Chapter 11

Spencer

From inside the office Mike has at the marina, I’m looking at the lights reflected on the water, and trying not to think about where Audrey is right now.

While they discuss how to get Rex Bishop, AKA Audrey’s dad, my leg is bouncing under the table, and I’m struggling to pay attention.

For the third time since we got here, I check my phone in the hopes the manhunt for her, and for her ‘mystery’ kidnapper has been resolved.

But all the news channels are reporting the same thing. That she’s still missing, and the police are calling for information as to her whereabouts.

A sharp kick to my shin makes my head snap upwards. “What?”

Kurt frowns. “You have got it bad,” he says.

Mike snorts a laugh. “Knew she was trouble the second I saw her. A woman that fine will mess with both your heads.”

I lift my hand and give them both the finger. “Yeah, yeah fuck you.”

Mike hides a smile as he points to the map on the table. “As I was saying, if your girl stays quiet, you can take a trip to LA, avoid the cops, and bump into a couple people.”

Kurt nods. “Maybe after the school run? One of the women who came forward usually goes to the gym, so you could intercept her there?”

I tap my finger on the table. “What if Audrey talks to her dad? I let you two bozos talk me into leaving her out of this, what if she’s pissed enough to spill the beans? We run the risk of him tipping off the witnesses he might have paid off.”

When neither says anything, I shake my head. “This isn’t a safe bet. I never should have left her.”

Kurt frowns. “You never should have taken her to a job with you either. You almost messed that up, and now the Feds are on to you.”

Mike eyes me, and I already know they think I’m out of my mind for feeling guilty about any of this.

And I know if the shoe were on the other foot, I’d be telling them the same.

“Which is why we need to sit on this and wait. Let Audrey settle back into her life, let this die down, then we see where we are in a month. Find me a target in Mexico. I’ll work from there till we figure out what the agents looking for me want.”

But Mike is already shaking his head, and I know what’s motivating him. Rex Bishop is a cash cow just waiting to be milked.

Kurt has hacked into his bank accounts, and we know he’s sitting on a sum large enough to fund his upcoming political aspirations.

I knew Audrey came from money the second I saw her with Beth, but she’s old-money rich, and more surprisingly the money seems to have come from her mother.

Rex Bishop for all intents and purposes seems to have married Audrey’s mother for her connections, and her bank balance.

Whether he was responsible for her death or not, is now redundant in Mike and Kurt’s eyes.

As far as they’re concerned, we’ve hit the jackpot.

Usually, I’d be all in. And if it weren’t for the crushing sensation on my chest, and the warning in my gut that this isn’t going to end well, I would be.

I try one last time to talk some sense into my partners in the hope we can at least slow this train wreck down.

“Rex Bishop is the biggest target; with the biggest secret we’ve ever had. He’s not going to roll over and let us stick it to him. He’ll send in everything he has to find us. There’s a manhunt for his daughter still underway. The speed he got that underway shows just how connected this guy is.”

Kurt leans back in his chair. “Which is why you need to get on the boat tonight. And stay put. Audrey will be back home, and in a few days, you can leave for LA.”

Mike nods. “He’ll call the dogs off once she tells him it was just a dirty weekend. They’re already making noises about her having mental issues. He’ll probably say she had another breakdown. That’ll be the end of it.”

At the reminder of Audrey’s past, I frown at him. “The media are saying she’s unbalanced?”

Kurt shrugs. “Alluding to it. A few have started talking about her mother’s death. You know how these things go. Audrey’s a fox, her dad’s in the spotlight already and she’s got a tragic backstory.”

I pull a face. “Fuck. He’s probably using this to his advantage. And if the media are making noises about her instability it means if she does come forward and say she lied under oath, she’ll have already been discredited.”

Mike stares at me like I’m speaking a foreign language. “You’re looking at this the wrong way. The more he milks this, the more money he’ll pay to keep it quiet.”

I growl. “This is too big for us to handle.”

Kurt’s eyebrows rise. “You think we need to bring in more guys?”

I shake my head. “I think we should drop it before someone gets hurt.”

Mike’s face twists into a scowl. “And by someone you mean her?”

I glower back at him. “No, you dumb shit. I mean one of us.”

When neither says a word, I know they aren’t going to change their minds.

And knowing Mike, if I refuse to help, he’ll likely bring in someone else, and Kurt will end up in jail or worse.

Seeing no alternative, I blow out a breath. “If we do this. We’re going to have to get creative,” I say.

***

Audrey

According to Beth, the resort is now crawling with reporters, and enough of a police presence to make it impossible to return.

Not that I need to. My father’s lackeys have removed all trace of me, paid my bill and he’s now heading my search using local police from the penthouse suite in another hotel.

The last thing I feel like doing is having a confrontation with him. I’m tired, emotionally drained, and if I close my eyes I can still feel Spencer’s hands on my skin.

I moan and lean my head against the window and look at the water. “I’m surprised he didn’t assign you police protection,” I mumble.

Beth snorts. “What do you think Gary was?”

I turn and look at her. “How did you—”

At the wry look she gives me, I know I don’t need to finish my sentence.

Despite my best efforts, she’s wound up back in bed with him, just so she could help me.

“Thanks,” I croak out.

She shrugs and a smile flickers at her lips. “Don’t mention it. It’s not like the sex was bad. That was never our problem.”

When I see a shopping mall on the right, I point out the windshield.

“Drop me off here. I’ll call dad and tell him this is where Spencer left me. I don’t want you getting in trouble on account of me.”

She sends me a worried glance but pulls into the exit lane. “I’m not concerned about getting in trouble, Auds. I’m concerned you’re going into the wolves’ den alone.”

I manage a half-smile for her benefit. “I’ll be fine. I’ll tell him it was an error in judgment.”

She doesn’t say anything until we’ve come to a stop. “But was it though?”

I can’t even begin to address that. Not when my father could swoop in at any moment.

I reach for the handle and stumble over how to tell her how much her support means to me.

When my mouth opens, my throat closes over, and all I can think of is what my father will say. “Call me when you can. I’ll be at the resort if you need backup,” she says.

I move to get out and she grabs my arm. “I mean it, Audrey. I’ve got your back.”

I swallow hard, hoping to dissolve the lump in my throat and climb out of the car.

I back away, dread curling like smoke inside me as I watch her drive away. Blinking back tears, I stumble towards the small and unassuming 24-hour mall, clutching my purse and trying to think of how long I should give it before I call my father.

I’m not familiar with the area, and I’m not about to stand in the parking lot, so I walk through the doors and blink at the artificial lighting.

Since I’ve not eaten since lunch, I follow the signs, avoiding the late-night shoppers until I’ve found the food court.

A quick look around, and I find myself standing at the counter for donuts. Not exactly a healthy choice, but I know I’m going to need the sugar rush to deal with my father’s wrath.

When a very bored youth, with stringy hair, takes my order, I add a coffee even though I know it’ll mess with my already jangled nervous system.

I need a proper meal, a shower, and sleep. But most of all, I need to find the truth.

I settle down with my junk food, weak coffee and can’t seem to think beyond consuming it.

A few days ago all I had to worry about was Beth, now my entire life is crashing down around me.

Just like after mom died I’ve spiraled out of control again. Only this time, I’m not a grieving teenager, trying to make sense of what’s happening.

I take a bite of my donut, and wince as the sugar hits my teeth. I wash it down with the coffee and stare at the few people sitting in the food court.

My eyes land on a man and woman, sitting close and laughing as they share a slice of pie.

A twinge of envy hits my stomach at how simple life must be for them.

They’ve probably been to a movie and will go home together, fall into bed together, and go to work completely unaware of how lucky they are.

I lean my elbows on the table and place my chin in my hands as exhaustion overtakes my body.

I have no idea how long I stay sitting there, paralyzed by indecision, trying to decide whether to call a cab and find a hotel just so I can hide a while longer.

My limbs are growing heavy and I’m stifling yawns by the time the couple eating pie get up and leave.

The woman meets my eye and for a moment, I think she’s going to smile, but she just frowns at me and whispers to the man.

He turns and looks at me, and in that moment, I belatedly realize they’ve probably seen my photo on the news.

Sure enough, the woman is pulling out her phone while the man is backing away from me, probably unsure if I’m dangerous or not.

My heart starts to beat against my ribcage, and my toes start to wriggle in my shoes.

I should stay here, and just wait for the police to arrive. I should wait for my father to show up, but since this is free publicity, he’s sure to bring the media.

And if they find Spencer, there will be another three-ring circus. He’ll be arrested, and every sordid thing we did together on the island will be smeared all over the front page.

I’ll be painted as a victim with some weird Stockholm Syndrome.

My stomach tightens, and all my muscles prime. Before I can think about what I’m doing, I’m on my feet.

I turn on my heel and start to retrace my steps back to the exit.

I have no idea how long it’ll take for my father to get here; I just know I won’t be here when he does.

With no other option, I pull out the burner cell Spencer gave me and pray Beth can help me come up with another way out.

***

Spencer

Monday 7.13am

Any other time, I’d be happy to be sleeping on a luxury yacht. But right now, from where I’m sitting in the gallery, shirtless, I’m still convinced pursuing this is a bad move.

Kurt may have agreed to check Rex Bishop’s late wife’s records just in case we missed something, but that’s only bought me a little extra time to think of a way out of this.

What Kurt and Mike fail to understand is that gaining someone’s trust usually takes time.

Unlike with Audrey, it takes longer than a weekend to get someone to confess their deepest darkest secret.

They have to want to share it.

I sip my coffee and idly scroll through the news on my phone, hoping for some confirmation she’s at least safe.

But when not one report mentions she’s been found, a knot of worry begins to build.

She should have been back by now. There should have been a happy reunion, a hastily worded explanation, an apology and a smiling Audrey and her doting dad thanking the police for all their hard work.

She wasn’t supposed to still be missing. Beth was supposed to pick her up and make sure she got back safely.

I tap the side of my coffee cup as too many thoughts crash into each other.

Since I promised Beth I wouldn’t call her again, technically I could text Audrey. She still has the burner phone I gave her.

I stare at my phone, trying to come up with a text message that won’t incriminate either of us further.

But when I hear movement from the dock, I peer out the window, and my blood pressure surges as I try to see who’s approaching.

Rather than Mike or Kurt, it’s a woman and not just any woman.

She doesn’t wait for me to acknowledge her, just climbs onto the boat.

I rise to my feet, gun at my side as the federal agent Audrey maced walks across the deck and appears in the doorway.

When she spots me she smiles coolly. “I think it’s time we had a little chat, don’t you Mr. Kane?” she says.

***

Audrey

Monday 8.15am

From where I sit on the park bench, sweat is trickling down my back and I’m so nervous, I’m sure I’m going to throw up.

I know I look terrible. The motel was cheap, had lousy insulation, the air conditioner was broken, the pool looked like a toxic waste dump, but they didn’t bat an eyelid when I paid them double so I could avoid showing them my ID.

And more importantly, it was within walking distance to the park, the most open and public place I could think of to do this.

Just like I’d hoped it would, the park is filling with people on their way to work.

Right on time, I see my father walking towards me. He’s dressed in an expensive hand-tailored suit, his posture unyielding and his eyes focused on me.

His dark hair carries a little grey, but he looks as handsome and impressive as he always does.

My spine stiffens and my eyes dart around him, sure he’s brought his bodyguards or a reporter, one or both ready to pounce.

I don’t smile and neither does he as he sits beside me and looks straight ahead.

If anyone happened to be watching, we’d look like two strangers sharing a bench.

And in many ways we are exactly that.

He speaks first, just like I knew he would. “As far as attention-seeking goes, this is extreme even for you.”

I keep my eyes ahead, mimicking him, and trying to stay calm amidst the dread dripping through me.

“It wasn’t attention-seeking. Not now. And not ten years ago.”

I can feel his eyes on me now, but I stare straight, knowing I’ll lose all courage if I look at him. “I want to know the truth about what happened that night.”

He doesn’t say anything for so long I think he’s not going to answer. “You are behaving like a petulant child, Audrey. It’s time you came home and faced the consequences of your actions.”

Anger bubbles up inside me and I look at him. “My actions? What about your actions? When do you face the consequences of asking me to lie for you?”

His face tightens. “We are not reopening this. What’s done is done.”

I shake my head and force myself to be braver than I feel. “No, it’s not. I want to know where you were the night she died.”

He frowns at me. “You’ve always fabricated things in your mind. Your mother was the same, always seeing things that weren’t there.”

White-hot rage burns through me, heating my cheeks as I see how he was able to manipulate me last time.

“The only thing I fabricated was a lie for you. You asked me to tell the police I was with you.”

He shakes his head slowly and gives me a placating look as if I’m to be pitied. “You’re misremembering the events. You and I were at your apartment eating dinner when I received the news your mother had been shot.”

Using every ounce of self-control I have I level my voice. “No. I wasn’t with you. I was studying in the law library alone. I had a test the next day.”

He sighs heavily and I know he’ll never contradict his story willingly.

He’s built an entire career off the back of my mother’s death and admitting that even to me isn’t going to happen.

Knowing the effect it’ll have, I force the words out. “People are going to hear the truth regardless of whether you admit it.”

His eyes narrow and his shoulders go rigid. “What have you done?”

“What I should have done ten years ago,” I say.

The façade of tolerance cracks as he grabs my arm. “Enough of these ridiculous dramatics. You’re just like your mother.”

I wrench my arm from his grip. “No, I’m not. I’m nothing like her.”

I know his patience has come to an end when he stands abruptly. “This ends here. You’re coming home to Atlanta with me. Now.”

I shake my head. “Not until you tell me the truth.”

He glowers down at me, making fear shiver through me as he lowers his voice and sounds so vicious, I flinch. “Your mother was an embarrassment to me, just like you proving to be.”

But he’s not done, he leans down and places his hand on my shoulder. His fingers dig into my shoulder as he squeezes painfully.

He manages a smile as he hisses at me. “You listen very closely. You will come with me and you will tell the press whatever I tell you to.”

To anyone looking on, he looks like a father, reassuring or comforting his daughter.

Two things he’s never done.

With pain screaming through my shoulder, I grit my teeth. “You used me. You made me lie and I want to know why.”

His face contorts as he struggles to control his anger. Anger I’ve never seen directed at me before.

His eyes dart around as he checks for anyone without earshot before he shoves his face in mine. “You don’t get to make demands. You’re here to smile for the cameras. Something your mother failed to do.”

My breathing is coming in too fast and I’m shaking but I can’t back down now, not when I’m so close. “I heard you threaten her more than once,” I whisper.

He’s so angry with me for challenging him, his face turns an ugly shade of purple as he spits the words at me. “You heard nothing. You saw nothing. You are nothing. And if you cross me, I’ll make sure you go away just like your mother did,” he says.

I suck in a breath as he yanks me to my feet and pushes a piece of paper into my hands. “Now smile for the cameras and read the Goddam statement, sweetheart,” he says.

I stumble as he starts to drag me towards the exit. Tears sting at my eyes, my chest is heaving, and I’m no longer sure I can hold myself upright.

At the first sight of a camera crew moving towards us en masse, I shrug out of his grip and back away from him.

He frowns. “Audrey. The press are waiting.”

I swallow hard, and somehow manage to drag out my cell phone, I press it my ear. “Did you get that, Gary?” I ask.

“Got it. You did great, Audrey. We’ll take it from here,” he says.

My father’s eyes flick to the phone then back to me just before Gary, three Miami Police Department Officers and Beth step out from the bushes where they’ve been waiting listening via speakerphone.

The waiting reporters have started to converge on us, just like sharks smelling blood in the water.

I brace myself for the onslaught of questions but before they can see me, Beth tugs on my arm, and without another look at my fuming father, I let her lead me away.