Missing - Page 2

Chapter 21

 The next day Jess played the recording of the phone call she’d received the night before for John Gorman. “Things are getting more serious” he said.

“Not necessarily” she said “it could be just more scare tactics.”

“Maybe” he said, sounding thoughtful.

“What have you discovered here?” she asked.

“Not a lot” he said. “I can’t find anything to indicate where the leak is. With everyone having access to all files, there’s just no way of narrowing down the suspect pool.”

“Maybe you need to set something up that will do that.”

“Hmm, maybe, I just don’t like suspecting my staff.

“I know, but you know one of them is guilty.”

“It’s the innocent ones that worry me. I don’t want to offend anyone by assuming guilt where there isn’t any.”

Jess nodded “what if you password protect the file?”

“But that will just tip off whoever it is that we’re looking for them and then they won’t do anything to show their hand.”

“True” Jess said, thoughtful.

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll think about the best way to do it. In the mean time be careful. There’s no telling what this guy might do.”

“Yep, will do” Jess said and she left the office to follow up a few leads.

Chapter 22

That night she was ready to go out with Marco by 6.45. She had no idea where they were going so she’d dressed to cover most eventualities. She’d chosen black dress pants, a sheer, floaty cobalt blue top over a matching singlet and black heels. She’d put her hair up to one side in a low, loose bun. 

Ren wandered down from the studio as she was pouring a glass of wine to occupy her while she waited. 

“Can I pour you one?” she asked.

 He nodded and handing him his glass, they walked out onto the balcony and sat down. “You look nice” he said “who’s the lucky guy?”

“Don’t ask” Jess said sipping her drink.

“Oh” Ren said, his eyebrows shooting up.

“Not one word Ren” she warned.

He held up his hands and said “no worries. I’ve said my bit.”

“Thank you” she said and checking her watch saw that there was only a few minutes to go. Marco should be there shortly, she was excited to see him. 

However, half an hour later Jess was still waiting. Thankfully after finishing his wine, Ren had gone out, so she didn’t have to suffer through the wait with him watching her. But Jess was worried, it wasn’t like Marco to be late and by the time he was an hour over due, with no word from him to say he’d been held up, her chest began to hurt. All her misgivings about him came flooding back ten-fold. She couldn’t help but think the worst. Had it all been a game to him and he was only now letting her know? She’d have laid money on it that he wouldn’t be that cruel, no matter what his reputation was. But what other explanation was there? She knew she shouldn’t have trusted him. 

After another half an hour, when it became clear he wasn’t coming, pain was replaced by anger. Striding around the living room she fumed asking out loud “how could he do this to me?” At one point she pulled off her shoes and threw them across the room to relieve some of the frustration she felt. She no longer wanted any food, but grabbing the bottle of wine she sat down in front of the TV and proceeded to finish it as she found a movie to watch. When she went to bed that night she didn’t sleep. Knowing she had been proved right about him was cold comfort and the thought that she had found out before it was too late did nothing to stop the pain she felt. She closed her eyes but the tears came anyway and her weakness only made her angrier. He wasn’t worth it, she told herself over and over again.

 

Chapter 23

The next day, Jess was dejected. Her anger spent, now all she felt was the pain and humiliation. She went about her work with a dogged determination, just willing the day to be over so she could curl up in a ball and shut out the world. 

For the sixth time in the last few days she called Natalie’s employer during the morning and left a message for him to call her. She also, for the third time requested a list of employees from the person she spoke to, they said they’d get back to her. She wasn’t holding her breath. Apart from the one woman Natalie was friendly with, no one there would speak to her and even she wouldn’t return her calls now. She wasn’t the police, she couldn’t compel them to speak to her but couldn’t help but wonder, if they had nothing to hide, why wouldn’t they be willing to help? The repeated unanswered messages to her employer were particularly interesting and the more he avoided her the more Jess looked at him as a suspect. She really only called now to confirm the man’s avoidance rather than with any expectation that he might actually contact her. She started a background check on him. 

After a couple of hours Jess sat back and studied the information she had compiled on Simon Mason. Despite her best efforts there was not much that appeared to be of any use to her and nothing that might suggest he was responsible for Natalie’s disappearance. He was 37 and the only child of Brian and Marie Mason. His father died when he was ten and his mother had been married twice more since then, both times ending in divorce. There were no further children for Marie but both husbands had children from previous relationships, so Simon gained a step-brother and two step- sisters for a while.

 Simon left school early but immediately went to work with his uncle, who owned and ran a small furniture importing business. The uncle died when he was twenty nine and with no children of his own, he left Simon the business. Since then Simon had expanded it and now exported and imported all sorts of goods all over the world. He also part owned a number of other companies and several buildings around the city. He was single but was believed to be in a relationship with Sophie Madox, a wealthy art dealer. Jess could find no police record and no links to any criminal activity. Of course that didn’t mean he wasn’t involved in it, it just meant he hadn’t been caught. But as far as she could find he appeared to be a legitimate business man who paid his bills and paid his taxes. So why wouldn’t he return her calls?

Chapter 24

Late in the afternoon her phone beeped and looking down at the caller her anger was so great, she nearly threw her phone out the window. How dare Marco text her? Did he think he could just offer an impersonal apology and she’d forgive him? Fat chance! For an hour she couldn’t bring herself to read the message, she was tempted to just delete it without even bothering.  But in the end she couldn’t do it and when she finally did read it she didn’t even respond. She just grabbed her keys and ran out of the office. Such was her state, that she missed the curious look Chelsea threw at her. 

Jess didn’t trust herself on her bike so she hailed a taxi as soon as she hit the street and it pulled up at the hospital about ten minutes later. She inquired at the desk and was directed to a private room. She stopped outside the door and took a deep breath. She hoped he had no one with him, but pushing the door open and seeing Marco lying in the bed, she didn’t care if there were. His eyes were closed and his face was covered in cuts and bruises. She drew in her breath and felt mortified as she remembered her anger the night before when he had been lying here injured. She moved over to the bed and sat on a chair that had been pulled up close to it. The room was empty besides Marco, but the shelf next to the bed groaned under the weight of the vases of flowers displayed there. She picked up his hand and as she did his eye lids fluttered and opened. 

His gaze fixed on her and his hand tightening around hers, he smiled. “Hi” he said.

“I’m sorry” Jess said apologising for any number of things including her anger for him not showing up the night before, even though he didn’t know about it.

His smile widened “what for?”

She shook her head “I don’t know” she lied, unable to explain for the moment “for everything, for not coming earlier.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t contact you before this but nobody would give me my phone until this afternoon” he said his grip increasing. Then after a second he teased “at least I get to touch you again.”

She gave him a small smile. “I’m sorry about that too, it doesn’t seem important now.”

“That’s okay” he said “I don’t deserve your trust, not yet, but one day, hopefully I will.”

Steering away from that dangerous topic she said “what happened?”

“Not long after I left you the other night, I was run off the road.”

“What?” she said. “It wasn’t an accident?”

“No” he said “this was deliberate.”

Jess blanched as she thought about the car she’d seen follow him out of the lane.

“What?” he said.

“I don’t know. Let me check a few things but this could be because of a case I’m working on.”

“What?” he said again, his disbelief was obvious.

“I’m sorry” she said trying to disengage her hand, horrified that maybe she’d caused this.

But he wouldn’t let her go. “Stop it” he said “it’s not your fault.”

“Yes it is. I knew someone was watching me. I should have foreseen this.”

Marco shook his head. “I knew all about that too, remember. Working on that logic, I could have foreseen it.”

She sighed and stopped fighting him. 

After a minute he pulled her towards him. “I’m sorry I missed our date.”

She gave him a small smile. “I’ll let you off this time.”

“Kiss me Jess” he said. “I’ve had all my family here since this happened but the only person I wanted to see was you.”

Jess just looked at him for a minute and then leaning down she met his mouth with hers, but only for a brief moment. “Are you okay?” she whispered against his mouth.

“Yes” he said.

She looked at him.

He smiled. “I’m a bit battered but it’s mostly superficial. It’s nothing that won’t heal anyway.”

She sighed and bringing her mouth down on his again, gave him a kiss that spoke of both fear and need. 

When she moved back he said “I like how you wait until I’m incapacitated to kiss me like that.”

She laughed. “When do you get out?”

“Tomorrow”

She nodded.

“So will you be my nurse?” he teased.

Jess rolled her eyes and smiled.

He laughed. “Did you think I’d stood you up last night?”

“Let’s just say you’re lucky you were already in hospital.”

He laughed and then winced as his injuries made their presence felt. 

“So do your family know about us?”

“Are we an us?” he teased.

She sighed and he laughed. “Are you kidding?” he said “I don’t want to provoke another lecture while I can’t get away.”

“About me?” she asked with a frown, wondering if they wouldn’t approve of her. She didn’t like the thought.

“No about why it’s taken me so long to see the light” he said with a grin.

She smiled and looked away.

His expression turned serious. “Don’t go home okay? If this is about your case, you need to be careful.”

She brought her eyes back to meet his, “I’ll be fine” she said “as I’ve told you before, I’m a trained police officer. I can look after myself.”

“I don’t like to think of you there alone.”

“I’m not alone” and as she said that something else occurred to her and she said “I’ll have to warn Ren.”

“Mum has ordered me to stay with them until I’m recovered” he said with a grin “so I’ll come up to your place after I get out and make sure you’re okay.”

“You need to rest.” she said.

“I’ll rest better with you holding my hand” he said with a grin. 

“At least you can’t cause too much trouble in the state you’re in.”

“I won’t take advantage of my condition” he said “but I won’t object if you do.”

Jess laughed. “Stay in bed tomorrow. Come around when you’re recovered” she said then standing she added “I’d better let you rest.” Leaning over she kissed him and said “see you.”

“See you” he said.

 She waved and walked out.

Chapter 25

As Jess sat in the taxi on her way home, she did something she’d never done before and rang her boss at home. After filling him in on what had happened to Marco and the car she saw following him out of the lane, Jess said “Marco could have been killed. I think it’s time we called in some help.”

“We don’t know that it’s part of the same thing yet” Gorman pointed out.

“And the car responsible just happened to be parked in my lane?” she said with obvious sarcasm. “Besides they need to know about what’s been going in regard to Marco’s accident anyway.”

Her boss was quiet for a minute and then with a sigh he said “okay, I’ll call the police now. Don’t do anymore investigating for now and be careful.”

“I will” Jess said. “Let me know what they say.”

“I’d say you’ll hear from them.”

“Okay” she said.

“Take care Jess.”

When Jess arrived home she sank down on the couch and closed her eyes. As she did she realised she’d left the office in such a hurry she hadn’t taken the file with her. Damn. Due to the sensitive information they contained, it was office policy that all files be locked up at the office when not in use or stored in a secure location. This was doubly important over night and even more so on a weekend. Jess was normally very careful about her files but she’d let emotion get the better of her. Getting up again she went into her office to send Gorman an email informing him and after she’d done that, she noticed the message light was flashing on her phone. She pressed the button and sat back in her chair to listen. But the first message had her sitting up straight again. It was from the unidentified male caller. He said “Unless you want to end up like your boyfriend, stop looking.”

She sent Gorman another email, explaining the message and telling him that they now had proof it was no co-incidence.

Jess sat back again and thought about what to do. Ren was out so she’d call and tell him not to come back for tonight and then set the alarm. She wouldn’t answer the door or the land line for tonight. She’d let all calls go through to the machine. Tomorrow, no doubt she’d be talking to the police. She wasn’t too worried about herself though, now that she had proof they were at risk, it was those around her that concerned her.

Chapter 26

 At eleven the next morning Jess frowned as she heard a knock on her door. She’d already had a visit from the police earlier and told them everything she knew. She wasn’t really expecting anyone else as she didn’t think Marco would be well enough to be moving around. As she walked down the stairs, she wondered if the police were back to ask more questions already. Maybe they had found something. But not taking any chances, she put her hand on the bat next to the door before she pulled it open. But it wasn’t the police, it was Marco and he nearly fell in the door as it swung inwards. His face was pale under the bruises and abrasions and he looked like he might collapse. Jess reached out to steady him. Then she continued to support him as she helped him inside and locked the door again. “You should be in bed” she said.

“Is that an offer?” he joked but his voice was weak.

Jess didn’t smile, despite his attempt at humour. She was worried. She could see he was having enough trouble staying on his feet let alone anything else. “Let’s get you sitting down before you start flirting with me” she said “otherwise you might pass out.”

Marco grimaced as they moved but then smiled “I feel better already.”

“Liar” she said. He was leaning heavily against her. “How did you get away from your mother in this condition?” she asked “I’m surprised she didn’t tie you down.”

“I told her I was going to see her future daughter in law, she didn’t argue.”

Jess looked away and didn’t say anything. She didn’t know if he was teasing or serious and both options worried her a little.  

Marco gave a little chuckle.

She helped him lower himself onto the couch. Then straightening she looked down at him and said “I guess I’m not going to be a secret anymore then, unless you have other women stashed in this neighbourhood to confuse things.” Her question was only half joking.

“No, no one else” he said with a smile “and she won’t know. I got her to call me a taxi. It dropped me up the other end of the lane and I walked back.”

“I’ll bet the driver loved that.”

His smile widened for a second, “he wasn’t happy.”

She shook her head and smiled. “Can I get you something?”

“No” he said “just sit here with me.”

Worried about him, she watched him grimace as he tried to get comfortable, and then she complied without argument.

Marco closed his eyes and laid his head back with a sigh. His large hand was wrapped around hers. Jess studied his washed out face for a minute, then said “you shouldn’t have come out.”

He shook his head and opened his eyes. “I’m good now. I just need to be sitting down.”

“Are you sure I can’t get you something? A drink of water?”

He shook his head again and lifting her hand enveloped in his own, he opened his eyes and said “I have everything I need.”

She gave him a small smile. She was touched that, feeling as bad as he obviously did, that he left his home, because he wanted to be with her.  She said “you want to watch TV?”

“Sure” he said “as long as I don’t have to move, I’m good.”

Jess settled beside him and he released her hand to drape an arm around her shoulders. He kissed her temple and said “I’ve missed you.”

She smiled and lifting her head she found his mouth with hers for a second and gave him a sweet, comforting kiss.

When she eased back Marco said “I wish I was in a state to make the most of this.”

 “If you were, you probably wouldn’t be in a position to do so.”

“Good point” he said with a grin and pulling her tighter against his side, he rested his head back on the couch. “Just stay right there and I’ll be back to normal in no time.”

Jess reached for the remote and turned on the TV. Finding a documentary on plants that she knew would put him to sleep, she watched as his eyes closed. A little later she slid out and covering him with a blanket she looked down at him. Relaxed in sleep he looked vulnerable and she was able to picture him as a little boy. She smiled and then moving away she went into the kitchen to make him something for dinner. She knew he wasn’t going to wake up any time soon. Just walking down the lane had worn him out.

Chapter 27

It was almost six o’clock before Marco stirred. Jess heard him groan from where she was sitting working in her office and getting up she walked into the living room. “How do you feel?” she said as she watched him adjust his position.

“Okay” and sniffing he said “what smells so good?”

“It won’t be anywhere near as good as your mothers cooking, but I made dinner.”

“You cooked?” he teased with a look of feigned astonishment.

“Keep that up and I’ll let you starve” she said sitting down beside him.

He laughed. “Is Ren joining us?”

“No” she said “After what happened to you, I told him to stay away for a few days. He didn’t argue. I think he may have a new girlfriend somewhere.”

“So it was connected to your case?”

She nodded, “yes.”

“What are you doing about it?”

“My boss has called in the police. I spoke to them this morning.”

“Good” he said.

“No doubt they’ll want to speak to you too.”

He nodded and with a grin he added “so we’re all alone.”

“Not if I ring your mother” she warned.

“Oh for god sake don’t do that. But speaking of her, I’d better check in before she sends out a search party. I’ll tell her I’ll be back after dinner.”

Jess watched as Marco pulled out his phone. She wasn’t sure she had the heart to force him to move again that night. She didn’t have a car here to drive him and neither did he. And unlike him, she didn’t feel right calling a taxi for that short distance. So the only other option would be to get his family to pick him up, but he wasn’t in any state to face the questions they’d have. With a sigh, she said “as long as you promise to behave, you could tell her you’ll be back tomorrow.” 

His eyes flicked up and a slow grin crossed his face. “I’ll be a perfect gentleman.”

“You better be” she said and wondering if she’d live to regret this moment of  weakness she added “or I’ll call them back and you can live with the consequences.”

He smiled and dialled his mother’s number. But as soon as he’d said hello he held the phone away from his ear. Jess could hear the rapid Italian spewing from the ear piece. “I’m fine Mum” Marco said when he could get a word in. “No I’m not coming home” and after a pause he said “yes she’s taking good care of me” and grinning, his eyes fixed on Jess, he said “no I won’t be home tonight..... Yes. I’ll be fine. I’ll ring you in the morning, night.” He hung up and with a smile he said “phew.”

Jess smiled, “she’s worried about you.”

“I know” he said grinning “she loves me” and his voice dropping to a gravelly whisper that shivered over her skin he asked, “is that why you allowed me to stay?”

Jess turned away and got to her feet, ignoring his teasing, she said “you ready to eat?”

He chuckled, “yes please, I seem to have missed lunch.”

“Well if you’d stayed home like you should have, you mightn’t have slept through it.”

“But then I’d have missed your attempt at cooking” he teased.

She shook her head and laughed. As she saw him moving to get up she said “stay there, I’ll bring it to you.”

“Thank you” he said his expression serious now as he reached out and rubbed the back of her hand.

She gave him a small smile and went to serve up the lamb and vegetable casserole she’d had simmering in the slow cooker all afternoon. 

After they’d eaten and she’d cleaned up, Marco asked “so am I sleeping in Ren’s bed.”

“No, he pays rent, I can’t do that” she said “you’re sleeping in mine.”

“I don’t want to kick you out of your own bed Jess.”

“You’re not” she said “but if you try anything, you’ll be sleeping in the garage.”

Marco grinned “I’ll be good’ he said.

“You better be” she warned. Despite worrying that she was getting in over her head, she couldn’t help but look forward to feeling his warm body next to hers. And settled in her bed a little later that evening Jess sighed as Marco wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her. She liked being close to him but was worried now he’d read too much into it. 

“You know this makes being run off the road worthwhile” he said.

“Sleep” she said and smiled as he sighed and relaxed. In under a minute his breathing had changed and she knew he was asleep. Despite his joking, physically, he was still in a weakened condition. He needed rest. She closed her eyes too but sleep did not come so easy for her, she wasn’t in a weakened condition and his nearness was playing havoc with her senses and testing her will power.

Chapter 28

The next morning Jess sighed as Marco’s hand moved along to her rib cage to pull her tighter against him. She was lying on her side facing away from him and she could feel his body resting against her back. “Don’t even think about it” she said.

Marco chuckled in her ear. “Do you ever let your guard down?”

“I thought I did, when I let you stay.”

He kissed her hair, “I could get used to this.”

“Don’t” she said.

“Are we back to not touching?” he asked, kissing her neck.

“No” she said “but I’m not ready to sleep with you either.”

“Funny, I thought you just did.”

“Ha ha” she said.

“So I’m still on probation?” he said as his lip found their way to her ear.

“For now, when you’re fully recovered, we’ll see where we are.”

He laughed. “You’re a hard woman, but I guess I’ll cope. One day you’ll realise I’m not going to let you down.”

She smiled but didn’t respond. “Do you feel like some breakfast?”

“Sure” he said “I’ll give you a hand.”

“No you stay there. I’ll bring it in when it’s ready.” She needed some time alone to get herself under control. Repressed emotions were wearing her down. If she didn’t put some distance between them she knew her resistance would fold.

“I’m not that much on an invalid, you know.”

“I don’t know” she said getting out of bed, “you nearly collapsed at my door yesterday.”

“I just over did it walking down the lane” he said “I’m better today though.”

“Good” she said pulling a jumper on over the singlet and pyjama pants she’d worn to bed. “Stay there anyway. I can manage.”

“I’ll make it up to you one day” he said with a smile, lying back with his hands linked behind his head as she walked into the kitchen. 

They shared breakfast on her bed, she sitting cross legged on top of the covers and him beneath them with his back resting against the head board. The night before Jess had kept her eyes away from his naked upper body as he got undressed but sitting so close to him as they ate she couldn’t help but run her eyes over his bare chest and abdomen, and his arms, even black and blue from the accident, he was a sight to behold.  She’d felt his biceps and his chest through his clothes before but that was nothing to seeing them naked in her bed. She tore her eyes away and took a deep breath as heat coursed through her.

Distracted, she’d lost track of the conversation and realising they’d been quiet for a while she glanced up and saw that he was smiling. As she met his eyes she got the distinct impression he knew what she’d been thinking. Embarrassed, she looked away again and blew out her breath as she fought to control the hot colour threatening to suffuse her face.

“Mind if I have a shower?” he said a moment later.

Jess shook her head and said “go for it” before collecting the plates and carrying them out to the kitchen. On the way back she grabbed a spare towel to give to him. But as she walked back into the bedroom she was in time to see him stand up. He was wearing only tight charcoal trunks and now she could see his powerful legs as well as his upper body. Quickly moving her eyes away, she tossed him the towel and said “use my bathroom,” indicating the door on the right hand side of the room. Then turning around she walked out before she gave into the temptation to join him. 

Jess made herself a cup of coffee and took it out onto the balcony while Marco showered. The hot liquid scalded her throat all the way down. But giving her something else to focus on, it allowed her to regain some composure. 

When Marco walked out of the kitchen ten minutes later she noticed he seemed back to normal. He’d lost that fragile look he’d had the night before and he was moving with more confidence. “You look better.”

“I feel it” he said “see you’re good for me.”

“I think you’ll find it’s time and rest that are the true healers, not me.”

He shook his head, “not from where I’m sitting.”

“You’re standing” she pointed out without a hint of a smile and moved her eyes back to her coffee. From the corner of her eye she saw him grin and take a seat next to her. “You heading back to the restaurant?” she asked.

“Sooner or later” he said “I was hoping you’d let me hang around here for a while longer though.”

“I guess I can cope with that” she said and getting to her feet she said “you enjoy the sun. I’ll go and have a shower.”

He grinned, “I should have waited and we could have saved water.”

“In your dreams” she said.

“Regularly” he agreed, still grinning.

Jess smiled and shook her head. She walked back inside. She could hear Marco chuckling and she released her breath on a sigh. It was getting harder not to give in to him.

Chapter 29

After Jess had showered and dressed, she and Marco spent a quiet day watching movies and talking. It was nice. She played a few of her favourites old films for him and while he watched them without complaining, she got the feeling they weren’t really his thing, although he did like the old western she put on. She appreciated his consideration though and made a mental note to return the favour.  It also seemed he was determined to make the most of his no touch reprieve. His hands seldom left her body and his lips sought hers out often. But he never let it go beyond that. Each time he would pull back before things became too heated and it left Jess feeling frustrated, not least because he seemed unaffected.  In the end she almost wished he would lose control, but he kept his word and she couldn’t help but be impressed by that.

She made him lunch and dinner and around eight he said with reluctance “I’d better go before Mum calls the cops.”

She nodded “okay.”

“I don’t like leaving you here alone though.”

She smiled, “I’ll be fine. I’ll just turn on the alarm.” The fact that someone was worried about her and wanted to take care of her was a new experience and it wasn’t unpleasant.

“Okay” he said, his gaze dropping down to rest on her mouth. I’ll be staying at Mum and Dad’s, so I’ll only be thirty seconds away. Call me, if you need to.”

“You need to rest” she said.

He frowned and lifted his gaze to meet hers. His expression serious he said, “If you need me, call.”

“Okay” she said. 

Marco lowered his head and kissed her “I’m going to miss you” he said against her mouth.

She smiled

He kissed her again and deepening it this time it became a heated and intense exchange. When he lifted his head he rested his forehead on hers, “god Jess” he groaned “this is killing me.”

Happy to know that she wasn’t the only one feeling the strain, she said “you’ll survive.”

He grinned. “Maybe” he said “see you tomorrow?”

“If you like.”

“If it was up to me I wouldn’t be leaving” he said giving her a wink “night.”

Unable to help herself, she closed the distance between them for one last kiss. “Be careful” she said.

“You too” and opening the door, he walked down the stairs and out into the night.

She watched him until he turned the corner before moving back inside.

Chapter 30

 The next day Jess headed for Gorman’s office as soon as she got to work. She didn’t speak to Chelsea, merely nodding on her way past. She could feel the other woman’s eyes on her but she didn’t look at her.

Before she reached the door Chelsea said “everything okay, you looked a little sick when you ran out on Friday.” 

Jess knew the concern was feigned and without stopping she said “fine.” 

Then entering her boss’s office, she shut the door again. 

John Gorman looked up.

“What’s the latest?” she said.

“Nothing new” he said “they haven’t been able to trace the car you saw and they spoke to Mr Santini last night. He couldn’t add anything. It was dark and all he saw was their head lights.”

“Yes” she said, dropping into a chair. “What do we do now?”

“Move on to other work. The police are going to follow up both the missing person’s case and the threats to you.”

“So we just bow out?” Jess said with a frown, not happy about this piece of news.

“It was your idea to call them in” he pointed out and when she started to jump out of her chair he grinned and holding up his hand he added “it’s too dangerous to do anything else. I’ve left a message informing her parents that we’re handing the case over. They haven’t got back to me yet.”

“When I suggested calling in the cops I thought we’d still be working on it too” Jess said, she was furious. “This guy has threatened me and hurt someone I care about. This is not just another case to me.”

“All the more reason to distance yourself” he said. “You know as well as I do, how disastrous it is to get personally involved.”

Jess shook her head and flopped back in the chair. “This sucks.”

“I understand how you feel Jess, but leave it alone for now.”

“Have you got the file” she said without answering “I need to update some information.”

 “No” he said “I came by on Saturday to grab it, but it was gone. When I got in this morning I asked everyone thinking someone had locked it up to keep it safe, but no one’s seen it.”

“What?” she said sitting up again. 

“I know, I know” he said. “I’m looking into it.”

“You need to do more that look into it. That file was on my desk, when I left. If it's not there now, someone has taken it.”

“I know” he said.

Jess frowned, and more or less thinking out loud she said “what good would it do them anyway, surely whoever it was knows we have an electronic copy?"

He shrugged, "yeah well that's gone too."

 “Well you know as well as I do, only someone with computer access could have done that. That cuts out the cleaners at least. You need to find this person.”

“You think I don’t know that? I’m doing everything I can think of.”

“Surveillance?” she said.

“Going in today” he said with a sigh. “Not that I want to do it and it’s a bit late now anyway.”

"You don’t have a choice now" she said "and at least I backed up the file at home."

"Good girl" he said. "I was hoping you'd say that but don't tell anyone else for now."

"Do I look stupid?" she said with a grin. Then thoughtful for a minute she said “what if we plant something else for them to find? That might get them to show themselves”

“Yeah but what?” he said. “The minute we let it be known there is another copy of the file they’ll assume we’ll have copied it elsewhere first so they’ll know they’ll be wasting their time.”

She shrugged “okay then we let them assume we are now without the file. So we’re forced to start again. If we make it known that I’m doing just that, but we keep what I find out of general circulation, they won’t know if I’ve come across the same info without checking the new file.”

“Will that help us though, they could do that remotely?”

“Not the way I’ll set it up. I’ll drop my terminal out of connection with the mainframe. That way they’ll have to access my computer in person to get to it.”

He was silent for a minute and then said “okay that may work. I don’t like trying to trap one of my staff but I guess we have to do something. How will you make it known what you’re doing without it being obvious?”

“Easy” she said grinning.

“Okay, I don’t want to know” Gorman said with a smile.

“Right, when is the surveillance going in?”

“Just as soon as everyone’s left today. We have to make sure no one knows about it.”

“Well there’s no point in me doing anything until tomorrow then.”

He nodded. “In the mean time I’ve got a couple of other jobs to keep you busy” he said and handed her two files.