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

by the nursery door, wearing the jeans and boots he uses for

with a crisp snap to the air. And the sunshine is that brilliant clear white you only get

love to. And Charlie could use the exercise. Um…” I look down to my tiny daughter, blinking at the mobile rotating above her in the

Mom smiles from her rocking chair next to

minutes, just while Cara drops

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

*****

he is checking Charlie’s girth. “All ready for you.” Straightening up, he runs over

pullover. “Two woollens, a cotton top and a thermal vest Mom insisted I put

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

hand up his neck. “Shhhh… Calm down. We’re going now.” Oliver’s ears flick forward, but he settles long enough for my Master to mount.

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

“Great idea.”

*****

else in the world. The ground is firm with the cold and Oliver is trying to take the bit. Head tossing, his

eyes Charlie, also performing, jarring under

the end of the

“Only to the fence. No

kick heels at Charlie, and

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 me with another burst of speed and

like a maniac, panting, my blood racing. My Master’s eyes are soft.

glittering at the bottom, the air frigid and fresh. Oliver and Charlie

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

take us to

there’s something I want to

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

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