Page 104 of Her Dom's Secret Past

I mulled over what I’d heard. It made sense, but then why didn’t they follow John when he drove me to work a couple of times? I asked Peter and John. John actually laughed and that most certainly wasn’t the reaction I was expecting.

“They paid a druggie to follow you. They told him to stick to you and if you drove to my house, he was to let them know.”

“But I didn’t drive to your house. Last week I stayed at my old place because of the Expo.”

“Exactly. I came over a few times and stayed overnight, but that stupid idiot took their words literally. They said to stick to you and wait until you drove to my house, so he did.”

“That’s crazy!”

“Yes, but you have to understand, Anabelle, Smithers was still using drugs the whole time. As a matter of fact, he admitted that from Saturday to Tuesday he was completely out of it. He’d been given five hundred dollars as a down payment and decided you weren’t going anywhere until the salon opened again on Wednesday. He found his dealer and went on a three-day binge.”

Peter continued after shaking his head in disgust. “When the others found out that’s when they decided they’d grab you and get the information they needed. Of course, they had no idea John’s name had been changed for his safety.”

I sorted through everything in my head.

“So the … the mole didn’t know he’d been given a new name?”

“No. There was only a limited amount of people who had access to the file. Neither the Director nor I wrote down John’s new name. Then the fact you were taken narrowed down the field to two people. I got a phone call yesterday from the Director who said they’d caught the person. A woman in a high position, I have to admit surprise. She’d been with the department for many years but apparently money can buy a lot of things, including people. She was arrested boarding a plane yesterday morning, on her way to the Cayman Islands. She’ll be spending the rest of her life at her Majesty’s pleasure.”

I shuddered. To think I’d almost been raped and killed because my name was in a file somewhere. My face much have shown my horror because Peter regarded me and nodded his head.

“Honestly, Miss Rowley, you are very safe now. The information on you as been deleted, no trace remains. We are confident that no one can associate John with any of his previous aliases. I sincerely apologize for what happened. If there’s anything you need, any medical expenses to be covered, please let us know and they will be taken care of. I’ve taken the liberty of notifying one of the police counselors. They’ll contact you next week.

“At this stage, you may not want to do any talking or even think you need an outside person to speak with, but believe me, it will help. Ask John, he knows the value of counselors and the fact that the one who will see you is with the police means they areau faitwith the case.”

Grimacing, I said, “Thank you,” but I was secretly horrified to know someone else would hear my statement. I guessed I couldn’t prevent it, but it still embarrassed me to know even more people had heard it.

Peter stood and shook hands with John. Then they did the man-hug-back-thumping thing. He held out his hand and I shook it.

“I wish we could have met under better circumstances, Miss Rowley. I’m very happy for you both. John needs someone to cherish, someone he can look after and who’ll care for him. I hope I can come and visit you both under happier circumstances next time I’m in Australia.”

“Thank you, Peter, and call me Anabelle or Ana.”

“Thank you, Anabelle. Good luck to you both.”

John saw him out and came back to sit alongside me.

“It’s scary to think simply because we met someone had to investigate me. I mean, I kind of understand, given your previous life, but all the same.”

“Try not to think about it, sweetheart, it’s all over now. Now all you have to do is get well.”

I nodded and rested my head on his shoulder. Every part of my body ached. I had a rotten headache. It was all catching up, I’m sure. My foot stung and the rest of me throbbed each time I moved.

“I told the hospital to send any charges to Peter.” He looked down at me. “How about you lie down for an hour?”

“I think I will.”

He helped me up and I limped into the bedroom. Then I decided I’d lay on one of the big double sun lounges beside our room. I wanted to be outside. I wanted to smell fresh air and watch the river. John brought out a pillow and thick blanket, making sure I was all tucked up.

“Want one of the painkillers?”

“I don’t want one, but I think I need one.”

He smiled and left the deck, returning a moment later with one of the pills and a glass of water. I swallowed them down and settled against the pillow. To be honest, I didn’t think I’d sleep but I did. The next thing I remembered was waking in a lather of sweat in John’s arms.

I’d dreamed about Mr. Knife and Scarface. This time I didn’t black out when I was hit and they were doing things to me. I kept sobbing and John soothed me, trying to get me back to this planet. Finally, it worked and I clung to him as the last fragments of the nightmare vanished.

“It’s okay, sweetheart, this will vanish. The memories will get easier to bear. I’ll be with you always to keep you safe.”

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