Blackmail (2 page)

Tears flowed down Avery's cheeks. This was the first time Vince had abused her body and it terrified her. On top of everything else, was she to be violated by this monster?

He shoved her away.

Avery stumbled and landed hard on her backside.

He glowered down at her, his eyes dark with revulsion. “You're a two-bit whore who dances to give men pleasure but I'm no rapist. One day you will come to me of your own free will. I promise you that.” He stormed from the room.

“Not in this fucking lifetime.” Avery drew her knees to her chest, lowered her head and sobbed.

Avery jammed the key to her apartment into the lock and let herself in. She dropped everything from her hands to the floor, flipped on a lamp and sank into her plush leather lounge. It had been a bastard of a night but she felt safe now. This comfortably appointed apartment was her sanctuary.

Paying the rent on the apartment had been a leaving home gift from her parents. She would never have been able to afford something this nice even though she earned good money at her day job. This was the posh side of town. The twinkling lights and sound of waves crashing on the shore of the beach relaxed her and brought back her sanity.

She dozed off and was startled awake by sharp knocking at her door. She glanced at the clock on the wall as she sat up. “Three thirty in the fucking morning. Who the hell is it?”

She padded to the door and called again. “Who is it?”

“Police,” was the response.

Avery squinted and peered through the peephole. On the other side of the door a male and female police officer stood holding up their badges and identification. A chill raced down her spine.

With trembling fingers, she slid the security chain away, unlocked the door and held it open.

“Yes?” Fear raised Avery's voice until it was shrill.

“Are you Miss Avery Watson?”

Avery's voice broke as she answered. “Yes, what's wrong?”

I'm Senior Constable Tony Wright and this is my partner Constable Kylie Montrose. May we come in?”

“Of course.” She led the officers to the lounge where they sat facing each other.

Kylie took over the questioning. “Are your parents Pamela and William Watson?”

Tony sat quietly.

Avery glanced from one officer to the other. “Yes.” Nausea gripped her.

“I'm sorry to have to tell you, Miss Watson but, earlier tonight your parents were involved in a car accident with a truck. They both died at the scene.”

Avery collapsed back on the lounge. An ear piercing scream erupted from deep within her. They couldn't be dead; they were all she had. “No, God, no.” She screamed over and over. She jumped up and paced the floor, tearing at her hair as she screamed.

Kylie stood, intercepted the distraught girl and pulled her into her arms.

Avery's head collapsed against Kylie's shoulder, the dam gates opened and tears poured from her. She didn't hear the words of condolence, didn't feel the rubbing of her back in an attempt to soothe her. Time stopped, she was swept into a void. Dark clouds gathered, all was quiet.

Avery had passed out.

****

“Miss Watson.” A soft voice from somewhere far away drifted to her. She was being shaken gently. Avery fought the mist in an attempt to open her eyes.

“Yes.” Her voice was barely a whisper. A pair of unfamiliar eyes gazed down on her. Where was she? Who was this woman? Avery attempted to sit up but was restrained by a small hand on her shoulder.

“Stay there. You have had a dreadful shock. You need to rest.” The soft voice belonged to a female paramedic.

Avery glanced around. The female was one of two in her apartment.

“My name is Jazmin. Do you remember collapsing?”

Avery's head spun with confusion. She closed her eyes to think. Seconds later she pushed herself up and began screaming. “No, my parents aren't dead. You are all lying. They’re on holidays.”

Jazmin glanced at her partner with concern. The girl was hysterical. He received the unspoken message and prepared a syringe with a sedative which he handed to her.

Avery felt the sting as the needle plunged into her arm. She attempted to push it away but the male paramedic held her firmly. Slowly she drifted into oblivion. She was lowered onto the lounge and the police and paramedics stood staring at the now sleeping figure.

****

“What are we going to do now?” Kylie asked. “We can't leave her alone.”

“Does she have any family or a friend you can call?” Jazmin asked.

“You're not gonna believe this but she is the only child of two only children.” Tony answered. “We didn't have a chance to ask about friends. As soon as we got through telling her about her parents, she collapsed.

“How long will she be out?” Kylie asked.

“It was a fairly strong dose so depending on how her body reacts, it could be anything from four to twenty-four hours.” Ryan, the male paramedic answered.

Kylie paced the floor as she wracked her brain for a solution. She stopped and faced the others.

I'll stay with her. Can you clear it with the station, Tony?”

“Yeah, sure,” he answered.

Tony and the paramedics wished Kylie luck and left. They all instructed her to call them if she needed help.

Kylie covered Avery with a blanket and after rummaging around in the kitchen, busied herself making coffee.

Taking her mug to a lounge chair and settling in, she wondered how Avery would be the next time she awoke.

****

“Avery,” the voice came from the distance. She fought to open her eyes and sit up.

A young woman crouched before her.

Avery started in fright. Who was she and what was she doing in her apartment?

Kylie observed Avery as she woke. She had slept for almost fifteen hours and darkness was falling. Her face was tear-stained and pale. Her startled expression was quickly replaced by sadness as she remembered what had happened. “Do you remember who I am?”

Avery thought for a moment. “Kylie?”

“Yes, that's right.”

“You came to tell me my parents are dead.”

“Yes. I'm so sorry, Miss Watson. Is there someone I can call who can come and stay with you?”

A tear slid down Avery's cheek as she shook her head. The only friend's she had these days were Rachel and Tegan from the club and she didn't have their contact details. They genuinely cared about each other but were too scared to meet outside the club. She had managed to distance everyone else fearing they would discover her secret and expose her. She couldn't risk her parents finding out.

“No-one?” The surprise was evident in Kylie’s voice. The girl sitting in front of her, although disheveled at the moment, was drop dead gorgeous. She would draw people to her like bees to honey. What was she hiding? Was she afraid of something or, someone?

“I'll be okay.” Avery spoke with far more confidence than she felt.

Kylie pushed on her knees and stood. “It's almost six. How about you shower and change then we’ll go out and eat?”

Avery nodded as she got to her feet. She dragged herself down the hall to the bathroom. She turned the taps of the shower and stripped as the water heated. It was warm, comforting when she stepped under the spray. The water pounded her head and streamed over her body, soothing. Using the noise of the shower as cover, she sank to her knees and burst into tears.

Avery appeared twenty minutes later. She wore a pale lemon sundress cinched in the waist. Her still damp but glorious red hair was pulled up into a high ponytail. She wore minimal make-up and Kylie decided, she was definitely gorgeous. “Hell, your legs go all the way to your neck!” she blurted out and then blushed.

Avery allowed herself a slight chuckle. “Everyone says that.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I don't want to go out.”

“I know you don't but, you have to eat and it will do you good to get out of the apartment for an hour. I promise I’ll stay by your side and the minute you feel you can't deal with it, we'll come back.”

“All right but it’s my choice.” Reluctantly she agreed as she could do with some hugs from Sophia, her friend and the owner of her favorite restaurant only five minutes away.”

Kylie nodded. “Good. I promise it will help you feel a tiny bit better.”

Avery didn't think it was possible but just wasn’t up to arguing. “Lead the way, Officer.”

“Kylie, please.”

“Okay. Call me Avery.” She collected her purse and keys, locked the door and together they headed out of the building. Five minutes later Avery pushed open the door of the restaurant and urged Kylie inside.

A short woman with an ample waistline, dark hair and sparkling eyes greeted the girls. Kylie thought she was the epitome of an Italian mama.

“Avery, my darling. I heard the about your mama and papa on the news. How are you? You poor thing.”

Avery found herself engulfed by Sophia's arms and pulled against her bosom. It felt warm, comforting to have the old woman's arms wrapped around her. Tears soaked her eyes and started the journey down her cheeks. After a few moments she was released.

Avery brushed the tears from her cheeks. “Thank you Sophia. I will let you know when the funeral arrangements have been made. I know mother and daddy would have liked to know you and Carlos were there.”

“We will leave the restaurant with Milo and come no matter what day or time. We are here for you if you need us.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, who is your beautiful friend?” Sophia glanced toward Kylie.

“This is Officer Kylie Montrose. She was the one who told me about the accident and has been taking care of me.”

Kylie stepped forward and offered her hand. Sophia crushed her into a hug which almost squeezed the air from her lungs. When the lady released her and took a step back, Kylie sucked in a deep breath.

“Sorry, I tend to squeeze a little too hard.” Sophia admitted. “I am pleased to meet you Officer Montrose and thank you for taking care of our girl.” She turned toward Avery. “We don't see you much anymore.”

“Busy with work. I promise I will try and come by more often.”

“Let's find you and Officer Montrose a nice table away from the noise.” Sophia glanced around and then urged the girls to follow.

They were led to a quiet table in the back corner and as they sat, Sophia motioned for a waitress. A young girl with short dark hair and pixie like features scooted over. “Yes, Sophia.”

“Take care of Avery and Officer Montrose, please Gia.”

“Kylie, please call me Kylie.”

“Then you must call me Sophia. Please, come and see me before you leave.”

“We will,” Avery said as Sophia turned and moved back amongst her other patrons stopping to chat now and again.

Gia took their orders and departed.

“What's the name of this place?” Kylie asked.

“
La Torina
. Sophia and her son, Carlos, run it. Her husband, John died about a year ago.”

“Nice lady. Is she Italian?”

“She is but John was English.”

“What's her full name?”

“Do you want to investigate her? I can tell you she is a wonderful lady who wouldn't do anything wrong.”

“God, no. Sorry. I'm just naturally curious about those I meet.”

Avery relaxed and waited for Gia to place their drinks on the table before speaking again. “She is Sophia Maria Letitia Smith.”

Kylie almost choked on the mouthful of lemonade she had taken into her mouth. The spray came from her mouth and her nose, she moved quickly to mop up the mess with a napkin. “Sorry. Smith! You are telling me that Italian mama is called Smith!”

Avery laughed again. “Yep. I told you, John was English. I'm not sure if Carlos is in but his full name is Carlos Giavanni Andreas Smith.”

“Jeez, they must get awfully strange looks when they tell anyone. I bet most people think they are using an alias and not a very original one at that.”

“Sophia often enlightens us on the funnier reactions but she doesn't take it to heart. She understands it's odd.”

Kylie sipped at her drink. “Tell me about you. Where do you work? Boyfriend?” She watched as a veil came down over Avery's face. Her cop instincts told her this girl was hiding something.

“Not much to tell really. I'm the only child of parents who were only children. I have been working with James Ro & Associates as Personal Assistant to Mr. Ro for nearly two years. I have a degree in Accounting from Macquarie University and I'm twenty-three years old. No boyfriend. OK?”

Gia arrived with their order and the girls thanked her.

Kylie felt Avery's attitude had become slightly aggressive. “I'm sorry if you think I was being nosy. Your life is none of my business. I'm only curious. Again, it's the cop in me.”

“I'm sorry. A little edgy I suppose.” She blinked back the threatening tears. “What about you. What made you become a cop?”

“I come from a family of cops so I guess you could say it's in my genes. I want to help, make my hometown safer, you know – save the world.”

The girls chuckled.

“What else?” Avery asked.

“I'm twenty-four. Been on the beat for a little over a year. Before that I worked as a Manager in a fast food joint. I was fighting against the genes. It didn't work and I'm glad. I have never been happier. Studying to be a D and hope to take my exams in the next month or so.”

“D?”

“Detective. It's what I really want to do.”

“Boyfriend?”

“Partner.
Female
partner, Glenda. We have been together for almost four years.” Kylie scrutinized Avery's face for a reaction. There wasn't one.