A Family Affair - First Born

by Marilyn McPherson

  At the click of a button, the factory’s large automatic roller door wound upwards, and Hayden was pleased to see an older model Holden inside waiting for him. His man had a gun pointed squarely at the driver’s seat. It would be a clean job if they could keep Ted there.

  Hayden drove into the factory, and the roller door closed quickly behind him. He left his car slowly, and walked to the boot where he opened a secret compartment underneath the spare wheel. He removed a hand gun which was kept there for occasions such as this. The silencer would be needed today as well. You couldn’t take chances in a neighbourhood like this.

  His man did not look surprised to see Hayden’s gun after it was retrieved. After all, the two of them had done this before.

  “Did you have any trouble?” Hayden asked him.

  “No. No one would have noticed anything.”

  “Good.”

  “What’s going on here?” Ted yelled at Hayden and his man, looking from one gun to the other in an agitated fashion.

  “Mr Blake,” Hayden said, turning to address him. “We get to meet at last.”

  “Who the hell are you? How do you know my name?”

  “I’ve been hoping to meet you - ever since you caught me off guard by kidnapping Ellen last year.”

  “How do you know about that? What – have you been watching me or something?” Ted gasped in disbelief. “Are you some sort of perv then?”

  “We would have met sooner or later. You are on my ‘to do’ list if you like. Coming here today has only brought the inevitable forward.”

  “Are you a cop?”

  “Do I look like a cop?”

  “Are you going to hand me over to the coppers?”

  “No.”

  “If it’s the reward money you want, just say. I have some money tucked away from shearing.”

  Hayden nearly laughed. The little man was almost funny. “I don’t want your shearing money, no.”

  “Well then, who the hell are you people? Your friend here jumped into my car with a gun. It scared the hell out of me. Never liked guns much myself.”

  “Indeed.”

  “I’ve got important business in the city. I’ve got to stop a wedding.”

  “You won’t be doing that, I’m afraid.”

  “Why not? What do you care?”

  “I’m actually an associate of the groom.”

  “Well, you should know that he is about to marry his own daughter. I think the papers would like to know about this too.”

  “Are you threatening us?”

  “No.” Ted looked confused, and put his hand on the door handle, ready to get out if possible.

  “Stay where you are.” Hayden pointed the gun at Ted’s skull.

  Suddenly Ted said something which surprised him. “You know, I thought it would be the makeup man who got me. After all, he had Col killed, didn’t he?”

  Hayden smiled and lowered the gun. “Tom literally couldn’t hurt a fly. He needs me to take care of matters like this. I’m the one who had Colleen killed. Say hello to her for me.”

  Ted’s eyes opened wide in response, but Hayden was sick of the conversation now and quickly fired two bullets into his skull. Ted’s lifeless body fell backwards onto the seat.

  The car would need to be torched now, as there was blood spatter everywhere. Hayden turned to his man, a loyal underground associate he had known for years. “I’m grateful for everything today.”

  “It was no problem.”

  “If you hadn’t spotted him, we could have had a problem on our hands.”

  There was no excuse for a lack of civility when dealing with associates. Just because they both had dark hearts did not mean that good manners were not required.

  “I’m sorry to drop this on you at short notice,” Hayden said apologetically. “But do you think you could take care of this one for me?”

  “Consider it done. You’ve got the wedding to attend after all.”

  “I’m the best man you know.” They both enjoyed the irony of that statement.

  “Tom couldn’t have found a better man for the job. I hope this hasn’t interrupted anything important for the two of you this morning.”

  “No, not at all. I do need to be getting back though.”

  His man’s skills in body disposal were second to none. He could be relied upon to complete the job with professionalism. By midnight, Ted would be in pieces at the bottom of the ocean, and his car destroyed in a hot fire hundreds of kilometres away.

  It was important to keep such men on side by paying quickly for any additional work performed. Hayden considered the logistics of the situation. The bank wouldn’t be open until Monday; he was going to have to pay using the cash reserves in his safe. There was at least forty-five thousand in there if he remembered correctly. He didn’t like the safe to be run so low, but there wasn’t a better solution available today. “What will your expenses be?” he asked his man.

  It was a delicate negotiation – both men wanting to stay on the other’s good side. His man shrugged his shoulders. “Twenty thou’ ought to cover the costs.”

  It was a generous first offer. Hayden had paid much higher in the past. “Let’s make it thirty, for good measure.” He would have been happy to pay forty.

  “That’s very generous of you, Hayden.”

  “Come by tomorrow morning at six, unless that’s too early for you.”

  “Not at all. The Armadale property, like last time?” the man queried.

  “Yes.”

  Hayden liked to do all transactions early in the morning.

  His man nodded, and Hayden almost smiled, pleased with the outcome. The problem had been sorted, and the thoughts in his head were gradually smoothing into straight lines. He reversed out of the factory, and quickly sped back to Tom’s house in order to prepare for the wedding.

  Chapter 20

  Ellen spent the morning of her wedding day in her apartment with only her parents, Beth and Garry Jackson, by her side. If she were a traditional bride, there would have been bridesmaids surrounding her to assist with all the little details of the day. There would be laughter and stories, and well wishing. But she was not a normal bride - the memories of Chloe still haunted her and it would be difficult to trust someone again. Even Kane had disappointed her. For the moment, the only people she could rely on were her parents and Tom.

  Tom had arranged for food and services to be delivered to the apartment, which meant Ellen and her parents could relax without having to venture outside. The hairdresser arrived at nine o’clock to do Ellen’s and Beth’s hair. She brought a suitcase full of equipment and a photo album of possible wedding hair styles. Ellen chose an intricate style which required her long tresses to be pinned and looped into place. Small white flowers were then woven into her hair and the end result was even more stunning than the picture on which it was based. Beth chose a simpler style with some curls added to her normally straight shoulder-length hair. Ellen thought that it was nice to see her mum looking radiant and happy.

  She only nibbled at the platters of fruit, nuts and croissants, too nervous and excited to sit down and eat properly.

  “It’s all going to go just fine,” Beth said, patting Ellen on the shoulder after the hairdresser had left. She obviously realised how anxious Ellen was feeling.

  “Thanks, Mum.”

  “Seeing you makes me remember how nervous I was on my wedding day.”

  Ellen’s father walked over, the wedding invitation in his hand. “Remind me again why he wanted to get married at the cathedral? How many people are invited to this event?”

  Ellen smiled. “Tom wanted to get married at St Paul’s so his employees could come if they wanted. It is possible that a lot of people could be coming. I’m not sure of the exact number.”

  “Just be happy that you aren’t paying for it all, dear,” Beth said.

  “I offered to pay, but he wouldn’t let me even talk about a contribution.” Garry looked uncomfortable with that fact.
>
  “Well, I think the cathedral was needed for Margaret’s friends alone,” Beth said, with a good-humoured chuckle.

  Ellen knew that Margaret and her mother had only met once, but as expected, they had not become kindred spirits. Margaret had spent much of the meeting listing the friends who would be attending the wedding, how far they would be travelling, and what they would be wearing. Ellen patted her mum on the back. “Well, at least she will be preoccupied today, talking to them all.”

  “That’s true.”

  “Tom says the actual reception will be more intimate,” said Ellen. In truth, she had no idea what to expect from either the ceremony or the reception, as Tom had kept much of the planning under wraps. Weren’t brides usually the ones who organised such details? In their case, the groom and the groom’s planner had made most of the decisions. Tom wanted the day’s beauty and extravagance to be a surprise, and Ellen had been happy to see him so excited. Besides she had been preoccupied with other matters leading up to the big day.

  “I see. Well, he wouldn’t let me pay for the reception either,” Garry said gruffly. “And why did he have to choose the tallest tower in Melbourne for the event? I’m sure there are plenty of nice ground floor reception centres in this city.”

  Ellen smiled at her dad’s concerns. He had never liked heights. “It’s going to be amazing, Dad. The planner says it’s the most perfect venue in the city. You’ll love the view once you are there. And you don’t need to worry about the money side of things. Tom wanted to pay for everything – he wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

  Garry Jackson’s face turned into a frown. It was hard to work out exactly what was on his mind. Didn’t fathers dislike having to pay for expensive weddings normally?

  The day continued to fly for Ellen. The bouquets were delivered at lunchtime, and the makeup artist arrived soon after. She was friendly and chic, and achieved a wonderfully natural look for both Ellen and Beth. They bade her goodbye by two o’clock, which left only one major task to do. It was time to put the dress on.

  Ellen’s bump was still small, but her dress had been altered to accommodate the growing curve. She studied it hanging in her room with awe. If there was a dress more beautiful, she hadn’t seen it. The dress was an elegant, yet contemporary design. Ellen loved the strapless, sweetheart bodice made of ivory silk and covered with lace. The waist was high, and highlighted by a beaded narrow belt, which flowed into a full organza skirt with chapel length train. Her challenge for the day was to avoid an embarrassing fall, given the length of the train.

  “Mum,” Ellen called.

  “Yes.”

  “I am definitely going to need a hand putting this on, I think.”

  “Ooh, I’m coming,” she shrieked. “It’s time for the dress!”

  After a few minutes of helping Ellen, Beth called to her husband less enthusiastically. “Garry, we might need another hand with these buttons.” The excitement in her voice was waning as the buttons were very small and intricate.

  Garry came in, but unexpectedly stopped by the door, motionless.

  “Come and help, Garry,” Beth called, not looking up. “Don’t just stand there. We’re running out of time here. I had no idea these buttons were going to be such a chore,” she said to Ellen quietly. “Maybe we should have started sooner.”

  Ellen checked the clock. They didn’t need to panic yet, but time was definitely slipping away. She looked towards her dad who still hadn’t moved. “You okay, Dad?”

  “Ellen, you look like an angel,” he said finally, while wiping a tear out of the corner of his eye. “You are the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen. My little girl is all grown up and getting married.”

  “Ah thanks, Dad.” Ellen tried not to look directly at him, as any crying at this stage would spoil her makeup.

  “I couldn’t be more proud of you than I am today,” he added.

  Beth shook her head, but smiled anyway. “There’s no time for that, Garry, and don’t make her cry either. She has perfect makeup right at the moment, and I won’t be very happy if you ruin it.”

  “Sorry, love,” he said, moving closer. “A father can’t help but be overwhelmed when he sees his daughter in her wedding dress. You look beautiful too, my love,” he said, kissing Beth’s cheek.

  “Thank you, darling. Now come here, and I’ll show you what’s needed.”

  They spent the next twenty minutes working together to close the hundreds of small, intricate buttons which led down Ellen’s back.

  Once that job was finished, Ellen turned around to face both her parents and they both gasped. “Ellen, I know I said it before, but this dress is utterly unbelievable,” Beth said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Where did you find it?”

  “Tom had it specially made for me.”

  “Ah, I see.” Beth gave Garry a knowing look, which Ellen chose to ignore. They should be used to the way Tom lavished her with expensive gifts by now. He seemed to enjoy the act of giving as much as other people enjoyed receiving.

  There was nothing left to do but wait for Robert to arrive with the wedding car. The buttons had taken much longer than expected, which only left a few minutes before he was due.

  “Now Ellen, I just want to say something to you before we go,” Garry said. “Is it all right for me to say something mushy now, love?” he asked Beth.

  “Yes, but if she starts crying, then you stop instantly. Understand?”

  Garry nodded.

  “What is it, Dad?”

  “Well, you know I love you. I’ve always loved you as if you were my flesh and bone. You and your mother are the most treasured people in my life. I know it was hard on you – the way you found about your biological mother, the way you learnt that...” Garry’s eyes started to well with tears again as he remembered that day last year when Ellen had visited with the letter from Ted.

  Ellen couldn’t recall seeing her father cry like this. “Dad, you don’t need to say all this. I know...”

  “I do. Let me finish, my girl. It’s important to me that I tell you.”

  Ellen nodded, and Beth put her arm around her husband’s shoulder to support him. They could both tell that Garry was in more danger of crying than Ellen.

  “I was so worried that you wouldn’t love us the same way, once you’d discovered the truth, but I see that you do. I see the love you have for us in your eyes. I see the love you have for Tom. I am so grateful that you could forgive the mistake we made. I want you to know that Tom is now family to us too.”

  Ellen’s heart was so full of love in that moment. Love for her parents, Tom and for their unborn child. She wiped a tear away too, no longer worried about her makeup. This moment with her parents was more important than looking perfect as she walked down the aisle.

  “Okay, Garry. You’ve really got to stop now,” Beth said, chiding him and wiping her own tears away. “You’ll ruin my makeup too.”

  When Robert arrived at the door, Ellen was amazed to see him in a tuxedo. He looked very handsome, but his face betrayed his nervousness.

  “You look beautiful, Ellen,” he said, while shaking Garry’s hand. “I feel so privileged to be driving you to the ceremony.”

  “We’re so happy you offered to drive us, Robert,” Ellen told him.

  “Are you ready to go?”

  “I think so, but first, can you take a photograph of the three of us.” Ellen looked back to her parents – she wanted to remember this time with them.

  “Good idea, love,” said Garry.

  “Certainly,” agreed Robert. “It would be my honour.”

  When they finally left the apartment, Ellen was surprised to find Robert driving a long sleek, black limousine, rather than the normal car he drove for Tom. It was a beautiful car and decorated with a creamy ribbon at the front.

  Robert opened the door for her to enter, and Ellen turned to see her mother lifting the train to make sure it didn’t get caught in the door. “Thanks, Mum.”

  “Tha
t’s it,” she encouraged. “Nice and slow. We’re nearly in.”

  The weather was truly perfect – warm but not too hot, no wind and a bright blue sky as far as she could see.

  Robert whisked the three of them away, and within ten minutes they arrived at the front of the cathedral. To everyone’s dismay, there was a large crowd of people gathered outside, including reporters and cameramen. They started to swarm towards the car like bees around a hive.

  “Oh, dear,” Beth said, suddenly worried by the sea of people. “How will we get through?”

  “It will be okay,” Garry said. “Be brave everyone.”

  A big public wedding suddenly seemed to be a very bad idea, and Ellen started to panic.

  Robert seemed to read her mind. “Don’t worry, Ellen. The media attention was foreseen. There is a large security team here to escort you inside. I met with them this morning, and they know what they’re doing. Look, here they come now.”

  The three of them watched as a group of men in dark clothing approaching the limo. They formed a circle around the car door leading towards the entrance, and one of the men opened the door.

  “We’ve got you. You can step out now,” he said.

  For some unknown reason, Ellen thought of Ted as she stepped out of the limousine into the sunshine. Her eyes scanned the crowd nervously. Could he be here among all the faces watching her every move? His determination to punish Tom and end her relationship had been so strong when they’d last seen each other. Until this point, Ellen had trusted in the police to find Ted and hold him accountable for kidnapping her last year. But they hadn’t found him yet – he hadn’t been charged. For all she knew, he could be here. Thank goodness for the tight security!

  Ellen’s parents were right behind her, giving her the courage and determination to keep moving. Beth lifted and managed the train to ensure it didn’t drag, and Garry gave his daughter step by step guidance.

  Ellen took a deep breath and continued to walk with the ring of security guards surrounding her. They pushed the crowd back so that she could walk freely, although the cameras and lights which flashed around her made it a daunting experience. Unexpectedly her fear changed to elation, and she smiled for all to see. A cheer of well-wishing rang out. It was amazing that complete strangers were gathered here, just to wish her and Tom well.