What Belongs to Her (Harlequin Superromance) (21 page)

Freddy didn’t have Kyle’s brains or discretion, which was most likely why Kyle never trusted Freddy with more responsibility than fetching and carrying—with, undoubtedly, the odd beating thrown in.

Sasha’s nerves hitched. Would Freddy arrange or carry out something to physically hurt John if he were released without charge? God only knew whom Freddy could employ in the blink of an eye. Her mind drifted to the file box of contacts Kyle had left with John. Were they as loyal to Kyle’s second-in-command as they were to the man himself? She swallowed. She had absolutely no way of knowing.

She pulled her bike to a stop outside the Coast Inn, fear and doubt humming through her. She alighted her bike and stared at the bar’s facade. It was the only bar in Templeton that stayed open until two and the first time she would step inside at that time.

Leaning her bike up against a tree outside, she pulled back her shoulders and strode toward the door. She pushed it open and entered. Nerves leaped and danced in her belly as the weighted stares of the few drinkers inside assaulted her from every nook and cranny. She forced her chin high and walked purposefully toward the bar.

Dave was stacking glasses at the far end of the polished counter when he turned. He did a double take. “What are you doing here?”

“I need to speak to you.”

His forehead creased with a frown and his gaze went on full alert. “What’s up?”

Sasha glanced over her shoulder. “Has Freddy Campton been here tonight?”

Dave followed the direction of her gaze before meeting her eyes. “No. Why?”

“I need to find him.”

“What’s he done? He hurt you?” Dave’s eyes turned icy cold. “If that damn fool has laid a single finger—”

Sasha grasped his fist where it lay on the bar. “He hasn’t done anything to me...but I think he’s setting up John Jordon and I’m not going to let that happen.”

“Now why in God’s name do you care about that guy? If he’s been nicked or in trouble, then I want you to stay the hell away, Sasha. No Jordon or Campton can be trusted. You’re a nice girl. A good girl. Why would you go looking for trouble? You always laid low as far as Kyle was concerned.”

She swallowed. “This isn’t the same.”

Dave slid his fist from her grip and crossed his arms. His intelligent eyes wandered over her face before his shoulders slumped and he shook his head. “Oh, hell, Sasha. You’ve gone and fallen for the man.”

Heat assaulted her cheeks. “I have not.”

He raised his eyebrows. “There isn’t a thing about love you or anyone else can get past me, you know that. I’ve worked in this bar too damn long not to recognize that look in your eye. You’re more than worried about the guy. You’re terrified for him.”

“Then help me. Ask these guys if they’ve seen or heard from Freddy. Someone must’ve seen him.”

He studied her a moment longer before turning away and releasing a loud whistle from between clenched teeth. Sasha flinched and turned around. Every man in the place gave the huge bartender his immediate attention.

Dave planted his palms on the bar. “Anyone who has seen Freddy Campton today or tonight, I’d like a word. Sasha wants to speak to him so if any one of you lot intend drinking in my bar again, you’d better come forward with what you know.”

Sasha’s heart pounded as silence descended. Her mouth drained dry and her stomach knotted.

Then three men slowly pushed to their feet and approached the bar. The first one looked down at her from his tall height. “This have something to do with Jordon?”

She nodded. How had the monster towering at least a foot above her known that? She pulled back her shoulders. “Yes.”

“If you find Freddy, are you going to get the cops involved?”

Sasha hesitated, unsure if the answer he wanted was yes or no. She forced a steady stare. “Absolutely.”

Another tense moment beat along with her racing heart before the man’s face split with a wide grin. He slapped his hands together. “Then me and my friends will escort you there ourselves. It’s been a long time coming for Freddy Campton, and I will be more than happy to help things along.”

Sasha grinned and slipped her hand into the crook of her new friend’s elbow.

CHAPTER TWENTY

F
REDDY
WASN
’
T
WHERE
Sasha’s new friend thought he’d be.

He’d gone. Disappeared into thin air.

They trekked from his house to the other bars in town, the arcade and every other haunt they could think where Freddy might hide, all to no avail.

Five hours later and Sasha stared out across the ocean from her apartment balcony, her knuckles aching from how tightly she clenched it. She sipped at her coffee, waiting for it to revive her. She hadn’t slept at all and now the sun rose slowly over the water as dawn broke. Her body was drained, her mind numb. She could only imagine how John fared this morning.

Liam had said there was nothing he could do to prevent John from spending the night locked up but was hopeful of his release today. A small yet significant amount of cocaine had been found behind the numerous boxes held in the warehouse at Funland—in the exact place the anonymous caller had told the police they would locate it.

The only saving grace that Sasha pinned her hopes on for John’s release was Liam’s confirmation the cops had zero evidence of John knowing the stash was there. They did, however, have evidence Freddy could well have planted it. DI Garrett had been more forthcoming with Liam than she had been with Sasha or John, and divulged Freddy had been spotted entering the fairground after closing. The eyewitness, a homeless vagrant seeking shelter in the public toilets outside, wasn’t the most reliable witness, but the inspector was at least willing to investigate his claim.

It was only a matter of time until Freddy was caught and brought in for questioning.

Sasha drained her coffee cup and walked back inside. She needed to shower and change into fresh clothes before she headed to Funland. There had to be something useful in the file box Kyle left John. She could kick herself for not looking at it when John had asked her to. There could be something among the papers that would lead her to where Freddy might be hiding his cowardly ass. If not, then she would go directly to the person who knew him best. Kyle.

She headed for the bathroom and stripped off her clothes. The shower was hot against her cold skin, and she relished its rejuvenation. She wouldn’t rest until she found Freddy and proved John’s innocence. She closed her eyes and tipped her head back as the water ran over her face and body. He had to be innocent. The alternative made her want to run and hide after she’d finally started to trust him...love him.

Picking up a sponge, she washed the previous day and night from her skin and the insecurity from her heart. Today was a new day, and she wouldn’t let her feelings for John be marred by the challenges ahead. Finishing up, she stepped from the shower and marched into her bedroom. She had work to do.

* * *

W
HEN
S
ASHA
PULLED
her bike to a stop outside the Funland gates an hour later, two uniformed officers greeted her. Her stomach dropped.
Damn it. Why didn’t I consider the place would be under police restriction this morning?

Inhaling a strengthening breath, she plastered on a smile and approached the two young officers. Judging by their youthful looks and underdeveloped physiques, they were barely out of police training.

She inwardly huffed. Gaining access to the fairground office would be easy.

She strode confidently forward. “Hi. Is there any possible way I could get into the office? I’d like to take some paperwork home to work on. I’m assuming you won’t be letting me open the fair today?”

The older of the two stepped forward, his expression determined. “Good morning, Miss Todd. I’m afraid the fair is out of bounds until further notice.”

She frowned and looked past him toward the closed gates. “Surely I can grab a file or two. I’m more than happy for you to escort me inside and look over my shoulder while I get them.”

“No can do, I’m afraid.” He shook his head.

Fine, you want a fight, you’ll get a fight.
She fisted her hands on her hips. “It’s not me under investigation, you know. I was with Mr. Jordon when he was arrested and DI Garrett even took me home. She didn’t ask me any questions or tell me I couldn’t do as I wanted today. I’m sure she’d agree for me to have access.”

His expression wavered, and doubt flashed in his eyes. “The inspector has spoken to you?”

“Yes.”

He glanced over his shoulder toward his colleague before facing her once more. “I’d have to clear it with her first.”

Sasha crossed her arms. “I’m happy to wait.”

He pinned her with a determined look before taking his radio from its holster at his shoulder. “Wait here.”

The officer strolled away while his young colleague glared at her. His expression was undoubtedly the result of hours of practice in his bathroom mirror. She tossed him a smile and wandered a few feet away, pulling out her cell phone. She dialed Liam’s number.

He picked up on the second ring. “Sasha. Good morning.”

“Do you have any news for me?” Despite her nonchalance with the officers, her stomach immediately knotted with nerves and concern. “Is John being released today?”

He yawned loudly. “Yes and yes. The police are concentrating on Freddy Campton for the moment and have no reason to keep Jordon past midnight tonight. He will have been under arrest for twenty-four hours and they have nothing to warrant keeping him there. They’ll read him the riot act, telling him not to disappear, then let him go.”

Relief lowered her shoulders. “Will they have a problem with him seeing Kyle?”

“Why?”

“I’m hoping the visiting permit John requested a few days ago will come through tomorrow morning. John needs to ask Kyle some questions, and there’s no way John will leave without getting them. If the police won’t let him go see his father, then I’ll go in his place.”

“Sasha, for crying out loud.”

She frowned. “What? I worked with Kyle for years. He can tell me so much I need to know. I have to see him.”

“About what? The drugs the police found? I thought you said this had Campton written all over it. Do you think Kyle had a hand in this?”

She shook her head. “No. The drugs from last night were Freddy. I’m sure of it.”

“Then why do you need to see Kyle?”

Fear of the unknown and fear for John clogged her throat. “He’s the answer to me gaining some peace.” She closed her eyes. “I hate that it has to come from Kyle, but he knew Granddad, he knew me and he knew my mother. The answers I need to move on are in the head of a man currently languishing in prison. I’m not prepared to wait another eight years for my life back. Not anymore.”

Sasha pulled back her shoulders as thoughts of John and her future loomed large and beautiful in her mind. It was time to start living again.

Liam sighed. “There’s no reason you can’t take John’s place if the permit comes through, but I don’t like the thought of you going alone to see Kyle. You know his reputation. He could easily convince you he’s the Angel Gabriel as much as Lucifer by the time you leave there.”

Sasha smiled. “You forget I’ve worked with Kyle for a long time. There’s little chance of him bringing me over to his side. Whether or not my mother’s involvement brought the fair into his hands, Kyle was still the one who took it from Granddad without saying a word to me.”

“Your
mother
had something to do with that?”

Sasha exhaled a shaky breath. “It’s a long story.”

“And one I want to hear about when we see each other.”

“Maybe. In time.” She looked over her shoulder. The officer who left to talk to DI Garrett had come back. He stood side by side with his colleague and they both watched her, their arms crossed. “I have to go. I’ll call you soon.”

“Make sure you do. Be careful.”

“I will.” She snapped her phone closed and walked back toward the Funland gates and the two officers. “Am I allowed in?”

Constable “Big I Am” stepped forward. “DI Garrett has confirmed access but ordered I check and clear anything you want to take away.”

Damn it. Sasha’s smile faltered. She didn’t even know what was in the file box. She shrugged. “Sure, no problem.”

He nodded curtly and waved her toward the fairground gates. The officer struggled to open the padlocked gate, and it took all of Sasha’s self-control not to snatch the key from his hand. At last, he got it open and gestured her forward. She walked ahead of him on slightly unsteady legs. The dark and stationary rides, the silence only broken by early-morning birdcalls and the tarpaulin-covered stalls added a strange sense of eeriness she’d never felt before. She loved Funland. She wanted Funland. Yet, it seemed as time went on, the fair became more and more of a place that took from her soul rather than lifted it.

She swallowed. One way or another she needed to make it good and wholesome again. Failure to do so meant she had nothing left to work on. Nothing to throw herself into in a bid to eradicate the horror of her memories and make herself whole again.

John’s face filled her mind’s eye as she approached the office door. She blinked and he disappeared...much like he would soon disappear from Templeton.

Shoving her sadness into submission, Sasha took out her keys and unlocked the office door, flicking on the lights as she entered. The police officer stepped in behind her, and she tossed him a smile before heading straight to John’s desk. Sending up a silent prayer there was nothing in the file to incriminate the man she was falling in love with, she unlocked John’s desk and withdrew the file.

She lifted it onto the desk and glanced up through lowered lashes. The officer’s face was stony as he studied her. She turned her attention to the file. She flipped open the lid, her heart thumping.

Hoping the officer wouldn’t notice the tremor in her hands, Sasha carefully flicked through the papers. Each one was some form of employment record or CV with a small photograph pinned in the top corner. Her gaze darted over the names as she licked her finger and turned each paper over, one by one. She frowned and feigned concentration as though looking for something in particular when really she had no idea at all what she sought.

She took in the names and branded them on her memory in the hope they would eventually mean something to her—or John. Any small thing they could use to prove Freddy had a hand in the drugs the police found, or else, something to prove the opposite of John.

Face after face stared back at her as she continued her perusal. Employees she vaguely remembered from the past; ones she worked with now. Some she liked; others she despised. She flipped over another sheet and her heart stopped.

The tremor in her hands worsened as she stared at the face of the man she’d never forget as long as she lived. She tried to shut her eyes against the image, but they remained widely and cruelly open. Her molester smiled at the camera, his green eyes laughing, his handsome features jovial, as though the entire world was his for the taking.

Nausea whirled and rose to coat her throat in the bitter taste of hatred. She gripped the desk, all too aware of the officer watching her.

Help me. Help me.

Ice-cold perspiration burst on her forehead and the floor seemed to tilt one way, then the other. She stared, hypnotized by the slash of diagonal red ink across the page.

Location Unknown

“Miss Todd? Are you all right?”

The officer’s voice drifted to her ears through an invisible wall of foam.

She looked up and nodded. “I’m... I’m fine.”

He frowned and took a step closer, uncertainty etching his youthful face. “What is it?”

She snapped the file closed. “Nothing. I don’t need this after all.”

He glanced toward the file. “What’s in there exactly?”

Words stuck in her throat and she stood in a paralyzed state of shock as he drew the file toward him, his eyes locked on hers. He lifted the page of her molester and, as he did, Sasha abruptly stood, her chair falling to the floor behind her.

“Miss Todd?”

She huffed out a laugh, her heart racing as she fumbled to pick up the fallen chair. “Do you know something? I don’t know why I’m here.”

“What?”

She gripped the chair and shoved it under the desk, raised her shaking hands. “I should take the day off. Go to the beach. See some friends.”

He frowned and glanced toward the file box. “Are you okay?”

She grinned, her stomach whirling with nausea. “I’m great. I’m going to go, okay? Right now.”

His gaze turned from surprised to suspicious. “You want to go? You don’t want the file?”

Sasha’s lips wobbled as she smiled. “That’s right.”

“Then I’ll walk you out.” He lifted the box under his arm and gestured to the door with his free hand.

“After you.”

Swallowing hard, Sasha glanced at the box a final time before striding toward the door on legs of rubber.

* * *

J
OHN
PUSHED
OFF
the rock-hard bed of the holding cell at Templeton Police Station and tilted his head from left to right in a bid to loosen the tension in his neck. It had to be nearing early evening, and he hadn’t seen or heard from DI Garrett for hours. Every half an hour or so, the beady eyes of a cop peered through the slit in the locked metal door and then disappeared again.

John released a long breath as his waning patience wore thin.

They had nothing on him to keep him there so why the hell didn’t they just let him go? He clenched and unclenched his fists as he paced the room. He was desperate to see Sasha and know she was okay. He couldn’t stop worrying for her safety.

He loved her. He wanted her out of harm’s way and happy.

His time in the cell had tormented him with thoughts of the fire in her eyes. The thought of her worrying, or more than likely acting out some form of justice on Freddy, sent chills of trepidation shooting up and down his spine. Sasha was strong, intelligent, street-savvy and totally unpredictable. God only knew what she’d do if she were angry about his arrest and Freddy’s ensuing disappearance. DI Garrett had yet to confirm they’d found him, so John could only assume Freddy was still AWOL.