Finders Keepers Edie Baylis (phonics readers .TXT) 📖

Gwen nodded sadly. ‘What I can’t work out is why?’

Jonah shrugged. ‘I have my theories, but that doesn’t matter right now. What does matter is that I believe he is more of a threat to Teagan than us and of course O’Hara is here now too. Somewhere. And he’ll be looking for Lena. That one’s very much on my head.’ He poured himself a small scotch.

And Heath Pointer was a problem – a big one. He was in police custody and knew things about the firm – he’d even been behind the scenes and God only know what Lena had told him. Regardless of what, if anything, she’d told him, his whole family – whoever they were, were deeply ensconced with the Powells. There were decades of bad blood and he could only guess at what the man might spill to the cops to get his own head out of the noose. Whatever he might say would be more than enough to put the whole Powell firm and everyone in jeopardy.

And then there was O’Hara...

Diamonds and payback aside, once O’Hara discovered Lena was no more – which he would, then he’d want retribution over that too. And he had no idea where they were and how many of them there was.

Jonah cracked his knuckles. ‘Whatever happens it has to be business as usual, but I’ll keep everyone safe.’

Gwen smiled. ‘I know you will, love, but about earlier...’

Knowing straight away what Gwen was referring to, Jonah glanced up quickly. He could do without her casting aspersions. ‘Whatever you saw earlier shouldn’t be the most important thing on your mind right now Gwen.’

Gwen pursed her lips. ‘That’s as maybe, but I don’t want Teagan getting hurt. And I don’t mean by this latest threat either. I mean by you. All this bullshit with Lena will have left you presu...’

‘As, I said. You need to not concentrate on that. It was just a case of heightened emotions from both sides, that’s all. It shouldn’t have happened,’ Jonah muttered.

But it was more than that. A lot more and he couldn’t explain it. Lena had indeed left a horrible legacy behind and as much as he swore he’d never get involved with another woman again after what she’d done, it was impossible to ignore that Teagan had sparked something. Something that he’d never felt and he wanted her to figure in his life. And he’d do whatever was needed to protect her from this invisible threat in whatever way required.

Whether he was wanted to or not, he felt the distinct urge that Teagan was going to be instrumental. Not for the business, payback or for any other means, but for himself.

Epilogue

STANDING OUT OF EARSHOT of the strangers crammed around the dining table in her small kitchen, Tammy glared at Mike. ‘Two days they’ve been here already! How much longer are they planning on staying?’ she hissed.

Mike smiled amiably, even though he felt like he was internally melting. ‘Not long. Their hotel was double booked so I said they could stay here. What’s the big deal?’

‘But who are they? You’ve never mentioned them before?’ Tammy persisted, eyeing her husband suspiciously. ‘We really haven’t got the room.’

Mike sighed. ‘If you’d ever listened to me then you’d know Ron’s a friend of the family from years back.’ No he wasn’t. Well, his father might have classed him as such, but the man was certainly no friend of his. Not that he’d had a lot of choice about bringing them here anyway, but he could hardly tell Tammy that. ‘Can’t you just make them feel welcome? It won’t hurt you.’ He hoped not, anyway.

Tammy huffed loudly. ‘I wish you’d consulted me before you descended here with them. Where are we going to put them for Christ’s sake?’

‘We’ll make room.’ Mike glanced through the ajar door, spotting Ron O’Hara studying him malevolently through the crack.

‘Heath’s supposed to be coming around for dinner tomorrow and I was really looking forward to seeing him,’ Tammy continued, blind to Mike’s internal trauma. ‘It’s been ages since we’ve had a family dinner with our son, but now they’re going to be here and it will be awkward.’

‘No it won’t!’ Mike blustered. ‘Because Heath can’t make it tomorrow. I meant to tell you.’ He wouldn’t tell Tammy where Heath really was either. She’d have a coronary. He could barely believe it himself. It was bad enough having to hide the newspapers and keep her away from the television, but with any luck, Heath would be out tomorrow.

‘He’s not coming? Why ever not? You haven’t been having a go at him again have you, Mike?’ Tammy cried.

‘No! He’s, erm... he’s been seeing a girl – you know, that first heady rush of love,’ Mike croaked, willing a meteorite to land on his head.

‘I can’t remember that feeling it was so long ago,’ Tammy snapped. ‘So now I haven’t even got that to look forward to.’

Mike sighed. He really thought his life was at the lowest ebb, but when Ron O’Hara had shoved that gun in his face and explained what was expected of him, he realised in comparison he’d been having a really good time before.

Underneath his jacket, Mike’s shirt stuck to his skin as the weight of what he’d agreed to sank further into his veins. But what choice was he given?

The answer to that was none.

What else was he supposed to do with a gun in his face, apart from agree to O’Hara’s demands? In all fairness, in comparison with what the man was asking in return was giving he, Heath and Tammy a lot more benefit, as far as he was concerned. Outwardly, at least.

But Mike didn’t want to dwell on what else the agreement could drag him into.

He glanced around the utility room that he and Tammy were crammed into, sure O’Hara must be able to