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

nursery door, wearing the jeans and boots he uses for

air. And the sunshine is that brilliant clear white

And Charlie could use the exercise. Um…” I look down to my tiny daughter, blinking at

Cara.” My Mom smiles from her rocking chair

minutes, just

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,” he says. “I’ll be with the horses,

*****

you.” Straightening up, he

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

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

runs a hand up his neck. “Shhhh… Calm down.

thought we might take the path through the top field then

“Great idea.”

*****

there were 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 about him says

also performing, jarring

you to the

a finger. “Only to the fence. No jumping. That gate is too

I kick heels at Charlie, and she moves from

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,

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. “It’s

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.

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

take us to

something I want to ask

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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