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

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

to my tiny daughter, blinking at the mobile rotating above her in

eye on Cara.” My Mom smiles from

minutes, just while Cara

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 I see the hidden smile behind his eyes. Our daughter burbles a bit but doesn’t seem to mind. “Take all the time you need,”

*****

“All ready for you.” Straightening up, he runs over me with his eyes. “You’re wearing plenty of layers?

a cotton top and a thermal vest Mom insisted I

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

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

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

“Great idea.”

*****

the cold and Oliver is trying to take the bit. Head tossing, his

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

the

“Only to the fence. No jumping. That gate is

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

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

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. “It’s good to see you smiling

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 good to be alive, isn’t

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

will take us to the trail through the

I want to