After the Fire (11 page)

“I don’t want a fuss. A couple hours rest and I’ll be fit as a fiddle. It’s not the first time a job has gone south on me, and it probably won’t be the last. Once I’ve got the sedative out of my system I’ll be fine.”

“All right. In that case, while you’re resting, I’d like you to run that background check on Nick Steele. Business, financial, personal—the whole works. I want to know everything there is to know about him.”

“What are you thinking? Or are you going on instinct, here?”

“Other than trusting him as far as I can throw him? He and his wife didn’t have the cocoa last night. He showed more than a passing interest in your pendant, he knows Rafferty, and he gives me the creeps.”

“All right. What are you going to do, whilst I do this?”

“I’m going to the land registry in town. Check the deeds on the mine and cottage. Lock yourself in and don’t open the door until I get back.”

“All right. See you later.”

Jason smiled and left the room. He stood outside the door until he heard the lock turn. Then he headed down the stairs to the car. The sooner he was gone, the sooner he’d be back. He didn’t want to leave her alone any longer than he had to. He decided to get her to a doctor if she didn’t look any better when he returned. He’d drag her there kicking and screaming if he had to. He cared too much to do anything else.

10

Freddie lay on her stomach, feet waving in the air behind her. She frowned at the laptop and scribbled notes on a pad. Nick Steele made interesting reading, albeit a little on the hard side to track. Putting the pen between her teeth, she typed in a new search parameter, sighing when it didn’t help any.

Oh, I know
. Freddie quickly typed an email and hit send. She grabbed the phone and dialed. Taking the pen from her mouth, she smiled as her PA answered on the second ring. “Hi, Patsy, sorry to bother you on a weekend, but I’ve hit a dead end. I figured you might get further on a secure server. That’s if you don’t mind going into work for a few minutes for me. It shouldn’t take longer than an hour at the most.”

Her smile widened as Patsy answered in the affirmative. “Thank you. I’ve sent you an email with instructions on what I need and how to get it. Just make sure you follow them to the letter. I’ll talk to you later. Bye.”

Freddie put down the phone. Sticking the pen back between her teeth, she tapped fast and accessed her email again. She sent a couple more, knowing she’d get a reply before the day’s end. She looked at the laptop, her feet swinging faster.

“I wonder...” Tapping quickly she typed Jason’s name into Google and laughed as the first link insisted he was a murderer. Further links did lead to the Jason Bryant she knew. Finding his social media page, she promptly added him as a friend. Even more amusing was his short media status page.

“I would never have thought you did the social internet thing, Jason. Maybe I should try it.” Five minutes later, she’d set up an account and sent her first status.

The phone rang and she jotted down what Patsy told her. Yawning, she went back to the social network and updated the status, then glanced at the clock. “Four hours. So much for ‘won’t be long,’ eh.” She rolled off the bed and walked to the small kettle. Filling it, she looked at the sachets of coffee.
Do I want tea or coffee?

There was a sharp knock at the door. Knowing it was Jason from the way he knocked, she opened it, taking him by surprise by hugging him. “I’m sorry about earlier. I was freaked out. I’m all right now, though.”

“Are you sure? I mean you just hugged me for no reason whatsoever.” Jason winked as he returned her hug.

“I had a reason. It was a “thank you hug”.”

“And this is a “you’re welcome hug”.” He hugged her again.

“Is this buy one hug, get one free?” Freddie laughed. “You’d best come in.”

“Nah, just two hugs for the price of one. That sounds much better.” Jason shut the door, and reached into his jacket pocket. He pulled out a paper bag. “I bought you something.”

“Oh—you didn’t have to. Thank you.”

“I know I didn’t. It’s not much. It’s one of those “saw this and thought of you” things.”

Freddie took the bag and opened it. She pulled out two tissue wrapped packages and sat on the bed. She opened the first. “Oh, Jason…he’s cute.” She ran her fingers over the pixie. Spriggan grinned up at her. “I almost got him yesterday. He’s gorgeous. Thank you.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

Her fingers trembled as she opened the second package. As the gold chain and filigree leaf pendant dropped into her lap, her eyes filled. Her hands shook as she picked it up, holding it carefully. “Jason…”

He knelt in front of her, his hands covering hers. “You lost yours. This won’t replace it, but I thought—” He broke off. His gentle fingers brushed her tears away. “Don’t cry, Freddie. I didn’t mean to make you cry. I’m sorry.”

Freddie folded her arms around him. “Thank you,” she managed. “It’s perfect.” Jason held her until she pulled back. She gave him a watery smile. “Would you put it on for me?”

His fingers were warm on the back of her neck as he fastened the clasp. For a moment she could feel his lips and his breath follow them, and then regret filled her as the memory faded. If only things were different.

“Do you feel better having rested?”

“Yes. I do. I spoke to Patsy.”

“Not here. Let’s go eat.”

“I thought...”

He gently put a finger on her lips. “I’m hungry. And you didn’t eat breakfast. So eat first, serious conversation later.”

“All right.”

“Does this mean I can whisk you away for some lunch without a fight?” He seemed surprised by her lack of argument.

“Sure, why not. Where are we going?”

“I thought we could try that café on the harbor. My treat.”

“Your treat? That’s a first.”

“It happens. Don’t mock, woman. And then I’ll tell you about my morning and you can tell me about yours.”

“That sounds good. I’ll get my bag.” Freddie stood, aware of his presence filling the room. Without realizing it, she’d fallen back into the old familiar way with him. She still wasn’t sure she could trust him, but at the same time, she was beginning to enjoy working with him. She picked up her bag and locked the door, following Jason down to his car.

He opened the door and she got in.

I never stopped loving you, that’s why it hurt so much. Leaving me for another woman...I could kind of understand and in time, perhaps grow to accept. But leaving me for God? How can I compete with that?

****

Jason parked the car and glanced at her as they walked across the tarmac. “Penny for them.”

“I was just wondering where the last fifteen years went. I don’t feel any older than I did then.”

“None of us ever do. It’s just the grey hair and failing joints that give it away.”

The café overlooked the harbor, and the waitress led them to a table on the edge of the veranda. Jason pulled out the chair. She smiled at him. “When did you turn into such a gentleman, Jace?”

“I always was, you just never noticed.”

Was that true? Had she just taken all of that for granted? She suddenly realized he was talking to her. “I’m sorry, I was miles away.”

“I noticed. I asked what you would like.”

Freddie turned her attention to the menu in her hand. “I’ll have the Cornish pasty, chips and salad, please. With...” She turned the menu over. “Grapefruit and orange juice with ice to drink.”

“Sounds good. Make that two of those, please.” He smiled at Freddie. “What were you thinking when you were miles away?”

“Honestly? I was wondering if I took you for granted.”

He turned his drink mat end over end. “I think we probably both took the other for granted. You did all right, though. Edwin speaks very highly of you.”

“Work was all I had. Dad died shortly after you left, we sold the business, and I joined the firm. Worked my way up to where I am now.”

Jason’s hand gripped hers tightly. “Your Dad died? Oh, Freddie I’m sorry. How?”

“He had a stroke at work. I found him slumped over his desk when I took him some coffee. I tried reviving him, but by that point it was too late.” She took a deep breath, refusing to let herself cry. “Anyway, do you want to hear what I found out?”

“One sec.” He smiled at the waitress as she put down the drinks. Once she’d left he nodded. “All right—go on.”

“I rang Patsy.” Freddie ran her finger around the rim of her glass.

“You made her work on a Saturday?” He pointed a finger at her. “That’s cheating, not to mention unfair.”

“What’s the point in having a loyal and efficient PA if you don’t make use of her?” She laughed. “And it’s not like I made her do all the work, I did some of my own. According to the Internet, Nick Steele’s on the rich list. He’s the fourth richest man in the UK, to be precise. Owns or part-owns several companies, both at home and abroad. Patsy says he’s clean, not so much as a speeding fine or parking ticket.”

Jason
humphed
. “Guess my instincts were wrong, then.”

“Maybe, maybe not. Patsy said she’d call back, evidently something she searched sent up a red flag. I gave her the codes she needed. I’ll log in later and change them.” She smiled. “So, your turn.”

Jason paused while their food arrived and then picked up his fork. “I checked the land registry first. Rafferty not only owns Baldhu mine and a cottage, he also has part ownership of Jueve Island just off the coast here. Two companies — Hightower Inc. and Robson Marine, own the rest of the island. The paperwork is rather conveniently missing, so they can’t tell me who owns the companies, but they’ll track it down and get back to me.”

“I’ll get Patsy to check from our end.”

“Good idea. I drove out to his cottage. It’s very pretty, hollyhocks growing up the walls, thatched roof, roses in the garden, you’d love it. The neighbors said he was quiet, not many visitors. Never mowed the lawn on a Sunday, kept to himself, you know, the usual stuff they say about serial killers after the fact. “He was the nicest guy I’ve ever met. He’s the last person you’d have thought would do this”. It’s a shame we don’t get paid every time we hear that line. We could retire millionaires.” He took a bite of his pasty. “This is good.”

Freddie’s phone rang and she pulled it from her pocket. “Hello. Hi Patsy, I was just about to call you. I’ve got another favor to ask.” She paused, her smile growing as Patsy relayed what she’d found. After exchanging a few pleasantries, she closed the phone, eager to tell Jason what she’d just been told. “Guess who owns Hightower Inc. and Robson Marine?”

He shook his head.

“Nick Steele. Patsy’s going to email us everything she’s got. Apparently, Robson Marine is in trouble with the tax office for not paying on time.”

“Well, well. Your PA is a genius. Remind me to raise her salary when we get back. I might even promote her to vice president’s Personal Assistant.”

“Keep your hands off of her. Get your own genius PA.”

Jason laughed. “So, how about after lunch we head out to the mine. See what the men or site manager can tell us about Mr. Rafferty. Or would you rather go to the zoo?”

“I’ll give you three guesses, but you’re only gonna need one.”

11

Baldhu mine, set high on the cliffs, gave a fantastic view of the south Cornwall coastline. The wind whipped Freddie’s hair in all directions as she stepped out of the car. She pulled out the camera and started taking pictures. “Wow, look at that view. It’s incredible. Can’t hear the sea though, too windy.”

“Yeah, I would imagine it’s always like that here.” Jason moved closer so she could hear him without having to shout.

“So why does the tape and journal mention hearing the sea?”

“At a rough guess, I’d say he wasn’t standing on the cliff tops when he was listening to it. Let’s head to the office and ask awkward questions.”

Freddie put away the camera and walked across the parking lot with Jason. The sign outside the office was fading, but she could just make out ‘Baldhu Mine, G. Rafferty owner’ written across it. A siren rang out and the lift jerked into action with a grinding noise.

As they reached the office, a greying, harried-looking man with a hard hat came out. “Can I help you?”

“Are you the site manager?” Jason reached in his pocket for some ID.

“Yes. Can you give me fifteen minutes? It’s shift change.”

“Sure.”

“Why don’t you take a seat in the office, I won’t be long.”

Freddie headed inside. It was chilly out, despite the sunshine. She turned her attention to the charts on the wall.

Jason stood by the window, muttering under his breath as he counted the men going up and down in the lift. “That’s a fairly big workforce for a small mine.”

“Hmm?” She glanced over. “Small mine? Where’d you get that idea from?”

“The land registry. I saw the plans for it this morning.” He moved over to her. “Why? Do you know something I don’t?”

She nodded to the charts on the wall. “It’s anything but small. It’s huge. These tunnels run for miles underground. Look, see there are even plans here for an off shore mine shaft from a drilling platform. It looks like it’s an oil rig several miles out to sea.” She crossed to the map of the coast line. “Although there’s no rigs marked on here. That doesn’t make sense.”

Jason’s brow creased and he crossed back to the window. “I don’t see any off shore drilling platforms. Maybe they never got planning permission. Something else we can check into later.”

The door opened and the site manager came back in. He took off his hard hat and hung it on the wall. “Sorry about that. Phil Hooker, site manager.” He held out a hand. “How can I help you, Mr.—?”

“Mr. North. This is my associate Miss Price.” Jason pulled out his ID and paused for a moment to allow the manager to read both ID’s. “We work for a private investigation company. Mrs. Rafferty hired us to look into her husband’s disappearance.”

“I thought the police were handling his case.”