United State of Love (21 page)

‘I don't know … ’

‘No, listen. Tex isn’t there, otherwise he could easily do it himself. He's in Guildford but his fitters are crying out for this plan and can't get on without it, so I need you to go like ten minutes ago.’

‘Okay, but I don't have a key.’ She couldn't really refuse, not if she wanted to keep her job.

‘Apparently the neighbour at number fourteen has a spare. Now, the papers are in an envelope on the coffee table. Give the neighbour back the key when you leave, drop the papers off and Bob's your uncle, job done.’

‘You make it sound very straightforward,’ sighed Anna.

‘That's because it is,’ said Jamie, then in a softer tone, ‘Look, Tex said things between you two are a bit tricky at the moment, but try not to let it affect your work, eh?’

‘Sorry, you're right.’ She knew he was, but it
was
difficult.

Anna punched in the familiar code to the car park barrier underneath Tex's apartment block. Parking her car, she saw that the space where his black Ford Ranger usually stood was empty. So he really wasn't here.

Miss Purdy, long-time occupier of apartment number fourteen and unofficial keyholder to a couple of the residents on the top floor, greeted Anna at the door.

‘Hello, my dear,’ she smiled warmly at Anna. ‘He's not given you a key yet then? I expect it won't be long though.’ She chuckled at her own joke. ‘He's a nice young man, you could do a lot worse than him. There you go. I'll leave you to it. Just drop the key back when you're done.’

Anna cautiously opened the door to Tex's apartment. Stepping inside, she called out, just to make sure it was empty. There was a silence and a stillness that only empty properties can generate. A small lump came to her throat. Normally at this point Tex would be greeting her, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her. Oh for those lovely kisses.

She ventured into the living room, looking for the papers. Jamie had said they were on the table. No sign of them. Anna scoured the room and then the kitchen. No, definitely no envelope, no plans. Perhaps they were in the bedroom. She paused at the door, the memories of her and Tex spending loving hours together in bed came flooding back. Oh the pain in her heart as she thought of those beautiful times that would no longer be. Her hand shaking slightly, Anna pushed open the bedroom door.

The bed was immaculately made, as usual, the clock on the bedside table as it always was. Everything neat and tidy. No sign of any drawings in here. She'd have to ring Jamie.

Tex stood silently in the living room, watching her search her bag, presumably for her phone, fishing it out from the bottom as she always did. He had felt like an undercover surveillance cop earlier as, parked out on the street a safe distance away, he had watched her drive in and park up.

She stopped searching her bag, looked up and then jumped and shrieked before a small gasp of relief escaped as she realised it was him.

‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,’ he spoke softly.

‘I was getting some paperwork. Jamie asked me. He said you were in Guildford. I can't find the papers though. He said they were on the table. I was just looking to see if I could find them.’ She was gabbling. Tex waited patiently, it might have been amusing under different circumstances.

‘There are no papers.’ He watched her face as she took in and processed the information. ‘Jamie wouldn’t have gone along with it if I had told him the truth.’ He spoke gently and quietly so as not to make her feel threatened. He had tricked her into coming here and she was on the defensive. ‘How are you’?’

‘Okay. You?’

Tex nodded. ‘Okay.’ It was a lie; he hadn't been okay at all. He had been worried sick about her, but he had been patient and given her the space she'd asked for. How much space did she need? He couldn't wait any longer. He looked at her face, no sign of the graze now. She looked so small, so uncertain standing there. He wanted to sweep her up into his arms, take her away, but he knew he had to tread slowly. Carefully. ‘Is Mark still here?’

Anna nodded, twiddling the rings on her finger rapidly.

‘Has he been behaving himself?’ Tex couldn't disguise the tension in his voice that the thought of Mark with Anna brought to him.

‘He was drunk.’

‘That's no excuse.’

‘You shouldn't have hit him.’

‘He deserved it.’ Hell, what was wrong with her, defending the son of a bitch? Tex was fighting to keep calm, the anger rising inside of him as he remembered the mess he had found her in.

‘Tex, please, I don't want to talk about it. It's over and done.’ Anna looked hesitant and unsure of herself. Or was she unsure of him? She'd had two weeks with Mark. Had they made up? Was that why she’d been avoiding him?

‘So when were you gonna ring me?’ It came across harsher than he intended. ‘I've been worried about you.’

‘I was going to but with all that's been going on … ’ She looked down at the floor, staring at her feet. ‘I just need a bit more time.’

‘More time! Why do you need space at all? What is there to think about? We had a great week together, you come home, Mark is there, you fight, you end up with a grazed face and after all that, it's me you need space from. Tell me, Anna, just what the hell I am missing here?’ The frustration spilled over as Tex angrily thrust his hands to his head, trying to keep in control. He checked himself as he saw Anna physically flinch at the tone in his voice.

‘He didn’t attack me. I told you before. I tripped over a book and caught my face.’ She didn’t look up as she spoke. Was that because she couldn’t look him in the eye? Was she covering up for him?

‘I’m meant to believe that, am I?’

Now she looked up at him. ‘I'd better go,’ she said quietly, walking across the living room.

‘Don't go, not yet.’ He stood in her way, unsure whether he should hold her. Instead, he rested his forehead on hers. He could feel the heat of her skin, smell her sweet scent, almost taste it. ‘I've missed you,’ he whispered, gently sliding his hands down the length of her arms, feeling for her hands, holding them in his, rubbing the tops with his thumbs. Tex pulled away slightly. Her gaze lowered, a tear trickling down her face.

‘We can work this out,’ he whispered softly. Just being in contact with her stirred him. He wanted her so badly, in every way. Still she stood there, not speaking, more tears falling.

‘Anna, we can make this work. I know we can. You must believe me. Trust me. Put your past, your marriage,
him
, behind you. It will be okay. I promise.’ Tex kissed her on the mouth, a small gentle kiss. Another one. He felt her respond, lift her head and return the kiss. Thank the Lord, they were going to be okay. He drew her to him, stroking her head as it rested against his chest. ‘I can fix this.’

Well, he could fix the house sale, he just wished Spencer Hogan would hurry up and get back to him. Al had phoned yesterday to say that Spence was working on something, but it was going to take a while longer. Trouble was, Tex didn’t have much time left. His deadline with Mark was looming fast.

Without warning, Anna suddenly pulled away. ‘I’m sorry, Tex,’ she began. ‘I can’t do this.’

‘Can’t do what exactly? Trust me? Why can’t you trust me? I can fix this for you.’ Jeez, what was it going to take?

‘How exactly do you propose to fix it?’ It was an accusation, a challenge, not really a question.

‘I can buy the house myself. That way he gets his money, goes back to America and you and Luke can carry on living there.’

He thought she would be pleased. Delighted even. How wrong he was.

‘No! If you buy the house, I will then be in your debt. Don’t you see?’ She was almost shouting now, pacing back and forth. ‘I am in this mess because I am reliant on him for a home. If you buy it, nothing changes for me. What happens when things between us are over? I will be in the same position I am now. I don’t want to need anyone. Not even you.’

It stung him to hear her say that and with such conviction. She really meant it. Now he was angry with her.

‘What does that mean?’

‘It means I’m sorting this out myself. Don’t get involved.’

He couldn’t keep the anger at bay. The strain of trying to make her see sense, the frustration at her stubbornness and the pain of her rejection cut him to the core. ‘I am on your side and yet you push me away.’ The frustration surged through his body. He wanted to shake some sense into her. ‘I thought we had something special but I was wrong. You clearly don’t want me. Maybe it was him you wanted all along.’ It was a gamble. He was forcing her hand, leaving her no option but to deny it. He sounded desperate. He was desperate.

Anna looked at him for what seemed an eternity. Staring intently. When she finally spoke, her voice was hard and cold. ‘I thought we had something special too. If you truly believe that I was just trying to get back with Mark, then, like you, I was wrong about us. About you.’ With that she was across the room, breaking in to a run as she fled down the hallway, dropping the key, not bothering to close the door, such was her haste to escape.

‘Anna!’ Tex shouted, chasing after her. His gamble hadn’t paid off. It had failed, big time. He leaned over the bannister, he could hear her feet pattering on the staircase. ‘Anna! Wait!’ He hurtled down the steps, stopping at the first floor and again leaning over the bannister as he heard her feet clattering across the foyer, and then the clunk of the door as it shut behind her. She was gone.

Tex didn't think he'd ever experienced the feeling he had now. A feeling of complete and utter helplessness and hopelessness, his feet heavy on the steps as he went back up to his apartment. She's gone. She's gone. The words going round in his mind, tormenting him. He had a vague image of Miss Purdy standing in her doorway, asking if he was all right. He didn't answer. He couldn't answer. Anna was gone.

He stalked around his apartment angry and despondent, as if he were going to find the answers to it all hidden away in one of the rooms. Every nook, cranny, corner and space of the apartment reminded him of her.

She was gone.

‘For fuck’s sake!’ he shouted at the top of his voice. The pent-up frustration no longer under control, he swept his arm across the worktop, sending cups, kettle and coffee pot crashing and smashing to the floor. He kicked them for good measure, scattering them across the tiles.

Desperation and despair overwhelming him, he leaned on the worktop with his hands, dropping his head, taking long, deep breaths in an effort to regain control. The anger was only masking the pain he could feel burning in the pit of his stomach. The more the anger subsided, the more the pain intensified.

Tex tightened his shoelace as Nathan took a call.

‘Thank you very much, Titch.’

Tex’s attention was immediately piqued but he carried on fiddling with his shoe, not wishing to alert Nathan to the fact that he knew it was Anna on the other end.

‘Erm, I’m with a client actually.’

He obviously wasn’t going to elaborate. Tex made to adjust his other shoelace.

‘Zoe? Something planned? You must be joking. She scribbled her name on the birthday card the kids made but that’s about it.’ Nathan sighed.

Still Tex didn’t look up, but he was sure Nathan was glancing his way. His voice was lower as he carried on, but not low enough that Tex couldn’t hear what was being said.

‘Lunch sounds great. I could be with you for, say, one o’clock. Is that okay?’ Nathan shut his phone and turned to Tex. ‘Sorry about that.’

Tex toyed with the idea of asking after Anna, but changed his mind. What was the point? The less he knew, the less it hurt. He had the restaurant to occupy himself with now. The opening was only a few days away, and he had discovered that, sharing his time equally between the Arundel and Guildford restaurant, he was usually too busy or too tired to dwell much on Anna. Although he couldn’t avoid the dreams.

‘Happy birthday,’ Tex said without much enthusiasm as the two men stepped out into the sunshine ready for their morning run.

‘You heard then?’ said Nathan as they began their stretching exercises. ‘Look, Tex, I know it’s none of my business…’

‘If you know that, then don’t bother.’ Probably uncalled for but what the hell, this conversation would only go places he had no intention of exploring.

If Nathan was going to protest, he wasn’t given the chance, as from across the road, Christine jogged over to them.

‘Well, hello you two,’ she smiled, standing on the forecourt, hands on hips. ‘Now there’s a sight for sore eyes.’

Tex nodded a small acknowledgement.

‘Hi, Christine,’ answered Nathan.

‘I have a confession to make,’ Christine said to Nathan, giving him a hug. ‘I’m really sorry but I forgot your birthday. Sorry Natty.’

Tex couldn’t disguise the scoffing noise he made at Christine’s pet name. He looked at Nathan, who at least had the decency to look embarrassed.

‘That's okay. I'm getting to that age where I don't want too many reminders,’ replied Nathan.

‘But I’m going to make it up to you,’ beamed Christine.

‘That's all right, Christine, there's really no need,’ said Nathan. Again Tex met Nathan’s sheepish glance.

‘There's every need and I insist.’ Christine tapped his chest with her polished red fingernail. ‘When you get back from your run today, I’m taking you out for lunch. No, I insist.’

With that, Christine was back off across the road.

Nathan looked at Tex. ‘She’s a client,’ he said firmly. ‘End of.’

The run had done nothing to shake off Tex’s bad mood. He freshened up in the shower room at the back of his office and then sat down at his desk to deal with the never-ending paperwork. Today, however, he couldn’t concentrate at all, his mind kept going back to the day before. Something didn’t ring true, yet he couldn’t put his finger on what exactly. It was just a gut feeling he had.

Not only that, but tomorrow his deadline with Mark was up and he hadn’t heard a word from Spencer. Tex had phoned him and left a voicemail, but so far he hadn’t even been able to speak to him.

The ping from his laptop told him he had a new email. Absently, he clicked on ‘open’. As soon as he saw the sender, he sat bolt upright and clicked on Spencer Hogan’s name to open it.

Nick, hope this isn’t too late. Had to rely on contacts. Have attached the report. . Ring if you need anything explaining. Spence.

Tex clicked open the file and waited while the pdf document downloaded. Slowly. ‘Jeez, come on ,’ he urged, as he tracked the download percentage bar across the screen He thought he would punch the screen out of pure impatience, but finally the words ‘Download Complete’ appeared. Opening the document, Tex eagerly read the contents. A small, victorious smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Anna's attempt at not being too peed off with her brother may have succeeded had she only had to deal with him cancelling their lunch, but to have him propped up outside her door by Christine, and so obviously the worse for wear, was asking a bit too much.

‘Shorry, Anna,’ slurred Nathan as he staggered in, still in his running gear, and fell onto the sofa like a puppet having its strings cut.

‘I took him out for a birthday lunch and he got a bit carried away with the red wine.’ Christine smiled apologetically but not convincingly.

‘And you didn't?’ said Anna, irritated.

‘No, not my birthday. Besides, one of us had to drive. I had to get your address from Tex.’ Christine brushed past Anna and into the living room, where she knelt down beside Nathan. ‘I'm off now my darling. Hope you don't get in too much trouble with wifey.’

Anna scowled at Christine and followed her out to the end of the garden path. ‘Why don't you leave him alone?’

‘All in good time. Now, I'm not likely to see you at the opening of Tex's restaurant, am I? Your brother tells me it's all off between you two. About time Tex came to his senses and ditched you.’

‘I haven't been ditched,’ said Anna, indignantly folding her arms. ‘We're just having a bit of time apart. A bit of space, that's all.’

‘Oh please, we all know what a bit of space means. According to Tex, it's all over. Why else would he invite me to the opening night on Thursday? Anyway, love to stop and chat but I've got to go shopping – need a new dress for Thursday. Oh, and here are your brother's car keys. His car is in the car park behind Tarrant Street.’

Anna stomped back indoors. Birthday or no birthday, Nathan had a lot to answer for. What was he playing at? Standing his own sister up for lunch only to get pissed with Cruella de Vil!

‘Nathan? Nathan!’ She shook his shoulder. ‘Oh, for pity’s sake.’ He was fast asleep. Just to make matters worse, chuckling away, Mark appeared from the kitchen where he had been lurking. Anna turned and glared at him. ‘And you can shut up too.’

Tex made sure the folder was closed, the contents readily available but hidden until he was set to reveal his ace card. Man, was he going to enjoy wiping the smug smile from that jerk’s face.

Mark sat down in front of the desk. ‘Well, good afternoon. I’m so glad you want to do business.’

Tex sat impassively on the other side, relishing the thought of what was about to happen. Mark Barnes wouldn’t have that self-satisfied grin on his face for much longer.

‘You got the photos?’ He needed to know they were here before he began.

Mark nodded and patted his side pocket.

Tex carried on. ‘Put them on the table so I can see them.’

‘You can trust me, you know.’ Mark took the envelope from his pocket, dropped it on the desk. ‘You got the money?’

Tex picked up the envelope and looked inside, counting the five polaroids. He was just about to take them out of Mark’s reach when Mark placed his hand over the top of his.

‘Not so fast. Let me see your end of the bargain.’

‘Sure.’ Tex reached down and lifted up a small holdall from the floor. Dumping it on top of the desk, ensuring it covered the envelope, Tex pulled open the neck to reveal bundles of twenty-pound notes.

Avarice oozed from Mark’s eyes at the sight of the money, beads of perspiration breaking out across his brow. He went to touch the bag, but Tex pulled it out of reach, relieved to see that the envelope had been dragged from the desk too. As he slid the holdall off the desk and onto his lap, he hoped the envelope had fallen to the floor. He daren’t risk looking down. Not yet.

‘Yeah, about that arrangement,’ began Tex frowning, shaking his head slightly. ‘I’m gonna have to renegotiate.’

‘What?’ The incredulous look was a gratifying sight.

‘Let me explain.’ Tex put the holdall on the floor, allowing himself the opportunity to glance down. He trapped the envelope under his foot. That wasn’t going anywhere.

‘Just what are you playing at?’ demanded Mark, his eyes darting back and forth, scanning the desk. ‘Where’s the envelope?’

‘Oh, you can quit worrying about the envelope, I have that in safekeeping.’ Tex was on his feet as quick as Mark. Both leaning across the desk, their faces only inches apart. Tex’s voice was low and steady. ‘Sit down.’ He wondered for a second if Mark was going to do something stupid. In a way, he hoped he would. Busting Mark’s face would satisfy Tex no end. It was, therefore, slightly disappointing to see Mark sit back down.

Mark straightened his jacket, adjusted his cuffs. ‘So, would you care to explain?’ From the wary look in Mark’s eyes, it was all bravado.

Tex picked up a folder he had by the side of the desk. He opened it and lifted up the first sheet so Mark could see.

‘Goldings Casino. August last year. A loss of five hundred dollars. Goldings Casino. August tenth. A loss of seven hundred dollars. Goldings Casino. August fifteenth. Oh, a slight win that time. One hundred dollars.’ He looked at Mark, who it seemed had a great poker face, but that’s about as far as it went. ‘Fast forward a couple of months and the losses keep coming. November. One thousand dollars lost. Three thousand dollars lost. You weren’t getting any better, were you? But the stakes were rising.’

‘And your point of all this?’ said Mark tightly.

‘I’m just coming to that. I’ve done a quick calculation and it seems over the past six months, you’ve gambled away a total of nearly sixty thousand dollars. Now that’s a lot of bucks.’

‘No law against it.’

‘No, you’re right.’ Tex picked up another sheet of paper. A change of tact. Confuse him. ‘Marsha Davenport. Pretty girl. How old is she? Erm, it says it right here, oh yeah, twenty.’

He could hear Mark take a deep breath as he tried to act nonchalant. ‘Again, no law against it.’

‘No, again you’re right, but I don’t know what her daddy would say. Now, if I’ve read this right, Peter Davenport is her father and also an investor in the football academy. He’s put up a lot of money. Nearly one hundred thousand dollars.’ That got his attention all right.

Mark slammed his hand on the desk. ‘Where are you getting all this from? How the hell did you find that out? It’s confidential.’

‘That’s not really important, is it?’ Tex took yet another sheet of paper from the file. Was he enjoying this or what? ‘You know, under Californian law, embezzlement is punishable by imprisonment.’

‘Embezzlement! You’re just guessing. You’ve no proof of that.’

‘Well, the thing is Mark, I don’t actually need proof. I can just hand this right over to the authorities and they’ll do the rest. Of course, they probably won’t be interested in you hooking up with Marsha Davenport, but I suspect that daddy will be, and it ain’t gonna be pretty.’

Mark got up, clearly agitated, and started pacing the room. ‘What do you want? You got the photos. What’s this all about?’

‘Sit down.’

Mark did as he was ordered.

‘I don’t plan on doing anything with these,’ said Tex.

‘What are you talking about?’

‘You get that house sold and you repay the company. No gambling it away. You repay your gambling debts with the balance.’ Tex fixed him with a hard stare. He could tell Mark wasn’t expecting that.

‘What, and you won’t say anything?’ Mark’s eyes narrowed. ‘Why are you so keen to get the house sold? That’s not what Anna wants. What’s the catch?’

Tex shrugged. He wasn’t about to say that he wanted the house sold so Anna had as few ties with Mark as possible. ‘No catch. You repay your debts. Part two of the deal. Tomorrow you go to the solicitors and instigate divorce proceedings. Part three of the deal. You destroy any copies you may have made of those pictures. If I so much as suspect you’ve shown them to anyone, then I’ll be posting this little lot off to the authorities with a copy to Peter Davenport.’

‘You’re going to a lot of trouble for my wife.’

Jeez, he couldn’t help himself, could he? What Anna ever saw in this slimeball, he didn’t know. ‘Part four.’

‘Part four!’ exclaimed Mark.

‘Yes, part four. You even think about mentioning any of this to Anna, then I will also tell Daddy Davenport about the termination you paid for his daughter to have.’

That was his ace, his trump card. If Mark thought that once the money had been restored to the business account he was off the hook and free to blackmail or print those pictures again, then he was wrong. Tex watched the colour seep from Mark’s face as he swallowed hard. It was a done deal.