Cassie held him tighter.
“Is Susan happy to play on our side?” Gavin asked.
“She’s very scared, and she has every reason to be. But she’s willing to pretend that she’s going along with Bronwyn’s plans for the time being. It makes me nervous because I don’t think she’s that good an actress, but there’s no other choice unless she disappears where Bronwyn can’t find her. Her boyfriend John is planning something along those lines.”
“Wow,” Cassie murmured.
“Babe...” Damn, he hated what he had to say next.
“I’m not disappearing, Carter,” Cassie said, reading his mind. “If I did, Bronwyn would know for sure that you’re on to her.”
“You can resign and say—”
“No,” she reiterated, getting off his lap and returning to her seat.
“Cassie, when she finds out we’re on to her, you’ll be in danger. Remember that she knew about us going out when we thought no one at your work knew. How did she know that? There’s so many unknowns that I’m not willing for you to turn up at her gallery every day.”
“What will she do? Shoot me in front of everybody? I doubt she’ll do that, Carter. But she’s more likely to shoot you if I suddenly resign out of the blue.”
“She’s right, dude,” Gavin said. “Bronwyn’s not gonna do anything stupid in public.”
“But Cassie can’t always be in public. And don’t forget you got shot in a public street.”
“A quiet alleyway,” Gavin corrected.
“Where you were stupid enough to go to,” he retorted.
“I promise I won’t be stupid,” Cassie interjected.
He rubbed his face in frustration. As a detective, he knew that it would be more beneficial to the case if Cassie kept on turning up to work to avoid making Bronwyn suspicious. But as a man in love, he wanted Cassie as far away from danger as possible.
“Carter,” David said. “Bronwyn’s unlikely to hurt Cassie while at work. And outside of those times, Vera’s still shadowing Bronwyn. Frankly, Bronwyn is less likely to do something drastic if Cassie continues to work at the gallery. But she might panic if Cassie resigns. She might end up hurting more people.”
Carter took a deep breath. What David had said made sense. He didn’t like it, but Cassie continuing to work for a cold-blooded, extremely smart criminal seemed to be the best option.
“Fine,” he said with a heavy heart. “But to be safe, I think you and Tash have to stay somewhere else until this case is solved.”
“Why me as well?” Natasha asked.
“Bronwyn knows that Cassie’s flatmate is you, Tash—my sister. And she has Cassie’s address. I don’t think Bronwyn will specifically go after you—it’s Cassie she seems to be working on—but I don’t want you in your apartment if she decides to pay Cassie an unexpected visit. You’ll be safer staying in one of Mum and Dad’s properties.”
“Shall we pretend that we’re not together?” Cassie asked him. “She’s bound to ask me if I’m trying to get back with you.”
“Yes. And we need to be convincing. I wouldn’t underestimate her observation skills.”
“I can’t believe this,” Cassie murmured, burying her face in her hands.
He sighed. His personal life had never gotten tangled with his work before, and now it had, in a very big way. He was scared for Cassie’s safety. And apart from that, he was also scared of losing her because of the challenges his job brought to their relationship.
He had a lot of work to do to gain more of her trust. But first things first. Bronwyn had to be put behind bars.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Cassie reviewed the Tellman Galleries’ accounts with new eyes. It had always bothered her that certain entries either didn’t make sense or didn’t have enough information for her to fully comprehend what had gone on. Now she understood why Bronwyn kept putting off their meetings regarding her company’s numbers. It did appear that Bronwyn was using the gallery to launder money.
There was no written evidence that could be found on any of the documents, but they might still prove helpful to the police later on. So how could she take a copy without Bronwyn knowing? To get to the photocopier, she had to walk past Bronwyn’s office, and she didn’t dare risk getting seen by her boss copying private and confidential papers. And she most definitely couldn’t email it to herself. It would leave an electronic trail.
Should she take a picture of them with her phone?
She bit her lip, opened her desk drawer and pulled out her phone from her handbag. It would only take a few seconds to take snapshots—
“Cassie.”
She jumped. “Oh, hi, Bronwyn.”
“Did I scare you?” Bronwyn asked, walking into her office.
“I was just thinking of something else when you said my name,” she said with a laugh.
“What are you working on?”
“I was just reviewing the gallery’s financials,” she answered nonchalantly. “Which reminds me, when do you think we could have that meeting about my questions on some of the entries?”
Bronwyn pursed her lips in thought. “As you know, I’m pretty busy over the coming days. But I see how you’re keen to get your answers. So, if you’re not doing anything tonight, how about we discuss them over an early dinner? It’s almost five thirty, and I’ll pay.”
“Sorry, Bronwyn. I can’t tonight,” she said, putting on a disappointed face that she hoped looked sincere. “I’m meeting my friend Erin for dinner.”
“Okay. How about a quick coffee? We can still discuss lots in half an hour or so.”
“I’m afraid I’ll have to go soon. Now, actually.”
“Okay, no worries. I just don’t know when I can spare the time. I know this is important, but it’s not urgent, is it?”
“No,” she said reluctantly. Damn. It would have been nice to hear what Bronwyn had to say about the discrepancies. But she wasn’t that stupid to go anywhere alone with her boss now that she knew how dangerous she was.
“Where are you having dinner with your friend?”
“Um, somewhere in Chatswood. We’re still trying to decide on a couple of new places we haven’t been to before.”
Bronwyn chuckled. “What a coincidence! I’ve been meaning to go Chatswood! There’s a new boutique that opened there that a friend of mine has been raving about. I need a new outfit for an upcoming event, so I might as well get it tonight since it’s one of those rare times that I don’t have any dinner functions on. Let’s go. I’ll give you a lift.”
Cassie’s heart raced. “Oh, you don’t have to give me a lift, Bronwyn. It’s just as easy for me to catch the train.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m going there anyway. Come on. I won’t take no for an answer.”
Cassie tried to push away her fear. Had Bronwyn found out that the police were on to her? And now Bronwyn seemed to be on to Cassie...
“Okay,” she answered Bronwyn with a smile. “I need to go to the ladies’ first and reapply my makeup.”
“Great! Let me know when you’re ready.”
Cassie grabbed her handbag and hurried to the bathroom. She tried to call Carter, but it went to voicemail, so she rang Vera’s number that Carter had given her.
“Cassie?”
“Vera?” she whispered to the detective she’d never met.
“Yes. Is everything okay?”
She told Vera her conundrum. “You’ll be tailing her tonight, right?”
“I’m supposed to, but do not get in the car with her, Cassie. What if I lose her in the traffic? Who knows where she’ll take you?”
“So what do I do? I don’t think I should drop the act that I don’t know anything.”
“No. That will be riskier. Tell you what. In two minutes, go and have a bit of a chat with her. I’ll call your phone and pretend I’m a friend of yours who happens to be in the area so I’m picking you up for dinner.”
“Okay, that’s a great idea,” she said with relief.
<
br /> “Good. Wait for my call in two minutes,” Vera said, then hung up.
Cassie hastily touched up her makeup and put on some mascara. With a deep breath, she left the ladies’ and walked casually to Bronwyn’s office.
“Ready, Bronwyn,” she said.
“Good. Let’s go,” her boss said, standing up from her seat.
Cassie’s heart galloped in her chest as she waited for her phone to ring. Come on, now. It had been two minutes.
A melodic tone came from her purse.
Hiding her relief, she picked up her phone. “Hi, Vera.”
“Cassie,” Vera said on the other end of the line. “Pretend you’re surprised that I’m coming to pick you up.”
“Oh, really?” she said with a surprised laugh. “My boss is just about to give me a lift. It’s a good thing you caught me.”
Bronwyn glanced at her questioningly.
“I’ll be there in one minute, Cassie,” Vera said. “Wait for me by the front entrance, don’t go in the parking area with her.”
“Okay, no problem. I’ll wait for you at the front.”
“Good. See you,” Vera said before hanging up.
“You won’t believe this,” Cassie said to Bronwyn. “But one of my other friends is joining me and Erin for dinner. She happens to be in the area and is coming to pick me up. Thanks for offering to give me a lift, Bronwyn, but she’s almost by the front entrance.”
Bronwyn sighed. “Shame. I was looking forward to your company.”
“Some other time, maybe?”
“Sure. Well, you have fun at dinner.”
“Thanks. See you tomorrow.”
Bronwyn waved goodbye and walked off towards the back exit.
Cassie breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Thank God for that! She was going to survive tonight, and tomorrow would be a new day. She’d need to come up with plenty of contingency plans to avoid being alone with Bronwyn.
She stepped out the building just as a black car was approaching.
“Cassie,” the attractive woman behind the wheel said.
Cassie smiled. Yes, that was Vera. She looked exactly like the photo Carter had shown her.
“Thank you so much for rescuing me, Vera,” she said as she got in the vehicle.
“No problem,” Vera said as she started driving.
“Maybe you can drop me off near the train station,” she said. “I’m sure we’ll be far away from Bronwyn’s prying eyes by then.”
Vera shook her head. “I spoke to Carter on my way here. He wants me to take you to my place. He’ll meet us there.”
“Oh, I’ve tried to call him, but it went to voicemail.”
“I called his work phone. He wouldn’t have answered his personal one while following an important lead, even if it’s you who’s calling.”
“Of course,” Cassie said, blushing.
Vera didn’t seem to be in the mood for a chit-chat so Cassie stayed quiet. She felt a little uncomfortable, though. She’d expected Vera to be friendly, like Carter’s partner David. But she supposed Vera was doing some problem-solving in her head while she drove. She was driving way too slowly for some reason. Well, she’d just sit here and give her companion some peace.
“So do you think you and Carter are in serious territory?”
Cassie was surprised by the question. “Yes, I think so,” she answered with a smile.
“Why?”
Cassie frowned. Was that hostility she heard in Vera’s voice? “Um...”
“Has he said the L word to you?”
“Yes.”
Vera smirked. “Did you say it first or did he?”
“Um, I did. Anyway, where’s your place?” she asked, changing the topic. Talking to Vera about personal matters was proving awkward. What was with the woman’s attitude?
“We’re not far,” Vera answered, and they lapsed into silence again.
Something beeped in the car, sounding like a phone. But Vera didn’t pay attention to it. She did drive faster, though.
Soon, Vera turned into a quiet street and stopped in front of an old-style semi-detached house.
“Did you say Carter’s meeting us here?” she asked.
“Yes,” Vera said, sounding cheerful now. “Let’s go.”
Cassie gulped and got out of the car. Why was she nervous? She had no reason to be. She was with Vera, a detective who was working with Carter. She followed Vera towards the entrance.
“Come on in, Cassie,” Vera said, opening the door wide for her.
She went inside and was surprised that the place was already comfortably warm. Did Vera usually leave her heating on even if there was no one at home? Or perhaps someone else was home.
“Do you live with someone?” she asked.
“Not usually. But I won’t be here for much longer. I’m moving in with my boyfriend.”
“Oh, great,” she said with a smile, not knowing what else to say to that. “So... what time is Carter coming?”
Vera smirked. “Carter’s already here.”
“He is?” she asked in surprise.
“Carter!” Vera called from the bottom of the stairs. “We’re here!”
Carter came trotting down the steps.
“Carter!” Cassie smiled in relief, walking to him.
“Sit down, Cassie,” Carter said, warding her off.
She looked at him in confusion.
“Yes, sit down, Cassie,” Vera said, grasping her arm and leading her to a chair in the lounge room.
“Carter?” she said in bewilderment.
“Tell her, Carter,” Vera said from behind her.
“Tell me what?”
Carter sat down on the chair opposite her, looking down on the floor for a long time before he raised his head to look at her. “I’m sorry to say this, Cassie. But we’re over.”
She frowned in confusion. Had she heard him right? “What?”
“We’re over. I’m not seeing you anymore. I’m sorry.”
She stared at him in shock. He can’t be serious.
But... why was he looking at her as if he were?
Carter exhaled harshly. “I don’t really love you, Cassie,” he said, looking straight into her eyes. “I was just using you to make Vera jealous because we were having a fight. It’s her I love.”
Her breath left her.
“I’m sorry that you have to hear it like this, Cassie,” Vera said, squeezing her shoulder. “We don’t want to hurt you, but you have to know.”
She gaped at Carter, willing him to laugh and say it was all a joke, that she was being pranked.
“I don’t think she believes you,” Vera said, walking towards Carter. “Cassie, I hate to do this to you, but it’s necessary so you can have closure.”
Then Vera kissed Carter. And Carter kissed Vera back. Passionately.
“No...” she whispered, her eyes blurring as she felt her heart being shredded and pummelled mercilessly.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Carter swallowed the bile that rose to his throat as Vera continued to kiss him. Oh, he was so tempted to bite the bitch’s tongue and make it bleed. But he had to restrain himself and try not to shove her off even though every cell in his body was screaming to do just that.
Vera ended the kiss and gave Cassie a smug smile. “Do you believe us now, Cassie?” she asked.
Cassie sobbed, her head bowing. And Carter’s heart broke into even smaller pieces.
He fisted his hands, glowering at the witch who went back to stand behind Cassie’s chair. Vera pulled out her gun—one that was not police issue—and pointed it at Cassie’s head.
His breath hitched, rage welling up inside him. But he had to keep up this abhorrent act. He’d just discovered that Vera was the type of woman who wouldn’t think twice about pulling the trigger on Cassie.
He glared at the detective he’d once trusted implicitly. How could he—and everyone else—not have picked up that Vera was working with Bronwyn, and had been tampering with evidence to cove
r up their crimes?
Oh, Vera and Bronwyn were extremely smart. When they’d discovered that Bronwyn had been found out, they’d been very quick to act.
So here he was, breaking the heart of the woman he loved more than anything.
“There’s something else we need to tell you, Cassie,” Vera said.
He shook his head, his jaw tense.
“Tell her, Carter,” Vera said, waving the gun playfully at the back of Cassie’s head and pretending to pull the trigger.
Fucking bitch.
“Cassie, please stop crying and look at me?” he said.
Cassie did, her eyes bleak and accusing.
His heart compressed at her grief, almost stopping him from saying what he had to say. Almost, but not quite.
“Vera and I are having a baby,” he said, forcing each painful word out of his throat.
“You bastard,” Cassie muttered, getting up from her seat.
Yes, that’s it, sweetheart. Show Vera you believe all that shit I just said.
“Forgive me if I don’t congratulate you,” she said coldly before turning on her heels and walking out the door.
Carter watched Cassie disappear out of his life forever, his heart squeezing so hard he couldn’t breathe.
He shut his eyes, emotions rising up. He doubted he’d ever get out of this alive. The bitches were determined to pin everything on him and they’d never let him live to tell the tale.
His mind cruelly replayed all he’d just said to Cassie. When he was dead, her memory of him would be filled with revulsion.
Cassie, I love you!
“Aw, Carter. Are you about to cry?” Bronwyn taunted, coming out of her hiding place and pointing her revolver at him.
“You both promised you wouldn’t hurt Cassie and my family,” he hissed. “Make that promise again right now.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Vera said. “Yes. We’re not stupid, you know. After you’ve committed suicide, it will be hard to explain why your loved ones’ dead bodies keep piling up. But Cassie telling everybody what a bastard you are would help taint your reputation. Why do you think I wanted the two of you to get back together? I needed you to hurt her so badly that it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch for her to believe that you were living a double life—not only as a cheater but also as a criminal.”
The Undercover Playboy (Captured by Love Book 3) Page 13