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

jeans and boots he uses for riding, and a thick cable-knit sweater… “…I’m going to take Oliver out. Want

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

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

smiles from her rocking chair next to mine. “She’ll

five minutes, just

His face might seem impassive to any that didn’t know him, but I see the hidden smile behind his eyes. Our

*****

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

a cotton top and a thermal vest Mom

lips twitch, then he stoops by Charlie, locking his hands

on the shoulder then runs a hand up his neck. “Shhhh… Calm down. We’re going now.”

might take the path through the top field then loop back for the trail

“Great idea.”

*****

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

Master, then eyes Charlie, also performing, jarring

you to the end of the

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

kick heels at Charlie, and she moves from trot to canter

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

the same. I’m grinning like a maniac, panting, my blood racing. My Master’s eyes are soft.

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

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

bridle path that will take us to the

something I want to

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