Betrayed (A CORE Sector Novel Book 1) Read online

  Frank estimated it'd take about 10 hours to reach DC. That was accounting for leg stretches and stopping to eat. He could tell Charlotte was excited at the thought of going home. It never occurred to him before, but there was always a sadness about her. It wasn't overly apparent and she hid it very well behind her bubbly outlook and attitude, but there was always a hint of it. Now he knew why. Some things were making perfect sense to him about the woman anyway. Other things were still eluding him. He'd racked his brain about the Burke and Hare murders they studied, but couldn't come up with one good reason why a group of men would be so infuriated with Charlotte for writing a novel about that time period. Maybe they were descendants like Charlotte. Maybe there was something more sinister about the case than was in police reports. No matter, he had to find out and he had enough friends in high places to help solve the puzzle.

  CHARLOTTE DIDN'T REALIZE how sore she was after the scuffle with the man the day before until she got ready to sit down in Frank's car. She was used to some muscle stiffness at her age, but staying active usually relieved it. This was deep soreness like she hadn't had since her twenties running marathons. She'd live, it just reminded her of her age. Something she didn't like to be reminded of too often.

  Frank noticed she was not moving as spryly as she had been, so being the gentleman he was, he helped her into the car. Of course, he'd have helped her either way, that's just the kind of man Frank was. Hard nose law officer and gentlemen at heart, much like his character Frenchie. Frank guessed it'd be awhile before he got back to Frenchie, but what a tale he'd have to tell. He had grabbed his laptop so all of his work materials were with him, if he got the time to do any writing. He also kept a small digital recorder on him at all times, too. If an idea hit, he was ready. He didn't have to stop driving and jot down notes, he just spoke into his little magic box. And these days with all the cell phones and wireless gizmo's, no one thought he was crazy for talking to himself. He liked that. Of course he got used to using one on the force. It often helped him work on cases by talking through the evidence and discoveries. He could play a lot of what-if scenarios and usually figure something out. It actually broke a lot of cases wide open and then closed them tight. He'd been sure to let Charlotte know that he did this, so she wouldn't think he was crazy. She giggled and decided it was a brilliant idea.

  They had a great deal in common just for the fact of them both being writers, but he knew there was a lot more to Charlotte that he'd find intriguing. He was also finding it hard not to think of her as a woman. A woman he'd like to be intimate with. But this wasn't the time, he was a trained professional and should conduct himself that way until this was solved. Besides, all the time they were spending together, having dinner together, it was like dating.

  They were all loaded up when Frank noticed a man parked across the street. He was staring intently at the car when Charlotte picked up on it. "Frank, that's the man from yesterday, the one that attacked me."

  "I see that."

  Frank eased the car into reverse and backed out of the parking spot. He put the car in drive and eased out to the road very casually. The guy was watching them. Frank took a quick right out of the lot. Since the other car was facing the other direction, Frank knew he'd have to turn around and that gave him a head start. The guy would expect him to take the exit ramp onto the freeway, but Frank knew better. His best chance was getting into town and finding a back alley to throw the guy off. Frank floored the accelerator. Within ten minutes he accomplished his mission and was parked in a back alley looking over the map. "It might be best if we stay off the main roads and Interstate. We’ll take a different route and change it up occasionally. We won't avoid the Interstate altogether, we just won't stay on it." Frank picked their route and headed out. They'd stop at the next grocery store and grab some supplies in case food wasn't available on some of the smaller highways.

  Frank started looking forward to seeing England, of course these circumstances made it difficult to be excited, but he'd never been and did look forward to seeing the country. Maybe when they solved this mystery Charlotte would take the time to share her view of England with him not just the tourist scene. She mentioned living in a small village outside of London. Frank had a hard time imagining a small village close to one of the largest cities in England, but she swore it didn't take long to get out of the new modern England back into the old ways of England. Many still preferred the old towns and villages and did everything they could to preserve them and keep the modern world from intruding on their space. Frank liked that. More places should have that kind of pride and easy lifestyle. He'd learned that after retirement. He couldn't wait to get out of his small home town and out in the world. Thirty years later he couldn't wait to return home to the quietness of a small town where nothing ever happened. Funny how time can have that affect on you. Funny how life can have that affect on you too. He wondered if her small town life was more inviting than his. Perhaps he'd stay in England and find out. He had no clue if Charlotte was even interested in a relationship with him. And he needed to keep a clear head on the mission. He'd also have to deal with the Gabe business at some point, but right now, this was a more pressing issue.

  15

  CHARLOTTE LIKED FRANK. She could tell he was a nice guy, even with his serious side. She too wished this was a pleasure trip and maybe it'd turn out that way once this horrible business was out of the way, if she lived through it, that is. She didn't want to think about that. She fully intended to have some good times with Frank despite the fact they were on the run and men were after her. She'd have to contact Gavin as soon as she got to England, he'd be very concerned about her. Plus he could give Frank some inside information about the group of men that were after her.

  She'd also want to see all of her old friends, but she'd have to be careful. Those men could be watching them in case she tried to contact them. She'd have to get Frank's advice on that. He was probably an expert at such things. She'd have to be careful who she trusted, too. Gavin warned her, these men were very powerful and with enough money people she thought were friends would turn on her in an instant. Suddenly, Charlotte had a horrible thought. What if Frank was with those men? What if Frank was paid to get her back to England and it was all a set-up? She barely knew Frank. All the people in Greenwich knew him but Gavin's warning said even her oldest and dearest friends could be led to turn on her, so who was Frank Temple to be any different since she really didn't know him. That story of his dead wife could all be part of the set-up. What a mess she'd gotten into. She decided she'd better keep her guard up and not let Frank know she's suspicious of him. How could she ever pull that off? Maybe she should disappear to the ladies room at the next stop. What could she do? She couldn't trust any strangers, but she might have to. Oh, this was a pickle. How on earth did she manage to get in all this mess? She had to think. She needed a plan other than the one Frank had come up with. Of course, if he could get them to England, she would know how to hide there, at least to a degree. She could get away from Frank and knew her way around better than he did. That's what she'd do. She'd hitch his ride to England, ditch him and call Gavin as soon as she could. Gavin would know what to do. He'd never let her down before. She'd just keep her secret of contacting Gavin. No sense in raising Franks suspicions if he had infiltrated her life to get her back to England. She'd play it cool. She could do that. She'd written it in suspense novels many times. Doing it in real life couldn't be that difficult. Or could it?

  Charlotte's mind was spinning. She didn't know who to trust or what the truth was any more. She started to feel like a nervous wreck. She laid her head back to try and relax and drifted off into dream. Her dreams were uneasy, people were after her. Her friends, Frank, those secretive men, even her old friend Gavin, all of them were chasing her. She had no place to run or hide. She woke up kicking and screaming, almost causing Frank to wreck the car.

  "Charlotte, are you okay? What's the matter? It's only a dream."

  "Oh Fran
k! It was awful. Everyone was after me, my friends, my family, even. . ." she trailed off as she remembered he may be one of them. She couldn't let him know she suspected him.

  "Even who, Charlotte?"

  "Even the butcher at the market," she managed to stammer out.

  "Oh, I doubt the butcher has anything to do with this. I do understand how afraid you are though."

  Good. She didn't let him know her suspicions. That's the last thing she needed. "I'm sorry I startled you."

  "No need to apologize. You're holding up very well considering what all you've been through. Most women in your shoes would be a nervous wreck."

  "Well, maybe I just hide it really well."

  "Maybe so."

  They drove along in silence with DC still hours away.

  16

  THEY PULLED into DC Metro around midnight. Frank decided to park in the employee area. Technically it wasn't legal but since he was an ex-cop he knew they wouldn't mind. Frank wasn't sure who'd be working, but surely it'd be someone he knew. Having to take so many routes put them way behind his estimated schedule. A trip that should have taken twelve hours took a day and a half. But Charlotte was safe and so far they hadn't seen the man again. He looked over at her. God, she was gorgeous and mysterious and terrified. She didn't let on how scared she was, but he knew. He hated to wake her up, but they'd be safer inside, in case they had been tailed. It's hard to tell in the dark. If she woke up in a strange place with him gone she'd likely freak out. She'd been through enough already.

  Metro was quiet, even for a Sunday at midnight. The lobby had maybe twenty people waiting to be processed, a couple homeless guys, a few prostitutes, about a dozen teenagers, the usual stuff. There just seemed to be less of it tonight. Odd.

  "Fraaaaank! Is that you sweetie?"

  Frank turned around, but he already knew the voice. "Sharon. I can't say I'm surprised to see you here."

  "Well Frank, you did bust me pretty regular back in your day. Retirement looks good on you too sweetie." She checked Frank out and noticed the redhead behind him." Did you finally get married, Frank? Oh my sweetie, you are one lucky gal. Frank is definitely one of the good guys."

  "Uhm, Sharon, this is Charlotte McDougal."

  "McDougal? I knew she was too classy to be married to you." She gave Charlotte a wink. "Seriously though, Frank would be a good catch if you were looking for one."

  "Sharon, you're up," came a man's voice over the crowd. She knew the drill, time to be processed." It was good to see you Frank. You take care and be good to that lady."

  "Sure thing, Sharon. You take care too."

  "It was nice to meet you, Charlotte."

  "Sharon, we don't have all night to chit chat with the guests."

  "I'm coming Don!" Sharon yelled.

  Frank recognized Don White, he was stuck with the fun job of getting all these people sent through the system tonight. Frank hated that job. Don spotted Frank and waved him over. Sharon was a regular and wouldn't mind the wait.

  "Frank Temple! What on earth are you doing here? I should've known the way Sharon was fussing over you."

  "It's good to see you, Don. We just rolled into town and I couldn't wait ‘til morning to see the old place. You know how it is."

  "Yeah man. How's retirement?"

  "Ah, you know, it's great. Freedom, road trips, the good stuff."

  "Yeah I bet."

  "Hey Don, who's working the back tonight?"

  "Scott. I don't think he's too busy either, not for an old pal anyway. Wanna go on back?"

  "You bet. Thanks Don."

  "He's in one of his moods," Don said as he pushed the button to unlock the door to the back of the station.

  DETECTIVE JON SCOTT, one of Frank's good friends from the force and someone he trusted with his life. Things could be looking up and he was pretty sure what kind of mood to expect him in.

  Frank guided Charlotte through the double doors and down a long hallway to Jon's office. It wasn't as noisy back here as it was in the lobby of the station. What a relief, she felt the early stages of a migraine coming on. Jon's office was at the end of the hall, further away from the noise, which was even better. Frank peered through the window. "Good, he's not busy, he's just doing paper work." He tapped on the glass. The man behind the desk raised his eyes to peer over his glasses, he had a stern look until he saw it was Frank Temple. In one easy movement he was out the chair and had the door open giving Frank a big hug. "Frank, is everything okay? Have you had a run in with Lawler? I've been trying to call. You damn sure know how to worry a person sick."

  "No, Jon, nothing like that. I'm here for Charlotte."

  Jon noticed the woman next to Frank and released him from his embrace.

  "You remember Charlotte McDougal?"

  He reached for Charlotte's hand, "Indeed, gorgeous woman and best pie in the world. No man could forget that."

  Frank spoke up, "Maybe we should go in your office and sit down, Jon."

  "Sure thing. This sounds serious," as he led them inside and closed the door.

  "Well, it seems there's a situation I need some help with. It's a long story, you may want to wait until you're off duty to hear it."

  "It's been a quiet night. I need some excitement."

  Frank laid the story out about how Charlotte was sent to this country to hide from a group of men she thought was just rich, distinguished gentlemen. Jon had heard of the group and had a hard time believing they were anything but rich men. Nothing had ever come across the wires that this secret group was up to no good. They weren't like the Mason's who were shrouded in secrecy and evil plots. They were more of a country club for the very elite. He couldn't imagine why the sell of some old family journals would set these men off on a rampage after a woman. But, with money comes power and the ability to have things swept under the rug. He started checking all the databases he had access to. Nothing came up about the group. He did pull some files about the death of Charlotte's grandfather. Files the general public didn't have access to. There were suspicions about his death and it seems he was a member of this group. Jon glanced up at the two sitting across from him. Why didn't they give him that information?

  Frank was looking at Charlotte, something was wrong. "Are you okay?"

  "Not really. I feel a migraine coming on. It's been a long day."

  "Is there anything we can do?"

  "A dark, quiet room would help."

  Jon motioned to Frank, "She can lie on the couch and we can take this into the next office to discuss. If that'll help?" he asked as he looked over at Charlotte.

  "That'll be fine. Thanks."

  FRANK AND JON left the room and killed the overhead lights as they left, leaving only a dim glow coming from the computer screen. What a relief Charlotte thought. Now if she could just forget all her suspicions and worries and get some rest. Things would be much better at daylight, she hoped. But the agonizing thoughts kept racing through her head. How did those men keep finding her? Was Frank just a pleasant decoy and really in on it with them? It was too coincidental and she couldn't help but worry. She didn't know who to trust anymore. She had no one she could trust. Frank was the closest thing she had to a friend and he could be more, but she couldn't shake the feeling that he was in on it. Maybe it was just coincidence and she was being paranoid. The onset of a migraine didn't help matters either and the more she worried, the worse it would get. The sick stomach was no pleasure either. Funny, she never had migraines before. She knew it wasn't the country itself, it was the worry of leaving her home country, coming to a strange land with no friends and no one to turn to. In a way, she resented America, it was not the land of the free to her. It held her in bondage from the life she wanted to return to. It would be nice if Frank could stay with her once this mess was settled. She sighed deeply. On the one hand she wanted a relationship with him, on the other she was suspicious of him. "Good grief woman, you're totally nuts!" She took another deep breath and decided she'd sneak a call to Gavin. It wou
ld be Monday morning over there and she should be able to catch him at home before he left for the office.

  17

  JON GAVE Frank a stern look as soon as they stepped into the hall and closed the door. "What's up Jon? Did you find something?"

  "Why didn't you tell me her grandfather was a member of this secret society?"

  "What? I didn't know. I can't imagine Charlotte leaving that bit out. Are you sure?"

  "Damn sure. There's suspicious circumstances revolving around his death too. He was in perfect health. The cops seem to think his accident was not really an accident. Maybe this group does have some shady characters involved. Let's go to Hal's office and do some more checking. This is an interesting circumstance you've gotten yourself into."

  "There's more Jon. We need to get to London. The answers are there and we have to go find them and clear this mess up so this woman can get back to her life."

  "Then let's get busy." Jon said as they headed down the hall.

  Frank and Jon worked until daylight looking through databases. There wasn't a lot of information out there, but it was enough to raise both their suspicions. They had no idea what they'd be up against, but they knew Charlotte needed protection and she needed her life back. Frank had gotten attached enough by now that he knew he wouldn't rest until she was safe. Jon noticed this, "So, things have changed since I was there last week. You really like her, don't you?"

  "I do, but this is strictly professional."