The Negotiator (7 page)

Was she being ridiculous?
Jumping to wild conclusions? The detective was right. If the burglar planned to return, it would be more likely in the dead of night, like the first time, not during the day when he could be seen. She couldn’t even be certain it was the same car.

She shook her head with annoyance. It wasn’t the man who’d invaded her home. It wasn’t a stalker. It was probably someone who lived nearby or, more than likely, this whole I’m-being-stalked feeling was a product of her overactive imagination. It wasn’t like there were men lining up to frighten her. Apart from the teachers at Jack’s school and some of the parents of her third grade class, she didn’t know anyone in Sydney.

In every movie she’d ever seen with the stalker theme, it turned out to be someone the victim knew. Like a crazed ex-husband, or something.

Her pulse hitched. Thoughts of Stewart Brady crowded her head, but she immediately dismissed them. It was ridiculous to think he would stalk her, after all these years. She hadn’t seen him since that awful day outside the abortion clinic. He hadn’t tried to contact her. As far as he knew, there was no reason to.

Irritation surged through her. She’d never been the nervous and edgy type and over the years, she’d only become tougher and more resilient. She didn’t know what it was about this car that made her feel threatened. She ought to march straight up the driveway and confront the man and demand to know who he was and why he was following her.

If it was someone who happened to be innocently pulled over on the side of the road, she could live with that embarrassment.
If it wasn’t…

What if it
was
someone she knew or someone with sinister intentions? What would she do then? Her screams would never be heard over the constant roar of the traffic, and knowing her luck, no one would even notice if she were suddenly bundled up into the Toyota and spirited away.

It could be hours before anyone would realize she was missing. There was no guarantee what time Detective Black’s officers would drive by and she couldn’t be sure they’d even check on her if they discovered the blue car she’d complained about had moved on.

Jack would be the only person in the whole world who would be concerned when she didn’t show up outside the school gates at three o’clock, and even then, he wouldn’t panic right away.

Eventually the police would be called and someone might make the connection with her earlier phone call—or maybe not. Jack would probably be taken to one of his friends’ houses in the short term. She didn’t know how he would cope if she wasn’t there to say goodnight.

What if they
never
found her? What if Jack was put into a foster home, never to know the love of his mother again?

“Oh, for goodness sake! Would you stop already?” She shook her head in irritation, unable to believe how far she’d let her imagination run out of control. She was being ridiculous. From the time she’d been abandoned by those who loved her, she’d vowed never to allow anyone control over her life again. She was fiercely proud of the life she’d made for herself and her son and was even more proud that she’d done it largely on her own.

The terrifying moments after discovering an intruder had been in the house had left her more than a little jittery, particularly when the perpetrator was still at large, but as the detective had assured her, it was unlikely the man would make a second attempt in broad daylight.

What she needed was to get the license plate. That way, if she saw the car again, she’d be certain it was the same one; she’d have something concrete to take to the police. Decision made, she took a fortifying breath and squared her shoulders.

“Okay, let’s get this sorted out, once and for all.”

Not wanting her new-found courage to desert her, she quickly slid the deadbolt open and stepped through the back doorway. Striding up the dirt driveway, she caught glimpses of the car through the branches of the huge fig trees that grew on either side.

Her cottage had originally been built as a caretaker’s residence for the main house which still stood about forty yards from her front door. Although the larger house was almost completely hidden by the veritable jungle of fig trees, ivy and all manner of other plants and shrubbery, when she’d first moved in she’d taken comfort from the fact there was another home not too far away.

As it turned out, the owners of the main house lived in Singapore and were very rarely in residence. She could count on one hand the number of times she’d seen lights shining from its windows, yet according to the police, they were one of the few houses in her street that hadn’t been burgled.

“So much for neighbors,” she mumbled.

She continued along the driveway, past the silent mansion that stood in front of her cottage. The closer she came to the Pacific Highway, the harder her heart thumped. It was one thing to be brave in the safety of her home, when the strange vehicle was fifty yards away, but now, when she was so close she could almost read the license plate, her courage faltered.

Slowing her pace, she forced her feet forward until she was able to make out the figures. Too late, she realized she’d come out without a pen and a piece of paper and she gritted her teeth in frustration. Swallowing a groan, she did her best to commit the plate to memory.

“CHT 157, CHT 157, cat, hat, tat 157,” she repeated, hoping she wouldn’t forget it by the time she returned home. She was less than thirty feet away from the rear of the vehicle and could clearly make out the man’s form in the driver’s seat. His dark hair was cut short and she spied the collar of a white business shirt. A fair portion of his head was above the headrest.

The window was wound down and the man’s arm rested on the door. His hand tapped to a beat she couldn’t hear and she saw ear buds in his ears. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, exposing his arms. They were covered in a light scattering of dark hair.

The familiar silver Toyota badge on the back of the car boosted her confidence. At least she was right about the make of it. Gazing across the trunk, she caught the words “Camry” on the left hand side, right above the brake light.

With adrenaline still coursing through her veins, she ducked behind a sprawling jacaranda tree and debated about whether to confront him. It was the easiest way to get it sorted out, and hadn’t that been her plan? She shouldn’t have to rely on the police or waste time wishing there was a man in her life to do it for her. She was Cally Savage. If she wanted something done, she darn well did it herself. It had been that way for a decade.

Taking a deep breath, she thrust back her shoulders and moved out from behind the tree. With narrow-eyed purpose, she strode toward the vehicle.

The car’s ignition turned over. She gaped in surprise and pulled up short. With a squeal of tires, the dark blue sedan pulled away from the curb and disappeared into the throng of traffic.

Cally blinked and her shoulders slumped, deflated. In a daze, she returned to the house. After hurriedly taking down the license plate number, she sank down onto one of the pine chairs at the kitchen table and let her pulse rate return to normal.

Her sleepless nights, coupled with her concerns about Jack, and now another curious appearance of the blue Toyota, overwhelmed her. All at once, she wanted to lay her head down on the table and have a good cry. It was times like this she really missed her friend Kate. They’d been as close as sisters when they were younger.

With a surge of determination, Cally pushed back her chair and strode to the phone. She dialed Kate’s number from memory and smiled with relief when it was answered on the first ring.

“Hi, stranger. You must have been standing right by the phone.”

“Cally! What a surprise! I thought you were Riley. Daisy’s sick with the flu and I need to take her to the doctor. I’m waiting for Riley to call me and confirm he’s on his way home. He’s going to look after Rosie for me while I’m out. She hasn’t caught it yet, thank goodness and I’m trying to keep her quarantined. The bugs that are going around at the moment… I can only imagine how many of them are floating around the doctor’s waiting room.”

Cally felt a stab of envy.
How good would it feel to have someone to love like Kate loved Riley; someone to rely on for little things that were so important?
She closed her eyes briefly and shook off her melancholy. It was only the culmination of so many stressful events that had her so out of sorts.

“Poor Daisy. I hope she’s feeling better soon.”

“I’m sure as soon as we get some antibiotics, she’ll be as good as new. How have you been?”

Cally bit her lip. A few moments earlier, she’d been desperate to unload on her friend, but Kate had her own worries.

“I’m fine,” she answered. “Busy at work, but otherwise good.”

“How’s Jack?”

She forced a laugh. “Growing faster by the day.”

“What’s the matter, Cally?”

Cally sighed. She’d never been able to put much past Kate. “I-I guess I just wanted to say hello. I-I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed lately—what, with the break-in and stuff.”

“Did they find out who did it?”

“No and it’s beginning to freak me out. I-I keep seeing this car parked on the main road outside my house. Last week, I thought I saw it following me.” Her breathing hitched. “I’m probably imagining it, but I can’t help it. I-I’m scared.”

Kate’s voice filled with understanding. “Of course you’re scared. Who wouldn’t be? I’d be beside myself if my home was burgled and I lived alone with a young child. And I’m sure you’re not imagining it. You’ve never been someone to exaggerate. Have you called the police?”

“Yes, they’re looking into it.”

Kate’s sigh spoke volumes and Cally suppressed a grin. As the wife of a police officer, her friend knew better than most the demands on their time.

“How’s the new job working out?” Kate asked.

Relieved to switch her focus, Cally smiled. “Well, I’ve finished the first week and they haven’t fired me, so I guess that’s a good start—and the extra income’s a help.”

“I wish you’d let me help you with that. I’ve told you how well the gallery’s going. I can spare the money, Cally.”

Cally shook her head. “We’ve already been over this, Kate. I love you dearly for your kind offer, but I can’t accept your money, even if it is a loan. At the moment I’m worried I… I might not be able to pay it back.”

“It’s only you who’s determined to label it a loan, Cally. I’d be more than happy to give it to you.”

“Yes, Kate and I’m grateful, but I need to do this on my own. It’s important to me.”

Kate groaned. “You and your damn independence.”

“At least you aren’t calling me proud and stubborn like the last time.” Cally smiled at the thought of their last conversation.

“Well, it’s not that I don’t think it!”

“You’ve always been such a good friend. I really appreciate you being here for me.”

“Anytime. It’s not like you wouldn’t do the same for me.”

“You’re right.”

“How about advertising for a roommate? They could help share expenses and you’d have another adult in the house.”

Cally had considered that before and now pondered the idea again. It quickly gained merit. “I think that might relieve the pressure, Kate. A roommate might be just what I need. “

“You could put up a notice at the police station. Who better to protect you then someone sworn to do just that? I could even ask Riley to put the word out amongst his colleagues, if you like.”

“Kate, you’re a genius! I’ve been so caught up with everything, I haven’t seen the obvious. A police officer would be perfect! I’m cleaning again tomorrow night. I’ll see if I can put up a notice then.”

“The sooner the better,” Kate agreed.

Sudden tears burned behind Cally’s eyes. “Th-thank you,” she stammered.

“Like I said; anytime,” Kate replied, her voice thick with emotion. “And let me know if you need help from Riley. He’ll be more than happy to assist you.”

Cally cleared her throat. “Thank you, I will. Say hi to him for me and I hope Daisy’s feeling better soon.”

“Thanks. Let me know how it goes. And give Jack my love.”

A few moments later, Cally ended the call. Her thoughts returned to Kate’s suggestion, and hope and excitement sparked in her belly. A roommate would go a long way to solving her problems and a police officer would be even better. How much safer could she get than having a policeman in residence? Of course, she’d still proceed with caution. She wasn’t stupid. Not everyone in a uniform could be trusted.

Fleeting images of smiling brown eyes and unruly blond hair flashed through her mind. The negotiator’s ruggedly handsome face intruded on her thoughts. Andy’s impressive physical presence had captured her attention the minute she walked into the squad room, but it was the warmth and humor that shone in his eyes and the way he’d taken the time to answer Jack’s questions that had intrigued her. Not to mention the approving glances and the sexy grins he’d given her every now and then.

She frowned when she remembered his remark about Jack.
Had he meant to imply she was neglecting her son’s needs, or had she overreacted?
Being a single mother, she was used to going on the defensive when she considered herself under attack. Had she misread his intention? He certainly appeared genuine when he’d apologized.

With a small sigh, she wandered into the kitchen and pulled a coffee cup out of the cupboard. She’d put up a notice the first opportunity she got and hope someone would take her up on it. Andy’s smiling face blossomed once again in her mind and her heart skipped a beat.
Would he be interested?
Butterflies churned in her stomach at the thought of what might be the perfect solution.

CHAPTER SIX

Stewart Brady listened to the Crown Prosecutor drone on about the victim’s injuries and sighed aloud with impatience, not even bothering to hide his smirk. He wished the asshole had been smarter, and hadn’t made that quip about the size of Stewart’s biceps. If he’d had the brains to keep his mouth shut, Stewart would never have taken the barbell to him. The stupid prick had deserved it, fair and square.