Page 60 of Masquerade

“I’d like that.” Kate shook Pete’s outstretched hand.

Liam waited until they were alone. “Would you like another drink? Or are you happy to leave?”

She leaned forward to tug gently on his earlobe and whisper. “You want to leave. You’re bursting with news.” Then sat back, her voice a husky shiver down his spine. “We’ve got wine at the apartment. If you call the pizza place now, we’ll be back there before they deliver.”

“Pizza? Or would you prefer pasta?” He drew her to her feet and pressed his lips to her temple—a performance for an interested audience. “I had my phone on silent during the shoot. Billy left a message.”

“Pizza’s good.” Then she waited until they exited through the double glass doors. “Working all night means I can break the no snacks rule. We can shop on the way, and call Billy from the apartment.”

They strolled hand in hand along the river as she’d told Pete they would. Anyone who took an interest in their unhurried progress would assume they were like any other couple here to enjoy the scenery. At the corner store, Liam stood behind her, his hands resting casually on her shoulders while she debated between salted caramel and dark almond chocolate.

“Buy both.” He ran his nose along the soft skin behind her ear, absorbing her shoulder roll of delight. For the first time in a long time, he regretted the work waiting for them. It had been a lifetime since he’d wandered along the riverfront and stolen kisses in the shadows of trees. With Kate, the idea appealed.

“Let’s leave the balcony doors shut for now,” Liam said. He let them into the apartment. “There’s more intrigue in Montveau than your average James Bond movie.”

“You think someone may be eavesdropping?” She paused on her way across the room.

“It never hurts to play it safe.”

She backtracked and ran her index finger from his breastbone to below his belt buckle. “Caution could be your middle name.”

The buzzer sounded. Liam tipped the delivery boy and dumped the pizza box on the table. “Let’s serve before we talk to Billy.”

Along with cutlery, glasses and the bottle of wine they’d bought when Billy and the crowd had come for dinner two nights ago, Kate collected her laptop and propped it open beside her.

“I can’t wait. Call him.” She spoke around a bite of pizza.

“Hi, Billy? I’ve got you on speaker phone. Sorry we won’t see you before we go, but with Selina in town we thought better not to chance any more meetings.”

“Good idea. After your call this morning, I sounded out a few people.” Billy’s voice boomed down the line. “We’ve watched both of them for months. Got some volunteers in Murwillumbah watching his office and events there. They’ve been seen at one or two functions together. All very proper, no suggestion of anything untoward.”

“Maybe he delivered for her, and it was time for the quid pro quo?” Kate said.

“Those photos didn’t look like a first time to me.” Liam recalled what he’d seen and knew a moment’s pity for Daniel Elliott. Selina was a force of nature. Not a good one.

“They could claim we faked it,” Billy muttered. “I know the manager of the building you’re staying in. I asked him to check the CCTV overnight. Looks like the cable was cut around five this morning.”

“They’ve gone to a lot of trouble to give them control of this guy.” Liam’s gut twisted with bitter, bloody regret. He’d cut his losses. Mourning his father, determined to keep the extent of his father’s debts from his mother and brother, he hadn’t pursued Selina for justice. Elliott was corrupt and cheating on his wife. He and Liam had nothing in common Yet, uncovering Selina’s lies had become personal.

“So, what now?” Kate’s concern that they’d need to use the photos was reflected in her eyes.

“We need to follow the money trail. That’ll provide conclusive evidence.” Liam covered her hand with his, offering reassurance. “Any news on the geological survey?” He was convinced the findings would provide stronger evidence for their case.

“Rory says the land packages our ‘supposedly’ upright local member bought are the perfect entry point for large-scale fracking.” Billy’s disgust was clear. “The report has Futureproof Mining’s name all over it and is dated last year.”

“Ask Rory what he needs from us to fast track his plans for a rescue package for the valley, and anything else you think we can help with. We’ll try and stitch it all together.” Liam finished the call and slid another slice of pizza onto his plate. “I think you’re right. They’re convinced they’ve got the deal sorted. Mr. Elliott wants what Selina promised. And she’s got photos, so he can’t back out of the deal. We’re missing something.”

“It’s legal to grant the land for public infrastructure.” Kate scrolled through the state government website looking for new information.

“The hospital is desperately needed, so they’ve split local sentiment,” Liam muttered.

“Here it is.” She turned her tablet around. “Provision for expansion of related services at the hospital at the request of the Council,including but not limitedto ambulance services, specialist and community medical services, and off campus vocational training facilities.”

“We need to get that order rescinded, or at the very least, insist any related services be medical in nature and don’t reduce the total remaining landholding below 500 hectares.” Liam stared into the distance. “Whose name is on the press release?”

“The Minister for Health.” She read.

“Bloody hell.” Liam flopped back against his chair. “Selina was celebrating this morning.”

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