A Chance Encounter by Rae Shaw (e manga reader TXT) 📗

I thought you told me Sophia wasn't a target.’

Mark leaned toward Julianna and explained. ‘After you two were snatched, and Sophia ended up in hospital, Jackson and Moran assumed Sophia was the target – her connection to a wealthy family makes her a potential kidnap victim. It was only after Sophia recalled the details of her attackers, did we realise she was never the intended target.’

Jackson's hearing was acute. ‘Not then, but now she might be because, yes, it would appear that Zustaller is gone, so is one of his captains and the underlings are headless chickens. This is a rout, but it’s not victory. Others will fill the shoes of the departed. The window of opportunity to strike will last a few days and then the rabbits will be back in their underground warren forming new gangs.’

‘You can’t keep us here indefinitely,’ Mark said.

‘No, I would like my house back, very true,’ said Jackson. ‘But bringing you here isn’t due to the ongoing police operation. The surviving gang members are more interested in saving their own arses at the moment. However, there are others, who could make trouble. Who have made trouble. They’re the hidden criminals, who outwardly appear normal, hardworking citizens and quite often pillars of society. They do their good deeds while behind the scenes they practise their criminal activities. They betray and inform. You must have wondered, Julianna, how Stazki came to find you so easily.’

Julianna said nothing.

‘You’ve found something out?’ Mark pushed his plate to one side, his appetite shattered once again. The headache, now dulled by painkillers, rumbled beneath his temples, threatening to return.

‘I’m finding something out,’ Jackson replied. ‘While others concentrated on finding you, the pedantically thorough Tess has been following up other leads. She, Gary and Chris are the only ones who know what I asked her to do.’

‘What leads?’ Sophia asked.

‘Those in Julianna’s circle who aren’t whom they seemed to be.’

Julianna gasped. ‘My friends!’

‘No, not friends. Your friends are steadfastly loyal to you,’ said Jackson. ‘A wider periphery of people.’

‘Who?’ asked Mark. ‘Who wants to hurt us?’

‘I’m awaiting confirmation. There are two key suspects. One works directly for me, the other indirectly. It is the latter that Tess is seeking further information about.’

‘You’re not going to tell us?’

‘I want more proof. In the meantime, rest.’

‘I’d like a bath,’ Julianna said quietly. ‘And clothes that fit better.’

The clothes Julianna had been given in hospital had been purchased in a hurry from a supermarket.

‘I tell you what, while you two rest, I’ll have Tom Draper drive out to your house and pick up some clothes for you. You can give him your house keys,’ Jackson suggested. ‘I’ll get Hettie to show you to a room.’

Mark rose to his feet and wobbled. He should speak to his sister, but fatigue won out and he happily climbed the stairs. Julianna followed him. Tipping over onto the bed, and paying no attention to clothing, they lay side by side, their fingers touching, their breathing soft and secure in the knowledge they were safe. Later, when they stirred from a brief nap, they undressed each other and lay down again, this time closer and in such a way they could comfort each other with kisses and caresses. From there, they joined together until the whoops of children playing outside reminded them they weren't home yet.

In the garden, Hettie and Jackson played with the kids. It was a breezy day. Mark watched the family through a window: Jackson kicking a ball to Noah while Hettie perched Evey on her hip. So much laughter and joy. Mark crushed the envy. There was no reason he couldn't have that love in his life, if he wanted it.

Close to four o’clock, Jackson summoned him and Julianna to the kitchen.

‘Jessop is going to be fired on Monday.’ Jackson fiddled with the coffee machine. He had changed into a suit and tie. So official looking, it signalled a change in mood.

‘Why?’ Julianna asked, her eyes widening in surprise.

Jessop mainly worked as a security guard, patrolling the basement and manning the doors of the tall office block.

‘He slept with an underage girl. And I don’t mean a seventeen-year-old, I mean she's fifteen. Tess dug up the dirt on him and he became a suspect. However, although he has appalling judgement when it comes to picking up girls in pubs, nothing else warrants suspicion.’

Mark thought he had got off lightly, which meant Jackson was more interested in somebody else.

Jackson poured coffee into a mug. ‘Julianna, did you ever tell Graham Saddler about your Dublin adventure?’

‘Yes, I suppose I did, though not in great detail. I mean, I didn’t provide the background of why Ellen was there.’ She took a sip out of coffee. ‘He liked to talk about the raids he went on when he was in the police. Arresting pimps, rescuing girls and I suppose I compared my experience to his.’ Jackson stared intently at Julianna and she blinked. ‘No, surely not. I mean, he was always kind-hearted and appeared genuinely concerned for the girls. Graham?’

‘He's not who you think he is. Turns out Saddler left the force under a cloud. A fellow officer suspected he was interfering with prostitutes off duty. He certainly wasn’t paying for any of their services. The other officer couldn’t prove anything and, as Saddler was his superior, he felt vulnerable. Saddler saw the writing on the wall and took early retirement. This has now only come to light due to the gentle persistence of Tess.’

‘And he came to work for Opportunitas as an advisor,’ Julianna said.

Mark had met him at Fasleigh; the quiet police inspector who had said little. He gripped the handle of his mug tighter.

‘Sophia mentioned that a few girls disappeared after Saddler had spoken to them.’

‘Yes,’ Julianna said, chewing on her lower