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

jeans and boots he uses for

is indeed a lovely day, with a crisp snap to the air. And the sunshine is that brilliant clear white you only get in cold

Um…” I look down to my tiny daughter, blinking at

My Mom smiles from her rocking chair next

give me five minutes, just while Cara drops

with a long finger, 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.

*****

the stable, my Master glances 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 cold out

my roll-top pullover. “Two woollens, a cotton top and a

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

hand up his neck. “Shhhh… Calm

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

“Great idea.”

*****

no-one else in 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 trot, everything

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

you to the end of the

to the fence. No jumping. That gate is too

to the wind as I kick heels at Charlie, and she

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 end

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 are soft.

that was great.” I scan the field, stretching down the mountain, the lake glittering at the bottom, the air frigid and fresh. Oliver and Charlie blow blue from their nostrils. “It’s so good to be able to move again properly. Sometimes, it’s just

latch to let me through, clucks Oliver along behind me, and

follow the bridle path that will take us to the trail through

something I