Page 91 of Touch in the Night

“No shit,” Jesse said and gestured for Tom to lead the way, hurrying along in his wake and trying not to limp. “How did they find out about Dimity?” he said as they reached the ground floor.

“One of Helena’s scumbag lawyers leaked it, that’s how,” Tom muttered, anger hot in his voice.

“Why?”

“They must have tried the police first,” Tom said with a shrug. “But they have no legal grounds to take her back. Still don’t. So now they’re trying this.”

“Mud-slinging? They really think this’ll make Emory hand her over?”

“No. But it’ll make it all a hell of a lot harder for him when this goes to court.” Tom shook his head. “This is why all this was a stupid idea.”

“Hey,” Jesse protested as they passed the staff canteen, empty but for abandoned half-full cups, “Emory wanted his daughter back. That’s all I thought about.”

“I didn’t say it wasyourstupid idea,” Tom said with a look over his shoulder.

Greenway was in the hall, directing operations. More security staff than Jesse had ever seen before at Oswald House were rushing around, reporting to Greenway and taking her orders.

“We need more security guys,” Jesse said as he ran after Tom.

“Many more,” Tom said as they took their seats. “But I don’t know how many external agencies will hire to us now.”

“Shit,” Jesse cursed, typing commands and scrolling through the security reports. “People have tried to get over both gates and the rear wall.”

“We need to pull men away from the front,” Tom muttered, tapping keys, his brow furrowed. “The police are holding them off down there.”

“So the police are now on our side,” Jesse muttered.

“No one wants a riot,” said Tom grimly.

“How long do you think they can hold them back?” Jesse said, swiveling a camera to try to establish how large the angry crowd at the front gates actually was. More cars were already arriving.

“More police are on their way,” Tom said, tapping at his phone then putting it to his ear. “I heard Greenway say so. I’ll see if I can get any more security.”

“Talk fast,” Jesse said as the new cars disgorged more angry-faced protestors with signs and spray paint.

Tom was talking into his mobile when Filip hurried in. His round face was grave. “Someone’s throwing stones at the moor gate cameras,” he reported.

Jesse flicked to the rear feeds just as one fuzzed and went dead. “Shit. Where can I get a ladder?”

“Jesse, you can’t go out there,” Tom protested.

“If any of these fuckers manage to get in,” he said, grabbing a coat, “we need photographic proof of them breaking the law.”

He ignored Tom’s warnings and followed Filip outside. They retrieved a step ladder then rushed across the lawns. Jesse’s breath misted in the air as he ran. The snow was crisp under his feet. If it wasn’t for the ugly shouting coming from beyond the wall, it would have been idyllically peaceful.

Jesse blanched as they passed under the trees and he heard the true extent of the violence being meted out on the gate.

“Pervert! Sick fuck! Murderer!”

Another bang as something large clanged against the steel.

“How many are there?” Jesse whispered as Filip conversed with the two guards positioned inside the gate.

“Three or four,” Filip said. They dodged to the side as a stone flew over the wall, catching the camera and landing with a thud at their feet. Filip shook his head. “Maybe more.”

“Go tell Greenway we need the police around here,” he said, setting the ladder against the wall. “This is criminal damage.”

“The police don’t care,” Filip growled. “They want the little girl back.”

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