Читать книгу Serpent Sting - Toni Grant - Страница 14

CHAPTER 7

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Two tiny pigtails of auburn hair, bound by miniature rose baubles, stuck out each side. A simple aqua dress, tied at the back with a deep red velvet ribbon, flounced about her little legs. Tiny, embroidered red rosebuds formed a pattern around the hem. Upon her feet, glittery ballet flats encouraged the little girl to point her toes in admiration.

“There,” Francesca said at last, satisfied that at least when they left the apartment all would be in order. By the end of the ceremony, well, that was another story.

“Hey gorgeous, give me a twirl,” Sinclair said, emerging from the bedroom, tugging at the tie that felt like a noose around his neck after months of casual living.

Francesca and Bella twirled together, at which he laughed.

“Oh, you mean the other gorgeous one,” Francesca teased, straightening his tie before planting a final kiss on his lips.

“There you go, handsome. I forgot how good you look in uniform,” she whispered close to his ear. “How are you feeling?”

Sinclair shrugged. “More to the point, how are you?” She always changed when they were in Australia. Despite her calm exterior, a rigidity of paranoia ran a steel rod up her spine. He cuddled her to him until she relaxed. “I’m so proud of you,” he said softly.

“Mummy, look! Uncle Johnno is here and Aunty Ruthie!” Archie interrupted. He stood by the open doorway of a small balcony attached to the third story apartment room, waving frantically, and called, “Up here, Uncle Johnno!”

“He saw me,” Archie shouted excitedly, as Johnno responded with a wave. “They’re coming up, Dad. Can I go to the lift and meet them?”

“No,” Francesca answered immediately.

“Yes,” Sinclair responded in unison with her.

He looked at her wary expression.

Sinclair relented. “Archie, why don’t you wait in the doorway and when you see them come out of the lift you can run over and meet them.”

He looked at Francesca who nodded. “That’s a good idea,” she added stiffly.

“Thanks Dad.”

The noisy commotion of Johnno entered the apartment. “Here he is … the war hero!” Johnno teased his brother, reaching to give him a bear hug and slapping him loudly across the back. “I see you finally had a haircut.”

“Francesca.” Johnno kissed her on the cheek, squeezing her hard before squatting down to greet Rosabella. “And who do we have here? Why, it’s Princess Rosabella! How are you, sweetie?”

“Good thanks, Uncle Johnno. Look at my sparkly shoes.” She held out a dainty foot for him to inspect. “See, in the sunshine they make sparkly pictures on the wall. Look! Uncle Johnno! Look at this.” Twirling in the sunshine, Bella watched the reflection glimmer on the wall.

“Wow! You must be magic!”

“Who must be magic?” Ruthie wandered into the room, her arm wrapped around Archie as he ran through the machinations of his new dive watch.

“My shoes,” Rosabella chimed. “Look.” She pointed to the ceiling, making the pattern dance.

“That’s very tricky.” Ruthie gave the little girl a hug and Francesca’s hand a squeeze.

“Excuse me boys.” Ruthie headed to the privacy of the bedroom. “I have a little pantyhose issue to sort through. Bloody stupid things if you ask me,” she mumbled before shutting the bedroom door.

“Well,” Francesca breathed out, “it must almost be time to go. Last chance for the bathroom … let’s go.” She hustled the children along the short hallway.

“Time for a quick drink?” Johnno asked, noting the soldier’s tense pose.

“Would love one, but I don’t think scotch breath will grant me any favours,” Sinclair responded.

“You’ll be right mate. Just remember to smile for the television cameras. Everyone loves a hero in uniform. No pressure.” Johnno watched the horror cross Sinclair’s face. “What?”

Sinclair swore under his breath, stepping closer to his brother. “Cameras Johnno. Frigging cameras and news reporters! I thought newspapers, no worries. This will make national news, right?”

“Yeah, probably … Sydney media definitely. It’s a pretty big story. Plus, there’s the ball tonight. Yeah most likely make national.”

“Do me a favour. I need you to run interference. No, absolutely no, shots of my family. I’m happy to pose by myself for hours, but not Francesca or the kids.” Sinclair lowered his voice. “It’s Delarno. How long does it take to get a result on this family? Francesca can never relax when we’re home. I’m fairly sick of it, let me tell you.”

“Copy.” Johnno paused for a moment.

“You know I’d like to see closure on that case myself,” he told his brother quietly. “The police prosecutors are stuck again over another legality with the Delarno barristers. In any case, it’s got years to go yet.”

“What do you mean?”

“The old bastard’s in ‘ill-health’. So we can’t bring him to the stand.” He glanced at Sinclair who looked about to burst. “Heart problems apparently. You know I’m not giving up. Plus,” Johnno added, “with my promotion out of the squad, I can’t get easy access to any new information. You know I got suspended from duty last month for trying.”

Sinclair shook his head and looked at his brother in disbelief.

“It’s ok. I don’t care about promotion and that shit. I just have to be careful, that’s all. And I don’t want to end up in the clink myself. So, I’m across your frustration. Francesca is all but kin. I need to tread lightly, that’s all.”

Sinclair looked into the space beyond his brother’s shoulder processing this new information.

“Francesca’s a realist,” Johnno continued. “Organised crime was her specialty. She understands the drill.” He hesitated, and in true Johnno style, decided to address the matter head on.

“Besides,” he added quietly, “her relationship with Nicholas Delarno means she walks a very thin line in the eyes of the law. Our own investigative team were divided over her innocence or guilt. It was a horrible time for her, after she returned to work. It’s been a hard row for her to hoe too you know. I’m still not sure who we can fully trust in the matter.”

Johnno sniffed loudly. “And she’s right. You have to trust her judgement on this. Whilst Silvio Delarno is alive, Archie is in danger. Particularly when they’re both in Australia.” He risked the wrath of Sinclair at the final comment.

“Anyways,” Johnno said suddenly, trying to relieve the tension between them. “Hate to rain on your parade and all, but I wanted you to know that Ruthie and I have set the date. Next year, after the clan gathering.”

“Christ! What happened to ‘One day we’ll just elope and tell you about it later?’ You’re getting married in Scotland? And with the whole clan?”

Johnno shrugged good-naturedly. Ruthie wanted the whole shebang.

“Aye,” he said, smiling broadly as he adopted his father’s distinctive manner. He lowered an octave to emphasize the broad Scottish accent. “Ye know the ways o’ the kin, Sinclair.”

Johnno’s bright blue eyes twinkled in amusement.

The brothers looked at each other across the room and laughed. Mimicking their father, they spoke in unison.

“Ye’ll be married at Kintail, then. In the shadow of Eilean Donan. ‘Twas good enough for me, my father an’ his before. I dun see how ye should be different.” With the last word they sounded out three syllables and dropped the ‘t’.

Sinclair laughed again. “Congratulations mate. That’s great news.”

“So what about it little bro? A double up. You’re gonna make an honest woman of Francesca one day? We might as well go down together.”

Sinclair pulled a tight face. “I don’t see why things should change,” he said stubbornly.

“You love her, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“And she loves you?”

“Yes. I believe so.”

“So, what’s the problem?”

“The problem is …”

“What are you two conspiring about?” Francesca interrupted, entering the lounge room, two children in tow. Dressed in tailored red, deep auburn hair fell in a long silky ribbon down her back creating a picture of poise and elegance.

“After this, we’re hitting the pub,” Johnno offered, giving his brother a sideways look.

“And I’m getting out of this monkey suit,” Sinclair moaned, his big hand loosening the tie a fraction. He ran a fat finger around the inside of the collar.

“Dad, what’s a monkey suit?” asked Archie.

“Where’s the monkey?” asked Rosabella. “Mummy, is there going to be a monkey?” the little girl repeated looking excitedly at her mother. Tiny hands clasped together in delight. “Can I hold him?”

“Johnno’s a monkey?” asked Ruthie striding into the lounge room. “What’s he done now?”

Sinclair and Johnno glanced at each other over the heads of the assembled crew. Their eyes crinkled identically in amusement at the direction of the conversation.