aHunter4Trust Read online

  “Thank you.” Tamsin looked into his eyes. “When I sat across from Winchester today, all I could think about was how lucky I was to have found out about his betrayal before I married him.”

  “He is a man without honor.”

  “I should never have agreed to marry him.” Tamsin lowered her voice. “I realized today that you’re the only man I want to be with. I love you.”

  A glint of excitement flared in Darrogh’s eyes.

  His hold on her tightened.

  “I am bonded with you.” His voice was husky. “It would be an honor to be your mate. I will not ask you to make such a serious decision until we have defeated the Albireons and you are safe.”

  Before Tamsin could reply, the taxi came to a stop. She looked out the window and saw that they had arrived at her house. With a sigh, she straightened up and waited until Darrogh had paid the cabbie. He stepped outside the cab and assessed the area, before helping her out of the vehicle. Jehon joined them at the sidewalk.

  “The Albireons have set up a position in the rear.”

  Darrogh nodded and held the front door open for her to pass through. “They will not attack as long as it is daylight. We will keep them under surveillance.”

  Jehon locked the door behind them. “We also have guests.”

  Tamsin frowned. “I wasn’t expecting anyone.”

  “The police have returned.”

  A shudder went through her. Had they found evidence that linked her to Saxby’s death? With a trembling hand she brushed her hair back from her face and let out a shaky breath. She had no memory of what had happened in the apartment, and Peter Newton had already given a statement that she wasn’t there.

  The police had to be here for another reason.

  It must be the attack in the alley.

  “I’m ready.” She walked into the reception room.

  DI Milton and DS Barton were standing with their backs to the fireplace and notebooks in hand. When she entered the room, DI Milton walked toward her.

  “We have more questions.”

  Tamsin sat on her couch and motioned for DI Milton to sit across from her. The police officer shook her head. She looked down at her notes.

  “We are having difficulty recovering CCTV footage from Saturday night. Do you have any idea why that might be?”

  For a second Tamsin thought she’d misheard the inspector. “Are you suggesting that I tampered with video feeds?”

  “Someone did.”

  “It wasn’t me.” Tamsin smiled. “I know finances not computers. I wouldn’t have a clue where to start.”

  “What about your security team.” The inspector’s expression was grim as she glanced at Darrogh who was standing beside Tamsin. “I suspect that your team would do anything to protect you.”

  “That is true.” Darrogh’s voice was cold. “We would die to protect Tamsin.”

  “That’s hardly an answer.” DI Morton frowned. “Does your protection include murder or covering up a homicide?”

  “I am a warrior. I follow the Sacred Code.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  “We do not murder innocent people. There is no honor in that.”

  Tamsin cleared her throat. “He answered your question. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

  DI Morton looked at her. “Was there something you forgot to tell us about Saturday night?”

  “I told you everything that I know.” Tamsin shook her head. “George was a friend. Surely you have other suspects besides me?”

  DS Barton flipped her notepad closed. “That’s the problem. We have too many suspects and no evidence that anyone was ever at his apartment Saturday night.”

  “You’re certain it wasn’t suicide?”

  DS Barton and the inspector exchanged a look.

  Tamsin held her breath as she waited.

  “It’s possible,” DI Morton admitted. “In my gut, I don’t believe it. He wasn’t the type of man to kill himself.”

  “How do you know that?” Tamsin’s voice was hesitant.

  “There was no suicide note, and nothing in his apartment to indicate remorse for his violent treatment of women.” DI Morton tapped her notebook. “It’s more probable that one of his victims took their revenge.”

  “He does not deserve your efforts.” Darrogh’s voice was harsh.

  “It’s my job to find the truth.”

  Darrogh crossed his arms. “You will not find it here.”

  “My instinct tells me different.” The inspector paused for a few seconds and then turned toward the door. “Without any evidence, I have nothing to go on.”

  When the detectives had left the house Tamsin leaned back. “For a few seconds I thought you were going to tell her the truth.”

  “I would not have lied,” Darrogh admitted. “I would have hated to leave you here alone, but I would have escaped. Your laws cannot hold me.”

  There was a loud pounding on the front door.

  Darrogh motioned for Jehon to check it out. He came back with Peter Newton. Newton’s face was pale and his hands shook as he put his camera down on the table. Tamsin guided him to a chair and asked Jehon to get some water. When Peter had gulped back the liquid, he put the glass down with a rattle.

  “Henry Kingsley has just been killed by a hit and run driver.”

  Chapter 23

  “What happened?” Tamsin asked.

  “I followed Kingsley after he left the bank.” There was a tremor in Peter’s voice. “He made a phone call so I thought he might lead me to his contacts.”

  “That was a dangerous plan,” Darrogh said. “Did they see you?”

  Peter shook his head. “I was too far away. They talked for a few minutes and then his contacts left. I was about to follow them, when I heard the screeching of tires behind me. I ducked into a doorway and started clicking pictures.”

  “You saw it happen. How horrible.” Tamsin touched Peter’s arm. “Did you get a good look at the person behind the wheel? That should help the police find the driver.”

  Peter held up his camera and started to scan through the pictures he’d taken. The images flickered by like a movie and Darrogh was not surprised when he saw that the man behind the wheel was wearing a black coat and black hat. His face was emotionless as he raced toward Henry and ran him over.

  “The Albireons are covering their tracks.”

  Darrogh had known it was only a matter of time before the Albireons took notice of their activities and tried to eliminate them. The attack this morning had been their first real attempt to silence Tamsin. The shooting of the tire had only been a warning and scare tactic. There would be no restraints now that they knew Henry Kingsley’s sabotage had been discovered.

  They had waited too long to leave London.

  “It is not safe for us here.” Darrogh straightened away from the camera.

  At that moment, Firbin entered the room. “Breanon is in position at the rear.”

  “What about the front? We need a clear line on the house from the park,” Darrogh said.

  “I will go and take up a position.” Firbin left the room just as Kerm entered with Savis.

  “Were you successful?” Darrogh asked.

  “Yes.” Savis put his laptop down on the table in front of Tamsin. “There is a direct connection with Winchester Nethercott. Once the Creighton’s funds reached his bank, he transferred them into Albirsion Corporation banks.”

  “You were able to stop that from happening I hope?” Tamsin’s voice cracked.

  “Yes, but I found other irregularities in Nethercott’s files.” Savis glanced up at Darrogh, who nodded for him to continue. “Nethercott has been laundering money from illegal operations setup through Albirsion. He has been instrumental in increasing their wealth. There was more.”

  Tamsin sat down and shut her eyes for a few seconds. “Tell me the rest.”

  “Nethercott has been systematically draining other banks around the world of their funds just like he did with C
reighton’s.”

  “The Albireons plan to control Earth’s global economy.” There was no doubt in Darrogh’s mind that this was one of the thrusts in their takeover of the planet. “They have probably been planning this for years.”

  “They do not know that I have infiltrated them.” Savis’s voice was quiet. “It will take me a few hours, but I should be able to plant a backdoor into their system that they will not find. That way I will have future access and time to correct what they have done.”

  Darrogh did not hesitate. “Do it. We need to stop them wherever possible.”

  Savis reached for his computer. “I have left the evidence of Winchester’s money laundering on the books. I can correct the money siphoning from other banks just like I did at Creighton’s, but the best way to stop it from happening again, is to stop Winchester.”

  Darrogh did not have a problem with seeing the man pay for his actions. “What do you propose?”

  “Leak evidence of the money laundering,” Savis said.

  Tamsin frowned. “Is that wise?”

  Savis picked up his computer. “The alternative is to kill Winchester, but that will leave his contacts alive.”

  “I don’t want him killed.” Tamsin was definite. “Involving the police isn’t going to stop Albirsion Corporation.”

  “It will delay the Albireon plans and stop the flow of money to them,” Savis’s explained.

  “So Winchester, and the people he is laundering money for, will be arrested.” Darrogh liked the idea. “Send the information anonymously to the authorities. If they are not controlled by the Albireons, then they will stop the illegal activity.”

  Savis nodded. “I will continue to monitor the Albireons’ finances so that we will know when they find new sources of money.”

  “We will shut down those operations as they occur.” Darrogh nodded.

  “It is a good plan.”

  “Is it necessary to send Winchester to jail?” Tamsin’s voice was unsure.

  “He committed fraud. Do not your laws have a penalty for this?” Darrogh asked.

  “I suppose it is fitting.” Tamsin sighed. “It’s impossible to believe. Nethercott’s used to be such an upstanding institution.”

  “Winchester had a choice. He decided to join with the Albireons.”

  “You’re right.” There was still doubt in Tamsin’s voice. “He might not know how horrible Albirsion Corporation is.”

  “The people he launders money for are criminals.” Savis’s voice was matter of fact.

  “He is also the one who alerted the Albireons that you had been in his office.” Darrogh clenched his hands at the thought of what might have happened to Tamsin if he had not been with her. “That is the reason your house is under surveillance and we are being followed.”

  Tamsin looked up at Darrogh. “He couldn’t know what they intend to do.”

  “He knows.” Darrogh waited until he saw acceptance of the truth about Winchester’s betrayal in Tamsin’s eyes.

  Tamsin gave him a shaky nod. “You’re right. I told him that I was attacked and he showed no surprise.”

  “He needs to be stopped.”

  “The Albireons are preparing to attack.” Kerm glanced toward the windows. “It will be dark soon.”

  “You cannot stay here.” Darrogh’s stomach tensed as a sense of unease shot through him. “Savis, tell Ardal your plans and then execute them. Ask for reinforcements as soon as possible. I need to get Tamsin away from London.”

  “We still have a house in the north of England.” Kerm’s voice was curt. “When we were hiring out as mercenaries, it was essential to have a safe location in every country. It hasn’t been used in the last year, but it should be protection until we can get more Hunters here.”

  “We will go there.” Darrogh turned to Tamsin. “Pack only a change of clothing. We leave in five minutes.”

  “Can’t we wait until morning?” There was obstinate refusal in Tamsin’s voice.

  Darrogh sent her a wave of calm and reassurance. There was no time to debate. The Albireons were close to attacking and he needed to get her out of this house.

  “No.”

  Tamsin gave him a long searching look.

  He sensed her unease.

  A second later, it was gone. She nodded and left the room. Only then, did he turn to the others.

  “What is the best way to get out of London unseen?”

  “The underground.” Peter Newton spoke in a decisive voice. “Let me see the map of the London tube system.

  Savis pulled up the chart on his laptop.

  Peter looked at the screen. “There are entries into hidden tunnels beneath the city. If you can access one of them, then you will be able to avoid detection.”

  Peter pointed to Chancery Lane Station. “There is a secret entrance to an underground tunnel that will connect you with this station. It’s only about half a mile long, but if we can get you there without being followed, then the Albireons won’t know where you are.”

  “What do we do once we are there?” Darrogh asked.

  “Stay on the tube until the Central Line ends at Epping Station. From there, you’ll have to take a car and get on the A1. That will take you north.”

  “We’ll need a car waiting for us.”

  “I will arrange one to be there. I’ll pull Tamsin’s vehicle up to the front of the house and drive you.” Kerm left the house.

  Darrogh looked up from the map that he had committed to memory. “They are planning to attack tonight. I can feel it in my bones. You will have to hold them off.”

  “Not a problem. I will go and get the weapons ready,” Jehon said.

  “I’m coming with you.” Peter Newton stood. “You’ll never get access to the hidden underground system without me.”

  “It will be dangerous.” Darrogh appreciated the offer of help, but he did not want the man risking his life. “I might not be able to protect you.”

  “I can take care of myself.” Peter’s voice was strong. It was obvious he had recovered from the harrowing experience of seeing Kingsley run down in broad daylight. “I didn’t believe you guys at first. I can’t deny what I saw with my own eyes today, though.”

  Tamsin came back into the room. She was carrying a small leather backpack over her shoulder and had changed into jeans, comfortable shoes and a woollen sweater.

  “I’m ready.” She pulled her hair back into a ponytail. “Are we driving?”

  “Peter is coming with us. It is risky, but we need to get to Furnival Street near the Chancery Lane tube station.” Darrogh took the pack from Tamsin. “We will drive there. It will take the Albireons a few minutes to follow. Once we reach the underground, we should be able to lose them.”

  Jehon came back with a couple of pistols that he handed to Darrogh. He also added a box of bullets. Peter’s eyes widened when he saw the weapons and he shook his head. “I’m not going to ask if they’re legal.”

  “These are primitive but effective.” Darrogh hid one of the guns in his jacket. The bullets and second pistol he put in Tamsin’s pack. “We use what we must. If they attack, then I will defend.”

  Tamsin shuddered. “Let’s hope we can outwit them.”

  “You need to delay the Albireons from following us.” Darrogh looked at Jehon. “Use whatever tactics you think necessary, including shooting out the tires on their vehicles.”

  “I will alter the angle of the CCTV cameras at Furnival and Epping Station,” Savis added. “If they have access to the video feed that should stop them from finding your route.”

  “The main goal is to delay until Ardal’s reinforcements arrive.” Darrogh turned to Peter. “Ready?”

  Peter picked up his camera. “When I’ve got you two away safely, I’m going to lay low for a few days. It sounds as if you’re planning a battle.”

  They left the house by the front door.

  Darrogh could feel the eyes on them as they climbed into Tamsin’s car. Kerm sped off the moment the
door shut, and swerved around cars on his way to Furnival. When they reached Chancery Lane, Kerm barely stopped as he let them off at the corner of Cursitor Street. Construction was on both sides of the road and only pedestrian traffic was able to get through. This would make it impossible for anyone to pursue them in a car.

  Kerm sped off. Darrogh took Tamsin’s elbow and led her down the walkthrough that went into Cursitor. Peter followed. When they reached Furnival Street, Peter took the lead, stopping at a building with a black loading door. Tamsin leaned against the building and took a deep breath.

  Peter rummaged in his pockets and pulled out a ring heavy with keys.

  Darrogh stood guard in front of both of them and looked over his shoulder. No one had followed them. They were safe for the moment, but they could not delay.

  “We cannot stay outside long.”

  “Give me a second.” Peter started flipping through his keys. He stopped at a small bronze-colored one and inserted it into the door’s lock. The door opened and he went in. Darrogh motioned for Tamsin to follow. He gave another cursory look up and down the road and when he was certain no one had seen them, he entered and shut the door behind him.

  Peter turned the lock in the door. “We don’t need anyone getting curious.”

  “This is the old telephone tunnels.” Tamsin’s voice was a hushed whisper. “How did you get access here?”

  “I did some security work for the group that owns it. They were having problems with trespassers.” Peter moved his hand in front of a motion sensor and the lights came on. “When the work was finished, I kept a key. You never know when something like that might come in handy.”

  “How far do we have to go?” Tamsin shivered.

  There was a spiral staircase a few feet in front of them and Peter started down it. “It’s less than a mile.”

  Tamsin followed and Darrogh brought up the rear.

  Their footsteps on the metal stairs were the only sound. No one was following them. When they reached the bottom, the first thing that Darrogh noticed was the damp, musty smell. His nose also detected a faint odor of diesel. The roar of trains could be heard above them.