you for taking advantage of an opportunity when you became aware of the money my niece will inherit. It’s obvious that you have expensive tastes. You appear to like fast cars, dining in classy restaurants and, of course, you would also have the added luxury of being seen with a beautiful woman. Does she live up to your… ah… expectations?’ The smile was even broader. ‘You have made sure to teach her very well, no doubt.’
Alex was teetering on the edge of control now, incensed at this man’s insinuations. ‘Are you suggesting that I married your niece as a way of gaining access to any monies she may inherit?’
‘Oh, come now, Hartman. Do you expect me to believe that it was all an innocent love story? You saw a naive girl who you could manipulate for your own ends, and to your credit, you have achieved your aims.’
Alex couldn’t believe what he was hearing. This man had the nerve to be accusing him of the very thing he himself had tried to do. To keep c
ontrol of his temper, he knew he had to stop listening to any more of this sort of talk, and he turned to leave.
‘I’m not staying here any longer. You can think what you like. Catherine is now my wife, and needs nothing more from you.’
Sounding quite calm, Franklin spoke again. ‘I realise you still have to keep up the pretence, but you’re not fooling anyone. Now, let us not be too hasty in our judgements, Hartman. We perhaps need to talk about the situation and see how it can be… er… used to our mutual benefit, shall we say?’
Franklin’s smile was still in place, but Alex noted his eyes were cold and hard. Despite himself, he wondered what the man meant by that statement, and against his better judgement felt compelled to stay and listen to what he might say next. What he heard rocked him to the core.
‘I was wondering if we could come to some arrangement whereby Catherine was returned to the fold, as it were. I’m sure we can arrange an annulment or a quickie divorce. You would be well recompensed for any outlay expended so far, and it would save you the expensive bother of keeping a wife in a certain class of luxury. Always a drain on any man’s purse!’ The jocular tone further sickened Alex.
‘You would then be free to play the field again, but with cash in your pocket. I would be able to rekindle my own ideas as to Catherine’s future. However, on the other hand, if you are now accustomed to her… charms, and feel you should benefit from the effort in this direction’ – again, he seemed consumed by his own amusement – ‘you could retain ownership, shall we say, but make her available if required at any time for other purposes. For a fee of course. I would not expect you to make a charitable donation! What do you say, eh? Man to man, with none of this romantic nonsense.’
Alex was finding it difficult not to reach over the desk and throttle this smug, superior bastard. How dare he sit there discussing his own niece – his wife – in this way. Alex felt his skin crawl at the thought of other hands running over Catherine’s body – and worse!
Just managing to hold on to his emotions, and through clenched teeth, he grated, ‘You are suggesting that I sell my wife back to you for a sum of money, or at the very least rent her out to you for your own twisted ideas? I’ve never heard anything so warped and perverse in my life. If you were any sort of man at all I would have knocked your teeth out by now, but I don’t even want to dirty my hands on something as low as you. If there was any proof of this conversation I would drag you through every Court in the land.
‘I warn you, stay away from my wife from now on, or I will seek some sort of injunction against you. You are sick and depraved to even harbour any such notions, and I feel insulted that you could consider I would be a party to it. I can assure you I have no wish, or need, to see a single penny of any monies Catherine will inherit, and if you don’t accept my word as a gentleman I’ll agree to sign a paper saying so.’
With no hint now of a smile Franklin reached into a drawer and pulled out a sheet of paper. ‘In actual fact I have such a letter here which, if you are serious about your intent, you could sign.’
Alex heard warning bells in his head, but he was past listening. He was appalled that Catherine had been forced to live in a household such as this, and was even more grateful that she was now under his love and protection. His resolve to fight to keep it that way was even stronger. This creature, studying him with fixed concentration, like an exhibit, wasn’t worth any more of his time. He wanted to get Catherine away from him as fast as possible. He moved over to the desk.
‘Where do you want me to sign?’ He scanned the content of the letter, which seemed to acknowledge his disclaimer of any funds going to Catherine, and with angry strokes he signed his name at the bottom and threw both pen and paper on the blotter in front of the other man, then turned on his heel and left the room.
As the door closed behind him, Franklin looked at the signed letter in his hand, and settled back in his chair with a satisfied smile.
‘Dear, dear, Hartman,’ he mused to himself, ‘you’re not as clever as you thought! I knew the way to get under your guard was through the girl. It was all too easy. Now I have the means to make sure you will regret your interference.’
CHAPTER 6
Catherine knew that something dreadful had taken place between Alex and her uncle as soon as he came into the kitchen. Everyone had heard their angry voices. She was aware of his hard, closed face and heavy breathing. With just a brief word of acknowledgement to Grace and Arthur, he took her arm in a firm grip.
‘We’re leaving.’
She found herself propelled out of the house and into the car. He drove in silence, with intense care and precision, but Catherine could tell he was exerting extreme control over himself to do so. She did not dare speak to him.
When they reached the flat, he changed into his running gear, and with the words ‘I’m going out for a while’ left the flat again, slamming the door on his way out.
Catherine worried about the situation during his absence. She didn’t know what had happened today, but knew that she must try to make it up to him. All she could think of was to show him that she loved him.
It was late before he returned. She heard him run the shower, and soon he got into bed beside her. Pretending to be asleep, she waited for his arms to curl around her, as they most often did. But not tonight. After a while she turned over. He was lying on his back with one arm behind his head, eyes closed. However, she sensed he wasn’t asleep. He didn’t acknowledge her movement or pull her close, and she could still feel his tension. Rather tentative about her move, she curled her body into him.
‘Go to sleep, Catherine.’
She recognised the warning tone, but tonight she had to make amends. Running her fingers over his chest, feeling the muscles under the skin, she placed her lips where her hand had been, and, bolder now, repeated the same process until she had reached his waist. His skin smelt fresh and clean from his shower, and she found her own senses heightened.
He had made no sound, but she could feel a slight trembling in his body. Continuing her exploration, across his flat stomach and still lower, she was much more unsure now. However, her actions were creating a feeling inside her that she had never experienced before. Could she arouse him as he had done her so many times? Her body needed him now and this thought blotted out all her preconceptions of what was permissible. She lowered her head, and then found herself swept up in strong arms.
Much later, as she lay curled into his shoulder, Alex stroked her hair as it fanned out over his chest. ‘My sweet love, I never knew I could need anyone as much as that.’
He turned her face up to him and smiled down at her. ‘I’m sorry I spoilt your voyage of discovery, but I couldn’t hold out any longer.’
She smiled back, feeling a little shy. ‘I wanted to show you that I loved you.’
‘Oh, you did that,’ he whispered against her hair. ‘I think my little bird has flown solo.’
She reached up and kissed him. ‘Do I get a certificate or something?’
‘Oh, you’ll get something much better than that,’ he murmured against her mouth.
Before they settled down to sleep some while later, Alex held her face between his hands and looked deep into her eyes. He was serious now, she could tell.
‘Will you promise me that you’ll not have any contact with your uncle unless I’m present, Catherine? It’s important. Will you do this for me please, my darling?’
Catherine wanted to ask questions, but knew he would not give her the answers. She must show she trusted him.
‘Yes, of course I will.’
He kissed her with such tenderness that it overwhelmed her. Basking in his love, as never before, she was left with no illusion as to how precious she had become to him, as he had to her.
*
In the sweltering heat of the July day, Alex was glad to be out of his airless office. As the Porsche was
in for a service, he had decided to get away so that he could walk home, and relished the fresh air on his face. He took off his jacket, slung it over one shoulder, and with his other hand in his trouser pocket he strolled along.
He had been on his own all day. Dougie was called away on other duties. It gave him time to think through the information they had obtained so far. No more than leads to possible other leads at the moment, but already some disquieting possibilities were emerging. He would have to arrange another meeting with Francis soon.
The voice was quiet, very close behind him, but loud enough for him to register the finality of the tone, broking no argument.
‘Mr Ellison would like to see you. Please get in the car.’
As his mind registered the situation, a Jaguar pulled in to the kerb. The man standing behind him opened the rear passenger door and waited for him to enter. Alex noted the driver had now alighted and was blocking the opposite side passenger door. Very professional. They were leaving him no option to scramble through and out the other side.
With apparent calm he put on his jacket and climbed in, sliding along the back seat while the other man took his place beside him. The car glided back out into the traffic. No one spoke.
Alex was annoyed he’d not been in a position to defend himself, but it had all happened so fast. He’d just been unprepared for it. Then he remembered his instructor in the Army, saying that if one opportunity for action goes by, ride it out until another presents itself. He settled back in the seat and prepared to do just that.
So Jack Ellison wanted to see him. Why? Ellison had been involved in the same East End crowd all those years ago. He was about ten years older than himself, Alex remembered. Now, after making his way up the pecking order in the London underworld, he controlled a substantial network involving the usual prostitution, drugs, extortion, etcetera. However, to Alex’s knowledge, Ellison, unlike some, had never been involved in violence for its own sake, and for the most part remained outside the clutches of law enforcement. The fact remained, however, that he was still a powerful man in London, the sort of person you ignored at your peril.
Generations of Love Page 22