by Elise Whyles
“To my place.” Jack grabbed her hand. “Relax, it’s going to be okay.”
Gillian shook her head, fear in her eyes. “I need my glasses.”
Jack chuckled. “I’ve got Sally getting you a new pair. Yours were a little broken. Sally’s bringing your bag as well. We managed to get it out of the car.”
Gillian nodded shakily and sat hunched over as Jack wrapped her in his coat. He sighed as the nurse rolled a wheelchair into the room. Guiding Gillian into it, he ignored her attempts to physically brush him off.
“Here’s the prescription.” The nurse held out a slip of yellow paper. “You can fill it at the drug store or the pharmacy on the way out.”
“Thanks, I’ve got it.” Jack slipped the paper from Gillian’s fingers with a grin. Leaning down, his lips brushed against her ear, the shiver she couldn’t hide warming his heart. “Relax, let me take care of you.”
Gillian glanced at him, pain in her eyes. “It’s not safe to care about me, Jack. You’re going to regret—”
“Nope.” Jack straightened and began pushing the chair toward the exit. “I doubt I’m ever going to regret taking care of you.”
* * * *
Gillian winced as she eased onto the familiar leather of Jack’s couch. She could hear him moving around in the bedroom, the sound comforting even as nerves gnawed. If Mike found out, there’d be hell to pay. To keep Mike from hearing, she’d need to keep her whereabouts a secret from her mother. There was no doubt if Barbara knew, she’d tell. There was no other alternative, and Barbara had already admitted to seeing him, talking to him. But keeping the secret would prove difficult. Sliding down into the plush seat, she sighed. Her mind raced with plans, schemes she quickly disregarded. Drumheller wasn’t a huge town, but it wasn’t so small she couldn’t disappear at least for a while. She’d just have to figure out how to do it.
Exhaustion wrapped around her, sapping her strength. She smothered a yawn and glanced up at the softest touch of a hand on her shoulder. “Here, lean forward, hon.” Jack slid a pillow behind her. “This’ll help. Sally’ll be here in a few minutes with your purse. She said she got your glasses patched and a new pair on order.”
“She didn’t have to.” Gillian swallowed, the expense of new glasses would drain her limited cash stores. Having to purchase a new car, new glasses, pay rent on her new place meant she’d be lucky to have enough for groceries.
The sounds of Jack puttering in the kitchen drifted through the archway. She could feel her nerves stretch, worry biting at her. “Did my mother know you were going to take care of me?”
“Don’t worry about your mother.” The clanking of pots and pans reached the living room along with Jack’s voice. “You hungry?”
“No, no thank you.” Gillian shuffled down into the cushions. Closing her eyes, she listened to Jack moving around. Fear raked at the back of her mind. If Barbara knew, she’d be by sooner or later. She’d never questioned Barbara’s lack of emotion, never forced herself to think on it, but now? Now she had to.
She licked at her lips, the memory of her mother’s voice in the hospital room a physical blow. How could Barbara, a married woman, proposition Jack? Did she really see Gillian as a cold, useless blob? Why? What could she possibly have done?
The angry peel of the doorbell jerked Gillian from her confused haze. Her breath caught, throat tightening. She sat up, her fingers digging into the leather.
“Hi.” Warmth in Jack’s voice was the first indication the visitor wasn’t Barbara. “Did you get everything?”
“Yes, I even stopped by the old place and grabbed a few things. I found a bunch of documents in the pantry, wasn’t sure if they were needed or not so I brought ’em. Hey, Gillian. Hope you’re feeling better. Scared ten years off Jack’s life.” Sally’s voice reached her a moment before a gentle touch to the back of one hand.
“Set the papers on the desk. Do you want some coffee? I’m making lunch.”
“Why, Jack, I thought you’d never ask. I’ll take the coffee, nothing to eat.” Sally chuckled. “Gillian, here. I think these are going to help.”
Relief flooded Gillian as she slid her glasses on. Blinking a couple of times to clear her vision, she glanced around. Her bags sat near the hallway, her coat and shoes next to them. “Um, I only had my purse in the car, you didn’t have to—”
“Oh, hon, I know that, just know you needed your things. The landlord let me in when I told him I was helping you move out. He was more than happy to hear it since your lease is up in a week. I got a couple of the boys to go over and pack up the rest of your personal belongings. Do you want me to bring them here?”
“Yes, she does.” Jack’s voice drifted over the back of the couch.
Gillian nodded, her stomach twisting as she debated asking. “Did you say you got some papers?”
“Yeah, from a law office, and there was other mail in your box. I just grabbed it all. Very nice young boy was there asking after you. I told him you were staying with a friend and he asked where. I told him you were here, and he said to say hi. Said he might pop by if that was okay. Thought I saw Barbara as I was leaving, but why she’d be looking for you there—”
“Can I see the letter from the lawyer?” Gillian sucked in a pain-filled breath as she struggled to get off the couch.
“Of course you can. Just stay there, I’ll bring it to you.”
Gillian accepted the envelope with a weak smile. She frowned as she checked the address. It wasn’t her lawyer’s office. Ripping it open, she pulled out the letter and unfolded it.
Dear Miss Hilliard,
As per our yearly audit, we have discovered to our consternation several rather suspect transactions on your account outside of the parameters set in place by your father. As well, we’ve noted the increase in payments to BMC Consulting. These transactions are not in line with the previous withdrawals. We are acting to protect your interests, therefore we are responding to this suspect activity as is our policy. As a result of our initial investigation, we are freezing your accounts. Please feel free to contact us to discuss this further. Our goal is to protect your interest.
Sincerely, Robert Fritz.
“What’s it say?” Jack lounged against the doorjamb.
“Someone says they froze my bank account.” Gillian looked up at Jack. “I don’t understand. I’ve never even heard of this company, much less this account. Maybe someone got mixed up.”
“Let’s have a look,” Jack offered quickly. He read through the letter, a frown pulling his brows together. “This is odd. You’re certain you haven’t been making any payments to this company? Though this sounds like a lot of money.”
“No.” Gillian closed her eyes, her throat tightening. “But it could be my mother. She meddles…”
A firm, distant knock on the door interrupted them. Gillian stared at Jack in a horrified stupor. Another knock halted her unspoken protest as Jack hurried to answer the door.
* * * *
“Rick, what a surprise. What can I do for you?” Shock tightened Jack’s voice as he stared at the tall, muscular blond dressed in a pressed blue and gray uniform hovering on his doorstep. “I have coffee on.”
“I’m afraid this isn’t a social call.” Rick adjusted his weight, his hand going to the briefcase he held. “I’m working on an investigation. Fritz, Fritz, and Jamieson contacted me about some questionable transactions on an account. Apparently they sent out a letter and haven’t heard anything back from Miss Hilliard. As soon as they told me the name, I suspected it was tied in with another investigation.”
“Really? Seems a bit odd. She only just got the letter. How’d you know to come here? Come on in, she’s resting at the moment.” Jack ushered him in. “She was just released from the hospital earlier and…”
“I heard about the accident. I also heard from the nurses you were there at the discharge, and since she’s not at her registered address I assumed she’d be here. I’m well aware of your involvement with Miss Hilliar
d. Damn, Jack. Look, I know this sucks but I have to do my job.” Rick sighed. “Would it be possible to speak to her?”
“Sure, but don’t upset her. She’s already got plenty on her mind.”
Rick nodded his agreement and followed Jack past the foyer table and into the living room. Jack sighed. Gillian lay curled up on the couch, her dark hair spread over the pale pillows as she stared at the silent television.
“Gilli, this is Constable Rick Feller. He was wondering if you’re up to speaking with him.”
Gillian frowned, her face paling even further. “Of course. What can I do for you, Constable?”
“I’m investigating some odd payments made in the past few weeks to a company we suspect of having connections to a rather questionable organization. It was brought to Mister Fritz’s attention by a Miss Willows, who was going through a copy of the yearly statements as per your late father’s request,” Rick started.
“What? I don’t, I didn’t, I don’t know what’s going on.” Gillian bit her lip as she sat up. Jack rushed over to help her, his touch careful.
“Baby, just relax, lie back. There isn’t anything Rick has to say you can’t take lying down. It’ll be okay.” Jack glared across the room, noting the uncomfortable look on Rick’s face. Good, he needed to sweat a bit.
“We’re not accusing you, Miss Hilliard. Instead, we’d like to know if you recognize these.” Rick pulled several plastic-encased checks from his briefcase and extended his arm. “They were made out to BMC Consulting. My understanding is you do not use checks?”
“How would you know that?” Jack demanded.
“We got old bank records as part of our investigation. Miss Hilliard has a checking account, but has never ordered checks, nor has she ever written one.” Rick paused. “I am good at what I do, Jack.”
“No, I don’t. I never have. Doctor Reimer suggested I avoid it to steer clear of my mother tampering with my accounts.” Gillian gagged as she stared at the documents in front of her. Flipping through them, she glanced up. “I’ve never heard of this company. I don’t use any consulting firms. And I really don’t have this kind of cash.”
“I’m going to be brutally honest here, Miss Hilliard. We suspected as much. The account belongs to you. Your legal representative, Miss Willows, confirmed it. It was opened before your father was killed. It was set up to release a set amount each month for living expenses, but someone, a person in a position of trust and power, altered the guidelines of the trust. In truth we suspect someone has been funneling funds, and up until recently they were pretty smart about it. We’d like to know if we have your cooperation in regards to this investigation.”
“What? Why?” Gillian glanced between Rick and Jack, her emotions swinging wildly. “I … of course I’ll do whatever you need. I didn’t know anything about this account. I just don’t understand where the money would come from. I know you’ve explained, but this is all so unreal to me.”
His heart dropped at the meek whimper from Gillian as she dropped the stack of checks on the coffee table and stared at them. Somehow, he doubted this was even close to being resolved.
* * * *
The Warden hadn’t been too keen on her visiting Mike anymore. He’d blathered on about how it was only for family. After promising this would be the last visit, he’d consented to it. Still, she needed to get things taken care of, and she needed Mike to do his share. Barbara paced the confines of the small cabin, her fists planted on her hips. A glance out the window revealed the guards escorting Mike toward her. She paced toward the kitchen and back again, her anger burning hotter with each step.
“Well, if this isn’t a delightful surprise?” Mike whistled as he closed the door. “The old man not doing it for you these days?”
Barbara reached out, the crack of her palm against his cheek loud in the silence. “I asked you to find me a killer. Not someone who couldn’t deliver. Do you think for a moment that if they figure it out you’re going to walk?”
Ignoring the fury twisting his face into an ugly mask, Barbara shook her head. “Gillian’s very much alive, in spite of your friend’s meddling with the car. Frankly, it seems a rather risky method to do the job. Her new boyfriend was at the hospital when she was released, and in spite of my attempts to contact her, she’s beyond my reach. Jack won’t let me anywhere near her. He acts like some besotted fool.”
“He didn’t have nothin’ to do with her car, he favors a knife or something like it. Not my problem. The bitch is—”
“They also froze the account.” Barbara leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. “Which leads me to think they may be aware of a few things, which should they come to light could have far-reaching consequences. For both of us. Yesterday, my asshole husband took away the credit cards, which leaves me a little on the broke side!”
“Well, can’t help you with that husband of yours. Look, Gillian’s a coward, she’s gonna run. Just have to know where to hit her the hardest.” Mike rolled his shoulders. “Just so happens I know. You get me the cell I asked for?”
“Of course I have it. The guards don’t know it or I’d have been refused entry.” Barbara pulled out the slim cell and handed it over. “Why? What are you going to do?”
“You got a number for lover boy?”
“Of course.” Barbara smirked. “If there’s anything good of having my husband, it’s knowing his staff’s phone numbers. Four-oh-three, five-five-five, two-one-two-two.” Hovering over him, she watched Mike fiddle with the slim phone before he punched in the numbers with a happy little snicker. Snapping the phone shut, he offered a slick grin.
“What did you do?”
“Saved the number for later. I’ll just have to make sure the guards don’t get their hands on this little baby.” Mike pressed her back against the wall. “Bitch may think she’s free, but she ain’t. Now, you wanna talk about her or use our time a bit more productively?”
Barbara gasped when his hand tightened around her throat. She shivered, arousal a slow, hot sludge through her veins as he jerked her pants open and his hand slithered inside to rub at her clit. She whimpered, thrusting her breasts out as he slid his hand down her throat, tugging and ripping buttons loose to reveal her black lace bra.
She stifled a wince when he bit her breast, and she raised a hand and ran her fingers through his hair. Whimpering and moaning with each nip of his teeth, she gasped. Spreading her legs slightly, she caught her breath as he rammed two fingers into her pussy, his fingers stretching her, thumb tracing over her clit. Hurried, his touch was rough, careless even. A startled gasp slipped from her lips when he backed away, jerked her pants down around her ankles, and spun her around to press her bare flesh into the table.
The icy tabletop slapped against her bare flesh, and Barbara muffled her scream when Mike kneeled behind her. She sank her teeth into her lip hard enough to draw blood as he lapped at her cunt, his tongue flicking along her clit until she was a burning, twitching mess hanging on the edge of an orgasm.
“On your knees, bitch.” Mike pulled her off the table, rising to his feet. She winced at the sharp tug on her hair as he jerked her head back. “Suck on it, get it wet, baby. Then I’m gonna stick it in you until I blow my load.”
Barbara parted her lips and licked along the head, her mouth wrapping around it as she moved forward. Her tongue danced along the shaft again and again as he thrust. Her fingers crept beneath the lace of her panties to play with her clit as he thrust against her face. Gagging, coughing, she shuddered as he rammed his cock to the back of her throat repeatedly.
Barbara stared at him, her lips swollen, tears streaming down her cheeks, her chin wet with saliva.
“Mmm, is that the best you’ve got, lover?”
Alarm darted through her at his cocky grin. Her hands slapped at his wrist when he pulled her to her feet and dragged her toward the bed. Crying out in pain as her knees hit the floor, he pressed her down, his grip tight, unyielding, as he crushed her face into the bedspread.
> With one hand down her panties, she played with her clit as she felt him jam two fingers back into her pussy before withdrawing them and slipping up along the curve of her ass. Barbara stiffened and then struggled as Mike lined his cock up and slid the thick head into her rectum. The burning was intense. Stifling moans of agony, she arched back. Nothing like a little pain. The thought barely finished before her orgasm was washing over her in a burst of lights and sensation.
Her hips pounded against the bed with each brutal shove before he groaned, his final thrust burying his cock into her anus as deep as it could go. She shivered with each wash of his ejaculate.
“Still a world class fuck.” Mike leaned over her. “I’ll get rid of the little slut, you just make sure you’re free when I’m done.”
Barbara jumped at the sharp slap on her ass before Mike padded into the bathroom. Collecting her breath, she struggled to her feet. Gathering her clothes, she winced at the tenderness in her lower body. She’d need a shower before she got home to prevent Lenny from noticing anything out of the ordinary.
Idly, she listened to the shower start up and dug into her purse for a hairbrush. She’d need to get into those accounts, and the easiest way was for Gillian to do it for her. The silly little twit would do it, if she knew what was good for her. And she had the perfect tool to use against Gillian. She’d do whatever it took to keep Jack safe, her attachment to the handsome fireman a perfect weapon to be wielded.
Chapter 24
Jack heard the phone ring. Carefully untangling himself from around Gillian, he shuffled sleepily into the living room to pick up the receiver before it woke Gilli. “Hello?” He paused at the faint sound of harsh breathing on the other end. “Hello? Who is this?”
“You’re dead.” Low, gravelly, the voice seemed to swallow his words. “You and the slut.”
Jack spat a curse at the angry dial tone. He set the receiver down and hurried down the hallway to the bedroom. Gillian lay tangled in the thin coverlet, her chest rising and falling with a slow steady rhythm. The bruising around her eyes was starting to fade. A faint line of tiny dots along her hairline revealed where the staples had been. He breathed a sigh of relief she hadn’t woken from her nap. She’d had too little sleep in the week since she’d been released from the hospital.