Downtown Girl (Lipstick Red #1) (12 page)

Taylor opened her mouth to protest, but nothing came out.  ‘You’re like a fish out of water lass, here get this down your neck.’ Susan dropped another glass of white wine on the table in front of her.  Wistfully, she picked it up and wished her new friends good health in Scottish.

‘Slainte mhath!’

In the maximum security jail, outside news was sparse.  TV was banned and newspapers were limited to tabloids that resembled celebrity gossip.  Stephen had been released weeks ago, but David’s new cellmate was friendly enough.  He knew he could have been in a much worse situation than he was.

Days rolled into each other, and he held fast to the belief that Taylor was safe and well.  It was what kept him going.  The only visits he’d had were from his lawyer, who seemed to be holding things back from him.  It disappointed him, as he’d thought of the man as a good friend in Leeds, and he’d been well paid for his services. 

David hadn’t signed everything over.  He’d had a couple of offshore accounts that were untraceable, even though he’d paid his dues on the income.  His accountant had advised keeping some money separate for a rainy day, so he still had some means to keep himself going. 

‘Visitor for Burton,’ a burly guard called into the hall.  He stood up, surprised at the call, yet disappointed when it was his lawyer. 

‘Fucking hell Peter, how much worse can it get?’ David asked, sure that it meant bad news.  A slow smile crossed his friend’s face.

‘The witness came through.  Jack Collins is in jail, being processed right this minute.’

‘Who the hell was the witness?’

‘It was a witness protection deal.  Evidence was given behind a screen to protect her.  I’m not allowed to give you a name.’

‘What was the evidence?’ He ran his hand through his hair.  It couldn’t have been, could it?

‘She gave evidence that Jack molested her in Cannes, and tied her up to blackmail you.  She gave you an alibi, one that held water, with proof.’

‘Is she mad?  She’s a walking fucking target now.’  His protective instinct took over, translating to anger, as he knew there was nothing he could do for her.

‘You can’t see her again.  You do know that.’ Peter searched his eyes before issuing his next offer.

‘You’ll be given the opportunity for a new identity, given the sensitive nature of the case, and the ongoing death threats.  It won’t cross over with your witness.  It’s safer if you’re apart.’ 

David’s heart leaped into his mouth as he shook hands with his friend.  Back in his cell, he thought about the short time they’d spent together, and how much she meant to him.  He’d meant it when he’d said he wanted to move her in with him.  Everything about her made him want to hold her close and protect her forever.  He was prepared for vanilla sex for the rest of his life to be with her, and he’d accepted that she’d never forgive him for being convicted of murder.  He’d agonized about how she would come to terms with how intimate she’d been with a vicious thug. 

He’d thrown away his reputation, his business, and decades of his life to ensure her safety, and she’d done the same right back.  While he was imagining her rebuilding a life, she’d been deliberately putting herself in danger to save him.  He wished she’d told him about Jack in  Cannes.  He’d have wanted to kill the bugger. 

He thought about the mouth he’d never kiss again, the thighs he’d never rub, and the shattering orgasms that made her muscles squeeze the life out of his dick, and it made him hard.   Bloody hell.  How was he supposed to get over her?

###

He woke to a feeling of apprehension on his release date.  They wasted no time in throwing him out.

‘David Burton, sign here,’ the desk jockey jabbed a finger at a small box on the form, to get his phone and wallet back.  He did as he was told, then Kevin Johnson stomped into the release room, carrying a thermos flask and two cups.  He winked at David while he waited for him to be let free.

Outside the gates, Kevin filled a cup to the brim with a good scotch whisky.  ‘Get that down your neck.  It’ll put hairs on your chest!’

David blinked as he stood and breathed deeply in the frosty air.  ‘I never thought I’d be free again.’

‘You’re not the only one.  For a few weeks back there, I thought you’d had it.’

‘You might not have given birth to me, but you’re the only father I’ve ever had.’ David’s eyes watered as he looked down on the man who’d taken him in when no-one else would.  He’d given Kevin a rough time as a teenager, but Kevin had stood by him, through thick and thin.

‘Where is she?’ he asked, knowing what the answer would be.

‘No bloody idea, but she’s safe.’

David leaned over a set of railings outside the prison.  ‘Why did you send her to me?’

Kevin sighed, the weight of the world on his shoulders.  ‘You were both lonely and I’d no idea all this was going to blow up, or I’d never have let you two meet.  She’s the bravest girl I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.’

A black car drew up and Kevin stood aside.  ‘I’ll say goodbye now.  I know you won’t be able to contact me, but make it a good life David.  Make yourself proud.’

David stepped forward and enveloped the older man in a bear hug.  When he let go, Kevin walked away, sliding into the back of a rental car to drive away.

‘It’s time to go,’ a business like suited and booted man ordered.

###

Four days later, David’s eyes seared through his new passport and driving license.  George Carter!  Did he look like a George?   

‘You’ll be working as a lettings agent for a new business.  There’s a lot to prove in the industry and you’ll be setting the benchmarks.  It won’t be an easy job, but given your past history, it’ll suit you well.’

His brows knotted as he drifted off while his teacher spoke.  He only knew him as Daniel.  It wouldn’t be his real name, but David didn’t envy the job.  He smiled as he considered the implications.  Daniel lived the kind of life that he’d be walking along the road of very soon.  A life of anonymity, with his real identity hidden, always looking over his shoulder, wondering if the next visitor would be the one he’d look down the end of a barrel at. 

He knew that wherever he went, whatever street he walked down, he'd be looking for her face.  Every client that walked through his door could be her.  He'd look for her until the day he died.

'You're ready!  Your handler’s here.  Good luck in your new life.'  David shook Daniel’s hand, grateful for the intense preparation he’d been put through, before he was handed over to the man who'd take him to his new life.  Another Daniel.

‘George, good to meet you.  We’ll drive through the night.’  His minder showed the way to a nondescript ten year old car.  His eyes widened as he considered his future prospects.  A salesman in some backwater town.  He’d make the most of it, he’d no option, or he’d have to find his way back to his old life.  He’d thought about it, but if he stayed with his own name, it would be easy for her to find him.  That would put her in even bigger danger than she faced in witness protection.

He felt like every mile was a mile further away from her.  She’d got him out of prison, giving him the gift of a new life.  She could be back in America for all he knew, but deep down, he knew she wouldn't be allowed to do that either.  She’d given up everything and everyone she knew, to take care of him, and it wrenched at his gut.

With the hum of the engine relaxing the tension, he thought about poor Lindy, and how she must have suffered at Jack's hands.  For his own sanity, he'd have to leave all that behind him.  He'd have to leave behind the two women who ever meant anything to him.

He could easily use the money in his offshore account to look for her, but if he found her, someone else could follow the trail, so he pushed thoughts of riding to her rescue like a knight on a white horse to the back of his brain.  It would be a fantasy that he’d live out in his dreams only. 

He wished he could go back to the night in her flat, just one more time.  To be able to breathe in the sweet smell of her hair, touch the smooth skin of her face, and hold her tightly…

###

'We're here,' his handler said, shaking his shoulders.  Exhaustion had overtaken him and he’d fallen asleep.

'How long did I sleep?'

'Eight hours,' Daniel replied.  'You snore like hell.  I'll be glad to see the back of you.'

The little cottage was furnished, if a little sparse.  A small sofa and a TV adorned the plain white lounge, with an extremely small single bed standing alone in the bedroom.  It was a world away from the luxury he'd been used to for the last few years, but compared to prison, it was a palace.

‘I'll leave you to it.  You start work on Monday.  The address is on the map and there's a car outside.  Don't be late.'  Daniel flashed him a warning.  David knew he had to keep the job, otherwise it would cost a fortune to move him on again.

'I nearly forgot.  This is for you.'  Daniel handed him a sealed envelope.  'Don't open it yet!'

'When?'

'You'll know!' The answer came simply, as his burly companion smiled for the first time since they met.

David tucked the envelope into his jacket pocket.  He'd think about that later.  For now, he needed food.  The fridge held milk and orange juice, with only biscuits and a couple of cans of soup in the equally bare cupboards.  Couldn't they at least have given him a loaf of bread and a jar of jam?

For tonight, the milk would have to do.  He took the full carton, slid his knees up on the sofa to watch trashy TV, and swigged large mouthfuls of milk to calm the rumbles of hunger from his belly.  Film after film rolled across the screen as he turned night into day, avoiding the news channels.  He hoped she was safe and warm. 

###

By Sunday morning, hunger drove him to check his map, in a search for a local shop.  Lifting the car keys, he stepped out into a slurry of mud from the torrential rain of the night before.

'Shit,' he said to himself.  They'd sent him to hell.  He found a pair of green wellies in his size and pulled them on.  He hadn't shaved for days.  He definitely looked like the ex con he was.  The car was an old Vauxhall.  Frowning as he spotted signs of rust on the sills, with questionable stains on the seats, he considered that whoever owned it before him, could well have had an incontinence problem.

Stopping his car at the side of a road, yards from the local beach, he climbed out, walking to the shore as he took deep breaths to clear the stale air from his lungs.  The peaty smell reminded him of his grandmother’s hearth, of happier days before he’d begun to get involved with the gang.

He watched a woman playing on the beach with a young dog.  Smiling, he wondered if she was as carefree as she looked.  As he edged closer to the sand, the dog ran over to sniff his hand.

‘I’m sorry about that,’ a breathless redhead thundered up to him, ‘he’s just a pup.’  She cajoled the puppy into running back to the sand, without a care in the world. 
Maybe this isn’t such a bad place to live.

Back in his car, he parked close to the shops.  The grocery store stocked basics, but it was closed.  It would open on Monday at nine am, just as he was starting work.  He’d have to break open a tin of soup for tonight.  There was no other choice, but hunger drove him on.  Walking the main street, looking for somewhere he could get food, he wished he’d got the redhead talking.  She’d have known the best way to go. 

Hearing voices, he walked more quickly, to catch up with someone, anyone who could help him out.  A couple slid into their car, closing the doors as the engine purred into life.  He banged on the window, hoping they wouldn’t pull a knife on him.  He wanted to laugh at himself when the window rolled down.

‘Where can I get a hot meal around here?’

‘Round the corner, best eating place this side of the border,’ the young man said uneasily.    

‘You’re Welsh, right?’ David asked.  The girl grinned, looking sheepishly at her companion. 

‘We’re on our honeymoon!  We couldn’t have picked a better place.’

David waved them on as he turned to the best eating place this side of the border.  A quick glance into the building told him the place was closed for the afternoon.  Disappointed, he turned to leave, when a quick movement registered in the corner of his eye.  He turned his head slowly as a voice behind the counter flatly berated him. 

‘Come back later, we’re closed.’ He was so hungry that he considered arguing, but he withdrew quietly.  Tonight would be soon enough. 

Morven Anderson cleared her tables as she cleared up from the afternoon meals.  The bar would be packed tonight.  It was the monthly pub quiz and almost everyone who lived within five miles of the place turned up to have a go at beating their closest neighbors.  Most of them walked, so there were plenty well oiled customers by the end of the night.  Even so, she was beginning to enjoy her new life.  They’d accepted her like one of their own.  

Mary patted her shoulder.  ‘It was a good lunch today lass, make sure you get off in about half an hour for a break.  You look like you need a few hours sleep.  I’m off upstairs to put my feet up for an hour.  We’ll see you at six for the mad rush.  If Helen and Susan don’t win tonight, we’d better steer clear of the dart board.  There’ll be a few stray ones aimed in the direction of anyone who grins at the winners.’ 

With her back turned, Morven glanced around her new life.  It wasn’t so bad.  All she had to do was check in once a month, and keep her emergency pager with her.  It would be busy tonight, so she needed to unwind for a while.  She knew what she’d do with her free hours.  It’s what she always did.  She’d search online for news of David Burton.  He’d been released for a week, yet there was nothing on the Internet to say where he’d gone or what he’d been doing.  It’s as if he’d disappeared off the face of the earth.

She walked slowly to her chalet, kicking off her shoes and throwing herself onto the cozy sofa that she’d covered with a wine colored throw.  With her chin resting on the arm, she fired up her laptop and began her daily search.  Nothing.  Another day with no news of David.  She’d not learned to feel fully safe yet, so she pulled closed her blinds while she double locked the doors.  She could use a shower.  It was her favorite place to cry.  No-one could see her, or hear her there. 

She slept the afternoon away, before making an effort for the monthly quiz.  She carried a pair of low heeled boots to match the dark blue jeans and white t-shirt she wore.  Instead of her usual pony tail, she’d decided to be adventurous and let her chestnut curls hang loose around her shoulders. 

She walked the short distance back to work.  One of the lads was at the gate on the other side of the chalets.  She couldn’t see which one, but she waved anyway, laughing to herself as she stumbled.  Her wellington boots sucked into the mud with each step.

She wasn’t working on food tonight, so she was free to join the banter at the other side of the counter while she worked.

‘You’re looking bonny tonight lass,’ Mary said, when she slipped her jacket off to start her shift.  ‘It’s going to be a fair busy night, look, you’re in demand already.’

‘Morven, could you send us over six pints of lager and two of bitter lass,’ one of the local farmers shouted.

‘Aye, ah can,’ she giggled, mimicking the gentle Scots lilt she’d never tire of, and stepping behind the bar to pour the pints.  The room went quiet as the quiz preparations were underway. 
Too quiet,
she thought, chuckling to herself, as she struggled with the frothy bitter, concentrating to pour it properly.

She stopped pouring when she heard it.  Her heart beat faster as the opening bars of ‘Meeting You At Midnight,’ sang clearly through the pub.  She stood with her face to the wall, the tears flowing over her lashes and marking her pink stained cheeks.  It was the first time she’d heard it since she’d been with him.  She’d kept the CD on top of her player, but she hadn’t played it.  The memory was too painful.  The words cut through her.

Don’t go away, not while we’re together,

I want to see you smile, next to me, forever,

Say you will, go with me, wherever…………

She heard Helen’s voice in the background.  ‘Whoar, I wouldn’t kick him out of bed on a cold mornin.  Look at the muscles on those legs.’

‘No chance of that,’ Susan quipped back. ‘He’s spoken for!’

It couldn’t be!
 

‘Morven, lass.’ Mary stood by her side, touching the back of her hand gently.  Morven wiped the tears with the back of her hand as Mary gently turned her round, while her legs turned to jelly. 

The room was too quiet as she felt all eyes on her.  Blinded by the tears, it took her a few seconds to focus.  Mary pointed across the room, towards the Jukebox beside the front door, before cupping her nose and mouth with both hands in suspense and stepping back.

She started at his feet.  Leaning against the side of the Jukebox with his legs crossed and his arms folded across his chest, he was wearing ridiculous green wellies.  His tight jeans were tucked in to his knee high wellies and showed off every muscle in his powerful thighs.  The wellies suited him, like everything else did.  A tight fitting short sleeved black t-shirt sank into every part of his chest, and exposed the taught biceps.  She knew he’d picked it just for her.  Showing off what he had to offer. 

He stood taller than anyone else in the room, his sharp square jaw shaded by hair that was longer than she remembered.  He looked like he’d walked off the cover of a fashion magazine, and his blue eyes were fixed intently on her, blazing into her soul.  She dropped the glass in her hand, shattering it, when Mary shoved her in the back.

‘Go and get him you daft mare, before someone else steps in.’ 

She walked slowly, swinging her hand around the pillar at the end of the bar, not wanting to lose his gaze for a second.  Stepping down onto the smooth wooden floor, she saw him stand straight, and slip his thumbs into his front pockets. 

She couldn’t wait any longer, she ran the last few steps, her hair flying behind her as she jumped to wrap her legs around his waist.  He laughed as he caught her easily, securing her tightly with an arm hooked around her waist.  She took his chin in her hands and kissed him deeply. 

‘Get a room,’ one of the regulars shouted as the room erupted into laughter. 

‘Aye,’ Mary called over good humouredly. ‘We’ll see you in the morning Morven, you’ll be no use to me the night.’