Nothing to Fear

by Claire Boston

  Adam got out his mobile. “No reception. I’ll have to do it when we get back to the station.”

  Ryan nodded. If it wasn’t Hannah’s half-brother then they were back to square one.

  With nothing.

  Hannah woke early and lay in Fleur’s guest bedroom. What nasty gift had been left overnight? Part of her didn’t want to know, wanted to pretend it would all go away, and wanted to head off for the day trip to Albany without checking. But she’d promised herself there would be no more hiding.

  She got out of bed, noting that Mai had already left for work, and tiptoed into the kitchen. Kit was still asleep on the sofa bed. She turned on the coffee machine and then checked Fleur’s front porch. There was nothing there. She texted Ryan.

  Good morning! ☺ Anything on the cameras?

  It didn’t take long for the response to come back.

  Nothing.

  The response didn’t comfort her. Pouring her coffee, she then made her way to the backyard, letting Joe out to sniff and do his morning business. She rang Ryan. “Is that a good thing?” she asked when he answered.

  “Maybe.” His voice warmed her, reminded her of what they’d shared two nights ago. “The stalker might have caught wind that we questioned your dad and be worried he’ll be caught.”

  “Or he might have left something somewhere else,” she said. “I should stop by the park before I go to Albany.”

  “Lincoln’s already on it,” Ryan said. “He was heading there after he spoke with me this morning. If he finds anything, we’ll sort it out. You only need to worry about enjoying your day.”

  Hannah smiled. Their concern was nice. “I’ll worry about what you might find anyway.”

  “All right. I’ll call you later,” he said. “Stay with your friends and take care of yourself.”

  There was that unsaid warning again not to be alone. “Thanks.” She hung up. Joe was getting reacquainted with all of Fleur’s fruit trees. She should take him for a walk before they went out. She didn’t want him getting bored and digging up Fleur’s backyard while they were gone.

  “There you are,” Kit called.

  Hannah waved at her friends on the back porch and walked towards them.

  “Mai rang to say she’ll be another hour,” Fleur said. “We thought we’d head to the beach. Kit wants a surf and I could do with a run.”

  “Sounds good.” At least the beach did. The run sounded like torture. She whistled for Joe and followed her friends inside.

  When they arrived back from the beach, Mai was pulling up. She got out carrying a white box that smelled like freshly baked goods. Hannah inhaled deeply. “That smells divine.”

  “Tastes it as well,” Mai said with a grin. “Let’s get it inside before it gets cold.”

  The breakfast consisted of warm chocolate croissants, brioche and Vietnamese breakfast cakes. Hannah loved the international flavours that influenced Mai’s cooking. After eating more than she should have, Hannah drove them to Albany.

  “So where do you want to go?” Hannah asked as she drove into town.

  “Can we swing by the hospital first?” Fleur asked. “I need to drop off Dad’s crutches.”

  “Sure.” She made her way to the hospital and pulled up at the entrance. As they waited for Fleur to come back, a guy hobbled out, one leg in plaster, struggling a bit on crutches. Unease crept across Hannah’s shoulders. It was Smithy, one of Justin’s friends. What was he still doing in the area? He caught one of his crutches in the crack on the pavement and with a yell he fell to the ground.

  Hannah jumped out. “Are you all right?”

  Smithy’s eyes widened. “Hannah. What are you doing here?”

  “I could ask you the same question.” She helped him to his feet. “Didn’t you go back to Perth with Justin?”

  “Nah. I’m having Christmas with my aunt and uncle.” He leaned on her, his hand brushing her breast and she almost dropped him. “That’s why we brought two cars down.”

  As soon as he got his balance she took two steps away, distancing herself, not liking the crawl of her skin.

  “I’m, uh, glad you’re all right.” He cleared his throat. “I want you to know that if I’d known what Justin had done, I would have helped – I would have stopped him.” He was clearly uncomfortable.

  “Thank you.” It soothed her that Justin’s friends knew the truth, that they wouldn’t look at him in the same way anymore. She nodded to the plaster on his leg. “What happened?”

  “Broke my leg yesterday when I fell off my cousin’s motorbike.”

  “Ouch.” She looked around. “Is someone picking you up?”

  “Yeah. My cousin’s gone to get the car.” As he spoke a black sedan pulled up behind Hannah’s four-wheel drive. “There he is.”

  “I hope you heal fast,” she said. “Have a merry Christmas.”

  “Thanks for your help.” He moved over to the car.

  Hannah climbed into her four-wheel drive, her skin tight. She glanced in the rear-view mirror to confirm that Smithy got into the sedan. She disliked the suspicion in her gut. Could he be her stalker? He’d arrived at the same time as the gifts had started and if he’d broken his leg yesterday it would account for why she’d not received any gift today. She had to tell Ryan.

  “Who was that?” Mai asked.

  “One of Justin’s friends.”

  Fleur got back into the car. “I’m done. Shall we get shopping?”

  “Let me call Ryan first.” She quickly dialled his number and told him about Smithy. When she hung up she smiled. “OK, what do you need to buy?”

  “I haven’t got anything,” Kit grumbled. “My family are so hard to buy for.”

  “Shall we start on York Street?” Fleur suggested. “See if that sparks some ideas.”

  Hannah managed to find a parking spot and as they climbed out, Kit asked Hannah, “Who are you buying for?”

  “Lynette and Shirley,” she said. “And I’d like to get something for Felix and Ryan.”

  “What about your dad?” Mai asked.

  Hannah stopped walking. She’d forgotten about him. She’d never bought anything for her father, had no idea what he would want. “I don’t know.” She wasn’t sure what to do about the whole situation.

  “You can always buy him a bottle of wine,” Kit said. “Don’t sweat it.”

  Hannah nodded and followed her friends into the first shop.

  They stopped for a late lunch at a popular cafe and the boot of Hannah’s car was filled with bags. Kit had been a buying machine, purchasing presents not only for her family and the Zanettis, but also for herself. Hannah had picked up a couple of small gifts for Ryan and Felix, as well as some things for her workmates, and had been talked into buying a gorgeous red dress with matching underwear by her friends. They were right. She needed something pretty to cheer her up and she would have a new dress to wear when she went out to dinner with Ryan.

  Hannah’s phone rang. “Hello.”

  “Hannah, it’s your father.”

  Hannah closed her eyes. She didn’t want to deal with him now. Not when she was relaxed and having fun.

  “Hi, Dad.”

  Her friends all stopped talking.

  “I’m sorry with how things went at the holiday park. I should have warned you I was getting out early.” He sounded tired and she couldn’t help feeling sorry for him.

  “I need answers too, Dad,” she said.

  He sighed. “It’s hard for me to talk about.” He cleared his throat. “I had a visit from the police yesterday. They told me you’ve been getting nasty gifts.”

  Her chest tightened. Was he responsible? “Yes, I have.”

  “I’m sorry. I hope they stop soon.”

  Hannah frowned. That was a weird sentiment. Shouldn’t he hope they caught whoever was doing it? Before she could ask, he said, “What are you doing for Christmas?”

  “Christmas?”

  “Yes, it’s on Sunday.”

  “I’ll be w
orking at the park.” What was she supposed to say? Was he going to ask her to have Christmas with him? Her pulse fluttered in anxiety. She wasn’t ready for that. They’d barely spoken, she didn’t know this man.

  “With your grandparents?” There was an edge to his words.

  “No. They’re away.”

  “So you’ll be by yourself?”

  She didn’t want to admit that. Not when so many things were happening that she couldn’t explain. “I’ll be working,” she repeated. “We do a pancake breakfast every Sunday morning.”

  “And after that?”

  “I’ll play it by ear depending on what happens at the park.”

  He sighed. “I would love you to have Christmas with me and your brothers.”

  It was a huge step. She hadn’t got used to her father being out of jail yet. “I haven’t seen Marko and Phillip in years,” she said. “I’m not sure I’d be welcome.”

  “Of course you’re welcome. You’re their sister.”

  As if being related by blood had anything to do with whether you liked someone. “They never liked me.”

  “Of course they did.” There was an edge to his tone.

  Hannah didn’t bother to correct him. He had always been a bit dense when it came to his sons, always wanted to believe the best of them.

  “Where are you having Christmas?”

  “Phillip’s. He lives with his wife and two kids in Torbay. They’d both love you to be there.” He paused. “Please, Princess.”

  Goosebumps sprang to her skin at the endearment. She had been his princess, had thought herself invincible when he was around, had believed she was special. Memories of those lovely times with him flooded her mind and for a moment she longed for those days again.

  But the idea of seeing her half-brothers didn’t thrill her.

  When she didn’t speak he added, “It’ll be like old times – unwrapping presents, eating fritule, crostoli and turkey.”

  She hadn’t had fritule since she was a kid. She’d forgotten how her mother had made traditional Croatian food at her father’s request. Was it possible to begin a relationship with these people again? Did she want to?

  “Princess?”

  She didn’t know what to do. She still didn’t know the truth of that night, she had no clue why he’d killed her mother. She blocked the longing in her heart. “I’ll think about it.”

  “It’ll be a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with your brothers. I hope you’ll come.”

  She wouldn’t feel guilty about this. She didn’t owe her brothers anything. “I’ll let you know.” She hung up, let out a shuddery breath.

  “What did he want?” Fleur asked.

  “To invite me to Christmas at Phillip’s place.”

  Kit frowned. “Ugh. You said no, right?”

  “I said I’d think about it.”

  Mai covered her hand. “That’s really brave of you.”

  “Or really stupid,” Kit added.

  Hannah glared at her. “Thanks.” Kit didn’t understand that part of her wanted to ignore the past and have her father again, but she had listened to the warning in her head.

  “Where does he live?” Fleur asked.

  “Torbay.”

  “That’s pretty isolated,” Kit said.

  “What’s he going to do?” Hannah demanded, hating her defensiveness, even as she spoke. “Hit me over the head and bury me?” Her voice grew louder and people looked over.

  Kit opened her mouth to retort and Mai covered her hand. Kit let out a hiss. “Sorry,” she said. “I’m worried. You don’t know this man and you are being stalked.”

  She sighed. She hated being mad at her friends. “I’m sorry too.” Kit was just echoing her own concerns. “That’s why I said I’d consider it. I’m sure my brothers have matured past the torturing-their-little-sister stage, but I still need my dad to explain what happened that night.” She’d lost both of her parents in one horrific moment and she was never going to get her mother back – but perhaps there was a way to regain her father. He claimed it had been an accident. “Let’s finish lunch. I might have some more Christmas shopping to do.”

  It was mid-afternoon by the time they got back to Fleur’s place. They were all laden with purchases and Hannah helped her friends carry their bags to their respective cars. Aside from the phone call from her father, it had been a fantastic day. The musketeers hadn’t spent a whole day together in a long time and she’d needed their company, their teasing and good nature, their friendship.

  Hannah went to the back door to let Joe in. He wasn’t waiting there, so she whistled.

  Nothing.

  “Joe!” she called.

  Still nothing. She frowned and trotted down the back steps. A whimper from around the side caught her attention. Her breath hitched and she ran towards the sound. Joe was lying down, his body shaking and his mouth frothing.

  Her stomach lurched. “Help!” Hannah yelled as she fell to her knees next to him, placing a hand on his hot skin. She had to get him to the vet.

  Footsteps pounded and then her friends appeared.

  “Fuck!” Kit said. “I’ll call the vet. You guys get him into the car.”

  Hannah nodded, her heart racing. She couldn’t lose him. “Stay with me, Joe.” Her voice cracked and she swallowed hard. She had to keep it together.

  “I’ve got a rug,” Fleur said. “It’ll make it easier to carry him.”

  “I’ll open the gate and the car,” Mai said.

  Hannah was so relieved her friends knew what to do without her asking. She noticed a black plastic tray containing the remains of a half-eaten sausage on it. Blue pellets that looked suspiciously like snail bait were sprinkled around it.

  He’d been poisoned.

  Rage welled up in her – this bastard had hurt her dog. That was the last straw. He could mess with her as much as he wanted to, but Joe was off limits. As soon as Joe was all right, she was going to hunt this person down. Fleur came back and between the two of them, they managed to roll Joe onto the rug. Then they each took two corners and lifted.

  He weighed a ton, but fear gave her strength. She followed Fleur out of the side gate to her car.

  “Mai, pick up that sausage,” Hannah called on her way past. Mai swore.

  “Oscar’s expecting you,” Kit said, hurrying over.

  Hannah nodded. “I’m going to need all of you to help me lift him into the car.”

  Between them, they managed to get him into the back. “I’ll sit with him,” Fleur said. “You drive.”

  Hannah jumped in the front seat while Kit and Mai jumped in the back. She sped through the streets to the vet, Joe’s raspy breathing the only sound in the car. When she pulled up, the local vet hurried out with a trolley.

  “What happened?” Oscar asked.

  “Poison,” Hannah said.

  Mai handed him the sausage.

  The vet winced.

  Inside, Oscar ordered Hannah’s friends to stay in the waiting room and took Joe and Hannah out the back. “How long ago did he eat it?”

  “I don’t know. We just got back from Albany. We’ve been out since ten.”

  “The good news is he’s a big dog. He can handle a bigger dose of poison than smaller dogs.” He hurried around getting what he needed while Hannah stood near Joe’s head, stroking him. Drool was collecting on the trolley and Joe was shaking. Her eyes welled with tears as fear lodged in her throat. “Stay with me, Joe. You’re going to be all right.” Her voice broke. She refused to contemplate that he wouldn’t make it through this. She needed Joe. He was her guard, her companion, her friend.

  “We need to take him into the operating theatre,” Oscar said. “We’re going to pump his stomach.”

  She stood back as Oscar gave Joe an injection of something. One of the vet nurses came over. “Hannah, you need to wait outside.”

  She didn’t want to leave him. “How long will it take?”

  “We have to put him under a general anaesthetic,
so it’ll be a couple of hours before you can see him.” The nurse led Hannah out into the waiting room.

  Her friends all stood. “How is he?” Fleur asked.

  “They’re going to pump his stomach.” Hannah sat on one of the hard plastic seats. Fear swirled around her like a cyclone. She’d had Joe since he was a puppy. He’d been her constant companion for years now. She’d be lost without him.

  Her friends surrounded her, Fleur with her arm around her shoulders, Mai with her arm around her waist and Kit crouched in front of her, holding her hand. Their silent support gave her strength. She settled in to wait.

  Chapter 17

  “Your ex-wife is a piece of work,” Lincoln said as he came into the station on Wednesday afternoon.

  Ryan looked up from what he was working on and grimaced. They hadn’t had a chance to discuss the interview with Paula the day before. “What did she do?”

  “After a lot of drama, she admitted to the two offences. She posted bail, but the conditions are for her to stay away from Hannah and her property.”

  “Bail conditions won’t stop her,” Ryan said. He’d warn Hannah and keep an eye out for Paula.

  “Yeah, I got that feeling too. They also asked her about the gifts, but she swore she didn’t know anything about them.”

  “Did they believe her?”

  “Her fingerprints don’t match the gifts, but she could have hired someone.”

  Lincoln’s mobile rang. He answered and then swore. “When?” he demanded. “Where’s Hannah?”

  Ryan leapt to his feet, his pulse racing. “What?” he demanded.

  Lincoln raised a hand for him to wait. “All right. Tell her I’m thinking of her and we’ll investigate as soon as we can.” He hung up. “Joe’s been poisoned.”

  It took a second for Ryan to process that it was Joe not Hannah and relief swept through him before he swore. Hannah was going to be devastated. “How is he?”