Running Scared, page 9
They’d checked and packed Sally’s toys, which proved to be a long and tedious task with Sally hanging over their shoulders.
“There’s not a great deal really—a massage table, towels, oils, relaxation CD’s and a CD player.”
“That it?” Gary asked, surprised. “No files? Nothing else?”
“Oh. Of course! I’ve got a filing cabinet and a computer,” she added. “Sorry, I forgot.”
“Okay. Clay’s the electronics whiz kid,” Gary said, pulling out his mobile, “So I’ll just give him a call.”
“What? I don’t understand.”
“Look, Em,” he apologized, “We’ve got to pull everything to pieces. Whatever they’re looking for—and my guess is a key to a locker, or at least something along those lines—it’s going to be inside something, like a computer, or in the tubing on a bed, or inside a photo frame...”
“I get the picture, but how do you know about this kind of stuff?” she asked suspiciously.
“Uh, it’s a guy thing,” he said waiting for Clay to answer, “I, uh, read lots of mystery books!”
He was more than a little relieved when the phone was answered. “Clay will be here shortly,” he said, putting away his mobile. “Why don’t you go pack up some more clothes?”
“I told you already, I’ve got to sort my clinic stuff.”
“Just go grab some more of those sexy nighties you’ve got—particularly the black ones,” he said, wiggling his eye brows for effect.
“Gary!”
“Go on, it won’t take long, then you can start on this stuff.” Go on Em. I don’t want you to see what I’m about to do.
Puzzled at Gary’s insistence, Emma went to the bedroom and packed more nightwear, but was quickly distracted. Rummaging through drawers, she found something she’d completely forgotten she had.
“Gary,” She was looking it over as she walked back through the door. “I found this... Oh my God—stop!” she screamed as she looked up. “No! Don’t!”
Gary held the Swiss army knife precariously above the massage table and was about to slash it when Emma walked in.
“Hell, Em! It’s gotta be done.”
“Damn you Gary! Why didn’t you just ask? This table cost me a fortune.”
“Sorry darlin’.”
“Don’t you sorry darlin’ me!”
They both looked up sharply as they heard the purposeful clearing of a throat.
“Er, should I go? I seem to be interrupting a domestic.” Clay grinned mischievously at them.
“No, Clay, it’s all right,” Emma told him. “I was just explaining to your darling brother, that this table is only six months old.”
“Oops.”
“You, Gary Bedford, are extremely lucky I came in when I did, because the engagement would definitely be off if you’d wrecked that table!”
“Engagement? Did I miss something?”
“Forget it, Clay. Later. I’ll tell you later.” Gary put the knife back in his pocket and stood up.
“Em, darlin’...” he shouted at her back. “Damn and double damn!” He slammed his fist against the wall trying to let off steam.
“Listen, Gazz,” Clay began, “You know as well as I do that this is pretty stressful stuff. She’ll calm down.”
“Huh! You don’t know Em that well Clay. She’s another Mum!”
“Oops!”
“You can say that again!”
*
She was sitting on the side of the bed when Gary walked in.
“What did you want to show me?” he said precariously, not sure what sort of reception he would get. Emma looked at him, fury written all over her face. He pulled her to her feet trying to change the mood, but Emma slammed her fist against him.
“Damn you! And damn them, and damn Ed, and anyone else who gets in my damned way!” she shrieked, still pounding him with her insignificant little punches.
“I know it’s frustrating, Em,” he said, pulling her tight against him, “But it will get better. I promise, it does get better.”
He leaned forward and kissed her forehead as he ran his fingers through her silky locks. “We’re heading in the right direction. We’ve already eliminated heaps of suspect items.”
He could feel her relaxing as he stroked her hair. “Granted we’ve still got a long way to go, but we’ll get there. We’ll find it, have no doubt about that.”
“You seem very confident.” Her expression was one of suspicion.
“Er, well, I mean, if we check everything, then it’s bound to turn up, isn’t it?” Quick, Bedford, change the subject! “So... show me what you found.”
“It’s his electric razor. I forgot I even had it. I ought to smash it against a brick wall. If he was here now...”
“Come on Em, don’t upset yourself again.” Gary grabbed the box off the bed as he sat down. “Let’s see.” He pulled out his knife again, this time selecting the screwdriver attachment.
“That’s a handy little gadget,” she said suspiciously.
“Hmmm? Oh yeah, from my boy scout days.” Gary continued to undo the small screws. “Here, hold these would you?”
Emma held out her hand and peered inside the razor as Gary worked.
“You’ve done this before?”
“Uh, sort of. I’m a pull-it-apart kinda guy.” Too many questions, Emma, Gary thought to himself.
“There, done. It’s clean, nothing inside. Now,” he said, watching Emma as she stood. “If you pass the screws back one by one, I’ll put it back together.”
“Toss it.”
“You don’t mean that, surely?”
“I don’t want anything that belonged to that weasel!”
“Not anything?”
“Nothing! Just toss it, I never want to...”
“Computer’s clean.” Clay interrupted. “Listen Emma, have you taken out insurance at the clinic yet? I mean, we really should move this stuff as it’s checked. If they come back...”
“Oh God...” Clay’s words echoed through her mind -‘If they come back’. Emma swayed and Clay caught her before she could fall.
“Here, let’s sit you down.” He glared at Gary. “Mum is gonna kill you!”
“Jesus! Why is everyone worried I’m pregnant?” she screamed at the two of them. “Is your mother that damned scary?”
“Yes!” they yelled in unison.
“Anyway, it’s the stress, Clay,” Gary told his brother. “The doctor told me!” he qualified when both Emma and Clay stared his way. “Listen, Em, I really think you should let me and the boys handle this from now on.” He kneeled on the floor in front of her and held both her hands.
“No.”
“No? Aw come on, Em. It’s making you sick. Besides, you gotta think about Sally too.”
“Sal? Yeah, I guess you’re right,” she mumbled zombie-like. “Okay, you do what you want.”
“Go grab whatever you need to tide you over for a few more days,” Gary instructed. “That’s it now, ‘til Monday.”
Chapter 6
“Aren’t you two ever getting up?” Sally asked exasperatedly, climbing up onto the waterbed.
“We’ve been busy, Squirt,” Gary joked.
“Sleeping!” Emma quickly added.
“But the kids are coming today. You gotta get up,” she moaned. “Are we gonna feed the animals, Uncle Gary?”
“Sure are, Squirt. Tell you what,” he said, ruffling her hair, “We’ll feed them, while Mummy makes breakfast. Okay?”
“Okay!” she shouted, jumping off the bed.
Gary sat up, revealing his bare chest, and Sally began to giggle.
“What’s up, Squirt?”
“You’ve got nothing on,” she laughed.
“Have too. I’ve got pajama pants. Go on, scoot!”
“Now what would you have done if she’d asked you to prove it?” Emma teased when Sally was out of earshot.
“Damned if I know!”
*
Those pancakes smell good, if I do say so myself, Emma thought.
She’d just finished making herself a hot chocolate while she waited for the others to return. Emma dried the saucepan she’d used as she stood looking out of the kitchen window at the breathtaking view, contemplating the sudden turn her life had taken.
There wasn’t much she thanked that mongrel husband for these days, except for Sally, but Gary was certainly up there near the top.
She heard movement behind her, and before Emma could turn, a big rough hand clamped over her mouth. Her whole body tensed as she felt hard muscles against her back.
It wasn’t Gary playing a game that was for sure - he wouldn’t do that to her.
Her mind was ticking over, trying to determine what to do. Should she struggle? He was more than likely here to burgle the homestead, and she just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or was she?
Emma’s breath died on her lips as she felt her assailant nuzzle his face into her long hair, the roughness from his unshaven face scratching her delicate skin. Emma tried to scream, but he tightened his grip on her mouth.
“I wouldn’t do that, sweetheart,” he warned in a low gravely voice. He took a deep, slow breath, wallowing in her perfume, and his breathing changed from slow and regulated, to a pace almost in line with a racing train.
Stay calm; don’t panic, she told herself as she stood rigid, waiting for his next move.
“Finding you here is a bonus,” he drawled in her ear, as he ran his free hand down over her flimsy nightwear, gently brushing his fingers against her breast.
Emma’s heartbeat accelerated as she heard the devilish chuckle that escaped his lips.
His hand slid down from her mouth in a fashion a lover might use after gently caressing a cheek, then he began to explore her body in a most sensual way.
Do something, Emma. For God’s sake, don’t just stand there! she implored herself.
Taking a deep breath, Emma spun around in his arms, and from the expression on his face, she knew she had surprised him. Her knee came quickly but firmly up and landed hard on its intended target.
As her assailant yelped in pain, Emma turned back to the sink, grabbing the saucepan she had used earlier.
His arm went up in retaliation, but not quick enough. Emma let fly with the saucepan, right across the side of his head, but not hard enough. He was stunned and stood looking down at her, his dark eyebrows joined in an unfriendly, almost vicious, scowl.
Emma noticed for the first time, his most unpleasant body odor and his height, suddenly realizing she would be no match against his strength.
She tried to flee the house, but with his one stride equaling two of hers, he quickly caught her as she reached the front door.
The only option left to her was to scream.
It was the longest and loudest scream she had ever heard in her life, and she surprised even herself.
“Damn you woman, shut up!” he yelled, then picked her up, kicking and screaming, and carried her off looking for a bedroom.
*
“Can we feed the duckies now, Uncle Gary?” Sally asked as they left the barn.
That was when he heard it. “No Squirt, not yet,” He picked the child up and ran. “Hang on, and don’t let go.” He pulled out his mobile as he ran.
“Here! Now!” he screamed down the phone at David. “Stay there and don’t move,” he ordered Sally as he entered the house, placing her under a chair in the corner of the veranda. “It’s a game, Squirt. I’ll be back soon.” It wouldn’t do to scare the kid.
Gary found the saucepan on the kitchen floor, and could feel the anger welling up inside him.
Emma would have cringed at the profanities he yelled into the empty room. He heard movement above him, and almost flew up the stairs.
“Get your filthy hands off her!” Gary bellowed as he wrenched the half-naked assailant off the bed.
Gary’s hand went back, and his closed fist connected hard with the man’s face, knocking him unconscious.
He comforted Emma, who was shaking and terrified, and encased her in his arms. Moments later, David entered the room wielding a gun.
“Get that filth out of here, before I kill him.” Gary ordered.
“Don’t I know this guy?” David queried.
“Yeah—Wally Carlisle.” He spat the words out, but realized he need to choose his words carefully. “Er, sacked him last month for, er, mistreating the animals, remember?” Gary gave David a look that threatened near-death if he divulged that Carlisle was a local small-time criminal.
“Wally Carlisle?” David repeated, trying to place the name. “Oh yeah, I remember now!” David kicked the motionless man in the back. “Come on scumbag, get up!”
Jake suddenly appeared out of nowhere, quickly holstering his gun as he spotted the motionless Carlisle, then Emma.
“God Em, I’m never there when you need me.” Emma didn’t answer, and Gary looked down to see her staring into space.
*
The local police had been and gone. By now, Carlisle would be safely locked up in a cold cell. David and Jake had left, but Finn and Clay had arrived.
“I’ve told the other two, and now I’m telling you—Em is not to know about Carlisle.” Gary glared at his brothers. “Doc says she’s in shock, and any damned wonder, with those two running around with guns in their hands.”
“Why don’t you just tell her for Christ’s sake,” Finn complained.
“What am I gonna say? ‘Hey Em, your future brothers-in-law are PI’s, your soon-to-be receptionist is a cop and bodyguard. Oh, and I almost forgot darlin’—Jake and your almost husband, are undercover cops!’ Oh yeah, that will go down real well.”
“What will?”
Gary was startled when he heard Emma’s sleepy voice. He glared at his brother.
“I’m going to strangle you!” he threatened Finn under his breath, but he stood and walked over to Emma as she reached the bottom of the stairs.
“We thought you were going to miss family day, Em,” he lied.
“Not on your Nellie!”
“How are you feeling, dear?” Queenie asked, entering the room.
“Much better, and definitely ready to face everyone now,” she said confidently, but Gary saw through her masquerade. Emma walked over to the front window and looked out at the gathering family group. “Does everyone know what happened?” she asked calmly as an uneasy quiet filled the room.
Gary walked over, and standing behind her, began to massage her shoulders.
“Hmmm, that’s good.”
She sank into him, but pulled away, wincing in pain.
“Let me see,” he demanded.
“Let it go, Gary,” she quietly retaliated, glancing across at the others assembled in the room.
“No damn it, let me see!”
“If you’ll just excuse me,” Emma tried to push past him, but Gary caught her around the wrist as he lifted her blouse.
“My God, Em! Why didn’t you say something?” The massive bruises on her back shocked Gary.
“What do you want me to do? Break down and cry, and let you comfort me?” she said quietly. “Because if I start, I’ll never stop.” And as he pulled her tenderly to him, the floodgates opened, and Gary knew they had to fix this thing fast.
*
After a light-fingered massage of lavender, and some icepacks, Emma’s back felt much better. As they walked out onto the veranda, a familiar voice rang out across the yard.
“Mummy! Uncle Gary! Grandpa and me fed the rest of the animals.”
“Grandpa?” Emma never ceased to be amazed.
“Er, everyone! Quiet down!” Gary yelled at his large family. “I’ve got an announcement to make!”
“Another one?” Missy asked.
“Yeah, another one.” He reached out and pulled Emma to him, being careful not to hurt her. “Come here, Squirt,” he called to the child hanging onto Joe’s hand. Gary picked her up and Sally immediately wrapped her arms around his neck. Gary looked down at Emma and took a deep breath.
“Here goes,” he began.
“Get on with it.” Finn cajoled.
“Er, Em and me are getting hitched.”
Wild whooping, whistling and applause broke out, along with shouts of ‘about time.’
If only they knew, Emma thought to herself.
“And,” Gary continued, “Just so everyone knows, and there’s no secrets...”
Emma elbowed him. “What are you doing?” she whispered.
He squeezed her hand.
“We’re a family now—Em and Sal and me. We’re all living here together.”
“We knew that!” someone said.
“No, I mean really together, and if anyone doesn’t like it, then that’s too damned bad.”
The silence was deafening, and Emma thought the ground would open up and swallow her. Queenie was the first to come up and congratulate them.
“Finally Gary has found a wonderful girl.” Queenie leaned forward and hugged Emma gently, ensuring she didn’t hurt her. She gave Gary a sideward glance. “And my beautiful little granddaughter, come down to me,” she called to Sally. “Emma, I want you to make him tell you everything.” She eyed Gary again. “Promise me.”
“I promise, Mrs. Bedford,” Emma answered cautiously.
“Call me Queenie,” she said, as she walked away holding Sally’s hand.
“What was that all about?” Emma asked Gary, puzzled at Queenie’s comments.
“Er…”
“We never did get back round to that conversation yesterday, did we?” Just in the nick of time, Clay came forward, clapping Gary on the back.
“You knew yesterday? No-one tells me anything,” Finn grumbled. “So when’s the big day?”
“Oh, a few weeks, I reckon,” Gary answered, looking sideways at his fiancée.
“What? No. No!” Emma grabbed him by the arm. “We need to talk, come on.” She pulled with all her strength, but he wouldn’t budge.
“Later Em—it’s time to eat.”
Emma couldn’t believe he’d try and brush her off just like that. He was smooth, real smooth, and real good at changing the subject when he wanted. Well, this one wouldn’t go away.
