Dangerous Discovery

‘From you?’ Estelle’s expression showed surprise, followed swiftly by a mixture of panic and concern.

‘That’s right.’ He stood up and flexed his broad shoulders in a movement that revealed all of his latent power, seemingly unaware of her astonishment and confusion. ‘You do wish to go home, I presume?’

Estelle scraped back the chair and stood up swiftly. ‘Yes, but...but not with you! And anyway,’ she added stiffly, ‘what about the police?’ Her voice hardened as she remembered the panic his threats had invoked. ‘I thought you were keen to see me in custody at the very least.’

Hunter released a sigh that portrayed a mixture of tiredness, boredom and complete indifference. ‘Let’s just say I’ve changed my mind. You caught me-or rather I caught you,’ he amended with a wry twist of his mouth that for some crazy reason sent a flash of awareness through Estelle’s body, ‘at a bad moment. I don’t, on reflection,’ he continued, ‘think your crime merits Special Branch attention, not unless I find you trespassing again, of course; then I might have to reconsider. But for now—’

‘Well, that’s mighty good of you!’ Estelle snapped, aggravated beyond endurance by the mocking twist of his mouth, his total callous attitude towards her, by the fact that, despite everything, she couldn’t help but be aware of him as a man, couldn’t help but feel the power and the sensuality that was all wrapped up among the steel and the rough, sharp edges. He surely is, she thought swiftly, the most dangerous male package I have ever set eyes on. ‘You...you keep me locked in here like a prisoner,’ she continued shakily, ‘and now you stand there, telling me you’ve thought better of it and then have the gall to offer me a lift home—’ She halted abruptly at the warning expression on Hunter’s face and wondered where on earth she had found the nerve to speak so aggressively. ‘Well, thank you,’ she added crisply, instantly aware that it would be foolish to pursue her belligerent tone a moment longer, ‘but I do not require a lift. I have my bicycle and it’s only a short distance into the village from here.’

‘Your bike, I’m sorry to say, seems to have developed a puncture,’ he drawled with an infuriating lack of concern. ‘I sent someone to retrieve it and it is now resting securely in the boot of my car. So you see,’ he added smoothly, turning towards her with an expression that dared her to defy, ‘you have little choice in the matter but to accept my more than gracious offer.’

Estelle clenched her teeth together and tried with all her might to look as if she was capable of taking control of the situation. ‘But I want to walk,’ she repeated.

‘What you want I’m afraid doesn’t come into the equation. I am insisting you accept a lift,’ he replied calmly. ‘You have to travel on some pretty lonely roads. Never let it be said that I allowed a defenceless young girl with a baby to walk or ride alone on a dark night.’

‘I’ll be quite all right,’ Estelle persisted doggedly. ‘It’s barely dusk and anyway I don’t—’

‘Stop arguing, child!’ It was a bark that would have forced everyone except the most stupid into silence. He turned away, loosening the tie at his neck with an irritated tug. ‘The matter’s not open for discussion. ‘Now remove that panic-stricken expression from your face and follow me.’

CHAPTER TWO

‘IF YOU’LL just stop the car right here,’ Estelle murmured, anxiously waiting for the first moment at which she could alight and escape.

Hunter brought the Jaguar to a smooth halt outside the second-hand clothes shop and turned off the ignition with a swift glance at the rather shabby exterior of the building. ‘You live here?’

‘Yes.’ Estelle turned a defiant face towards him. ‘Why? Do you have some sort of a problem with this vicinity?’

‘No. I have no problem.’ He gave a clearly dismissive shrug, his glance holding and matching Estelle’s robust gaze with ease. ‘I was merely asking a straightforward question, that was all.’ He opened the door. ‘I’ll get your bike out.’

Estelle followed him around to the back of the car and tried to wrest the aged but trustworthy contraption from his grasp as soon as it had been placed on the ground. ‘Thank you for the lift,’ she said pointedly, aware that his hands were still firmly clasping the handlebars. ‘I can take it from here.’

‘You live above the shop?’ He glanced again at the less than salubrious surroundings, his eyes scanning the area with complete and utter efficiency, letting Estelle know with the length of his gaze that he had missed not one depressing detail. ‘I’ll wheel it over for you.’

‘Look, I don’t need your help!’ Estelle announced almost desperately. ‘I’m perfectly capable of pushing a bicycle by myself. Now if you don’t mind—’

It was too late. She might have known Hunter wouldn’t take the slightest bit of notice of her. She watched angrily for a second or two as he wheeled the bicycle around to the side-alley.

‘Here OK?’

She nodded, her lips pressed together firmly as his gaze swiftly took in the pile of old boxes and dustbins, the flight of steps that led to her chipped green front door, the general and utterly depressing ambience of the area.

Estelle, much to her own annoyance, felt the tears welling up inside again. How incongruous he looked standing there in his dark, expensive evening suit, casting observant, speculative eyes around, making her feel small and insecure and totally inadequate, she thought miserably. Oozing sophistication, while she stood, faded and shabby in her washed-out floral skirt and ancient leather sandals.

She swung away from him angrily, turning to rummage in the pocket of her cardigan for her key. Oh, what had possessed her even to consider going anywhere near him and his damned home? It had been a foolish, foolish whim born out of desperation. If only she hadn’t come across Connie’s diary, if only she had done the sensible thing and burnt it straight away. Estelle closed her eyes as those heart-rending sentences in Connie’s huge wild scrawl came swinging back into her mind.

As long as Hunter doesn’t find out about Joseph. I made such a mistake. I was such a fool to believe all the lies. But now at least something good has come out of my stupidity. I know Hunter too well. I don’t want him charging in, causing me more pain, more anguish. Haven’t I suffered enough already?

‘Have you got the key?’

She felt the cold metal against her fingers and nodded dumbly. I must not cry, she repeated silently over and over as she retrieved the key from her pocket. I must not get upset now. It’s not going to get me anywhere, going over and over what may have happened. There’s nothing I can do to bring Connie back.

Estelle climbed the steps, acutely aware of the fact that Hunter was following her. She turned at the door, raising herself to her full height. ‘I’ll be fine now,’ she informed him steadily, thankful for the dusky night which was closing in with every minute that passed, because he surely wouldn’t be able to see the sheen of wetness that had, despite her determination, formed on her cheeks. ‘Thank you for the lift but you’ve no need to waste your time with me any longer.’

‘I’ll wait until you’re safely inside,’ he replied evenly. ‘In this sort of neighbourhood it pays to be careful.’

‘And what do you mean by that?’ Estelle flashed irritably. ‘You make it sound as if there are rapists and muggers on every corner!’

‘You know very well what I mean,’ Hunter informed her lazily. ‘This end of the village has a reputation. There’s a pub around the corner that attracts the worst kind of drinkers. Don’t tell me you haven’t heard them when it’s throwing-out time and that you’re not the slightest bit nervous as they pass by your door on a Saturday night, because I won’t believe you for a moment.’

‘OK, so there are a few rowdies from time to time,’ she conceded snappily. ‘But that doesn’t automatically mean anything. And don’t think I didn’t see the look on your face when you first arrived here,’ she added, angry at his cool arrogance. ‘I know it’s a mess, I know it’s tatty, but I’m the one who lives here day in day out. I think I can judge better than anyone whether it’s safe for me or—’ Her voice came to an abrupt and sudden halt. She had been about to thrust the key angrily into the lock. Now she stared at the chipped front door that was already swinging open, at the splintered frame with its jagged edges and rough, angry scars.

‘What is it?’ Hunter’s deep voice was alert as he moved forward out of the semi-darkness.

Estelle, a small moan of frustration escaping from her lips, stood aside, wrapping her arms around Joseph’s body, watching despairingly as Hunter’s large, capable hands swiftly examined the door and the frame.

‘Stay here! I’ll check it out.’

‘But...what if—?’

‘Be quiet!’ His commanding voice was weirdly reassuring in the gloom. ‘Just stay here and don’t move.’

She watched, every part of her alert and on edge as Hunter opened the door wide and moved cautiously into her flat. What would she do if there was someone still in there? More to the point, if there were several of them what would Hunter do? However much she despised him, the possibility of some thug violently attacking Hunter filled her with horror.

After only a few short seconds he reappeared, and even in the failing light she could see that his expression was grim.

‘There’s no one here now.’ He flicked on the light switch by the door. ‘But I’m afraid you’re in for a bit of a shock. Come on, look for yourself.’ He took her hand and she knew automatically by the faintly reassuring squeeze and the strength of his grip that she must prepare herself for the worst.

Estelle stood motionless just inside the door and scanned the one large room that served as her and Joseph’s bedroom and living area with disbelieving and troubled eyes.

‘There are some pretty mean, low-down swines around, aren’t there?’

Estelle swallowed, aware of the hard, disgusted tone of Hunter’s voice as he stood beside her and surveyed the scene. She tried to reply but she couldn’t. Her eyes saw, but her mind didn’t want to register the mess and destruction that was facing her right at this moment.

‘Are you feeling OK?’

She heard Hunter’s deep voice and turned towards him, not aware of what he had said to her, not aware of anything at that moment except the agonising feeling of dreadful despair and desolation, the feeling of utter hopelessness that was so sharp and so strong.

‘Hey...’ He paused and gently twisted her towards him. ‘Look, I don’t even know your name. What is it?’

She felt his hands touch her shoulders, was aware of their strength and steadying firmness. ‘Estelle Rogers.’ It was a whispered reply. Her lips hardly moved. She stared blankly across at a wall where vivid slashes of red paint had been daubed in an incomprehensible mess.

‘Look, I’m going to call the police,’ he informed her briskly. ‘You haven’t a phone in here, have you, by any chance? No, I thought not,’ he added when she vaguely shook her head. ‘Now just stay where you are and don’t touch anything.’

‘But where are you going? Please, I...I don’t want...’ Estelle blurted unsteadily, her eyes widening with alarm as Hunter moved towards the door.

‘Don’t worry,’ he replied swiftly. ‘I won’t be more than a minute or so. I’m going to use the phone in my car.’

She hardly moved a muscle. Her back ached with carrying Joseph for so long. Her throat ached from trying not to cry, her head was thumping violently with shock or tension or just plain weariness and misery, but she didn’t dare sit down, didn’t even want to so much as look at the scattered belongings and ruined objects that lay all around her.