Hot Revenge Box Set 4

The coffee strong and fragrant, washes away my doubts and clears my thinking, although granted, it leaves me with my problem.

How to find Juliana?

And what is the significance of the invoice addresses?

I let my mind freewheel, caffeine lubricating the gears.

What's the connection?

?

?

Back to basics...

Finchby’s invoices...

Taken from his own files…

Supply addresses from legitimate businesses…

… Listing women, children… Human cargo.

???

That can't possibly be what went through the customs checks...

Duplicate documents then?

Same references. Same monetary values. Different cargo.

That would seem logical: A parallel accounting system: one for the outside world, one for private records.

Yes, that works. Any competent criminal could make that work. And doubtless, with the money involved, they’d have accountants and bookkeepers… Perhaps even customs officers and tax inspectors on the payroll.

But none of that gives me the connection to Antonio’s bar or any of the others.

Why here?

Frustrated, mind spiralling inward…

Damn the coffee…

order

*****

Charlotte

boots he uses for riding, and a thick cable-knit sweater… “…I’m going to

indeed a lovely day, with a crisp snap to the air. And the sunshine is that brilliant clear white

to my tiny daughter, blinking at the mobile rotating above her in the cot, trying, with unformed muscles, to reach for a glitter-pink

My Mom smiles from her rocking chair next to mine. “She’ll probably sleep

five minutes, just while

cheek. His face might seem impassive to any that didn’t know him, but I see the hidden smile behind his eyes. Our daughter burbles a bit but doesn’t seem to mind. “Take all the time you

*****

up from where he is checking Charlie’s girth. “All ready for you.” Straightening up, he runs over me with his eyes. “You’re wearing plenty of layers? It’s

neck of my roll-top pullover. “Two woollens, a cotton top and a thermal vest Mom

stoops by Charlie, locking his hands into a

snorting, eager to be off. My Master slaps him on the shoulder then runs a hand up his neck. “Shhhh… Calm down. We’re going now.” Oliver’s ears flick forward, but he

yard, he says, “I thought we might take the path through the top field then

“Great idea.”

*****

there were no-one else in the world. The ground is firm with the cold and Oliver is trying

my Master, then eyes Charlie, also performing, jarring under me. “They both do. They’ll settle after they’ve burned

to the end of

the fence. No jumping. That gate is

his final words are lost to the wind as I kick heels at Charlie, and she moves from trot to canter to

I have the lead. Oliver is larger and heavier, more powerful, than Charlie and almost immediately, he thunders up, first closing behind me, then alongside, snorting steam as he pulls ahead. But as her son begins to draw away, Charlie jolts under me with another burst of speed and as we reach the

He pulls Oliver to a standstill and I do the same. I’m grinning like a maniac, panting, my blood racing. My Master’s eyes

Oliver and Charlie blow blue from their nostrils. “It’s so good to be able to move again properly. Sometimes, it’s just good to be

of the gate latch to let me through, clucks Oliver along behind me, and lets the gate

will take us to the trail through

something I want to ask