Page 3 of The Lost Zone (Dark Water #3)

Josiah put his holopad away, then glanced down with a frown.

The ground was soft from all the rain they’d had recently, and there, under the tree, was a clear imprint of two large, solid boots, as if somebody had stood there for a long time.

They weren’t his prints and were too big to belong to Alex.

Had someone stood here last night, watching the house?

He didn’t have time to give it more thought, because at that moment, Alex appeared, looking for him.

“What are you doing out here, sir?” he asked blandly. Although Josiah had told him to wear his mask outside the privacy of the house, it irritated him all the same.

“Just thinking. Let’s go,” he said gruffly, striding back towards the house.

“Where to, sir?” Alex asked, catching up with him as he got to the garage.

“To Elsie’s house, to shut down the Kathleen Line,” Josiah told him tersely.

“What?” Alex asked, aghast.

Josiah opened the duck and climbed in, slamming the door. Alex scrambled to follow him.

“I can either go after Tyler, or I can keep the Kathleen Line open. I can’t do both. It’d put Elsie and the others in too much danger.” Josiah barked out a terse order to his holopad to open the garage door.

Alex put a hand on his arm. “Joe… stop. You’re angry.

” The mask was gone and he looked genuinely concerned.

“I understand why. I want justice for Solange, and God knows I want to bring Tyler down, but the Kathleen Line was a lifeline to me when I needed it most. I don’t want to take that away from others. ”

“You can’t have both,” Josiah snapped. “You have to choose. What’s it to be, Alex? Justice for Solange or the Kathleen Line?”

Alex’s jaw settled into a hard, determined line. “I have to keep fighting for Solange. It’s the only thing that’s kept me going all these years. I’m a selfish bastard at heart, Joe, always have been. You made me a promise, and I intend to make you keep it.”

“And there’s the real Alex.” Josiah grunted. “At least I know where I am with him. I start doubting you when you’re wearing that bloody mask.” He rubbed his forehead wearily. “Sorry, it’s just that last night and this morning I could see you, but when the mask goes on, you disappear. I hate that.”

“I’m sorry too,” Alex said softly. “The mask had to be good to fool Tyler. I practised very hard for a very long time to get it right. But I promise I’ll only use it around you when we’re in public, like you asked.”

“Good. And for the record, I always keep my promises.” Josiah put the duck in reverse and slammed his foot on the accelerator.

Elsie lived in a small flat a short drive away. She took so long answering his curt knock on the door that he knocked again, impatiently.

“Hold on, you stupid Viking, I’m coming,” she yelled from inside. Alex gave an amused snort, and Josiah glared at him.

Elsie finally opened the door, still scolding him.

“I have no idea what the hurry is. Always marching around, barking orders…” She swung her arms around him without pausing for breath and enveloped him in one of her usual warm hugs.

“Calls me up, snaps at me like I’m one of those reporters he’s always tormenting.

” She pulled him down to deliver a smacking kiss to his cheek and then pushed him away.

“Well, I’m not, Josiah Raine, and don’t you ever forget it. ”

“Sorry, Elsie,” Josiah said with a wince. Even though Alex was behind him, he somehow knew his IS had a broad grin on his face.

Elsie was wearing a neat navy-blue dress, and Josiah suddenly noticed how white her hair had become.

She looked smaller too; she’d always been a tiny woman, but she had to be in her late seventies now.

No wonder it had taken her so long to open the door.

He’d been so obsessed with making the Kathleen Line run efficiently that he hadn’t noticed her advancing years.

He realised that she was looking at him just as keenly.

“Something’s changed since I last saw you,” she said slowly.

“I never could hide anything from you, Elsie.” He gave a wry smile.

She placed her hand on his chest, over his heart. “I’m glad,” she said softly. Then she caught sight of Alex waiting patiently behind him. “And is this the reason why?” she asked.

“Yes.” Josiah moved to one side. “Alex – this is Elsie. Elsie – Alex.”

Alex looked suddenly overcome as he stepped forward. In this moment he was Ben, meeting the woman who had been his lifeline during one terrifying week seven years ago.

“Ah, Alex – the one from the news reports,” Elsie said, looking him up and down warily. She didn’t see Ben. She saw the man who had swept into her friend’s life and changed him, and she was worried. “And you brought him here?” she asked, looking at Josiah as if he was crazy.

“Yes,” Josiah told her firmly. “Elsie, Alex knows all about the Kathleen Line. We can be honest around him, about everything.”

She took a sharp intake of breath, then glanced back at Alex, giving him a more assessing look. “The cameras lied; you’re almost too beautiful to be real.” She looked askance at Josiah. “Are you really sure about him, Joe?”

“The cameras lied about more than just his looks. I’m sure,” Josiah replied firmly.

“Well, if you’re sure, I’m sure,” she said with a sigh. “Nice to meet you, Alex, my dear.”

Alex held out his hand nervously, but she swatted it aside and drew him into a bear hug. “If you hurt Joe, then I’ll kill you with my bare hands,” she told him in a cheery tone. “But until then, if Joe cares about you, then I do, too. Now come through. I’ve made us all a nice cup of tea.”

She led them into her sunny yellow living room.

Her house was spotless, but she did love ornaments – photos, keepsakes, and the like – collected over the course of a long life.

Pride of place was given to a holopic of Peter, posing for the camera with a wave, just before Hattie leapt on him and knocked him down.

Josiah had always looked away from the holopic before, but now he smiled at it, noticing how young and happy Peter looked.

“Sit down, my dears, and help yourselves. There are biscuits, too.” Elsie plonked herself down on an armchair as if she couldn’t stand a moment longer and pointed to a tray on the coffee table. Josiah noticed that she was short of breath.

“How are you keeping, Elsie?” he asked as Alex knelt down to pour the tea.

“I’m fine. Just a touch of angina, that’s all.

It’s worse when the weather turns cold.” She waved her hand as if it were little more than a minor inconvenience.

Alex handed her a cup and saucer – bone china, decorated with delicate pale blue and yellow flowers – Elsie was serious about her tea.

“Thank you, my dear,” she said with a little smile.

Josiah took the cup and saucer that Alex offered him and sat in the armchair next to Elsie’s. Alex poured himself a cup but remained on the floor, kneeling in front of the coffee table.

Elsie stirred her tea expectantly. There was silence. Alex looked down at the carpet, while Josiah stared at the holopic of Peter, wondering where to begin. Elsie’s stirring became ominous. Finally, she tapped her spoon on her cup and fixed Josiah with a stern look.

“Are you here for my blessing, Joe?” she asked.

“If so, I have to ask what the hell you’re thinking?

No offence, Alex, love.” She gave him an entirely unapologetic smile.

“But you’re the most famous indie in the country and you’re not free to give your heart to anyone.

Joe has been through a lot, and he deserves a proper relationship – not some fly-by-night IS he’ll have to give back in a few weeks’ time. ”

Josiah rolled his eyes. “You don’t need to protect me, Elsie. I know what I’m getting into.”

Elsie laughed. “You forget who you’re talking to, Joe.

I know you. I know how you pour your whole heart into the people you care about and don’t hold back.

That’s all well and good when they’re free to care about you in return, but that’s not the case here.

” She shot another look at Alex while stirring her tea ferociously.

The situation might be more complicated than Elsie could imagine, but in true Elsie fashion, she’d seen straight to the heart of it. Alex sat back on his heels, looking dejected.

“Also, no offence again, Alex” – Elsie patted his shoulder kindly – “but I’ve seen the news, and I’m by no means convinced you’re good enough for my Joe.”

Alex nodded, his shoulders slumping. “I agree,” he said. “I’m not.”

Josiah rolled his eyes. “You wouldn’t think anyone was good enough for me, Elsie.”

“True,” Elsie chuckled. “So, I’m assuming you’re here to talk about getting Alex out of the country. I have to tell you that it’ll be a challenge. An IS this well known, and of course he’s in your custody, so?—”

“I’m not here to ask that, Elsie,” Josiah interrupted sharply. Elsie raised an eyebrow at his tone, and he grimaced. “Sorry, but I’d never ask you to risk yourself or the Kathleen Line for Alex. He’s far too famous to be helped out of the country. No, I’m here to tell you that you’re right.”

“I usually am.” She grinned. “About what exactly?”

“About what you said the other night. I am a liability for the Line. My current level of fame, celebrity, whatever you want to call it, is a threat to the entire operation – which is why I’m going to shut it down.”

Elsie stopped stirring her tea. “What?”

“I have to shut it down, Elsie. I’m putting you all in danger.”

Elsie was staring at him in disbelief. “I never thought I’d hear you say that. It’s been your life’s work. Since Peter died, you’ve been tireless—” She broke off, looking completely blindsided. “You’re shutting it down… all of it?”

“Yes.”

She leaned forward in her chair. “Joe, what’s really going on? Have you heard something? Are the authorities on to us?”