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  “Let me get dressed.” Tamsin pushed back her bed covers. “I’ll meet you downstairs in the lounge.”

  Darrogh opened the door and waited for Sir Robert to leave before closing it. “Do you need me to stay?”

  Tamsin shook her head. “Give me a few minutes and I’ll be downstairs.”

  Darrogh sent her a surge of calming energy before leaving the room. When he reached the first floor, Sir Robert was pacing in the lounge. Darrogh went to the fireplace and crossed his arms. He motioned to Savis.

  “Show Sir Robert the photos of Tamsin.”

  Savis had been working on his laptop at a desk in the corner. When Creighton sat beside him, he started to scroll through the photographer’s pictures. It took several minutes. Tamsin had joined them by the time they were finished.

  She was wearing black pants and a bright, floral silk blouse with a matching jacket. Darrogh’s breath caught in his throat when she entered the room. She gave him a smile that sent his heart rate soaring before she sat on the sofa.

  “This man has been following you for months.” Creighton looked up from the computer screen. “Why didn’t we see him earlier?”

  “Because I’m good.” Peter’s voice rang out from the doorway. He was standing there with a cup of coffee and a grin on his face. “You should be thankful I’m part of your security team now.”

  “I hired him,” Tamsin added.

  “Without my permission?” Her father leaned back in his chair and looked at Tamsin. “You can’t be serious.”

  “You need me.” Peter took a sip of coffee and sat on the edge of the desk beside Savis and Sir Robert. “I’m the one who took the photos that the newspaper printed.”

  “My daughter doesn’t need a paparazzo.”

  “I’m a private investigator.” Peter’s voice was defensive. “I handed those photos over to my client. He’s the one who sold them to the papers.”

  “Who is your client?” Sir Robert spoke through gritted teeth.

  “We set up a meeting last night and followed Peter.” Darrogh nodded to Savis who pulled up their surveillance from the previous night.

  Creighton jumped back when he saw Henry Kingsley. His eyes widened as he watched the slide show of photos on the screen. When it was over, he sat back.

  “I don’t understand. Why was Henry there?”

  “He was my client.” Peter pointed to the last picture of Kingsley meeting with the Albireons. “It looks like he’s working with these guys.”

  “Who are they?” Sir Robert looked up at Darrogh.

  “They are Albireons.” Darrogh walked over to Tamsin and stood behind her. “If you searched Peter’s photos from the past few months, you would have seen similar men following her.”

  “Are these the people threatening my daughter?” Creighton’s voice rose. “You have the evidence. Call the police and charge them with stalking.”

  “It’s a bigger problem than you understand, Dad.” Tamsin’s voice was calm. “These aren’t normal men.”

  “Supposedly, they are extra-terrestrials.” Peter’s voice held a hint of laughter. “And apparently these men you hired to protect your daughter, are also aliens.”

  Creighton’s eyes bulged. “Is everyone here crazy?”

  Darrogh was about to speak when Tamsin put up her hand. “This is not a laughing matter. You need to listen. Darrogh and his men have dealt with these people before.”

  “Don’t tell me you’re buying all this alien stuff?” Creighton’s voice was accusing as he turned to his daughter.

  Tamsin hesitated a few seconds before nodding her head. “I believe them. I think you should too.”

  Creighton gave his daughter a long considering look and then took a deep breath. He turned to Darrogh. “Explain.”

  “We have encountered this race in Australia.” Darrogh’s voice was low. “They are partnered with a covert agency that does not have ties to any country. They are experimenting on humans.”

  “Do you have proof?” Peter’s voice was filled with doubt. “People go around saying they’ve seen aliens, but when it comes down to it, there’s no evidence.”

  “That’s because there are humans who are working with the Albireons.”

  “I need a photograph or something more concrete.” Peter took a sip of coffee. “Hearsay won’t do.”

  “The mate of one of our warriors was captured. She had been in the FBI.” Darrogh kept his impatience under control. He knew it was difficult for humans to believe that life existed on other planets. “She was close enough to the Albireons to see that they were not from Earth.”

  Peter shook his head. “Anybody can say that.”

  “The photographs show the truth. The men are not human.” Savis magnified one of the Albireons from Henry Kingsley’s meeting. “Take a close look at their faces. There are no eyebrows, facial hair or lips.”

  Peter and Robert Creighton moved closer to the screen. They watched as Savis enlarged a number of the images from the previous night. Savis also went through some of the photos of the men who had followed Tamsin over the past month. They all showed the same defects; no facial hair, a slit for a mouth, and pale pasty-colored skin. They wore the same uniform of a dark overcoat, black pants, and a black fedora hat.

  “It’s impossible to believe that there would be so many men with the same defects.” Robert Creighton leaned back. “You believe that they’re extra-terrestrials?”

  “I know they are.” Darrogh pulled his shirt out of his pants and turned so his back was exposed. “These scars came from the Boglara Frontier. I was captured by Albireons and before I could escape, they had taken slices of me for their experiments and genetic database.”

  Tamsin inhaled a sharp breath. “Your back is a mass of scars.”

  Darrogh let his shirt drop. “I was lucky. I freed myself and then killed my captors. I know first-hand the damage that Albireons can do. On the Boglara Frontier, they had conquered and decimated several planets before we defeated them.”

  “Why are they on Earth?” There was a tremor of shock in Creighton’s voice.

  “It is the same wherever they go. They gather all of the genetic material, strip the planet of its resources, and then destroy it. They leave with everything necessary to carry on their business.”

  “You mean it’s a matter of economics?” Peter’s tone held disbelief. “That seems extreme. What business are they in?”

  “Genetic recombination for the purpose of selling slaves and new species.” Savis shut his laptop. “They destroy all of the living components of a planet so that they hold the only copies of the genetic code.”

  “They mine our genes?” Creighton’s voice rose in outrage. “How could humans possibly go along with this scheme?”

  “The Albireons disguise their true purpose.” Darrogh crossed his arms. “They promise wealth and knowledge in exchange for a chance to study a world. Over the years, they give away small amounts of technological information as they slowly infiltrate and take over the planet.”

  “So they hoodwink us.”

  Darrogh nodded. “They are masters of deception.”

  “There are very few galaxies that will allow them to do business,” Savis added. “That is probably why they are on Earth. You are not advanced enough for extended space travel.”

  “How long have they been here?” There was a quiver in Tamsin’s voice.

  “Seventy or more years.” Savis stood. “We are working on a way to defeat them. Right now there is a bigger problem.”

  “One that requires your help, Sir Robert.”

  Darrogh kept his voice unemotional. Creighton must understand the full extent of the Albireons’ intrusion. Once they could manipulate the economics of Earth, they could start a world-wide panic that would result in them grabbing even more power.

  “What can I possibly do?”

  “We need access to your bank’s computer records.”

  “Impossible.”

  “We believe that the Alb
ireons have already infiltrated your bank.” Darrogh straightened his shoulders. “They have been watching Tamsin for months, and they had an insider, Henry Kingsley, close to you. Who knows what damage has been done.”

  “Why Creighton’s? Wouldn’t the Central Bank make more sense?”

  “They may already have that under their rule.”

  Darrogh looked at Tamsin’s pale face and sent her a wave of strength. Neither she nor her father could imagine the extent of damage that the Albireons left in their wake. Darrogh never wanted them to experience that kind of devastation. It was imperative that they see the bank’s files.

  “Creighton’s holds the money of many of the oldest and wealthiest families in the world. The Albireons could gain a lot of cooperation and power if they had these people in their control.” Darrogh’s explanation caught Creighton’s attention.

  “They want contact with my clients.” Sir Robert nodded. “It makes sense. If what you say about Henry is true, and he has already given them access, how do you plan to remedy it?”

  Darrogh looked at Savis.

  “I have much experience with these systems,” Savis said. “Once I know what has happened I will not only reverse it, but I will have a way to infiltrate their assets and holdings.”

  “You plan on taking everything they have.” Creighton’s voice was dry.

  “It would be a mistake to do otherwise.”

  “We’ll go to prison if we’re caught.” There were several minutes of silence while Sir Robert considered the proposition. He looked over at Tamsin. “Do you trust them?”

  Darrogh’s heart stopped for the few seconds it took Tamsin to answer.

  She looked up at him and smiled.

  “Yes.” She turned to her father. “The Albireons have threatened us and Creighton’s. It is our responsibility to stop them, no matter what.”

  “We’ve no choice but to take the offensive.” Sir Robert heaved a sigh and stood. “Come around to the bank when you’re ready and I’ll give you the codes.”

  There was silence for several minutes after Sir Robert left the house.

  “I never thought I’d find myself believing in aliens, but you guys are pretty convincing.” Peter pushed away from the desk.

  “Your photographs were the evidence.” Savis put his computer into a slim bag that he threw over his shoulder. “The Albireons have had many years to do damage. It will take us a while to reverse it.”

  Tamsin stood. “I can help. I used to work at Creighton’s. My father might find it easier if I asked all of the difficult questions.”

  “I am going with you.” Darrogh’s voice was sharp. “I will not risk your life.”

  Tamsin touched his hand. “I’ll do what you want. We need to get busy on those files.”

  “Breanon you are to take point outside of the building. Firbin and Jehon will come with us.”

  “What about me?” Peter picked up his camera. “I can still shoot pictures of people coming and going.”

  Darrogh nodded. “Do not get in our way.”

  “Kerm will stay at the house. We cannot risk someone breaching security here.”

  “I’ll get a jacket.” Tamsin turned to go to her room, when she was stopped by the doorbell.

  Darrogh stood in front of her and motioned for Kerm to answer it.

  A minute later Kerm reported through mind connection. “The police are here.”

  Chapter 18

  Tamsin was facing Darrogh’s back.

  When she tried to move around him, he stopped her. His arms blocked her on both sides. She’d never realized how large he was until this moment. Normally, she felt suffocated at being so close to a man, yet it was different with Darrogh. He made her feel safe and secure. She sensed that no matter what, he wouldn’t allow anything to get by him.

  “The police are here.”

  His words reverberated through her.

  Her heart beat increased and she had to force herself to breathe. Why would they be here? The first thing that came to mind was Saturday night and what had happened at George’s flat. So much had occurred since then that she’d completely blocked out the possibility of repercussions. Darrogh had assured her that there was no evidence of her at George’s flat so it couldn’t be about his death.

  It must be something else.

  Kerm led two women into the lounge. Tamsin had a quick glance of them before Darrogh blocked her view with his body. One was dressed in navy pants with a matching blazer. The outfit was a designer knock-off and suited her blonde hair and fair skin. The second woman, was attired more casually in a pair of black jean-styled pants and a floral blouse opened a few inches at the neckline. She had brown hair and sharp grey eyes. She looked at Darrogh.

  “We’re from the Metropolitan Police. I’m Detective Inspector Milton and this is Detective Sergeant Barlow. Is Miss Creighton here?”

  Darrogh didn’t move. “Why?”

  “We have some questions about George Saxby,” DS Barlow said.

  “More specifically, about his death.” DI Milton’s tone was sharp.

  Tamsin pushed at Darrogh’s back. It was obvious that these women were not planning on leaving. For whatever reason, they thought that she had a connection with George. There was no point in avoiding their questions. They’d only come back later, or worse, haul her down to police headquarters.

  “I didn’t know he was dead. What do you want to know?” Tamsin’s tone was hesitant as Darrogh stepped to the side.

  DI Milton raised an eyebrow. “Are you expecting trouble in your own home?”

  Tamsin gave Darrogh a quick glance. “He’s one of my bodyguards. My father hired them because the bank has been receiving threats.”

  DI Milton looked at Darrogh and then glanced around the room at the other men. “You seem to have a lot of protection. Is there anything that the police should know about?”

  Tamsin shook her head. “My father’s overprotective.”

  DI Milton nodded. “When was the last time you saw George Saxby?”

  Tamsin’s mind froze. From the glance the two women sent her, she suspected a trap. They had seen the paper and probably already knew she’d been in his car recently. Her only course of action was honesty.

  “Saturday night. I ran into George at Beauvie’s.” Tamsin forced her voice to remain casual. “We went to university together.”

  “So you were close friends.” DS Barlow looked up from a notebook that she had been writing in.

  “Not really.” Tamsin swallowed to ease the dryness of her mouth.

  “This is a picture of you getting into his car. What time was it?”

  DI Milton pulled out a paper from the black tote bag she had over her shoulder. It was the same tabloid that her father had thrown at her this morning. The license of the vehicle was visible.

  “Around midnight I think.” Tamsin frowned. She honestly couldn’t remember much of that night.

  “Did he take you to his apartment?”

  “Tamsin had nothing to do with this man’s death.” Darrogh voice boomed the denial.

  DI Milton gave Darrogh a long look. “You knew she’d gone off with him.”

  “She was trying to avoid our protection.” Darrogh’s tone was cold. “Getting into this man’s vehicle was not a wise decision.”

  DI Milton pointed at the second picture on the paper. The one where Darrogh was carrying her in his arms. “Where did you carry her from?”

  “Is there a problem?”

  “Just that Miss Creighton looks capable of walking when she got into the vehicle with George Saxby.”

  Darrogh straightened his shoulders. “Tamsin was tired when that picture was taken.”

  “I don’t believe you.” DI Milton’s tone was sharp as she turned to Tamsin. “I think George Saxby drugged you, and made it impossible for you to move. That’s why your bodyguard had to carry you. What else did he do?”

  “Nothing.” Tamsin forced outrage into her voice. “Why would you accuse George of
such a thing?”

  “Because that’s what the man did.” DS Barlow flipped through her notebook. “Apparently he made quite the hobby of drugging and raping women. The photos and videos left at his apartment even suggest that he might have murdered a few.”

  Tamsin inhaled a sharp breath. She’d known that George had intended to kill her, but she hadn’t thought he’d murdered other women. “That’s not the George I knew. How did he die?”

  DS Barlow pointed her pen at Tamsin. “We found him shot with his own gun this morning and it looks like you may have been the last person to see him.”

  “That doesn’t mean he drugged me.”

  “Did you go back to his flat?”

  “Tamsin did nothing to this man.” Darrogh took a step closer to her. “I can vouch for that.”

  “Where was this picture taken of you carrying her in your arms?” DI Milton’s voice rose as she turned to interrogate Darrogh. “At his apartment?”

  “At Beauvie’s.” Peter, who had been sitting on the couch spoke up. “Her bodyguard stopped the car and carried her away.”

  “Who are you?”

  “I’m the guy who took the photographs.” Peter cleared his throat. “I sold them to the tabloids. I didn’t know what they had planned to do with them, so I came over to apologize.”

  DI Milton raised an eyebrow. “You’d be the first paparazzo to care about the effects your photos had.”

  Peter shrugged. “I’m actually a private investigator. I needed the money.”

  “And you’re willing to swear that this photo of Miss Creighton in her bodyguard’s arms was taken outside of Beauvie’s?”

  Peter nodded. “It’s the truth.”

  “The brick in the picture looks similar to Saxby’s building.”

  “All brick looks the same. I know where I took the photo.” Peter leaned back on the couch. “Do you have any evidence that Miss Creighton was at this Saxby’s apartment.”

  “No.” DI Milton pursed her lips. “That doesn’t prove anything. In my gut, I know she was involved.”

  “Everything was wiped clean from the surveillance video system he had at the building. It is all mysteriously blank. His computer is also missing.” DS Barlow’s voice was dry. “That in itself is suspicious.”