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  And that was the most important thing.

  Chapter 16

  Detective Bosch introduced the lead forensic investigator to Alyse. “District Forensic Investigation Officer Humphries will be in charge of gathering any forensic evidence.”

  “Will you need to go through the whole house?” Alyse asked.

  “Not necessarily. We’ll start with the shed.”

  Alyse hesitated. “Can I clear out Mark’s things from the master bedroom and lounge room?” She didn’t want a single reason for Mark to come back. If she could get rid of his things, get Craig to pick them up, then Mark couldn’t claim the need to return. She sighed. Not that he would with the police after him, but she itched to remove his presence from the house. It still felt like he was here, surrounding her, watching her.

  Kim placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her support.

  “Give me some time to review the property,” Humphries said.

  “Thank you.” There was one other thing she had to do. “Do you need me for anything else?”

  Detective Bosch shook her head.

  “Then I’d like to go into Albany to the bank.”

  Bosch frowned. “Is Mark likely to approach you in town?”

  “No.” Not while the police were on high alert. Besides she couldn’t hide here forever waiting for Mark to be caught. It might take days, weeks, or even months. So eventually she’d have to venture out. And the longer she left it, the higher the risk Mark would clear out her accounts. “I can’t afford for him to withdraw all the money from my business accounts.”

  Bosch stared at her and then nodded. “All right. The less money he has access to, the better. Call triple zero if you see him.”

  Alyse turned to Kim. “I’ll see you when I get back.”

  The concern was clear in his eyes, and he shook his head. “No, I’m going with you. You need someone to watch your back.”

  Her heart squeezed. “You’ll be safer here.”

  “You just said Mark won’t approach you.” He took her hand. “Please, Aly, let me help.”

  She couldn’t say no. Not with the earnest expression on his face and the worry coursing through her body. “OK. Let me get my things.”

  She went into the bathroom to brush her teeth and her bruised face stared back at her. The colour around her eyes had faded from purple to a faint blue with yellow around the edges. This was the last time she would look like this. The last time she’d try and fail at hiding the evidence. She applied makeup and then fetched the documents she needed. After a quick check over her shoulder to make sure no one was around, she retrieved the beehive cash she’d stuck under her clothing drawer and put it in her jacket pocket, then zipped it up. Kim waited for her by the front door and together they walked across to her van. Her shoulder blades itched as she climbed inside. “While we’re in town I want to buy a new bed.” The torture device on her bedroom floor was going out today.

  “Good idea.”

  As she drove out of her property, she scanned the surrounding bush and Kim did the same. Mark would be stupid to hang around, but there was always a possibility. When she pulled onto the main highway without seeing any cars behind her, she let out a breath.

  “No one’s following?” Kim asked.

  “No.” She accelerated and it wasn’t long before they reached Albany town limits. Her shoulders relaxed. She would be safe here, with people around. She parked in front of her bank.

  Kim asked, “Want me to come with you?”

  An arts and craft store and a cafe were either side of the bank. Far more interesting for him. She smiled. “No need. Why don’t you get a coffee and amuse yourself?”

  He nodded. “Call me when you’re finished.”

  Alyse walked into the bank, the clean lines and bright colours doing nothing to soothe the tension which sprang to her shoulders. What if she couldn’t access the accounts, what if Mark had taken her off them—was that possible—what if he’d already withdrawn all the money?

  “How can we help you today?” The cheerful voice made Alyse jump.

  She focused on the woman wearing a black pencil skirt and white blouse, with her hair tied back in a perfect bun. “I need to change the access permissions on my business account and open a savings account.”

  The woman blinked and frowned before forcing a smile. “Right this way.”

  Her reaction told Alyse she hadn’t done a great job at hiding her injuries. She followed the woman into a small side room containing a desk and a computer. The woman gestured for Alyse to sit. “Terry will be with you shortly.”

  Alyse’s hand shook as she retrieved the paperwork from her bag. She hadn’t been into the bank since her parents died and she’d done the necessary changes according to the wills. Then Mark had been by her side, encouraging and sympathetic, but making sure his name was added to the account as an authorised user.

  Terry walked in, a tall, slim man with an easy smile. “How can I help you today?”

  Alyse explained what she wanted and after he’d checked her identification, he logged into her account. “Which Patton did you want removed from the account?”

  Alyse blinked. “What do you mean?”

  He swivelled the screen to face her. “There’s a Mark and a Craig here.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “How long has Craig been on there?”

  He clicked some buttons. “About three years.”

  “Take them both off. Is there anyone else aside from me authorised on the account?”

  “No, just you and the two Pattons.”

  Good. Now why the hell did Craig have access to her apiary account? “Can you print a list of transactions Craig has carried out on the account?”

  Terry nodded. “I can do it for both of them if you like.”

  “Please.”

  A few minutes later, Terry said, “It’s done. The only authorised user on the account is yourself. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

  “I’d like a savings account.” She pushed across the money she’d taken from the hive. This was the start of her independence.

  “Sure.” The man typed a few things and said, “You should get a card within the next fortnight.”

  Now she needed to figure out why Craig had had access. “Could I have those print outs?”

  He handed them to her, and she stood. “Thank you for your help.” She shook his hand and walked outside into the cool morning. She’d done it. She’d taken back control and taken away some of Mark’s power. She almost wished she could see his reaction when he realised he couldn’t access her money. Her skin prickled. On second thoughts, she didn’t want to be anywhere near him. She scanned the car park for people. It was empty.

  Before tucking the transaction report in her bag, she read through it. Craig had made withdrawals over the years, all in the five-figure range. She gritted her teeth. He’d been stealing from her as well. She’d hand the report over to Bosch as soon as she returned home.

  Her stomach rumbled, and she pushed aside her anger. They could get some morning tea when she found Kim. She peered into the cafe window but he wasn’t there, so she rang his number.

  “Hi, Aly. Are you done?”

  “Yeah. Where are you?”

  “In the arts store. I’ll be right out.”

  She found him purchasing pencils and a sketch book. After he paid, he turned to her a little sheepish. “I couldn’t resist. It’s been ages since I’ve done any drawing.” His eyes shone with excitement as he held the door open for her.

  The gesture tugged at her heart. “I’m glad.”

  “Do we have time to eat?” Kim asked.

  “Sure.” Maybe they should stay here. She gestured to the cafe. “We could eat there?”

  “You choose. Didn’t you want to go to Dylan’s?”

  “It’s on the other side of town.”

  “I can wait if you can.” He grinned.

  The impulse to do what she thought Kim wanted was strong, but she blocked it. H
e was happy for her to choose. Standing up for herself and putting her desires forward would take practice. She unlocked the car. “It will only take a few minutes.”

  As she drove, she kept checking her rear-view mirror, but the streets were empty. She found a parking spot right outside the cafe which looked down on Princess Royal Harbour, its water glassy smooth this morning. They sat at a booth at the back, which had a single yellow lily in a vase on the table.

  Kim grinned. “Your favourite flower.”

  She gaped at him. “How did you know?”

  “You mentioned it once.”

  She’d told Mark as well, but he always insisted on buying her red roses and it seemed ungrateful to complain. Shaking off her surprise, she inhaled the rich coffee scents tickling her nose. Definitely a large mug of coffee, and the sticky date pudding being carried to a nearby table looked good. They ordered and then Kim leaned back. “Where are we going for the bed?”

  Alyse bit her lip. “There’s a place not far from here.” She didn’t want to spend a lot.

  The waitress brought over the coffee and Alyse picked up her mug in both hands, inhaling the steam and letting the warmth flow through her. Then she sipped the rich, full flavour and sighed. Just what she needed.

  “That good, huh?” Kim laughed.

  She placed the mug down. “It was a rough night.”

  His hand covered hers, light, just touching, and it provided comfort and a shock of attraction all at once. “It’ll get better.”

  “I know.” She refused to think otherwise. Outside the large windows, the harbour was still, a body of calm blue ocean. Longing twinged inside of her.

  “What’s wrong?” Kim asked.

  She blinked. “Huh?”

  “Your face changed. You’re sad about something.”

  How could he know her so well? It had been years since they’d last spent any real time together. “I used to love days like this,” she said. “When the ocean was glassy, I’d beg Mum and Dad to take me out on the boat. I loved speeding across the surface of the water, sitting on the bow, wind in my hair, feet dangling in the water and sometimes dolphins would dance underneath me.” Now she’d thrown Mark out, she would continue her attempt to overcome her fear.

  “Why don’t we go out today?” Kim said.

  She frowned. “We don’t have a boat.”

  “I have a friend who lives in Albany. We might be able to borrow his. I can call him.”

  Fear gripped her heart, and she exhaled, counting to ten. There was no reason not to. She could spare an hour and Mark couldn’t follow them onto the water. It wasn’t like she could do much at home until forensics were finished. There wouldn’t be many days when the ocean was this calm. “Can you call him?”

  “Sure.”

  Alyse’s pulse fluttered as Kim made the call. She could do this.

  A couple of minutes later, Kim hung up. “He’ll meet us at the boat ramp in an hour.”

  She tapped her foot under the table. “That’s great.”

  “You can change your mind, Aly. We’ll go with whatever you’re comfortable with.”

  Kim was an experienced skipper. They would be fine together.

  The waitress brought their food and though nerves still swirled in her stomach, she forced herself to eat. To distract herself, she said, “Tell me about your graphic design business.”

  “There’s not much to tell,” Kim said. “Mai showed me how to put together a website and it’s just been word of mouth. I haven’t done any advertising.”

  “Why not?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess it felt like I was being arrogant.” He glanced at his plate. “Who says I have the skills to do this?”

  The uncertainty was a new side of Kim. “I do,” she said. “Your drawings were always amazing, and Mai’s logo is elegant. You definitely have the skills. People would be lucky to hire you.”

  Kim fidgeted. “Thanks Aly.”

  She wanted to give him the confidence he inspired in her. “What kinds of design work do you like?”

  “Logos and banners, so I’d offer branding packages and website designs.” He perked up, excitement shining from him. “I need to do more research.”

  “Sounds fantastic. Will your dad mind?”

  “No. He knows about it. It’ll take a while before I can quit my job anyway.” He paused. “Maybe you could help me develop a business plan.”

  Her eyes widened. “Me?”

  “Yeah. I remember the business proposal you wrote for your parents while you were at high school. You had lots of ideas you wanted to try.”

  Pleasure filled her. She’d forgotten about that. Every year she wrote a business plan, but Mark hadn’t always let her achieve everything on it. Perhaps this was a way she could repay Kim’s kindness. “OK. How about we go through it this evening?”

  “That would be great.”

  Warmth flooded her at being useful to someone, having value in her own right.

  It felt incredible, powerful, amazing.

  ***

  An hour later, all those floaty, happy feelings had fled. Alyse stood at the edge of the harbour, water lapping at her toes, barely able to breathe. Her chest was strangling her. This was the worst idea she’d had so far. So much for the happy memories wiping out her debilitating fear.

  Next to her, Kim chatted to his friend.

  This wasn’t a movie. Her fear wouldn’t magically disappear because she was doing something about it.

  “I threw in the tackle box in case you want to go fishing,” Kim’s friend said.

  “Thanks, mate.” Kim waved as his friend returned to his car and then said to Alyse, “How do you want to do this?”

  Not at all. She clenched her teeth. The fibreglass boat was bigger than Mark’s dinghy, but about the same size as the boat her parents had owned. It had a glass windscreen and two swivel chairs at the front where the steering wheel was. Seats were in the rear corners and a railing ran the whole way around the edge. Her first step was to get in.

  The gentle shush of the water against the boat ramp was soothing. She closed her eyes, listened to the sound, let it calm her. She always loved the sound of the ocean.

  “Do you have your skipper’s ticket?”

  She nodded.

  “Then you might feel better if you’re the skipper,” Kim said. “You can go where and as fast as you want.”

  The idea of being in control soothed her. “Yes, please.”

  Bracing herself, she climbed into the boat. Memories of her parents’ boat flooded her, the damp, salty smell of the marine carpet, the slight whiff of fish and the smell of boat fuel. Tears pricked her eyes as she heard her father call, “Cast us off,” and her mother say, “Aye, aye, captain.” They thought it was funny every time and she’d rolled her eyes at them, but she loved it, had even bought her father a captain’s hat for Christmas one year. So many good times. So long ago.

  She blinked and ran her hands over the black steering wheel, familiarising herself with its smooth surface. A key switched on the engine and the throttle pushed forward or backwards depending on the direction she wanted to go. Finally she glanced up. Kim stood knee deep in water, his jeans rolled up, holding the boat, waiting for her.

  Her heart squeezed. She could never explain how much his understanding and patience meant to her. She swallowed hard. “Cast us off.”

  He pushed the boat further out and jumped on the bow. The boat rocked, and Alyse adjusted her footing for better balance. As Kim joined her, she started the engine.

  The throaty purr was like a favourite song she hadn’t heard in ages, a song she’d forgotten she loved. With that song, her parents were with her, standing next to her, surrounding her with love. She shifted the throttle and let the boat reverse until they were in deep enough water for her to turn. Her hands shook a little as she steered the boat parallel with the shore, only ten metres away.

  Kim sat in the chair next to her, quiet, comforting. A friend.

&n
bsp; His smile made her breath catch. If she was honest, she wanted more than friendship from him. She wanted to hug him, kiss him, discover what a real, healthy relationship was like.

  The idea filled her with almost as much apprehension as the boat did.

  “How do you feel?” Kim asked.

  Heat rushed to her cheeks. She rotated the wheel so they moved further into the harbour. It was so flat the boat didn’t even bob. “It’s not too bad.” Adjusting the direction, she turned to run along the shore, a little further out, a little deeper. She was tempted to turn on the fish finder to see how deep it was, but it might freak her out. Better she focus on her distance from the shore.

  A few people walked along the beach, but it was mostly deserted.

  No one to rescue them if they got into trouble.

  She squeezed her eyes shut. Don’t think like that. They weren’t getting into trouble. The ocean was flat, the engine still purring, the drain bung was in.

  She froze. “Your friend remembered to put in the drain bung, didn’t he?”

  He stood. “Yeah, but I’ll check for you.” He bent over the back, his jeans pulling over his butt, distracting Alyse for a moment. When he turned to her, her heart raced for a completely different reason.

  “It’s all good,” he said.

  “What about the fuel?”

  “Should be full.” He moved next to her and pointed to a gauge next to the steering wheel. “Yep. Looks good.”

  Her shoulders relaxed. No need to worry. There weren’t any other boats in the vicinity and the harbour didn’t contain any underwater obstacles for them to hit. Few risks to being on the water. A couple of thin clouds hovered in the sky, but nothing held any rain. No wind, no storms.

  Determined, she headed into the centre of the harbour. Nothing would sink the boat. There was nothing to fear.

  The water was a dark blue, fathomless, deep. Chills raced through her and she lifted her gaze to the horizon, gripping the wheel tighter. There’s nothing to fear. There’s nothing to fear.

  Breathing quickly, she stared at the point across the bay. She could get there. The shore was visible, the water calm, no clouds in the sky, no sudden storm would blow up, and if it did, the harbour would be protected from any huge waves.