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

a beautiful day…” My Master stands by the nursery door, wearing the jeans and boots he uses for riding, and a thick cable-knit sweater… “…I’m going to take Oliver out. Want to

the air. And the sunshine

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

eye on Cara.” My Mom smiles from her rocking chair next to mine. “She’ll

minutes, just while Cara drops

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

*****

Charlie’s girth. “All ready for you.” Straightening up, he runs over me with his eyes. “You’re wearing

“Two woollens, a cotton top and

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

is stamping and snorting, eager to be off. My Master slaps him 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 enough for

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

“Great idea.”

*****

in the world. The ground is firm with the cold and Oliver is trying to

Master, then eyes Charlie, also performing, jarring under me. “They both do. They’ll settle after

the

a finger. “Only to the fence. No jumping.

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

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

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

I scan the field, stretching down 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 able to move again properly. Sometimes, it’s just good to be

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

the bridle path that will take us

I