by Sofia Grey
She made a little silent gesture, between a nod and a shrug, without taking her eyes off him. She wanted to believe him, but there were too many unanswered questions.
“Aww, shit. C’mere, babe.” He held his arms out and smiled enticingly.
She didn’t move. “I want answers first.”
“Go for it. But why don’t we go back to the car? Or into the service station?”
They were getting very wet. “Okay to going into the building.” She turned and walked, with Rico by her side. There was so much to ask. Where to start? “You hired the car using a fake name. Why?”
“To make it harder for them to find us.” He made it sound obvious.
“I mean, where did you get the fake documents from? Like, you can’t just buy a set of fake IDs. Can you?”
“If you know where to go, you can buy anything.”
“The gun—is it yours?”
“Like I said, I know the right people.”
She had the strong suspicion she wasn’t going to learn anything. “You said you did something and this is the payback. What did you do?”
They reached the edge of the cafeteria and stopped in a quiet alcove before he answered. “A few years ago, I was working on a similar data leak for TM-Tech, in Houston. I helped to put the guy away, and he went down for four years. I learned he was released early. Sounds like he blames me.”
There was so much she didn’t understand, and she hesitated.
Rico took both her hands and squeezed them gently. “You have no idea what went through my mind this morning, when I received that text and saw that picture.” He kissed her gently. “All I wanna do is make sure you’re safe. So will you please let me do that, to the best of my ability?”
Everything he’d done pointed to him telling the truth. The way he constantly looked out for her. How freaked out he’d been after the fire. If she acted purely on instinct, every cell of her body told her he was honest, and that she could trust him.
He spoke into the silence. “I hate to rush you, but we have a long journey ahead of us. Do you want to grab that coffee first?”
She managed a little smile. “Can we?”
“As long as you promise not to run away again. Jesus, Silverwood. You’re making me grey before my time.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry,” she blurted, and she meant it.
“For running out on me or making me grey?”
“Both.”
He closed his eyes and leaned into her, to rest his forehead on hers. “Let’s get that coffee.”
After another hour on the motorway, Rico diverted onto the A5 towards North Wales. He didn’t say exactly where they were going, but they talked. Sylvie told him how scared she was and how his actions confused her. He kissed her hand as they drove along, and apologised for not realising how frightened she’d been.
Sylvie had never been paranoid, but then again, she never had someone trying to kill her before. She dragged her thoughts away from the fire. If she considered what she lost, she’d start bawling like a baby.
A couple of hours later, Rico announced they were almost there. His friend would meet them on a pub car park, and lead them to their destination. It was mid-afternoon, and Sylvie was exhausted. God knew how Rico coped with the lack of sleep.
They found his friend easily, and Sylvie watched from inside the car as the two men clasped hands and did a manly hug. They spoke for a minute, then Rico climbed back in, and they followed the guy’s silver Jaguar. They drove only a couple of miles further along the road, but off a narrow lane they could easily have missed. It was certainly off the beaten path.
Sylvie was impressed with the location. Tall metal gates gave entry onto a tidy gravel driveway that bristled with security lights and cameras.
Where the hell were they? And who would live in a place like this?
Part II - Warming Up
Chapter Sixteen
Alex heard the crunching of car tyres on gravel and went to greet his guests. He’d no idea what to expect, but it wasn’t these ordinary-looking people.
A tall, lean man, similar in age to Alex, stood beside a younger woman. She was pretty, with dark hair tumbling down her back, and she looked nervous. No. Make that scared. The man looked around with sharp eyes, as though assessing the location, and she clutched his hand and murmured something to him.
Jordan stepped forwards. “Alex, this is Rico and Sylvie. Guys, this is Alex. You’ll be staying with him for a few days.”
The man, Rico, shook Alex’s hand with a firm grip. “Thanks. I appreciate this. And thanks, Jordan.” He spoke with a slight accent. American, maybe. Alex couldn’t be sure.
The girl flicked a surprised look at Jordan at the mention of his name, then frowned. “Jordan Merrill?” She spoke softly.
“Yes. Have we met?”
“No.” Pink lined her cheeks. “I recognised the name. From TM-Tech, you know.”
Jordan narrowed his eyes as he looked at them. There was a pause before he replied. “I really think you should tell me if this is TM-Tech related.”
Rico nodded. “Been meaning to. Do you want to catch up now or later?”
Alex stepped back and ushered them in. “It’s freezing out here. Let’s talk inside.”
They followed him into the kitchen, and sat around the table while Alex busied himself making a pot of coffee.
“You can trust Alex,” Jordan told the others. “And since he’s going to be your host, it’s only fair that he knows what’s going on.”
“Okay,” said Rico. “I’ve no idea how much you know from Marcus about the current situation, although I suspect not much. He’s planning to bring you up to speed next weekend.” Rico gave them a run-down of the situation, talking about data leaks and security issues. A lot of it was a jumble of unfamiliar names and technical jargon to Alex.
Rico paused. Then he said, “there have been some complications. I believe the perp is trying to blow a smokescreen over his activities, to distract the audit team. There’s been a malicious email, supposedly from myself to Sylvie, and one of the stolen laptops resurfaced with suspicious data. But now it’s taken a new turn.” He pulled his phone from his pocket, flicked through some menus and handed it to Jordan.
Jordan made a shocked noise and passed it to Alex.
“Jesus Christ.” Alex couldn’t keep quiet. “This is your house?” He looked at Sylvie and she nodded back.
“Has Marcus had any issues?” asked Jordan.
“Yeah. It looks like someone is keeping tabs on Louisa, from a distance.”
Jordan pushed back his chair and stood. “For fuck’s sake, Rico, why didn’t you bring her back with you today?”
He stared back evenly. “I advised Marcus not let her out of his sight all weekend. She’ll be back here on Monday, anyway. As far as I can tell, this is all designed to target me and those I care for.” He squeezed Sylvie’s hand. “I think the messages to Marcus are background noise.”
He stopped, to take a tentative sip of the coffee. “A couple of weeks ago, I spotted a familiar face in the pub. I’d swear it was Darius Gibson, the guy I put away. He gave me the slip, but he was with an accomplice. I was convinced someone was watching me.”
Sylvie widened her eyes and sat up straight. “Was that the knife fight?” Her voice rose as she spoke.
“Yeah.” He gave her a reassuring smile.
Knife fight? The words sank in, and Alex reassessed the guy. He looked fit and competent, and completely unlike a thug.
“Anyway. There are multiple issues at TM-Tech. I’ve engaged a security specialist, to look over a few things, and he’ll be reporting back soon. In the meantime, I can’t take any further risks with Sylvie. If she can stay here a couple days, that gives us time to find somewhere longer term. I have to go back to London on Sunday night, and I need to be sure she’s in a safe place before then.”
Alex thought for a moment. These were friends of Jordan’s, and after everything the Merrills did, Alex owed Jordan. “Maybe I’ve
been watching too many TV mysteries, but isn’t the best hiding place somewhere in plain view? It’s Jordan’s party next weekend, and there will be dozens of strangers around. Why don’t you both wait until after the party before moving on, if you feel you need to?”
Jordan nodded. “It’s worth considering.”
Rico glanced at Sylvie, at their hands still linked. “How secure is this place? Are the cameras for show? Are you some kind of mafia boss or drug lord?”
Alex chuckled. “No to the mafia boss and drug lord. I’ve a deep desire for privacy, and Jordan and Kate would say I’ve more money than sense. The cameras aren’t connected yet, though. I didn’t get around to completing the job. Same with the electronics for the gates. I’ve got the cables and stuff, but it needs finishing.”
“I could set them up,” said Rico. He smiled at Sylvie. “I’m good with security measures.”
“Sure.” Alex felt hopeful. “Any good with electronics in general? I’ve got some other stuff you might be able to help with, while you’re here.” His studio might be set up sooner than he thought.
Rico looked up at the kitchen window. “I can take a look, but we’ve got about an hour of daylight left. Let’s get started.”
****
Sylvie wasn’t surprised that Rico knew how to set up security equipment. She’d given up on guessing what he might be skilled at. Before the natural light faded completely, he rigged up cables and connectors for a set of motion-activated floodlights along the drive, at the gates, and around the doors to the house. She trailed behind him and carried rolls of wire and a bag of tools, while he shinned up and down ladders, and Jordan secured cables.
She had plenty of thinking time. So this was Jordan Merrill. She’d seen pictures of him in Reception and in the corporate magazine. Alex seemed familiar too. Perhaps he was also from TM-Tech. He didn’t look much like an executive, though—not with hair long enough to brush his collar. He radiated the same reassuring aura of confidence as both Rico and Jordan.
She yawned. Recent events and shock were catching up. She stumbled over something and nearly dropped the coil of wire.
Rico glanced back at her. “Tired?”
“No. I’m good.” She had no intention of resting until he stopped work too.
“Not much more to do now. Out here, anyway. Why don’t you go get some coffee?”
Jordan walked up and took the wire from her. “That’s a great idea. We’ll be fifteen minutes, max, and the rest of the work to be done is inside.”
She got the distinct impression they were ganging up on her, but she didn’t have the strength to protest. She headed back to the house. At that moment, what she wouldn’t give for a long soak in the bath... Lost in a daydream of sinking into mountains of bubbles, she bumped into Alex in the hallway and yelped in surprise.
He was hauling a stack of boxes through the house, and she offered to help.
“Nah, I’ve got it. Thanks. These are the controllers and monitors for the cameras. Are they ready to connect them yet?”
“No. They said another quarter of an hour.” She felt awkward with this stranger. “Jordan said I could make some fresh coffee. Is that okay?”
“You guys feel free to use the house as you need. I don’t spend much time here. I stocked the fridge for you. Help yourselves to whatever you want.”
This man, whom they’d never met before, was helping because Jordan asked him to. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes at his overwhelming generosity.
“Hey. You okay?” He caught her arm and steered her gently into the kitchen.
She managed a weak smile. “I’m sorry.” It came out croaky. “It’s very kind of you to help us like this.”
He handed across a roll of kitchen paper. She ripped off a square and blew her nose.
“You look about done in.” His voice was kind. “Maybe you’ll feel better after a good night’s sleep.”
She nodded and composed herself. “Thanks again, Alex.”
He smiled, and she was hit again with the idea she knew him from somewhere. If she wasn’t so tired, she might figure it out.
* * * *
Alex was impressed at the speed with which Rico had the gates, lights, and cameras working, ready to patch into a central console, to be rigged up in the studio. After they ate, while Sylvie went for a bath, Alex took Rico downstairs. He hoped to also persuade him to set up the desk equipment when everything else was done.
Rico glanced around the studio but seemed to pay no attention to the contents. Instead, he got stuck into the electrical and communications components, and was soon knee deep in stripped wires and connectors. Eventually, he sat back and huffed a satisfied sigh. “Done. The gate works off an intercom with a second controller by the front door. The lights and cameras will run through this unit. You can leave it cycling around the different cameras or select any particular one.” He glanced up at Alex. “It’s a good system. You’ve paid a lot for it. Are you expecting trouble of some kind?”
“Not really, but I’ve had some privacy issues in the past.”
Rico seemed to accept this. He yawned, then stretched. “Did you say there was another job you wanted done?”
Alex gestured at the mixing desk, standing forlornly in the middle of the room, wires trailing across the floor. “You must be tired, and it can wait. When you get a chance to take a look, I want to get that connected to the inputs and outputs. Set up a working studio.”
“I have no experience with musical equipment, but I can take a look. Maybe tomorrow morning? I’m gonna join Sylvie now, if you don’t mind.”
“I’m here, babe.” She stood in the doorway, pink and fragrant from her bath. A vision of beauty in a terry robe, damp hair falling like a sheet over her shoulders. Aex had to drag his gaze away.
“I wondered where you got to. I tracked you down here by the sound of your voices,” Sylvie said.
Rico smiled and held out a hand to her. She picked her way carefully across the floor, bare feet avoiding the tools and offcuts of wire, to perch on his lap. They spoke quietly to each other, and Alex concentrated on the setup instructions for the mixing desk.
He heard a sharp intake of breath, and looked up to see her gazing, wide eyed, at the line of guitars on the wall.
“Are they yours?” Sylvie asked.
He nodded.
“Wow. It’s like a music shop in here.” She scanned the guitars, took in the untidy pile of amplifiers, and turned to Alex with a huge smile. “You have a serious collection. Do you play as well?”
He shrugged. Since Sylvie and Rico clearly had no idea who he was, he’d keep it quiet. They wouldn’t be here long, and, he was over the fangirling these days. “I play a little. How about you?”
She gazed in awe at the Rickenbacker 12-string. “Oh not really. I play a little bass, but as a fill in.” She looked up at him, her eyes gleaming. “One of my brothers plays in a band with a really flaky bass guitarist, who hardly ever turned up for practice, so they roped me in. I was about to start gigging with them, when their drummer wrecked himself in an idiot move. “
That sounded familiar. “A crazy drummer? Surely not.” He laughed when he asked it.
She rolled her eyes. “Either he was out on the piss or off his head. What is it with drummers?”
Alex hesitated. Caution nagged that this might come back and bite him in the ass later. What the hell. “I’ve a spare bass knocking around. I don’t suppose you fancy jamming a bit while you’re here?”
“I’d love to. Thank you.” She glanced at Rico who watched her with frank amusement, then looked back. “Maybe tomorrow?”
“Yeah. I’ll dig out a bass amp for you.”
She looked even prettier with a beaming smile lighting her face, and Alex felt a pang of envy for Rico. Lucky bastard. Alex would move heaven and earth to keep her safe too.
Rico wrapped his arms around her. “C’mon babe. Let’s hit the sack.”
Alex was busy, planning a couple of sessions in his
head. Bass player, huh? Maybe he wouldn’t mind having houseguests after all.
* * * *
Sylvie awoke to sunshine on her face. When she reached out, the other half of the bed was empty, but Rico had left a note on his pillow.
Didn’t want to wake you. I’ll be in the studio with Alex. Come down when you’re ready. R
She dressed and headed downstairs. She found Rico sitting on the floor twisting wires together, while Alex tinkered with switches and sliders on a complicated-looking piece of equipment.
“Morning.” She felt shy, but it was unnecessary.
Alex gave her a quick, excited grin. “Come and sit here.” He patted a stool. “How about this?”
This was a Rickenbacker Fireglow bass guitar. She gazed at it, awestruck. She’d never seen one outside of a glossy magazine. “It’s gorgeous. Are you sure you don’t mind me playing it?”
“Go for it.” Alex seemed in a happy mood. He prodded something with his toe. “I’ve dug out a Laney thirty-watt practice amp to go with it.”
She was speechless. Part of her couldn’t wait to pick up the Fireglow, but the rest was wary about handling such an expensive instrument. “Do you have plans for today?”
“Yeah. I’m helping Jordan with some stuff later. I’ll be back this evening, but we’ve got an hour or so now, if you’d like?”
Her head spun. Jordan couldn’t have picked a more amazing place for them to stay. She wanted to pinch herself, to make sure this wasn’t a long and detailed dream. To buy herself a minute to compose her excitement, she went to examine his collection of guitars.
“Paul Reed Smith. Nice finish. And is that a’61 SG Les Paul?”
He nodded, his lips curving in a smile.
She moved down the line, cataloguing everything as she went. Man, he had a better selection than most top-end guitar shops. If she hadn’t guessed from the size of the house, Alex had some scarily serious money. “50s re-issue Fender Telecaster. Rick12-string.” She paused and stared puzzled at a plain brown guitar, the style unfamiliar. “What’s this one?”
“Ah. Well spotted.” Alex removed it from its wall bracket and passed it to her. Slightly nervous, she took it. Lighter than she expected.