Marie nodded. “Killian’s firm have been looking into the attack on Katie and you and the break in at the cottage. There are links to known associates of Mr Lacey. Just a bit more digging and there may be cause to go to the police and at least get an injunction. Anything like that will also go in our favour when we ask for the divorce to be expedited.”
She continued to go through the finer details, drawing up a battle plan that would’ve sent most opposing lawyers running to the nearest bunker for cover before waving their white flag.
Eventually we were interrupted by a knock at the door and Nick entered, the twins and Killian following him. Both girls ran round to Katie and clambered onto her knee, pulling at her hair and the necklace that look like it cost a lot more than a piece of costume jewellery.
“Have you been good for daddy?” she said, kissing them both.
I looked over to Killian, communicating exactly what I thought about the greeting. He shrugged and I figured I’d find out more later.
“They’re developing twin language,” Nick said. “When you thought raising girls couldn’t get any worse, they develop their own language and then they gang up on you.”
Katie nuzzled into what I thought was Kitty’s hair, inhaling the smell of baby. “You’ll have to teach it to me then we can gang up on him together.”
The twins giggled, turning round at exactly the same time to stare at Nick.
“Are you ready to go? I need to lie down in a darkened room,” he said. “Given that the builders haven’t finished with the windows in two of the rooms, I shouldn’t have a problem finding one.”
“You’re staying at your place?” I said, surprised.
Nick nodded. “It’s secure and it’s just for one night. Then we’re heading back to Oxford.”
“How long are you staying with Nick for, Katie?” I said.
She bit her lips together, looking a shade uncomfortable. “I’m not sure. The house is going on the market tomorrow so once that’s sold I’ll have funds to buy a cute apartment.”
“She’s staying for as long as she wants.”
Killian caught my eye and gave me a knowing smile. “Best not arguing with big brother,” he said. “Are you all set to head to your place and pick up some more stuff?”
I nodded, standing and stretching. I’d been sat at the table for at least four hours and after more than a week in Cornwall where we’d walked every day I’d become more used to being active. Going back to work was going to take some adjusting. “Let’s head off. I’ll see you Monday, Marie. That’s if you’re carrying on?”
My mother nodded. “Your dad’s heading to the winery to appoint some more staff over there so I’m at a loose end. You’ve also had a lot more work come your way this past week. I told Jackson you’ll need to start recruiting for two, possibly three, more family lawyers, including someone senior. And you need someone else in litigation to help Seph out too as he’s bringing more work in than they can cope with, silly boy.”
“In that case I’ll see you at seven am Monday morning for a briefing,” I said giving her smile and moving towards Killian. His hand automatically went to the small of my back, my body recognising his touch and responding by melting like ice in sunshine.
We headed back to my apartment in Killian’s car as I intended to pack up as much as I could and walking to his with a couple of suitcases would look a little too obvious. We were halfway up the stairs to my floor when an alarm went off on Killian’s phone. He stopped, checked it and then looked at me with an expression blanked of any emotion. It was his war face; the mask he wore when he needed to hide how he felt. I’d only seen it twice when we’d talked about his time in Afghanistan and his details had been sparse.
“Claire go downstairs and get back in the car. Lock the doors and phone the police,” his voice was clear and calm, staying quiet.
“Why?” I said because there had never been a day in my life that I did as I was told without questioning it.
“Someone’s in your apartment.”
I nodded. “One person or more?”
“I don’t know. I do need you out of here. You’re a distraction.”
I gave him a quick nod. “But there’s only one of you…”
His expression gave me one word.Seriously?
I headed down the stairs, hitting the bottom as I heard yelling and swearing, a loud bang and a whimper that definitely wasn’t Killian’s. There was more shouting, my panic deafening me, stopping me from understanding the words. I dialled the police, explaining what had happened, desperately trying to get the words out, giving the address and managing not to let the panic seep into my voice so that I was unintelligible.
“Where’s Killian?” Nick’s boom was loud from across the road.
“Upstairs!” I shouted, not in the car where I was supposed to be.
Nick flew over the road, an irritated beep directed at him from an oncoming car but he paid no heed, half jumping up the stairs.
