Opposing Forces (34 page)

Philippe started to laugh.  “There is one other thing I have to tell you.  Sabina never talks about her family for a reason.  She goes by the name Laroque but she is in fact Senator Grundberg’s daughter.”

He heard a very loud gasp from both his parents.  “You are joking, I take it?” his father boomed.

“No.  Your grandchild will be related to one of the most influential families in Switzerland.”

“But that would make Chief Grundberg Sabina’s brother.”  His father sounded aghast.

“Yes, he is.  And yes, he is aware of the situation.  He’s obviously not overjoyed, but was very reasonable about it.”

“You met him?”

“Earlier today.”

“I always suspected Sabina came from a wealthy background,” Estelle sighed. “There was something about her.  But hell, Philippe, she’s worth a small fortune.”

A substantial fortune, he laughed to himself.  “To be honest, I don’t care how much she’s worth. All I know is that she and our child won’t want for anything.”

“But why hide who she is?” Estelle could not understand that.

“She wants a normal life, where people see her for who she is, not her family. Or her bank balance. And she’s quite right.  Had I known she was related to the Chief of Police, I would never have asked her out.”

“Well, I guess the only thing left to say is congratulations,” his mother beamed.

“Thanks.  I would ask, however, that you don’t mention the Grundberg thing to anyone. Sabina plans to keep using Laroque as her surname.  Her family have had a bit of a rough time in the tabloids recently with her father’s antics, and she’d rather this was kept quiet for as long as possible.”

“No problem, Philippe.  But let us know how things progress and if there is anything we can do to help.”

After Philippe hung up, Estelle looked at her husband a little stunned.  “That was not what I was expecting.”

“Did I just hear right?” Lauren was hovering at the doorway, looking a little stunned.

“That Sabina’s pregnant, yes. You’re going to be an aunt,” Estelle answered.

“Cool, I’ll make a great aunt.  But I’m more interested in the part where Philippe said Sabina was a Grundberg.”

Estelle sighed, trust Lauren to have heard that bit.  “Yes, but he’s asked for it not to become public knowledge.”

“This is amazing,” Lauren squealed.  “I’m going to have to design a whole new portfolio for maternity and baby wear.  I never thought a Grundberg would be wearing my creations.”  She shot off upstairs in a very excitable state.

Bettina was thrilled to be meeting Philippe’s parents.  They had been invited to dinner at Steffen’s house so they could all get together.  She could not have been happier for her daughter. Whilst the pregnancy had not come at a particularly good time, Sabina was positively blooming and taking everything in her stride.  Even Philippe had taken on the burden of a Grundberg with a maturity unseen in one so young.  He was only too aware of how much Sabina was worth and did everything he could to provide for her himself.  Her fortune and connections had not changed him one bit. 

Pierre was busy pouring the drinks in the more relaxed of the two sitting rooms.  Formal was the last thing they needed.  Maisie grabbed a glass off Pierre. 

“Where has Steffen gone?” Bettina rolled her eyes.

“In his study sorting out some emergency,” Maisie sighed. 

A noise in the hallway alerted Bettina, their guests had arrived.  She shot out to meet them.  Sabina kissed her mother’s cheek, followed by Philippe.  His parents looked positively terrified.  Her heart went out to them, the Grundbergs could be a scary bunch, especially en-masse. And tonight they would meet one of the most daunting.

“You must be Estelle and Anton,” she held out her hands.  “I’m Bettina, Sabina’s mother.”  She escorted them through to the living room.  “Brief introductions. This old rogue is my partner, Pierre.  He sometimes plays at being a Councillor for the city. And the dreadfully wicked woman next to him is the infamous Maisie Carrington.”

Pierre ignored Bettina’s remarks.  “What is your preferred drink?  As you can see, we have everything.” 

“Beer would be good,” Anton looked half hopeful.  He was not a fan of champagne.

“A man after my own heart,” Pierre grinned and poured him a drink.

Estelle gratefully accepted a glass of champagne.  It was such a rare treat for her.

“Philippe tells me you work with the Highways Division, Anton,” Bettina kept the conversation going.

“Yes, I’ve been with them rather a long time.”

Pierre’s ears pricked up.  “Highways?  You’re just the man I need.”

Bettina pulled an apologetic face.  “Barely one minute and they’re into the politics already.  I’m so sorry, Estelle.”

“Don’t be, I’m quite used to it.”

“I imagine the news that we’re going to be grandparents must have come as quite a shock?”

“Rather.  But Philippe and Sabina seem to be taking it in their stride.  I’m just sorry Philippe has not yet done the honourable thing.”

Bettina laughed.  “Have no concerns there. We’re all rather disreputable in this room.  All three Grundbergs are virtually living with their partners and not one proposal in sight.”  They laughed as Pierre, Philippe and Maisie all choked on their drinks. 

“I think we have their response,” Estelle grinned.

Philippe watched with amusement as his father was immersed in a heavy political conversation with Pierre and his mother chatted animatedly to Bettina.  Their anguish seemed to have dissipated.

“I can’t wait until you really start to show,” Maisie’s eyes twinkled at Sabina.  “In fact the first waddle I see will have to be filmed.”

Sabina poked her tongue out.  “Carefully, Maisie.  You could be next.  You said yourself that the Grundbergs were rather fertile.”

“Talking of which, I should go prise your brother out of his study,” Maisie sighed heavily.

“That would be appreciated.  Time to let the big bad wolf out.”

Maisie’s laughter echoed down corridor as Philippe wrapped an arm around Sabina.  “All seems to be going well. My parents have not run screaming from the room.”

Sabina swatted his shoulder.  “There’s still time. They’ve not yet met Steffen.”  Her brows knitted together.  “Damn, I forgot to ask Maisie to make sure he’s not armed.”
 

“Of course I’m not armed,” Steffen hissed in her ear, making her jump.  He headed for Estelle.

Within a few minutes, Philippe heard his mother giggling away like a besotted schoolgirl.  The Chief was obviously on a major charm offensive, probably under strict instructions from his mother.  It amused him that no matter how powerful a man was, they always jumped to attention when their mother barked.

Dinner too proved to be a very civilised affair, in fact Philippe felt he and Sabina were almost surplus to requirement.  He could not have been more thankful for Bettina and Steffen for being so welcoming to his parents.  With the birth of their child, all their lives would be permanently linked.

Sabina and Maisie had just had a delicious lunch at the Pomme d’Or, a bistro in the centre of the city, located in a small square. 

“When’s your next obstetrician appointment?” Maisie asked as they headed out the restaurant.

“Next week.  I’ve also got my first scan then so I’m really excited. And nervous, just in case anything is wrong.”

Maisie hugged her.  “I’m sure it will be fine. “  She glanced around the small square.  “Now where is the decidedly cute Officer Thevenez to run us home?”  Steffen would only let her meet up with Sabina if she had a police escort to and from the restaurant.

Right on cue, Philippe pulled up.  “You are early, ladies.” He got out the car.  “And you should not be standing out here.”

“It’s not that cold, Philippe, and I am wrapped up,” Sabina sighed.

Philippe kissed her forehead. “I’m glad to hear it. But I meant Maisie should not be out in the open air.”

“Not you too,” Maisie sighed. 

As Philippe went to open the rear door of the car, they heard the clinking sound before the far passenger window of the squad car disintegrated.  Philippe reacted with lightning speed and threw himself at Sabina to protect her, whilst pulling Maisie to the ground, as two more shots echoed around the square.

“Stay down,” he ordered, pulling his gun from his holster.  He flipped his radio on.  “It’s Officer Thevenez.  I’m under fire in Place de la Concorde.  Back up requested immediately.”  Another shot rang out.  Philippe glanced at the two scared faces next to him, he had no choice but to spill the beans.  “Sabina Grundberg and Maisie Carrington are with me. Please inform the Chief of the situation.”

“Back up is on the way right now.  We have a unit just minutes from you,” the controller responded.  “A message is also on its way to the Chief.”

Philippe turned slightly to see if he could get a view of exactly where the shots were coming from.  That was when Sabina saw the red stain on his shoulder.

“You’ve been shot?” she squealed, reaching for him.

“It’s just a flesh wound,” he shrugged.  He looked at Sabina’s pale face.  “I will protect you, have no fear.”

“Do you have another gun, Philippe,” Maisie had gotten over her initial shock at being shot at. Now she just mad and wanted to fight back.

“In the glove compartment in the car.”

Maisie was next to the front passenger door and prised it open to remove the revolver from within.

“Do we know who is taking pot shots at us?” Sabina asked softly.

“I presume it’s the madman after me,” Maisie responded, slipping the safety off the gun.  “If I’d known just stepping outside the house would draw him out, I’d have done this a long time ago.”

A noise on the other side of the square got Philippe’s attention.  He saw the gun poke out the first floor window.  Another shot hit the car.  He glanced at Maisie.  “Did you see where that came from?”

“Yes.”

“Are you ready to fire on the count of three?”

Maisie nodded and waited for Philippe’s instructions.  They let off two shots in rapid succession, before ducking back behind the squad car.

“You might want to put some pressure on his shoulder, Sabina. He’s losing a lot of blood.” Maisie tossed her scarf over. 

“You said it was just a flesh wound,” Sabina looked accusingly at Philippe.

“So I lied,” he grunted.

She hissed loudly at him, before using Maisie’s scarf to try and stem the blood flow.

More shots rang out, they retaliated in turn.  After what seemed like an eternity, they heard the sirens; help was almost to hand.  A minute or so later, the square was crawling with armed police in Kevlar.  The dark shadow of the Chief of Police loomed over them.

“Get the paramedics over here,” Steffen barked.   He held out his hand to Sabina, who waved him away.

“I’m fine,” she murmured, not prepared to leave Philippe’s side. 

He pulled Maisie to her feet and removed the revolver from her hand.  “I thought you never fired these?”

“I said I didn’t like them, not that I didn’t know how to use one.”

He held her close.  “Are you alright?”

With Steffen holding her, she felt she was in the safest place in the world. “Yes.  Was that my madman?”

“I’m not sure.  He somehow slipped through our cordon.”

“He got away?” Maisie raised an eyebrow.  She wished she’d been a little more accurate with her shooting. The Lausanne police were more than incompetent.

Two paramedics were helping Philippe into the ambulance so they could treat his injury.  “It looks like a clean wound,” one of the paramedics announced after they’d removed his jacket and shirt.  “We need to x-ray it to make sure no bone has been chipped, but I think you’ll just need stitching up.”

Steffen released Maisie long enough to hug his sister.  “Go with Philippe to the hospital.” He turned to speak to the paramedics.  “Please make sure my sister gets a full check over, she’s pregnant.”

“Of course, Sir,” a paramedic responded. 

He led Maisie towards his car “And you, Miss Carrington, need to come with me to the station.”

“Am I being arrested for firing a gun?” she was mystified.

“No, you idiot,” he shook his head.  “I need to keep you close whilst I file a report on this afternoon’s activity.  We still have a shooter on the loose.”

The rest of the afternoon passed in a haze for Maisie.  She was shut up in Steffen’s office whilst he spoke to numerous officers.  She had a call from Sabina to say Philippe had been patched up and was fine, just a little pissed he’d got himself shot. 

“So how did an armed perpetrator make it through a sea of police officers without being detected?” Maisie asked Steffen when she finally had him alone.

“My men are not as incompetent as you believe them to be.  My guess is that the shooter was dressed as a police officer. That is the only way he could pass through the other officers without raising an eyebrow.”
 

Maisie’s head snapped up as the penny finally dropped.  “You asked me once if anyone would have a grudge against me.  I think you’ve just answered that question.  Officer Dumont.  Or I should say, former Officer Dumont.”

“You think Dumont capable of this?” Steffen was surprised.

“The guy wasn’t exactly one of my greatest fans.  And he probably holds me entirely responsible for getting him fired.”  Maisie paced around collecting her thoughts.  “Think about it.  He hates women, and one lost him his job.  He’s not the type to let bygones be bygones.  He’ll want satisfaction for the wrong done to him.”

“You might have a point.  I’ll have an unmarked team watch him, see if he makes another move.”

“Now I feel really safe,” Maisie grumbled. 

Steffen pulled her to him.  “Have a bit more faith in our abilities.  We will not let any harm come to you.”

A while later Steffen announced they were calling by the hospital to see Philippe as he was being held for observation. 

“Hey,” Maisie bounced into the private room.  “It’s good to be the visitor for a change.”  She leant over his bed and kissed his cheek.  “Thanks for everything this afternoon.”
 

Philippe tried to sit up further but Sabina pushed him back, glowering heavily at him.

“I got the distinct impression you did most of the work,” he grimaced.

“Hey, we’re taught to fire shotguns from an early age in England, so handling a teeny revolver is child’s play,” she grinned.

Steffen looked at both women.  “I need to speak to Philippe regarding police business.  I’ve arranged for some tea to be delivered to the visitors’ room next door.”

“We’re being dismissed,” Sabina glared at her brother.  She was expecting a visit from Steffen naturally, but still didn’t like leaving Philippe’s side. Maisie looked almost as tired as she felt.  “Are you doing alright? It must be truly scary knowing there’s someone out there trying to kill you.”

“Yeah.  Today just brought the reality home to me that there is some madman out to terminate me. But more importantly, how are you?  Have you had all your vitals checked?”

“Yes.  Philippe insisted I have that done before he allowed anyone to patch him up.” She let out a loud snort.  “I tell you, that guy is bordering on being over-protective.”

Maisie shook her head.  “The woman he loves is carrying his child.  Of course he’s going to be more than a little protective. But as Philippe will be off duty for a short spell whilst his injury heals, you can return the favour.”

“I do like the way your mind works, Maisie,” Sabina smiled. “And it’s probably a good job he’ll be on medical leave as I think our relationship is no longer under wraps.”  They had managed to keep the Grundberg connection quiet but after today that would not be the case.  Steffen had publically called her his sister, and she was obviously attached to Philippe as she got in the ambulance with him.  Added to that her rather small bump and the press would have a field day.  The Grundbergs were certainly providing lots of tabloid fodder of late.

Maisie rubbed her hands with delight.  “It’s wonderful to be knocked from my spot on the front page by another naughty Grundberg.  Between your family and me, we should get royalties.”

Sabina poked her tongue out.  “Enough cheek from you.”

“I’m curious,” Maisie slurped on her tea.  “Has your relationship with Philippe changed since he discovered your frightening background?”

“Other than the fact he jumps to attention every time I mention my brother, no,” Sabina laughed.  “I think because we were fairly well established beforehand, it has had very little effect.  He won’t let me pay for anything so I have to get quite sneaky at times. I’m sure it’s because he is worried people will think he’s after my money.”

“I just thought, has anyone told Estelle and Anton about this afternoon’s activities?”

“Yes. I phoned them after Philippe was stitched up.  Despite my assurances he was fine, they’re still on their way over here.”  Sabina rubbed her stomach.  “I guess that’s parenthood, you never stop worrying.”

“I think actually that depends on the parents,” Maisie responded sourly.  “I hope Steffen isn’t giving Philippe a hard time for letting me have a gun.  It’s not like the guy had a choice.”

“I don’t think he’s stupid enough to upset a pregnant woman,” Sabina laughed. 

A short while later Steffen stuck his head around the door.  “Are you ready to go, Maisie?”

“Yes.  You have been nice to Philippe, haven’t you?” She gave him her most threatening look.

Steffen looked from her to Sabina.  “Jesus, you two are scary. Yes, I just needed his official report on what happened.  Nothing more.”

“In that case, yes let’s go.  Sabina, I take it you’ll want to stay?”

“Yeah. I’m not leaving his side for a while.”

The next morning, Philippe was propped up in bed looking at a stack of newspapers his parents had brought in.  The shooting yesterday had made the front pages, along with a very touching picture of Sabina tending to his injury.

“Ah, that’s such a lovely picture,” Estelle sighed.

“Mum. I’d just been shot,” Philippe complained.

There were a couple more of him bare-chested in the ambulance having the gunshot wound bandaged.  “This one at least makes me look a little more macho.”