Kate saw the expression on Rex’s face and protested, ‘I tried everything to persuade him but he wouldn’t come. He wants to stay at the house and wait for Sandy to come back. What more could I do?’
Rex pulled a grisly face. ‘Stubborn bastard. Have you heard from him this morning?’
Kate thought he sounded slightly concerned.
‘I tried him but he didn’t pick up. He doesn’t want to clog up the stupid phone line in case Sandy calls. He’s bloody lost it over that girl.’
The door burst open, cutting off Rex’s reply.
Kate groaned aloud when she saw the detectives walk into the room.
‘Oh, what now?’ she exploded, placing her hands on Rex’s legs in a show of possession. ‘Didn’t you say they’d already been to see you?’ she said, glaring at him.
Rex nodded, seemingly surprised to see them again so soon.
Kate pushed herself off the bed, straightened to her full one hundred and sixty-five centimetres and jutted her shoulders back, causing her stomach to protrude even further.
‘Haven’t you got anything better to do than harass my boyfriend?’ Her eyes narrowed to slits. ‘He’s recovering from a bad accident. He doesn’t need − ’
‘This is not police harassment, Kate.’ The girl, Rogers, spoke to her directly. ‘As you may already be aware, there is a crowd of Assassins growing outside. We have half the police station out there trying to protect your arse,’ she stated, pointing to the door. ‘And the other half are on standby in case God knows how many “Assassins” decide to live up to their name, and storm in here to seek misguided vengeance.’
Kate was confused and angry.
‘We’ve done nothing to them. What are you talking about?’
Josh Harrison spoke. ‘Max Croft’s daughter, Sandy, who I think you know very well, is in intensive care fighting for her life right now.’
Kate couldn’t stop herself from letting out a gasp of horror.
‘Someone has bashed her to within an inch of her life. She was found unconscious in a park with a gun in her bag. Of course I don’t expect you to know anything about that,’ the detective muttered sarcastically. ‘Max Croft is with her now. Some of his members have turned up in a show of support. There are now also a number of your members out there to see you, Rex. So that’s why we have so many police out there. We don’t want any trouble.’
Kate felt sick. She fell into the chair beside Rex’s bed.
‘Is Sandy going to live?’
As soon as the words left her mouth Kate knew she’d inadvertently confirmed what the cops already knew, that she knew Sandy Croft. Her reaction and big mouth had given the game up. Though what did it matter? Her thoughts flicked to poor Rowdy. She would call him later. Not that he’d be able to see Sandy with Max Croft there. Then again, maybe he wouldn’t care?
‘The doctors are not sure at this stage,’ Josh Harrison answered then looked at Rogers before continuing. They were kind of talking with their eyes and Kate wondered what the hell was going on.
‘Our first concern is the Assassins thinking the attack on Sandy is a payback for your assumption that they were behind Robert King’s murder. So it would be best if we can get your guys to leave. Will you support us with that?’
Rex nodded his head but Kate began to argue.
‘His mates should be able to see him if they − ’
Rex put his hand on her arm.
‘We will co-operate, Kate. I’m in no position to take on a bunch of angry Assassins. We don’t want any trouble. I’ll get Kate to go out and tell them to come back later.’ Rex looked at her meaningfully. ‘Okay, Kate?’
She was not happy but she would do as he wished. Once the cops left.
The male cop was talking again.
‘I think now would be a great time to break this code of fucking silence and tell us what you know before someone else gets hurt.’
Kate stared at Rex’s face. It was unreadable. She didn’t like the tone of the cop’s voice but at the same time, she just wished Rex would relent and tell them. Let them deal with it. She was sick of feeling scared, looking over her shoulder, waiting for something bad to happen all the time. She hated the motel. Rowdy’s was much more comfortable.
The silence stretched, no one said anything until the male cop spoke again.
‘If that’s the way it’s going to be, we might move on to our next issue.’
Kate watched him look at Rogers and nod. Oh great, she thought, what was this bitch going to say now?
—
Lexie was struggling to find the right words even though she’d been practising her speech for the last ten minutes. It was an extremely delicate subject. Donaldson was unpredictable. She had no way of knowing how the man was going to react. And Kate’s antagonistic presence was throwing her off. She brushed a wisp of blonde hair from her eyes and forced herself to focus.
‘I have some very unexpected, shocking and sensitive news to tell you,’ Lexie began.
‘Oh, for fuck’s sake! I don’t believe this chick,’ Kate exclaimed, dramatically slapping herself in the forehead.
At that moment, Lexie could have happily scratched the stupid teardrop tattoo right off the skin of her cheek. Instead, she let out a slow breath, ignored her and focused all her concentration on Donaldson.
Just say it. Tell him the facts.
She drew strength and reassurance from Josh standing silently beside her. He was letting her handle this, and so far she was not doing a very good job of it.
Kate moaned, ‘Just say what you have to say, for fuck sake, then go.’
Lexie snapped. She’d had about all the attitude she could take from this witch. She turned on Kate with eyes blazing and finger pointed.
‘You need to shut your mouth right now or you will be removed from this room. Do you understand me? I think you need to hear what I have to say but if you don’t start behaving and watching your attitude and foul mouth, you’re out of here.’
Lexie glanced at Josh, who was trying to hide his smirk. Kate opened her mouth to speak. Lexie silenced her with a hand.
‘One word and you’re gone.’
Kate narrowed her eyes and folded her arms across her ample chest defiantly. But she kept her trashy lips closed. Rex, who was observing the exchange, said nothing. If anything, he appeared slightly amused.
Lexie tried to ignore her racing heartbeat.
‘Now, I understand that you have a daughter whom you haven’t seen for a long time. Her name is Alexandra, is that right?’
Rex frowned, kept staring at her but didn’t answer.
Just say it. ‘Look, there is no easy way to say this so I think you should prepare yourself for a shock.’
Josh cleared his throat loudly. Was that a hint to get on with it?
‘We just had cause to speak to Max Croft to inform him about his daughter, Sandy, who is currently fighting for her life. He informed us that she is in fact not his biological daughter. She was two when he effectively became her stepfather and took his name. Her real name is Alexandra Donaldson. Sandy is your daughter, Rex.’
A heavy silence filled the room. Lexie waited, watching his face. Rex stared back at her, his pupils dilating into huge black pods as his body started to shake. This was not the reaction she’d been expecting. He was visibly fuming in front of her, quivering with anger. He shook his head back and forth as though unable to comprehend what he’d heard.
‘What . . . what did you say? How dare you . . .’
Oh God . . .
Lexie cut him off before his agitation became dangerous. He didn’t believe her, he was in denial.
‘Listen to me, Rex. Let me explain. This is not something I would joke about. As I said, we,’ she turned, partially indicating Josh, ‘have just spoken to Max Croft. When we informed Croft that the doctor told us Sandy’s only hope of long-term survival is having a kidney transplant from a compatible donor, he was forced to admit he was not the biological father and that Sandy’s real name is Alexan
dra Donaldson – she is your daughter.’
Kate gasped in shock and her hands flew to her mouth. As Lexie’s words began to sink in, she waited for a smart-arse comment, a tirade of abuse. It didn’t come.
Rex’s mouth opened and closed. A kaleidoscope of emotions rippled and contorted across his broad features; disbelief, anger, relief, confusion and finally joy. The corners of his mouth turned up in a half smile and he rubbed his bushy moustache. His face was incredulous as he glanced at Kate, who was still frozen with shock.
‘Are you sure? Maybe he’s just talking a load of shit?’
Lexie shook her head and recited exactly what Max Croft had told them.
‘How could he lie about something like that? How would he know about your daughter, her name? The man was devastated from what we could tell. His main concern is to save Sandy.’
She glanced across at Josh standing only a small distance to her right.
‘I’m sure DNA tests will be able to confirm it.’
Josh nodded. ‘For sure.’
‘Can you believe it?’ Rex stared at Kate. ‘After all this time,’ he shook his head, perplexed. ‘That bastard has known all along that she was my daughter. I’m going to have to kill him,’ he stated calmly. Too calmly!
Josh cut in. ‘That’s not a good idea, Rex. You can sort out your differences with Max Croft later, not at this hospital. We have a crowd of police out there who will keep you in this room if absolutely necessary, do you understand that? I’m sure you’re feeling a lot of things at the moment, but you have to push all that to one side for now. Your daughter may need you to save her life.’
Lexie could see Donaldson’s eyes staring through Josh as if he was a ghost. Then his brows came together, concerned.
‘I know you said before she was really bad. Do you know anything else, anything new? Is she going to be okay?’ He looked first and Josh, then at Lexie.
‘We don’t know, Rex,’ Lexie answered truthfully, thinking this massive man now looked more like a lost little boy.
Giving Kate a cursory glance she noted that the stunned, distressed expression on her face hadn’t dissipated. She was clearly not a fan of surprises, though Lexie guessed there was significantly more to it than that. No doubt Kate was considering the implications of this unexpected turn of events and the ramifications it would have on her and their unborn baby. She would not be the centre of Rex’s attention any more. For a while, at least, Rex had a new priority.
‘What can I do? How can I help my daughter?’
Lexie glanced at Josh and then back at Rex.
‘I’m sure the doctors can tell you all about testing for your compatibility as a kidney donor. Though for now I think we’ll leave you two alone to digest the news.’
‘I want to see her.’
Lexie nodded. ‘You are under police guard, so we will arrange for some uniformed officers to take you to see her soon.’
Rex grunted but didn’t protest.
Lexie subtly placed her mobile phone on a ledge behind where she was standing. She had blocked all calls before entering the room and was recording their conversation in the hope one of them would relent and give them the information they so desperately needed to solve this case. That hadn’t happened but if she left them alone to talk . . . you never knew what you might get. She could come back in later saying she’d forgotten her phone. With a bit of luck, they would be none the wiser.
—
Outside Lexie almost walked straight into Sue Field in the waiting area.
‘How’d you go with Donaldson? Get anything out of him?’ Sue asked cheerfully.
‘No such luck,’ Lexie replied, filling her in on what they’d discovered about Sandy Croft, while Josh moved away to call the boss and give her an update.
Sue looked seriously blown away and Lexie detected a hint of amusement in her voice when she said, ‘Wow, their association really does go way back. How amazing.’
‘I think it’s sad,’ Lexie said. ‘Rex Donaldson has missed out on his daughter growing up. Max Croft has lied to everyone and Sandy doesn’t, might never, know who she really is.
Sue shrugged as if it was of no concern to her.
‘Oh well, you lie down with dogs, you get fleas.’
She glanced across at the bunch of Assassin bikies sitting in the corner of the room.
Unsure what Sue’s statement was supposed to mean exactly, Lexie didn’t respond. Instead, she followed Sue’s gaze to the corner of the room where Max Croft sat surrounded by his club members. To Lexie, he appeared to be a broken soul, and for a minute she allowed herself to feel sorry for him. He was going to die. The only daughter he knew might well die also. What a tragic end for everybody, Donaldson and Rowdy included.
‘Has everyone been behaving?’ Lexie asked.
Sue nodded, not taking her eyes off the bikies.
‘Max Croft has been in to see the girl. And the rest of them have been here supporting him. Everyone’s been on their best behaviour so far. It’s spooky.’
‘I think the visible police presence has helped to deter any . . . problems,’ Lexie said.
Josh, who was speaking with a group of uniformed officers on the far side of the room, glanced over, but waited until Sue moved off to join Sleeman and Burgh, who were speaking with the group of Assassins, before joining her.
‘What is with you and Sue? You seem to avoid her like the plague whenever possible. Has it got anything to do with your past relationship?’
There was a teasing note in Lexie’s voice but she had to admit, she did want to know what history they shared. Better to know what you were dealing with than to be left in the dark.
Josh turned suddenly and grabbed her by the arm. Guiding her away from interested bystanders, he said, ‘There’s never been a relationship. There’s never been anything. It’s all in Sue’s frigging head.’ He shook his head in exasperation. ‘What did she tell you?’
Lexie pulled her arm out of his grasp, annoyed at his defensive reaction.
‘She didn’t tell me anything. She insinuated she knew you very well.’
Josh stared at her. Then they both instinctively looked over to where Sue was standing, watching them. It was almost as if she knew they were talking about her and the look on her face seemed unimpressed. Embarrassed, Lexie quickly glanced away.
‘Look, now is not the time, Josh. It doesn’t matter. What I wanted to tell you before we got off course was that I left my phone recording in Donaldson’s room,’ she told him excitedly. ‘We might catch their conversation.’
He let out a surprised laugh.
‘You know that whatever they say will be inadmissible? Without a warrant it’s illegal to tape a person’s conversation if they have no knowledge they’re being recorded.’
Lexie stiffened. She was insulted he could think her that ignorant of the law.
‘I know that, but at least it might give us some answers.’
‘How are you going to get it back?’ he asked.
Lexie took a deep breath and smiled sweetly.
‘I’ll just pop into the room in a little while and pretend I’m looking for it.’ She put her hand to her mouth. ‘Ooops, I must have put it down and forgotten to pick it up.’
Josh laughed at her acting abilities.
‘I like the way your brain works but I think Donaldson is too smart to fall for that one.’
Lexie shrugged. ‘I suppose we’ll just have to see about that.’
CHAPTER 52
Rex was struggling to get his head around the news, the discovery of his daughter. Yet amazingly, even through his shocked haze, he somehow managed to notice Detective Rogers position her phone behind an empty vase on the bench at the back of the room.
He was impressed by her initiative. But her little plan was not going to work this time. He’d been around much too long to fall for that one!
‘Are you okay, baby?’ Kate asked, her voice surprisingly considerate as she ran her hand over his hair, brushing it
from his face. ‘That was a massive shock and – ’
With his good arm Rex put his hand in the air like he was stopping traffic. Then he placed a finger over his lips as a signal to be quiet and pointed to the vase.
Kate looked puzzled for a moment but, following his instructions, moved towards it. She saw the phone, picked it up and handed it to him with a frown. As Rex suspected, it was recording.
‘Good try, Detective,’ he said into the speaker before turning the thing off.
Kate stared at him in disbelief, her gaze travelling to the door and back again.
‘Were they trying to tape us talking . . . Oh my God, what arseholes.’
Rex shrugged. ‘Can’t blame them for trying.’ He threw the phone onto the end of the bed. ‘Next time you go outside give it back. It belongs to the girl.’
Kate pulled a face like she’d just sucked a lemon.
‘Should throw it in the fucking bin.’
Rex sighed. ‘Just put it in your pocket and give it back to her.’
Kate begrudgingly took the phone and shoved it into her pocket.
‘I can’t believe Sandy’s your daughter,’ she said, settling herself in the chair next to him.
Rex’s brain was still grappling to register the news himself. It was so surreal he felt numb, like a distant observer estranged from his own body; here, but not here. His thoughts were racing. A sharp tug hit him deep in the gut. A constriction in his chest that had nothing to do with his accident made him gasp for air. It was as if something was piercing his soul and the pain was so intense he felt he might pass out.
All those wasted years.
The miracle of being reunited with his daughter was overwhelming. Though spoiling his joy were other feelings, explosive impulses tinged with darker emotions; guilt, sadness, anger and disappointment. But mostly disillusionment with himself.
Rex had always believed that because his daughter was his bloodline, his flesh and blood, and he’d formed a strong attachment to her from the day she was born, when he met her again, he would know her.
So when Rowdy had introduced him to Sandy for the first time shouldn’t every cell in his body have been hit with instinctive recognition? Where was the internal warning Rex had anticipated, the alarm alerting him to the fact that this was his long-lost daughter?
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