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

*****

Charlotte

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

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

Um…” I look down to my tiny daughter, blinking at the mobile rotating above her in the cot, trying, with

keep an eye on Cara.” My Mom smiles from her rocking

minutes, just while Cara drops

takes the 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

*****

for you.” Straightening

down the neck of my roll-top pullover. “Two woollens, a cotton top and a

Charlie, locking his hands into a cup. “C’mon,

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

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

“Great idea.”

*****

me and my wonderful Master, riding together as though 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

Master, then eyes Charlie, also performing, jarring under me.

the

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

are lost to the wind as I kick heels at Charlie, and she moves from trot to canter to gallop in fewer hoofbeats than

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 as we reach the end of the field, Charlie and Oliver, mother and son, my Master and I, are

a maniac, panting, my blood racing. My Master’s eyes are soft. “It’s good to see you smiling properly at

bottom, the air frigid and fresh. Oliver and Charlie blow blue from their nostrils. “It’s so good to

reaches out, lifting the long arm of the gate latch to let

that will take us to the

something I want to ask