Luke Adams Boxset 1

by Dawson, H A

  Brittany knew Erin displayed a genuine concern, yet her words seemed a little false. No matter how she tried, her flatmate could not replace family, nor could she appear for every whim and every emergency. She had her own life to lead, friends to see, clients to satisfy, and family to call upon, and one day, like it or not, something would take priority over and above her.

  Brittany’s heart tightened and a quiver crept to her lips. She had to learn to survive alone and could not remove a niggling sense that there was worse to come. She glanced to the medical sheet at the foot of the opposite bed, and panic dried her throat. Soon, her results would be back; soon she would know what her future held.

  Chapter 32

  Luke could hardly believe his eyes. There she was, standing in his reception area and looking as gorgeous as ever and with her hand resting on her heavily pregnant belly. She seemed as dumbstruck as he, and for a moment, neither spoke. What words sounded appropriate? His brain fumbled with the options, yet his mouth was too dry to voice them. He gawped, open-mouthed.

  ‘I’m sorry Luke,’ Sarah said. ‘I was planning to tell you.’

  ‘You’re looking well. When’s it due?’

  ‘Ten days.’

  Luke looked to her beautiful rounded stomach, fighting an instinct to touch.

  ‘It is yours,’ she said quietly.

  His heart hammered and shivers ran across his body, tingling his skin. He was going to be a father. It sounded unreal and glanced to the office, eager to share his news with Imogen. Trying to appear inconspicuous, she kept her gaze firmly focused on her movements and tidied the drinks area.

  ‘I couldn’t go through with the abortion. Not after . . . you know . . . you saw me. I needed time to think it through, and the further on I got, the more it seemed inappropriate.’ She glanced to Imogen who was returning a binder to a cupboard, before looking back at Luke. ‘Are you finished here?’

  ‘I’ll close up,’ Imogen said.

  ‘Thanks,’ Luke replied. He faced Sarah. ‘Let me finish off and we’ll go.’

  He sprinted to his desk and with trembling fingers shut down his computer. It seemed to take forever, and glanced at the list and thought of his earlier motivation. It seemed insignificant, and even if he had wanted to pick up where he left off, his mind was too clouded to concentrate. Even his rehearsed speech he had intended for Sarah had gone, and he couldn’t think of a damn thing to say.

  He looked to her like a teenage on a first date, both excited and fearful. She smiled with a warmth and serenity, displaying far less pent-up energy than he remembered.

  ‘I am sorry Luke. I should have told you.’

  Silence.

  ‘You always were good to me. I never appreciated you the way I should have.’

  His pulse quickened and he withheld a tumbling of his emotions.

  ‘I hope you can forgive me,’ she said.

  Luke held a stoical gaze and glimpsed at Imogen. ‘Let’s get out of here. Are you driving?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Where do you want to go?’

  ‘I don’t mind.’

  ‘How about we go to your flat? It’ll save me having to drive you home.’

  She smiled. ‘You always were the gentleman.’

  Nothing within the flat had changed, and he had known it intimately. The sofa was at the same thirty-degree angle from the wall, there were city-scene coasters on the coffee table, and there was a black pen mark on the wall near the light switch. The flat-screen television was on a floor-stand and there were dried flowers in a vase near the fireplace. It was like seeing an old friend for the first time in ages.

  The last time he had visited, there had been legal papers, books and binders scattered all around, and upon a ledge, alongside a few crystal ornaments, was a dirty mug and a plate. He remembered it well. It was the day she claimed she had had an abortion.

  His gut tightened with his recollections, and he glanced towards her, watched her calm movements in the kitchen. She looked so pure and innocent, and it seemed inconceivable to think she had lied in such a horrendous way. Biting back his emerging anger, he strode to an armchair, reached for a television guide, and forcefully licked through the pages.

  ‘Please try not to be angry with me,’ she said, standing before him.

  ‘I’m not angry.’

  ‘You are. You’re lips are pouting.’

  Luke pulled them in.

  ‘I can’t change what’s happened. And I’ve said I’m sorry.’

  ‘I know. And I’ve accepted your apology.’

  ‘Try to look like it then. We have a lot to work through.’ She placed her hand upon her mound. ‘This little one needs the both of us.’

  His eyes danced, his lips curled. ‘Do you know the sex?’

  She shook her head. ‘I wanted a surprise.’

  ‘I would too.’

  She placed her hand onto the arm of the sofa, leaned back, and lowered her bottom to the cushion. If only he had x-ray eyes. He would be able to see him or her curled within, and he would have gotten his first glimpse of his son or daughter.

  ‘Do you have a picture?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes. It’s in that drawer over there.’ She pointed.

  He scampered across and eased it open.

  ‘It’s in the green album.’

  He turned the cover. The last scan had been remarkably clear and he could see the baby’s face and a body, arm and hand. He grinned, and turned to Sarah. She was leaning back, full of pride.

  ‘Are you ready?’ he asked.

  ‘No.’

  ‘Me neither. I’ve been wanted to see you for weeks. I saw you out with friends.’

  ‘Why didn’t you come over?’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know. Shock? You had told me you’d aborted.’

  ‘I never thought I would want a baby – not yet anyway. I even surprised myself.’

  ‘You certainly surprised me.’

  ‘I was going to tell you the other day. I saw you in town but you were with your girlfriend. It didn’t seem appropriate timing.’

  ‘My girlfriend? When?’

  ‘You know, your assistant, Imogen. It was a weekday.’

  ‘Imogen’s not my girlfriend.’

  ‘You were hugging and looking in a jewellery shop. I thought . . .’

  ‘We were pretending.’

  Sarah raised an eyebrow.

  Amused, Luke parted his legs. ‘It was to do with a case.’

  Her relief was evident and his heart skipped a beat. It felt good to be in her company again, and traced her bump, her enlarged breasts, and her smooth glowing cheeks. Pregnancy suited her.

  ‘What is it?’ Sarah asked, smiling.

  ‘You look fantastic.’

  ‘Do you want to be at the birth?’

  ‘Try keeping me away.’

  ‘I don’t want you fainting or anything.’

  Luke smiled. This really was happening; it felt surreal. ‘Are you going to go back to work?’

  ‘For sure . . . eventually.’

  ‘Who’ll look after our baby? Have you thought of any names? Can you cope on your own?’

  ‘Slow down. I’ve got everything planned. When it arrives, my sister’s going stay for a couple of weeks. Just until I’m back on my feet.’

  ‘I’ll be there for you.’

  ‘I know.’

  Her eyes drifted, igniting his panic. Luke couldn’t quite tell if she wanted him around or not. She couldn’t force him away, not now. He wanted to be there for every second and every development. He wanted to witness the first feed, the first bath, and the first nights sleep. He wanted to wake up every morning, see his son or daughter, and watch the recognition form in his or her eyes.

  ‘I don’t want to rely on you Luke. You know I value my independence.’

  His anxiety swelled. He bit his lip, and determined to remain as aloof as possible, asked her about her pregnancy. She told him it had been relatively easy, and although she was suffering a few sleepless
nights and was fed up of carrying the extra weight, she said it had been stress-free. He responded with pride-filled eyes.

  His phone rang. He reached into his pocket, noticed it was Imogen, and declined to answer.

  Sarah stretched out her arm, reaching for his hand. ‘I’ve missed you Luke.’

  ‘And I’ve missed you too.’

  ‘I am sorry. I was horrible to you. I don’t deserve to have you in my life.’

  ‘I’m glad I am,’ he said looking to her belly.

  ‘Me too,’ she whispered, and leaned across and met his lips.

  A text sounded. He leapt free from her grasp and reached for his phone. There was a message from Imogen informing him that Alex Canning was still missing and may have been involved in an a serious accident.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Luke said to Sarah. ‘I’m just going to have to make a quick call.’

  Sarah nodded, expressionless.

  ‘Imogen,’ he said. ‘What’s going on?’

  ‘I popped into a newsagent on the way home, and overheard a conversation. Someone witnessed an accident. A teenage girl was hit by a hit and run driver. They said it was bad . . . very bad. Luke, I think it could have been Alex. The description fits.’

  Sarah ran her hand across his thigh.

  ‘We’ll check it out in the morning,’ he said. ‘Thanks for letting me know.’

  ‘Is everything all right?’

  Sarah clutched his hand.

  ‘Everything’s perfect.’

  Chapter 33

  There was a spring in his step, a joyous look in his eyes, and a glow in his cheeks. Luke opened the door and the bell tinkled, and all his thoughts of his evening with Sarah evaporated. Before him, strewn across his desk, was the list, and underscored in red ink was Alex’s name.

  A dread twisted in his stomach as he thought of his brief conversation with Imogen. He should have checked on the hit and run victim instead of relishing in his reunion with Sarah. He may have been able to speak to her, extract important facts. It may have been his only opportunity.

  Leaning back into his swivel chair, he glanced at the phone. He should ring the hospital to find out the name of the victim, but part of him feared it was Alex and his breakfast swirled nauseously in his stomach. How would Angela be coping? To lose a husband was bad enough, but to lose a daughter as well, and in such a close timeframe. It didn’t bear thinking about.

  Tim had known that Alex was on the list, and therefore a potential target to whatever was going on, yet for some reason he had kept it secret from Angela. It seemed a little strange, and Luke could not imagine doing the same to Sarah. Nonetheless, that particular motive was not his concern and he refocused on Tim’s conduct. No wonder he had re-instigated the investigation, having abandoned it after Scott’s death. Keeping a child safe was motive enough for anyone.

  Twirling a pencil between his fingertips, his thoughts drifted back to Sarah’s pregnancy and a smile slipped to his face. Soon he would be welcoming his newborn into the world, his and Sarah’s very own creation. It was surreal, barely believable, and imagined it pink and wrinkled with fine wisps of hair. In the past, he had thought that many babies were ugly and no pleasure could be gained from them as their demands far outweighed the gains. But not now. What could be more adorable and heart-warming than snuggling in close to a newly formed life?

  Luke jerked himself back to reality and told himself to concentrate. Having already flicked on his computer, he opened a document pertaining to the case, and scanned his notes. Under an assortment of headings were snippets of conversations and facts, things he had discovered during conversations and meetings. He glanced to the document relating to Michelle Handley, and looked to the comments. Gavin had worked at the hospital and had processed blood tests. Was that relevant? Somehow, it could have led to Scott Cole’s death. Maybe Gavin had discovered something and it had put Brittany’s transplant in jeopardy. Maybe the discovery, along with their payment to O’Riordan had forced Michelle into something she had had little control over.

  He scratched his head and glanced at the time. Imogen was a bit late; he could do with her input. He would have expected her to be in early today, given her call last night. Frowning, his gaze dropped and he looked to the list, and wondered how many more of the people on it had died. Even though he sensed it was a list for potential murder victims, he told himself to hold back from making such an assumption, as it seemed many of the people were alive. He must keep a clear head and be open to other possibilities.

  An idea flashed into his mind. He looked to the characters and numbers alongside each name, and did a quick search on the Internet. Excited by his findings, he rang Imogen’s mobile number.

  ‘Hi Luke, I was just about to ring you. You must meet me at the hospital.’

  ‘Was it Alex in the accident?’

  ‘No. It was someone else. Anne Jacobs. I just have my suspicions about something. I’ll tell you when you get here.’

  ‘Okay. See you soon.’

  Everywhere around him, as he strode through the hospital, were reminders Luke was soon to be a father. There was a poster depicting a father and a son; there were building blocks in a waiting area; there was a mother and a baby upon the cover of a magazine. Smiling to himself, he glanced at the people in a waiting area and felt a sharp jab of pity towards them. They were missing out, and he could not accept that they could have been as happy when they found out they were to be parents.

  Enveloped in delight and with a gleaming sense of superiority, he pressed his hand to his phone to ensure he had brought it just in case Sarah called, and ambled up the staircase to the second floor. He shouldn’t have agreed to meet Imogen, as his instincts told him it was unlikely to prove worthwhile, but focusing on his work at the office was difficult also. Time away may allow his excitement to fade and clarity to form.

  He stepped to the side of the corridor to allow a mother and a child to pass by then caught Imogen’s gaze.

  ‘You won’t believe whom I saw earlier,’ Imogen said hurrying towards him.

  ‘Go on.’

  ‘Angela.’

  Luke nodded. It was hardly a surprise.

  ‘Anne is in a room just along there.’ She pointed with her head. ‘Earlier Angela was peering in. She was trying to look inconspicuous. I think she’s up to something.’

  ‘How so?’

  ‘She looked afraid, as though she was worried for the girl. I had wondered if she knew her, but she’s been avoiding the family.’

  Luke sat beside her.

  She pointed again. ‘The girl’s family are just down there.’

  He peered to his right.

  ‘She was in surgery last night and again this morning. I’ve been tracking them.’

  ‘You were here last night.’

  ‘Yes, for a while. One of us needed to keep on top of things.’ She caught his eye and smirked. ‘And I wanted to check to see if it was Alex. But it’s Angela that’s caught my attention. I’m sure it’s connected to renal.’

  Luke’s gaze wandered along the corridor to where Anne’s family were located. They were sat together yet only the first person, a thirty-something woman, was visible. When she placed her head into her hands and leaned forward he caught sight of her neighbour.

  ‘I know her,’ Luke said.

  ‘Who?’

  ‘The older woman. She must be Anne’s grandmother. I met her by the river.’ Luke stared pensive. ‘She was complaining about the hospital and a blood test.’

  ‘Luke,’ Imogen hissed, ‘look, it’s Angela. At the other end.’

  Mrs Jacobs also looked up and her eyes locked with Angela’s. She leapt to her feet and was scurrying towards her when the man she was with trotted to her rear and yanked her to a standstill. It was enough for Angela to take her chance and flee.

  ‘I think I know what’s going on,’ Luke whispered.

  A door opened and a doctor appeared, his expression sombre. He spoke too quietly for Luke to hear, but Luke could
immediately sense he was a messenger of bad news. The younger woman’s spine-chilling howls confirmed his predications. Anne had died.

  Luke leaned back into the chair and stared at the wall in front of him. It was a devastating loss for the family, difficult to empathise with.

  ‘Accidents happen,’ Imogen said.

  ‘It was no accident. She was a target . . . on the list.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Yes, I noticed her on it earlier.’

  ‘Oh my God!’ Imogen said, ‘and it was a hit and run too. I wonder if they’ll catch whoever did it.’

  ‘They’ll check the cameras. But proving it was murder could be more difficult.’

  Luke puffed out. Another life lost. If he had acted sooner it may have been preventable. He had been too busy contemplating what to do with Sarah to fully focus on the case; he had wasted time fumbling and faffing.

  A twisted smile slipped to his face as he acknowledged his reasoning. He was going to be as father.

  Imogen elbowed him in the ribs. ‘Look who’s arrived. It’s that fancy woman’s of Doctor Jerry’s. The transplant coordinator.’

  She handed a form to the man, he signed it, and then the family followed a nurse into the room so they could say their last goodbyes.

  ‘A least someone will benefit, and that’s good,’ Imogen said.

  ‘Hmm. I suppose.’

  Luke swirled the coffee with his spoon, oblivious to the fact it was spilling over the edge and onto the table. He was more interested in the connections he was making in his head and glanced to his mobile phone in his palm, and stared at the little screen.

  ‘You expecting a call?’ Imogen asked.

  He gave her a vacant look.

  ‘When’s Sarah due?’

  ‘Next week.’

  ‘Boy or girl?’

  ‘We don’t know.’

  ‘Are you back together then?’

  He removed the spoon from his mug and twirled it between his fingers, and tried to disguise his joyous expression. Out of his eye corner, he could see a judgmental frown hidden behind a twinkle in her gaze, and imagined her mocking tones of derision as she voiced her disapproval.