Page 42 of Stripped

Chapter 21

"Where is she now?" Alex asked from behind his desk, giving Wraith a soldier-like assessment. The tapping of his finger on the polished wood was a direct indication he was still deciding on Wraith's competence. Rain pelted the window, the occasional ping of sleet increasing as the sky darkened in the late afternoon.

"I have her in a safe house for the moment." Wraith sat tensely under the scrutiny, back straight, shoulders tight, in the colonel's office, along with Gabriel. The older man unsettled him, being neither friend nor foe.

"We've secured her flat," Gabriel said, his deep voice resonating throughout the room. "A team is still sweeping it, though, as of now, they've found no fingerprints." He was well built and handsome, with a strong jaw and piercing blue eyes. He kept his face clean-shaven and his blond hair neatly combed. His whole presence exuded an attitude of trust, that, and the fact that in his former life, he was a priest. But he was Alex's right-hand man, his own personal archangel, and Wraith was still undecided on how much to trust him.

He pulled the photograph of Natasha from his pocket and handed it to Alex. "I found it with a twenty-thousand pound bank draft. She was fourteen when he paid for her."

Alex's eyes narrowed as he studied the picture. "Pedophilia. I knew the motherfucker was involved in something else besides drugs."

"How long ago was that taken?" Gabriel asked.

"She's the same age as Primrose, nineteen, so it would have been five years ago. The same year her son was born." Wraith rubbed his forehead. He needed to check on Pim. He had spent the greater part of the afternoon in here, catching Alex up on everything.

"Angus made no claim to the boy?" The colonel stood and walked over to the fireplace, leaning up against the mantel.

"No, but the girl said he's Angus'."

"That was the same year her father was murdered," Gabriel interjected.

"My thoughts exactly. His murder was brutal. Someone was definitely sending a message and Angus had it covered up." Wraith leaned forward intently. "Plus, he was found near the port in Leith. Anyone wanting to bring in young girls and send them out, could do it in one of those shipping containers if they paid off the right person."

"One girl doesn't make him a trafficker, a disgusting, fucking bastard, yes, but a trafficker, no." Alex shook his head. "I don't know. This girl seems personal to him; there has to be a reason he picked her."

"And Andrew McNeil's murder?" Gabriel asked. "The pictures were horrific."

"Maybe he was picking Natasha up for his father, maybe he saw something he shouldn't have," Alex suggested.

"Or maybe he caught on to what his father was doing and tried to stop it," Wraith interjected, giving the man the benefit of doubt.

Alex turned to Gabriel. "Either way, send Sinclair to Leith, have him check out the port."

"He won't like that." Gabriel glanced at Alex then back at Wraith. "Sin hates to investigate. Assassination only."

"I don't give a fuck what he likes or doesn't like. He'll do as I say." The colonel sat back down, a little harder than necessary.

"It could be, Angus saw a business opportunity and infringed on someone else's turf," Wraith continued to think out loud.

"It's a possibility. We need more information, though. Wraith, you stay with his granddaughter, she seems to trust you now. Gabriel have Storm trail Graham Rankin to see who he's talking to and have him keep his eye on the ballet company. We need to keep all roads open." Alex poured himself a whiskey. "Take Wraith to see Dr. Forbes before he leaves."

"Yes, sir," Gabriel said, standing.

"I'm fine, I don't need to see Forbes," Wraith said. "I'll need to get Primrose a new flat. She can't stay where she is forever. She needs to get back to work."

"You will see Forbes." Alex's eyes locked with his, challenging him. "And have her stay at her grandfather's place."

"She's in danger. It's too risky."

"Exactly, let's draw this person out." Something in Alex's eyes shone, equivalent to excitement. He liked the game.

"You're using her as bait," Wraith said, standing up.

"Then you'd better protect her."

Gabriel shut the door, joining Wraith in the hallway.

"I don't need to see Forbes. Honestly, I'm fine." He needed to get back to his room and check his phone.

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