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

he uses

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

down to my tiny daughter, blinking at the mobile rotating above her in

smiles from her

you give me five minutes,

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

*****

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?

of my roll-top pullover. “Two woollens, a cotton top and a thermal vest Mom insisted I

hands into

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

he says, “I thought we might take

“Great idea.”

*****

the world. The ground is firm with the cold and

jarring under me. “They both do. They’ll settle after they’ve burned off

you to the end of

“Only to the fence. No jumping. That gate

and she moves from trot to canter to gallop in fewer hoofbeats than

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. “It’s good to see

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 alive, isn’t

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

follow the bridle path that will take

there’s something I

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