Hot Revenge Box Set 4

Chapter 9

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

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 out.

day, with a crisp snap to the air. And the

blinking at the mobile rotating above her in the cot, trying, with

on Cara.” My Mom smiles from her rocking chair next to mine.

give me five minutes, just while Cara drops

stroking Cara’s 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

*****

the stable, my Master glances up from where he is checking Charlie’s girth. “All ready for you.” Straightening up, he

“Two woollens, a cotton top and a

locking his hands into a cup. “C’mon, I’ll give

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 settles long enough for

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

“Great idea.”

*****

The ground is firm with the cold and Oliver is trying to take the bit.

needs to run,” says my Master, then eyes Charlie, also performing, jarring under

you to the end

the fence.

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

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

standstill and I do the same. I’m grinning like a maniac, panting, my

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

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

take us to the trail through the

something I want to ask

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