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…

I order another

*****

Charlotte

beautiful day…” My Master stands by the nursery door, wearing the jeans and boots he uses for riding, and a thick cable-knit sweater… “…I’m going to take Oliver

air. And the sunshine is that brilliant clear white you only get

down to my tiny daughter, blinking at the mobile rotating above her in the cot, trying, with

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

me five minutes, just while

I can.” My Master takes the few steps to bring him close to me, then reaches down with a long finger, stroking Cara’s cheek. His face might seem impassive to any that didn’t know him, but

*****

ready for you.” Straightening up, he

“Two woollens, a cotton top and a thermal vest Mom insisted I

twitch, then he stoops by Charlie, locking his hands into a cup. “C’mon, I’ll give you a leg

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 settles long enough for my Master to mount.

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

“Great idea.”

*****

the world. The ground is firm with the cold and Oliver is trying to take the bit. Head tossing, his gait dancing between a walk and a

performing, jarring under

you to the end of the

to the fence.

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

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 end of the field, Charlie and Oliver, mother and son, my Master and I,

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

Oliver and Charlie blow blue from their nostrils. “It’s so

out, lifting the long arm of the gate latch to let me through, clucks Oliver along behind me, and lets

bridle path that will take us

there’s something I want to ask