Chapter 27
The following day, Maia wandered into the communal kitchen around nine after spending ten minutes speaking with Laura. She’d mentioned her writing and the missing planner. Only London was present, deeply immersed in whatever she was reading, with a cup of coffee sitting nearby.
Maia must’ve made a sound because London’s head jerked up. She smiled in welcome.
“Henry and Gerard got called out on a job. Megan and Jacey have gone on a school trip as parent supervisors, so it’s me and you.” Her brow puckered. “Henry put me in charge of your security.”
Maia blinked.
“Yeah,” London said with a twist of her lips. “That was my reaction.”
“I have a lot to do and not much time. I promised Henry I’d take care and not be alone if I could help it. How’s your morning looking? Feel like a quick trip to see Laura, a stop by my house for clothes, and a drive to Dunedin? I urgently need a computer because mine is in pieces.”
“Henry mentioned someone ransacked your house. Are you intending to move back once everything gets repaired?”
Maia shrugged. “Henry wants me to stay with him. To be honest, I think I might. I’ve never had a family and like it here. It feels safer with other people around.”
“Understandable. We have excellent security, even if you find yourself alone. The dogs bark if visitors arrive. They’re used to us, but you’ll hear them if someone lurks near the house.”
“Good to know. Henry suggested I rent my property and keep it as an investment—at least until Henry gets sick of having me around.”
London laughed and picked up her coffee cup to take a sip. “Don’t think that will happen. Henry loves you. I’ve never seen him like this—not since…” She trailed off, looking uncomfortable.
“Since your sister?”
Relief flooded London’s face. “I wasn’t sure if he’d told you. Yeah, since Jenny. I can see he’s protective, and this person harassing you has him worried. It’s surprising he isn’t dogging your steps and scowling over your shoulder.”
“I get the sense he’d like to, but he’s trying to give me space.
My best approach is to avoid alone time and compromise.
Common sense. This person has already injured me and almost destroyed my playing season.
I’d be stupid to ignore Henry’s suggestions.
I won’t be the foolish character who blunders about making it easy for the bad guy.
So far, I’ve been incredibly lucky I’ve escaped worse injuries. ”
London set her coffee mug down and squeezed Maia’s arm.
“You’re perfect for Henry. As much as I loved my sister, you’re an even better match for him.
My sister was bull-headed and stubborn. I don’t know you well enough to tell if you bear the stubborn gene, but you’re determined and have common sense. You’re not high drama.”
Maia grimaced. “You make me sound like an old maid.”
“That’s not what I mean. My sister was high-maintenance. In the long term, she and Henry would’ve butted heads. You’re more likely to pick your moments. You’re self-sufficient and capable.”
“Thank you, I think.”
“Why don’t you borrow Henry’s laptop?”
“I could, but I’d need to upload my software and other files. It’s easier to get a new one.”
London’s gaze narrowed, laser-focused on Maia. “Why do you need special software?”
“I write,” she said, observing the other woman. “Fantasy fiction. Under a pen name.”
London’s brows shot up. “Did Henry tell you Megan writes romances? I do her admin work.”
“Henry suggested I ask you for help. With my deadlines and rugby training, I don’t have enough time for advertising and promotion.”
“I’d love to work with you. I’ve learned a lot from working for Megan. It won’t take me long to get up to speed. What pen name do you write under?”
Maia hesitated and felt heat seep into her cheeks. It surprised her that Henry hadn’t asked for more details. No doubt he’d get to it, eventually.
“Maia?” London resembled a reporter after a hot tip.
Maia sighed. “Henrietta M. March.”
It took London seconds to get it and for her eyes to open wide in astonishment. “You took your name from Henry and our town.”
Maia couldn’t maintain London’s gaze and the acute speculation she saw on the other woman’s face. A clever way to stay close to Henry and keep part of him with her. When she raised the courage to glance at London, the other woman was busy tapping on her phone.
“What are you doing?” Foreboding rose in her. Surely London wouldn’t tell everyone her secret. She’d had a huge crush on Henry, and he’d remained tucked away in her thoughts while she’d had boyfriends and dated. No, she couldn’t confess that because she’d sound like a nutcase stalker.
“I’m doing an internet search for your books. Holy crap! You’re a bestseller. Go you!”
“Writing helped me buy the house and pay for things my aunt didn’t approve of before I could access my trust,” Maia said.
“She forced me to study accountancy, and writing was me thumbing my nose at her. I hate numbers and spreadsheets, but I love writing. I scraped by with my degree, and it drove my aunt crazy when I didn’t get a job.
She couldn’t figure out how I was surviving because she wasn’t approving my living expenses. ”
“She sounds like a bitch.”
“My aunt never approved of my father’s choice of wife and thought he could do better. Once she decided on something, there was no shifting her. She blamed my mother for the accident. It was a freak thing and no one’s fault.”
Maia’s phone rang. “It’s Laura,” she said as she answered.
“Sure, I need to fill out an insurance claim and take photos. Can I get a copy of your police report to go with my claim? All right, I’ll be there in ten minutes.
I want to see if any of my clothes are salvageable.
” She hung up. “Can you be ready in ten minutes? I thought I’d drive to Dunedin from there. ”
“I’ll grab my purse and phone. Let’s take my vehicle in case someone is following you.”
Maia agreed without mentioning someone determined could observe the house from afar and track vehicle activity.
The interior of her house was as bad as she remembered. In fact, it looked worse in the light of day. Laura and Charlie met them outside, and Laura handed Maia the paperwork for her claim.
“Thanks.” Maia unlocked her door and stood aside to let them enter.
“Holy Hannah,” London muttered. “Henry mentioned the damage, but I didn’t picture this destruction.”
“This was my office. They’ve wrecked my research books. That was my laptop.” Maia pointed at the different pieces.
“Someone is angry,” London said.
“Yeah. I wish I knew what I’d done.” That’s what made this so difficult.
It stressed her to think she’d agitated someone so much that they sought revenge.
“I wonder if I have another relative who thinks my aunt left me this house. Aunt Beatrice didn’t leave me anything except a letter stating how I’d disappointed her and she was ashamed of me. ”
“That’s cold.”
“It was my father she was angry at, but she aimed her arrows at my mother when she was alive and me once my parents died.”
“I never met her but heard she was eccentric and particular with tradesmen.”
“That’s a polite way of saying my aunt was a bitch. I shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, but she made my childhood miserable. Once I turned twenty-one, control reverted to me. After that, I didn’t speak to her again, which is sad. She was my only remaining family.”
London’s face softened, and she embraced Maia in a heartfelt hug.
When she drew back, tears blurred her vision.
“With Henry, you’ll have a happy family and a supportive community.
I don’t have any family left either, but I don’t feel the lack now.
” She grinned. “I love my life. Let’s see your wardrobe, then hit the shops. ”
Maia and London arrived back from Dunedin early afternoon.
As she’d suspected, she hadn’t found a piece of usable clothing.
The trespasser had destroyed everything he or she could find.
They’d had a monster tantrum and left days of work to clear the mess.
She’d be busy and wouldn’t have time to think between cleaning, rugby, and writing.
“Let me set up your computer,” London said over coffee once they’d unloaded the car. “Give me a list of the software you urgently need, and I’ll get started. If you trust me with your passwords, I can get everything done quickly.”
Maia grabbed a notebook from her purse and wrote her password for her password safe. She added her cloud name and jotted down the software she required to write. “Those are the main ones. You’ll find my passwords in the online safe.”
“Easy,” London said with a smile.
“How much do you charge? I didn’t ask.”
“Don’t worry about that. You get the family rate, the same as Megan.”
A clatter at the door announced Levi’s arrival home from school. Accompanied by a friend, Levi entered the room, followed by Jacey.
“Are we too late?” Levi demanded. “Have you finished your training run?”
Maia checked her watch. “In about half an hour, after I’ve unpacked my shopping.”
“Can we come with you?” Levi asked.
Doubt crept into Maia, and she glanced askance at Jacey.
“As long as Maia agrees and you can keep pace with her,” he said. “Her training is important and part of her job. You have to be serious and focused. No tearing off to investigate interesting noises or smells.”
“We won’t do that, Mr. Jacey,” Levi’s friend said.
“No,” Levi agreed. “We want to get faster and play rugby like Maia.”
Maia figured if the two boys lagged, she’d do a shorter run than usual.
It wouldn’t matter for once. She had team training on Tuesday, and a partial rest day wouldn’t hurt.
“I thought I’d drive down to the rugby grounds and do laps and interval training today, along with some warmup exercises Isabella taught me. Is that okay?”
“Yes!” Levi shouted.
His friend beamed. “Yes!”
“All right, boys. Change into your running gear and come back straight away so you don’t hold up Maia,” Jacey said.
“That’s my cue to leave,” London said. “I much prefer my job. You’ll have to get Henry to show you the obstacle course. Yesterday’s council meeting discussed having a fundraiser where everyone dresses in costumes and runs the course. Some people got excited.”
Maia laughed. “Thank you for helping me today and volunteering to set up my laptop.”
London waved a hand in dismissal. “Not a problem.”
“Jacey, are you sure the boys will be okay with me? What if… What if something happens to them because of me?”
Jacey smiled. “They’ll be fine. The rugby field is open ground, and you’ll notice anyone lurking. The kids will spot strangers. Just make sure you take your phone. If anything worries you, call Laura or me.”
A howl rang through the air, followed by a doggish-sounding yip, and Jacey shrugged ruefully. “Those two are not quiet. If anything, you’re doing me a favor by tiring them out. That way, we might manage a movie after dinner instead of active games outside.”
“I’ll change and meet the kids back here. Won’t be long.”
Jacey had sounded unconcerned, so she’d take her cue from him.