Page 45 of The Question of Us
Which earned him another whack.
We arrivedat the bloodstock auction house with plenty of time to spare. It was a much larger venue than I’d expected, with ample parking, several stable blocks and holding pens, and a large, covered auction arena. A café and catering tent were set up in a field next to the stables, along with fifteen or so food trucks offering various cuisines and beverages. Behind that, a small circus was busy erecting a big top and putting together their rides and sideshows for opening night.
I snagged a parking spot at the far end of the car park, which allowed Gazza to discreetly slip away on his own while Nick and I did a little exploring to see if we could spot Marty and Lee. The plan was to avoid being seen by Lee first, knowing he wouldn’t take too kindly to us stalking him and would likely scarper. We were relying on Gazza, with one of the prepaid phones in his pocket, to make the approach. Since Lee hadn’t run into him yet, Gazza was the most likely of us to get close enough to talk. It was an okay plan, not ideal. There were a ton of what-ifs and maybes that could go wrong, but it was the best we could come up with.
As soon as Gazza had put some distance between himself and the car, Nick and I pulled our caps over our heads and got out. Following a quick scout of the area, we poked our noses into the indoor auction arena and found a modern air-conditioned space. It had stadium seating surrounding a circular pen where the animals were presumably shown while bidding ensued. Several groups of people milled around the foyer, chatting and laughing as they filled in time, but there was no sign of Marty or Lee.
We slipped back outside into the late-morning heat and headed for some shade to wait things out. We picked a spot under a trio of beech trees close to one of the stable blocks,which had a good view of the car park and the entrance to the bidding arena.
“I’ll go grab us a coffee and something to eat,” Nick said, kissing the top of my head.
“Stop that,” I hissed as heat raced into my cheeks. “You’re making a scene.”
Nick huffed and kissed me again. “Too fucking bad. We’re supposed to be married and celebrating our anniversary. Deal with it.”
I grumbled some protest that sounded weak even to my own ears while Nick just smiled and walked away, the fucker. Five minutes later, my phone buzzed in my hand.
Gazza.Heading for the arena now. I can’t just stand around on my own. I look out of place. Any sign?
I replied.Not yet. Did you see Nick?
Yes. He was waiting at the coffee truck with a yummy bag of pastries.
I rolled my eyes because of course he was. I was just about to ask what kind of pastries when another text came through.
I can feel your eye roll. A six point five on the Richter scale. Stop policing him.
I snorted and texted back.Shut up and mind your own business.Then added an eye-roll emoji just for good measure.
Gazza replied with a smiley face.I’m going to grab a seat inside at the back before it gets busy. That way I can keep an eye on them when they arrive. If Lee goes anywhere on his own, I’ll follow. Text me when you see them coming.
Me.Will do. You’ll need to tell us if and when it’s safe to come inside.
Gazza.Roger. Ten four. Over and out.
Me.Idiot.
I looked up from my phone to see Gazza walking through the car park toward the auction house. With his coffee in one hand, he pocketed his phone and then glanced my way. I frowned, but his expression remained blank with not a trace of acknowledgement.
If I hadn’t known who he was, I would never have recognised him. Dressed in skinny black jeans that showed off his arse to perfection—which may as well have hadcome fuck mewritten on it in neon colours—a sleek black linen shirt with a multicoloured silk scarf wrapped around his neck to hide his tattoo, and a pair of black Converse, Gazza looked like he belonged in any of the ridiculously expensive cars that filled the reserved section of the parking lot.
He looked like a model, or maybe some famous influencer that you think you should recognise but can’t place—handsome, curious, comfortable in his own skin, and completely at home with not a trace of nerves in sight.
It was a masterful act, good enough to make me wonder if Gazza had missed his calling. He’d have killed it on the stage or even as a clandestine operative. Sure, people glanced his way, struck by his good looks, but they quickly moved on. His manner didn’t invite conversation. He looked... untouchable. Like he belonged in a different world. To be honest, I was kind of in awe. I also relaxed. He clearly had this. All we needed was Lee.
Almost as soon as Gazza disappeared into the auction arena, a dark blue Range Rover pulled into the car park with two men on board. As they turned down the first aisle and crept toward where I stood, leaning against a tree, my attention was caught by the man in the passenger seat. The closer they got, the more convinced I was that the man was Marty Klein. I glanced at the picture of him on my phone and my heart sped up.Bingo.I started to text Gazza, but when the car turned right instead of left and pulled into one of the reserved parking spaces not tenmetres from where I stood, I turned my back and pretended to be talking on the phone.
The Range Rover doors opened and closed, but I waited until I heard the sound of footsteps on gravel before I risked turning back around. One look and my excitement plummeted. The second man wasn’t Lee. Not even close. The only thing they shared in common was that they were both blonds.
The man with Marty was a beast of a man who looked like he ate a box of steroids every day for breakfast. Although his eyes were hidden behind sunglasses, his head moved from side to side, scanning the car park as he escorted Marty to the auction house. I figured this had to be Freddie, Marty’s PA. The middleman the brothers had talked about. The man I’d seen ferry Lee off the boat that night. This guy certainly matched the size of that man.
I shot Gazza a text warning him Marty was about to enter the building but that Lee wasn’t with him.
Gazza’s reply was swift.I see them. What do you want me to do? The sale is starting any minute.
I thought about that. If big blondiewasthe same guy who’d been working with the brothers, then there was a good chance he’d seen photos of me. For sure, he’d have seen Nick, and likely in person. There was no way of knowing how well our disguises would hold up, and with no sign of Lee, there was little point taking undue risks.
I texted back.Hang tight and just keep an eye on them. I’ll get back to you.
