The other man grasped Stitch’s throat and pulled him close, their noses almost touching. “All right, fucking go to jail then, see if I care. You keep my name out of this, though, or I’ll hunt you down. I have a number of mates doing time.”
“All right, mate. Less of the frigging threats.”
“I hate to interrupt,” Ray said, “but the bend is almost upon us.”
As soon as the boat disappeared around the curve in the river, one of the goons produced a knife. He didn’t hesitate and slashed Ray across the throat. Then the two men raced onto the deck. The girl appeared from below and screamed.
The boat was out of control. Ray had slumped over the controls and pushed the throttle to its max.
In his dazed state, he could just make out the two goons standing on the bow getting ready to jump. He didn’t know what happened next.
The loss of blood sent him into unconsciousness…
1
Katy stretched and ran a hand over AJ’s taut muscles. “I wish I had abs like yours.” She snuggled into him.
He kissed her on the temple and hugged her tightly. “How many times do I have to tell you? There’s nothing wrong with your bloody figure. And look what it has produced, a beautiful daughter.”
Katy let out a small sigh. “She is perfect, isn’t she?”
“Just like her mum.” He used all his strength to pull her on top of him.
Katy stared down at the man she’d lost her heart to over six years before, virtually the day she’d joined the Met police after transferring from the Manchester force.
They had got engaged and had Georgina within a year of meeting, and now, after a discreet service at the weekend, they were an official couple in the eyes of God, husband and wife for their sins. They were regretting not telling their respective parents. Not so much hers, but his mother and father were bound to chuck their dummies out of the pram. His father was a Member of Parliament and had a reputation to uphold. But AJ had made sure he wasn’t reliant on his family’s wealth a long time ago, hence him joining the police force at a young age. He’d given all that up to become a house-husband and care for their delightful daughter, knowing that Katy, now an inspector again, would be bringing in more of a salary than he could earn.
“You always were a charmer. I suppose we’d better ring our parents at the weekend. Can’t say I’m looking forward to doing that.”
“Let’s get used to the idea first, just you, me and Georgina. I love you, Mrs Jackson.”
“About that, do you think I should change my name at work?”
“Why not? It’s up to you, no pressure from me.”
“I’m in two minds about it. Maybe sticking with my single name will keep you guys safe.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Criminals are getting worse, you know that. Every day, the length and breadth of the country, we hear an officer has been either abducted or hurt because they were connected with a certain case. I’d hate for anything to happen to you or Georgina because a criminal did their research into my family.”
“True enough. Although, if they were that determined to trace us, they’d find a way, no matter what name you go under.”
“Thanks for putting my mind at ease about that.” She laughed and swiped his chest. “I’d better jump in the shower.”
“Yeah, which means I have to get up and sort our little munchkin out ready for playschool.”
Katy bent to kiss him. “You’re the best husband and father around.”
“I know.” He grinned.
“You’re also very vain, but I love you all the same.”
Katy left their three-bedroom semi-detached house, which AJ managed to maintain beautifully, around thirty minutes later and drove to the police station which she affectionally called ‘her other home’. To Katy, the station really felt like the home where she spent more time than her proper home.
She waved at Charlie who was just getting out of her Ford Fiesta. “Hi, how’s it going today, Charlie?”
“Hey, I’m fine. Enough about me, did you do it?”
Katy held up her ring finger. “Yep. Sorry we couldn’t invite you. I hope you understand it was a quiet affair? Just me, AJ and Georgina. We grabbed two witnesses off the street.” She cringed, admitting that fact.
“Wow, you did? I’m fine about it. I know someone who’ll be disappointed when I tell her, though.”
Katy cringed. “Your mum, right?”
“Yep, she and Tony will be devastated they weren’t there to share your happy day.”
“I’ll give her a call this morning, in between going through the post. It’ll give me a break from the mundane. Do you really think she’s going to be angry with me?”
“Nah, she’ll be fine. A tad upset, but on the whole, she’ll be overjoyed for you.”
“Come on, you can buy your new boss a cup of coffee to celebrate her nuptials.”
They entered the building.
The desk sergeant, Mick Crawford, acknowledged them with a nod. “Morning, ladies. What a fine day it is.”
“You’re full of sunshine today, Mick, any reason for that?”
“Not really. I thought it would make a change to come to work in a positive frame of mind this morning.”
“Always good to break your routine now and again,” Katy responded, grinning.
“Cheeky. Have a good day.”
There was a twinkle in his eye that sent a chill running up Katy’s spine. In the past, if anyone dared to utter those particular words, her day usually turned out to be the complete opposite.
They walked up the stairs, nattering as they went. At the top they found DCI Roberts waiting for them. “Morning, ladies. Did you have a good weekend?”
“Yes, thanks, boss,” Charlie replied shyly.
“I did, thanks. I have some news. AJ and I tied the knot.”
Sean Roberts’ mouth gaped open for a second or two. “No way! Should I be offended that you didn’t invite me?”
“No one came, not even our parents. Actually, they still don’t know. We’re intending to break the news
