Harper's Fate

by F. C. Clark

  ‘Thanks – don’t forget to tell Barney, but gag him first.’ Molly smiles.

  ‘Christina, I don’t know what to say.’ I hug her, guilt amid my affection. How could I have accused her of hurting her brother? This must have been one of the hardest situations she has had to deal with.

  ‘I’m sorry, Kate, for both of you. Fancy receiving this news, today of all days. Now go and be safe.’

  We pull up at the palace. I enter my number and the large black door unlocks. I walk in and head straight for the office. Kiki follows close behind me as I input my code.

  I make my way to the desk.

  ‘Where do you think Luke would have put my passport?’ I move paperwork on his desk – nothing.

  ‘Does he have a safe?’

  ‘I don’t know. I’ve never seen one. Maybe it’s still in his jacket from yesterday. He was wearing a navy blazer. Go into the closet and have a look. I’ll keep looking here.’

  Kiki disappears upstairs as I open drawers searching, to no avail.

  ‘Kate?’

  I look up. Oh shit.

  ‘Hi Max, I’m looking for my vouchers from my birthday. I know I left them here. Have you seen them?’ I wonder how my Oscar-winning performance is going to be rated.

  ‘Found it,’ Kiki almost sings. Fuck. Put the passport away.

  ‘Great… you have my vouchers! Where were they?’ I smile at Kiki, knowing Max is wondering what we’re up to.

  ‘Oh. Yes, they were… next… to your bed… Kate, you really should look harder.’ She shrugs, widening her eyes, proving she’s a shit actress. ‘Hi, Max.’ Kiki reaches up and gives Max a kiss on the cheek – clever thinking. He will disappear at the hint of any affection. As predicated, Max departs.

  ‘Jesus, that was close… Let’s go upstairs – I need to grab some bits to take with me.’

  We head up to the closet. I empty my rucksack.

  ‘What do I take? I’ve never had the need to acquire “meet my Russian father” clothes.’

  Kiki smiles. ‘You won’t be there long enough to worry.’

  ‘I hope not.’

  I change into jeans, black T-shirt, black biker jacket and black Converse boots. I pack some clean underwear and my toothbrush. I find a black scarf – it must be one of Valerie’s gifts. I squirt it with Luke’s cologne, keeping him with me.

  Kiki laughs. ‘Kate Harper, you have Sutton syndrome - bad.’

  ‘Yes, I do… I make no apologies for it either.’ I look Kiki face on. ‘I love him.’

  ‘No shit – I told you that last week.’

  I take my passport and place it in the back pocket of my jeans, and slide the piece of paper Fiona gave me into my bra.

  ‘Kate!’

  ‘If I need to call Fiona’s friend, I may be on the run from someone. It’ll be safer in my bra.’ I’m not sure MI5 will be knocking at my door anytime soon.

  ‘Good thinking.’ Kiki’s phone rings and she answers it. ‘Thanks.’ She looks at me. ‘My driver’s here. Do you have everything you need?’

  ‘I think so.’ I grab my favourite lip gloss and look around our bedroom, taking in every detail, knowing I will need to relive the memory at some point.

  We head downstairs to see Max standing at the bottom step, arms folded.

  ‘Kate, may I have a word?’

  ‘I’m running late, Max. Is Luke OK?’

  ‘Yes, he is… Is something wrong?’

  I shake my head. ‘No, I just needed to pop home, that’s all.’

  ‘Kate wanted her vouchers.’ Kiki’s attempt at acting once again jeopardises my plan.

  ‘Kate, if you need anything…’ Max can sense I’m not my usual self. That may have something to do with my discovery of my Russian ancestors – it can have that effect on you.

  I smile and reach up to him, planting a kiss on his cheek, followed by a hug.

  ‘Thanks, Max, and tell Luke… tell him that I’ve always loved him, since…’ I can’t finish. Tears stand in my eyes. ‘Since the first time he said hello.’

  I begin to stride away, not turning back as I know Max will see the tears rolling down my cheeks.

  In the back of Kiki’s car, she shows the driver the address of the airfield. He inputs the details into his sat-nav, which indicates it will be a twenty-minute drive. I know the time has come to call Luke.

  ‘It kills me that I’m lying to him.’

  ‘You’re not lying. You’re thinking of his safety.’ Kiki holds my hand, offering me the strength and encouragement I need to lie to him.

  I dial his number and take a deep breath. Please let it go to voicemail.

  ‘Hi, baby.’ Shit… Let the deceit commence.

  I take a deep breath. ‘Hi, sex god.’ Kiki looks at me and smiles. I glare at her. I need to remain normal. ‘How is everything? Have you seen Zhan?’

  ‘Yes. How is the shopping? Have you made use of the small rectangular piece of plastic?’

  ‘We are just on our way now; I needed to collect my vouchers, so I have no idea how your card is.’

  He laughs. ‘Do I sense hostility towards your credit card?’

  Tears are in my eyes. This hurts me. ‘Maybe a little, but I miss you badly… Actually, from now on, you’re never allowed to leave me.’

  ‘That’s not a problem for me, baby.’

  ‘OK, I just wanted to hear your voice before I start shopping with Kiki. I have no idea what time I’ll get back to Harry’s. I just thought I would tell you that Kiki’s driver is taking us.’

  ‘Good. As long as you’re safe.’

  Safe! Russian ancestors and a hundred-million-pound trust fund may not be categorised as ‘safe’. I shut my eyes. This is too difficult. I feel sick.

  ‘Yes, I’m safe. I just miss you and I love you.’

  ‘I love you too, baby.’

  ‘No. Luke, I mean it from the bottom of my heart – you mean the world to me.’

  ‘Kate, are you OK?’

  ‘Yes – I’m hormonal, remember.’

  Luke laughs. ‘OK, I will speak to you later… I love you.’

  He’s gone. The line is dead, matching my feelings of loss, as the tears fall down my face.

  ‘Crap. I’ve just lied through my teeth.’

  Kiki pulls me close. ‘Once he knows the truth, he’ll be fine.’

  ‘Do you think I’ll be OK? This Ivor guy… do you think he’s safe?’ I sit back in the seat and look for honesty from my best friend.

  ‘For some reason I do; after all, he is your dad.’

  ‘Fuck.’

  ‘So, how is the sex god?’ She chuckles, knowing this will make me smile. ‘That good?’

  ‘The best.’

  After twenty minutes, we arrive at the airfield. In the distance there is a runway and a jet, slightly smaller than Luke’s. However, there is nothing here except the plane – no waiting room or passport control. Is this legal? Panic sets in. I swallow hard and ask myself what the hell I am doing.

  ‘Can you take us to the plane?’ Kiki asks her driver. ‘You don’t have to go.’

  ‘I do.’ In my heart I agree with her. I don’t want to go.

  My first view is of two men, identically dressed in black jeans and black windcheaters. Do they look Russian? What do Russians look like? The car comes to a stop.

  I take a deep breath.

  ‘This is it, Kiki – do or die.’

  Kiki looks at me. ‘Jesus, Kate… Let’s go with do, shall we?’

  ‘Don’t get out. As soon as I’m out of the car, drive off… Promise me.’

  ‘Promise.’ She begins to cry. ‘Be safe.’

  ‘I will. Please don’t cry – I need you to be strong.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’

  ‘Now, if Luke calls, tell him a story and ring me. G
ot it?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Go back to the hospital and stay together – I need to know you’re all OK. Please do that for me.’

  ‘I will.’

  I look out of the window and then back at Kiki.

  ‘Give Dad a hug from me and tell him I love him. Text me if there is any news on his condition.’

  ‘OK.’

  I grab my bag and open the car door, shutting it behind me. I wait for the car to drive away before I join the two men standing beside the jet.

  Holy fuck, this can’t be happening to me. It’s like a dream – or a fucking nightmare…

  26

  FRIDAY 21st AUGUST

  B & C HOUSE, NEW YORK, 5PM.

  Before she can enjoy a free weekend in New York, Alexis has one final meeting with her father. She takes a deep breath. She is in the lift on the way to the top floor. Her protective coat of emotional armour slides over her body. Be strong; he loves you.

  Her effortless strides show she is a woman in authority. Her armour works. Onlookers shy away from her; the Medusa of the business world has entered the building.

  Her eyes flit to Philip Cooper’s secretary. ‘Coffee’ is the only word to escape her red glossed lips.

  Opening the door to his office, she sees her father on the phone. He waves his arm for her to sit.

  ‘Good. Get it fucking sorted. Heads will roll because of this, do you understand me?’ He slams the phone down, causing Alexis to jump in her seat.

  His secretary walks in with two coffees. She silently places them on the dark wood desk and hurries away. As ever, the Cooper duo fill the room with evil tension.

  ‘Daddy!’ Alexis readjusts her tightly fitting skirt. She takes her coffee.

  ‘We have a massive problem.’ Philip Cooper stands and rubs his balding head. ‘I’ve received some news from Bateman, Gates and Wilkinson.’

  ‘Attorneys? And?’ Alexis anxiously waits. She recognises the look of rage sweeping across her father’s face.

  ‘Fuck… this is not good.’ He gazes at the skyline of New York City. ‘Sixty per cent of Bagrov’s shares have been revealed.’

  Alexis frowns. ‘And?’

  ‘Fuck.’ Philip turns. His eyes are on fire.

  ‘I thought the shares were held between various family shareholders – silent shareholders? So what’s the problem? We still have majority shares, don’t we?’

  ‘It was originally split between the Bagrov families. The point is, one person now owns the sixty per cent.’ Philip Cooper takes his seat.

  Alexis looks at her dad, knowing the next piece of information is not going to be one she wants to hear.

  ‘That fucking cunt that’s shacked up with Luke Sutton.’ He looks at Alexis. Anger rises. ‘That fucking Harper girl.’

  ‘What?’ Alexis almost stops breathing, replaying Philip’s words in her mind. She places her cup on the table, and stands, shocked at the mention of Kate Harper. ‘If this is a joke, I’m not laughing.’

  ‘When do I joke about money?’ Philips spits his words.

  ‘She’s only with Luke for his money.’

  ‘Well, now she has her own.’

  ‘But how?’ Alexis paces across the vast office. Confusion swirls in her head. The mention of Luke makes bile build at the rear of her throat.

  ‘The information has come from Bateman, Gates and Wilkinson. She was adopted. Now she’s the beneficiary of the Bagrov estate. I have people looking into this. Fuck knows how this has happened.’

  ‘What now? There is no way she can have majority shares. This can’t be happening.’ Alexis’s emotions begin to run wild.

  ‘Fuck the bitch – Sutton is my concern.’

  Alexis ceases pacing at the mention of Luke’s name. ‘Luke.’

  ‘Yes, Alexis. I know your pussy has been after that prick for years. If he gets his hands on her shares, we’re fucked.’ He slams his hands down on the table. ‘Do you hear me? Fucked. Maybe you should get your tight arse over to him and show him what a real woman feels like.’

  Alexis’s mind runs wild with information about Luke, business and Bagrov – but her father is who she fears the most.

  ‘I’ve seen them together. Besides, Luke has refused to see me because of the little bitch. There’s no way I can get him in bed if I can’t get near him.’

  ‘Well, you need to think of something fast. If we have this information, then the little cunt must have it too.’

  ‘What shall I do?’ she asks.

  ‘I have a couple of plans; one is already in place.’ He leans back in his chair. ‘Maybe you could come and de-stress your poor old dad before you leave. Lock the door.’ He gestures for her to walk forward.

  Alexis moves towards the door. She rests her forehead on the cold wood and locks the door. A feeling of nausea washes over her. How can she be so strong and yet fall to her knees for her father, a man she despises more than anyone else in the world? But she will do anything to gain his respect.

  27

  FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST

  SUTTON. DUBAI, 7.50PM

  Luke collects his phone, which is vibrating against the table. It’s SGI security.

  ‘Afternoon, Luke – sorry, it’s evening for you.’

  ‘Perry, I don’t have time for small talk.’ Luke rubs his jaw, agitated that his meeting has been interrupted.

  ‘Yeah, sorry – look, I had to call you personally. Your girlfriend…’

  Luke places his hand at the knot of his tie. ‘What about her?’

  ‘Her tracker is either fucked, which is not possible as I’m responsible for it, or she’s just landed eighty miles from St Petersburg.’

  ‘Hang on.’ Luke stands. ‘Excuse me, but I’ll have to postpone this evening’s meeting,’ he says to the room at large.

  ‘Luke!’ Zhan looks across at Luke.

  ‘A word in private?’ Zhan follows Luke out of the meeting room.

  ‘I have a small problem to sort out – it’s Kate,’ Luke explains.

  ‘Is she OK?’ Zhan asks.

  ‘I don’t know. You have everything you need?’

  ‘Of course – go. Keep me posted.’

  Luke nods and briskly walks away. He gets in the lift, reaches the ground floor and hits send.

  ‘Perry, talk to me.’

  ‘OK… She’s definitely in Russia – I assume you didn’t know?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Something’s odd. She hasn’t landed in a legal airfield.’

  * * *

  ‘Sutton.’ A familiar voice echoes in Luke’s ear as he leans back in the limo.

  ‘Sullivan.’ Luke takes a deep breath, anger racing through his mind, making his blood pump faster than normal.

  ‘What’s up?’ James Sullivan asks.

  ‘I’m on my way to…’ Luke’s throat constricts.

  ‘OK, what’s going on?’ James Sullivan knows his ex-army friend better than he knows himself.

  ‘Kate.’ Luke loosens his tie and undoes the top button of his shirt.

  ‘What about her?’

  ‘She’s in Russia. Do you know the name Varizin?’ Luke now has James Sullivan’s undivided attention.

  ‘Yeah – why the hell do you know it? You’ve been out of the game too long.’

  ‘Fuck. Look, I’m in Dubai. My security team have contacted me. Kate’s in Russia…’

  ‘Go on.’

  ‘I don’t know the full details. Apparently she’s adopted. Her real parents are Russian.’ Luke pauses for a moment. ‘Varizin is her father.’

  ‘This is serious shit.’ James takes a deep breath. ‘How’s this come about?’

  ‘Long story. I’ve just spoken to her friend Kiki. Kate’s dad was attacked this morning, and she’s gone to Russia to sign her inheritance over to Varizin.’
>
  ‘Fucking hell, Sutton, you’ve got yourself into some trouble. Harper passed our security checks, I assume? It’s not like you to take your eye off the ball.’

  ‘She passed – there was no need for concern. I don’t have the full details, but I do know she’s landed in Russia about eighty kilometres from St Petersburg. As I said, I’m in Dubai, about to board a jet.’ The car pulls up alongside a plane.

  ‘OK… I’m just tapping into your tracker. Flying or jumping?’

  ‘Jumping. I need to arrive under the radar.’

  ‘As I thought. Good to go; the team will collect you. In the meantime, I’ll get into Kate’s tracker and locate her position.

  ‘Luke – our knowledge of the Varizin family has not flagged any major concerns – lately. It’s been quiet, in fact. Ivor is head of the clan, but as far as intel goes he has no dependants, and his wife died years ago.’

  ‘Looks like someone doesn’t have all the facts.’

  ‘I’ll do some digging.’

  Luke takes a deep breath and closes his eyes.

  ‘Sutton.’

  Luke remains silent as he steps out of the car.

  ‘Luke, I know how much she means to you.’

  ‘This is it, Sullivan – no games. If anything happens to her…’

  ‘I hear you. Let me get on. I need to contact Parker. Trust me.’

  ‘OK.’

  The phone line disconnects, and Luke is confused. What the fuck is going on? Pain runs through his body like nothing he’s ever experienced before: it is a crushing sensation. With a deep sigh the realisation hits him. He has to use his past to save his future, and rescue the woman he loves…