When We Break

by Cheryl Phipps

The sound of a motorboat cut through the quiet night. The suppliers were nearly here, but where the hell was his backup? Nick squinted up and down the beach and behind him. Finally, he saw them. Several men were slipping through the garden and getting closer to the gates when he heard a whisper.

  "Nick?

  "Where the hell have you been, Jack?" He growled with a strong urge to punch or kiss the guy and doing neither.

  "Sorry. I've been a trifle busy organizing this lot. There wasn't a hell of a lot of time after your phone call to Emma, you know."

  "We'll talk about that later. They're here. The boat's just landed." Nick pointed down to the water.

  "How many?"

  "I'm not sure. At least six of Randall's guys unaccounted for, and I don't know how many on the boat."

  One of the darkly clad figures gave a thumbs-up sign, and sure enough, they could hear voices. They went back out through the gates and hid beside the boat ramp.

  A nasal voice cut through the night. "You'd better get Randall out here right now, or I'm leaving. Did he really believe I'd deal with his thugs?"

  "No, Mr. Carmichael, he fully intended to be here. I don't know what's keeping him. He's just up here in the house, if you'd like to follow me, please?'

  "You must think I'm an idiot if you imagine I'm going to walk in there. This whole thing stinks of a setup. Come on, boys, we're out of here."

  "Everybody just relax and drop your weapons." Nick jumped up and over the ramp, holding the newly acquired machine gun at the chubby man's chest. The group turned as one towards him, but any intentions they had about shooting were gone in a flash when they saw how many guns were pointed in their direction. Someone flicked a torch on and off, and within seconds, a dune buggy flew down the beach. Halfway down, it turned on a broad spotlight.

  "Mr. Carmichael. What a pleasant surprise. Well, for me, anyway." Nick knew that Carmichael was somehow involved in Randall's plans but had no way of proving anything before this moment.

  The man looked shocked to see Nick and not very happy. "You've got nothing on me," he wheezed.

  Jack stepped forward. "On the contrary, I believe we have all we need." He pointed out to sea where a helicopter had its light trained on a massive launch. It lit up the area like a small sun, and they could also see several vessels surrounding it, including the coast guard.

  Carmichael looked horrified but tried to bluff Nick with bravado. "You'll be sorry you messed with us. You might have stopped this one today, but there's always another."

  "Take him away, Jack, before I do something I'll regret." Nick had better things to do than talk to that lowlife.

  Suddenly, the launch exploded, and the fiery ball it became was merely feet away from engulfing the helicopter. Several of the smaller boats were not so lucky. The blast was far enough away not to reach the shore, but most of the men threw themselves onto the sand with their hands over their heads.

  Carmichael laughed gleefully. "What evidence could you possibly have that would convict me now?"

  Jack very kindly saved Nick the trouble of a reply by whacking the toad-like man in the stomach with the butt of his gun. With pleasure, they watched as the criminal buckled to the sand, his wheezing far more pronounced now.

  Any other time, on any other case, Nick would be happy to help bag up this scum, but he only had one thing on his mind now. He scanned the beach, but couldn't see her. Would that woman ever stay put?

  Through the noise and lights, he ran towards the tree, calling her name. Just as he got within several yards, he saw Talia stand up, stagger a few paces, and slump to the sand. A fear he had never known clutched at his insides, and upon reaching her, he dropped to his knees, calling her name. She didn't move, and her breathing was shallow.

  "Talia? What's wrong?"

  "My stomach. It hurts, Nick. Worse than childbirth. The pains have been coming and going for a while. Something's happening inside my body, and I'm scared." She curled into a ball and whimpered.

  Nick raced his hands over her body, looking for an injury he might be unaware of. She was no wimp. He'd witnessed her strength dealing with pain, so whatever was wrong had to be bad. Her body jerked when he pressed on her abdomen, but there was no wound. She was feverish, so he picked her up and ran as gently as was possible back to the villa, yelling and pushing past everyone.

  The policemen were only doing their job, but it seemed as though there were too many obstacles deliberately hindering his progress, and he was frantic to get her help. "Get out of my way, damn you. This woman's injured. Somebody call an ambulance." He could hear the panic in his voice but was unable to do a thing about it.

  "It's okay, Nick, there's one already out front with Emma." One of the men ran ahead of him, helping to get the way clear.

  Nick followed him as they raced on through the house, frustrated that it seemed to take an eternity. The front courtyard was flooded with lights, and sure enough, an ambulance sat in the middle of the courtyard. The doors were wide open, and Emma was inside, having her wound dressed. She took one look at his face and stood to one side to allow him to enter. He laid Talia on one of the gurneys and moved back to let the paramedic do his job.

  It was probably only a few minutes, but it seemed ages before the young man turned back to him.

  "Are you in charge here, sir?"

  Nick turned to face him. "Yes. How is she?"

  "Well, sir, I can't locate any bullet wounds, but she has some abdominal swelling, and her blood pressure is far too high. We need to get her to a hospital ASAP. We've called for the rescue helicopter. It should be here soon. Meanwhile, I'll set up an IV."

  Nick was stunned. She'd got this far and hadn't got shot. Talia had to make it, because whatever their differences, he knew without a shadow of a doubt that he was in love with her. Looking at her lying so still on the white sheet, he was way past scared.

  "Nick, you need to see this," Jack called to him from the entranceway.

  He wanted desperately to stay with her and make sure they did everything they could, but he had no idea what that would be, and he had to make sure his people did things right too.

  Leaving Talia in hands far more capable than his own, he went back into the house just as another explosion rocked the air.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Talia woke to a nurse taking her pulse.

  “Hello, Ms. McLeod. You’re in the hospital, but you’re going to be fine. I’ll just get Dr. Smith.” The matronly figure bustled out the door.

  Like a storm in her mind, everything came rushing back. She hadn’t found Chloe, which meant she failed. Misery and guilt swamped her.

  “How do you feel?”

  A young doctor strolled through the door, but her attention was suddenly drawn to the man sitting nearby. Nick. He was pretty messed up. Unshaven, he looked as though he hadn’t slept in a while. A bruise colored one side of his face and a bandage covered most of his left arm. He got up and followed the doctor to the bedside.

  The doctor turned and tried to usher Nick outside. “I’m sorry I need to talk to my patient. Would you care to wait in the hallway, Detective?”

  “No, I wouldn’t. Do you mind if I stay, Talia?” He sounded awkward but determined.

  “That’s fine, Doctor, let him stay. I feel fine. How are you, Nick?” She was unsure of how she should react to his presence. Was he here for her, about his job, or for Chloe?

  “I’m fine too. Furious that things went so wrong—that you didn’t get Chloe back.” He hesitated, his face grim. “And that Randall might have gotten away.”

  “What?” She clutched at his arm. “I thought you said you had him.” Panic took her voice at her. Randall had made it plain that he would make sure she’d never find her daughter again. If he was free, then that’s precisely what would happen.

  “We did have him. There was another explosion in the house, and he might be dead, but I doubt it. They haven’t found a body. You don’t know how or if he escaped, do you?”

  H
er mouth opened and closed a couple of times. “Of course not. How can you ask me that?” Did he think she was in on Randall’s scheme after everything she’d told him?

  The doctor wasn’t happy either. “I’m sorry, Detective. This is neither the time nor the place for these discussions. Ms. McLeod has had recent surgery and must be allowed time to rest and recuperate.” He turned to her. “Should I call someone for you? Perhaps a family member?”

  “That won’t be necessary. There isn’t anyone,” Talia mumbled.

  “I’m very sorry to hear that, and in light of all you’ve been through, I insist you have no more stress, at least for a few hours.”

  She brushed off his sympathy. “I don’t understand why I’m here. Why did I need an operation?” The painkillers had done their job until now, masking what should have been an obvious question. She felt the thickness of a bandage across her stomach, and a tube dangled ominously from the bed.

  “I’m sorry, I should have told you this first.” He glared at Nick as if he’d prevented him from doing so. “We’ve been unable to locate any older notes on you, which is extremely odd. It seems likely that not too long ago, you suffered internal damage.”

  Talia had forgotten that she’d been taken care of by people under the radar. “Yes, that’s true, but it healed.”

  The doctor raised an eyebrow. “It would appear it hadn’t fully healed. Because of a blow you received last night, your spleen ripped, aggravating the old injury. There was a lot of tissue damage and scarring. Therefore we had to remove most of it. However, you’re otherwise young and healthy, so this is not a huge issue. You’ll require a quiet place to relax and recuperate once you’re discharged. We’ve given you some strong medication, but if you do begin to feel uncomfortable, just ring for a nurse. Is there anything else I can do or any questions you’d like to ask?”

  “No, thank you. When can I leave?”

  The doctor frowned. “I shouldn’t worry about that right now. Perhaps in a couple of days, we can reassess you.” He turned back to Nick. “Please don’t stay too long or upset my patient.”

  Once they were alone, there was a lengthy silence.

  “Do you feel up to discussing things?” Nick studied her intently.

  Talia plucked at the blanket. “What things, in particular?”

  “The things you’ve been hiding from me. I know quite a bit about your past, but I’d appreciate the whole story.”

  “As a detective?”

  “I am a detective, but I’m also a man who cares deeply about you.”

  Talia thought about it for a moment. Back on the island, her emotions had got the better of her. When her daughter was still missing and possibly in danger, kissing him or thinking about what could be with Nick was wrong. Yet, if there were a chance talking to him would help locate Chloe, she had to be honest. She closed her eyes for a moment.

  “I was working in an art gallery when I first met Randall. Like I told you, he became friends with my parents. One day, he came to my work and asked me to recommend some paintings to buy for his new house. It’s a free service we provide, so there was nothing unusual about his request. He started to come more frequently, bringing flowers and presents until I told him I wouldn’t date him while he was a customer. When I finished advising him, he became persistent again, and we went out a few times. He asked me to host his dinner parties, and I was flattered. I didn’t know what he did, just that he was some sort of entrepreneur.” She turned and looked out the window; the memories of her life of lies painful.

  “When my family died, he stepped into the void and offered a solution to my loneliness. He was fun most of the time, but as soon as we were married, everything changed. It was only a few months before I realized I’d made a huge mistake, and by then, I was pregnant. He hated the idea of a child and told me to get an abortion.” She flinched, just saying the word. “So I moved out and filed for a divorce. He let me go, but the trade-off was I had to do certain things for him.”

  “What things?”

  “I allowed him space in our containers for his other goods. I swear, at that stage, I didn’t know he was dealing drugs.”

  Nick nodded, his face impassive. “Go on.”

  “That last time, when his boys picked me up, they said Randall was signing the divorce papers. I saw them on the table, and they were signed, so I wasn’t suspicious.” She laughed hollowly. “But it was a ruse to get me there. After I explained that I couldn’t be a party to his dealings anymore, he let those men beat me and left me to die. You know the rest. A stranger happened by, and for reasons I could never fathom, took me home and got me all the medical attention I needed. He taught me to fight and made me want to live to see my daughter safe.”

  Nick coughed. “Actually, I was the one who found you and took you to Kirk.”

  He couldn’t have surprised her more.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Probably for the same reason that you didn’t think I would get Chloe back at the same time as catching Randall—trust. It’s a hard enough thing to come by at the best of times, let alone when dealing with criminals on a day-to-day basis.”

  Her cheeks flamed. “I’m sorry about that, but I had no reason to trust anyone after Randall.”

  “Apart from Kirk?”

  Talia managed a smile. “Kirk is the sweetest, most honest man in the world, even if he acted like an old bear at times. He never gave me a reason to doubt him.”

  Nick shifted uncomfortably.

  “What’s happened? Is there something else you’re not telling me?”

  “I would’ve liked to wait until you were better, but you should know that Kirk left a prearranged message for me.”

  She didn’t want to ask because she felt the familiar fear that meant it couldn’t be good. But she asked anyway. “What did it say?”

  Nick seemed to be struggling with his emotions. Eventually, he pulled out his phone and replayed the message.

  If that’s you, my friend, then I’ve failed for the second time. You were right—she was worth it. It’s up to you now.

  The message finished, and she tried to comprehend what he meant but drew a blank. “I don’t understand. How did he fail twice? And where is he?”

  Nick rubbed a hand over his face. “The first time was when I caught him red-handed at his old job. Kirk prided himself on his skills, and should never have been caught, but I’d had an anonymous tip. He was taking care of people who were the scum of society—a vigilante. I convinced him to use his skills in a non-criminal way.”

  “Kirk was a criminal—a killer? But he was so gentle with me. I never felt threatened, and he must have spent a fortune on my rehabilitation. It sounds like you’re talking about someone else.”

  “Despite his background, Kirk was a man of honor, with plenty of contacts who valued his skills. You were safer with him than any other person I know. And I wouldn’t worry about him spending money.” He smiled gently. “Kirk was paid well.”

  She took a minute to get her head around all this before speaking again. “And the second time he failed?’

  “Randall must have found out about him helping you.”

  She gasped. “I persuaded Kirk to help me get Chloe back. He was on the island at a location in town.”

  “Okay, give me the address, and I’ll check it out,” Nick said, white lines around his mouth.

  “Do you know where he is?’

  “I have no idea, but that message would only play if he couldn’t get near that particular phone. Only I had the number.”

  “He’s dead?’

  “At the very least, they’ve captured him—but I suspect he is, yes.”

  Tears welled up in her eyes. “It’s my fault. I desperately wanted to trust you, but I couldn’t leave my daughter’s fate to chance, which is how it felt at the beginning. If I hadn’t been in such a hurry to get away from you, they would never have found him. I bet they followed me.” Tears rolled down her cheeks

 
Nick pulled her into his arms. “Shhh. I’ll find Randall or his body, and I’ll get Chloe back.”

  It felt good to have him comfort her, but she couldn’t help but see Kirk’s face and shuddered to think what Randall would do to her dear friend. She wouldn’t allow herself to imagine he could harm Chloe—not physically, at least.

  “Talia?’

  She raised her tear-streaked face, and he pushed back her hair, lightly kissing her forehead and finally her lips. The kiss was so gentle and tender. She closed her eyes and sighed.

  Nick laid her back onto the pillow. “You’re exhausted, and the doctor’s going to kick me out any minute. Try to rest. The sooner you get better, the sooner we can get you out of here. I won’t be far away if you need me.”

  It would be a good escape from knowing that a good man had probably died for her, but how could she sleep when her daughter was still out there somewhere. And undoubtedly Randall too. As much as she wished he was killed in the explosion, he was probably the only one who knew Chloe’s whereabouts.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Nick paced the corridor, dwelling on everything Talia had said. His heart was heavy. There was a leak, and it had to be one of his key people. The thought of someone, hand-picked, betraying the team, betraying him, made him feel ill, but he had to find out who it was before he took another move against Randall. There was no point in putting them all in danger if the outcome was going to be the same.

  A tap on his shoulder made him jump. The sooner he got out of this line of work, the better. His skills as a detective seemed non-existent.

  “How’s she doing?’ Jack asked. Emma stood behind him, her arm in a sling.

  “I think she’s going to be okay. You’re looking a bit better than the last time I saw you,” Nick said to Emma.

  She gave a small smile while Jack just stood there. Clearly, they wanted explanations.

  “Come with me, and I’ll fill you in.”

  They sat in the cafeteria, and over coffee, Nick told them of Talia’s world before they knew her. He told them everything a piece of paper could not.