Opposing Forces (12 page)

“Why?  Because she’s had enough of father’s infidelity? That she actually wants to have some sort of life before she’s too old and past it?”

“Father’s infidelity?”  He could not believe his father capable.

Sabina laughed.  “Oh Steffen, you don’t have a clue, do you? He’s had a string of affairs their whole married life. In fact, mother actually took a picture of him in the midst of fucking the last one. Apparently she was even younger than me.”  The thought still made her feel quite sick.

“And how do you know this, Sabina?” Steffen sounded disbelieving.

She turned a little pink.  “I not only came across photos that sick bastard took of himself with his conquests, but I also saw the photo mum had taken attached to the notice of proceedings which  was on his desk the other week.”

“Then why the charade for her birthday?”

“Mum wanted the divorce to go through quietly.  To cancel her big birthday bash would have highlighted the split.”

Steffen now felt decidedly bad.  His mother was acting with the utmost discretion.  But it was the thought that his father could screw around, abuse his position of authority, that really got to him. He sighed heavily.  Much as he loved his sister, he was not overjoyed at the thought of her extended stay.

“So what do you plan to do here?”

“I’ve been accepted at Lausanne University. My course starts in two days.”

Steffen choked.  “This is a permanent move?”

“Yes,” she laughed at her brother’s pained expression.  “But I won’t be staying with you for long, I’ve got appointments to see various apartments tomorrow.”

“Already?”

“For the Chief of Police you can certainly be thick at times.  I’ve had this set up for a while with Mum.”

“And what are you planning on studying?”

“Fine art. Having been surrounded by it most of my life, I thought it a good subject to take.” She stood up and stretched.  “I need a long hot path.  What times does that intimidating housekeeper of yours serve dinner?”

“Around eight tonight.”

Sabina started up the stairs.  “I’ll take my usual room.  And if I were you, I’d phone mother and apologise for acting like a complete twat.”

Steffen shook his head.  His well-ordered life had just descended into chaos.

Sabina had time to kill before her apartment viewing, so slipped into the Le Lapin Vert in the old city for a coffee.  She headed past the bar to a table in the back and bumped into someone on his way out.  The papers she was clutching flew everywhere.

“I’m so sorry,” she apologised and bent down to collect them up. 

The young man she ran into knelt down to help her.  “Allow me, miss.” Not another police officer, she sighed to herself as she saw the grey uniform. She looked up at him and felt her heart miss a beat.  It was the same officer she had run in to at the University.

“This is becoming a habit, Miss Laroque,” he grinned as he recognised her.

She took the papers from him gratefully.  “Thank you, Officer,” she smiled, trying to stop the colour rising in her cheeks.  She could not believe he remembered her name.

“It’s Officer Thevenez. And this time it was definitely my fault.”

“Do police officers usually frequent bars in the morning here?” she asked.

“Just the ones up to no good,” he laughed.  “Now would you let me...” He got no further as his radio buzzed furiously.  He gave an apologetic smile.  “Sorry, but I need to answer this.”

She felt a little deflated as he headed for the door.  She could have sworn he was going to offer to buy her a coffee. Sabina sat at the nearest table, feeling a little flustered and ordered her drink.

“I think you missed one.”  The woman at the table next to hers stood up and retrieved another paper.  “You’re looking at apartments around here?”

“Yes. I really want to live in the old city.”  Sabina could not believe it.  If she wasn’t mistaken, she was talking to Maisie Carrington.

“I live in the old city so can give you some advice on these places, if you would like?” Maisie offered.  The girl was really sweet, and her dark looks reminded her a little of Steffen.  She also had seen the way Philippe had looked at her and could perhaps feel a bit of matchmaking coming up.

“Yes, please.  I’d appreciate any help. It’s not something I’ve done before.”

“Do you know the old city at all?”

Sabina shook her head.  “Not really, I moved down here for the University. I’m sharing for a short period with my brother but I really need to get a place of my own.  I understand the old city is the place to be.”

“It certainly can be lively around here.”  Maisie looked at a few of the details.  “This apartment is in a great building, but be warned it is opposite Antoine’s cellar bar so it can get a bit noisy around two in the morning.” She flicked through a couple more.  “These two have a much older population, so you may find yourself slapped with a noise violation if you play your music too loud. And trust me, the local police love handing out noise violations. This one is actually next to my building and is a great loft apartment.”

“I’m due to see that one in about ten minutes. Can you give me any pointers on what I should be looking out for?  I’ve never rented anywhere before.”

Maisie felt a surge of sympathy for the poor girl.  She looked way out of her depth. It must be quite frightening moving to a strange city.  “You’ll feel if the apartment is right for you.  Just make sure everything is in working order.  If you like it, take it straight away.”

“Thank you. You’ve been very kind.  I’m Sabina by the way.”

“Maisie.  What are you studying at Uni?”

“Fine art.”

“Really?  I did fine art at the Sorbonne.  How are you enjoying Lausanne so far?”

“So far so good, but there is so much to get used to. A new city, hopefully a new apartment, new friends and studying away from home for the first time.”

“Well if you need any help, just let me know.  I’m not there that often, but when I am, I’m more than happy for you to pick my brains.”  Maisie stood up.  “I need to get home and you, I imagine, need to meet your agent.”

Sabina paid for her coffee and slipped out the bar with Maisie.  It was only a very short distance to the apartment block.

“That’s me, here,” Maisie pointed to her building.  “I’m also on the top floor. And that’s yours, there. Good luck.”

“Thanks for all your help, Maisie.” Sabina skipped off to meet the rental agent.  She was feeling really pleased with herself, she had made friends with the woman her brother liked.  And she was really nice too. 

Philippe was at the firing range practicing, it has been a while since he last drew his gun.  He fired off an entire round in the vague direction of the target.

“Are you even trying, Thevenez,” the range instructor shouted.  “My three year old can do better than this.”

“I guess I’m a little pre-occupied,” Philippe pulled a face.

“A woman?”

Philippe nodded.

“I suggest you sleep with her then come back and try again.”

If only it were that easy.  He liked Maisie a lot, but he always got the feeling he was racing to catch up with her.  She was such a bundle of uncontrolled energy and whilst he loved her individuality, he never quite felt he was right for her.  Then there was this brown haired beauty he kept running in to.  Miss Laroque.  He knew it sounded sappy but from the moment he looked into those huge brown eyes, he was lost.  If fate was on his side, he would run into her again and hopefully this time they might have a longer conversation.  At least he knew she was enrolled at the University so he might have to hang around there to catch sight of her.

He was just leaving the range when he spotted a familiar face walking past. 

“Well, if it isn’t the traitorous Officer Thevenez,” Dumont spat.  “Have you sent any more fellow officers before a Tribunal?”

“What makes you think I had anything to do with you going before them?” Philippe responded coldly.

“You only got away with a reprimand.”

“Because I hadn’t called out the riot squad for a small noise infringement. You’re also forgetting I wasn’t present at your second screw up.”

“But you told lies about me to the Tribunal.”

“No. I was barely interviewed for your hearing as I wasn’t with you when you made the barking decision to call out the riot squad.”

“You’re in league with that Carrington bitch.”

“I know Miss Carrington and I’ll not have you bad mouthing her.  You fucked up royally Dumont and now you’re trying to pass the blame on to someone else.  The only person responsible for you being thrown out the force is yourself.  Either man up and get over it, or get therapy.” Philippe’s tone was harsh.  Dumont was seriously delusional.

Philippe got into his patrol car and headed out the car park.  He hoped he didn’t run into Dumont again, the man was loathsome.

Maisie was on her way to the Chateau de Chillon, one of the most famous castles in the area, for a meeting with their Head of Events.  She was hoping to host a gala evening there next summer.  The October afternoon was cold and damp; she turned up the heating in the car a fraction.  The outskirts of the city were fairy empty for once but she kept well within the speed limit.  The only thing Lausanne police officers liked to do more than hand out noise infringement notices was to ticket people for speeding.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw the young child step out into the road.  She reacted at lightning speed and slammed the brakes on, grateful that she was travelling slowly. The Audi stopped millimetres from the child.  The relieved mother grabbed the young girl, looked up and darted out the way.  By the time Maisie heard the squeal of tyres, it was too late.  The red Ferrari hit her hard from behind. 

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion.  The car flew forward several feet, Maisie started to be thrown forward but was pinned back into her seat by the belt, then the airbags burst out the steering wheel.  It was like having Officer Dumont hit her in the face all over again.  Christ, it hurt.  The car span around several times leaving her dizzy and very disorientated.  Somewhere along the way, she remembered everything going very black.

“Are you alright, Miss,” she heard a very worried voice in her ear.  She opened her eyes slowly. There was something a little familiar about the woman.  Then she recalled, she was the child’s mother.

“I…I think so,” Maisie attempted to move.

“Stay put.  I’ve phoned for the police and ambulance,” the mother instructed. 

The seat belt was starting to constrict Maisie.  She needed to get out the car.  Her legs were incredibly shaky but she managed to slide out, having fought off the airbag.  She looked at her car in disbelief.  It was completely totalled.

Loud expletives were coming from the Ferrari which had barely moved from where it had rear-ended her.  “Are you out of your fucking mind?” the driver swore at her, climbing out his mangled Ferrari. “What kind of stupid bitch stops in the middle of the bloody road?”

Maisie was dumbstruck for a few moments.  Why was he shouting at her, he ran into her?  He was young, probably late teens, early twenties. Far too young to be driving such a car.  In the distance she heard the sound of sirens.  Thanks God for that.

As the two officers got out their car, the driver of the Ferrari started on them.  “I want that woman arrested for dangerous driving.  She stopped for no apparent reason in the middle of the fucking road,” he swore at them too.

The mother of the child spoke up.  “This woman stopped her car to avoid hitting my child who stepped out into the road.  This man was driving far too fast and not paying attention; he went straight into the back of her.”

“She’s lying.  I want this blonde bitch held responsible for the damage to my car,” he barked at the officers.  “If not, my father, Senator Bloomberg, will hear about your incompetence and you will be lucky if you keep your badges.”

One of the officers walked over to Maisie.  “It does look like you were the cause of the accident, Miss. You were stopped in the middle of the road.”

Maisie looked at him incredulously.  “You’re charging me with the accident?”  Her shock was starting to be replaced with anger.  This was just not going to happen.  She was not going to allow some jumped up arrogant son of a senator, bully and lie his way out of this.  She pulled out her phone and a card buried in her handbag.  “Wait just one minute,” she scowled at the officer.  She dialled the number and was grateful it was answered immediately.

“Grundberg.”

“Steffen, it’s Maisie Carrington.” She felt so sick as she spoke. 

“Maisie, what’s wrong?” he heard the anguish in her voice.

“Some idiot in a Ferrari has just driven into the back of my car as I stopped to avoid hitting a child.  Because he is Senator Bloomberg’s son, your two imbecilic officers are looking to blame me for the accident.  If that happens, I can assure you I will never have to work a day in my life again after the millions I receive from suing your Department for the third time for wrongful arrest.”  She caught her breath, but it sounded more like a sob. “If you have any control over these morons, I suggest you use it now.”

She could feel the chill emanating from the phone.  “I will be there in a few minutes, Miss Carrington. Please can you pass your phone over to the nearest officer?”

Maisie handed her phone to the officer in front of her.  “Chief Grundberg wants a word.”

Her legs finally gave way and she slid gracefully to the floor, leaning against her mangled car. She saw the officer go visibly white and although she could not make out what Steffen was saying, he could hear him being given an absolute roasting.  The officer passed the phone back to her and scuttled back to his partner.

“Well?” the kid growled.

“Take a seat, Mr Bloomberg.  Chief Grundberg is on his way to clear this up.”

By the time Steffen arrived on the scene with a couple of accident investigators, a large crowd had gathered, including a few reporters.

Steffen ignored the impulse to run straight over to Maisie, he had to remain impartial.  From the glimpse he had got of the two sets of tyre marks, it did not take a genius to see that the accident was clearly not Maisie’s fault.  He glanced with disgust at the two police officers already on the scene.  “You two are suspended from duty.  I want you both in my office tomorrow morning for a formal enquiry.”

He turned to the Senator’s son.  “I want Mr Bloomberg breathalysed, I can smell alcohol on him even from this distance.”

“Who the fuck are you?” the kid responded.

Steffen turned on him furiously.  “I’m the Chief of Police and I don’t give a damn who your father is. When it comes to the law, I outrank him.”  Steffen looked around.  “And where the bloody hell is the ambulance?”  He was more than aware Maisie needed medical care. Just as he spoke, it arrived.

He strode over to Maisie who was white as a sheet.   “The ambulance is here, Miss Carrington.  You need to go to hospital.”

“I don’t need to go to hospital, Stef… Chief Grundberg. It’s all surface damage.”

“In that case, stand up for me,” Steffen asked politely.

Maisie scowled and got to her feet. She took two paces towards Steffen before her world started spinning.  She caught the brief smile that crossed Steffen’s face as he scooped her up and carried her over to the ambulance.

“Do you have to do everything the hard way?” he smiled at her.

“Yes.  And really don’t want to go to hospital.”

“I don’t care what you want. You need to go. If not for you, to cover us in case you drop dead later and try and sue us for neglect from beyond the grave.” He looked at the two paramedics.  “Take her to the CHUV, the city hospital, right away.”

“I need my briefcase and things in my car,” Maisie started to grumble. 

“I’ll bring them by the hospital shortly.” Steffen turned back to the woman who was with Maisie.  “Are you the eye witness?”

“Yes, Chief. I’m Heidi Villiers.  It was my child Miss Carrington braked to avoid hitting.”

Steffen beckoned an officer over.  “Officer Valais here will take your statement.”

He strode back to the Bloomberg kid.  The officer with him confirmed his suspicions.  “He failed the breathalyser, Sir.”

By now the kid was far more subdued, realising he could not talk his way out of this.  “Arrest him and read him his rights.  The charges are driving under the influence and dangerous driving. And add trying to threaten a police officer as well.”

He had a quick word with the accident investigators and then returned to Maisie’s mangled car to retrieve her personal belongings. 

She was still complaining when he got to the emergency room.  “I just need a couple of Paracetamol and I’ll be fine,” she moaned.

“You’re getting a full check over, Miss Carrington, so do please shut up,” Steffen snapped impatiently.

Maisie looked at him a little startled, then laughed.  “Fine, Chief.”

A doctor appeared in the cubicle.  “I understand you’ve been in an accident, Miss Carrington.” He looked at her chart.

“Just a small one,” Maisie glared at Steffen, daring him to correct her.

The doctor, who was in his late twenties with short, dark hair was staring at her a little strangely.  “Maisie Carrington?”

“Yes, hopefully you have the right chart.”

“I just recognised the name.”

Maisie didn’t know this doctor at all.  “And you are?”

“James, James Curlonge.   I share an apartment with Philippe Thevenez. “

The penny dropped.  “Of course, Philippe said he shared with a doctor who worked up at the hospital.”

James looked at Steffen.  “Do you mind waiting outside, Sir. I need to examine Miss Carrington.”

Steffen did mind.  The thought of any man touching Maisie’s body made him feel sick. Especially Thevenez. He wondered how close they had got on the rafting trip, then really regretted that thought.  But she had turned to him; in her hour of need, she had called him.  And why the hell did it matter to him all of a sudden?

A short while later, James pulled the curtain back.  “Miss Carrington has the all clear, Sir.  I would recommend she stay in overnight but I know she’ll discharge herself anyway against medical advice.”

Maisie grinned.  Yes, she would.

“I’ll take you home,” Steffen grunted.  “I’ve got all your belongings in my car.”

“Could I have a word before you leave, Chief Grundberg?” James asked, taking him to one side.  “There is a very small chance that Miss Carrington might experience some delayed shock.  I would suggest she is not left alone for a while, just to be on the safe side.”

“No problem. I’ll make sure she is supervised.”

“I’m sure Officer Thevenez would be happy to keep an eye on her,” James suggested.

Not bloody likely, Steffen thought to himself as he escorted Maisie out to his car.  “How are you really feeling?” he asked.

“A little sore, I’ll be alright though.”

It did not take long to get back to her apartment.  “I’m coming up, no argument,” Steffen said flatly. He spoke to Sam briefly.  “There’s no need to wait. I’ll call you when I need picking up.”

Steffen carried her briefcase and belongings upstairs and deposited them in the hall.  “Go and relax, Maisie, I’ll make you a cup of tea.”

“Thank you, Steffen. You really don’t have to.”  She felt a little uneasy being around him when she felt so emotional.

“Yes, I do. Now don’t argue.”

Maisie decided it was not worth fighting over, so headed off to her terrace sanctuary.  Some of the roses were still in bloom but it was definitely chilly.  She flipped on the patio heaters, kicked her heels off and curled up on the white sofa.  The faint aroma of rose was still in the air, helping her relax.

Steffen appeared a few minutes later with two mugs.  “You don’t mind me being out here?”

She shook her head.  “No, please sit.”  She took the tea gratefully, painfully aware of Steffen scrutinising her every move. 

“I’m so sorry about this afternoon. I really cannot believe the incompetence of some of my officers,” Steffen sighed. 

“It’s lucky you gave me your number else you would be looking at one hell of a mess.”

“I’m glad you called me, Maisie.”