Hidden Secrets (Garrett Investigation Book 1) (4 page)

“Are you sure?” said a man’s voice

“Yes entirely sure,” said Blaze.

“We’ll have to bring the schedule forward then,” he said.

“Damn the woman.  Next time finish her off.  How the hell you let her escape last time is beyond me, you’re meant to be the best,” growled Blaze.

“I am the best, sometimes though you have to learn your opponent first. She’ll be taken out I’ll make sure of that.”

“May as well take Malachy out too, I notice he’s here tonight and not alone either.”

“He’ll be an easy target.”

Mirage held her breath, realising they wanted to get rid of her.

“Well, the papers are safe.  It should be easy to finish the job.”

“Good, don’t lose them, or my boss may have to take you out, Blaze.”

“Don’t even think about it.  You’d find yourself dead as a dodo; he snapped. “Better get back to the party.  My auction is about to begin.  I want to dance with the lady with the purple hair, still can’t believe Malachy brought someone so…fascinating.  Not his usual taste, that’s for sure.”

The lights went off; the men were laughing as the door closed behind them.

“Phew, that was close,” she muttered realising Blaze was one of the men.  Taking the painting back down, she finished her work, the safe open she photographed every document, quickly placing the documents back inside shutting the safe, painting back in front.  Grabbing her flash drive she turned on the computer, her fingers flying over the keyboard and through the encryptions, hesitating for a moment before downloading everything she could find.  Cleaning her usage she closed it down.  Moments later Mirage was moving down the hallway to where she’d entered.  Clambering out the window over the terrace sliding down the rope, detaching the cable recoiling it, she placed it back into her shoe. Replacing her shoes, she wandered around to the terrace, leaning over it looking down on the city lights.  Mirage had forgotten how high up Carrington House was.  A hand on her waist made her jump, looking over her shoulder into Malachy blue eyes, her heart skipped a beat, ‘shit’ she thought, how could she handle this.

“I was wondering where you were Mirage,” he questioned quietly.

“I smelt the roses, they’re so beautiful Mal, so I decided to come out and get some fresh air.” She smiled dreamily.  “Has the auction started?”

“It will in a few minutes.” Mal turned her towards him, “You’re a beautiful woman Mirage, for some reason you’re the second woman to make me feel, taking her hand he kissed it. “Let’s go back our dinner’s getting cold.” Placing her hand on his arm, they walked back to the dining room chatting quietly.

On stage, Blaze was just handing over the microphone to the auctioneer he watched Malachy and his date crossing the room to their seats wondering where they’d been.

“Good evening ladies and gentlemen, get your wallets out, let the bidding begin.”

The auction lasted over an hour.  It felt like it dragged on for hours; Mirage was glad there was food to eat even if it was nearly cold. Chatting amiably with the elderly lady on her left, she was pleased as punch Malachy was on her right.

The auction over; the dinner finished. The guests were asked to proceed to the ballroom where a small band would be playing.   Finding seats in a secluded spot Malachy and Mirage relaxed, watching everyone around them.

“How much longer do we need to stay Malachy, I’d much prefer a nightclub unless they play some decent music.”

“I was starting to think you liked classic music like Anastasia, why did you come?”

“Ana wanted me too, apparently she’s been before and wanted to know what was different this year,” she sighed.

A shadow fell over them.  Looking up, they encountered Blaze standing smiling in front of them.   Mirage’s stomach tied itself up in knots for a moment.  Remembering to play her part she put her head on one side. “Malachy,” said Mirage in a sultry voice, “please introduce me to this most handsome man.”

Malachy stood with a grimace, assisting Mirage to her feet. “Mirage may I introduce you to Blaze Carrington brother of Magdalena.  Blaze, please meet Mirage.”

“It’s good you could come tonight Malachy.  It’s been a while since I last saw you.” Blaze said charmingly without his smile reaching his eyes.  “Mirage welcome, it’s lovely to find such beauty at my party,” he took her hand kissing it.

“Please don’t make me swoon at your feet with all your charm Mr Carrington.”

“Please, Blaze will do.” He smiled.  “May I have this dance Mirage, that’s all right with you Malachy,” he said looking over at him.

“If it’s Mirage’s wish,” Malachy replied.

“Why not Blaze.  I admit I’m not much of a dancer.”

“I’m sure we’ll do.  I’ll have her back to you soon.” Blaze turned escorting Mirage to the dance floor.

With a pained smile, Malachy sat down, wishing dear old Blaze was not quite so charming to the women.

“So Mirage, I can’t say I’ve seen you before, you’d be hard to miss one would think.”

“I don’t come to New York very often enough.  I also don’t usually move in such exalted surroundings,” she smiled.

“Is that so, well, I must admit you’re certainly different, I enjoy different, especially the tattoo on your back.”

“I like to be different Blaze; it’s way more fun,” she laughed.

“Perhaps we could have dinner sometime next week?”

“My apologies, I won’t have time.  I leave on Sunday.”

“What about tomorrow evening then?”

“Apologies again Blaze; I don’t have any time left,” she smiled.  “It’s a pity I can’t stay longer, however life calls.”

“Yes, I suppose it does, please call me when you’re in town again Mirage.”

“I most certainly will, thank you for the dance,” she smiled.

“The pleasure was certainly mine Mirage.  Please stay, enjoy the rest of your evening.”

“So how did it go,” muttered Malachy darkly.

“Rather dull.   I think you should dance with me Malachy before my feet start to kill me.”

He smiled; taking her hand guiding her onto the dance floor. His hand on her hip; the other held her right-hand.  They swayed together, across the floor, occasionally looking into each other’s eyes.  Mal pulled her closer, so she rested her chin on his shoulder, enjoying the feel of him, trying to calm her racing heart.

“Time to go Mirage,” Malachy whispered.

Walking off the dance floor, they collected her wrap and clutch bag before departing. Mal was in a mess, his body humming.  Who was this woman?  It was irritating that Ana also gave him similar feelings.  Sliding into the car, Mirage let her head fall back against the headrest, listening as the Pontiac purred to life.  It didn’t take long to arrive back at her apartment, though Mirage was nearly asleep. “Mirage, wake up.  Time to get out,” he said quietly.

“What, oh yes of course.  Would you like coffee?” she said nonchalantly.

“Great, thanks,” Mal smiled calmly.  Now was his chance to find out more about her.

Their bodies hummed in tune neither noticing the others reactions.  Ana was wishing she’d not issued the invite now; her heart was stuttering madly. Unlocking her apartment door, Mal followed her in, as she threw her keys on the hall table, then starting toward her kitchen.  Mal caught hold of her whirling her around into his arms.

“I’ve been waiting to do this all evening Mirage.”

Crushing his mouth to hers, he tasted her lush mouth.  Ana moaned at the back of her throat. Sensations were flooding her trembling body as Mal nipped her bottom lip flicking his tongue across her teeth, making her moan; part in protest partly wanting more, so much more.  Mal’s hands ran down her back to her buttocks, pulling her closer she could feel his arousal.

Ana jerked back; wrenching herself out of his arms, her mind suddenly clear, her purple hair tumbling down her back as the pins fell to the carpet.

“I’m sorry I can’t do this Malachy.  You’d better go.”

“My apologies Mirage, I just… You’re lovely, just like my Ana.  Of course, you’re right. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“You’re Ana?”

“Yes, my Ana; she just won’t have me, well not yet.  I’m working on the problem,” he smiled sadly. “Please don’t tell her.  I think my feelings just overflowed since Ana won’t let me near her,” shoving his hands into his pockets so she wouldn’t notice his fists clenching and unclenching as he fought to relax.

“Well, you do work together.”

“Yes, I know,” he replied, “look; I’d better leave.  My apologies,” he murmured as he walked out wondering what the hell was going, “I must be bloody mad,” he mumbled as he stepped onto the elevator.

Shutting the door behind him, “Thank God there’s only one more day as Mirage,” she sighed, “not sure I was going to get through.” 

Ana put some music on to soothe her soul. Changing into her mint green silk pj’s she sat at her desk a hot chocolate by her elbow; Ana began to type her report.  She was sure Mal didn’t know Blaze Carrington was part of this.  She was glad they’d only appeared to be acquaintances due to the circles they both lived and worked.  She’d need to add the part about the conversation she overheard.  If she worded it carefully, she wouldn’t have to put in Blaze’s name.

Finishing, she backed it up to two flash drives deleting it from her computer, so there was no trace.  In the morning, she’d print the photos in her dark room, another handy thing she’d built into the apartment, happier now she checked the locks drew the blinds making her way to bed.

“Christ, what a bloody idiot,” he muttered shaking his head. Exiting the building, head down, unlocking his car he got in sitting down, leaning his head back with a sigh.  Mal couldn’t believe he’d been stupid enough to kiss her!  Turning over the car engine, it hesitated a moment before roaring to life. Putting his foot down, Malachy shot off down the road turning onto the nearest highway towards New Haven; winding down the windows helping clear his mind.  Looking in his review mirror there were few cars behind him, only one was keeping up, much to his amusement; it looked like an SUV; though what make he couldn’t work out.

Finally, he took an exit ramp deciding to head home.  Driving back in the other direction on the highway, he slowed not wanting any cops breathing down his neck, checking his review mirror he saw the same or similar car behind him.  Speeding up a bit just to see what happened; keeping an eye on the car behind, it stayed put.  Shaking his head, it seemed his intuition was working overtime again.  Slowing once more, he indicated heading for the exit.

Suddenly his car jerked flinging him forward, nearly smacking his face into the steering wheel.  He tried desperately to regain control; his car jerked forward again slipping across the lanes. Looking into the mirror, he saw the SUV coming in for another bash.  His intuition was right after all. 

Pulling the wheel to the right, he stomped his foot down on the accelerator, making his car surged forward.  Mal hit a coded button on his dashboard alerting his security team; he wasn’t sure he’d be able to out-manoeuvre the car behind him.  Slowly the other car crept up alongside.  Looking out of his now closed window, Malachy saw a gun with a silencer pointing at him. It was that split-second of notice before a bullet whizzed past his face, Malachy ducked down, slamming on his brakes, tyres screeching while he tried to grab his Walther PPK.  Spinning his car around with a screech and burn of rubber; he started racing towards oncoming traffic; glad there weren’t many cars on the road.  The SUV chased after him.  Cars and trucks veered out of the way, horns honking loudly.  The car pulled alongside him; Mal turned his car scraping down its side as the heat of a bullet caught him in the right shoulder.  A bit awkward shooting with his left hand he aimed at the car, putting four slugs in the side, making them veer away.

Malachy lost control of his Pontiac flipping over several times as he held on for dear life; the windscreen bending and shattering under the impact as the car roof crunched down towards him.  Finally, the Pontiac came to rest against the concrete shoulder on its roof.

Quickly Mal undid his seatbelt.  Holding his shoulder, he managed to squirm through his smashed front window, ripping his suit, drawing even more blood.  Crawling, he hauled himself over the concrete barrier as a hail of bullets hit his beloved Pontiac ripping it to shreds.  A bullet must have hit some gas. The force of the explosion made Mal stagger back, his car now a ball of flame obliterating everything.  As he fell, he cracked his head on the concrete, darkness claiming him.

Coming round, he heard the tyres of the other car screech as they sped off down the highway.  Lying flat on his back, staring up at the clouds in the night sky, his heart was pounding, his head hurting. He started to wonder why the hell he wanted to be back in the field. His shoulder hurt like hell.  Cars braked screeching to a stop at the sight of the carnage.  Drivers’ wondering what the hell was happening.   Sirens approached, Mal heard a helicopter in the night sky, ‘probably some news TV station,’ he thought as he drifted in and out of consciousness. 

A burst of freezing water shot over the wall.  “Crap,” Malachy yelped as he tried to stand; instead he crawled haphazardly to one side until he could grip the concrete barrier.  Looking over, he saw the remains of his once beautiful Firebird, now a pile of smoking junk.

“Hey, there’s a guy over there,” shouted one of the fire crew.

Malachy looked up suddenly realising how lucky his escape was.  A cop ran over to him. “You ok mate, don’t tell me you were in the car?”

“Yeah, I was.  Are there any medics here?”

“Shit, how the hell did you get out of it,” he asked wide-eyed.

“I need a medic.” Mal clambered unsteadily over the barrier; gripping his shoulder.  He stood back on the highway, wobbling from loss of blood.  Stumbling to his knees; the cop crouched down taking a closer look.

“How hurt are you Mr?”

“Bullet in my right shoulder; will need transfusion,” muttered Mal before collapsing into unconsciousness.

“Get a bloody paramedic here now,” yelled the cop, “he’s been shot.”  The paramedic hurried over and started to tend Malachy.

“Outta my way,” growled a deep voice, “let’s get him sorted and to the hospital,” he looked at the cop, “you can ask your questions there.” An enormously muscular man of about six foot seven appeared behind the paramedic seemingly out of nowhere; crouching down beside the medic he looked at his boss out cold on the ground.

“I’ll come with you to the hospital,” he said to the paramedic. “He’ll need a guard on his door,” yelling over his shoulder, “Abraham, find out what happened.  I’ll go with the boss.”

“Yes sir,” said another guy who looked like a football player.

“Who the hell are you guys,” said the cop.

“He’s my boss. I’m his head of security,” he said quietly.

“Security?” the cop raised an eyebrow, “What’s his name?”

“Malachy,” he said.

“Malachy what?” asked the cop.

“Just Malachy. Talk to you later at the hospital Detective Moran,” he said after looking at the cop’s badge, “Will tell you more.”

Yuri got in the ambulance with the paramedic and Malachy, lights flashing they rushed towards the nearest hospital.

Ana woke the following morning feeling vibrant, dressing hurriedly in jeans and t-shirt she ate some cereal for breakfast.  Picking up her camera, she entered the dark room, setting about her work developing the film.  Ana loved the smell of the darkroom; silence surrounded her, humming a rock and roll tune prancing about smiling as each photo told its story.

“Gottcha you bastard,” she grinned with glee.  Hanging them up to dry, she locked the door sauntering to the bathroom to shower and clean up. Ana replaced her long purple wig on her head; then dressed for the last time as Mirage; getting out her sexy clothes.  In a short yellow silk skirt and silky pink blouse, she selected killer heels in bright yellow.  Pleased with herself, she made some lunch settling down on the couch drinking a white wine turning on the TV.  Relaxing Ana flicked stations, settling down to see the news.  Curling her feet under her, she nearly missed the bulletin about a car accident on one of the highways.  Leaning forward looking at the video, she saw a car had blown up.  Apparently the man was lucky to escape with his life, now hospitalised with guards on his door.

“If anyone saw anything, please contact the local station,” said Detective Moran.

“Can you tell us anything else Detective,” shouted out a couple of reporters.

“Not at this time, other than the man is in a stable condition, Thank you,” he turned leaving the press room.

“Wonder what idiot crashed a car now, must be important if they had a police conference and guards,” she murmured;
‘oh well. Hopefully, he’d be all right.’
  Taking out her Kindle, she scrolled through her list; finding a book to read, something to calm her after all the excitement of last night.

Adam picked her up outside her apartment at seven sharp.  It was only a short distance to Gustav’s Italian Restaurant though Adam insisted on driving.  Entering Gustav’s the maître welcomed them by name showing them to their table.

“Would you like to order drinks now?”

“Yes, we’ll have our usual Sauvignon, please.”

“Certainly sir, please view your menus for tonight’s special.  Charlene is your server she’ll be with you shortly.”

“So Mirage did you enjoy your party last night?”

“Yes, you could say it was rather interesting.”

“Do tell.”

“I danced with Blaze Carrington, a charming man.”

“Careful around him love. I’ve heard he’s dangerous.”

“Well, if he is, he’s charmingly dangerous,” she grinned.

“Tell me more,” he smiled.

“Guests jaws dropped when they saw your tattoo on my back.”

“You mean when you sashayed past them, they saw the tattoo and the gorgeous Mirage,” he laughed.

“I supposed I did,” she laughed.

The wine arrived.  Adam sampled it, nodding his acceptance; the waitress poured for them.

“Would you care to order now sir, ma’am?”

“That would be lovely, Adam you can order for me.”

“As you wish, let’s see if I can surprise you this time.”

Quietly they chatted their way through the meal, laughing at stories, catching up on life. Resting her chin on her hands, she looked up at Adam wishing she could love him as a man. He was wonderful, caring man who needed a decent woman at his side.

“So why are you still single Adam?”

“I’m not interested in anyone else Mirage; Sophia was it for me,” he said sadly.

“Oh Adam, I wish I could do something to help.  Maybe, you’ll find someone one day.”

“Nah, don’t worry about it.  Anyway, it’s time to get you home little one.”

“Little one,” she grinned, “I’m not little,” she slapped his arm playfully.

“To me you always will be.”

Adam dropped Mirage off at her friend’s apartment. “Thank you for tonight Adam; it was an excellent way to end my stay.  I’ll see you next time I’m in town.”

“When will you be back love? I always enjoy your company.”

“I don’t know yet; we’ll see,” leaning over she gave him a kiss before alighting from the car, “Stay safe Adam.”

“Yeah, will do,” he called as he drove off into the night.

Back in her apartment, Ana kicked off her shoes, pulling her wig off tossing it on the sofa.  Stretching her muscles, she switched on the TV, padding over to the kitchen to make hot chocolate.  Looking up at the TV, she saw Malachy’s face flash on the screen. Running into the lounge, she turned up the sound.

“He’s recovering in hospital after a car accident late last night.  There are no further details at this time; police are still investigating.”

“Shit Malachy, what the hell did you do after you left here,” she whispered.

Hurriedly changing into jeans and a long t-shirt, baseball cap on her head, she rushed down to her Porsche speeding off to Eastchester hospital mentioned in the news report.  Arriving in emergency department thirty minutes later, she asked which hospital ward Malachy was on, hurrying to the elevators. Taking a deep breath, she steadied her pounding heart as she walked to the ward reception asking after him.

“Are you family?”

“Err no.  I work with him.  I only just heard, is he ok?”

“I’m sorry I can’t divulge information other than he’s stable.”

“Do you mind if I talk to security.”

“You got a badge young lady?” the nurse asked sternly.

“What oh yes, of course,” she held up her badge receiving permission to proceed.

Walking down the corridor towards Yuri she smiled tentatively when he turned at the sound of her approach, a beaming smile appeared on his face.

“Anastasia my darling, how are you.”

“Never mind me what the hell happened to Malachy?”

“He became part of a shootout ending with his car exploding.  He had a slug in his shoulder, lost lots of blood which explains why he’s still here fretting away,” Yuri grinned.

“He’s never good with hospitals, may I go in.”

“Yeah sure, make it quick though Ana.”

Quietly opening the door, she looked over at the bed.  His shoulder and chest were strapped up with bandages, scrapes and cuts along his arms; the drip made her smile.  She knew he hated them, mainly having a needle in his arm.  Closing the door behind her, she approached his bed thanking God he was all right, she’d not realised they’d attack so soon.  Kissing his forehead, he woke drowsily at her touch.

“Hmm you smell beautiful Anastasia,” Malachy reached up his hand to the nape of her neck, drawing her closer, “Just one kiss Ana, help make me feel better.”

Before she could move back, he kissed her gently but firmly nibbling his way across her lips, nipping her bottom lip to gain access to her mouth. Ana moaned returning his kisses, teasing and tasting.  His hand fell away from her neck, bringing her back to her senses, pulling back heart pounding; she stood looking down at his drowsy face, sighing sitting in the chair beside him.

“So you’re not too bad then Mal.  What the hell happened?”

“Did you come rushing back Ana,” he asked in sleepy amusement.

“Of course I did, it wasn’t funny when I realised it was you and not some idiot.”

“So glad you care. I’m all right, a little car chase; a few bullets exchanged and one rather wrecked Firebird.  I did so love my car,” he sighed.

“Who were they Mal?”

“No idea Ana.  I only saw masks.  No make on their car other than it was a black SUV.”