Stone led me out and to his bike. Jinx followed behind.
“We’re okay,” Stone said to Jinx.
Jinx glanced at me and then Stone. “Nope. Brothers stick together. Someone’s got to watch your back while you ride home. That’s me.”
As I mounted the Harley, I glimpsed Chance watching, a strong look of approval on his face at Jinx’s words. A slight smile crossed his lips before Chance ducked back inside.
???
Clara made a huge fuss, and she insisted that the cops be called at once. They were already investigating because Tegan had reported it. However, I’d not been hurt, and somehow, I knew Salisbury would have an alibi. Stone assured me that Chance and James would handle it, and I’d let them. Clara was just relieved I was home.
Teagan arrived shortly after I got back, worry in every inch of her body. She wrapped her arms around me and clung tightly.
“Sorry, I tried to reach you, but they shoved you in that van!” she sobbed.
Teagan’s tears started my own, and I crumpled.
“Oh, hell,” Stone muttered as Clara shuffled over and joined in. The three of us stood there sobbing as Stone watched helplessly.
“I’ll fetch some nice hot tea,” Rose announced and scurried away.
Finally, Stone got us into Clara’s favourite room, and we all sat there mopping our eyes.
“What are the police doing?” Teagan questioned.
“I don’t know. But I can’t identify them anyway. The bastards all wore masks,” I lied, and Stone stiffened.
“Babe, didn’t see their faces?” he asked, and I saw the turmoil in him. Stone knew I was lying but also had guessed why.
“No. I don’t want to talk about it,” I muttered, and Stone held my gaze before nodding. Rose bustled in with a trolley full of finger foods and a huge pot of tea. Clara relaxed, but I sensed her lingering worry. Salisbury had frightened more than one person today. For scaring my Clara, I’d never forgive him.
Harlequin
April explained what had happened when everyone was in bed. When I asked why she’d lied about seeing their faces, she stated that Salisbury would no doubt have a cast-iron alibi. It would be her word against Salisbury’s. That annoyed me, especially as over the next few days I saw how jumpy she was. April should be able to live her daily life without looking over her shoulder.
Chance assured me that Salisbury would pay restitution, but that wouldn’t stop the lingering fear in Clara and April’s eyes. No monetary compensation or marker would help remove that. The hospital, alarmed at the occurrence, had guards walk females to their vehicles if they were alone. Most tended to stick with groups, and they all watched to ensure everyone reached their cars safely.
April had taken a few days off work, as what had happened had shaken her badly. She spent the time looking at murdershows on TV, binge-watching several entire series. Once a day, she headed out to ride, and I accompanied her on Nycteus.
April had become quiet, and I guessed she was recovering from her kidnapping. She once muttered she’d expected Salisbury to kill her because she could identify them.
Salisbury was a bastard of the highest order, but I doubted that he’d have killed her. As April had already figured out, the asshole would have had a cast-iron alibi ready, should the cops have turned up.
Today I was working before meeting Briar. My sister had asked me to lunch, and I guessed she was finally ready to talk. I’d done some paperwork and checked the motion sensor cameras I’d placed around Margrave’s house and his tracking information. I’d hidden a tracker on his car. So far, nothing abnormal was showing. The fucker stayed home or went for groceries, but didn’t do anything else.
Margrave worked from home as an IT technician, fixing computers remotely. It was worrying that a man like him had access to potential prey. Margrave could be watching, and the victims wouldn’t know. That gave me a bad gut ache, but with no evidence, I couldn’t move on him.
Distracted, I tapped my pen against my desk; something, somewhere, had to give. Margrave’s story didn’t add up, not in the slightest. Too many things were inconsistent, and he’d inserted himself into the investigation. When I spoke to Lio Hawthorne, I’d been under the impression that Margrave had been seen as per a previous statement. But Lio had informed me that Margrave had called the station the following day after Julie’s disappearance.
“Hey, are you ready, baby bro?” Briar asked from the doorway.
I looked up and smiled when I saw her. “Sure. Come on, we’ll head to Clio’s diner.”
“The food’s good there,” Briar agreed as we walked out. I told Marie I was out for lunch and opened the door for Briar. Before she could walk through, Slaughter entered.
“Sorry, didn’t see you there,” he said, barging past. Slaughter skidded to a halt as he saw Briar.
“Ma’am.”
