A Family Affair - Next of Kin (18 page)

“I had to know if he was involved.”

“Of course, he wasn’t. Of course he had nothing to do with anything.”

Nikki wondered at his tone, which had increased in frequency and alarm. “I don’t see how you can be so sure.”

“You have to trust me, Nik.”

“I don’t see where the harm was in my asking. If he wasn’t involved, he could have said no.”

“And did he?”

“He refused to say if he was involved. In fact, he laughed at me.” Nikki wanted things to be right between her and Kane again. She tried to touch his shoulder, but he pulled away. “To be honest, I got the sense that he knows something about it, but he wouldn’t say. I got pretty mad at him. I don’t think he could care less about anything other than his big fancy office.”

“How’d you get in there anyhow?”

“I’ve still got my pass. Jack organised one for me as we used to drop in to see Tom now and again. It will probably be deactivated this afternoon.”

Kane made a humph sound, but kept his face averted, so Nikki wasn’t sure what he was thinking.

“I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you, Kane.”

“Promise me, you’ll stay away from him. Just do that one thing for me.”

He was trying to act less alarmed, but Nikki saw through the facade. Kane clearly knew this man, and was bothered by him somehow. “What do you know about him, Kane? Why does my talking to him bother you? I want to know everything.” There was definitely something creepy about Hayden, and Kane clearly already knew this.

“Look, Nik. Sometimes you’ve just got to listen and take advice without all the damn questions.” He was becoming more irritated the longer they spoke about it.

Reluctantly, Nikki complied and stopped her line of questioning. Her first priority was now her relationship with Kane, and she didn’t want them to fight. Besides, she had no intention of seeing Hayden again. “Well, I’m sorry I went. I wouldn’t have gone if I’d known it would bother you so.”

Kane bit his lip. “Yep.” He was heading towards the bedroom, when he turned around. “Listen, Nik. I’m going for a run. Will you be here when I get back?”

Maybe a run would do him good. “Do you want me to be here?”

He looked down at her dress which was short, revealing her bare well-toned legs. Nikki knew that he was imagining himself ripping it off her. His focus returned to her eyes. “Sure, yeah. You’re not so bad to have around… when you do as you’re told.”

“I’ll be here then.”

He rushed back towards her. “Good girl,” he said, planting a kiss on her lips. His touch was light, but Nikki knew it was a promise of something more intense to come.

Nikki greedily wanted more and more of him every day. She followed him to his bedroom and watched as he found a tee-shirt and pulled it over his head. It clung to his muscled shoulders and tight stomach. She could hardly wait until her hands and tongue could explore his body again.

After he was gone, Nikki tried to think about something else. Kane was becoming like an addictive drug, and it was hard to return to normal activities after being around him. It would be too easy to spend endless days in his bed without ever wanting to leave. Only Alice’s needs could snap her out of her physical desire for Kane.

To distract herself until his return she poured a drink and decided to explore Kane’s apartment a little. Perhaps she could learn more about him by the belongings he kept.

His new apartment was vast. There were whole rooms with nothing in them. He needed her to bring a woman’s touch to the place, or at least some more furniture. As she wandered around, she identified one of the rooms as suitable for Alice, and another as a guestroom.

Kane’s bedroom was large with minimal furniture and bare walls, in a similar way to the rest of the house. But one thing was different - a framed photo rested on the dressing table next to his bed. It was a picture of Kane standing next to Jack taken at Tom and Ellen’s wedding. Behind them were numerous candles and white flowers which Nikki remembered from the event. She had never seen a wedding reception quite so lavish or beautiful before. This picture had pride of place in Kane’s bedroom. Perhaps Kane had felt closer to Jack than Nikki had realised.

Nikki hadn’t been expecting to see such an image, and pangs of regret rippled through her body. She’d thought those feelings had disappeared, but seeing Jack again brought so many memories back to the surface. He had been a wonderful vibrant man who deserved better than the way he had been treated by her. Her part in Jack’s death would be a lifelong regret.

Kane’s drawer was open, and she noticed a mobile phone in the drawer. It wasn’t his normal device, and Nikki picked it up out of curiosity. If it wasn’t Kane’s, then whose was it? Did he have a spare one? It looked to be an older model, but seemed to be powered.

The phone was in sleep mode, but instantly came to life when she touched the screen. It was a video, and the still image showed some sort of surveillance footage. The film looking grainy and shot from above. Nikki looked behind her. She figured that Kane wouldn’t be back for some time, as he liked to go for long runs most days. It couldn’t hurt to watch the footage, although she supposed it was unlikely to hold her interest for very long. Maybe the footage would provide a new insight into the man she loved. She pressed play without a hint of hesitation.

It was a factory of some sort. There was a stationary car, and a man who sat close to the car. She wasn’t sure what he was doing. He didn’t seem to be moving very much. Nikki squinted and saw that he was holding a gun, but surely, it wasn’t really a gun. Maybe this was some sort of home-made movie. The quality of the film wasn’t good enough for it to be real. But in her experience, men with guns were only found in the movies.

Movement from the car indicated that there was someone in there, but it was impossible to see who it was, or whether it was a man or woman. Perhaps the man with the gun was aiming at the person in the car. Nikki shuddered. What the hell did Kane have footage of on his phone?

A second car pulled into the factory floor and a large roller door closed quickly behind it. Suddenly Hayden Joseph got out of the car. She recognised him instantly - it was definitely him. That woke Nikki up and got her full attention. Why the hell did Kane have surveillance footage of Hayden Joseph? This was not what Nikki was expecting to find when she pressed play on Kane’s phone. Hayden left his car slowly, and walked to the boot where he moved a spare wheel out of the way to retrieve a gun. Nikki could see that it was clearly a gun. That made her sure that the second man on camera was also holding a gun. But surely they weren’t real guns...Hayden spent the next minute or so in conversation with the person in the car. Nikki wished she could hear what was being said, but not one word was audible. Suddenly, without warning, Hayden fired multiple bullets into the car, and the body inside fell backwards. The person had been shot by Hayden. That was no movie. It was a real gun. It was a killing. Kane had footage of a murder, and obviously hadn’t taken it to the police. Hayden belonged in jail, but he’d been working in his office that very morning. It wasn’t right.

Why did Kane have this? Why hadn’t he called the police? Nikki had felt such an odd vibe from Hayden and maybe this was why. He was a killer. It was no wonder Kane didn’t want Nikki near him, as he himself must have watched this footage too. Did this explain Kane’s newly acquired financial status, and his refusal to answer questions about its origin? He have must blackmailed Hayden. It made sense, but Nikki hoped there was another explanation.

Nikki didn’t hesitate for a second. There was no question in her mind. She put the mobile phone in her handbag, and left Kane’s apartment that minute. If she ran into him on the way out, she would make an excuse for her hasty departure. If she said the nanny had called, he would not question her motive. There would be no discussion with him over the matter in any case.

Within minutes she was driving towards the nearest police station. If Kane was not going to do the right thing and report this crime, then Nikki would.

Tom looked at his watch and saw that it was ten minutes to twelve. Ellen was expected soon, and he was going to surprise her with a special lunch.

Despite some of the challenges in their life, they were very happy and still took the time each day to appreciate each other. Tom was at peace, having recently decided to accept his life just the way it was. If there was someone manipulating him, well... at the end of the day, they had done a pretty good job. He had Ellen’s love and a beautiful, healthy baby boy. In any case, since Margaret had learned of Dr Walsh’s recent death, his one lead had come to an abrupt end. There was no point hiring a private detective to follow the doctor now.

Margaret was still avoiding the house. Despite the paternity test Margaret believed to be accurate, she couldn’t accept Ellen’s indiscretion with Kane. It was such a pity she had found out about that. It wouldn’t be long before Ellen learnt about Margaret’s feelings. Tom’s mother was not good at keeping her mouth shut for very long. But Tom was determined to enjoy the peace while it lasted.

Suddenly Tom’s musings were rudely interrupted by his intercom. He pressed the speak button. “Yes, Elizabeth.”

“Ellen’s here,” she announced cheerfully.

“Right on time.”

Ellen walked through the doors, the smile on her face stretching from ear to ear. “Hi, babe. It’s a beautiful day out there.”

He got out of his chair to kiss her.

Ellen took a seat and started telling Tom an amusing story about Angus from the morning. They were both laughing when they heard Elizabeth cry out from her desk. Something was wrong. Ellen stopped talking in mid-sentence, as they both turned their heads to see three armed police officers storm into Tom’s office.

“What the hell?” said Tom. There had never been any kind of raid in his business before. Tom couldn’t even guess what they were there for. It was completely out of the ordinary and without warning.

The officers undertook a rapid search of Tom’s office without any explanation. It didn’t take long before one of them called out, “Clear,” and all three retreated out of the office as quickly as they had entered.

In their place another police officer walked in and Tom guessed he was more senior. “Tom Bradley?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Sergeant John Scott, Victoria Police.” He pulled out his police badge. “I understand you are the chief executive here.”

“Yes. Would you mind telling me what is going on, Sergeant,” Tom said.

“We are seeking the whereabouts of a male person by the name of Hayden Joseph.”

“Er... yes, but you just can’t come in here like this.”

“Yes, sir, we can. Here is a copy of the arrest warrant.” The sergeant handed Tom an official-looking piece of paper. “Can you confirm for me that the said person works on these premises?”

“Hayden is an executive here at Satinol.” Tom was stunned by the paperwork thrust into his hands. He had never seen an arrest warrant before, so had no idea if it was genuine. This was the sort of issue that Hayden would normally deal with, if he was there. Tom started reading the piece of paper, and instantly knew that a mistake had been made. “This warrant says you are seeking Hayden with regards to a murder investigation.”

“What?” said Ellen, coming over to read it too.

“What does Hayden have to do with your murder investigation?” Tom asked.

“The said person is the prime suspect in the alleged offence.”

“You have made a terrible mistake. Hayden wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Tom insisted.

“There is no mistake. Mr Joseph is considered dangerous and possibly armed. I would like to tell my supervisor that you cooperated with us during this search, Mr Bradley.”

“Of course, Sergeant. I’m happy to cooperate. What can I do?”

“You can point us in the direction of the aforementioned suspect. We have the building surrounded. The suspect was observed entering your workplace at oh-nine hundred this morning. Let me just say to you...” The sergeant moved closer to Tom. “It will be easier for all involved if he surrenders himself to the police quickly.”

“Of course. Of course. I understand. I don’t know Hayden’s exact whereabouts in this instance, but I will let you know if I find him.”

“Thank you, Mr Bradley. My officers are currently executing the search warrant throughout every level of your building, so it shouldn’t be too long before we have him in custody.”

Tom nodded, and Ellen slid her arm around his waist. She always seemed to know just when he needed her support.

The sergeant’s phone sounded and he retreated from Tom’s office to answer it.

“I can’t believe this,” Ellen whispered. “It must be a mistake.”

“Of course it is,” agreed Tom. “It’s clearly a case of mistaken identity. I’ll tell you one thing, Elle. They picked the wrong person to do this too - he is going to have a field day suing the police after this.” Tom lowered his voice. “But we need to find him and make sure he hands himself over without getting shot. If they think he is dangerous, they might shoot before asking questions. He was in his office last time I saw him, so he can’t be far away. Let’s go ask Emily.”