Chapter Nineteen – Louise

Louise opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling, trying to figure out what had woken her. Turning onto her side, she looked across the room to Storm’s crib, comforted by the outline of her small body. Her breathing was calm and even, she was still asleep.

“Are you OK?” Zak asked, stirring beside her. They had chosen to sleep in the same room as Storm, just in case.

In case of what? Louise wasn’t sure, but she was beginning to think they were about to find out.

“Did you hear something?” Louise asked, hoping Zak’s excellent shifter hearing might be able to solve the mystery.

“I’m not sure.” Zak sat up, and stared at the window. “I think someone is out there.”

“Ajax?” Louise asked. “Do you think he’d come back here again?”

“I’ll go take a look.” Zak swung his legs out of the bed and padded across to the window. Drawing the curtain back a touch, he peered out.

“Can you see anyone?” Louise asked, coming to stand next to him. Storm stirred in her sleep, but didn’t wake.

“No. Maybe.” He frowned. “I’m going down to take a look.”

“I’ll come with you,” Louise said.

“No, you stay here with Storm.” He kissed her cheek and then slipped out of the room, leaving Louise with a sense of dread.

Was this what their lives would be like from now on, always looking over their shoulders? Always searching the shadows for Ajax?

She turned to look out of the window as a figure walked across the driveway. Zak. He stood looking, listening. Then he walked further away, and Louise’s heart went with him. If something happened to Zak, she would never forgive herself.

“Damn you, Ajax.” She folded her arms across her chest and watched Zak as he circled around the house, her heart hammering in her chest as he disappeared from view.

A few minutes later, he stood out in front again, before turning back to the house. She watched him, happy when she heard the front door shut and his footsteps on the stairs. But before she turned away from the window, a light appeared, bright, round, like that of a motorbike. Then the sound of an engine starting filled the night.

She heard Zak pause, and then his footsteps going back downstairs. Horrified, she looked out of the window, but the light had gone, and the engine had disappeared into the distance, leaving Zak alone on the driveway once more.

When he came back to the room, he came to stand next to her at the window and looked out. “He’s playing with us.”

“That’s his way,” Louise said. “It always has been.”

“Tomorrow I’ll go talk to Brad. But for now, let’s get some sleep.

However, sleep had deserted Louise and she lay awake all night, listening for the sound of Ajax on his motorbike, but the sound never came. Yet she was sure he was out there, and so as dawn broke over the mountains, she slipped out of Zak’s arms, quickly dressed, and went out into the early morning light.

She walked down the driveway and onto the road. Looking left and right, she decided to head toward town, which was the direction the motorbike had gone. She felt kind of stupid, surely Ajax would be in bed in whatever crap motel room he had holed up in.

So if he was, maybe it was her time to deprive him of sleep. Taking her cell phone out of her pocket, she stared at the screen as she tried to recall his number. Once upon a time, she had known it by heart; now it was a wisp of memory that she could not grab hold of.

Louise stood there for a full five minutes, but it was gone. “Damn it.”

“Louise.”

She looked up, startled. There was Zak, looking as if the world was about to end. “I wanted to call him. I wanted to meet him and tell him to leave us alone.”

She was shivering with the cold, and grateful for the warmth of Zak’s body when he closed the space between them and pulled her into his arms. “You won’t find him out here. Brad just called Dean, the sheriff arrested Ajax last night.”

Louise slumped against Zak, trembling with relief. “It’s over?”

“Brad’s going to search the room he’s staying in. Unfortunately, Ajax didn’t have the ring on him.”

Louise held on tightly to Zak. “I might know where it is.”

“Where?” Zak asked.

“Will you take me to Brad’s office, and I’ll tell him.” Louise pulled away from Zak, and they walked back to the house, hand in hand. “Is Storm OK?”

“She’s with Dean. When I woke up and you’d gone, I didn’t want her to be alone.”

“Did you think I’d run away?” Louise asked.

“No, I know you wouldn’t do that to her,” Zak said.

“I thought about it,” Louise admitted. “I thought that if Ajax just took me. If I could leave her with you and Dean, I’d go.”

Zak’s hand tightened around hers. “I’d never let that happen.”

“I know.” She leaned into him, taking strength from him. “I want to nail that bastard. I want him out of our lives. Does that make me a bad person, because he is Storm’s biological father?”

Zak smoothed her hair with his hand and then kissed her. “We both know parents are not always best at raising a child.”

“But Storm is going to know who her father is. I don’t want to keep secrets from her,” Louise said.

“We’ll think of a way to tell her. Together.” They reached the house, and Zak ran inside to tell Dean where they were going and to grab the car keys. Then they drove to the sheriff’s office, where Brad, looking tired, was waiting.

“I’ve got him in a cell,” Brad said. “Unfortunately I have nothing to hold him on.”

“You didn’t find the ring?” Louise asked.

“No, which is a pity, since I have the crime report from when they were stolen.” Brad pushed it across his desk. “There was a ring matching the necklace and bracelet. Earrings too.”

“Do you have his motorbike?” Louise asked.

“I called my deputy and he’s bringing it here so we can put it in the compound.” Brad and Zak looked up, both listening. “Here he comes now.”

“Come on, I might know where the ring is.” Louise turned around and ran outside as a deputy brought the bike to a standstill.

“This thing is a beast,” the deputy said. “Do you want me to take it straight around to the compound?”

“Not yet.” Brad thrust a camera at his deputy, and then pulled on a pair of latex gloves. “I don’t want anyone else’s fingerprints on the vehicle. Understood?”

“Yes,” Louise nodded.

“OK, where am I looking, and what am I looking for?” Brad asked, examining the bike with his eyes.

“There,” Louise pointed to the underside of the fuel tank. “Ajax had it specially made.”

Brad ran his fingers expertly across the smooth paint. “I can’t feel anything.”

“A little further, there’s a pressure button.” Louise crouched down next to Brad. “There, that’s it.”

Brad gave a small laugh. “Thank you, Louise.” A compartment popped out of the tank, and Brad stood up, to take a look. “Get some pictures of that before I remove the evidence.”

The deputy stepped forward and took several pictures from different angles. As he worked, Louise got a good look at the contents. She could see the ring box on top of other items of jewelry. But until Brad opened it, she could not be sure the ring was still inside. Ajax could have already sold it.

“Ready?” Brad asked, and reached for the box. He pulled it out, and opened it up, a grin on his face as he turned around for them all to see. “This matches the other jewelry. And I am sure the rest of the contents don’t belong to Ajax.” Brad lifted up a ruby brooch.

“Can we go?” Louise asked, feeling her energy drain away as the truth that they might be free of Ajax for a few years sunk in.

“For now, I am going to need statements. Perhaps you can stop by later today?” Brad looked at Louise with concern. “Or do you need more time?”

“No, this afternoon would be ideal. I’m working at the shelter all day tomorrow, and I think I’d like to start putting this behind me.” Louise reached for Zak’s hand.

“Thanks, Sheriff,” Zak said as they walked away.

“Thank you. And it’s good to see you turned over a new leaf,” Brad said. “I looked up your file when you reported the jewelry hidden in your motorbike.”

Zak turned around. “Why did you believe me?”

“I remember you working for Will. He had nothing but praise for you.” Brad watched them both. “And you have a mate. If anything is going to keep you out of trouble, having a good woman by your side is it.”

Louise wasn't sure if she felt like a good woman. Part of her insisted they had betrayed Storm’s father. But she knew it was the right thing to do. He was a thief. By planting the jewels on Zak, he had shown he was a lowlife too. And she did not want him in her life.”

“New beginnings,” Louise muttered as they walked back to the car.

“New beginnings,” Zak said, and kissed her before opening the driver’s door and helping her in.

When they got back to Sunnyside, Suzie’s car was in the driveway. Louise and Zak got out of the car and walked into the house, to find Dean, Storm, and Suzie in the kitchen.

“Brad told me he’d arrested Ajax,” Suzie said, putting her phone down on the table.

“Yeah, he has the evidence he needs.” Louise looked at Zak. “Zak, this is Suzie. Suzie, this is Zak.”

“Hi, Zak, Dean just told me your good news. Mates. I’m so happy for you both.”

“Good to meet you, Suzie. Louise has told me all about you and how you helped her and Storm,” Zak said.

“It’s been my pleasure to help. I’m proud of your mate, Zak. I am sure you are going to make a wonderful family.” Suzie brushed her hand lovingly over Storm’s head. “You are a lucky man.

“Don’t I know it.” Zak put his arm around Louise and hugged her close.

“I’m so relieved I don’t have to worry about Ajax for a while. I still can’t figure out why he wanted Storm and me in his life,” Louise said.

“I may be able to shed some light on that. It appears Storm’s father is already facing charges for theft. His lawyer advised him that if he had dependents, then he might escape jail.” Suzie looked apologetic. “I’m sorry.”

“No, that makes it easier,” Louise said. “Now I know we did the right thing. And I know I have the right man in my life. The right man to help me raise Storm.” Louise looked across the room to Dean. “I should say the right men.”

As they stood in the kitchen Louise had no doubt her new life was just beginning, and she would make a success of it. She had a family, not a traditional family, but one that loved her and Storm, and she loved them back, so very much.