When Danger Follows (12 page)

Jake glanced out to the horizon where huge clouds were gathering. “It’s building up to the wet season.”

The hotel looked out over a turquoise sea. Palm trees trembled in a slight sea breeze that didn’t help at all with the heat, but when they walked into the hotel, an icy blast of air conditioning felt like a bath of chilled Champagne. They checked in and were relieved of their bags by a porter. As they walked over the cool terrazzo floors to the lifts, the heat outside was quickly forgotten.

Jake had booked a three-bedroom suite with a terrace that looked over the leafy town.

Caitlin leaned over the balcony rail, admiring the colorful purple and red flowering trees. She had unpacked their bags and was planning the day. First, shopping for swimming costumes for her and Elizabeth, then back for a dip in the huge, guitar-shaped pool below.

Jake came to stand beside her. “Where are the shops?” she asked him.

He laughed.

“And why is that funny?”

“I’ve never known a woman not to ask that question after spending time at Tall Trees,” he said.

She speculated on how many women he’d known, then grew annoyed with herself. He leaned in her direction, his arm touching hers as he pointed. “See that building over there?” She pulled her gaze from his smooth, brown arm to look out over the roofs to a concrete structure that seemed to cover a whole block.

“Yes.”

“That’s the shops. There’s a movie complex in there, too.”

“Great. I’ll take the children.”

“Okay. I have some work to do.” He drew a wad of notes from his wallet. “Here’s some money to buy those things we discussed. I’ll see you back here at the hotel for lunch.”

* * * *

The complex had two floors of shops that seemed to go for miles. Caitlin bought the children an ice cream and they wandered through, stopping at a toyshop where she bought them each a puzzle. They entered a swimwear shop and Elizabeth pounced on a yellow costume with a frilly trim around the bottom.

“That will suit you,” Caitlin said as she searched along the racks.

“What about this one for you, Caitlin?” Elizabeth held up a hot-pink bikini. She pointed to the navy one-piece Caitlin held in her hand. “That one’s too boring.”

Caitlin was after something serviceable, suitable for her position, but she took the bikini from Elizabeth. She had never seen anything like it in Ireland, and it was her size. “I’ll try these on,” she said to the sales girl. She checked that William was occupied, sitting in the corner of the shop with a toy car, then slipped into a cubicle while Elizabeth tried on hers. The bikini was briefer than anything she’d worn before, but it came with a matching wrap. She changed and came out, holding up the navy one-piece and the bikini. “I’ll take both of these and the yellow.” She took out her purse.

“You have lovely children,” the salesgirl said as she wrapped their purchases.

“Not mine, but thanks.” Caitlin handed over the money Jake had given her and glanced down at them. Elizabeth was holding her hand and William was placing his toy car carefully in her bag. She felt a stab of inexplicable pride.

“Time for lunch,” she said. “We’ll come back later and buy you some clothes, William.”

“I don’t need any,” he said crossly.

Back at the hotel, a note from Jake was propped on the kitchen bench, inviting her to join the family for lunch. She almost declined, wondering if Vanessa would be there. Caitlin devised a plan of escape, knowing she wouldn’t want her there. She made the children wash their faces and hands, then ran a brush quickly through their hair and tidied hers.

The restaurant was an airy place with a glass wall overlooking luxuriant tropical gardens with a waterfall gushing over artfully arranged rocks. There was no sign of Vanessa. Jake entered alone, crossing the floor with his familiar, lanky stride, just as the waiter showed them to the table.

“Have a good morning, kids?” he asked, looking at Caitlin with raised brows.

“We did,” she answered. “Show your father your new car, William, seeing you insisted on bringing it to the table.”

William held up his tiny, red-and-white sports car. Caitlin hadn’t given it much attention while it was in its box, now she saw it was an Austin Healey like the one Max had. Fortunately, Elizabeth demanded Jake’s attention and she had time to recover herself.

The waiter stood with pen poised.

“How about we treat ourselves to Barramundi with a prawn cocktail to start?” Jake asked Caitlin.

“I can’t wait to taste it,” she said, suddenly ravenous.

“And perhaps fish and chips and salad for the kids?” He handed back the menu.

William came back to his seat. He’d been examining the tropical fish swimming in the huge tank beside them. “I’m not eating fish,” he said, “
ever
again.”

Jake smiled at the waiter. “Make one spaghetti.”

“Caitlin and I bought new costumes, Daddy,” Elizabeth said. “We’re going swimming after lunch.”

Jake looked at Caitlin. She waited for some comment, but he just said, “I have something to do this afternoon. I know you’ll take good care of the kids.”

She smiled back at him, pleased that he was beginning to trust her. She was looking forward to relaxing and improving her tan while he was away.

After lunch, she and the children changed and headed down to the pool. Wearing the new bikini with the wrap tied around her waist and a t-shirt and sandals, Caitlin double-checked that they had their hats, sun cream and towels.

The pool was incredibly glamorous, like something from a Hollywood movie set and they had it to themselves. The children immediately wanted to jump in. “Wait,” she said. “Let me take off my things and we’ll all go in together.”

They splashed about in the shallow end, the water lapping Caitlin’s skin like cool, soothing fingers. “You can show me how well you swim now, William. You too, Elizabeth.”

They were both at home in the water, like little fish. Caitlin hadn’t swum much, growing up in Ireland, and had never been anywhere to equal this. It was heaven. She floated around them as they played, feeling the sun burning into her shoulders. Not sure, she’d bought the right sunscreen—one that didn’t wash off in the water, she climbed out and began searching through her bag while keeping one eye on the children.

“Hi kids.” Jake appeared at the edge of the pool with Vanessa, dressed in a white pants suit, at his side.

Caitlin grabbed her wrap and wound it quickly around her waist. Jake’s presence made her feel oddly naked.

Jake’s glance lingered on her for a moment before he squatted down beside the pool.

“Do you like our new costumes, Daddy?” Elizabeth called up to him.

“Perfect,” he said looking down at her. Vanessa came to stand beside him, placing her hand on his shoulder.

“Come in, Daddy. The water’s lovely and
c-o-l-d
.”

‘Soon, Elizabeth,” Jake answered. “Show Vanessa how well you can swim, Will.”

William began to dog paddle along the edge of the pool, sending up a spray of water. Vanessa took a step backward to avoid her linen trousers being splashed, but she was looking at Caitlin, her finely arched eyebrows raised.

“Vanessa and I will change and join you,” Jake said, rising. “I could do with a swim.”

“I’m sure Caitlin would like to take the afternoon off, Jake,” Vanessa said. “She can see more of Darwin on her own.”

“Good idea,” Jake said. “Take a couple of hours off, Caitlin. Go see the town.”

“There’s the aquarium and the botanical gardens,” Vanessa suggested, warming to the topic.

“Thanks, Jake,” Caitlin said, avoiding Vanessa’s gaze. “I’d like to buy some clothes, and it’s hard to try them on with the children.”

Vanessa spoke softly in Jake’s ear.

“Take the whole afternoon off, Caitlin,” he said. “I’ll take the kids to see my mother after our swim.”

“Great,” Caitlin said cheerfully. Vanessa watched as she picked up her gear. Vanessa had declared war and Caitlin sensed her days were numbered. It was just a job, she told herself. She’d learned from Sally at Springbroke Station that governesses were in great demand in the Outback, but she couldn’t shake the sadness she felt as she went to change. It had all started so well. The loss she felt was painful and she suddenly sensed how much she would miss this family. She straightened and walked to the lift, fighting the urge to cry.

* * * *

The first thing Caitlin planned to do was buy shorts and t-shirts for the children, with the last of the money Jake had given her. In a large department store, she leisurely color-coordinated two outfits for Elizabeth and William. It was only three o’clock when she’d finished and the moist, still air hung around her, the feeling of exhaustion making her feet heavy.

She walked aimlessly along the street but it was like walking through a wall of water. She stopped for an iced coffee and then wandered into a mall and bought a strapless, red cotton dress she planned to wear to dinner, some night cream and a hair clip, and then checked her watch again. The afternoon seemed to be crawling by.

Caitlin deliberated visiting the aquarium then dismissed it, and it was far too hot for the Botanical gardens. In a bookshop, she bought the latest thriller, feeling the only sensible place to be was the hotel pool. When she emerged from the shop, she headed into the crowd milling around the plaza, but just as she turned a corner, she caught sight of a slim, fair-haired man entering the mall. Her breath caught in her throat. He looked just like Max.

Her heart pounded and the sweat under her arms seemed to cool suddenly. Max
couldn’t
be here in Darwin. But since the day she’d met Conor at Springbroke Station, anything seemed possible. She seemed incapable of moving and had to force herself cautiously to the entrance of the mall to peek from behind an ad board.

Caitlin couldn’t see him and she felt herself moving into the mall, despite the cool dampness dripping down her spine. She walked along the line of take-away food outlets and coffee bars and mounted the escalator that led to the second floor. There was no sign of him among the people pushing through to reach the sale items on display.

Just as she’d convinced herself she’d been wrong, she saw him. She darted behind a store display of towering plastic ware. He sat at a table holding a coffee cup. He put it down and rose as a man came towards him. Reaching forward, he shook the man’s hand.

It was Conor.

Caitlin froze as her imagination ran wild. Turning, she ran back down the escalator and out into the square. People eating at a Mexican food stall looked at her in surprise. She tried to come to terms with what she’d seen as she collapsed onto a bench behind a vine-covered pergola, her knees shaking too much to hold her up.

When she’d calmed herself and ordered her racing thoughts, she planned to follow Max and see where he was staying, but after watching the entrance to the mall for half an hour, neither he nor Conor made an appearance. There would probably be another exit to the next street, she reasoned. Feeling terribly vulnerable, she hurried back to the hotel, constantly turning to check behind her.

She entered the hotel fairly sure that she hadn’t been followed. The hotel suite was empty. A glance from the balcony down at the pool told her Jake, Vanessa and the children were still out. She shut herself in her room and curled up in a fetal position on the bed. Perhaps she should have made a more concerted effort to follow Max, but she had to admit she was afraid. One thing was clear—she’d been stupid not to tell Jake from the very first. He would have to be warned now. Her sheltered life at Tall Trees was coming to an end. Far too soon.

* * * *

Caitlin had to wait until after dinner for Vanessa to leave, before she could talk to Jake. She called room service and stayed in her room. When they all returned, she helped the children into their pajamas and settled them in their beds before Jake came to say goodnight.

She went back to her room and flicked sightlessly through a magazine, her face hot and her heart pounding. She could now see that she had not just been running from Max, she had been running from herself. She formed words of explanation in her head, but any way she told it, it sounded bad. There seemed to be an argument going on Jake’s room. She barely listened until she heard Vanessa say, as she opened the door, “You’d better decide what it is you
do
want.”

Caitlin heard the front door slam. She heard the click as Jake returned to his room. Slipping out of her door she peeked in on the children, they were sleeping like angels.

She sensed this wasn’t a good time, but that couldn’t be helped. She knocked on Jake’s door.

“Vanessa?” Was there a ring of hope in his voice?

“No. It’s Caitlin. Can we talk?”

“Sure. Come in.” He turned off his laptop and straightened some files on the desk, then motioning for her to sit, his movements appearing rigid, over-controlled. She recognized that as a sign he was angry about something. Not a good start.

She took in a deep breath to steady herself as she sat down. “I have something to tell you. It might take a while.”

He raised his eyebrows, then silently went to the mini-bar and opened it, peering in. “Like a drink?”

“Just a Coke, thanks.”

Opening two Cokes, he poured them into glasses. “Ice?”

Caitlin shook her head and took the glass he handed to her.

Her ice cubes rattled in her glass.

“Anything wrong?” he asked.

She took a large swallow of Coke and almost choked. Clearing her throat, she said, “There’s something I need to tell you. I should have told you before this.”

“Such intensity, Caitlin. Are you wanted by the police?” he smiled as he sat on the bed, taking a sip of his drink.

As her sad, alarming story poured out, she barely took a breath. With it came an odd sense of release. She might be out of a job tomorrow, but somehow she didn’t feel so alone and helpless anymore.

Jake said nothing until she was finished. Then he leaned forward. “Did this … Max … see you?”

She shook her head. “But there can be only one reason he’s come here. Conor must have gotten in touch with him, somehow. I didn’t tell him I was staying at Tall Trees, but someone else might have.”