Chained (21 page)

*****

After our bath, Kit and I got dressed. He said I didn’t need to, but I wanted to be ready when he left.

Sure enough, once he was gone, I checked my purse and found the twenty pound note still in there.

I grabbed my coat and ran out of the house. I walked in the direction of the chip shop and quickly saw Kit up ahead. I kept far behind him so he wouldn’t spot me, following him down to the bottom of the road. He turned right, which was correct if he was heading where he was supposed to.

I carried on behind him as he turned two more corners. He looked behind himself a few times as he walked towards the chip shop, causing me to duck out of the way so he wouldn’t see me.

I was feeling stupid and also pissed off at myself for doubting him. He really was just going to get us some chips.

At that moment, I started to turn the other way, feeling guilty that I had mistrusted him, but then something caught my eye and I turned to watch Kit walk straight past the chip shop.

Eyes widening, I turned back to follow him and quickened my pace a little. It was rush hour now, so there were lots of people around in which to lose myself.

Kit ventured further, then turned left onto another main road. I followed as far back as I could, watching as he walked into a post retail office.

Not wanting him to notice me, I briskly walked across the road and into a coffee shop. I ordered a coffee and sat down, watching and waiting.

After about five minutes, I saw Kit emerge, then look around. I ducked a little and sat there, mystified, as a man who looked to be in his fifties approached Kit and handed him a small envelope. Kit nodded, handed him some money, and off they walked in opposite directions.

At first, I sat there, then realised Kit was heading back home, so I jumped up. I ran out of the coffee shop, but took a different route back so Kit wouldn’t notice. It was a little longer, but I hoped I would reach home faster, considering Kit still had to order our dinner.

After ten minutes, I made it down my street. I got to my door, trying to catch my breath as I put in the key. I raced into the house and shut the door, looking around wildly. There was no way Kit could have made it home faster than me, but I just didn’t know with him.

So many secrets. So many questions. What was he doing? Who was that man? And, more importantly, what was he handing him in that envelope that was worth all that money in return? Furthermore, how could he afford it when he was homeless?

Everything baffled me. He was supposed to be living on the streets, yet he had money to buy expensive paint sets, chips, and…information.

Thinking about it logically, I suppose he had to be this way because he was hiding from people who were after him. The very people he turned against.

My head was swimming with questions. Swimming with possible answers. Swimming with the knowledge that I had to act quickly. Things were getting way too dangerous now. I just wished Kit would open up and tell me the words I had been longing to hear. He gave me a glimpse, but I had to have more. The need for that was getting stronger every day.

Taking my coat off, I hung it over the hook, then ran into the kitchen to put the kettle on and fetch some plates. I had to look like I had been there all along. I was just putting the cups of tea down on the table when Kit walked in, a big smile on his face.

I smiled back as he walked over with the bags of food in his hands. “Sorry. It took a little longer than I thought. Everyone’s heading home, so there was a really long queue at the chip shop.”

I smiled sweetly, knowing he was lying. “Don’t worry about it. You’re here now. Thank you for getting them. I’m starving.”

Kit walked up to me and placed a light kiss on my forehead. He pulled back with a frown and touched my head. “You’re not coming down with something again, are you? You feel a little clammy.”

I laughed nervously and moved away from him. “No. I think it’s just you, Kit. You always make me feverish.”

He smiled back, but there was doubt written across his face. He was suspicious of me. With a man like Kit, I suppose you couldn’t get away with anything. I was trying to, but I doubted he bought it.

We sat in comfortable silence, every now and then muttering how nice the chips were. I couldn’t keep my eyes from wandering towards Kit’s coat. I was sure something was in one of the pockets, and it frustrated the hell out of me.

“Are you okay?”

I jumped at the sound of his voice. “Me?” I squealed a little. “I’m fine. I was just thinking about how much fun I had in my studio today.” I winked at him, and Kit smiled back.

“I think I’d like to take you to bed next.”

I couldn’t help it. Heat radiated between my legs and I found myself getting wet just from the thought.

“From that look in your eyes, it sounds as though you agree with me.”

I nodded. “I definitely agree.”

Kit scrunched up his empty paper and placed it back in the plastic bag. Noticing I was also finished, he picked mine up and did the same. “So what are we waiting for?”

He got up from the chair and walked over to me, offering me his hand. I took it, standing up. “How about I wash up here and be right up?”

Kit smiled and lingered for a kiss. “Don’t be long.”

I laughed nervously. “I won’t.”

As Kit walked up the stairs, I glanced back at the coat. I had to get these dishes done first, then maybe I could have a look.

I rushed into the kitchen, cleaned up as fast as I could, then went back to the front room. His coat was lying on the sofa, so I picked it up and slid my hand inside. I felt the envelope and was just about to pull it out when his voice halted me.

“Olivia, are you coming?”

From the stairs, I saw him looking down at me. He frowned and I swallowed hard. I put on a brave smile, as my mother used to call it, and cleared my throat.

“Yes. I was just going to hang your coat up with mine.”

I discreetly pulled my hand from his pocket and walked up to the hanger. I placed his coat next to mine, feeling the overwhelming frustration of not knowing what the hell was in there. It would probably bug me all night now.

I looked up at Kit. “There. I can come up now.”

He smiled and held out his hand. Looking one last time at the coat, I made my way up. I grabbed for him, and Kit scooped me into his arms for a spellbinding kiss.

I guess finding out what was in that envelope would have to wait.

Chapter 17

I was running through my old house, looking for my father. I could hear growls surrounding me. I went from door to door, finding nothing. Nothing but the sounds of the most terrifying dogs I had ever heard.

In the corner of the living room, the curtains swayed a little in the wind. It was dark outside and what met me was nothing but blackness. As I neared the kitchen, a movement out of the corner of my eye alerted me to someone—or something—in the room with me. I looked over my shoulder and saw a wolf, bigger than a Great Dane, bearing his teeth and growling at me. His eyes were black, his teeth dripping with blood.

I gasped, backing up to the door, another wolf emerging on its right side and another to its left. I screamed.

Turning, I grabbed the handle for the door and ran through, the wolves in pursuit. I went through another door and screamed for my father.

I heard a loud bang and went rushing towards his office door. Maybe my father would save me from the monsters.

I reached the office door and was just about to turn the handle when I felt a hand tug on mine. I looked back, my eyes wide with fear. Kit was standing there, his finger hovering over his mouth. “You can’t go in there, Olivia. You mustn’t go in there.” He pulled me to him and we ran up the stairs, the wolves quickly following suit.

Once up the stairs, we ran into a bathroom, Kit closing to the door behind us. He locked us in and held me in the dark.

My breath was coming away in thick bursts as my whole body quivered. Kit tightened his hold on me and held me, the sound of the wolves bashing against the door making me jump.

“Shh, it’s okay, Olivia. I’ve got you now. No one can hurt you anymore.”

I woke with a jolt, desperately trying to calm my breathing. I felt a pair of arms surround me as I sat up in my bed.

“Another bad dream?”

I nodded my head in the crook of his shoulder. “Yes, but this was different. You were there and came to save me.” There was doubt in my voice.

“It sounds as though you’re surprised by that.”

I shook my head, hoping I didn’t hurt his feelings. “No, it’s not that. It’s just… I normally have the same dream about my father over and over again, but it was different this time because you stopped me from going through the door. You saved me from finding my father lying dead in his office.” I didn’t mention the part about the wolves.

I felt Kit sigh. “If I had a time machine, I would go back and do just that. I would give anything to have saved you from that pain.”

I relaxed into him and smiled. “I know you would have, Kit.” I snuggled into him more, feeling the smile creeping on my lips. I closed my eyes momentarily and when I opened them again, I looked at the time.

“Shit!” I got up from my bed and frantically ran towards the bathroom. “I forgot to set my alarm last night.”

I switched the shower on and pulled my hair up. Kit soon came in, fully dressed. “Sorry. That would be my fault. I think I exhausted you.”

Ignoring his banter, I motioned towards his clothing. “How long have you been up? Why didn’t you wake me?”

Kit smiled. “I tried, but you murmured something about not wanting to go to school today and turned over. I thought you needed the sleep. The soup kitchen can go one day without your help.”

I pulled the shower curtain back and stepped inside. “You don’t understand, Kit. People rely on me being there. I don’t want to let anyone down.”

“I doubt anyone would see it that way, but it’s your choice, Olivia. I’m just going to make sure you’re safe when you’re there.”

I rolled my eyes and pulled the curtain back to tell him off, but when I opened it, he had disappeared.

Huffing my annoyance, I got back to taking a quick shower. Once I was ready, I raced downstairs, almost running into Kit as he handed me a slice of toast.

“You can’t go out without some food inside you.”

I felt like saluting him, but gave him a sweet smile and kissed him softly on the lips instead. “Thank you.” I remembered what he said upstairs. “There’s no need to be my bodyguard, Kit. I’ve been doing this for months and not once have I been in any kind of trouble.”

Kit looked a little sad. “I know. I just don’t like knowing that you could be and I wasn’t there to prevent it.”

I bit my lip, wondering if I should even mention it. “I have to work tonight and I can’t have you there, watching my every move.”

Kit grimaced and grit his teeth a little. “It would be someone
else
I’d watch. Believe me when I say I’m not happy about you going back there.”

I placed my hand on his hard chest. “I know. I’ll mention something to him tonight. I promise.”

He nodded, pulling me into him for a kiss. Pulling away, Kit groaned. “Do you have to go today?”

I swatted him. “Yes, insatiable man. I do.”

I soon regretted saying that.

*****

Thomas and Marcus didn’t turn up again. Kit told me not to fuss, saying they were probably just having a hard time dealing with Rachel dying and Wayne getting arrested. I couldn’t help but worry, though. I never stopped worrying.

I looked over at Kit, sitting and watching me from the corner. He smiled and I returned it with a timid one of my own. Something didn’t sit right with me, but I didn’t know what. It was probably the knowledge that Kit was up to something. He seemed the same, but there was something about him today that made me think otherwise. I wished I knew what it was because it was frightening the hell out of me.

It was when I was cleaning up a little later that things got worse. Kit was actually helping me out with the dirty dishes when Tammy barged through the doors, making me jump.

“That’s him.” She pointed towards Kit. I noticed two police officers beside her.

Dumping the dishes, I dried my hands on the apron and stood in front of a shocked, frightened Kit. I glared at Tammy. “What in the hell is going on here?”

Tammy frantically waved her finger in the air. “Him. He’s been stealing the petty cash. I saw him do it this morning.”

I laughed. “Don’t be silly. He’s been helping
me
all morning.”

“I saw him!” Her eyes were wide and frantic. Something was telling me all was not right here.

The officers moved to step around me, but I blocked their path. “What do you think you’re doing?”

One gave me a frustrated look. “We have to arrest this man and question him about the theft.”

I shook my head. “There hasn’t been any theft, officers. Tammy is very much mistaken.”

Tammy shook her head. “No, I’m not. Money has been going missing for weeks now.”

I still stood my ground. “Yes, but money has been going missing when Kit hasn’t even
been
here. How do you explain that?”

Tammy started stuttering. I knew she was talking absolute bullshit, but I was also acutely aware that Kit was scared about being arrested. I couldn’t let that happen.

“He did it. I know he did it!” She was screeching now. The police officer tried to get past me again and that was when I lost it.

“I did it.”

The whole room went deathly quiet. Even Tammy’s face was pale.

The police officer scooted closer to me. “What was that, miss?”

I felt Kit touch my back, but I ignored his silent plea. “I did it. I took the money. I’ve been doing it for weeks. If you check for fingerprints, you will know it was me. Kit had nothing to do with this. He’s just been helping me out because we’ve been understaffed for a while. He’s completely innocent. If you need to take someone away, take me. I did it.”

The room was silent as the officer looked from me to Kit, then back again. Something was telling me he knew I was lying, but a confession was still a confession.

“You know perjury is a crime, don’t you, miss?”

I nodded, knowing I could get myself into a whole heap of trouble, but not caring if it meant Kit was safe.

“I understand. I’ll go with you. I just need to grab my things.” I turned around and saw Kit’s frightened eyes staring back at me. I implored him with my own not to say anything. “I’ll see you later,” I whispered.

I walked away, not wanting to see that look in his eyes. I could tell he was desperate to say something, but I had taken this too far now. To keep himself safe, he had to stay quiet. We both knew I was innocent, but if getting me in trouble kept Kit out of it, I had to go along and pretend that I stole whatever amount of money Tammy would accuse me of.

I briefly looked over at Tammy before I left with the two officers. She looked to be somewhere between shocked and flustered. I believed she knew it wasn’t me who took the money, but if that was the case, who did?

I grabbed my things and walked out, one of the policeman guiding me by the arm. “I’m not planning on running, you know. I’ll go freely.”

He spun me around. “We actually have to put you in handcuffs, miss. It’s for your protection and ours.”

I frowned. “Why? I’m telling you I did it and I’m going with you willingly.”

I felt him tug my arms back and place the handcuffs on me. “I know that, but it’s standard procedure.”

I sighed. “It’s ridiculous.”

The policeman didn’t say anything as he led me to the car out front. To say it was embarrassing was an understatement. Everyone was looking at me, and I could tell there was a lot of whispering. No matter what, I’d never live this down. I was doing this for Kit, though, so it didn’t matter what anyone else thought.

He put me in the car and we went to the police station. By the time we got there, my wrists were hurting from the cuffs straining against them.

“Hey, did you have to wrap these around me so tightly? I’m not used to having these on.” The driver looked into his mirror and smirked. I frowned. “What are you smiling at?”

The policeman sitting in the passenger seat turned to me with a smile. “Don’t worry. We’ll get you out of them once we get inside.”

I was led into the custody suite where a gentleman behind a computer took my details.

“Miss Caudwell-Brown, why does your name sound familiar?”

The guy behind the computer frowned as he looked at me over his spectacles. He then looked back at the screen again and his eyes widened.

“Your father was a very prestigious man, Miss Caudwell. Why do you feel the need to steal money?”

The police officer who had warned me about perjuring myself sighed heavily. I read that message loud and clear. “My name is Miss Brown now. I changed it a few months back.”

The guy behind the counter gave me that look. You know, the sympathetic look that makes you cringe inside. I didn’t want his sympathy. I didn’t want anyone’s sympathy.

The police officer beside me cleared his throat. “I think we’d better take Miss Brown to an interview room.”

I was asked to empty all my pockets, then was led down the hallway. On the way, we bumped into Gareth, the police officer Marcus thought was flirting with me the day we found Rachel.

He frowned when he saw me. “Olivia? What are you doing here?”

I was about to answer when the officer beside me cut in, “Gareth, you know her?”

He was still frowning when he turned to the officer. “Yes. She was the one who called the warehouse in. The DOA.” He saw me wince and grimaced. “Sorry.”

The officer, getting increasingly frustrated, sighed. “She’s been arrested for theft.”

Gareth shook his head and looked at me. “Theft? Surely there’s been a mistake.”

“She admitted it.”

I put my head down in shame as I was led further down the hall. I didn’t want to see the accusing looks. When we got to the interview room, the officer told me to sit down. As I walked in, Gareth tapped the officer’s shoulder and looked over at me.

“Officer Michaels, can I speak to you for a second?”

Michaels nodded and turned to me. “I’ll be back in just a moment.”

I nodded and sat quietly, waiting for his return. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to talk to me about. I had already admitted to stealing the money. What more did he want?

He walked back in and sat down. “Miss Brown–”

“Please, call me Olivia. I hate being called Miss.”

He smiled a little and nodded. “Olivia, I have been told that an amount of money was stolen yesterday. Was that you?” I nodded. “How much was it?”

Shit
.

I looked around the room and fidgeted, a sure sign I was nervous. “Umm… I think it was twenty pounds. I can’t remember now. I don’t make a habit of counting it.”

Michaels regarded me for a moment, scrutinising my every move. “Why do I think you’re lying?”

I laughed. “You know, it’s funny. If I were denying it, you would be interrogating me to
admit
to committing the crime. I’m openly telling you I did it, yet you’re still not satisfied.”

He leaned forward a little, his longish black hair creeping over his eyes. He swept it away. “Something’s telling me you’re not telling the truth. Are you protecting someone? Are you protecting that man in the soup kitchen? Why would you do that?”