Page 25 of Sharing Forever in Hope Creek (Hope Creek #2)

Thompson backed off a bit, taking a physical step out of Jack’s personal space. The older man began speaking quickly now and in a less heated tone. ‘When you buy the vineyard, you can run the scheme.’

‘I’m not a criminal, Thompson. I’m not into blackmail or fraud.’

‘The scheme is very lucrative.’ His voice was smooth now but he waved his hand about in agitation.

‘Money won’t do you any good when you’re locked away behind bars.’

‘Huh! I’m off to the Dominican Republic where the authorities can’t touch me.’

The words were boastful and completely without remorse for the investors he’d ripped off.

‘You won’t be going anywhere except to a prison cell. ‘

‘Wait.’ He jerked his head back. ‘You’re seriously planning on going to the police?’

‘Damn right. I’m going to expose you and bring this whole illicit operation down.’

‘I thought you wanted to buy this vineyard.’ There was panic in his voice now. ‘You go to the police, this deal will be held up because all my assets will be seized.’

‘I’ll wait until they are unfrozen, or I’ll bid myself when your assets are carved up by the authorities.’

The flash of panic was replaced by a cold, calculating look. ‘You go to the police and you’ll be dead. You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into, Marshall. This isn’t just about me. There are others involved.’

‘Others like Marcus Covington?’

Jack held his breath.

‘Covington?’ Thompson scoffed in disdain.

‘No. Not Covington—he’s a petty criminal in comparison.

These are powerful people who won’t take kindly to your threats.

’ He took his mobile phone out of his trouser pocket.

‘One call and you’ll have a target on your back.

If you don’t get taken out the first time, you can spend the rest of your very numbered days looking over your shoulder because these people don’t play around. ’

Shit. It sounded like this was worse than he’d imagined.

Jack refused to be cowed, even if organised crime was involved. ‘You’re going down, Thompson, and no matter how powerful these people are, nobody’s going to save you.’

Thompson’s gaze darted away quickly from Jack’s then he edged backwards around the desk as though suddenly frightened. ‘Don’t threaten me. Please, don’t hurt me.’

What the hell?

Jack was thrown by Thompson’s sudden change in demeanour from aggressor to coward.

What is Thompson playing at now?

He shook his head. Thompson should know he was determined to see justice done. ‘You brought this on yourself and I’m going to make certain you pay.’

‘Andrew?’ Brianna’s panic-stricken voice had Jack turning around to face the assistant.

Hell.

Jack’s stomach dropped.

Brianna was looking at him with huge, accusing eyes—as if he was the guilty one.

Well, she would find out soon enough it was her boss who was the dirty one.

No, not only dirty. Thompson was manipulative as well.

Jack realised too late that the other man had seen Brianna arrive and changed his demeanour to set him up.

‘It’s okay, Brianna.’ Thompson spoke in a shaky, underconfident voice that made Jack’s fist clench at his sides.

‘I … I forgot my wallet … and …’ she stammered, absorbing the palpable tension between the two men. ‘Is … Is everything alright? Should I call …?’

‘Er … I’m glad you came back. There was one file I couldn’t find. I wonder if you could get it for me before you leave again?’ There was satisfaction in Thompson’s eyes and Jack had to hand it to the guy. ‘Jack was about to leave.’

‘Um … yes. I can stay for a bit.’ Brianna looked nervously at Jack and moved from one foot to the other.

‘I’ll leave, but you’re deluded if you think you can get away with this,’ Jack told him before he gave a quick nod to Brianna and walked out.

God knows what Brianna had overheard or the spin Thompson would put on it, except to paint Jack as the villain.

A sense of urgency pumped through Jack as he strode towards his car.

He realised it was imperative he get to the police station as quickly as possible and tell them all he had learned.

Thompson might be all talk or there may be a bigger criminal organisation behind the Ponzi scheme, so Jack had to strike first.

He wondered whether he’d played his hand too early. The last thing he wanted was for Thompson to fast track his flight to the Dominican Republic to escape prosecution. If that happened there’d be no way his hoodwinked investors would recoup their money.

A prickle of unease played up the back of his neck like fingers at a keyboard as he wondered about the identities who were part of the Ponzi scheme. Thompson’s disdain for Covington suggested that those responsible for the scheme must be big-time players.

Criminal bikie gangs or mafia? That was for the police to find out.

What did Covington have to do with it?

Jack shook his head. Covington could wait.

His immediate focus had to be filing a report with the police.

He’d only snapped his seat belt into the buckle and turned on the engine when his phone rang.

A quick check of the name on the dashboard screen told him it was Callie.

He was so focused on getting to the police he didn’t really want to answer the call—especially as he was certain he wouldn’t be able to hide the tension in his voice.

But he didn’t want to ignore her call either.

He inhaled and exhaled deeply before he answered. ‘Hi, Callie.’

‘It’s actually Margaret, Jack.’

‘Margaret?’ What was she doing calling on Callie’s phone?

‘Now, don’t panic, but I wanted to let you know that Callie fainted and had a bit of a fall.’

Shit .

It was hard to draw in his next breath. ‘Is she hurt? How bad was the fall? Is everything okay with the baby?’

‘She says she’s okay, but she did hit her head.’

‘She could be concussed.’ She needed to see a doctor to make sure she was okay and to find out why she’d fainted.

‘I’m at the vineyard but I’m in my car and about to leave.

I’ll be straight there and I’ll take her for a check-up in Lancaster.

’ He looked at his watch. It was four-twenty.

If Callie had a local doctor, the practice would most likely be closed by the time they got to Lancaster.

‘I’ll take her straight to the hospital. ’

‘Jim and I thought the same thing so we’re already on our way to Lancaster Hospital with her.’

He started the car. ‘Good. Can I speak to her?’

‘She’s closed her eyes for a rest, but I thought you should know.’

‘Keep her awake, Margaret.’ It had been so long since he’d done his first aid certificate but he thought he remembered being told that someone with a head injury needed to be kept conscious. Definitely time for a refresher course—especially with a baby on the way. ‘I’ll meet you at the hospital.’

‘She didn’t want me to worry you but …’

‘You did the right thing. See you soon.’

Callie didn’t want Margaret to call him?

Of course Margaret had to call him.

Informing the police about Thompson would have to wait. Nothing was more important than getting to Callie’s side, making sure she was okay and doing whatever he could to support her.