Wednesday's Child (21 page)

“OK…will you be OK? You were awfully sick last night.” She caught on.

Liam loosened her hand. “Go on—you fuss too much. I’m fine, love. Being sick yesterday would have been down to the heat and a long flight. Nothing more.”

“Sure?”

“Yes, I’ll see you at lunch.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, her soft lips under his leaving him in no doubt as to how she felt about him. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Liam kissed her again, and reluctantly let go and watched as Vince tried to take her hand.

Lord, go with her and keep her safe. While he’s distracted I’ll go and find the office and see what I can discover about Vince’s true interest in this place. Go before me.

Jacqui tore her hand away from Vince’s and shoved her hand into her pocket.

Liam glanced back across the compound and moved to the spot where Sally had died, saying a final goodbye. Then he took a deep breath and headed across the compound as nonchalantly as he could. He nodded to Simeon standing guard duty by the main gate. “There are a lot of security personnel here.”

Simeon nodded. “There are a lot of wild animals.”

“So you said last night, but I haven’t heard anything but birds, never mind seen anything. And surely they wouldn’t come inside the fence anyway.”

“Sahib Devlin…he likes protection.”

“He said the threat of attack was over.”

“Sahib Devlin want memsahib kept safe. She will be
mke
soon.”

Liam looked up sharply, hoping he’d heard incorrectly.
Mke
was wife. “
Mkewe
?”
His wife?

Simeon nodded, lowering his voice. “He will take her as
mkewe
. He very grateful to you for bringing her here.”

Liam’s stomach turned. “When is this marriage happening?”

Simeon grinned, white teeth sparkling against the dark skin. “Tomorrow at sunset.”

“I see. Well I’m glad I could help. I’m sure he’ll be very happy.” Liam moved away.
Lord, the time scale for this just upped a notch. Don’t let him do anything to her. Let me find what I need so we can get out of here by tonight.
He had to warn Jacqui without Vince finding out.

He had to get into the office and go through the files. Then he needed to send a coded message to Patrick via the cook. That he could do over lunch.

Liam paused by the fence, gazing out through the wire. He’d forgotten how pretty it was here. His eyes traced the fence to the gates and the road beyond. If he could find a plausible reason to borrow a truck tonight, then perhaps he and Jacqui could leave, getting enough of a head start before Vince set the hounds after them.

Of course they could very well end up getting shot as they tried to leave. But that he’d place securely in God’s hands. No amount of worrying would solve the problem.

Liam moved behind the ruins to where the new offices had been built. A barrel stood outside, incongruously filled with flowers. A lizard sat on the steps sunning itself, and a bird stood on the tin roof chirping as loudly as it could.

Vince’s door stood open and, checking the coast was clear, Liam slid inside, shutting the door quietly behind him.

The office was tidy and nothing out of place. Liam moved to the desk and tried the drawers. Each one was locked. A folder lay open on the top, and Liam scanned the papers quickly. Nothing there. His attention was caught by two gold framed photographs. One showed Vince and Jacqui smiling at the camera, his arm around her waist. The other had Vince, Jacqui and an older couple.

He slid his fingers under the desk and found the key stuck to the underside. That was as reliable as keeping the spare door key under a flower pot, and a woman keeping all her valuables in the knicker drawer. Sally always had, and he knew his sister did too. Of course if the women knew that every man knew this, they’d find a different hiding place. He freed the key from the blu-tac holding it in place and unlocked the drawers. The first contained pens and pencils and a few odds and ends. The second contained files. His fingers roamed the folders, not sure what he was looking for. Then he paused, his heart growing cold.
Liam Page—why would he have a file on me?

Liam pulled it out and read.

Vince knew who he was.

There were photos of him and Sally, some taken here.

“Oh Lord God, protect us,” he whispered. He put the file back and pulled out another labeled Manu.

Vince
was
cleaning up the loose ends, just like Patrick said, he realized in horror as he read, but why? What was so important that people like Sally and Manu had to die?

He slid Manu’s file away and another caught his eye—Liberaté. He opened it, his eyes widening. So that was it. Laying the file on the table, he took the pen camera Patrick had given him and ran it over the papers. For the first time he regretted leaving the gun at home.

Just as he reached the last sheet, footsteps echoed outside.

Liam shoved the file back in the drawer and took a sheet of paper from the notepad, scribbling on it quickly.

The door rattled and Liam dived under the desk, shoving the pen back into his pocket. He pulled in tight as Vince’s voice filled it. “And this is my office.”

“Cozy.” Jacqui sounded bored. Her light steps covered the room and he heard the photo frames moving. “Vince—you kept the one of us?”

“Of course I did. And the one of us with my parents. They loved you like a daughter. Why don’t you sit at the desk and get a feel for it?”

“All right.” Her tone indicated she was unsure, but the chair scraped back a little and creaked, before her perfume wafted over him.

Liam froze, his breathing echoing in the tiny space. Something kicked him, and he bit his tongue in an effort not to cry out. He glanced up, his gaze meeting Jacqui’s. Then she looked up. “Nice desk. Although it’s a little big and ornate for here, don’t you think?”

“Maybe we put it in your office…or we can get you something similar.”

“That’s a little presumptuous, Vince. I haven’t said yes yet.”

“You will.” His voice was nearer now. “Shall we move on?”

“All right.” Jacqui’s foot brushed up Liam’s arm for a moment as she stood.

He caught her shoe, shoving the paper inside it, praying she’d either think nothing of it, or she’d only move it when she was alone.

“It’s almost time for lunch anyway. And I should go and check on Liam. He said half an hour, and it’s been more than that. I imagine he fell asleep.” Her foot touched Liam’s arm again then she moved back around the desk.

“Leave him to sleep. I can get the cook to save him some lunch.”

“Oh…all right. If you’re sure it’s no trouble.”

“Yes, I’m sure. It will be my pleasure.” Vince’s voice retreated across the room. “Then I have something special planned.”

“What’s that?”

“You’ll see.”

The footsteps left the room and echoed down the wooden boards outside. The pounding of his heart gradually slowed, and he wiped his damp palms on his trousers. After a moment or two longer, he slid out and headed to the door. He walked onto the verandah as nonchalantly as he could manage.

“What are you doing in there?” Terry’s voice made him jump.

“I was looking for Jacqui. She was with Vince, and I thought he might know where she is.”

“He’s not here.”

“I can see that. I’ll go and see if she’s at lunch.”

“You do that. And stay away from the offices.”

Liam headed down the steps and across to the ruins, aware that Terry was right behind him. Halfway across the quad, a hand gripped his arm, spinning him around. “Simeon has already given me the good news about the wedding. Is this a best man to ex-boyfriend friendly warning chat? Afraid I might object and stop it going ahead?”

Terry looked at him, his eyes glittering. “You were here.”

Liam nodded. There was no point denying it—especially as he now remembered where he had seen Terry before. “Yes, I was. So were you. I remember you, now.”

“Do you now? And what else do you remember?”

“I thought I recognized you in the restaurant, but I’ve only just placed you. You led the assault on this place. You shouted the orders. You killed my wife.”

“You’re a smart man, even if you did survive. It’s just a shame you left the restaurant when you did.”

Liam stiffened. “I’m sorry?”

“If that man hadn’t interfered, you’d be dead. It’s like you have nine lives or something.”

“I don’t understand…”

“Vince knows who you are. He doesn’t want you messing up his plans. He’s dealing with the woman. Once she marries him tomorrow night, then she’ll keep quiet. She won’t be given a choice. And I get the pleasure of dealing with you and completing our unfinished business.”

“I thought Vince was—” Blinding pain filled every part of Liam’s body as something hard connected with the base of his skull. He dropped to his knees, gasping in pain. He blinked, trying to clear the double vision.

He had to find Jacqui. She wasn’t safe here.
Lord, please...

Another blow sent him to the ground, cutting off conscious thought, and he knew no more.

18

Jacqui ate her lunch and tried to ignore the fact that Vince sat too close, intruding on her personal space.

What was Liam doing hiding under Vince’s desk? He must have been looking for something when they walked in. Hopefully, she’d get a chance to talk to him before long.

Terry came in and spoke quietly to Vince, handing him two pieces of paper.

She didn’t catch what he said, but judging from the dark frown that settled on Vince’s face, it wasn’t good news. He glared at the paper so hard Jacqui wouldn’t have been surprised to see flames leaping from it.

“Something wrong?” she asked.

Vince looked up. “Just business. And this one is for you. Liam sends his apologies. He wanted to go shopping, so one of the men drove him to the local market. He said to tell you he’d see you at dinner.” He handed her the note, not bothering to apologize for having read it first.

Jacqui glanced at the paper. It wasn’t Liam’s writing, but probably one of the guards on the gate. “Oh, all right.” Perhaps that’s what he was trying to tell her earlier. But somehow she doubted it. Things were starting to add up, and she didn’t like where it was headed at all. “I’m going to get dessert. Be right back.” She pushed her chair back and stood. She really didn’t want to be alone with Vince, but she no longer had a choice did she? Vince had seen to that.

What was that code phrase again? Why didn’t I pay proper attention to all this? Think girl. Liam mentioned it at the airport. It was something to do with chicken and dumplings. God, please help me remember…

She stood in line and picked up one of the pieces of fruit. She turned it over in her hands, inspecting it.

The cook smiled at her. “It’s a marula. A little like an orange, but it has a stone in the middle. You’ll like it.”

“Thank you. And thank you for lunch, it was wonderful. I was wondering if chicken and dumplings were on the menu for tonight.”

“What kind of dumplings did you want?”

“Ummm…”
What kind were they?
Panic filled her, her mind going totally blank.

A hand touched her shoulder, sliding down her arm and covering her hand. “Are you chatting up my new cook?”

“I complimented him on his cooking,” she said looking at Vince. “And I also asked if Liam had been in for lunch before he so thoughtlessly abandoned me for the rest of the day.” She turned her gaze back to the cook. “I came to breakfast with him. Bit taller than Vince, he’s got brown hair, beard, very pale as we haven’t been here long.”

“I remember him. I haven’t seen him yet this meal, memsahib. But if I do, I’ll be sure to tell him you’re looking for him,” the cook replied.

“Thank you.” She prayed he’d got the message and would pass it on, even if she couldn’t remember what flavor dumplings she should have asked for.

Vince smiled at her, his touch on her hand raising the hair on the back of her neck. “How about we take a Rover and go out and see the lions just north of here?”

“Lions?”
How appropriate—he looks like one closing in for the kill himself.

“Pride Rock is only an hour from here. We could be there and back before dark. You could take some photos and show Liam what he missed out on.”

“Yeah, sounds good. I’ll go back and get my camera.”

Vince kissed her hand, his lingering touch making her want another shower. “Don’t be long. I’m missing you already.”

Trying not to shiver, Jacqui turned. She’d only taken two steps when she heard him right behind her.

“Actually, I’ll come with you. It’ll be quicker. The sooner we leave here, the longer we’ll have there.”

****

Reaching the doors to the rooms, Jacqui stopped outside the one she should be in. “Stay here. Don’t want to give everyone the wrong impression by inviting you into my room. Give me ten minutes or so to wash and change, if that’s all right.”

Vince nodded and leaned back against the railings, crossing one ankle over the other.

Jacqui smiled at him and disappeared inside. She shut the door, quietly locking it behind her.

Liam’s pack sat on the floor when he’d left it.

She rummaged through it. His passport, wallet and plane ticket were still in it. Her stomach twisted and she knew without a doubt that Vince was lying. That just confirmed her worst fears. There was no way he would go out and leave it behind. Even if he was following a lead of some kind, which is what she’d hoped for in the depths of her heart. Jacqui pulled out the documents and wallet.

Lord God, look after Liam. Something must have happened to him. Looking at wildlife is the last thing I want to do, but I have no choice. Keep him safe until I get back. Let him just have wandered somewhere, or simply have forgotten his ID and money when he went out. Keep watch over him, Lord…thank You…

Jacqui searched through his bag for his phone. It was gone. Would he have taken it with him when they went out earlier? Maybe he put it somewhere else, but where? She glanced around the room and tried all the drawers. Nothing. Then she lifted the pillows. There it was. She slid it into her pocket. Grabbing his camera, she slipped quietly through the connecting door and dropped everything onto her bed. She picked up her pack and put it on the bed as well.