Opposing Forces (25 page)

“I’ve had a job offer, OK?  I get them quite frequently in my line of work.” Her response was just a little too snappy.

“You normally turn them down straight away, and you’ve never actually gone for an interview before. Frankie said you were seriously contemplating this one.”

Maisie sighed heavily.  “I haven’t been happy here for a while. I thought maybe I needed a change.  I’ve not yet made my mind up.  When I do, you’ll be the first to know.”

“So are you going to tell me what’s between you and Chief Grundberg?” Julianne asked out the blue.

Maisie choked on her coffee.  “There’s nothing between the iceberg and myself.” Try as she might, she could not look directly at the friend.

“But something has happened in the past, right?”

“Of course not. He is the epitome of everything I hate about the Swiss. He is so uptight and devoid of emotion.”

“Yes he is, until he comes into contact with you. I’ve seen the sparks fly on both sides.”

“You’re imagining it.”

“The man did not leave your side for eighteen hours when you were unconscious.  Nobody is that dedicated unless they have strong feelings for someone.”

“He probably thought he better take good care of me in case he gets another law suit,” she shrugged nonchalantly.

Julianne was unconvinced.  There was definitely history between the two but she could not fathom why Maisie would deny it so vehemently. 

After a week at home, Maisie was going stir crazy.  She had done everything she could workwise from her laptop and she really needed to get back into the office.  She had spoken briefly to Steffen on the phone and it seemed progress on the case was slow.  Forensics were still working on the burnt wreckage of the snowmobile.

She slipped on a suit and grabbed her laptop and briefcase.  The officer on the door was quite shocked to see her leave.

“Miss Carrington, I need to check in with Chief Grundberg. He has not authorised your departure.”

“I am not under house arrest, Officer Valmont.  I do believe therefore I am free to come and go as I please.”  She started down the stairs.  “If you have to phone in my whereabouts, I am just going to the office.”

She had a spring in her step as she headed out to her car.  The frosty January air felt quite wonderful.  There was a sprinkling of snow on the ground so she drove with care to the Chateau Villette.  They were surprised to see her back so soon.  It was bliss to be at work and surrounded by the buzz of people. 

She was holed up in her office an hour later when her door burst open.  It was one very angry looking Chief of Police.

“In polite society we usually knock,” she glared at him before turning her attention back to her laptop.

He shut the door purposefully behind him before he let rip.  “What the bloody hell do you think you’re doing?”

“Working,” was her monosyllabic response.

“You’re not supposed to leave the apartment, at least not without an escort.”

“I’m a grown woman, Chief Grundberg, I can come and go as I please.” She knew it would irritate him that she did not look at him.

“I have officers assigned for your protection. They cannot do their job properly if you disappear on a whim.”

“It wasn’t a whim. I needed to come into the office.”

“Did it not cross your mind for one second that someone could have tampered with your car?  Having failed on the snowmobile, your car would have been the next logical choice.”

“As my car seems to be working fine, it appears that perhaps I was not the intended victim after all.”

Steffen shook his head.  “There is no reasoning with you when you’re in this mood.”

“And what mood would that be?” She glanced up at him.

“Bloody minded.” 

“Is there a purpose to this visit or did you just come here to deliver your tirade?” She stared back at her screen.

She heard Steffen mutter an oath under his breath before she felt something cold on her left wrist.  She looked down in pure amazement. The bastard had handcuffed her left arm to her bloody desk drawer.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” she swore angrily at him.

“I have a couple of things I need to do, then I will be back to collect you. This way I can be fairly certain you will not have disappeared.”  He moved towards the door.  “There is an officer down in reception. I will leave the key with him should you need to visit the bathroom.”

“You can’t leave me handcuffed to the damn desk,” she stood up angrily.  “I’m not a bloody dog you can just tether up.”

“Sit, Fido,” Steffen grinned darting out the door, missing the glass that hurtled his way.

She yanked on the handcuff a couple of times.  Short of destroying her lovely yew desk, there was no way of detaching herself.  Bloody man.  She sat back down in a huff, resigning herself to the fact that she was stuck here until Steffen returned.

By the time Steffen reappeared, she had got through an enormous pile of work and was feeling very pleased with herself.  Not that she was going to tell him. 

He found her scowl quite endearing.  “You can frown all you like, Maisie. I am determined to keep you safe.”

She rubbed her wrist, it was sore from where she had pulled against the handcuff.  “You have a strange way of going about it.”

“Enough complaining,” he grunted. “We need to leave.”
 

“And where are we going?”

“You’ll see soon enough.”  He stood waiting whilst she packed up her things.

Maisie was surprised that he had come in his own car.  He held the passenger door of the BMW open and she slid in elegantly.  It was the first time she had seen him drive.

They drove in silence, she was far too irritated with him to talk.   For a moment she thought they were headed to the Beau Rivage Hotel, but he turned down an unmarked road close to it.  He pressed a button on his dashboard and the large metal gate in front of them slid open.  On the other side was a beautiful small mansion.

She had to admit she was impressed, the house was gorgeous.  “Who does it belong to?” she asked.

“It’s the official residence of the Chief of Police.  It not only has a couple of armed guards, it also has a security system second to none.”

She got out to the car a little confused.  “Your house?”

He nodded in response.

“But why are we here?”

“Because, my dear, this is the one place I can leave you and I know you will come to no harm.” He ushered her inside before she had a chance to complain.

It was truly stunning.  He led her through the hall into a massive study.  It contained a very heavy ornate walnut desk, his computer equipment was top of the range. In front of the massive fireplace were two leather sofas.  The wood panelling on the walls made the whole room feel like an old-fashioned gentleman’s club.  One entire wall was filled with books, legal no doubt.

“You’ll find everything you needed to work in here.” He deposited her laptop and briefcase on the desk.  “Now let me show you around.”

She followed him slightly bemused.  The kitchen was fantastic. “Madame Bodart looks after the kitchen. Anything you need, she will bring it.”  He moved back into the hallway.  “On the other side we have two sittings rooms, a rather large dining room, an informal dining room, a boardroom and of course an indoor pool.”  He ushered her upstairs.  “I’ve given you the guest room closest to mine.”  He led her down the corridor and into a beautiful white bedroom.  It was so elegant and inviting. 

What caught her attention were her two suitcases standing in the corner.  “Is that my stuff?” she asked incredulously.

“Yes, I picked up some clothes for you earlier.”

“You went through my things?”

“Yes.  I thought you’d prefer I did it than some random officer.” His mouth twitched slightly.  Going through her underwear drawer did make him feel a bit like a pervert but now he would be able to know for certain what she was wearing underneath her clothes.

“And how long am I supposed to remain here?”

“Until we have caught whoever tried to kill either you or me.” He looked at his watch.  “I have to get back to the station for a meeting.  Make yourself at home, I will see you later for dinner.”

Maisie stared after him wondering how the hell she had ended up here, staying in Steffen’s house.  She shivered.  This was the last place on earth she wanted to be.  

She made her way back down to the kitchen for a cup of tea.  The place was massive.  She opened a few cupboards in search of a cup then she had to hunt down the tea, impressed to find some Earl Grey, her favourite.  She opened the fridge to pull out the milk, as she shut the door a scary looking woman was on the other side of it. 

Maisie squealed and dropped the milk. The woman had lightning reflexes and caught it.  “You must be Miss Carrington,” she smiled coldly. 

“Yes, sorry, you startled me.”

An officer appeared from an adjoining door. “Everything alright in here?”

Madame Bodart nodded. “Yes, I just made Miss Carrington jump.” The guard retreated.  “Now can I help you with anything?”

“I was just making a cup of tea.”

“No problem. I can finish it off for you.  Are you in the study?”

“Yes, thank you.”  Maisie scuttled out, feeling like she had been caught trespassing and retreated into the study.  A couple of photo frames by Steffen’s desk caught her eye.  One was of Steffen with a younger man and someone who looked remarkably like Sabina.  Maisie’s mind went into overdrive.  Could he be the mysterious brother she mentioned from time to time?  But her surname was Laroque.  Madame Bodart appeared with her tea, which arrived on a tray with an elegant assortment of biscuits.

“Madame Bodart, is this young woman Chief Grundberg’s sister?”

“Yes, it’s Sabina,” she responded flatly.  “Chief Grundberg has asked for dinner to be served at eight tonight.”

The thought of spending a dinner with Steffen was not something she could tolerate.  “I’m not really up to eating much at the moment, Madame Bodart. So if you’ll forgive me, I will retire early tonight.”

The woman’s hard eyes glared at her.  “Very well, I shall inform the Chief.”

Maisie breathed a sigh of relief when Madam Bodart had left, the woman frightened her a little.  Actually, a lot. She felt really uncomfortable being in Steffen’s house, it was highly intimidating; she so wanted to be back in the safe confines of her own apartment. 

Maisie fished out her phone and waited for Sabina to answer.  “I’m sitting in Chief Grundberg’s study and there is a photo of a young woman that bears an uncanny resemblance to you, Sabina.”

“Ah,” came the response.  “He’s the brother I don’t like to talk about much.”

“Why didn’t you ever say anything?”

“I want a normal life, to fit in.  Just mentioning your surname is Grundberg has most people running a mile.”

“Does Philippe know?”

A long silence ensued.  “No, I don’t want it to ruin our relationship.  And before you ask, Steffen doesn’t know I’m seeing him.”

“I won’t say a word.”

“And what are you doing in my brother’s study anyway?”

“He kind of has me under house arrest.  Well, in his house anyway.”