The Deception (4 page)

‘I’m sure you love them. Like a badge of honour, you wear them with pride,’ said Anna with a wink. ‘And it freaks the kids out at school.’

Jaz laughed. That’s true. She did love how they backed away from her in the corridors. ‘See ya’s later.’

Ryan got the door for her and together they made their way out to the front of the gym where his black SUV was parked. Without a word he opened the passenger door, held her crutches while she got in then handed them back. Before he started the car, he reached across her and opened the glove box.

‘This is for you.’

Jaz took the simple phone he held out, her fingers brushing against his. He was so close she only had to lean forward to kiss his lips. Before she could even contemplate doing it, he sat back in his seat and started the car.

‘If you need me, call me on that. It’s untraceable.’

‘O-kay. Thanks.’ Now she just had to keep it on her without anyone finding it. Easier said than done.

‘Hopefully you won’t be calling me on it,’ he almost growled.

Jaz shot him a smile. ‘We’ll see,’ she teased.

His hands clenched the steering wheel like they were choking something. She loved getting under Ryan’s skin. Especially as he was someone not easily rattled.

‘So, are you ready?’ he said, as he pulled up at the bus stop closest to Marcus’s house.

Always precautions, always careful. ‘Yep. Just like acting, right?’ Jaz got out quickly, hurting her leg in the process. She cursed as she hobbled to the curb. The tint on Ryan’s windows was dark but she could still feel his eyes watching her. She gave him a nod before making her way up the road towards her boyfriend’s house.

The only thing that helped calm her jangled nerves was the crash of the waves across the road. The salty sea breeze filled her lungs as she counted her steps. Four hundred and eighty-four crutch-wielding steps later she reached their house. It was a big two-storey which overlooked the ocean and the many sunsets. Worth a pretty penny, no doubt.

With a shaking finger, she rang the doorbell then took two deep breaths to steady herself. Please don’t let it be Carl, she prayed.

As the door cracked open, Jaz felt relief as Marcus stood there in his own school uniform. His tie was gone, the top button on his white shirt undone and his hair was out, almost brushing his shoulders.

‘Hey,’ she said.

Marcus was an attractive guy and she couldn’t help but smile at the way his dark green eyes lit up when he saw her.

‘What happened to you!’ he said, as he took in her bruises and then the crutches. ‘Oh geez. Come in.’

‘Thanks.’ Jaz moved past him and headed into the lounge room to the couch. Marcus sat beside her, his hand caressing her face. The concern in his eyes made her melt, until she remembered how she’d got the injuries in the first place.

‘Jaz?’

‘Don’t worry, it looks worse than it is,’ she said with a smile. With a big sigh, she repeated her well-rehearsed lie. ‘It’s stupid really, and I’m a little embarrassed to even tell you. That’s why I haven’t been around, I felt really silly.’

‘No, you don’t need to feel that way around me. Come on, tell me.’ He grabbed her hands and gave them a squeeze.

‘I was trying to do an olly on my skateboard.’

‘Oh.’

‘Yeah.
Oh.
Well, I said more than that when I stacked it. I came down funny and did my hammy before face planting. I’m so glad no one was around to see it. But still it doesn’t help my wounded pride.’ Jaz pulled a face while Marcus tried not to laugh.

He reached around her and pulled her up against his chest. ‘I’m sorry, babe. Don’t worry, I have been there and done that. At least you were giving it a go.’ He rested his chin on her head as she lay against him.

Jaz felt herself relax into him. His warmth. His youthful scent. His tenderness. ‘I missed this.’ Her hand rested against his tight abs, nothing like Ryan’s, but still, for his age, Marcus was toned from all his skateboarding. If she were a normal girl, in a normal situation, she’d be a happy one. But this was all make-believe. This was her job. Some days she wished it were real because it felt like it could be real. She liked Marcus a lot and she cared what happened to him.

‘Me too.’ Marcus cleared his throat. ‘I could have used a few hugs over the weekend.’

Jaz frowned and was glad he couldn’t see her face. ‘Why’s that?’ she said casually.

‘You know dad’s warehouse, well, there was a break-in and Tommy got shot.’ He paused and Jaz felt the rise and fall of his chest. ‘He, um, died and Rich ended up in hospital.’

Knowing she couldn’t hide from this Jaz sat up, hoping her face was full of shock. ‘What? When?’ Her leg was squished against his; the pressure on her bullet wound stung but she pushed it aside.

‘Saturday night.’

‘Oh my gosh. What happened? Did they steal anything? Did the cops catch them?’

‘Rich actually managed to call Dad, his face was bashed in. Suffered some concussion. He’s coming out of hospital today I think, one eye socket is fractured but he’ll still be able to see. The cops don’t know who did it. Rich fought with them, said the guy was lean but strong and had got in through the toilet window. Dad thinks they could have been junkies looking for cash. But they think there were more than one.’

‘I can’t believe it. How do they know there were more?’ Jaz sat back a bit, hoping Marcus couldn’t hear how fast her heart was thumping. She could hear it rattling out ‘it was me, it was me’.

‘Well, Dad said Tommy was shot twice. In the back and front.’

Her hand went to her mouth as her stomach rolled.

‘Unless he was shot, then turned around and was shot again. They are waiting for the report to find out for sure. But there were no guns found. Police are calling it a break and enter gone wrong.’

Jaz tried to nod but the tension in her muscles was so tight they were like small rubber bands. She just sat there, frozen, and couldn’t think of anything else to say without giving herself away. Carl must have arrived before calling the police and ambulance because Tommy’s gun didn’t get a mention.

‘Tommy’s funeral is on Friday. Mum and Dad are still in shock. Tommy’s been with us for years. Dad’s been really messed up.’ Marcus let his breath hiss out between his teeth. ‘He hasn’t been himself these last few days.’

This was interesting. ‘What do you mean? Your dad seems like a strong guy,’ she said, hoping he would elaborate.

‘I understand he’s stressed out about his warehouse and Tommy, but it doesn’t mean he can bite everyone’s head off. He snapped at me yesterday because I answered the phone and he’s shutting himself away in his office and growls if Mum or I open the door to tell him dinner’s ready.’

Carl was stressed big-time. He’d lost his main man who got the drugs out of the sea container. He probably was also trying to make sure no one actually knew what went on in his warehouse. Jaz wondered how long Carl had been with Rich before he called the ambulance. Had he gone through the warehouse first, checking it was clean of everything incriminating?

‘I wouldn’t take it to heart. Death affects us all differently. For all we know it could even be bringing back your sister’s death. I’m sure your dad just needs some time.’

‘Yeah, I never thought of that.’ Marcus pulled her into his arms again. Jaz tried not to yelp as her weight rolled onto her wound. ‘What would I do without you, Jaz. I’m glad you’re here.’

‘Me too.’

His hands caressed her face moments before his lips found hers. Gently at first, before it became hungry and needful. Jaz understood how getting lost in the moment helped the problems fade away. Ryan had certainly helped her survive through her first death while in Pakistan.

Marcus’s hand slipped from her cheek, finding its way to her breast. Jaz arched into him, into his warmth and the distraction she’d been craving. His tongue brushed along her teeth as she sunk her hand into his long hair. But with all this going on, Jaz still couldn’t clear her mind. She was still thinking of Carl, Tommy and Ryan. Always Ryan. His strong muscled body and the fire in his deep dark eyes always had a way of reaching every corner of her mind, no matter how hard she tried to fight it.

Marcus shifted closer, leaning over her until she was lying back on the couch. He eased his body on top of her until she felt him hard against her. She closed her eyes and groaned. It felt nice to be wanted. Marcus rolled to the side and her eyes shot open as she yelped.

‘Oh, sorry, are you okay?’ he asked, holding himself up. His green depths full of concern.

Once the pain had subsided enough for Jaz to talk, she nodded and smiled. ‘Yeah, sorry. I’m still really sore.’ She sat up, brushing her hair back. ‘I feel like an idiot.’

Marcus chuckled and pulled her back against him. ‘Don’t be. That was awesome, before I hurt you. I’m sorry.’ He kissed her forehead.

God, Jaz felt awful. If he knew the truth he’d probably hate her.

After a few minutes, well, for as long as Jaz could handle the throbbing ache in her leg, she suggested they get something to drink.

‘Sure, would you like a can of Coke?’ he offered.

‘Yes, please.’ She watched him from the couch as he walked to the open kitchen. ‘So have you done any more drawings?’ she asked.

‘Maybe,’ he said with a grin, before his head disappeared behind the fridge door.

The front entry opened and slammed shut. Jaz sat up just as quickly as Marcus shut the fridge.

‘Dad, hey?’ he said cautiously.

Carl threw his briefcase on the countertop. ‘I’m going into my office and I don’t want to be disturbed, okay?’ Carl’s eyes had dark circles around them but he was still dressed nicely in his suit pants, tie and shirt. He spotted the two cans of Coke Marcus was holding and froze. He realised they weren’t alone. Forcing a smile, he turned towards Jaz.

‘Hi Jaz,’ he said before clearing his throat. ‘Um, you kids have a nice time. Just keep it down, yeah?’ Carl said pointedly to Marcus.

‘We will.’ As Carl walked off to his office, Marcus’s shoulders dropped as he came back to the couch. ‘See what I mean.’ He handed Jaz her Coke. ‘He’s just not his normal self.’

‘I noticed.’ Jaz didn’t like the little frown mark along his forehead. He was too cute to carry that. ‘So, do you think you can show me the pictures you’ve done?’

A smile spread along his lips. ‘You really want to?’

‘Of course. You know I love your drawings. I wish you had more confidence in your own work.’ Jaz frowned. She knew his doubt came from his dad’s disapproval.

‘Wanna come …’ he paused, looking at her crutches. ‘Um, you wait here, I’ll go get them.’ He winked and moved off the couch, leaving his Coke on the small coffee table.

Jaz didn’t waste any time. She got up quickly, ignoring the niggling pain, and stepped to the kitchen as Marcus disappeared around the corner, past his dad’s office and up the stairs to his room.

Jaz was after one thing only. Carl’s briefcase, which he’d left on the kitchen bench. Her heart began to race. She only had a few seconds. Since the moment Carl had flung it there, she’d been thinking of ways to check it out. Would there be anything important lurking inside? Had Carl left it behind because he’d been distracted by them or did he not keep anything special in it? Maybe he didn’t think his family would find it ‘important’ but Jaz wasn’t family. Any little thing could be crucial.

Marcus’s footsteps were heading up the steps as she flipped open the leather case. She prayed Carl had his door shut tight so that if he opened it she would hear.

Jaz had seconds.

Act fast.

She slid out the papers inside. Her eyes running over the contents as quickly as possible. Invoices, customs documentation and forms, but nothing she thought helped. Unless he had a man in customs? Jaz quickly sought out the name on the paperwork. Daniel McNally. And filed it away in her memory.

Next she checked out the business cards he had slotted in the leather. ‘Jameson Figlomeni, Figlomeni Enterprises. AFMA member.’ There was a phone number and an address in Hillarys.

There were none for De Luca Industries, maybe she was a bit naive to think Carl would cart that around on him. But what good would that do? She already knew Carl was tied up with De Luca.

Heavy footsteps dropped against the steps. Marcus was on his way back. The pounding of her heart and the fear of being caught made her giddy with adrenaline. So much that her hand was shaking badly as she tried to slide the paperwork back in. It was almost impossible to stay calm, knowing Marcus would be walking towards her and she was still trying to close up his dad’s case. But if her training and fencing had taught her anything, it was how to stay cool under pressure. She could do this.

‘I think you’ll like these,’ said Marcus from right behind her. His converse shoes barely made a sound against the marble floor.

Swallowing her fear, Jaz flipped the cover on the case, picked up her can of Coke and forced a smile as she turned around. ‘Why? Are they of me?’ she said, hoping the words didn’t rush out with all the nervousness that she felt. She sipped her Coke to hide her discomfort.

Jaz turned to offer up the table space so they could spread out his drawings, and doing so she slid Carl’s case further behind her and with any luck, pushing it further from Marcus’s mind.

He laid out three white pages with lead pencil sketches on them.

‘Oh wow.’ Jaz leant over to see one of her. They way he’d captured her hair, so free and beautiful, was amazing. ‘It looks so real.’ Her lips were drawn plump and the detail crazy. ‘You have such a talent, Marcus. I just wish your dad could see it.’

Marcus placed his hand low on her back and he leant over to kiss her neck. Automatically Jaz tilted her head, giving him easier access to her skin.

‘So do I.’

When he finished kissing her, Jaz pulled the other two drawings closer. One was of the ocean outside his bedroom window and the third … the third caused her heart to skip.

Every night in her dreams that face haunted her. Tommy.

‘What’s wrong?’ said Marcus.

Jaz cleared her throat. ‘Nothing, it’s just sad,’ she managed to whisper. It was hard to talk when her body was frozen in terror. That night she’d shot Tommy, she hadn’t seen his face in the dark, but in her nightmares it was clearly visible. So seeing his face now was like living her bad dreams. ‘Did he have a family?’ she asked.