THIRTY-NINE

‘I know I should have told you, Linnet,’ M said, swallowing, catching her breath as the dry heaves began to slow. ‘But I just couldn’t.’

‘I’m your sister, and I love you,’ Linnet answered softly, squeezing her hand. ‘You’re not supposed to keep a terrible thing like that to yourself, darling. You needed help and comfort, and loving support.’

M shook her head, sat up a little straighter on the sofa, and murmured, ‘I suppose I was…well, a little embarrassed, maybe even ashamed, I don’t know really…’ Her voice trailed off, and she turned to Jack. ‘I hadn’t thought of this before, but perhaps I was a target that day, because of who I am. Because I’m a Harte.’

Keeping his expression totally neutral, Jack said in an even voice, ‘You might well have been, M. But unless I know the details I can’t really make an assessment. Do you feel up to talking about it?’

M bit her lip, looking thoughtful. She had hidden this ghastly attack for a year, dealt with it in her own way, and somehow managed. She had put the Bad Thing behind her. At least, so she thought, and especially after becoming involved with Larry; he had helped to heal her without even knowing he was. His love had been her salvation. It was Jack’s mention of her beloved horse Gypo that had triggered sudden vivid memories of that day in the woods a short while ago. And she had fallen apart. She felt a bit better now, most probably because she had told them, and swung her head, gave Jack a questioning look.

Noticing this at once, he said, ‘What is it, love? Don’t you want to talk about it? I know it’s a difficult thing to discuss with anyone. Just remember this, M darling, I’ve known you all of your life. I want to help you, and protect you in every way I can.’

‘You’ve known me since before I was born,’ she said, managing to give him a faint smile. ‘And you’ve always been like a surrogate father. I’ve always been able to talk to you about anything, Jack, it’s just that, well…I don’t want anyone else to know.’ She glanced at Linnet. ‘You’ve got to promise you won’t tell Mummy and Dad. Nobody can know. And most especially Larry.’

‘I won’t tell anyone, darling,’ her sister promised. ‘You have my word. You know I’ve never wanted to play God. It’s your life and you live it your way.’

‘And certainly I shall keep your confidence,’ Jack assured her. ‘I’ll do whatever you want.’

‘Okay.’ M took a deep breath, and began to tell them about the day she was assaulted. ‘It happened in March last year. I went for my usual afternoon ride on Gypo, in the woods at the foot of the moors. Just outside Pennistone Royal village. I was on the wide part of the trail, riding through the woods, when I was stopped by a heavy-set man. He was standing next to a parked van. He asked me to help him, said that his friend was ill, that he’d had a heart attack. He asked me if I had a mobile phone on me. I told him I didn’t. At his request I jumped off Gypo and went to look at his friend. The other man was slumped over the wheel, not moving, breathing oddly. As I turned to say something to the heavy-set man, he grabbed me, dragged me into the woods. I struggled, fought him, screamed, but he was too strong for me. He threw me down, ripped my shirt, pulled my jeans off…and flung himself on top of me. I struggled so hard…’ M broke off, shaking her head, upset once more. She brought her hands to her face, trembling.

‘Take your time, darling,’ Linnet said soothingly, and glanced at Jack, her expression worried. He gave her a sympathetic look that had reassurance in it. ‘She’ll be all right,’ he mouthed silently.

‘Could I have a glass of water?’ M asked her sister after a few moments. Linnet immediately jumped up, and went to open one of the small bottles on the tea trolley. Filling a glass, Linnet brought it to M, who thanked her, took a long swallow.

‘Suddenly, I heard somebody barging through the bushes, shouting,’ M continued. ‘The man holding me down was distracted. He instantly moved, shifted his body, and looked around at his friend who was still shouting at him as he reached the clearing. I knew it was the moment to act. I grabbed a rock, bashed him on the side of the head and, as he fell over, fell backwards, I pulled on my jeans and ran. I could hear Gypo snorting in the trees. I got away, that’s it.’

‘Thanks for telling us, M. I have a few questions, if you’re up to answering them,’ Jack said.

M nodded. ‘I think so.’

‘Could you tell where they were from? Were they locals? Foreigners? English? What?’

‘Not locals, no, but English…probably from the London area.’

‘Were any names used?’

‘Yes. One name. When the other man came rushing through the woods he was shouting the name Bart, telling him to get off me.’

‘And that’s all?’

‘Yes, it is, Jack.’

‘Would you recognize either of them?’

‘The man who assaulted me, yes. Not the other one. I didn’t see his face when he was slumped in the car, and when he was running into the woods I was busy freeing myself, and then I ran away without looking back.’

Jack nodded, and now asked, ‘What did you do next, M? You obviously didn’t call Linnet. And where were your parents?’

‘I didn’t tell anybody anything. Mummy and Dad were in the south of France; there was only the staff, Margaret and Joe, at Pennistone Royal. I had a shower, later Margaret made supper for me, and then I packed. I came up to London the next day. Over the next few weeks I scoured the newspapers, watched TV, because I thought that maybe I’d killed that man when I hit him with the rock. I needed to know that I hadn’t. I did go to a clinic and saw a doctor. Obviously, it was too soon to tell if I was pregnant. Anyway, I wasn’t, as I found out later. And I also soon knew that I didn’t have a sexually transmitted disease.’ M looked at Linnet, and shook her head. ‘Don’t be angry with me, please, Lin. I really did want to handle everything myself.’

Linnet was staring at M in amazement, tremendously proud of her younger sister, but also saddened that she hadn’t realized she could tell her anything, that her love was unconditional. ‘I think you’re absolutely extraordinary, M, and very courageous, but you should have confided in me, darling. I could have helped you get through the ordeal, given you comfort, even found you a counsellor.’

‘I guess I kind of…toughed it out,’ M said, and forced a laugh. She said again, more forcefully, ‘I don’t want anyone else to know.’

‘I understand that,’ Linnet reassured her.

Jack said, ‘What did you think about the attack later, when you could think straight?’

‘That they were sexual deviants, something like that, and in cahoots with each other. It never occurred to me that they might have been sent to kill me. Do you think that was it, Jack?’

‘It’s hard to tell. Sexual perverts, roaming around the countryside, looking for a young woman to attack, is not beyond the realm of possibility. The world is full of sickos. On the other hand, they were parked in a spot where you ride frequently, which suggests to me that they were stalking you, knew you’d be coming that way through the woods. I think you might well have been a target, but not for rape. It’s just possible the man called Bart was a…hit man, but that he couldn’t resist sexually assaulting you first.’

‘You’re right!’ M exclaimed. ‘Because that other man who came barging through the woods shouting that he should get off me sounded angry, now that I think about it.’

‘Are you suggesting Jonathan Ainsley is behind that attack last spring?’ Linnet said.

‘Yes, I am,’ Jack responded. ‘I wouldn’t put anything past that man.’

‘I see. Aside from giving us all extra security, what else are you planning to do, Jack?’ Linnet now asked, wondering what on earth he could do. And before he could answer her, she said, ‘I mean, how does one fight a phantom? We don’t know where he lives, what he’s up to, where his business offices are. It’s like grasping for smoke, isn’t it?’

‘It may seem that way to you, Linnet, but not to me,’ Jack replied. ‘Wen Li is working on a plan to get a mole inside Belvedere, that’s the name of Ainsley’s new company in Hong Kong, the one he wants Wen Li to become involved with. I think Wen Li will succeed in doing that, which will be tremendous for us. He does have an excellent candidate. We will immediately know a lot more than we do at the moment. Also, I have all of my operatives in Europe trying to track Ainsley down.’ Rising, going over to the tea trolley, taking a bottle of water, Jack went on talking. ‘It is obvious that we have to stop him very quickly. He has to be dealt with immediately. This can’t drag on, because he is terribly dangerous. He can do a great deal of damage.’

‘Why can’t we hire a hit man?’ M asked, giving Jack a hard stare.

‘No, no.’ Jack shook his head. ‘The Hartes don’t operate like that, M. There are other ways to destroy a man like Ainsley.’

‘We have to target his soft spots,’ M pointed out. ‘Find his vulnerabilities…like his wife, his daughter, his money, his businesses. I wonder if he has a mistress? We could target her.’

A grin spread itself across Jack’s face, and then he began to laugh. ‘I know this is a serious business, not a laughing matter, but I just can’t help it, M. You’re absolutely priceless. When you get bored with being a supermodel, come to me, I’ll give you a job as one of my independent operatives. You’ve just hit the nail on the head. Wen Li and I agreed that we had to seek out Ainsley’s soft spots, in order to wreck him, finish him off completely. Short of committing murder, of course.’

Linnet asked, ‘When are you going to explain everything to Mummy? Oh, and what about Tessa?’

‘I have a date for tea with Paula this afternoon, and I suppose the best thing would be to speak to Tessa on the phone. I think she’ll understand what I’m getting at even if I speak in riddles, don’t you? But I could pop over to Paris.’

Linnet nodded. ‘Our sister the Dauphine—or the Dorf, as we call her—is very fast: she’ll pick up on it immediately without you having to say too much. Do it on the phone.’

‘Jack, do you think Ainsley is actually in hiding?’ M said as she stood up.

‘Not in hiding, no. I would say he is being very secretive about his whereabouts. Neither is he flaunting his wealth and success. He’s definitely keeping a low profile…and undoubtedly because of us. We’re the enemy, so why would he expose himself? It’s better to remain hidden in order to do your dirty work and without facing retaliation, isn’t it?’

‘Smart, eh? He’s a clever bugger,’ M muttered, and turning to Linnet, she said, ‘Can I use your bathroom to wash my face, and dab on a bit of lipstick?’

‘You don’t have to ask, you silly girl,’ Linnet answered. Once they were alone, she said to Jack, ‘M is amazing, isn’t she?’

‘Why do you sound so surprised, Beauty? She’s a Harte, isn’t she?’

Simon Baron, Jack’s nephew and head of security for Harte’s, sat in his office at the store, staring at his notes, but not really seeing them. His concentration had fled. He was facing the biggest dilemma of his life and he didn’t know what to do.

Simon had fallen in love with the wrong woman. Passionately, hopelessly, madly in love.

He had known a number of interesting women over the past few years, and intimately, but the relationships had not been particularly serious. In fact, he had characterized them as flings. And that’s what they had been.

This time it was different. He knew that he was seriously in love. The problem was, the lady in question was unaware of it. What was even worse was that he worked for her. She was his boss: Linnet O’Neill was the object of his affection, the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

Although she was widowed, he knew she was still unattached after two years; lately he had come to believe that her grief for Julian Kallinski had abated, that she had put it behind her, to a certain extent. On the other hand, he kept hesitating about asking her out to dinner, then constantly chastised himself for being a stupid fool, even a coward, but that didn’t do much good. Very simply, he kept losing his nerve when he was on the verge of issuing an invitation.

The situation was growing hellish, unbearable, working here at the store, seeing her every day, and wanting her, longing for her, dreaming about her. He had thought of moving on, finding another job, but he had not had the guts to do so because of Jack, who would be hurt, disappointed and angry if he left Harte’s. And now he couldn’t leave with the disaster of last week looming over them. His presence was vital. And he wanted to be there to protect her, make sure she was safe. A cold chill ran through him when he thought of how easily she could have been killed in the explosion. Without her, even if only as a boss, would be unbearable. He closed his eyes, not wanting to think of this.

He was thirty-eight years old, and ready to settle down. He wanted marriage and children, a traditional life, with Linnet…

There was a knock on the door. He glanced up, said, ‘Come in.’ And was totally taken aback to see Linnet O’Neill standing there. Smiling, walking into the room, his lady boss said, ‘Jack asked me to come and get you, Simon. He told me the two of you were going to lunch, and I invited myself along. I hope you don’t mind.’

Simon was already on his feet; he came round the desk, bent down and greeted her with a quick kiss on the cheek. ‘Of course I don’t mind, it’s great. I’m glad. And where’re we going?’

‘Jack decided he didn’t get enough Chinese food last week in Hong Kong, which—as you know—he loves. So he’s taking us to China Tang at the Dorchester. Connie made a reservation.’

‘Hey, one of my favourite places! Come on then, let’s go and pick him up,’ Simon exclaimed as he opened the door of his office and ushered her out, lightly holding her arm. Although he was nervous, it did not show, and he felt a sudden rush of happiness.

‘He told me that he would meet us there. He’s still chatting to M in my office. She’s having lunch with friends, a couple from New York, and Jack thinks he knows the husband; I gather he’d like to see him again. Let’s grab a taxi, shall we?’

Simon simply nodded, guiding her to a bank of lifts. He said, ‘Jack told you about the “new development”, I’m sure? I know he wanted to explain everything to you and M.’

As they stepped into the lift, Linnet said, ‘Horrible news, almost unbelievable. We’ll have to do something drastic, and pretty damned quick, Simon. I’m particularly worried about my mother: she’s going to take this to heart, and she’s a bit frail these days.’

‘Try not to worry, Linnet. Jack’s got some clever plans and so do I. And I agree it has to be dealt with at once.’

Out in the side street, Simon hailed a taxi, helped her into it, told the cabbie to head for the Dorchester, and took the other corner of the cab.

There was a sudden awkward silence between them, and after a second Simon cleared his throat several times, finally said, in a hoarse voice, ‘I think we must get security for M and Larry…’

‘Oh, but they have it,’ Linnet answered, and looked at him quickly, then glanced out of the window. She was so conscious of his close proximity, his physical presence, she could hardly bear it. She had fallen in love with him months ago, much to her amazement. Even though she tried to tell herself it was mostly physical desire, an overwhelming sexual need for this tall, handsome, blond hunk, she knew deep within herself that it was much more than that. Much more.

Simon Baron was one of the most intelligent and sensitive men she had ever met. She had been drawn to him for years, long before he had worked at Harte’s, always finding his company pleasant. She found him compatible, considerate and charming. He had a good sense of humour; it was a little bit dry, and certainly self-deprecating. On the other hand, she knew he was catnip to women, and that he played the field, and so why would he be interested in her, when he could have a twenty-two-year-old hanging on his arm and in his bed? On the other hand, the reality of the cruel and deadly world they lived in had brought her to a decision. Why not let him know how she felt? What did she have to lose?

The cabbie swerved unexpectedly to avoid a car drawing too close and Linnet was flung across the seat, landing almost, but not quite, in Simon’s lap. He grabbed hold of her, trying to steady her, and she clung to him tightly.

‘Wow!’ she exclaimed, as the cabbie righted the vehicle and drove on. She stared up at Simon. ‘Sorry about that…’ She couldn’t finish her sentence. Her mouth went dry and her heart started to pound. He was looking at her so intensely, and there was such desire in his light blue-grey eyes that she was in no doubt how he felt. Oh my God! The same way she did. ‘Oh, Simon, Simon, darling,’ she whispered, and reached up, brought his head down to hers, kissed him fully on the mouth. He kissed her back, and passionately so, then drew away, literally gaping at her and looking slightly stunned.

She smiled, her eyes dancing with laughter. ‘I’ve been wanting to do that for months, Simon Baron. And finally I did.’

Staring into those mesmerizing green eyes, Simon realized that she most definitely shared his feelings. He grinned and said, ‘And so have I, and I want to keep on doing it, don’t you?’

‘Absolutely.’ Linnet shook her head. ‘I’m not quite sure how I’m going to get through this lunch with Jack.’

Simon groaned. ‘I know exactly what you mean. But we have to; there are some very serious matters to discuss.’

‘Oh, God, yes.’ Linnet sat up straighter but remained close to him, leaned against his body, took hold of his hand and gave him a very pointed look. ‘Is there any possibility of seeing you later, Simon? Much later, I mean. Like this evening. Could you come to dinner at my house?’

‘Try and keep me away. But I do think you should know I have serious intentions.’

‘I’m glad to hear it. And, you know what, so do I. Very serious intentions.’

They had arrived at the Dorchester Hotel, and Simon alighted first, paid the cab, helped her out, squeezing her hand as they headed up the front steps together. ‘We’d better play it cool,’ he murmured. ‘Jack knows us both extremely well, he’ll spot something if we’re not careful.’

‘Yes, perhaps he will, but does it matter?’ she asked.