Hostage to Fortune

'Just who would they be then boss?' Asked his sergeant.

'Young Betts and Mrs Wainwright. I knew they weren't being straight with me I just had nothing to hold them on. Now I have. --Come on John let's get down to the harbour'

'I reckon Betts is going to want a solicitor this time boss. You made him a bit uncomfortable last time.'

'He can have as many as he likes, this time we will be arresting them and if necessary charging them both.'

The two men hurried out of the office. As they reached the harbour, Joe Garcia felt disappointment wash over him. He pointed his sergeant in the direction of the berth. As he did so, he realised Bee Jay's two masts were conspicuous by their absence. By the time they reached the empty berth, he was already imagining the remarks of the Scotland Yard detectives, ridiculing him and his police force. They made their way back to the police station via the harbour masters office. As he walked into his office, he steeled himself for the phone call to England.

'Inspector Davies? I'm Inspector Garcia of the Gibraltar Police. I have bad news I'm afraid. Bee Jay II slipped her moorings and left the harbour about three hours ago. She was headed out towards Casablanca.'

'I don't believe I'm hearing this. We ask you to do one little thing, just hold them until we can pick them up. What kind of Mickey Mouse operation are you running there?'

'Now hold on there, Davies. Until you called, we had no reason to hold them. Perhaps If you'd been a bit quicker with your request, we could have helped you. Now I'll tell you what type of operation we run. We run the sort of operation that gets a full scene of crimes team onto that boat, simply because we suspected foul play. Of course, you may not want forensics from a Mickey Mouse operation like ours. We even have what we believe to be the weapon, complete with blood and human hair. I doubt you'll want any of that from such an incompetent force as ours.'

'Ah sorry Inspector, no offence meant. I was just a little angry. Now, what exactly have you got?'

Joe Garcia recounted the events of earlier in the day, including the interviews. He offered to forward all the forensic evidence.

'Thank you, Inspector, I wonder could we rely on you to apprehend the suspects should they return.'

'Of course, you can. It's just sad that you weren't a bit quicker off the mark so we could have held on to them.'

With points even, they disconnected the call.

The day after our arrival back in London Inspector Davies came to talk to Will he didn't get anything new, other than Will's insistence that Samantha was not party to the attempt on his life. He was still confused about what was real and what he'd imagined.

I gave him all the details I had about Samantha's suspected affair and details of how to access Bee Jay's tracker. He assured me that they would get to the bottom of the affair and would arrest the two suspects, as he put it, as soon as they could.

At first, I was quite happy that Will seemed to accept everything that was happening. The Will I knew would have been pushing to get back to work and asking me and everyone else to justify their actions. The new softer Will was easier to deal with but it worried me that he didn't seem that eager to get back to normal. As the days went by, I noticed that he was putting less effort than I expected into his recovery. He seemed to be content to get around in his wheelchair. I found myself giving him more physical help. The people in the physiotherapy department showed me how to help him in and out of the wheelchair. It meant me leaning forward, and him putting his hands behind my neck. I would then straighten up, lifting him out of the chair. I did it a couple of times before I realised that it gave him an excellent view of my cleavage.

I'd made the mistake of moving into Will's spare room, to save him the embarrassment of having a live in nurse. He didn't need medical help just a little help to get around. I helped him get in and out of bed. I helped him get seated in the shower and I helped him in and out of his wheelchair. I soon became unhappy with the way things were going. I hated Samantha and Ryan for what they'd done to him. The man I loved was in there somewhere but all I could see was a man who seemed happy to be dependent on others. One evening as I helped him to bed, he pulled my head down and kissed me. I surprised myself by pulling away from him.

'Will, what do you think you're doing?'

'Come on Steph, I need a woman. I know you want this.'

I slapped his face. 'Who the hell are you and what have you done with Will Wainwright?'

He looked at me with a shocked expression as he rubbed his cheek.

'Sorry, I thought... I mean Dad said...'

'You thought? You thought? I don't think so. You haven't been thinking since you came round in hospital. The Will Wainwright I know is fiercely independent, yet you are happy to let others do everything for you. I was happy to take over the running of some things until you were better, but the more I do the more you expect me to do. Now you just expect me to jump into bed with you because you want a woman. Well, it's not going to happen, not like this. I've had enough, I quit.'

'What do you mean you quit? You can't quit. What about Sir George McMahon? He trusts you. You said you would handle that.'

I was tempted to tell him I could handle Sir George and most other things come to that the only thing I needed was the credit guarantees to get the banks to loan me enough money to do the deal on my own. If push came to shove sir George could probably secure enough credit for us to go ahead. Yes, I could do it on my own, but that would have hurt Will and that was not what I wanted to do.

'Yes there is that, but I can do that from home. Once the deal is done I'm finished.'

I started to walk away from him

'Don't go Steph, I need you.'

'Don't worry I'll arrange a nurse to come in and help you get about. I'm sure you 're more than capable of finding the kind of woman you need on your own'

I walked out of the door and went to my room to pack. How dare he take me for granted like that? I remembered the way he'd moved heaven and earth in order to seduce Samantha, but he thought he could just pull me into his bed. Well if he wanted me, then he could damned well work for it. I was still fuming as I called the agency and arranged for a nurse to come in the next day. With my belongings in an overnight bag, I got a cab back to my own dark little flat.

By the morning, I wondered if I had overreacted. The doctors had said that he wouldn't necessarily be the same man again, but I hadn't expected the sort of changes I was seeing.

I had no appetite for breakfast and settled for coffee before I got on with the preparations for the takeover of McMahon Construction. My first meeting with Sir George confirmed everything I'd been told about him. We'd met for lunch and during the first meeting, he suggested that we cut Will out of the deal. I also noticed more than a few sexual innuendoes being thrown into the conversation. No wonder his wife was divorcing him. I have to admit that tactfully repelling his advances was getting me down. In the end, I had to be blunt.

'Sir George, this deal is all about us getting as much cash out of your company as we can and enabling you to buy back your company at a lower price than you sold it for. My personal attributes and my sex life has will never be included in any deal. If you can't work with that, I will have to walk away from this and leave you to deal with Will Wainwright.'

'The word is that you've already walked away from Wainwright.'

I felt his hand on my leg so I moved my foot so that my heel was directly on top of Sir George's foot. I pushed down on his foot and noticed his hand quickly withdraw. He winced from the pain as I looked at him.

'Are we quite clear on where we stand Sir George?'

'I'll be lucky if I can stand at all now'

'So we understand each other?'

'I thought Wainwright was a smart cookie, but if he lets you get away the man's a fool.'

''With respect Sir George, that isn't really your problem.'

'Point taken young lady, just making an observation.'

Once Sir George got the message, he became very easy to deal with and everything went like clockwork. It was a useful diversion that took my mind off Will. In two weeks I'd had only business Emails from him, and I'd not seen him once. It came as a surprise to find Tom Wainwright on my doorstep. I invited him in and made coffee and we sat down together.

'Now lass are you going to tell me what's going on? Will says you walked out on him.'

I told him what had happened and how Will seemed to have given up and just accepted that he wasn't going to walk again.

'So you wanted to shock him did you?'

'Well yes I wanted to make him see what he'd become, but it's more than that. He started treating me as if he was entitled to take whatever he wanted from me just because he paid my wages.'

'I don't think he really feels that way lass.'

'He would never have treated Samantha the way he treated me Tom.'

'Maybe not lass but I know your leaving has hit him hard.'

'I'm sure the nurse I hired will help him cope.'

'He fired her the day after you left.'

'So how is he managing?'

'He's getting about lass. He still uses the wheelchair most of the time but he's getting in and out of it on his own. He's been getting himself in and out of the car to go to work.'

'He's going in to the office to work?'

'Aye lass and he's pushing himself really hard at the physiotherapy.'

'Why are you telling me this Tom? He hasn't sent you here has he?'

'He doesn't even know I'm here, but I know he needs you. I know how you feel about him. It seems like madness that you are not together.'

'He knows where I live.'

He sighed. 'Aye, that's what I thought you'd say. I had to try, you know that.'

'Yes Tom and I thank you for your concern but you have to leave it to Will and me to sort out.'

He got up to leave. 'By the way, he's filed for divorce.'

I obviously looked surprised.

'The police investigated your suspicions and they are convinced they were having an affair and they have issued arrest warrants for conspiracy to commit murder. It makes a divorce an open and shut case.'

'Well that's good news for him, I hope they catch them soon, though I still find it difficult to believe that Samantha was directly involved.'

'That's as maybe lass but she got the chance to say what happened when they docked in Gibraltar. As it is, I don't see that there is any way they can go back to where they were.'

'Maybe you are right Tom. I hope it all works out. Thank you for coming round.'

I gave him a kiss on the cheek.

'Don't be a stranger Tom.'

'I'll pop in to see you when I'm in town. Maybe we can have dinner sometime'

'I'd like that.'

He gave me a quick smile as he left.

'Don't give up on him lass'

Then he was gone and I was left to think about all he'd said. Will would soon be free which should have cheered me but instead it made me sad. Sad for the two people who had seemed happy together. Even if he was free, that didn't mean he'd want me. I'd been there all along but he still chose Samantha. Perhaps I just wasn't his type, not unless he was desperate that is. I wiped the tears from my eyes, and decided how to go forward. I'd finish the McMahon deal and then move on.

Chapter 10

Inspector Davies noticed the lack of people in the suite of offices owned by Wainwright Enterprises. At reception, he gave his name and asked to speak to Mr Wainwright. He was shown into a large office with a large mahogany desk and big leather Chesterfield sofa. Will moved his wheelchair out from behind the desk and welcomed him.

'Things a bit quiet around here today sir.'

'Yes inspector, mine is not the sort of business where you do very well working from one of these.' He said, thumping the wheelchair.

'I'm sorry to hear that sir. I've got to admit I find that surprising, it's not as if you have to be physically fit to buy and sell is it?'

'You're right, of course. The problem is some of my staff equate physical power with business drive. My competitors have poached them by convincing them that I can't continue.'

'Is Miss Fletcher one of the deserters sir?'

'Good God, no. That is I hope not. She is working from home at present'

'Well, that's good to hear sir. I thought she was a very capable young lady.'

'Quite so inspector. Now, what brings you to see me? Have you managed to apprehend my wife and young Betts?'

'No not yet sir. Mr Betts managed to avoid arrest in Gibraltar, and so far, he has managed to stay in the territorial waters of African countries. Judging by his movements, he seems to be unaware of the fact that we are tracking him. At present, we are content to play a waiting game. He'll need to go ashore somewhere and we'll try to get the country he lands in to arrest him. Then we can extradite him.'

'I see, sounds reasonable. --Is that it then inspector? Did you just come to give me a progress report?'

'No sir, not exactly. --Tell me what do you think your yacht is worth?'

'Well, first of all, she's a ketch, and she set me back about six million and I've upgraded some of the facilities since then. Why do you ask? I can assure you everything was above board.'

'Oh, I'm quite sure it was sir. I was trying to get a lead on how Betts hopes to get away with it. He's got your boat and I thought that maybe he was planning to use it as a way of liberating enough cash to disappear. From what you say, sir, he could sell the vessel for twenty per cent of its value and still have enough to finance a decent life in a foreign country.'

'That won't be easy, Inspector. Every vessel has to be registered and to sell it you have to have those documents. Bee Jay's documents are right here.'

'I'm sure you are right sir, but criminals can be very devious. You must have come across people in the sailing world who bend the rules. If you could make five million on the deal, that leaves plenty of cash to generate false documents.'

'Yes, I see your point. I don't actually know anyone who would do that but I'm sure they exist. I've heard rumours of someone in Marbella and another in... Mauritius... or was it Seychelles. Well somewhere down there.'

'Well if we're lucky it will be Marbella, though I doubt that. Mr Betts seems to be avoiding places where we can easily get to him.'

'Well, it sounds like you've got it under control inspector.'

'Thank you, Sir, pass my regards on to the lovely Miss Fletcher'

'I'll do that. Thank you for keeping me up to date.'

'No problem sir, I hope things turn around for you.'

'Thank you, Inspector, I'm sure they will'

'I'll find my own way out sir.'

As he left Will thought about the situation. He had no need to work. He could just close the office and call it a day. Many people would at this point and he was sure that Samantha would be able to fill his days for him. No Samantha was no longer part of his life and her idea of a great lifestyle was not his. He was still Will Wainwright and he could still make them all sit up and take notice. Things would change, he wanted to change, but giving in was not in his nature.

Getting out of the wheelchair was his first priority, but there was no reason why he couldn't be just as successful as before. He thought about Stephanie. God, he missed her. Over the years they had developed a relationship, she understood him. He realised that he actually missed her more than he missed his wife. Just the sight of her gave him a lift. Davies was right, she was a fine looking woman, but more than that, she was clever witty and extremely able. Of late, he found that she was the first person he thought of when he woke and the last one on his mind as he went to sleep.

I'd set up the holding company and purchased a large amount of Sir Georges shares leaving him with just 15% of his company. The initial approaches to the other shareholders had shown promise. I was looking for a new employer when the doorbell rang. Peeping through the spyhole, I saw a huge bunch of flowers. I opened the door.

'Miss Stephanie Fletcher?' asked a voice from behind the flowers.

'Yes, that's me.'

'I need for you to sign for these Miss. Could you show me where I can put these so that we can do the paperwork.'

I took the clipboard from him, found the section for my delivery and signed it. I handed the clipboard back to him and took the bouquet from him. When he left, I took the flowers to the kitchen to put them in water. I pulled the card from the envelope and read the printed card.

'I'm Sorry'

That was all it said, and it left me puzzled. The only person I wanted an apology from was Will, but I knew I'd wait a long time for that. After cutting back the stems and placing them in a vase, I put them on my desk. They really were beautiful, irises, bird of paradise flowers chrysanthemum, with some delicate freesias. I'd just started work again when the doorbell rang again. When I found another man with a huge bouquet, I was surprised and a little angry.

'Can you tell me who sent these?' I asked.

'Sorry miss if it's not on the card I can't help you. Maybe if you called the shop, they could tell you, I just get delivery instructions.'

I signed his docket and took the flowers, this bouquet was even bigger than the first and I wasn't sure if I had enough vases to put them in. This time the card had a different message but still printed.

'Please forgive me'

Now I was very confused. I wanted them to be from Will but I couldn't imagine him doing this. Maybe for his trophy wife but not for me. I started to put the flowers into the water when the doorbell rang again. This time I strode angrily to the door and opened it. I was confronted by a man holding a huge bunch of long-stemmed red roses. The bouquet was so big that I could only see the bottom half of the person holding it.

'Look I've had enough of this. How am I supposed to get any work done when I'm spending all my time dealing with you?'

'Have dinner with me tonight' he said.

I recognised the voice immediately but still couldn't believe it.

'Will?'

He dropped the flowers enough to look at me over the top of them.

'Do you think you can take these off me? It's a bit difficult for me balancing on one leg like this.'

I took the flowers from him and he grabbed his crutches from either side of the door.

'How did you manage to get up here with these lovely roses?'

'I didn't, I arranged to meet the delivery man here. He even rang the doorbell for me.'

'But you got all the way up here on crutches?'

'Yes, I'm getting better on them now. --So what's it going to be? Are going out with one of your entourage of eligible young men, or are you going to take pity on a poor handicapped chap who is desperate for the company of a beautiful woman?'

'Mr Wainwright I don't believe you've ever been desperate, but since you asked so nicely, yes I'd be delighted to have dinner with you tonight. I'll have to ring Brad Pitt and put him off, but I'm sure he'll understand. We must all do our bit to help the disabled.'

He gave me the biggest smile.

'Well if you're sure, I'll pick you up at seven. I've got to go now, appointment at the hospital.'

I watched as he made his way slowly back towards the lift. He was dragging his left leg but he was actually moving it. He got into the lift then turned and smiled before the doors closed. As I took the roses back into my flat, I ran the conversation through in my mind

'Desperate for the company of a beautiful woman' he'd said. He'd actually called me beautiful. He'd given me red roses. I couldn't believe that he didn't know of their significance. I tortured myself all afternoon trying to decide what the invitation really meant. Was it just an invitation to dinner or was Will building up to something more?