In Safe Keeping (20 page)

Lawrence swung around, a triumphant gleam in his eyes. ‘Did your sources reveal one pilot’s already been dishonourably discharged?’

‘
Jesus
, Reuben!’ This time it was Luke who stood up and spoke through gritted teeth. ‘What the hell’s going on?’

‘You know what’s going on.’ Lawrence turned away to stare out the window again. ‘You haven’t been away that long.’

The mission before the men. Human casualties, regarded as a by-product of warfare, even on a training exercise.

Luke leaned forward and rested his palms on Lawrence’s desk. He hadn’t wanted to believe it, but here it was again, the same old story. Grounded planes and helicopters didn’t get the special forces teams into the field, where they needed to be. And if someone dared lodge a complaint, the army found a way to dishonourably discharge them.

‘What’s Laila after?’ The commander asked suddenly.

Luke set aside his disquiet. The reflection would come later.

‘The original finding overturned, and her husband’s name cleared. That, and decent compensation for the survivors and their families, which is a great deal more than the pittance the army paid out.’

‘And she’s filing it Monday?’

‘Monday.’ Luke moved to stand beside Lawrence, though he looked at the airfield in preference to looking at the other man. He also left an arm’s length between them, a silent message that he couldn’t abhor the stench of corruption sticking to the other man like flies on a piece of shit. ‘There’s something else.’

Curiosity eventually got the better of Lawrence, because he turned and looked at Luke, one eyebrow raised.

‘Laila Richards was attacked last night on her way home from work. She managed to get away. A second man stopped the assault. Now, to my way of thinking, the army has a lot to gain if Laila Richards goes away, and both guys were carrying. In Australia, that’s unusual.’

Lawrence’s nostrils flared and his lips twisted into a cruel smile. ‘Anything else?’

That’s just for starters, arsehole.

‘She’s Evan Barclay’s girlfriend. Now, I’m not expecting you to know who he is, so I’ll fill you in. He’s a talented young lawyer with a huge future. He represents the Peyton family, and he works for my wife. So, while Laila Richards might be a single practitioner with divorce cases as her bread and butter,
he’s
seriously connected.’

Lawrence’s gaze raked over his face. ‘I’m only now remembering why I disliked you so much, Neilson.’

‘That happens when you can’t face the truth.’ Luke got right up in the other man’s face, close enough to smell the commander’s acrid breath. ‘Don’t think for a second she’s a woman you can squash under the military’s shitty boot. Evan Barclay is
John
Barclay, the former union international. He might dress like a corporate raider, but if you’ve ever seen him play, you’ll know he’s one tough unit.’

Lawrence swallowed. In that moment Luke knew that despite being in the army’s backyard, he’d gained the upper hand.

‘If your people are in any way involved, I’d advise you to
fix it
. It would be a mistake to underestimate Barclay. He’s not the type to let this go away.’

‘Is that all?’

Luke stepped back, pleased he was now a civilian and not required to salute Reuben Lawrence. ‘That’s all — for now.’

If the army were involved, he hoped what he’d done today was enough to get them off Laila’s back.

He turned to leave. ‘No need to show me out. I remember the way.’

Luke pulled the door open a couple of inches and looked back at Lawrence, surprised at the depth of hatred in the other man’s eyes. ‘As you said earlier Reuben — it hasn’t been that long.’

***

On his way to the car, Luke dragged fresh air into his lungs. The stench of the army hierarchy was worse than the stench of any battlefield, and his gut told him Reuben Lawrence was more on the nose than most.

In the car, he rang Evan. ‘They’re on notice. They know it’s happening Monday.’

‘How did they take it?’

‘Not well. Laila secure?’

‘Any safer, she’d be in prison.’

Luke smiled. Allegra had chosen well when she’d headhunted Evan Barclay. The young lawyer was well rounded, smart and personable, a man’s man with a straightforward, no-nonsense attitude. And according to Allegra, he brought the same winning mentality to his work as he’d brought to the sporting field.

But what Luke most admired was how Barclay went after what he wanted, undaunted even at the prospect of interrupting his employer’s dinner last night. The man had a girlfriend to protect, and that was his priority.

Luke understood.

‘My gut feeling says they know something.’ He took the small, high-powered binoculars from inside the console.

‘I’ve been thinking.’ Evan’s voice reverberated through the car’s speakers as Luke lifted the binoculars to his eyes and trained them on Lawrence’s office door. ‘I’m going to camp at Laila’s place.’

‘Do you think that’s a good idea?’

‘She’ll stay here. My place is like Fort Knox. I’m not kidding.’

Luke lowered the binoculars. For nearly ten years, Barclay had been one of the highest paid footballers in the country. Of course he’d have top digs with state-of-the-art security. He’d probably bought it to keep his fans at bay. For all his confidence, Barclay struck him as a bit of a loner, the kind of guy who backed himself.

‘If the military are involved, I’m thinking they might have another go at Laila over the long weekend,’ Evan was saying. ‘Some of her correspondence named Monday as the lodgement date.’

Christ
, he’d been right about the guy. Barclay wouldn’t let it go.

‘And what are you going to do? Put yourself in the line of fire?’

‘I’ll think of something. I keep thinking there were
two
guys. I won’t rest until I find out exactly who’s behind this.’

‘Fair enough. Can you give Laila a message? Tell her I’m not sure an independent investigation is warranted. But if so, I’m prepared to do it pro bono and take my costs from any compensation awarded.’

‘I’ll pass that on. I’m sure it will be a great relief for her, Luke.’

Grateful for the black window tint, Luke lifted the binoculars to his eyes again. ‘Clue in your contact at the gang squad. Tell him you’re headed over to Laila’s.’

‘Okay.’

There was silence, then Evan spoke again. ‘Anyone turn up yet?’

‘Not yet. It could take a while. I’ll be in contact when something happens. In the meantime, watch your back.’

To his surprise, Evan laughed. ‘Don’t worry about me mate. I can look after myself. And when all this is over, I’ll buy you a beer.’

Evan hung up then, and Luke smiled to himself as he turned on the radio.

He’d enjoy a beer with him, and he didn’t doubt the guy could look after himself.

After all, he’d seen him play.

Less than forty-eight hours ago, I’d given Commander Reuben Lawrence the name of the pilot Laila Richards had rendezvoused with at the art gallery. That poor bastard was gone already.

As I walked towards Lawrence’s office, a hollow resignation in my stomach, I feared my fate was sealed. I wasn’t scheduled to report until 1300 hours, but the call had come through just after 1100. My presence was required immediately.

It didn’t bode well.

How had Lawrence learned of last night’s events so quickly?

How much did he know?

I sweated as I opened the door and entered the small foyer outside his office.

He’d be furious to learn I’d involved myself in the attack, but the only thing I could say in my defence was that it wasn’t some random assault.

I wasn’t the only one watching Laila Richards.

For days now I’d been watching him — watching her.

I intended to report the information once I learned who he was. But last night he’d carried no identification, though the tattoos on his neck gave me a clue.

Inside the building, I took a seat and waited for Lawrence to fling open the door in his customary style.

Nothing I could say would improve my plight.

I hadn’t reported it, and that was enough to get me a severe reprimand, even a dishonourable discharge.

I stared at the floor, reliving last night’s events, knowing my conscience wouldn’t have allowed me to turn away. Yes, if I had my time over I’d do the same again. I’d knock the bastard out cold, leave his cash in his pocket and throw his weapon in the river. And I’d leave him to wake on his own, hoping his concussion lasted for days, secure in the knowledge he hadn’t seen my face.

The only thing I questioned was the wisdom of letting him live.

11:15 a.m. Friday

Surprise, coupled with disappointment, had Laila throwing off the blanket and scrambling out of bed. ‘What do you mean I’ll stay here and you’ll camp at my place?’

She watched Evan stand and pull on a pair of boxers. Then he came around the foot of the bed towards her, stopping an arm’s length away. ‘Neilson’s convinced the army know something.’

Laila huffed out a breath and averted her eyes away from his chiselled features and half-naked body. ‘That’s hardly news.’

‘I know. But the guy has good instincts. And if an investigation’s warranted, he’ll do it pro bono and take his costs out of the payout.’

‘That’s fantastic news.’ Laila’s face broke into a pretty smile. ‘Thank you.’

Her heartfelt thanks brought a rush of pleasure to Evan’s body, like she’d handed him an unexpected gift. Still, he couldn’t take all the credit.

‘Don’t thank me, thank Neilson.’

‘But he was your contact.’

He winked. ‘True.’

Laila’s heart thudded against her ribs at an alarming rate, and not in a good way, not like it had hours earlier. ‘So, you’re going to lie in wait at my place?’

He nodded and pulled on his jeans. ‘In case they come back — looking for you.’

‘Can’t the police handle it?’

He sighed and pulled a maroon hoodie over his head. ‘They don’t have the manpower to stake out your place on nothing but a hunch. I bet the only thing Dickson Cross can do is send a patrol car around every hour.’

Laila lifted a hand and rubbed her temple with her fingertips. This wasn’t what she wanted to hear. ‘So, you’re going to take matters into your own hands, like some kind of suited vigilante?’

He slid a warm hand beneath her hair and caressed her nape, sending a delightful shiver right through her body. ‘In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not wearing a suit.’

He smiled, but there was regret and apology in his eyes. ‘If you don’t want me to go, I’ll stay. But what if they have another go at you before Monday?’

He dipped his head and planted a lingering kiss on her lips. ‘I have a lot to lose here too, you know.’

A bittersweet ache bloomed in Laila’s chest. It was the closest he’d ever come to saying how much he cared for her. And right when he was going to leave.

She remembered his words from the day in the park. ‘And you like to keep what’s yours?’

He smiled a little. ‘That’s right. I don’t like to lose — anything, especially when I’m capable of doing something about it.’

‘I don’t want to lose you either.’ Laila whispered, raising a hand and stroking her fingertips along the rough surface of his jaw. ‘I’ve already lost one man I loved.’

He hadn’t said he loved her, not in so many words, but he’d made it clear she was important to him. And it hadn’t come as a total surprise. She was hardly blind to his feelings. She could see the emotion shining in his eyes every time he looked at her, especially when they made love. And he was still here, despite the conflict of interest, despite the army problem, despite the fact that he could walk away and have any woman he desired.

‘You’re totally safe here.’ He took hold of her shoulders. ‘You have my number, Dickson’s number, and I’ll give you Luke’s as well. There’s an agent from Neilson’s stationed out the front. She’s been here since daybreak.’

That was a surprise.

‘I bought this place with security in mind, Laila. No-one can get in. I’ll run through all of the security features with you, but you have to know, I wouldn’t leave you here if I thought it was unsafe.’

‘I’m not frightened at all. Not for
me
.’ A cold lump of fear lodged in the base of her throat and a shiver passed through her body. ‘But the guy had a gun, Evan, they both did. What chance do you stand against a firearm?’

He ran his hands up and down her arms as if to warm her chilled body. ‘Surprise is the key. If he comes looking for you, he’ll find me instead. I’ll have the advantage, and I promise, first sight of him and I’ll be on the blower to Dickson.’

Laila moved into him, laying her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes. ‘I’ll come with you.’

He groaned and one arm came around her waist while the other clenched her hair. He gave a gentle tug, tipping her head back and forcing her to meet his eyes.

‘You’re the target, beautiful. It’s crucial you stay out of the sight.’

He dipped his head then, flicking his tongue into the tender hollow at the base of her throat. Laila’s legs almost buckled, and she clutched at his shoulders, breath catching in her throat. He moved lower, roughened jaw scraping against the sensitised flesh of her chest before he covered a nipple with his mouth and sucked it through the soft cotton of her nightdress.

The room began to spin, and Laila arched closer, her mind screaming for him not to go. She needed him, inside her, satisfying the craving, feeding her habit, turning her into the woman she became whenever they were together.

Spearing her fingers into his hair, she cradled his head as he moved to the other breast. Maybe he wasn’t intending to go right away. Maybe they had enough time…

‘You see why you can’t come with me,’ he murmured, kissing his way back up her neck until his mouth found the tender spot behind her ear. ‘I have to lie low, stay quiet. It would be impossible if you were there.’

He studied her face, his lips curving in a slow sexy smile, the one she hadn’t seen nearly enough of lately.