Face in the Frame

by Heather Atkinson

  Cass wasn’t sure what reception she’d get back at the office but Brodie seemed to be all concern when she entered.

  “Have you noticed anyone following you?” was his first question.

  “Nope and believe me I’ve been checking.”

  “You’re supposed to run checks before taking on a job so we can avoid situations like this.”

  “And I did,” she retorted, trying not to lose her temper. “I did a careful check but Elaine said the family had kept it a secret so there was no record.”

  “Alright, I’m sorry,” he said, holding up his hands.

  She closed her eyes and took in a few deep breaths. “I’m the one who should be sorry Brodie, my nerves are on edge.”

  “Understandable. Right, I need to speak to Big Malc and get this straightened out before it kicks off.”

  “You think it will?”

  “That all depends on how much Malc cares about Kevin the shitebag.”

  “Is it wise to approach him when he’s at war with Toni?”

  “I don’t see what else I can do.”

  She shook her head. “No. This is my mess and I’ll clean it up.”

  “Malc won’t talk to you, he won’t discuss anything with a woman.” Brodie hated what he had to say next but his priority was keeping Cass safe. “Maybe you should go to London sooner than planned?”

  She was surprised by just how hard this comment hit her. “Are you serious?”

  “The McVays have no reach down there. At least you’d be safe.”

  Cass looked down at the floor, kicking at it with the toe of her boot. “I suppose,” she mumbled.

  Brodie looked down at the floor too, missing the moment she lifted her head and gave him a hopeful look.

  “I’ll talk to Lucas about it,” she said.

  “Good. Probably for the best,” he said tightly. He turned on his heel and barked for Christian and Ross, unable to bear looking into those big dark eyes.

  When the door was shoved open Brodie shook his head and sighed.

  “Jesus Nat, not now, please.”

  Brodie’s sister, younger than him by four years, loped into the room on her long thin legs, long dark hair swinging halfway down her back. She had the same amber-coloured eyes as her brother and, unfortunately, the same moody temperament.

  “It’s important,” she replied, throwing herself into Cass’s chair.

  Brodie watched Cass’s eyes widen before they narrowed and filled with ice. She and Natalie hated each other with a passion. A year ago Natalie had mouthed off at her once too often simply because his sister enjoyed trouble. She’d soon regretted it when Cass had punched her and knocked her out. It had taken all of Brodie’s persuasive power to convince her not to report Cass to the police. But Natalie was also aware of his feelings for Cass and it always felt like walking a tightrope when they were in the same room together, afraid Natalie would let his secret slip - she was a vindictive cow and he wouldn’t put it past her to do it just for a laugh. He was also afraid Cass would knock her out again. Not that he was worried for his sister, she was always winding people up the wrong way and getting smacked in the face, but he was worried about Cass getting into trouble for it.

  “Then spit it out because we’ve got a lot on,” he said impatiently.

  “Charming as always,” said Natalie flatly. “It’s Ricky.”

  “Oh no, what now?” Ricky was their elder brother who was doomed to spend the rest of his life in a secure mental unit after he’d cut their abusive dad’s head off and he had frequent violent episodes, haunted by what he had done.

  “He’s had another episode,” said Natalie. “He attacked another patient and they’ve had to put him on the strong meds again.”

  “Oh jeezo. You’ll have to go. I’m up to my eyes in it here.” At that point his phone started to ring in his pocket but he ignored it, just knowing it was Shelley. He was sure the ringtone sounded different when it was her.

  “Aren’t you going to answer that?” said Nat.

  “It can wait,” he replied.

  Nat arched an eyebrow. “Brodie MacBride not answering his phone? What’s the deal there, that thing’s usually glued to your head.”

  “It doesn’t matter. Just go and see Ricky, will you?”

  She threw her booted feet onto Cass’s desk. Brodie swallowed hard when he saw his second’s hands ball into fists. Natalie was doing it on purpose to wind her up and they all knew it. Including Cass.

  “I went last time. It’s your turn.”

  “Why do you always have to treat him like he’s a chore? He’s your brother for Christ’s sake,” said Brodie, knocking her feet off the desk. “And stop treating this place like your own shitehole of a flat.”

  “You can’t call mine when you live in the stink pit from hell.”

  “My place is not a stink pit from hell and it’s nowhere near as bad as yours because I don’t let druggie bastards get high in it and stop changing the subject Nat. You don’t work, you’ve got more time than me and I have a lot of heavy stuff on at the moment.”

  “You always have heavy stuff on. You love drama,” she said, picking up a pen and twiddling it about.

  “You’re the only drama queen in here. Put that down,” he said, snatching the pen from her hand.

  “It’s your turn to see Ricky. I’m not doing it.”

  “For once in your life don’t be a selfish cow.”

  “I don’t like going when he’s just had an episode, he’s bloody scary. I’m sure Miss Wonderful here can oversee everything while you go,” she said, scowling at Cass.

  “Don’t push it Nat. We’re all on edge and Cass is leaving.”

  Natalie’s smile could only be described as delighted. “You mean, permanently?”

  “Yes I do so this isn’t a good time for your shit.”

  “Good, I’m glad she’s going. Stuck up cow.”

  “What did you say?” said Cass, jaw clenched.

  “Just because you’re my sister doesn’t mean you have the right to insult everyone who works here,” said Brodie. “You watch you nasty tongue.”

  “Before I pull it out,” added Cass in a cold voice.

  Natalie smirked up at her, secure in the knowledge that she wouldn’t dare hurt her in order to avoid being prosecuted. “We both know that’s not going to happen. You wet your pants when you thought I was going to the police when you hit me last time.”

  “I think you overestimate how much it bothered me,” retorted Cass.

  “No I don’t,” continued Nat, perfectly secure in her own safety. “You act all tough but underneath you’re just a wuss hiding behind my brother’s name.”

  “Nat, I said that’s enough,” said Brodie, noting how Cass was on the verge of exploding.

  Nat ignored her brother, running her amber eyes ran up and down Cass derisively. “Look at you, a sad, lonely spinster no one wants.”

  Cass’s smile was sly. “Actually I’m moving to London with a famous, handsome millionaire.”

  “You’re joking?”

  “Nope. Tell her Brodie.”

  “It’s true,” sighed Brodie, feeling well and truly caught in the middle. He was even more eager to put an end to this scene when he heard his office phone ringing, hoping it was Hans Albrecht. “I really need to answer that. Christian, Ross, keep an eye on these two,” he said before hurrying back into his office, slamming the door shut before snatching up the phone.

  “Hello?” he said.

  “Ah hello, I’m wishing to speak to Mr Brodie,” said a heavily-accented voice.

  He rolled his eyes and shook his head. Even when he spelt his name out for people they still got it wrong. “Aye, this is him.”

  “Hello, my name is Hans Albrecht. You wished to speak to me about Oliver Fender.”

  Brodie was quick to spot the way he spat Oliver’s name out. “That’s right. I’ve been commissioned by a client to gather as much information as I can on him. I was informed you might be a good pl
ace to start.”

  “Why do you want to know? I don’t understand.”

  “I’m afraid I can’t go into too much detail, I have to respect my client’s confidentiality.”

  “Is this against Oliver or are you trying to help him?”

  “Most certainly against.”

  “Well, in that case, what do you want to know?” said Hans, the reticence falling away.

  “Just if you encountered any odd behaviour from him when he was your agent?”

  “It would have been easier if you’d ask me if I’d encountered any normal behaviour from him. Then I could have said no.”

  Brodie resisted the urge to punch the air in jubilation. “Are you willing to give me any details?”

  “Oh yes. To put it simply, he was in love with me. He would not leave me alone and whenever I began a relationship with a woman he would interfere and mess it all up. I am only thankful the woman I married is strong and ignored all his silly attempts.”

  “Did he interfere with your work or did he just let you get on with it?”

  “He interfered non-stop. In fact he practically took it over, telling me what to do and how to do it. When he began producing similar pieces to mine I said enough was enough and I got myself a new agent.”

  Brodie sighed at the sound of raised voices filtering in from the next room. Cass and Natalie were in a full-blown argument. Peeking through the blinds he saw Christian and Ross standing between them, pleading with both women to calm down but both were ignoring them. His mobile phone began to dance and sing on his desk and Brodie threw it into a drawer when he saw it was bloody Shelley again.

  “What is that screeching sound?” said Hans.

  “It’s just a couple of…parrots.”

  “Ah, you like the birds?”

  “Too much pal. These pieces Oliver made, were they any good?”

  “Yes, very. It was hard to tell them from the real thing. He said his client before me didn’t mind, he liked him to help out, it took off the pressure of constantly having to produce new work.”

  If Brodie had been a cartoon a light bulb would have come on over his head. “Thank you Sir, you’ve been very helpful.”

  “Is that it?” said Hans as Brodie hung up on him.

  Brodie didn’t have time to mull over what he’d just learnt because there was a cry from outside. He exited his office to see Cass dragging a screeching Natalie to the door, one arm around her neck while Christian and Ross continued to plead with her to release her.

  “Let me go you mad cow,” exclaimed Natalie, unsuccessfully struggling against her. Cass might have been slender but she was also very strong and Natalie was no match for her. “Brodie, get her off me.”

  “Sorry Nat, I tried to warn you,” he called cheerfully, watching as Cass shoved his sister through the door before slamming it shut and ramming the bolt home. Natalie started banging on the other side, demanding to be let back in.

  Cass slammed both fists against it before yelling, “do one you daft bitch before I chuck you down the stairs.”

  The thumping stopped.

  “Fine but Brodie you’re visiting Ricky,” Natalie called back. “If you think I’m going after this then you’re going to have a shock you bastard.” This was followed by the sound of footsteps heading down the stairs, to all their relief.

  Silence reigned as Cass stood stock still, breathing hard, hands balled into fists and glaring furiously at the door, the three men regarding her warily before she said, “sorry Brodie. It was either throw her out the door or throw her out the window.”

  “It’s alright hen. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you had chosen the window, she gets on my tits too. I guess from now on I’ll have to throw her out myself.”

  Cass just nodded sadly, looking down at the floor again.

  “Listen Cass,” continued Brodie.

  She looked back up at him hopefully.

  “I know you’re going to London with Lucas but just do me a favour and keep your guard up with Oliver.”

  Cass blinked at him. “I thought it was Lucas you weren’t sure about.”

  “I can change my mind, can’t I? Oliver’s a dodgy wee bastard so just please, take care. He’s going to be even more pissed off at you now.”

  “I will,” she said softly, eyes huge and sad.

  Brodie cleared his throat and dragged his eyes off her and onto the other two members of his team. “You two,” he barked.

  “Yes Boss?” they said in unison.

  “Cass needs to go home and pack. Go with her, she’s not to be left alone for a minute, not until she’s left for London.”

  “She’s in trouble?” said Christian.

  “Well done Poirot,” spat Brodie. “Turns out someone she did over for beating the crap out of their wife is Big Malc’s half-brother.”

  “Oh shit,” said Ross.

  “Oh shit indeed,” replied Brodie. “Let’s just hope Toni doesn’t take it as personally as Big Malc’s going to. I’ll talk to him.”

  “No. I’ll sort it,” said Cass.

  “Will you please trust me with this?” he told her. “You’re my employee, this is a work-related incident and I will sort it out.”

  Her temper flared. That was all she’d ever be to him, something work-related. “Fine. I’ll go home and pack then.”

  Brodie’s expression hardened. “Fine.”

  He watched her turn on her heel and storm out, Christian and Ross racing to catch up.

  “Bastard Lucas Thorne,” said Brodie when they’d gone. “Bastard Big Malc, bastard McVays. Bastard, bastard, bastard,” he thundered, slamming both fists down on Ross’s desk. She was going to leave with that smooth prick and he would never see her again, what time he would have had with her before she left taken away from him by a bunch of sodding gangsters. He didn’t know what he’d do without her.

  CHAPTER 20

  Lucas frowned at the dented face, Bill the security guard shuffling beside him. “What on earth happened?”

  “Dunno Mr Thorne. I started my shift and found it like this. I reckon it was the cleaners, they’re really clumsy.” Bill could feel himself sweating, terrified Lucas was going to click on to what he’d done.

  “It looks like someone’s punched him.”

  “Those cleaners are a nasty lost,” he said, his voice feeling to catch in his throat, pinched with nerves. If Lucas cottoned on to what he’d done and tried to take Sylvie away from him he knew he’d finally snap.

  “Is there CCTV in this room?”

  “No,” said Bill, annoyed when he sounded relieved. He swallowed what felt to be a boulder when Lucas stared at him with those eerie eyes. Bill just stood there, certain Lucas could see right into his brain to what he’d done.

  “What on earth happened here?” said a voice.

  Bill was relieved when the man he knew to be Lucas’s agent walked into the room, forcing Lucas to take his death stare off him.

  “It looks like there’s been an accident,” said Lucas quite coldly, to Bill’s surprise. He’d thought he was very fond of his agent.

  “Accident?” shrieked Oliver. “This is vandalism, blatant vandalism. I bet it’s…”

  When he abruptly broke off they both peered at him curiously.

  “You bet it’s who?” said Lucas.

  “No one,” squeaked Oliver.

  “Ollie, if you know who did this then you must tell me,” pressed Lucas.

  “Oh, it’s Ollie again, is it? So you haven’t forgotten all about me then,” he sniffed.

  “Don’t be ridiculous, I could never do that. Do you know who did this?”

  Oliver frantically thought. He couldn’t admit his suspicions that he thought it was Brodie MacBride, he was afraid of both Lucas’s reaction as well as Brodie’s. “I bet it’s the cleaners,” he eventually said.

  Lucas stared at him before saying, “you’re probably right.”

  Bill sighed inwardly with relief. It appeared Lucas had accepted that explanation so
he could relax. For now. As he watched the two men manoeuvre the handsome man off the wall, hoping he ended up in the bin, he thought how close that had been. It would be so easy for his Sylvie to be taken from him and that he could never allow. He liked and admired Lucas Thorne but he’d see him dead before he let him take his love away.

  “Are you sure this is what you want?” said Christian as Cass moved about her flat, randomly throwing things into a bag. “You don’t have to go all the way to London.”

  “It seems I do,” she sighed, scowling at a CD before throwing it into the bag too.

  “But you hardly know Lucas.”

  “I love him. That’s enough.”

  “What if one day you stop loving him and you’re hundreds of miles away from your friends, all alone.”

  “Thanks Christian for your encouragement,” she said sarcastically.

  “I just don’t think you’ve thought this through properly. Brodie will talk to Toni and get it all smoothed out.”

  She paused packing. “You’re right, I haven’t thought it through.”

  “Good,” he smiled, relieved. “Instead of running off to London with Lucas just take a holiday until it all blows over with Big Malc. Then you can come back to your life.”

  “I mean I’m not going to let Brodie face Toni over this. She’s already pissed off with him and this might be the final straw. It’s my mess and I’ll sort it myself.”

  “But…how?”

  “Hold this,” she said, throwing the bag at him.

  Before he could stop her she’d run out of the flat, lithely hurdling the couch and was out the door before he’d had a chance to move.

  “Oh hell. Ross,” he called.

  The man himself appeared in the doorway leading from the kitchen clutching a mug of tea. “What is it?”

  “She’s done one. If we let her get away the boss will skin us alive.”

  Ross plonked the mug down on the coffee table and they both raced after her. They ran outside just in time to see Cass’s car pulling away from the kerb.