Chapter 31
NOW
Late August
Wednesday
I rubbed my hand against the back of my neck, arching my spine, trying to loosen the tightness.
‘Maybe we should take a break,’ Ben suggested.
‘Hmm,’ I murmured. ‘Tempting but…’
He chuckled. ‘You want to keep going.’
‘Can I get you another coffee?’ I asked, already pushing my chair back.
‘Yeah, that would be great actually, thanks,’ Ben said, looking appreciative. ‘Bla—’
‘Black Americano,’ I finished for him.
He smiled. ‘You remember.’
‘Of course.’ I turned away and joined the queue at the counter.
My gaze drifted back to our table. To Ben, head bent, absorbed in the screen. He didn’t look up. He was so focused. Determined.
Neither of us really knew what we were even looking for, but he was still here. Still helping.
A wave of calm settled over me. It felt good working with him again. It wasn’t just about the files. It was his support, his belief.
Maybe I could have stuck it out at the stables longer if he’d stayed.
But then that was exactly why Charlotte had got rid of him.
After everything that had happened, I wouldn’t have blamed him for walking away. But he hadn’t – he’d stayed. He hadn’t needed to. He had nothing to gain from it. Blackwater wasn’t part of his life any more.
I frowned. Maybe it shouldn’t have been part of mine.
It would have been easier if I’d just let it go.
Let Charlotte win.
I sucked in a deep breath. It was too late for that now though.
‘Have you seen this?’ Ben asked as I set his coffee down in front of him.
‘Seen what?’ I leaned forwards.
He turned the laptop towards me, pointing at the screen.
‘Another one?’ I dropped into my chair. ‘How many is that now?’
‘Seven.’
I inhaled sharply. ‘I don’t understand. Why is my signature on all of these sales? Other than that first one, they’ve all taken place since I left. I wasn’t even there.’
Ben tapped on the keys. ‘Did you notice this?’ He pulled up another document.
‘The first sale with my signature?’ I asked, glancing at the now familiar document.
‘Did you notice the buyer’s name?’
My gaze shifted to the buyer signature. ‘Graham Lewis. Isn’t that Charlotte’s surname? Do you think they are related?’
‘I spotted it when you were getting the coffees, and I did some digging…’
‘Okay…’ I said, staring at him, my interest piqued.
‘He’s her father.’
‘What? But—’
Ben nodded. ‘I know, right? The first time your signature appears on a contract and it’s with Charlotte’s father.’
I frowned. ‘That can’t be a coincidence, can it?’
He shook his head. ‘I don’t think so, but…’
I slumped backwards. ‘But we still have no idea what it means.’
Ben winced. ‘Sorry.’
I sighed again. ‘But my signature isn’t on all the sales, though.’
‘No, most are still signed by Martin or Ryan.’
‘So why these ones? What do they have in common, besides my signature?’
Ben frowned as he grabbed the laptop and started flicking through the sales records again.
‘Atlas.’
I frowned. ‘I remember Ryan telling me he’s a retired racehorse. A thoroughbred.’
Ben nodded. ‘Best bloodline they’ve got.’
‘So that makes him the most valuable.’
‘And the foals too,’ Ben confirmed with a nod.
I leaned closer. ‘Then wouldn’t Martin want to sign those sales himself?’
‘Yes.’ Ben’s jaw tightened. ‘Unless…’ He paused.
‘Unless there’s a reason he didn’t want his name on the sales?’ I finished for him as a chill ran through me.
‘Special feed,’ Ben said suddenly.
I blinked. ‘What?’
‘Atlas had a dry patch a couple of years ago,’ he said. ‘Foals stopped coming. Income dropped. They changed vets, brought Harcourt in. He changed Atlas’s diet, gave him supplements, the works.’
‘Yeah, I remember Ryan adding something to his feed.’
‘This foal.’ Ben tapped the screen. ‘It’s the first one after those changes.’
‘Okay…’ I said and then it clicked. ‘And that’s the first sale with my signature.’
Ben met my gaze. ‘Yeah.’
We stared at each other, the weight of what we were thinking heavy and unsettling.
‘Why would they need my name on it?’
Ben ran his hand across his face. ‘If something isn’t right, the last thing you want is for it to be traced back to you.’
My stomach twisted.
‘So, you make sure it’s traced back to someone else,’ I said slowly. ‘Someone expendable. Someone who doesn’t even know they are involved.’
My phone vibrated on the table as it played an upbeat tune. I froze. It hadn’t played that tune in days.
‘Generally, when it makes a noise, it means you need to answer it,’ Ben teased.
‘It’s Ryan,’ I said, my gaze not leaving the name displayed on the screen.
‘I thought you said you guys weren’t in contact.’
‘We aren’t.’
‘I guess he changed his mind…?’
I arched an eyebrow. Usually, I’d be excited to hear from Ryan. But today…
‘Hello?’ I said tentatively.
Silence.
‘Kirsty?’ Ryan’s voice sounded strained.
Something tightened in my chest. ‘What’s wrong?’
Another pause.
‘Charlotte’s dead.’