Blackmail (6 page)

“Very much. I could get used to eating her cooking and I would easily become a male version of an Italian mama.”

The tinkle of Avery's laugh made him stop and glance at her. The sound was as gorgeous as the woman herself. He smiled down at her. “I could listen to you laugh for hours. It's the most beautiful sound.”

Avery felt heated blood rush to her cheeks as he held the door open and helped her into the car. “Thank you.”

Gabe slipped the key into the lock of her apartment door and ushered her in.

“Drink?” she asked.

“Just water then come and sit down. I want to ask you something.”

Avery's heart dropped to her feet, she hated refusing what he asked. She set the glass before him and sat down.

“Hear me out before you say no. Okay?”

She nodded.

“I want to take you back to mom and dad’s so you have somewhere safe to stay. They have a big five-bedroom house on the beachfront at Randle and there's only the two of them.” He held up his hand when she opened her mouth to protest. “They would be happy to have you and once things settle down, dad will be able to help you find work.”

“How?”

“How what? How can dad help you find work?”

“Yes.”

“Dad is a retired Police Chief. He has a lot of contacts and sooner or later we will get this Marty, Vince and his accomplices and shut down the club. He will also get the pictures pulled.”

“Oh, I can't pay them though. My parents' estate is tied up for heaven only knows how long, I can't work and because I can't even get an interview, I can't get much Government help. I could pay if the photos are taken down and I get a job. I would only stay until I’m employed and then I can get my own place.” Avery was getting excited. She could see a way out of this mess. Finally, a light at the end of a very black tunnel. But, what was she thinking? She didn’t know these people. She couldn’t ask for their help. Her voice was quiet when she continued. “Thank you for the offer but I can’t. It wouldn’t be fair. Your parents don’t even know me.”

“Trust me, they’d be delighted to have you stay and it would give them someone to care for while I solve Tegan’s murder. I want you out of here. It’s dangerous and I don’t want you to be the next victim whose murder I have to investigate.”

The area was dangerous. Drug dealers, addicts, pimps and all other kinds of scummy, untrustworthy people approached her on a regular basis. She felt constantly scared. “Do you think they will have me?”

“I know they will, sweetheart, but…...”

Her gut roiled. “But what?”

“We can't take the pictures down yet. The bills you have can't be paid and I can't stop collection agencies from trying to find you. We need Vince to think you are desperate and have taken off. He can't know you’re in the home of a former cop or it will place you and our female officer in danger.”

“Female officer? I thought you didn’t want to risk putting one into the club?”

“We’ll slip her in under the pretense of being your friend and needing a job. She’ll be able to confirm you were so desperate that you have disappeared and, it will keep both her and you safe.”
Hopefully.

“Vince will think he's ruined me and it will make him very happy.” She gazed at him sadly. “If you hadn't come along, he would have destroyed me. I’d about given up.”

“I think you're stronger than that. I don't think you would allow those scumbags to destroy you.”

“Thank you.” Avery stood on her tiptoes and kissed Gabe on the lips.

Fireworks ignited, sparks flew and they jolted apart. Startled, confused faces stared at each other.

Heat pooled in Avery's belly. Her panties became wet.

What the fuck was that?
Gabe subtly adjusted his hardening cock.

“I'll go and pack.” Avery scurried from the room.

Avery reappeared after a few minutes pulling a suitcase and carrying a matching overnight bag. She gave the apartment one last check, not that anyone would want to break into a dump like this, scooped up the pile of envelopes from the table, and informed Gabe she was ready to leave.

“I guess you won't be sorry to put this behind you.” He gently removed the suitcase and bag from her hands.

“Not at all, the sooner the better. I can't believe how lucky I am you came along and offered to help.” Avery waited for Gabe to leave and locked up the apartment.

She joined him outside, he held the car door open and she slipped into the passenger seat. After depositing her luggage into the trunk, he climbed behind the wheel.

They drove toward Randle, a town about one hour from Glanville, near the sea. The countryside was a brilliant green, thanks to all the recent rain. The air was fresh, a stream washed through a valley. Avery sighed as she relaxed into her seat.

“Tired?” Gabe asked.

“No. Relieved.”

“It must have been hard for you over the past weeks.”

“Yes, it’s been a fucking nightmare. I really miss my parents and my friends.”

“Hopefully when this is all over, you can pick up the friendships again.”

“Doubtful. Some of them were rather piqued by my refusal to spend time with them.” She became thoughtful. “I want to get this over with and once the estate is settled, I think I’ll move and start fresh somewhere else.”

For reasons Gabe didn't understand, his spirit plummeted at the thought of Avery moving away. “Don't make any decisions until you are sure it's what you want.”

“I won't.”

They passed the small bank of shops, which announced their arrival in Randall, before Gabe turned and eased the car up a steep road. A lone house sat on the cliff top, isolated from humanity, close to nature. It was an angular house built almost entirely from what appeared to be concrete and glass, a few decorative wooden screens dressed up the façade. He swung the car into the driveway and switched off the engine. The gardens surrounded a well-manicured and cared for area of lush green lawn, palm trees swayed in the breeze. Wax flowers, daisies and dwarf bottle brush added a kaleidoscope of color along with plants she didn't recognize. The overall effect was stunning.

“Welcome to my parents' home.” He opened the car door for her. 

She stepped out. There was a gentle breeze blowing, she could smell the salt in the air. A freshness and purity she had not experienced for a very long time. “It's gorgeous, Gabe.” Avery moved to the rear of the vehicle to assist with her luggage.

A middle aged couple appeared on the porch and waved as Gabe reached for her hand and led her forward.

“Hi mom, dad.” He drew Avery up on to the porch. He put down her suitcase and pulled her close to his side. “This lovely lady is Avery Watson and I need her to stay here for a while. I’ll tell you about it inside.”

His father shook her hand first, “Hi, I'm Grant Jervis.”

“Hi.” Her murmured acknowledgement was barely a whisper.

Gabe had obviously gained his looks from his father. The man was shorter than his son by four or five inches and feathers of grey colored his dark hair. His eyes were of a more common shade of blue but there was no doubt the two men were related.

His mother stepped toward Avery and gathered her hands. She was a petite woman, barely reaching up to her husband's chest. Her blonde hair was also feathered with grey. Her eyes were grey, wrinkles creased the edges and they were sunken and sad. Avery guessed she had taken the loss of her daughter extremely badly. Wouldn't any mother?

“I'm Ruby Jervis. Please come in.”

She led Avery by the arm leaving her husband and son to collect the luggage and bring it inside.

The home outside was lovely, inside it was stunning. It had been tastefully, minimally decorated in gloss white, leather and glass. But, it was the magnificent view over the ocean that captured her attention. The minute she stepped into the foyer, her eyes were drawn through the entry, across what must be a family/kitchen room, to the huge bank of glass. Avery gasped at the natural beauty.

Gabe took her hand and led her over to the glass wall. He slid a panel aside and they stepped onto the balcony. Avery could see for miles. Rolling waves dotted with white caps, sea birds swooped, recovering unsuspecting small fish and all the while, the sun sparkled off the surface. It was magical and she sighed as Gabe held her close. His arm circled her waist.

“What do you think?”

She gazed up into his eyes. “It's absolutely amazing. I could sit out here for the rest of my life.”

He laughed. “It gets pretty cold in the winter months but from inside, the greyness, the rain on the glass, the wild waves – it all has its own beauty.”

“Yes it does.” She peered over the balcony. Steps beneath her led down onto a lawn surrounded by gardens. Off to one side was an infinity pool and lounges dotted the area where you could sit and read or just take in the vista. “The pool would make you feel like you were about to fall off the edge and land in the ocean.”

He chuckled. “I have never thought or noticed that but I guess it would.”

“Do you swim often?”

“Not in the pool. I come here on my days off. Sometimes I bring friends and we swim down at the beach.” He extended his arm to his right. “If you look over there you will see the cut away in the edge of the lawn. There are steps leading straight onto the sand.”

“I wish I had a swimsuit. Mine are at mother and daddy's house and I'm not allowed in.”

“You don't need one. Nobody comes up here. The beach is very private. My friends and I never wear one.”

What would he look like naked? Heat zipped straight to her pussy. Magnificent. “Do girls come here with you?” Avery blurted and felt her face heat with embarrassment at having asked the question.

He loved the glow that blushing gave to her face.

“You don't have to answer. It isn't really any of my business.”

“I don't mind you asking. Yep, usually there are three or four guys and three or four girls who come up. Most of us have known each other for years, a couple are friends from the station.”

A pang of jealousy assaulted her. But, why? She had no claim to this man. Did he have a girlfriend? She hadn't even bothered to ask.

Gabe studied her profile as she gazed out over the ocean. He turned her around to face him. “Ask me Avery.”

She looked confused. “What?”

“You want to know if I have a girlfriend.”

“N..n..no, I don't.” She dropped her eyes and studied her shoes, but her cheeks burned.

He placed two fingers under her chin and lifted her head so she was forced to look at him. “Yes, you do. And, no I don't. I’ve been so busy with the force; I haven't had the time or the inclination for anything other than a couple of casual affairs.”

“Ok.”

He stood staring into her face. He was mesmerized by her eyes.  He drew her near and before he fully understood what he was doing, lowered his head and captured her lips.

Avery groaned, instinctively her arms lifted and encased his neck. She pushed her breasts into his chest, parted her lips and they explored each other's mouths. The kiss was passionate, urgent, she never wanted it to end. Juices flooded her pussy, within seconds she was soaked. Gabe's hardened cock pressed against her hip. He felt something too.

Grant stood quietly watching his son trying to devour the beautiful, mysterious young lady who had accompanied him home. Who was she? Why hadn’t his son mentioned her before?

The sound of Gabe's father clearing his throat forced the young couple apart. Their heads swiveled in the direction of the older man.

“Your mother has made coffee and laid out some cake and biscuits if you would like to escort the young lady to the table, son.”

Gabe, and a very embarrassed Avery, followed Grant back inside.

****

Gabe held a chair for Avery to sit and assisted to push it closer to the table. His father did the same for his mother. It was her who got the conversation started.

“What is going on Gabe? Have you come to stay for a few days?”

“No, mom. I haven't, but I was hoping Avery could stay here for a while.”

“Are you bringing trouble to my home, young lady?” Grant fixed Avery with a piercing, but concerned, gaze.

“Dad, …”

Avery placed her hand on Gabe's forearm. He immediately forgot what he was going to say to admonish his father for his attitude.

“It's okay, Gabe. Your father has a right to know what is going on if he is going to permit me to stay. I am in serious trouble, Mr. Jervis. Your son has brought me here in an effort to protect me.”

Avery explained about the death of her parents - intestate, the blackmail which had kept her at the mercy of Vince and his loathsome club, the loss of one job, the quitting of another and her now destitute situation.

“You poor darling. Of course, you can stay here as long as you need to.” Gabe’s mother placed her hand over Avery’s.

“Mom, dad,” Gabe proceeded cautiously. “Avery knew Tegan.”

His parents glanced at him in astonishment before turning to face Avery.

“How?” Grant asked.

“Mr. Jervis, Mrs. Jervis, Tegan was being blackmailed to strip at the club as well.”

Ruby held a fist to her mouth as she gasped. Tears filled her eyes and overflowed to trickle down her cheeks.

“The nights you thought she was at the library with friends or their homes studying until late, she was actually stripping at the nightclub.” Gabe tried to break the news gently.

“But how did they get hold of her? She was too young to be set up in a bar like Miss Watson.” Grant couldn't understand what he was being told about his princess.

“We don't know dad. Apparently the club owner told the other girls Tegan was eighteen and for some reason, she didn’t deny it.”

“We assumed she’d been set up by Brett in some bar too. It wasn't until I met Gabe that I found out she was only fifteen. The only explanation your son and I could come up with was that she had been set up at a friend's party,” Avery explained, her heart bleeding for this distraught couple. She hated having to add to their pain.

“Do you know who killed our daughter?” Ruby was trying hard to compose herself.

Gabe shot Avery a warning glare. “I think I know but I have no proof.”

“Tell me who it is, I'll get the proof.” Grant stood. He was angry, obviously not thinking clearly.

“Dad, sit down.” Gabe ordered. “You're not going off to the club half-cocked. You're likely to get yourself killed. Listen to me.”

Grant sat back by his wife.

“I asked Avery to go to the club and beg for her job back. I thought if she was back inside she would be able to get some proof of who killed sis. Vince will know the damage he has caused to Avery’s life, men like that have ears everywhere. She owes a lot of money and was living in a disgusting flat in a seedy part of Glanville. He was aware it would be a year before she could realize the proceeds from her parent's estate and settle her debts. The asshole as much as said she would be back. Unfortunately, Avery doesn't want to go near the place and I won't force her.”

“As much as I want Tegan's killer brought to justice, I can't blame you. How do you know this piece of shit won't find her here? Please excuse my language, Miss Watson.” Grant had slipped into cop mode.

“I've heard, and said, much worse, believe me. Please call me Avery.”

Gabe continued. “I don't know for sure. You know how these assholes operate but, I think it's highly unlikely. We need Avery out of the picture so I can slip a cop in undercover. I need to be able to convince the Captain our officer will be safe.”

“What do you plan?” Grant placed his police hat firmly on his head, so to speak. He wanted the details. He would do whatever he could to help capture the asshole who had murdered his daughter.

Gabe explained how he would place a police officer into the club and how she would tell Vince she had been Avery's friend.

While Avery helped Ruby prepare dinner, Gabe and his father went through the details. The younger man took advantage of his father's previous experience and made notes of his suggestions. It would help his case with the Captain.