Promise of Hunters Ridge

by Sarah Barrie

  ‘Detectives!’

  Stuart scowled and walked out.

  Ben turned his attention back to the inspector. ‘He’s uncooperative and he doesn’t gel with the team. He has a poor attitude to women and no real competence as a detective.’

  The inspector rubbed his temples as though from a headache. ‘He’s learning, Ben, that’s why he’s with you.’

  ‘I don’t want him on my team.’

  The inspector’s gaze sharpened dangerously. ‘I would very strongly urge you to reconsider.’

  ‘Because he’s the commissioner’s nephew?’

  The gaze dropped and his face closed into a scowl. ‘Look, Ben, you’re running the investigation. Keep Stuart working on whatever you think best, but keep him working. And be careful how you handle this. He could do a lot of damage spouting off about you and this woman.’

  ‘There’s nothing to spout off. Are we done?’

  ‘Keep me updated.’

  Ben found Indy in his office. ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘Waiting for you to tell me what’s going on, of course. Stuart didn’t look anywhere near as happy coming out as he did going in.’

  ‘Things might not have gone as well as Stuart would’ve liked, but Frank wants him to stay on the taskforce.’

  The face Indy pulled reflected Ben’s thoughts perfectly. ‘How are we supposed to make that work?’

  ‘I don’t think the commissioner cares.’

  ‘Oh, of course.’

  ‘Ben?’ Russ appeared in the doorway. ‘All good?’

  ‘Good enough. What’s up?’

  ‘Just wondering if you had any set plans for the next few days? You need me to keep an eye on Mia? Share shifts or something?’

  ‘She doesn’t want us tailing her while she’s working. She has some meetings today and a photoshoot in the morning.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘She should be finished by three. I’ll check on her after work and have a car on her house in the evenings.’

  ‘That being the case, I was hoping I could spend a day with Janine tomorrow. When do you want us to head back out to Hunters Ridge?’

  ‘Not for a few days. We’ll cope here, no problem.’

  ‘Appreciate that. Ben, about Mia … just be careful.’ He looked uncomfortable. ‘I know it’s none of my business, but people aren’t meant to spend so much time under this kind of emotional stress. It can make them capable of doing things they normally wouldn’t do.’

  ‘That’s why she’s still alive.’

  Russ shifted his weight from one foot to the other. ‘I’m saying if there’s one thing she’s bound to want to protect more than herself, it’s going to be that baby. If she’s backed into a corner with no other way out …’

  ‘Don’t worry about it. She had a chance to take that option. She didn’t do it.’

  Russ nodded. ‘Just looking out for you.’

  Ben watched Russ walk away. ‘Everyone seems to think Mia might actually have something to do with all this.’

  ‘Russ is just worried because he’s seen so much horrible stuff. If the others feel that way, it’s likely because Stuart’s in their ears with his brilliant theory. It sounds so simple and straightforward; he doesn’t get why she’s not already in prison. He’s got it down. Ready to preen to his uncle about how clever he is. If he gets any excuse to make an arrest, he’ll pounce. He’s driving Russ up the wall.’

  ‘The problem is Stuart’s not interested in getting to the truth—just wrapping up the case.’

  ‘And his ego got bruised during his run-in with Mia. He wants payback.’

  Mia walked out of her meeting with a contract renewal and a very happy kids’ clothing executive. Two meetings today, two positive outcomes. She decided to celebrate by driving the short distance to Manly. She hadn’t visited the Brezelbar for months and the award-winning German bakery had a tiramisu strawberry gateau to die for. She’d buy some of the fancy slices Ally loved too, to freeze and take back with her. Then she could walk along the beach, work off some of the sugar. There were worse ways to spend an afternoon. Especially one full of sun and sand and waves.

  But when she reached the main street her mind wandered. She ignored the car spaces near the bakery, kept going, navigating the short distance to Sydney Harbour National Park. She stopped, got out of the car and looked around. Memories drifted through her mind. She hadn’t been here for a long time.

  She stepped onto the Fairfax Track and strolled along with other visitors, taking in the views, taking her time. When she reached the lookout she leant on the railing and closed her eyes.

  Images swirled behind her eyelids. This was where they’d come to spread his ashes; Shane’s final goodbye. She’d come for the short service on that cold and blustery day, standing well back from the main party because his mother had blamed her for the accident. And as she’d watched what was left of Shane blow away, she’d felt sadness, regret and a deep determination never to go through that again.

  After, she’d hidden for a while, in her studies, in her work. It was how she always coped with sadness; it wasn’t to share, it was something to take on privately, accept, and move on from. But everyone had been so worried about her. So she’d dated and dated and pretended she was fine. Until she’d convinced everyone she really was. Then the dates had tapered off because they left her feeling worse than hollow, they left her feeling nothing at all.

  ‘Hey, beautiful lady, are you all right?’

  She opened her eyes. Two young men nearby were watching her. Tourists, heavy accents, friendly smiles. ‘Just enjoying the day, thanks.’

  ‘You feel sad, you come see us. We’re at the backpackers’. We’ll buy you a drink.’

  She smiled, turning back to the view. Compliments were nice, but looks were just genetics. They reminded her of how shallow the relationship with Shane had really been. He’d only ever complimented her looks—there was never a nice word about anything else. It wasn’t just Shane’s fault. She’d been young, had enjoyed being beautiful, having an exciting partner, showing off. But the jealousy, the bitterness that had eventually consumed his other feelings, had taken even the pleasure in those things away from her. And she’d had nothing else. He’d eroded her self-esteem until she’d fought to hold on to the one thing that was destroying her: him.

  Looking back, it was impossible to believe she’d allowed it to happen. But staring out over the water with the breeze fresh in her face, she knew she wasn’t the same person. The experience had changed her, but it had changed her for the better. It had helped shape her. She was stronger, and she’d needed to be—still needed to be. She was more thoughtful, more driven, more resilient. And for what was to come, these attributes would be necessary, perhaps lifesaving.

  For all of those things, for the lessons he’d taught her, she thanked Shane silently. Then she walked away.

  The bar was typically busy and Ben waved at Bear, resigned himself to wading through the crowd, hoping to find Mia. When he’d gotten back to her place she hadn’t been there. He wasn’t worried—particularly. He’d gone back to his apartment to get some more things. Leanne had been in again and it was spotless. As he looked around the bar he smiled as he thought about the conversation he’d had with Mia about Leanne. If there hadn’t been jealousy on her face when he’d mentioned his housekeeper, he wasn’t a detective.

  Which was promising. Hopefully she was finally getting it. Because it was hard to keep his hands off her at the best of times. When she’d come downstairs this morning in her robe, with her tousled hair and sleepy eyes, he’d just about had to physically restrain himself. But she was just so damn vulnerable at the moment, whether she admitted it or not, so he needed to be sure she was sure. And this morning, when he’d had to rush off, hadn’t been the right time to find that out.

  After he’d left his apartment he’d thought about this place, decided she might have come here. If not, he’d call her, find out what was taking her so long.

  ‘Hi, Ben. What ca
n I get you?’

  ‘Bear. I just dropped in to see if Mia was here.’

  ‘You missed her by about half an hour. Kind of wish she was still here. She’s the only one who can talk Miguel out of a drink when he’s miserable. I’ll have to toss him out soon. Just don’t like to send him out on the street like that.’

  Ben followed Bear’s gaze. Miguel tripped over a chair, then righted himself. ‘You let him get that bad?’

  ‘He came in that bad just after Mia left. Wanted to do a show. I told him no, so now he’s just hanging around. Least I can keep a bit of an eye on him here. This is the third time he’s written himself off in as many weeks.’

  ‘He’s not normally a drunk?’

  ‘No, just having a bad time. He’s a good guy. Hey, Miguel,’ Bear called as Miguel approached the bar. ‘You right, mate?’

  ‘Another whiskey, Bear, if you don’t mind.’

  ‘How about I put some Coke with this one, eh? Gotta keep your hydration up.’

  Astounded, Ben was about to say something when Bear winked. He poured a straight Coke and handed it to Miguel. ‘There you go.’

  Miguel took a long drink, didn’t seem to notice the lack of alcohol, then looked Ben up and down with interest. ‘I’ve seen you before. Looking for Mia.’

  ‘I’m looking for her again.’

  ‘If she’s not at home and she’s not here, she’s working. Just the usual.’ Miguel sighed. ‘Works too hard, that girl. She should be out having fun. Seeing people. You. She likes you. Why haven’t you taken her out?’ Miguel gave him a chastising frown and Ben hid his amusement.

  ‘I might just do that. In the meantime, I’ll head to her place, hope to find her there.’

  ‘Do you think you could take him with you?’ Bear asked. ‘I think she has Andre’s number.’

  ‘Ah … okay.’ Damn it. ‘Let’s go, buddy.’

  ‘To Mia’s? Right.’ Miguel made it out onto the street, then stumbled into the wall.

  Ben cringed. ‘You okay?’

  Miguel made a dismissive noise, sliding down to the path to sit, shaking his head. Ben decided he was trying to see straight. Any lack of vision didn’t stop the animated chatter though. ‘That Mia, is a girl,’ he said very seriously.

  ‘Believe me, I’ve noticed,’ Ben replied.

  ‘Let me finish. That Mia is a girl—’ he pushed a fist to his chest, ‘—who deserves to be happy.’

  ‘I couldn’t agree more. Can you walk?’

  He staggered once, twice, gave up. ‘You’ll never meet—’

  ‘Come on, up you get.’ Ben half-coaxed, half-dragged Miguel to his feet. When he swayed, Ben reluctantly put Miguel’s arm over his shoulders and supported him.

  ‘What was I saying? Oh yes, you’ll never meet a more—’ he paused again as he searched for his word, ‘—a more … you know, you can be a drunk or a drug addict, an eccentric gay or a stuck-up straight or destitute or a billionaire … one hit on her once, you know?’

  ‘No, I didn’t.’

  ‘A real swank corporate executive. She told him he should use some of that money he was bragging about to buy himself a blowup doll. Let me tell you that story … in a minute. I was saying—oh yes—you can have issues, a fucked-up past, be as screwy as you like, doesn’t matter, she’ll love you. She’ll see the good bits, you know? How special is that?’

  ‘That’s pretty special, Miguel. Watch your step.’

  ‘You want to know a secret?’

  ‘What’s that? Careful!’ He helped Miguel back from the edge of the road when he would have tripped into the gutter.

  Miguel leant in, and the dizzying alcoholic fumes in his face made Ben’s eyes water. ‘That sassy attitude of hers is a well-practised cover.’

  ‘No way.’

  ‘She doesn’t know what a catch she is. You know.’ He lifted a finger, pointed it into space. ‘You know what that bastard boyfriend of hers said at the bar one night?’

  ‘I can’t imagine.’

  ‘He said,’ he cleared his throat, ‘he said, “You’d better take care of those looks, Mia, because there’s sure as hell nothing else about you worth hanging round for.”’ The finger joined a fist that was shaken at the world. ‘Ooh, he was a bastard and the harder she tried, the worse he got. Did I mention the billionaire?’

  ‘Yes. Here we are.’

  ‘Here we are. Are we? Oh yes.’

  The door opened and Mia appeared. Ben wasn’t surprised with the noise they were making. ‘Miguel? Ben?’

  ‘My darling Mia.’ Miguel missed the step, tried again. Ben assisted. ‘I’ve just been telling this rather stunning young man, who’s unfortunately straight, what a wonderful woman you are.’

  Mia’s half-laugh was uncomfortable. ‘This is Detective Ben Bowden, Miguel. You’re not going to fool him.’ She stepped out of the way to let them through.

  ‘Sorry, Mia,’ Ben said. ‘Bear wasn’t sure what to do with him. Said to bring him here.’

  ‘No problem.’ She slid an arm around Miguel’s middle. ‘We’ll take it from here, won’t we?’ She was smiling kindly as she led him to the lounge. ‘I’ll get you some water. Then I’ll call Andre and let him know where you are, all right?’

  ‘You’re a gem, Mia. A gem. But Andre doesn’t want to see me.’

  ‘You just let me talk to him.’ She smiled apologetically at Ben before disappearing down the stairs, reappearing a minute later with a large glass of water.

  She really was all those things Miguel had said, Ben thought. And she hid so well inside that cool exterior, it was often difficult to see what was going on underneath. Maybe it was time to find out.

  ‘What?’ she asked.

  ‘I’ve just been informed on reliable authority that you’re quite the catch, Ms Morgan.’

  She chuckled. ‘Miguel gets on his soapbox when he’s had too many. Last time he was heading to Alaska to save the fur seals. Don’t take it too seriously. And thanks for looking after him. It’s not very often he gets like this. He’s just going through some stuff.’ She found her bag, rifled through it. ‘I need to message Andre.’

  ‘Where were you this afternoon?’ he asked as she sent the text.

  She looked surprised that he’d asked. ‘Working.’

  ‘You said you’d be finished by three. I came looking for you.’

  ‘Oh. I had some other stuff to do before I go home.’

  ‘This is not home?’

  She looked around the place with affection but shook her head. ‘Not as much as it used to be.’ A loud snore from Miguel made her grin. Her phone beeped and she read the text. ‘Andre’s coming. He only lives round the corner. I’ll walk Miguel out.’

  He looked again at the toughened physique and knew she could, but he wasn’t going to stand there and watch her do it, so he got Miguel’s arm over his shoulders and lifted. Mia grabbed the other one.

  Miguel opened his eyes. ‘I can walk.’

  ‘Of course you can,’ Mia told him, ‘I just can’t resist a cuddle.’

  Miguel chuckled and staggered between them. ‘Talk to the hot straight guy. He’s going to take you out.’

  Mia’s eyes widened, darted to Ben’s. ‘Is he?’

  ‘If he’s got half a brain.’

  They struggled through the front door and down the steps as Andre pulled up. Between them, they got Miguel in the car. Ben waited at the door while Mia spoke to Andre, smiled, touched his arm sympathetically and waved them off.

  ‘I think it’s going to be okay. Andre’s letting him keep the boat.’

  ‘The boat?’

  ‘That’s what this is all about.’

  He followed her back inside and shut the door. ‘You know, it’s been quite an education getting to know your friends.’

  ‘It has?’

  ‘They all have their own opinions about you and seem to want to share them. Like Miguel saying I should take you out.’

  Uncertainty touched her features. Then the smile returned, her eyes dancing
with humour. ‘Mia Morgan and Ben Bowden on a date?’

  ‘What’s the world coming to?’ he asked, and when she didn’t respond, said, ‘What do you think?’

  ‘Of what the world’s coming to?’

  He stepped forwards and gently tucked her hair behind her ear, enjoyed seeing the surprise reflected in her eyes. She seemed unsure of herself, and that was so unlike her he figured it had to be a good sign. ‘Of me taking you out.’

  Her brow creased and she looked away. She took a long, deep breath before turning those stunning blue eyes back to him. ‘I think I’d like that.’

  He nodded slowly as he dealt with the sudden emotion her answer caused. ‘How about right now?’ He couldn’t help but touch her again, so he slid his fingers into her hair, felt its silky smoothness. His thumbs caressed her cheekbones, a small amount of pressure drew her in a step. ‘We could get some dinner …’

  ‘You know what?’ she murmured, her eyes dropping to his mouth as her arms came up to wrap around him. ‘I’m not hungry.’

  ‘I am,’ he said a second before their mouths met.

  Her lips were so soft, she tasted so sweet, and her eagerness matching his was dangerous, had his entire body vibrating with instant need. He hadn’t known—had guessed, but never could have anticipated—the depth of reaction they would set off in each other. How could a woman be so strong, so soft, so demanding, so giving? He wanted to touch, to taste, to feel everything, all of her. He slid his hands down her torso and her body trembled. He kissed her neck and her hands clutched his hair as a small sound escaped from her throat.

  His lips came back to hers and time ceased to exist, so he couldn’t have said how long they devoured each other, only that when his desire for her began to hurt too much, he clutched at her hips and brought himself back from the precipice. He was so close to willingly falling from that point of no return. His kiss gentled, and his hands began stroking, not to inflame, but to soothe.

  ‘Why did we take this long to get here?’ he murmured.

  She took an unsteady breath as he gently raked the hair back from her face. ‘It’s feeling a lot like some things are worth waiting for,’ she replied just huskily enough to send another shot of fire through his system.