Episode 5:
A few weeks later and Meredith was happily ensconced in her gallery, all thoughts of a certain Gavin Cochran pushed to the back of her mind, till the stupidest of things would trigger them and she had to shut herself away for a while; it was ridiculous she kept telling herself he was hardly the catch of the century, an ex con and a liar to boot, so why did still feel an occasional ache in the pit of her stomach?
Shuddering slightly Meredith once more buried herself in her work, the next few weeks would be the crowning glory in her gallery's history, she had been chosen as the UK site to host a Picasso travelling exhibition; it was such a great honour and it had taken considerable bribery and arm twisting to ensure the right choice had been made. Of course it meant updating her security, not to mention upping her insurance coverage for the period but her security firm assured her that they could cope and were already liaising with an old contact from the Art's Board.
Smiling to herself as she sank back into her comfy chair Meredith allowed her eyes to drift closed and her imagination to run wild, this exhibition would put her gallery firmly on the map and would certainly serve as a loud raspberry to all her critics including the loathsome John Raymont. However just as she was starting to relax the phone started to ring, sighing in exasperation Meredith seized the handset, "Meredith Gate..."
"You stinking bh.. You whore...You cheating lying cun..." The screaming voice down the other end began, and a shocked Meredith listened to a whole diatribe of insults before slamming the phone down in disgust, buzzing through to her secretary she bellowed into the speaker, "Mary from now on will you screen my calls!"
Then shivering slightly she tired to resume her work, shaking her head she tried to forget the phone call, it was just a stupid prank, some kid trying to get his rocks off, but even so she was surprised how unnerving she found it; realising she wasn't going to get any work done till she put it all in perspective she decided to head off to her lunch meeting early.
Stepping outside of her building Meredith still couldn't shake that unnerving feeling, and so gratefully sank into the relative safety of her waiting car, missing the figure that snuck out of the nearby phone box and jumped into their white van before carefully trailing her car through the London traffic.
Meanwhile across town Gavin Cochran was at his newly refurbished gallery, striding appraisingly round the large open space Gavin's eyes barely gazed over the exorbitantly priced pieces of art that hung on the walls as his manager enthused about the additions they had been able to make to the collection prior to the gala opening in a week. In reality he had little use for art, save the lengths others were prepared to go to acquire it, and through some of his numerous contacts both at home and abroad he had managed to liberate some new pieces seized in payment of outstanding debts.
Danny had quietly grumbled about this making some muttered comment about preferring goods they could actual trade in like heroin or cocaine, and Gavin knew that he was stirring up trouble amongst the lower ranks, but he was through trying to explain himself to his lobotomised driver. If Danny wanted to land himself in jail through his own stupidity that was his call but Gavin had no intention of ever going back there again, that taster from a few weeks ago was enough to reaffirm that conviction.
However that didn't mean he was going legit, far from it in fact, it was just he was trying to upmarket his operation, going for the big fish instead of the minnows, and the big fish in his sights at the moment would afford him both professional and personal satisfaction. His plan was already coming together nicely, he had his man on the inside, and Meredith was unwittingly feeding him all the information he needed to carry it out. By the time he was finished not only would she be ruined professionally but financially as well, and then....
That he had still to decide on there was no denying the still fervent physical attraction she held for him, perhaps he could offer her a deal; find a way to have his cake and eat it too? He wouldn't deny the prospect of Meredith begging on her hands and knees for mercy wasn't a titillating notion, and he was certain if he broke her spirit that was exactly what would happen and who knows after she realised her place he might even be inclined to be generous.
Waving his manager aside with a forced smile Gavin headed off to the relative sanctuary of his office, he only had a few minutes before his informant turned up with the latest information, and he wanted to spend that time in blessed privacy. Closing the door in Danny's face Gavin wandered over to his desk, idly flicking through the mountain of mail that was piled atop his desk, before a certain package caught his eye. Ripping it open he found a manila folder, opening it he slowly pulled out a video cassette and a wedge of photographs, cuttings, and hand scrawled notes; suddenly his breath caught in his throat as he recognised the person in the captured photographs, Meredith, which meant the video was....
Choking slightly Gavin jumped up out of his seat anxious to have his suspicions confirmed; the power cut the night they had been trapped in the elevator had meant that all footage of that rendezvous had been wiped. However when he had sent some friends round to have a little chat with a certain critic he had insisted that they remove all of the files relating to both Meredith and him, and this they had certainly done sending it all on to him. Smiling to himself Gavin made a mental note to later congratulate them on a job well done but for now he had a little viewing to see to.
However just as he slid the cassette into the player there was a sharp tap at the door and Danny entered. "Boss your little mole is here to see you!"
"Fine!" Gavin snapped. "Bloody typical" he added under his breath, as Danny ushered their contact into the room, he could deal with this quickly and then settle down for an entertaining afternoon's viewing. Whirling round he fixed Ash Morgan with one of his iciest stares. "Well Mr Security what little titbits do you have for me today?"
Meanwhile across town Meredith was leaving the select French restaurant where she had been wined and dined by a journalist from the Times Review, as usual he had tried to dig about John Raymont's article but like every interview before she had either skilfully ignored the question or answered no comment. For all of Gavin's faults breaking his word did not appear to be one of them and since he promised to deal with the matter there had been no further digs from the Guardian critic or revelations in any of the more seedy downmarket rags.
It was as she was waiting for her car to navigate the downtown London traffic and pick her up that her new mobile began to ring shrilly in her Bulaggi red leather clutch bag, bought specifically to match her vintage Versace fifties Mack. Swearing under her breath she pulled it out wondering who on earth it could be as so few people had this new number. Flicking the phone open she held it to her ear but before she could speak, the person on the other end began, this time instead of the foul language there was only laboured heavy breathing, followed by guttural moaning.
Sickened and nauseas Meredith slammed the phone shut but as soon as she did it began to ring again, once more the number was withheld, shaking but determined not the let the bastard get her down she opened the phone this time to be greeted by high pitched grunting as the person on the other got more and more worked up.
"Listen you sick fuck, you're not going to get away with this I know people, I could have you hunted down and all protruding parts cut off!" Meredith shouted bravely, trying to keep the panic out of her voice.
"Not if I get you first!" The garbled voice hissed down the phone, before laughing manically. "Oh I love the outfit, red is so your colour by the way, do you have red underwear on as well? I bet you do you dirty bitch, I bet you've worn them just for me!" He added tauntingly.
Shaking now Meredith glanced around her, "What do you mean...What are you talking about?"
"The coat it's lovely, very you I might add, personally I think it would go well with a pair of silky red panties and knee high boots, nothing else, you could ride me all day in an outfit like that, well after I've ripped the panties off of course! Would you like too? You must be getting real lonesome since you gave the little boyfriend the old heave ho..."
Unable to think of an answer and panicking that this freak was following her around and knew so much about her life Meredith slammed the phone shut once more, ignoring it when it began to ring again. Then as her car drew up alongside she threw the still ringing phone in the nearest dustbin, jumping in the car before her driver could get out and open the door and then urging him to hurry.
A moment after she pulled away, a lone figure slid out of the alleyway attached to the restaurant, striding quickly over to the dustbin he pulled out Meredith's abandoned phone before dumping his own stolen mobile in its place. Striding down the street he headed back to the relative sanctuary of his beaten old van before pulling out the phone, and giving into temptation he pulled off his cotton gloves caressing the still warm object tenderly before raising it to his nose and breathing in the scent of fear that still clung to it, feeling that familiar tightening in his groin. The tinge of fear in her voice had been so gratifying, from now on he should try and record it, so he could replay their exchanges over and over again when he was alone, but even so today's games had borne fruit. Flicking through her phonebook his smile deepened when his eyes alighted on the very number he was looking for, 'Meredith Home'.
For Gavin Cochrane the afternoon just kept getting better and better, Ash had informed him of the perfect set up for his plan, which by a few simple phone calls he had set the final wheels in motion. As a reward for this he had instructed his assistant to hold all calls and told Danny to keep people out, and now settled down in the privacy of his office to finally watch that tape. Pouring himself a scotch on the rocks he pressed play on the remote, fortunately as it was security footage there was no sound, but he didn't need any sound effects as the moment the images appeared on the screen he could remember the evening as if it was yesterday. Loosening his tie he resisted the urge adjust any other clothing determined that he should be able to watch it without some modicum of self control. After all he was only watching it from a purely professional interest; he was Gavin Cochran he had no need to get off whilst watching dirty video's not when he had a whole string of willing employees who would be only too delighted do it for him. The trouble was ever since Meredith all other women, no matter how attractive or willing seemed to pale in comparison, and the last time he had given up half way through due to sheer boredom.
Taking another swig of his scotch Gavin had to resist the urge to pause the tape as at present there was an extremely pleasant view, but all of a sudden the door to his office was barged open and in stormed a fuming Meredith Gates, an apologetic Danny trailing a few steps behind her.
"You Bastard!" She spat, her long dark locks flowing out behind her like a vengeful harpy.
"I'm sorry boss she just slipped past..." Danny began but an impatient Gavin waved him aside.
"Leave us will you!" He snapped, staring angrily at Danny, after all what if Meredith had been an armed gunman, would his second in command have come sauntering in, standing over his bullet ridden corpse and saying 'sorry boss just didn't see him'.
"Meredith darling to what do I owe the pleasure? Just come to see whether I've been banged up already?" Gavin taunted, blatantly leaving the tape running in the background, a part of him intrigued as to how she would react when confronted with it.
"You know very well why I'm here, of all the sick little tricks you've pulled this is the lowest!" Meredith spat.
For a moment Gavin froze she couldn't know? However his confused expression apparently had the desired affect, as the confidant fury on her face began to slip. "No I don't perhaps you'd care to fill me in on what I am supposed to have done this time, however its anything like the last accusations you threw at me, breaking in and trespassing..." Gavin trailed off snorting at his own joke.
"How about stalking? Malicious phone calls, those disgusting obscene messages..." Meredith began her whole frame shaking as she recalled the vile things that had been said to her.
"No nothing to do with me?" Gavin retorted, suppressing the reflexive twinge of concern as he heard what some sicko had been putting her through. "Perhaps you should check with the rest of the men you've manipulated and trodden all over, but I suppose that would take some time and your youth is waning fast."
"Stop it! Stop lying who else would know....those things..." Meredith stopped, she had caught sight of something distracting in the mirror behind Gavin, and whirling round she caught sight of the television set into the wall behind her and the somewhat compromising position her screen self was now in made her blush to her roots. "You sick bd!" She hissed, storming over to the television and searching for the eject button.
"I suppose you think that's funny, making me feel watched and frightened that some unhinged mental patient is following my every mood, copping off down the phone at me whilst making the most obscene threats, then knowing I'd put it all together and come over her only to confront me with this!" She demanded, furiously brandishing the tape in front of him. "This filth." She added as she ripped at the magnetic tape.
Suddenly angry Gavin stormed across the office, wresting the tape from her hands, but Meredith wasn't prepared to give up that easily, and she flew at him arms stretching out to seize it back, taking advantage of the situation Gavin held the tape up high above their heads. "What's the matter dear can't you reach..."
But before he could finish his sentence Meredith had stamped down smartly on his toes with her ridiculously expensive Jimmy Cho's, causing him to instinctively crouch down, and she victoriously prised the cassette from his loosened grip.
"Mine I think!" She hissed before whirling round intent on heading out the way she came, but suddenly she felt a strong hand grip her elbow dragging her back. "Let me go!" She exclaimed kicking out as much as she could but soon Gavin had wrapped an arm round her waist, and whirling round she let her hand fly intent on catching him hard round the face but he caught that too.
For a moment their eyes locked and Meredith felt herself being drawn into his crystal blues, trying to fight it still she pulled away slightly but this time Gavin refused to let her go. Wrapping his arm firmly round her waist he pulled her towards him, bending down and crushing his lips to hers before pushing her backwards towards the sofa.
Breaking their kiss for a moment Meredith managed to gasp. "I still don't like you, you know!"
"I know!" Gavin retorted, his hands moving the pull at the fastenings on her coat and dress. "I can't stand you either if it's any consolation!"
"Good just glad we cleared that up!" Meredith replied hastily before grabbing him by the collar and kissing him senseless, and then running her fingers through his hair she pulled him roughly down onto the sofa with her, all thoughts of stalkers and revenge the furthest things from their minds.
Half an hour later a now much calmer Meredith slipped back into her dress, resisting the desire to glance back over her shoulder where she knew the still naked Gavin lay reclining on the couch finishing off his cigarette. "There is no need to rush off you know." He muttered, smiling as he ran his hand up her toned thigh and stroking the soft skin reverently.
"I have a meeting..." Meredith began, instinctively shivering as his caresses grew more insistent.
"Liar!" Gavin retorted, swinging his legs off the couch and standing up behind her, roughly pulling on his trousers before wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her firmly back against him, his lips moving to kiss up and down her sensitive neck. "Spend the day with me!" He whispered as he nibbled on her ear.
"I have work to do." Meredith gasped but she quickly felt her resolve slipping.
"So have I and I need your help!" Gavin retorted as he slowly unzipped her dress.
"Really and why should I help you?" Meredith retorted but she still didn't try and stop his explorations. "I mean from what I hear you have plenty of paid employees to help you out, including a certain ex-manager of mine, I might add!"
Chuckling softly as he drew her round to face him. "Don't expect me to apologise."
"I wouldn't that would almost be too much!" Meredith retorted, running her hands across his toned chest to wrap around his neck.
"Well he can't help me with what I have in mind, or more to the point he might offer but I would hardly accept!" Gavin replied, leaning and claiming her lips with his own, kissing her gently as he drew her back over to his desk.
"And what pray do you have in mind?" Meredith managed to mumble in between kisses.
Smiling Gavin pulled away and patted his desk top suggestively. "You're a clever girl; I'll let you figure it out!"
Smiling back saucily Meredith dropped her loosened dress to the floor before moving to sit on the edge of the desk, then as Gavin moved in to kiss her once more, she raised a hand to his lips to stall him before asking. "Just so I know will we be christening any other items of your office furniture this afternoon?"
"Wait and see!" Gavin retorted mysteriously. "But it's a big gallery you might want to clear your schedule for the foreseeable future!"
However unfortunately for them both the foreseeable future wasn't as long as either of them had hoped for, about ten minutes later the large double doors to Gavin's office were thrown open and in strode a short irate bottle blond. Startled the lovers immediately separated, Meredith moving to stand behind Gavin in an effort to preserve some of her modesty whilst she quickly pulled on her dress and over his shoulder she sized up the intruder. The blonde was obviously a bottle job and a bad one at that, her once attractive face, now heavily lined from years of tanning, was an interesting mix of orangey brown which practically screamed out perma tanning to anyone who even glanced at her and Meredith had to smother the reflexive snigger, but deep down she was surprised to find herself relieved.
"Why am I not surprised to find you with your trousers down?" The blonde hissed.
"Listen Melissa you can't just come barging in here..." Gavin began as he hurriedly pulled them back up.
"Why the hell not, I mean it's not like you've been to see us since you've been out!" She snapped back. "But then why should I mean I'm only your WIFE!" She added glaring specifically at Meredith. "That's right his WIFE, so why don't you pack your things and get the hell out of here Miss Thing, I'm sure Mr Cochrane here will settle his bill later!"
That shot hit home and Gavin felt it as Meredith practically jolted from the blast, immediately drawing back from him as he felt the sudden absence of her breath and the heat from her body against his back and shoulders. "Estranged Wife!" He countered back. "I mean we were hardly the happy family before prison, in fact as I recall you had already embarked on yet another of your doomed affairs before I went in, who was it that time oh yes Larry, double glazing salesman wasn't he?" Gavin snapped.
"How...You knew!" Melissa gasped.
"Of course I knew, you were hardly discrete and it was always a blessed relief from my part, meant it kept you away from my bed!" Gavin retorted. "So what's happened this time, some other poor bastard realised the error of his ways and dumped you so you thought oh that poor shumuck of a husband is out of jail let's go ruin his life?"
"No I wanted to see you, try and work things out..." Melissa began but Gavin cut her off.
"What for the kids tell me how are your bastards?" Gavin snorted. "Lets be honest we both know that's not why you're here, let me guess you got wind of my new London lifestyle and decided you wanted a slice of the action?"
"No! The children want to see you, and I don't care what you say as far as the law is concerned all three are yours!" She countered angrily, dumping her fake Fendi purse on Gavin's desk.
So engrossed in their own argument neither party noticed as Meredith slowly gathered her things together, stuffing her discarded knickers quickly into her bag and slipping on her Jimmy Cho heels she wrapped her coat around her shoulders pausing only to retrieve the abandoned video cassette from its resting place under the couch; there was no way she was leaving that behind. It was only as she made her way towards the door that Gavin stopped his wrangling with his harridan of a wife and strode round the desk to stop her.
"I'm sorry, I would never have wanted you to find out this way, I would have told you...." He explained, holding his hands out in an effort to placate the now steaming Meredith.
"When?" She demanded. "When the hell would you have told me, surely the best time would have been before now!"
"It never seemed like the right time, and you've always said yourself this was just sex and every time I've tried to turn it into something else you've slapped me back." Gavin began defensively but Meredith cut him off, trying to keep the unbidden tears from falling and the hurt tone from her voice.
"Well that's just fine then, no harm done or anything." Meredith hissed but she couldn't keep the tell tale chocked up sound from her voice.
"You are upset!" Gavin retorted. "So you do care more than you let on..."
"I'm embarrassed." Meredith countered but she couldn't look him in the eye, afraid that he'd see the tears that were pooling there.
"Look at me!" Gavin growled and when she refused to obey he seized her chin and forcibly turned her to face him, the tears by now slowly slipping down over her porcelain cheeks, and he gently moved a thumb to brush them away. "I'm sorry." He whispered softly.
Pushing his hand away Meredith pulled out of his grasp before replying. "No but you will be!" Then just as she was reaching the doors Melissa crowed out from across the room.
"Finally got the message then, go on run along I'm sure you've got plenty of other clients this afternoon!"
Stopping dead in her tracks Meredith whirled round on her designer heels, covering the distance between them in a matter of moments before letting fly a well placed open palmed slap to the older woman's face; for a moment Melissa simply stood in shock before launching an all out assault on the brunette, the fake Fendi coming into its own as it's owner swung it like a ball and chain.
Stunned for a moment Gavin was practically glued to the spot, unable to believe the cat fight that had just broken out in the middle of his office, and for a instant he found himself rooting Meredith on a brief surge of pride as she managed to land quite an impressive backhander before it descended into the usual format of scratching and hair pulling. "Ladies please..." He tried to cut in and prise them apart, but a well placed elbow to somewhere sensitive soon had him crashing to his knees whilst the battle of the bitches carried on and this time it was the sound of ripping fabric that filled the air.
"You bitch..." Melissa screeched as she stared down at the wreckage of her bag, "That was a present." She added before launching herself at Meredith and forcing her down on the floor, her hands wrapping around the brunettes pale throat. Kicking out Meredith managed to roll them over, before scrambling away from her assailant, her hands automatically moving to caress her throat, then after gasping for breath she retorted. "A cheap fake like that, I did you a favour but then again I suppose that's your style, fake bag, fake blonde, fake tan I wonder which, if any of your attributes are real?"
Howling like a dozen denizens of hell Melissa made a last ditch attempt to wipe the smug look off Meredith's face but before she could get there the office doors opened once more and three children aged roughly between eleven and seven peered round the door. "Daddy" The youngest called out happily, dashing across the office to practically fling herself at her father, and a surprised Gavin could do nothing but return her hug.
"We've been waiting to see you for ages, when are you coming home; Mummy said you'd be coming home soon!" The little girl lisped.
Suddenly embarrassed Meredith brushed her messed up hair away from her face, grabbing her bag and pulling her coat on properly, she ignored Gavin's call for her to wait and strode out of the office and into the lobby; blanking the curious questioning glances from the other two children and their hovering Portuguese nanny and hurrying to catch the waiting lift.
It wasn't until she hit fresh air that the dam finally burst and tears flowed freely down her cheeks, clouding her vision as she tried to hide her mascara stained face from passers by, spotting her car through the teary haze she staggered over to it, wrenching the back door open and collapsing onto the back seat. Burying her head in her hands she didn't even glance up at her driver, simply croaking out the instruction "Take me home James", before closing her eyes and resting her head against the soft leather seat futilely wiping at her tear stained cheeks.
Meanwhile upstairs a now irate Gavin Cochran ushered the children out of his office, signalling to their nanny to show them around the gallery before turning back to confront his wife. "Why now?" He asked his voice dangerously low.
"What?" Melissa retorted nervously, she had seen Gavin angry on many occasions and normally he would storm around and slam doors but she had never seem him this angry before.
"Why do you have to pick now to come back into my life, just when things are finally looking brighter..." Gavin reiterated stalking across the room and pulling his shirt on.
"What because of that bh..." Melissa began but Gavin cut her off.
"Don't you dare!" Gavin warned. "You don't have any right to talk about her at all let alone like that!"
"No of course not I'm only your wife!" Melissa snapped.
"In name only, we both know there was never anything between us, except perhaps a large scoop of guilt mixed in with convenience!" Gavin retorted.
"Yes and we both know whose!" Melissa added. "Even you admit Tony's death was all your fault, I'd still have a husband and James and Sarah would still have their real father...."
"Oh here we go again!" Gavin mimicked. "It was an accident and believe me being married to you has certainly made me feel like I've paid over and over again for that mistake, and besides I adopted them I provide for them, so as you so rightly put it I'm their father as far as the law is concerned. It wasn't like I asked for much in return, a child of my own, but even that you've seen fit to take away from me, or do you now retract that little confession of yours?"
"No!" Melissa exclaimed smugly. "I won't because it's the truth, she's not yours and I know that little fact hurts you more than anything you can ever do to me."
"Really?" Gavin asked. "Well how about we try this on for size, I want a divorce!"
"You can't be serious?" Melissa managed to gasp after a few seconds.
"Oh I am deadly serious, I've finally got my life heading the way I want and I refuse to let you tag along any longer, I'm cutting you adrift Melissa." Gavin retorted as he fastened his tie and pulled on his jacket, checking his appearance in the mirror behind him and watching with grim satisfaction as Melissa sank dejected into a desk chair. "Oh don't worry I'll leave you with a nice settlement, set up trust funds for the children, that should leave you free to pursue those torrid affairs of yours out in the open."
"And you yours!" Melissa hissed, as she finally found her voice, grabbing her ruined bag and striding towards the door.
"Mine is different!" Gavin retorted his blue eyes hardening as they locked with his wife.
"Why? Because this one is a high class whore?" Melissa demanded as she glanced back over her shoulder.
"No because one day she is going to be my wife!" Gavin replied, walking across the room and past the stunned Melissa until he reached the double doors, seizing one roughly he pulled it sharply open. "Now if you don't mind I have work to do!"
Walking past him practically shaking with fury Melissa locked his gaze. "You'll regret this Gavin, I'm going to make it my life's work if I have to but I'll make you pay, when I'm through even your toffy nosed tart won't want you, then who knows maybe you'll end up like your brother and take a run and jump off a building!"
For a moment Gavin had to fight the impulse to lash out, but he quickly realized that was exactly what she wanted. "Goodbye Melissa I'll see you in court!" He replied tersely before shutting the door in her face.
Sighing deeply he fought down the ghosts that her visit had exorcised, all that was behind him and he had to concentrate on the future, his future with Meredith perhaps? He didn't know why he had said that, it had just come out but somehow it felt right and now the idea was there he knew he wouldn't be able to shift it, but first he had some serious damage limitation to embark on.
Walking out of his office he scanned the area for Danny, realizing his driver had disappeared for the time being he headed down to the reception desk to ask if they had seen him, however the scene that greeted him was not what he had expected. Standing by the desk holding a hand towel to his bleeding head was James, Meredith's driver, and for a moment Gavin panicked immediately thinking there had been an accident.
"Mr Cochran sir..." James blurted out when he spotted Gavin. "It's awful she'll sack me for sure, but I was only taking a quick leak and I couldn't have been out more then ten fifteen minutes, but its gone..."
"What is?" Gavin demanded automatically scanning the street outside for Meredith.
"The car sir someone's stolen it, hit me over the head when I was in the bathroom and stolen the keys... Ms Gates will be so angry, could you tell her when she comes down?"
"But she's already left?" Gavin exclaimed, whirling round to the receptionist. "How long ago did Ms Gates leave, did she get a cab or walk?"
"Urm, I'm not sure sir, it couldn't have been more than ten minutes."
"And was the car still there?"
"I don't know it might have been, she definitely got in a car and it wasn't a hackney but it was only there a moment or two..." The receptionist stuttered.
"Well did anyone else see anything?" Gavin demanded whirling round and glaring at his staff, but they all shook their heads. "What the hell do I pay you imbeciles for?..." Gavin began, his whole frame shaking with fury.
Then suddenly in strode Danny clutching a large takeaway cappuccino. "Hey Boss you want to go somewhere?"
"Yes when I find out where Meredith went to..."
"Oh she drove off around ten minutes ago, you know that jag of hers is really something maybe we should think about trading in the merc..."
"She was in her car?" Gavin demanded. "Then who the hell was driving?"
Meanwhile across town the jaguar slowly came to a stop, in the back of the car Meredith sluggishly opened her eyes realizing she must have dropped off for a moment, but what with the emotional stress of the day that was hardly surprising.
Swinging her legs out the car when her driver opened it for her she finally glanced up at her surroundings, momentarily confused she turned round to question James but suddenly a hand grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth and nose with a strange smelling cloth. For a moment she struggled futilely, fighting against the fog that began to cloud her brain urging her to sleep, but inevitable she passed out and her attacker slowly dragged her off the street.
A few weeks later and Meredith was happily ensconced in her gallery, all thoughts of a certain Gavin Cochran pushed to the back of her mind, till the stupidest of things would trigger them and she had to shut herself away for a while; it was ridiculous she kept telling herself he was hardly the catch of the century, an ex con and a liar to boot, so why did still feel an occasional ache in the pit of her stomach?
Shuddering slightly Meredith once more buried herself in her work, the next few weeks would be the crowning glory in her gallery's history, she had been chosen as the UK site to host a Picasso travelling exhibition; it was such a great honour and it had taken considerable bribery and arm twisting to ensure the right choice had been made. Of course it meant updating her security, not to mention upping her insurance coverage for the period but her security firm assured her that they could cope and were already liaising with an old contact from the Art's Board.
Smiling to herself as she sank back into her comfy chair Meredith allowed her eyes to drift closed and her imagination to run wild, this exhibition would put her gallery firmly on the map and would certainly serve as a loud raspberry to all her critics including the loathsome John Raymont. However just as she was starting to relax the phone started to ring, sighing in exasperation Meredith seized the handset, "Meredith Gate..."
"You stinking bh.. You whore...You cheating lying cun..." The screaming voice down the other end began, and a shocked Meredith listened to a whole diatribe of insults before slamming the phone down in disgust, buzzing through to her secretary she bellowed into the speaker, "Mary from now on will you screen my calls!"
Then shivering slightly she tired to resume her work, shaking her head she tried to forget the phone call, it was just a stupid prank, some kid trying to get his rocks off, but even so she was surprised how unnerving she found it; realising she wasn't going to get any work done till she put it all in perspective she decided to head off to her lunch meeting early.
Stepping outside of her building Meredith still couldn't shake that unnerving feeling, and so gratefully sank into the relative safety of her waiting car, missing the figure that snuck out of the nearby phone box and jumped into their white van before carefully trailing her car through the London traffic.
Meanwhile across town Gavin Cochran was at his newly refurbished gallery, striding appraisingly round the large open space Gavin's eyes barely gazed over the exorbitantly priced pieces of art that hung on the walls as his manager enthused about the additions they had been able to make to the collection prior to the gala opening in a week. In reality he had little use for art, save the lengths others were prepared to go to acquire it, and through some of his numerous contacts both at home and abroad he had managed to liberate some new pieces seized in payment of outstanding debts.
Danny had quietly grumbled about this making some muttered comment about preferring goods they could actual trade in like heroin or cocaine, and Gavin knew that he was stirring up trouble amongst the lower ranks, but he was through trying to explain himself to his lobotomised driver. If Danny wanted to land himself in jail through his own stupidity that was his call but Gavin had no intention of ever going back there again, that taster from a few weeks ago was enough to reaffirm that conviction.
However that didn't mean he was going legit, far from it in fact, it was just he was trying to upmarket his operation, going for the big fish instead of the minnows, and the big fish in his sights at the moment would afford him both professional and personal satisfaction. His plan was already coming together nicely, he had his man on the inside, and Meredith was unwittingly feeding him all the information he needed to carry it out. By the time he was finished not only would she be ruined professionally but financially as well, and then....
That he had still to decide on there was no denying the still fervent physical attraction she held for him, perhaps he could offer her a deal; find a way to have his cake and eat it too? He wouldn't deny the prospect of Meredith begging on her hands and knees for mercy wasn't a titillating notion, and he was certain if he broke her spirit that was exactly what would happen and who knows after she realised her place he might even be inclined to be generous.
Waving his manager aside with a forced smile Gavin headed off to the relative sanctuary of his office, he only had a few minutes before his informant turned up with the latest information, and he wanted to spend that time in blessed privacy. Closing the door in Danny's face Gavin wandered over to his desk, idly flicking through the mountain of mail that was piled atop his desk, before a certain package caught his eye. Ripping it open he found a manila folder, opening it he slowly pulled out a video cassette and a wedge of photographs, cuttings, and hand scrawled notes; suddenly his breath caught in his throat as he recognised the person in the captured photographs, Meredith, which meant the video was....
Choking slightly Gavin jumped up out of his seat anxious to have his suspicions confirmed; the power cut the night they had been trapped in the elevator had meant that all footage of that rendezvous had been wiped. However when he had sent some friends round to have a little chat with a certain critic he had insisted that they remove all of the files relating to both Meredith and him, and this they had certainly done sending it all on to him. Smiling to himself Gavin made a mental note to later congratulate them on a job well done but for now he had a little viewing to see to.
However just as he slid the cassette into the player there was a sharp tap at the door and Danny entered. "Boss your little mole is here to see you!"
"Fine!" Gavin snapped. "Bloody typical" he added under his breath, as Danny ushered their contact into the room, he could deal with this quickly and then settle down for an entertaining afternoon's viewing. Whirling round he fixed Ash Morgan with one of his iciest stares. "Well Mr Security what little titbits do you have for me today?"
Meanwhile across town Meredith was leaving the select French restaurant where she had been wined and dined by a journalist from the Times Review, as usual he had tried to dig about John Raymont's article but like every interview before she had either skilfully ignored the question or answered no comment. For all of Gavin's faults breaking his word did not appear to be one of them and since he promised to deal with the matter there had been no further digs from the Guardian critic or revelations in any of the more seedy downmarket rags.
It was as she was waiting for her car to navigate the downtown London traffic and pick her up that her new mobile began to ring shrilly in her Bulaggi red leather clutch bag, bought specifically to match her vintage Versace fifties Mack. Swearing under her breath she pulled it out wondering who on earth it could be as so few people had this new number. Flicking the phone open she held it to her ear but before she could speak, the person on the other end began, this time instead of the foul language there was only laboured heavy breathing, followed by guttural moaning.
Sickened and nauseas Meredith slammed the phone shut but as soon as she did it began to ring again, once more the number was withheld, shaking but determined not the let the bastard get her down she opened the phone this time to be greeted by high pitched grunting as the person on the other got more and more worked up.
"Listen you sick fuck, you're not going to get away with this I know people, I could have you hunted down and all protruding parts cut off!" Meredith shouted bravely, trying to keep the panic out of her voice.
"Not if I get you first!" The garbled voice hissed down the phone, before laughing manically. "Oh I love the outfit, red is so your colour by the way, do you have red underwear on as well? I bet you do you dirty bitch, I bet you've worn them just for me!" He added tauntingly.
Shaking now Meredith glanced around her, "What do you mean...What are you talking about?"
"The coat it's lovely, very you I might add, personally I think it would go well with a pair of silky red panties and knee high boots, nothing else, you could ride me all day in an outfit like that, well after I've ripped the panties off of course! Would you like too? You must be getting real lonesome since you gave the little boyfriend the old heave ho..."
Unable to think of an answer and panicking that this freak was following her around and knew so much about her life Meredith slammed the phone shut once more, ignoring it when it began to ring again. Then as her car drew up alongside she threw the still ringing phone in the nearest dustbin, jumping in the car before her driver could get out and open the door and then urging him to hurry.
A moment after she pulled away, a lone figure slid out of the alleyway attached to the restaurant, striding quickly over to the dustbin he pulled out Meredith's abandoned phone before dumping his own stolen mobile in its place. Striding down the street he headed back to the relative sanctuary of his beaten old van before pulling out the phone, and giving into temptation he pulled off his cotton gloves caressing the still warm object tenderly before raising it to his nose and breathing in the scent of fear that still clung to it, feeling that familiar tightening in his groin. The tinge of fear in her voice had been so gratifying, from now on he should try and record it, so he could replay their exchanges over and over again when he was alone, but even so today's games had borne fruit. Flicking through her phonebook his smile deepened when his eyes alighted on the very number he was looking for, 'Meredith Home'.
For Gavin Cochrane the afternoon just kept getting better and better, Ash had informed him of the perfect set up for his plan, which by a few simple phone calls he had set the final wheels in motion. As a reward for this he had instructed his assistant to hold all calls and told Danny to keep people out, and now settled down in the privacy of his office to finally watch that tape. Pouring himself a scotch on the rocks he pressed play on the remote, fortunately as it was security footage there was no sound, but he didn't need any sound effects as the moment the images appeared on the screen he could remember the evening as if it was yesterday. Loosening his tie he resisted the urge adjust any other clothing determined that he should be able to watch it without some modicum of self control. After all he was only watching it from a purely professional interest; he was Gavin Cochran he had no need to get off whilst watching dirty video's not when he had a whole string of willing employees who would be only too delighted do it for him. The trouble was ever since Meredith all other women, no matter how attractive or willing seemed to pale in comparison, and the last time he had given up half way through due to sheer boredom.
Taking another swig of his scotch Gavin had to resist the urge to pause the tape as at present there was an extremely pleasant view, but all of a sudden the door to his office was barged open and in stormed a fuming Meredith Gates, an apologetic Danny trailing a few steps behind her.
"You Bastard!" She spat, her long dark locks flowing out behind her like a vengeful harpy.
"I'm sorry boss she just slipped past..." Danny began but an impatient Gavin waved him aside.
"Leave us will you!" He snapped, staring angrily at Danny, after all what if Meredith had been an armed gunman, would his second in command have come sauntering in, standing over his bullet ridden corpse and saying 'sorry boss just didn't see him'.
"Meredith darling to what do I owe the pleasure? Just come to see whether I've been banged up already?" Gavin taunted, blatantly leaving the tape running in the background, a part of him intrigued as to how she would react when confronted with it.
"You know very well why I'm here, of all the sick little tricks you've pulled this is the lowest!" Meredith spat.
For a moment Gavin froze she couldn't know? However his confused expression apparently had the desired affect, as the confidant fury on her face began to slip. "No I don't perhaps you'd care to fill me in on what I am supposed to have done this time, however its anything like the last accusations you threw at me, breaking in and trespassing..." Gavin trailed off snorting at his own joke.
"How about stalking? Malicious phone calls, those disgusting obscene messages..." Meredith began her whole frame shaking as she recalled the vile things that had been said to her.
"No nothing to do with me?" Gavin retorted, suppressing the reflexive twinge of concern as he heard what some sicko had been putting her through. "Perhaps you should check with the rest of the men you've manipulated and trodden all over, but I suppose that would take some time and your youth is waning fast."
"Stop it! Stop lying who else would know....those things..." Meredith stopped, she had caught sight of something distracting in the mirror behind Gavin, and whirling round she caught sight of the television set into the wall behind her and the somewhat compromising position her screen self was now in made her blush to her roots. "You sick bd!" She hissed, storming over to the television and searching for the eject button.
"I suppose you think that's funny, making me feel watched and frightened that some unhinged mental patient is following my every mood, copping off down the phone at me whilst making the most obscene threats, then knowing I'd put it all together and come over her only to confront me with this!" She demanded, furiously brandishing the tape in front of him. "This filth." She added as she ripped at the magnetic tape.
Suddenly angry Gavin stormed across the office, wresting the tape from her hands, but Meredith wasn't prepared to give up that easily, and she flew at him arms stretching out to seize it back, taking advantage of the situation Gavin held the tape up high above their heads. "What's the matter dear can't you reach..."
But before he could finish his sentence Meredith had stamped down smartly on his toes with her ridiculously expensive Jimmy Cho's, causing him to instinctively crouch down, and she victoriously prised the cassette from his loosened grip.
"Mine I think!" She hissed before whirling round intent on heading out the way she came, but suddenly she felt a strong hand grip her elbow dragging her back. "Let me go!" She exclaimed kicking out as much as she could but soon Gavin had wrapped an arm round her waist, and whirling round she let her hand fly intent on catching him hard round the face but he caught that too.
For a moment their eyes locked and Meredith felt herself being drawn into his crystal blues, trying to fight it still she pulled away slightly but this time Gavin refused to let her go. Wrapping his arm firmly round her waist he pulled her towards him, bending down and crushing his lips to hers before pushing her backwards towards the sofa.
Breaking their kiss for a moment Meredith managed to gasp. "I still don't like you, you know!"
"I know!" Gavin retorted, his hands moving the pull at the fastenings on her coat and dress. "I can't stand you either if it's any consolation!"
"Good just glad we cleared that up!" Meredith replied hastily before grabbing him by the collar and kissing him senseless, and then running her fingers through his hair she pulled him roughly down onto the sofa with her, all thoughts of stalkers and revenge the furthest things from their minds.
Half an hour later a now much calmer Meredith slipped back into her dress, resisting the desire to glance back over her shoulder where she knew the still naked Gavin lay reclining on the couch finishing off his cigarette. "There is no need to rush off you know." He muttered, smiling as he ran his hand up her toned thigh and stroking the soft skin reverently.
"I have a meeting..." Meredith began, instinctively shivering as his caresses grew more insistent.
"Liar!" Gavin retorted, swinging his legs off the couch and standing up behind her, roughly pulling on his trousers before wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her firmly back against him, his lips moving to kiss up and down her sensitive neck. "Spend the day with me!" He whispered as he nibbled on her ear.
"I have work to do." Meredith gasped but she quickly felt her resolve slipping.
"So have I and I need your help!" Gavin retorted as he slowly unzipped her dress.
"Really and why should I help you?" Meredith retorted but she still didn't try and stop his explorations. "I mean from what I hear you have plenty of paid employees to help you out, including a certain ex-manager of mine, I might add!"
Chuckling softly as he drew her round to face him. "Don't expect me to apologise."
"I wouldn't that would almost be too much!" Meredith retorted, running her hands across his toned chest to wrap around his neck.
"Well he can't help me with what I have in mind, or more to the point he might offer but I would hardly accept!" Gavin replied, leaning and claiming her lips with his own, kissing her gently as he drew her back over to his desk.
"And what pray do you have in mind?" Meredith managed to mumble in between kisses.
Smiling Gavin pulled away and patted his desk top suggestively. "You're a clever girl; I'll let you figure it out!"
Smiling back saucily Meredith dropped her loosened dress to the floor before moving to sit on the edge of the desk, then as Gavin moved in to kiss her once more, she raised a hand to his lips to stall him before asking. "Just so I know will we be christening any other items of your office furniture this afternoon?"
"Wait and see!" Gavin retorted mysteriously. "But it's a big gallery you might want to clear your schedule for the foreseeable future!"
However unfortunately for them both the foreseeable future wasn't as long as either of them had hoped for, about ten minutes later the large double doors to Gavin's office were thrown open and in strode a short irate bottle blond. Startled the lovers immediately separated, Meredith moving to stand behind Gavin in an effort to preserve some of her modesty whilst she quickly pulled on her dress and over his shoulder she sized up the intruder. The blonde was obviously a bottle job and a bad one at that, her once attractive face, now heavily lined from years of tanning, was an interesting mix of orangey brown which practically screamed out perma tanning to anyone who even glanced at her and Meredith had to smother the reflexive snigger, but deep down she was surprised to find herself relieved.
"Why am I not surprised to find you with your trousers down?" The blonde hissed.
"Listen Melissa you can't just come barging in here..." Gavin began as he hurriedly pulled them back up.
"Why the hell not, I mean it's not like you've been to see us since you've been out!" She snapped back. "But then why should I mean I'm only your WIFE!" She added glaring specifically at Meredith. "That's right his WIFE, so why don't you pack your things and get the hell out of here Miss Thing, I'm sure Mr Cochrane here will settle his bill later!"
That shot hit home and Gavin felt it as Meredith practically jolted from the blast, immediately drawing back from him as he felt the sudden absence of her breath and the heat from her body against his back and shoulders. "Estranged Wife!" He countered back. "I mean we were hardly the happy family before prison, in fact as I recall you had already embarked on yet another of your doomed affairs before I went in, who was it that time oh yes Larry, double glazing salesman wasn't he?" Gavin snapped.
"How...You knew!" Melissa gasped.
"Of course I knew, you were hardly discrete and it was always a blessed relief from my part, meant it kept you away from my bed!" Gavin retorted. "So what's happened this time, some other poor bastard realised the error of his ways and dumped you so you thought oh that poor shumuck of a husband is out of jail let's go ruin his life?"
"No I wanted to see you, try and work things out..." Melissa began but Gavin cut her off.
"What for the kids tell me how are your bastards?" Gavin snorted. "Lets be honest we both know that's not why you're here, let me guess you got wind of my new London lifestyle and decided you wanted a slice of the action?"
"No! The children want to see you, and I don't care what you say as far as the law is concerned all three are yours!" She countered angrily, dumping her fake Fendi purse on Gavin's desk.
So engrossed in their own argument neither party noticed as Meredith slowly gathered her things together, stuffing her discarded knickers quickly into her bag and slipping on her Jimmy Cho heels she wrapped her coat around her shoulders pausing only to retrieve the abandoned video cassette from its resting place under the couch; there was no way she was leaving that behind. It was only as she made her way towards the door that Gavin stopped his wrangling with his harridan of a wife and strode round the desk to stop her.
"I'm sorry, I would never have wanted you to find out this way, I would have told you...." He explained, holding his hands out in an effort to placate the now steaming Meredith.
"When?" She demanded. "When the hell would you have told me, surely the best time would have been before now!"
"It never seemed like the right time, and you've always said yourself this was just sex and every time I've tried to turn it into something else you've slapped me back." Gavin began defensively but Meredith cut him off, trying to keep the unbidden tears from falling and the hurt tone from her voice.
"Well that's just fine then, no harm done or anything." Meredith hissed but she couldn't keep the tell tale chocked up sound from her voice.
"You are upset!" Gavin retorted. "So you do care more than you let on..."
"I'm embarrassed." Meredith countered but she couldn't look him in the eye, afraid that he'd see the tears that were pooling there.
"Look at me!" Gavin growled and when she refused to obey he seized her chin and forcibly turned her to face him, the tears by now slowly slipping down over her porcelain cheeks, and he gently moved a thumb to brush them away. "I'm sorry." He whispered softly.
Pushing his hand away Meredith pulled out of his grasp before replying. "No but you will be!" Then just as she was reaching the doors Melissa crowed out from across the room.
"Finally got the message then, go on run along I'm sure you've got plenty of other clients this afternoon!"
Stopping dead in her tracks Meredith whirled round on her designer heels, covering the distance between them in a matter of moments before letting fly a well placed open palmed slap to the older woman's face; for a moment Melissa simply stood in shock before launching an all out assault on the brunette, the fake Fendi coming into its own as it's owner swung it like a ball and chain.
Stunned for a moment Gavin was practically glued to the spot, unable to believe the cat fight that had just broken out in the middle of his office, and for a instant he found himself rooting Meredith on a brief surge of pride as she managed to land quite an impressive backhander before it descended into the usual format of scratching and hair pulling. "Ladies please..." He tried to cut in and prise them apart, but a well placed elbow to somewhere sensitive soon had him crashing to his knees whilst the battle of the bitches carried on and this time it was the sound of ripping fabric that filled the air.
"You bitch..." Melissa screeched as she stared down at the wreckage of her bag, "That was a present." She added before launching herself at Meredith and forcing her down on the floor, her hands wrapping around the brunettes pale throat. Kicking out Meredith managed to roll them over, before scrambling away from her assailant, her hands automatically moving to caress her throat, then after gasping for breath she retorted. "A cheap fake like that, I did you a favour but then again I suppose that's your style, fake bag, fake blonde, fake tan I wonder which, if any of your attributes are real?"
Howling like a dozen denizens of hell Melissa made a last ditch attempt to wipe the smug look off Meredith's face but before she could get there the office doors opened once more and three children aged roughly between eleven and seven peered round the door. "Daddy" The youngest called out happily, dashing across the office to practically fling herself at her father, and a surprised Gavin could do nothing but return her hug.
"We've been waiting to see you for ages, when are you coming home; Mummy said you'd be coming home soon!" The little girl lisped.
Suddenly embarrassed Meredith brushed her messed up hair away from her face, grabbing her bag and pulling her coat on properly, she ignored Gavin's call for her to wait and strode out of the office and into the lobby; blanking the curious questioning glances from the other two children and their hovering Portuguese nanny and hurrying to catch the waiting lift.
It wasn't until she hit fresh air that the dam finally burst and tears flowed freely down her cheeks, clouding her vision as she tried to hide her mascara stained face from passers by, spotting her car through the teary haze she staggered over to it, wrenching the back door open and collapsing onto the back seat. Burying her head in her hands she didn't even glance up at her driver, simply croaking out the instruction "Take me home James", before closing her eyes and resting her head against the soft leather seat futilely wiping at her tear stained cheeks.
Meanwhile upstairs a now irate Gavin Cochran ushered the children out of his office, signalling to their nanny to show them around the gallery before turning back to confront his wife. "Why now?" He asked his voice dangerously low.
"What?" Melissa retorted nervously, she had seen Gavin angry on many occasions and normally he would storm around and slam doors but she had never seem him this angry before.
"Why do you have to pick now to come back into my life, just when things are finally looking brighter..." Gavin reiterated stalking across the room and pulling his shirt on.
"What because of that bh..." Melissa began but Gavin cut her off.
"Don't you dare!" Gavin warned. "You don't have any right to talk about her at all let alone like that!"
"No of course not I'm only your wife!" Melissa snapped.
"In name only, we both know there was never anything between us, except perhaps a large scoop of guilt mixed in with convenience!" Gavin retorted.
"Yes and we both know whose!" Melissa added. "Even you admit Tony's death was all your fault, I'd still have a husband and James and Sarah would still have their real father...."
"Oh here we go again!" Gavin mimicked. "It was an accident and believe me being married to you has certainly made me feel like I've paid over and over again for that mistake, and besides I adopted them I provide for them, so as you so rightly put it I'm their father as far as the law is concerned. It wasn't like I asked for much in return, a child of my own, but even that you've seen fit to take away from me, or do you now retract that little confession of yours?"
"No!" Melissa exclaimed smugly. "I won't because it's the truth, she's not yours and I know that little fact hurts you more than anything you can ever do to me."
"Really?" Gavin asked. "Well how about we try this on for size, I want a divorce!"
"You can't be serious?" Melissa managed to gasp after a few seconds.
"Oh I am deadly serious, I've finally got my life heading the way I want and I refuse to let you tag along any longer, I'm cutting you adrift Melissa." Gavin retorted as he fastened his tie and pulled on his jacket, checking his appearance in the mirror behind him and watching with grim satisfaction as Melissa sank dejected into a desk chair. "Oh don't worry I'll leave you with a nice settlement, set up trust funds for the children, that should leave you free to pursue those torrid affairs of yours out in the open."
"And you yours!" Melissa hissed, as she finally found her voice, grabbing her ruined bag and striding towards the door.
"Mine is different!" Gavin retorted his blue eyes hardening as they locked with his wife.
"Why? Because this one is a high class whore?" Melissa demanded as she glanced back over her shoulder.
"No because one day she is going to be my wife!" Gavin replied, walking across the room and past the stunned Melissa until he reached the double doors, seizing one roughly he pulled it sharply open. "Now if you don't mind I have work to do!"
Walking past him practically shaking with fury Melissa locked his gaze. "You'll regret this Gavin, I'm going to make it my life's work if I have to but I'll make you pay, when I'm through even your toffy nosed tart won't want you, then who knows maybe you'll end up like your brother and take a run and jump off a building!"
For a moment Gavin had to fight the impulse to lash out, but he quickly realized that was exactly what she wanted. "Goodbye Melissa I'll see you in court!" He replied tersely before shutting the door in her face.
Sighing deeply he fought down the ghosts that her visit had exorcised, all that was behind him and he had to concentrate on the future, his future with Meredith perhaps? He didn't know why he had said that, it had just come out but somehow it felt right and now the idea was there he knew he wouldn't be able to shift it, but first he had some serious damage limitation to embark on.
Walking out of his office he scanned the area for Danny, realizing his driver had disappeared for the time being he headed down to the reception desk to ask if they had seen him, however the scene that greeted him was not what he had expected. Standing by the desk holding a hand towel to his bleeding head was James, Meredith's driver, and for a moment Gavin panicked immediately thinking there had been an accident.
"Mr Cochran sir..." James blurted out when he spotted Gavin. "It's awful she'll sack me for sure, but I was only taking a quick leak and I couldn't have been out more then ten fifteen minutes, but its gone..."
"What is?" Gavin demanded automatically scanning the street outside for Meredith.
"The car sir someone's stolen it, hit me over the head when I was in the bathroom and stolen the keys... Ms Gates will be so angry, could you tell her when she comes down?"
"But she's already left?" Gavin exclaimed, whirling round to the receptionist. "How long ago did Ms Gates leave, did she get a cab or walk?"
"Urm, I'm not sure sir, it couldn't have been more than ten minutes."
"And was the car still there?"
"I don't know it might have been, she definitely got in a car and it wasn't a hackney but it was only there a moment or two..." The receptionist stuttered.
"Well did anyone else see anything?" Gavin demanded whirling round and glaring at his staff, but they all shook their heads. "What the hell do I pay you imbeciles for?..." Gavin began, his whole frame shaking with fury.
Then suddenly in strode Danny clutching a large takeaway cappuccino. "Hey Boss you want to go somewhere?"
"Yes when I find out where Meredith went to..."
"Oh she drove off around ten minutes ago, you know that jag of hers is really something maybe we should think about trading in the merc..."
"She was in her car?" Gavin demanded. "Then who the hell was driving?"
Meanwhile across town the jaguar slowly came to a stop, in the back of the car Meredith sluggishly opened her eyes realizing she must have dropped off for a moment, but what with the emotional stress of the day that was hardly surprising.
Swinging her legs out the car when her driver opened it for her she finally glanced up at her surroundings, momentarily confused she turned round to question James but suddenly a hand grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth and nose with a strange smelling cloth. For a moment she struggled futilely, fighting against the fog that began to cloud her brain urging her to sleep, but inevitable she passed out and her attacker slowly dragged her off the street.
