Ed moved away, but she placed a hand on his arm. “I need you here.”
He nodded and slid a hand around her waist. Her support. Nearby, the sheep, Flotsam and Jetsam, were being patted by a couple of kids staying at the campground. Such a normal day for most people.
This time her mother was sitting on the couch with Joy beside her. Her mother’s eyes widened. “Who’s with you?”
Tess squeezed Ed’s hand. “This is Ed. He saved my life—twice.”
Her mother’s mouth dropped open as Ed smiled. “Hi, Mrs Lim.”
“That’s my sister, Joy.”
Ed waved.
All so normal, as if she was introducing her family to her boyfriend. But they had almost got her killed. “I spoke to Dad. He’s fine.”
Her mother nodded. “I told you he was at work.”
“So why did you also tell me he’d been kidnapped, and was going to be killed?”
Joy gasped and looked at her mother in horror. “What? Why would you say that?”
“Because Tan told me to. He said if I didn’t, he would ensure your father was actually taken and killed.”
Tess shook her head. “Why didn’t you go to the police? Or warn me?”
“They were monitoring our calls.”
“Are they monitoring this app?”
A look of horror crossed her face. “I don’t know.” She reached for the screen, but Joy swatted her away, snatching the phone from her grasp.
“Will someone tell me what’s going on?” Joy demanded.
Tess waited for her mother to speak, but she kept her lips pressed together. “I saw Tan murder someone last week. I escaped, and he’s been chasing me since.” Joy’s mouth dropped open. “Today when I called Mum, she told me Dad had been kidnapped, and if I didn’t go back to Tan, they would kill him. So I risked my life to meet with Tan in the middle of nowhere, and he pulled a gun on me. But someone killed him before he could hurt me.” Should she mention Lee? Could her brother-in-law be involved?
Her mother shook. “He said nothing would happen to you. He simply had to explain what had happened.”
“How long have you been dealing with Stonefish, Mum—ten years? Have they ever told you the whole truth?”
“They enabled this lifestyle you’ve had,” her mother retorted. “They paid for your education, this house, your trip to Australia. We owe them.”
“But not at the price of Tess’s life,” Joy said.
Tess glanced at her sister. “Joy, you need to talk to Dylan. Find out if he’s involved with Stonefish.”
Her sister gaped at her.
“His cousin is, Mum and Dad are. I don’t know how far Stonefish’s influence spreads.”
Joy clutched her necklace. “I will.”
“You must come home,” her mother said. “I’ll arrange your flight.”
Ed stiffened.
“No, Mum. I’m staying here. I’m finishing my education.” As if she could return home to her parents now. She could barely look at her mother.
“You have no place to stay. We won’t pay for your accommodation.”
