The British Billionaire Bachelor, Act Three

by Maggie Carpenter

  “Simon,” Belle said thoughtfully, “perhaps we should have a couple of Ian’s guys around as well. They could come with us when we walk Goldie, or go out for something. I think we should have some kind of watchdog, especially with Lucinda being so well-known.”

  “I was planning on it,” Simon remarked. “Anything else?”

  “Yes, let’s make sure we all have each other’s numbers on our phones,” Lucinda declared, “and if there’s an emergency we agree to text 911. It was terrible not being able to reach anyone this morning.”

  “Ah, good point. Yes,” Simon agreed.

  “Joseph, anymore thoughts?”

  “No, none. I think Belle’s suggestion is a great one, and after you all leave I’ll search out a good vantage point for the street.”

  “I could stay and help you look,” Lucinda volunteered.

  “You were tremendous today, Lucinda, but no. Until we know what this is all about you’re better off at City View with Belle,” Joseph said firmly.

  “I wish my meetings at the office were as productive as this one has been,” Simon remarked.

  “You mean they’re not?” Belle asked, surprised at his comment.

  “Not this morning, but that will change this afternoon.”

  “How do you know?” Lucinda inquired.

  “Because I’ll make sure of it,” Simon declared. “Now, let’s eat.”

  As the lunch continued, Joseph noticed Lucinda continuously glance across at Belle, who was too busy chatting with Simon about Goldie to notice.

  “Try not to worry,” Joseph whispered. “Being at City View will give you a chance to work everything out with her.”

  “I hope so,” Lucinda mumbled, “but I’m going to miss you like crazy.”

  The meal wound down, Belle left with Simon to walk with him to the garage, while Joseph and Lucinda headed back to their suite.

  None of them were aware that across town in his study Darren Hardcastle was receiving some very important news.

  Brandon Witherspoon, Darren’s salaried private investigator, had penetrated the offices of Tyler Anderson. Immediately following Darren’s lunch at The Ivy, Brandon had studiously and purposefully befriended one of the secretaries at Tyler Anderson’s office. If Sinclair was involved in a real estate deal, Tyler Anderson would be the man he’d be working with, and the only way to get any information was to have someone on the inside.

  Her name was Cordelia Cartwright, and Brandon had selected her not just because she was young and attractive, but she was the only one who had been sitting alone at the local cafe around the corner from Anderson’s office. Charming women was one of his talents, and within a short time of ‘accidentally’ bumping into her, he’d managed to persuade her to spend some time with him over the weekend.

  He discovered she’d been working at the Anderson Estate Agency for only a few weeks, and though Brandon was initially disappointed that she’d not been there longer, he had learned that it had been enough time for her to pick up bits and pieces of important information.

  “It wasn’t easy, Boss,” he declared, “but yesterday I took her to Gilligan’s Pub and got her talking. Not a lot, but it was enough.”

  “What did she say?” Darren asked impatiently.

  “Sinclair is definitely buying a huge amount of land and the deal is supposed to close this week. The whole office is buzzing about it, and she overheard someone say he was offering twelve million pounds cash, and how that was walking around money for the great man, and when the deal closes Tyler is giving everyone a bonus.”

  “That so? Isn’t that just peachy keen,” Darren smirked sarcastically, “but she didn’t say where this land was.”

  “Just that it’s in some remote spot somewhere. A place no-one would think of.”

  “But you haven’t had any luck tracing that address?”

  “I gave the job to Sebastian, that young guy I just hired. He’s great at internet sleuthing and he’s already found a group of places that have that address. One of them will be the land. Just a matter of elimination now.”

  “Tell him to get moving and you go and help him. I need to get this done!” Darren barked.

  “I’m on it,” Brandon said quickly. “I’m sure it won’t be long, Boss.”

  “See that it isn’t.”

  Brandon darted across the office to leave, and opening the door found Katherine McManus on the other side, her fist poised to knock.

  “Oh! Sorry,” he apologized, seeing her startled expression, “I’m in a hurry.”

  “So I see,” she remarked, and poked her head through the door. “Got a minute, Darren?”

  “Yeah, what is it?”

  “Just a reminder, I’m leaving now.”

  “I remember. Still don’t see why you have to be gone all week,” he growled. “Your father has all the help he needs.”

  “It’s not just about the help,” Katherine said carefully. “A fifty-year wedding celebration isn’t just about the day, it’s about all the stuff leading up to the day.”

  “Just count yourself lucky I’ve got a busy week myself, otherwise I might not let you go. Remember, this is a favor. You owe me.”

  “I’ll remember,” she nodded, I’ll remember just what a bastard you are and how much I hate you, and I’ll remember this conversation, and I promise you, I’ll be smiling about it very, very soon.

  “Go on then, go.”

  “Thanks, Darren.”

  He grunted his response, staring at her. Afraid he would change his mind, she moved quickly out of his office and walked hurriedly back to her bedroom. Grabbing her bags, she took a quick look around making sure she hadn’t forgotten anything, then headed down the stairs, out the front door, and into a waiting taxi. As the car pulled away she felt the brimming tears of relief, and closing her eyes, let them spill down her cheeks.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Joseph was alone in his suite and missing Lucinda already, though she’d only been gone a short time. Perched on the same chair she had perched on, staring out the same window she had stared out, he was studying the street below. He’d wandered through the house seeking the best viewpoint, and had discovered the one he was at afforded not only an excellent vantage point, but where it was positioned on the second floor, it was relatively close to the stairs which led to the lobby and the front door.

  It had been years since he’d been on a stakeout and he was enjoying it, though it would have been more fun to have had Lucinda for company. Her quick thinking that morning had surprised everyone, and he was seeing glimpses of the smart, sweet lady that lived inside the body of the spoiled, petulant starlet.

  He was just about to call down to the kitchen for some coffee when a dark-haired man in a tan overcoat moved into view from behind a parked van across the street. The man was walking slowly, smoking a cigarette, but Joseph hadn’t seen anyone walking towards the van, which left only one explanation; the man had come out of the van. The vehicle had been parked there since he’d taken up his position at the window, at least thirty minutes, if not more.

  Had the situation just escalated? Was there a plan to nab him off the street and bundle him in the van? Or had the man been sitting in the van watching, and just needed to stretch his legs? Not taking his eyes off him, Joseph pulled out his cell, called Simon and brought him up to date.

  “Simon, if I turned right out of the house, instead of left, what’s around that corner?”

  “A few shops. Why?”

  “I could use a store’s back exit. That would really help me out.”

  “There’s an electronics shop, Badir’s Electronics. He’s a friend, he’ll be happy to help.”

  “Great. I’m heading out right now.”

  “Do you want me to send Ian for backup?”

  “I’ve been thinking about that, but no. I think I still have to be seen as a lone ranger, in spite of jumping in that car this morning.”

  “Up to you, Joseph. I’ll be here anxiously waiting for th
e news.”

  Joseph ended the call, and grabbing his coat and his new best friend, the recording pen, headed to the stairs. As he crossed the foyer towards the front door, he grabbed a long umbrella with a wooden handle from the antique umbrella stand, then taking a deep breath, walked out on to the street and turned right. The man was a fair distance away and would have to move quickly to catch up, so Joseph slowed his step.

  Turning the corner he saw the block of shops and the swinging sign that read, Badir’s Electronics. Sensing his tail closing behind him, he walked casually into the store, and immediately spotted Badir behind the counter.

  “Simon sent me,” Joseph said quickly.

  “The door’s unlocked, go straight through that curtain,” Badir replied, gesturing with his head.

  Joseph walked through the beaded curtain, finding himself in a storage area, the back door directly in front of him. As he exited into a narrow alley he saw the perfect place to hide; a large stack of recently discarded cardboard boxes still unaffected by the damp weather. Crouching behind them, his heart racing, his senses on high alert, and pumped with confidence, he smiled; this was fun.

  It was only a moment later that the door opened and the man peered carefully around the apparently empty alley before stepping forward. Joseph studied him. He was shorter, but stocky, hands in his pockets, but no apparent bulges that suggested a weapon. His brow was furrowed, suggesting confusion and concern, and his eyes were darting around the area.

  Watching him step forward into the open space, Joseph waited, ready to pounce the moment his back was to him. The man began to turn, and Joseph was just about to spring forward when he heard a voice.

  “Anything?”

  Joseph froze. The question came from a second man, a man who Joseph assumed must have come from the back of an adjacent store.

  “No, nothing,” the man in the tan coat replied. “He must have doubled back through another shop, or run to the street.”

  Carefully moving his hand inside his jacket, Joseph pulled out the pen and pushed the record button.

  “Fuck. The old man won’t like this,” the second man remarked.

  “I still say he’s just another one of Hardcastle’s victims, or that actress is. He was making a payoff. It’s obvious.“

  “I agree, but you know the old man, he wants to be sure.”

  “Well, fuck it! I’m sure!” exclaimed the man in the tan coat. “The guy’s only been here a few days, he can’t be working for Hardcastle, and if he was, why would he be meeting him in cafes? This is all crap. Hardcastle has something on that Lucinda Somers bird and he made the payoff. That’s it!”

  “Works for me. Let’s get the fuck out of here. We’ve got too much to do before the big night.”

  Joseph saw the two men march away down the alley, waited until he was sure they were gone, then slowly stood up and stepped back into Badir’s store. As much as he’d been ready for the wrestle, he was glad it hadn’t happened. The information he’d garnered was far more reliable than anything he may have extricated from a man under duress.

  “Badir, thanks. You were of tremendous help,” Joseph smiled, shaking his hand.

  “You are most welcome. Anything for Mr. Sinclair, anything at all. This was easier than the last time.”

  “The last time?” Joseph asked.

  “Oh, dear, you don’t know. I have said too much, my apologies. I’m sure Mr. Sinclair will tell you all about it if you ask him.”

  Badir looked uncomfortable, and Joseph smiled reassuringly.

  “Don’t worry. I won’t say anything, and if I do I’ll be discreet.”

  “The excitement of the moment…”

  “It’s fine, you don’t have to worry, and again, thank you,” Joseph said.

  After peering through the windows to make sure the men weren’t still lurking, with a hastened step he headed home, and as he turned the block his eyes scanned ahead; the van was gone. Feeling the relief he quickened his step, eager to give Simon the news, and once safely inside the house he walked straight into Simon’s study and called him.

  “This is good news, and interesting, though the blackmail part doesn’t surprise me,” Simon remarked. “I wonder what they mean by the big night?”

  “My sentiments exactly,” Joseph replied.

  “At least we know you won’t be tailed anymore. Lucinda can come back, and I’m going to forge ahead. Whatever this big night is, I just hope it happens after I’m done with him. I’m going to push forward, put the pressure on, see if I can get this wrapped up before Friday.”

  “Let me know what else I can do,” Joseph offered.

  “You’ve been extraordinary, Joseph. I knew you were the right man for the job, but you’ve exceeded all expectations.”

  “Uh, thank you,” Joseph replied, somewhat embarrassed.

  “Take the praise,” Simon smiled, appreciating the modesty.

  “I’ll call Lucinda and let her know she can come back here,” Joseph said, needing to change the subject.

  “Do me a favor, when you talk to her, ask her to tell Belle I’ll be in touch in a little while. I have some urgent calls to make.”

  “You bet,” Joseph replied.

  While Joseph had been hiding behind the boxes in the alley, Belle had been giving Lucinda the grand tour of the penthouse at City View. The young actress was first stunned by the stature of the building, then stunned by the views, and stunned again by the glass enclosed viewing deck and enormous telescope.

  “This is where Simon proposed,” Belle told her, “the happiest night of my life. He had a dessert made in the shape of Saturn, and the ring was inside. He said it was because of the planet’s eternal rings, but of course he put it in a much more eloquent way than that.”

  “I think that’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard,” Lucinda sighed. “It should be in a movie.”

  Lucinda walked to the window and stared out at the grey city below.

  “It’s like a painting,” she remarked, then turning around, looked across at Belle standing by the telescope. “Can I talk to you about what I did?”

  “You mean, breaking into my room?” Belle asked, wondering if she would admit her other, terrible crime.

  “No, I mean, reading your diaries. I know you know, I just don’t know how you know, or how I know you know. That came out weird, but-”

  “I understand,” Belle interrupted. “Sometimes we just know things. I think that’s a talent we were both blessed with.”

  “You must be furious,” Lucinda murmured.

  “Yes, I am,” Belle replied. “It’s inexcusable.”

  “You’re right, but, the thing is,” Lucinda tentatively began, “the thing is, when I read how much you hated me-”

  “I don’t hate you,” Belle snapped. “I hate the things you do sometimes.”

  “Sorry,” Lucinda muttered. “Please, can I finish? I really need to say this.”

  “Fine, go ahead,” Belle replied, wishing she didn’t feel so impatient. Remember what Simon said. Listen, don’t react.

  “The thing is, when I read what you wrote, I felt really embarrassed,” she confessed. “I know I’m difficult sometimes, and I don’t know why I’m so short-tempered, but I’m going to be better, I swear, and Joseph has promised to help me.”

  “That’s good to hear,” Belle replied.

  “I’m sorry about all that stuff that happened when we lived here, about mom being with me all the time I mean. I didn’t want to do all that stuff.”

  “What do you mean?” Belle asked, finding Lucinda’s comment confusing.

  “All those auditions and performances and everything. I met these really cool kids at school and I never got to be with them because I was always at some stupid audition or meeting agents or something.”

  “I thought you loved all that?”

  “What? No, I mean, I like my job, I really enjoy performing and acting, but not every minute of every day. It never stopped, and mom insisted I sing a
t the parties at the Embassy. God I hated it.”

  “You’re kidding?” Belle remarked, shocked at the revelation.

  “It wasn’t much fun, Belle. She never let me be by myself. Even when I came out to L.A. she wanted me to have a babysitter. For craps sake, I was over 21 and she still wanted to hold my hand. Ooooh, my blood boils just thinking about it. It’s such a relief to be away from her, you have no idea. I feel as if I’ve been suffocating my entire life. When I told her I was coming over here for two weeks, all she could talk about was making sure you were here to look after me. Look after me? Seriously?”

  “My God, Lucinda, I had no idea.”

  “Yeah, well, now you do, but my point is, I’m really sorry about everything, and I’m going to be calmer, and less crazy, and all that stuff.”

  Belle stared at her beautiful little sister, realizing Lucinda had been as much a victim of their controlling mother as she had been, perhaps even more. Moving quickly across to her, Belle hugged her tightly, unable to recall the last time she’d done such a thing.

  “Poor Lucinda,” she muttered, fighting the wave of emotion washing over her.

  “I’ve always thought you were amazing,” Lucinda sniffled. “I’ve always been jealous of you.”

  “Jealous of me?” Belle exclaimed, pulling back and staring at her. “Why? You’re gorgeous, and talented, and now you’re famous. Why on earth would you be jealous of me?”

  “Because you were free,” Lucinda replied, her voice cracking, “and so smart about everything.”

  Belle was about to hug her again when Lucinda’s phone chimed.

  “It’s Joseph,” she declared.

  As Lucinda answered the call, Belle watched her sister’s face light up; whatever the news, it was good, and when she ended the call, her smattering of tears had transformed into a broad grin.

  “Everything’s good. Joseph didn’t even have to tackle the guy. There were two of them, and he was able to overhear what they said, and I can go back to the house.”

  “That’s fantastic, Lucinda,” Belle grinned. “Did he say what it was he overheard?”

  “No, he told me he’d give me all the details when I got home.”