Page 77 of The Lost Zone (Dark Water #3)

“Exactly. For a long time, I couldn’t do anything to help him, but I kept tabs on him as best I could.

“Your offer to buy him – where did the money come from for that?”

Neil turned away, as if considering the question, or checking that they weren’t being overheard. Josiah glanced around. The thugs who’d knocked him out weren’t in the room, and he presumed they were guarding the outside of the door – and Alex. He and Neil were completely alone in the croc factory.

“Oh… I see,” Josiah said, figuring it out.

“You’ve been cooking the books. That’s pretty risky, Neil.

I don’t know this Duke personally, but I do know drug cartels running out of the Quarterlands, and it’s safe to say they aren’t forgiving types.

He’ll string you up by your balls when he finds out you’ve stolen his money. ”

“I’ll be long gone before he finds out,” Neil said confidently. “I’ve worked for him for a long time. He trusts me.”

“I’m sure he does. That’s why he hasn’t noticed you’ve been embezzling his money, isn’t it?” Josiah knew he’d landed a punch by the way Neil’s nostrils flared.

“He’s selling croc to kids,” he snapped. “Alex used to be a croc-head, too, so I know what it’s like. It screwed up Alex’s life. It’s the reason his mum died.”

“So, you weaselled your way into Duke’s operation, made him trust you, and then you stole all his money?”

“Not all his money I’ve been very careful about it to ensure he didn’t notice.

You have no idea how lucrative his business is.

I was going to use the cash to buy Alex, but now I’ll use it to take him away instead.

Duke will never find us. You won’t, either.

I’ve got enough money to ensure we can disappear forever.

Once this storm clears, we’ll get on that helicopter, and you’ll never see either one of us again. ”

“Alex can’t leave with you, Neil. He has to give evidence in a murder trial. He’s spent years living with this, endured terrible things, all to have his moment in court. He won’t run away from that.”

Neil’s lips settled into a tight line. “I was sorry to hear about Solange, but it doesn’t change anything.”

“He cared about her.”

“She wasn’t worth it. She had her chance with Alex, but she betrayed him,” Neil snapped furiously.

“So did you,” Josiah pointed out.

Neil’s hands clenched into fists, and for a moment, Josiah thought he was going to lash out, but he took a few deep breaths and controlled himself.

“I let him down, it’s true, but he let me down, too. We’ll have a fresh start when I get him away from here. It’ll be better this time.”

Josiah gazed at Neil thoughtfully. Maybe he should let him take Alex, who was resourceful enough to make his escape when he had the opportunity, and then, at least, he’d be free…

But he knew Neil had a violent streak. He’d bludgeoned Sem and had probably killed Dacre; there was every chance he’d kill Alex, too, if he tried to escape.

It was likely that his kind of suffocating love would tip over into murderous rage if he thought he was being rejected.

“What does Alex say about all this?” Josiah asked gently. Neil was clearly deluded and there was no point convincing him to give up his plan. However, every second he could be delayed gave Reed more time to reach them.

“Alex wants to be free. He’s grateful to me for rescuing him.”

“Right…” Josiah said slowly.

Neil glanced anxiously out of the window, where the rain was still lashing down outside.

“This storm will pass soon, then we’ll leave.

” He turned back. “I’m glad you came alone.

If you’d brought Inquisitus agents with you, then I was prepared to have a shoot-out.

But as it’s just you, I can leave you here. ”

“I’m glad I didn’t bring backup, then. We don’t want any more people getting hurt, do we, Neil?”

“It wasn’t my intention to hurt people. I just want Alex.” Neil looked jumpy and anxious. “I won’t hurt you, either. When we leave, you’ll stay here until we’re safely away. My men will guard you until then.”

“Well, they’re Duke’s men, really, aren’t they? You said Duke doesn’t visit this place very often, but you don’t, either, do you? You leave the Quarterlanders to get their hands dirty. You steer well clear.”

“I don’t like the Quarterlands,” Neil agreed, his nostrils flaring again. “But Duke’s men know me and take my orders. They assume I’m acting for Duke – why wouldn’t they? I’m very good at my job. Duke trusts me implicitly.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’ve been very useful to him.

I bet you’ve maximised his profits by keeping many different bank accounts out of sight of the Thorities.

That’s how you were able to embezzle so much of his money, isn’t it?

I expect you made his affairs so complicated that he left you to it, as long as the money kept pouring in.

” The pounding in his head was starting to recede, though blood continued to trickle down his cheek and soak into his shirt.

He suspected his blue herringbone suit was ruined, too, which was a shame, as it was one of his favourites.

“Duke did well out of me. He has that nice house by the sea, all paid up. He’ll survive.”

“How long before he realises you’ve stolen a big chunk of his money and comes after you?”

“I’ve left him enough that it’ll take him a few days to figure it out. We’ll be well away by then. He’ll never find us.”

“You sure?” He sat up, testing the rope again. It was tight around his wrists, but he could move his hands far enough to reach his pockets. This wasn’t particularly useful, as all he had in them was a stash of cash cards.

“Very. Now, I don’t want to waste any more time talking to you. You’re probably stalling me to allow backup time to arrive.”

“Oh, there’s no backup. I came here alone,” he said nonchalantly.

“I’m not prepared to take that chance. You can stay here until they come and find you.” He turned to leave.

“Alex doesn’t want to go with you, Neil,” Josiah flung after him. Neil paused. “He’d rather stay an IS all his life than be free with you.”

“That’s not true.” Neil turned angrily. “He didn’t come with me at the show because his microchip was being tracked, and he didn’t want to get me into any trouble.”

Aha. Josiah remembered something else that was in his pocket.

“Of course, that makes sense,” he said soothingly. “Could I see him?” he asked. “One last time, just to say goodbye? You see, I love him, too.”

“Well, of course you do.” Neil sighed. “Everyone always does. It was like this at university. That vile Marlon Baxter and his entire crew always mooning after him, even though Alex made it clear he had no time for them.”

“Well, that’s a big part of his appeal, isn’t it?” Josiah smiled. “We always love the bad boys, don’t we?”

“Was your husband like that, too?” Neil asked, looking genuinely curious.

“God, yes,” Josiah laughed. “He was always getting into trouble. He was kicked out of the military for it. You and I are alike in that, Neil. We love that kind of man, don’t we?

No wonder we’re both drawn to Alex.” Really, Alex couldn’t have been less like Peter, but Josiah wasn’t going to tell Neil that.

“Please let me say goodbye to him. What harm could it do? I’m never going to see him again. ”

Neil looked uncertain, confused by the direction this conversation was taking.

“Let me kiss his cheek and wish him well in his new life with you,” Josiah pressed beseechingly.

“Very well.” Neil seemed won over by Josiah’s acceptance of his narrative. “I’ll go and get him, but then we’re leaving.”

“Of course.”

Neil left the room, and Josiah strained his hands to reach into his pocket.

He’d only get one chance at this. He found Alex’s microchip and clasped it firmly between his thumb and forefinger.

A few moments later the door opened and Neil returned, dragging someone with him by the arm…

Josiah’s heart did a flip as he saw it was Alex.

Alex looked terrible. His hands were tied behind his back, his clothes were ripped and blood-stained, his skin deathly pale, and his face caked in blood. He looked startled to see Josiah, but then his mouth twisted into a weary grin.

“Thanks for the rescue,” he said sardonically.

“You’re welcome.” Josiah grinned back. “Neil has explained to me that the two of you are running off together. He’s got quite a bit of money at his disposal, so you should have a nice time. Get him to take you somewhere sunny. The Caribbean is nice at this time of year.”

“Sounds good. My tan could do with a top-up,” Alex drawled.

“He said I could kiss you goodbye.” Josiah gestured with his head.

Alex glanced at Neil in surprise.

“Go ahead,” Neil told him. “It’s the last time you’ll see him, and I’m sure you’re fond of him.

He treated you well, not like that bastard, Tyler.

Just don’t try anything – you’re always your own worst enemy.

I’ll kill him if you do anything stupid.

” He pulled a gun from under his jacket and trained it on Josiah.

Alex walked slowly towards Josiah, clearly bemused.

Josiah sat there, motionless. As Alex drew close, he was able to get a better look at him, and his stomach clenched angrily.

Alex had not gone with Neil willingly. There was blood weeping from a nasty wound on his head, and his shoulder didn’t look right.

Either it was dislocated or his arm was broken, or both. So much for Neil’s vast love for him.

Josiah raised his right cheek for a kiss. “I’ll miss you,” he murmured. “You know what I’ll miss most? All those chocolates you kept putting in my pocket when I wasn’t looking.”

Alex gave a bark of laughter. “Well, I know how much you love your chocolate.”

“Yes, I do. That’s why I keep that little tin in my pocket.” Josiah stared at him steadily, keeping his right arm stuck out at an angle, trying to convey his message.