Intimate Knowledge (3 page)

Saul Haslen and she had met back in the third year of primary school. He had protected her from playground bullies and she had been the only person who could always make him laugh. Tall, dark skinned and always on the outside the “cool group”, Saul had insisted he loved how normal she was, and the peace and security her friendship offered to him.

Jennifer wasn’t exactly sure what it was that Saul did, but she knew he travelled often, that it was covered under the elusive heading of ’government work’ and that he was very, very good at it. Every now and then he’d give her a tiny titbit at their regular catch-ups, whether it was an anecdote from some exotic country he’d been in, or a joke his co-workers had shared, or even something Saul himself had witnessed.

Obviously she was in trouble. She needed someone to help her and watch her back. She trusted no one more than Saul.

Her hand trembled as she held the phone to her ear.

The ringing seemed to drag on forever. Her heart still raced and she kept checking around her in a twitchy manner she loathed.

“If you’re calling to cancel our dinner tomorrow night I might just have to hunt you down and kill you, Jenn,” his deep voice boomed from the other end of the line.

She hadn’t realised how tense she was until the sound of Saul’s voice had her muscles unclenching. All her stress had fled as soon as she’d heard her friend’s words. Jennifer had no idea where Saul was—he could be around the corner somewhere in London or on the other side of the world doing secret stuff down in Australia. Regardless, merely connecting with him like this, hearing his voice made her feel a million times better.

“Saul?” Her voice hitched and the reality of what had happened came crashing over her. Tears filled her eyes and she didn’t dare speak another word as she tried to get her emotions under control.

That single word seemed to be enough, however. He read everything he needed to in her simply speaking his name.

“What is it? Jenn, where are you?” he snapped out.

Jennifer knew he wasn’t mad with her, she heard the worry and imminent panic in his voice. The only other time she’d felt like this had been when a blind date had turned disastrously wrong. Jennifer had called him from fifty miles outside the city, stranded and needing to be rescued.

She’d thought it would never happen again. Evidently she had been wrong.

“I’m at the market, around the corner from my flat,” she spoke quickly and in a low tone. Her voice trembled, but as she spoke it all flowed out of her like a rotten poison.

“I couldn’t think how else to lose Ginger. Oh, Saul, I’m in so much trouble and I don’t even know why. They were just there when I got home, waiting for me, though I’m certain the killer was looking for something. I don’t dare go back in case they’re still there—”

“Wait, babe, slow down.” Saul’s voice soothed her, his words calming. She heard faintly the sound of his footsteps as he walked somewhere. “Start at the beginning. You’re at the market, I got that. I’m heading to my car and I can be there in fifteen minutes. Now. What’s going on? Who’s Ginger and this killer?”

“I have no idea who either man is. They weren’t exactly in a rush to introduce themselves to me. When I got home tonight they were already in my flat waiting for me. Ginger, I gather, was going to question me about where ’it’ is—I have no idea what he’s talking about—and the killer was farther back, probably ransacking my flat looking for this thing. Ginger…” her voice hitched again. Jennifer took another breath. “He said he would make me scream, Saul. He was excited by it, enjoying the thought of what his plans were… I’m really scared.”

“And this man followed you?”

Quickly she explained how she’d escaped and now hid in the market.

“You can’t stay there, babe. If Ginger was on the phone he’s almost certainly bringing in reinforcements. They’ll comb the area and flush you out.”

Jennifer heard Saul’s car start, the engine revving as he gunned it.

“Can you make it to Mel’s café? She should still be open at this time, right?”

Jennifer nodded, understanding where she thought Saul was leading with his question.

“You want me to wait with her?”

“No, I was thinking she’s on the edge of the market. She should also have access to the cellars underneath. You should be able to work your way under the street, to the loading dock in the alley opposite the area. It’s the most discreet way for you to get out of there and hopefully escape the net these guys will be setting up.”

“Oh, sure, I should be able to do that.” Jennifer slowly stood. She stuck her head around the corner of the stall, taking a full minute to scan her surroundings and be certain she didn’t see Ginger or anyone else looking focused, angry or as if they were searching for her in the vicinity.

“Jenn, you need to be careful—”

“I know. I’m taking this really seriously, believe me.”

She didn’t raise her voice as she headed for the café. Heart pounding, she wondered why she hadn’t thought of hiding there herself. She regularly spent a lazy Sunday morning reading the paper and sipping hot chocolate at Mel’s. Their friendship was superficial, but genuine.

“Where should I meet you?” Jennifer asked, more to keep her mind off her fear of being caught. “How about Hyde park? It’s huge, we can easily hide there as long as you need.”

“It’d be too easy to be followed there. Not to mention it will be practically deserted in an hour. No, I’ll meet you at Buckingham Palace. You can easily catch the Underground there. Friday night, even in this miserable weather, there should be crowds for us to get lost in. Remember where we had that picnic and then hosted the treasure hunt for Sydney’s birthday a few years ago?”

Jennifer wondered why Saul spoke in such a roundabout manner, but she knew the section of the Royal Parks he referred to. One of their mutual friends had requested a scavenger style treasure hunt for his thirtieth birthday party. She and Saul had put together a large part of the list and had a ball organising it.

“Yes. Saul…” Her words trailed off as she wondered what and how much she should say. If Saul didn’t want to go into details over the phone, surely she shouldn’t ask about it or draw attention?

Paranoia crept up on her. She glanced around, her gaze fearful as she studied the people that were around her. Jennifer hated this feeling, the jitters creeping back into her every action.

“It’ll be okay,” Saul soothed. “I’ll see you there, Jenn, very soon, I promise. I’ll help you sort this out.”

“But…but how? Saul, I have no idea of what’s going on. How can we fix something if we don’t understand it?”

“One thing will lead to another. That’s how these things go. We’ll catch a hold of one thread, give it a pull and after a time we’ll be holding enough threads the entire thing will unravel.”

Jenn sucked her lower lip into her mouth, nervously grazing it with her teeth. A tiny part of her wondered if she should drag her best friend into this mess with her, but selfishly she wanted his help, his comfort and support.

“Jenn, do you trust me?”

Saul’s voice was low, soft. Jennifer sighed. Just the sound of him soothed her and offered her the strength and comfort she so desperately needed. Warmth suffused her, the certain, rock-solid knowledge this man would do everything to protect and help her. Never had she loved him as much as she did right then.

“I do. Completely.”

“Then we’ll be just fine,” he finished.

Jennifer smiled. She could hear the grin in his words.

“I’m glad you called me, babe. I’m relieved you turned to me.”

“There’s no one I trust or…can depend on more. You know that.”

Jenn shook her head, annoyed with herself. She’d almost said ‘love more’. A few times over the years they’d both come dangerously close to expressing more than just friendship to one another. One or the other had always backed off at the last moment. Jennifer wasn’t sure why Saul had never explained his emotions fully, but for her part the thought of losing his friendship was enough to send her on a downward spiral.

She couldn’t imagine her life without Saul. If that meant they remained friends and not lovers, then so be it. One of the things she’d needed to decide in the Forest of Dean was whether she should more actively seek love, open herself to new possibilities.

 “You should be close to Mel, now,” Saul spoke a little gruffly, breaking into her thoughts.

“I’m nearly there. I can see her front door. The lights are still on and there’s people sitting inside.”

“Okay, hang up and call me again the minute you’re out and on the street again. I don’t want you distracted, talking to me or anyone else for this. You need to be focused completely on your surroundings. And don’t drop or lose the phone, no matter what.”

Jennifer grinned. Saul’s voice snapped with command, his tone urgent. She understood though, he was worried for her.

“I promise. I’m going to hang up now or you might bite my nose off. I’ll call back in a few minutes.”

“I’ll bite something off, that’s for sure,” Saul replied darkly.

Jennifer’s breath caught. Often they would bicker or tease back and forth, but this felt different. Something had changed between them. Excitement and nerves flickered in her chest. Something deep in his voice brought her body to life. Her nipples and clit sang with it.

She wondered if the adrenaline of the fight, her flight, hiding and now imminent escape had heightened the gentle sexual teasing between them. Or maybe something really had changed from Saul’s point of view. She didn’t know, but an intrigued part of her looked forward to finding out.

“You don’t scare me, Saul,” she replied. Jennifer had meant to sound firm, confident, but even she could hear the faint hint of questioning in her voice. “You’d never hurt me, or bite something off.”

“I’d never hurt you, no, babe. That doesn’t mean I won’t bite you. Call me when you get out and I’ll see you soon in the Gardens. Now, hang up.”

Feeling equally turned on and confused, she mumbled out an “okay” and pressed the button to end the call. This time instead of placing it in her satchel, mindful of Saul’s admonishment not to lose it under any circumstances, she placed it in the back pocket of her jeans.

Her world still felt as if the very axis of it had changed, shifted somehow. Now, having contacted Saul and knowing he would be beside her soon, protecting her and helping her, she no longer felt anywhere near the same level of stress or fear. Oh, she was still scared—Ginger, the killer and any number of people after her blood still roamed the streets, searching for her. But with Saul on her side she felt safer and more confident of her chances.

Saul had never let her down. Ever. She doubted he would start now.

Though, something clearly was changing between them. She’d loved him for years, been attracted to him since their teens. That tone in his voice, that darkly sensual promise. She’d never heard it before—or maybe just never noticed it.

Opening the door to Mel’s café, Jennifer glanced at the patrons quickly as she entered. It took considerable effort, but she focused on her surroundings, watching for something that felt off or someone paying too much attention to her. Nothing struck her as odd, so she headed for the counter, a smile and greeting on her lips for Mel.

“Hey there,” Mel said cheerily. “You need a Friday night hot chocolate? The double choc-chip cookies are still warm from the oven, they’re the last batch of the day.”

“Actually, I need a huge favour.” Jennifer leaned into the counter, lowering her voice so only Mel could hear her. “I know this sounds crazy, but I think there’s a strange guy following me. I’ve spotted him a few times while I was browsing, and no matter where I turn he’s just there, watching me and giving me the creeps.”

“Do you need me to call the cops?” Mel said quietly, scanning behind Jennifer.

Jenn shook her head. “No, I’ve called a friend. I just want to use your back exit, leave without this guy being able to see me. Would that be okay?”

“Are you certain you’ll be safe? There’s always a few coppers hanging around the outskirts in case tourists get lost or can’t find a taxi easily once it gets dark.”

Jennifer smiled, pleased by Mel’s genuine sympathy. “I promise. Saul and I are meeting just a short distance away, he’s already in the car and won’t be more than a few minutes. I just don’t want to go back out the front, not while this man might be watching.”

“Come on around.” Mel lifted a partition of the smooth wooden counter and after throwing a quick look over her shoulder, Jennifer followed Mel around the back.

“Promise me you’ll call the police if this doesn’t work and that idiot finds you,” Mel insisted as she unbolted the back door.

It creaked as it opened, showing a direct line into the alley as Saul had guessed. Jennifer hugged Mel in a quick but warm embrace.

“I swear. I’m not playing the intrepid heroine here, I’m a little embarrassed how freaked out I am to be honest.”

“Swing by in the next day or two,” Mel said. “Make sure you let me know this has turned out okay.”

Jennifer promised, then looked carefully around the cobbled street. Taking a deep breath she hurried out, scanning the area with a paranoid intensity she’d have never believed possible earlier. Although she focused on her surroundings, a part of her mind still chewed on the riddle of her best friend and mulled over the possibilities their earlier conversation seemed to have opened up.

Chapter Two

Jennifer struggled to not pace. She stood on the grass at the edge of the lake next to one of the winding footpaths running through the Gardens near Buckingham Palace. Tourists came even at this hour to see the Royal Mews, the Palace gates and to peer into the well-lit windows of the Queen’s Gallery. She checked her watch for the third time in less than two minutes. How could it possibly creep by so slowly?

A couple strolled closer, their arms entwined, the woman pointing excitedly to a fork in the path.

“That’s it, over there,” she said in what sounded like an American accent.

Jennifer noticed the man held a crumpled tourist map, one the popular hotels kept by the thousand. The couple moved with purpose now, practically ignoring her. Only after they’d passed did her heart rate climb down from the near-apoplectic fit they’d induced.