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…

order

*****

Charlotte

the nursery door, wearing the jeans and boots he uses for riding, and a thick cable-knit sweater… “…I’m going

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

And Charlie could use the exercise. Um…” I look down to my tiny daughter, blinking at the mobile rotating above her in the cot, trying, with unformed muscles, to reach

on Cara.” My Mom smiles from her rocking chair next to mine.

me five minutes, just while Cara

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 all the time you need,” he says.

*****

the stable, my Master glances up from where he is checking Charlie’s girth. “All ready for you.” Straightening up, he runs over me with his eyes. “You’re wearing plenty of layers? It’s cold

pullover. “Two woollens, a cotton top and a thermal

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

then runs a hand up his neck. “Shhhh… Calm down. We’re going now.” Oliver’s

make our way through the yard, he says, “I thought we might take the path

“Great idea.”

*****

ground is firm with the cold and Oliver is trying to take the bit.

also performing, jarring under me. “They both

to the end of

to the fence.

at Charlie, and she moves from trot to canter to gallop in

for seconds do I 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

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

was great.” 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

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

will take us

there’s something I want to