The Night-Time Tides

By Gail Ford

Maddie O’Connell is struggling to forget her broken engagement, and when she agrees to work for Liam Macleay love is the last thing on her mind. After travelling to Port Angeles to organize the details of his brother’s will, she finds a man who is devastated, angry and looking for answers.
Liam questions everything, including Maddie’s past, and despite her reticence he steals her heart. But the beautiful Bay with its forested shores holds secrets which threaten Maddie’s life. Not all those who live in Port Angeles are working on the right side of the law, and Red Craig will stop at nothing to protect his business.
From the North American coastline to the streets of Bangkok, Liam and Maddie fight to protect the innocent. Will they have a life together, or will their future be destroyed by those who wish them harm?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gail Ford
• Release date: Jun 7, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311916235

Gail Ford

Born and bred in Sydney, Gail studied as a nurse and midwife and currently lives with her family in the suburbs. A long term passion for reading and romance saw her start writing full time.She published her first novel online in 2015 and enjoys the challenge of writing her own stories after enjoying so many other authors. Whilst she has only published one book so far, she has written three others and has ideas for many more.When Gail isn't writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, reading romance and crime fiction novels, drinking coffee and watching the NFL.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

The weather was perfect. Rain belted down in torrents out of a black and stormy sky. Glancing up at the lack of stars, the tall man smiled grimly. Following the call, he’d only had to wait two days for a window of opportunity. Tonight, as the storms hit the Pacific Ocean and built in intensity, huge waves of white foam raced across the Strait of Jan de Fuca. Yeah, he decided, absolutely perfect.

A blinding flash of lightning forked across the sky, crackling white on the world below. The cruiser lay on its side, forty luxurious feet of Riviera, crippled now against the banks with a bow wave of water cascading across its forward decks. Collapsed in a corner on the deck, the bodies of the man and woman lay like flotsam on a beach, their pale faces blurred in death. Strands of wet blond hair blew wildly in the wind, stained by the dark red pool spreading in a watery river. Served them right, he thought, rich pricks bleeding blue blood all over the expensive teak planking.

Fascinated and unable to look away, he stared down at them. There was so much blood; head wounds bled so well. If he was honest with himself, and he hardly ever was, he’d always wondered how it would feel. These were his first murders, and he couldn’t believe the thrill it had given him. He’d only had an hour or two to think about it, but the anticipation was huge. It was such a shame he was short on time. He’d felt himself go hard and would have liked to have some fun with the woman first. Even with the terrified look on her face she was attractive, with a young body he fancied would be strong.

In the end it was easy. Holding a gun to her head was all it took to encourage them to drink up, half a bottle of vodka each in record time. Grab them by the hair and a quick smack of their heads into the railing, and the job was done. No mistakes and Port Angeles could go back to normal. He liked living here, it was the ideal place for his business, and it was important to keep the boss happy.

He turned to go below decks, lifting his voice above the wind. Spread those glasses and bottles around. We need to get moving.

The two Chinese men nodded and one of them grinned. You gotta love a good storm. The boss wants it to look like an accident. In this weather anything could’ve happened.

Yeah, well hurry up. We’ve still got work to do. He pushed his wet hair out of his eyes and started down the steps, staggering as the boat shifted further to one side. His two colleagues followed him into the front cabin.

In the dim light they could just make out the small shapes huddled in their bedclothes on the double bunk in the corner. The older of the boys had his arm thrown across his brother as if in protection, and their faces were buried deep under the Spiderman quilt. A shabby brown teddy bear was tucked securely under a childish arm.

Thunder crashed and another bright lightning bolt lit up the room. The younger boy turned in his sleep and his head rolled to face the door. A mass of golden curls fell across his forehead. Cursing under his breath, the tall man slowly lowered his arm as he stared at him. Jesus Christ, I can't kill a kid like that. You do it, he ordered curtly. And make it look like an accident.

The two Chinese moved closer and looked down at the sleeping boys. The smaller man scratched his head thoughtfully. I have a better idea. Our contacts in Bangkok would pay a fortune for these two. Look how pretty they are with all that blond hair. We can ship them out with the next boat; they won’t take up much room. It’s easy pickings.

The man in charge picked up the two laptops from the desk and made a hurried decision. Water was starting to seep across the floor, oozing through the holes in the hull. Get on with it then. We need to move before this tub keels over. Just keep them quiet. We have more important things to worry about than a couple of brats.

With the computers safe in his hands, he glanced over his shoulder as the boys were loaded into the back of his van. The boat was already starting to break up against the rocks. If fate lent a hand and it went the way he hoped, it might get washed away altogether. He liked the idea of the local cops trying to work out how it happened.

Two and a half thousand miles away in a small flat in New York, Maddie O’Connell was lying awake listening to the rain squalls beating against her bedroom window. It seemed to have been raining for weeks, and the depressing sound of it matched her mood. She was dog-tired, it was one o’clock in the morning, and she still couldn’t sleep.

She knew why. It was exactly twelve months to the day since she’d received that horrible phone call from Eric’s best man to tell her the bad news. Eric had changed his mind and wouldn’t be coming to the church to marry her. The gutless asshole hadn’t even had the decency to tell her himself.

Maddie would never forget the uncomfortable conversation. The disbelief, the stuttering embarrassment, with poor Martin trying to explain something so cruel. She wondered if they were still friends. Thinking about it now, she wondered how she hadn’t noticed this weak side of Eric’s personality before. In her case, love obviously was blind, she thought with a sigh.

Sheets of rain lashed against the windowpanes, making them rattle, and Maddie groaned aloud as she remembered all the long months. She had thrown herself into her work as a lawyer for Browning and Jenkins, working ridiculously tiring hours and probably starving herself more than was healthy. It took a great deal of effort to push the memories away, and most of the time she nearly succeeded.

Old Mr Browning was never going to complain about giving her extra work, and the year had finally passed. Now here she was, dreading an approaching holiday. He’d insisted she take two weeks off. With too much time on her hands, she knew the ache would come back. Just thinking about it made her feel sick. She wasn’t sure how she would deal with the loneliness again.

She tossed and turned, forcing her face to relax until her thoughts gradually began to slow down. The rain dulled to a soothing patter and she drifted towards sleep, reminding herself there was nothing wrong with being alone.

CHAPTER 2

It was the twentieth of April, and Maddie slowly opened her eyes and stretched out her toes, enjoying the delights of sleeping in late on a weekday. The bed was warm and comfortable and she could see the trees lining the street through the crack in the curtains. Weeks of rain had brought out the green in their leaves, and the flower pots on her tiny balcony were covered in trailing pink flowers.

Reaching out an arm, she pushed the curtains back and smiled at the early sunshine. She’d bought the flat with the peaceful view in mind, even if it had been at the top of her price range. She loved the contented feeling of lying in bed with the newspaper and a cup of tea on her precious Sunday mornings.

Today even felt like Sunday. Maybe she’d dreaded the thought of a holiday, but now it was here she felt really excited. It was two weeks since the painful, best-forgotten date and she was determined to put it behind her. Think of today, she promised herself, a flight to Seattle later, a big adventure.

And it was exciting. She’d never been to the North West, and there were new places to visit. The tourist brochures she’d picked up from the local travel agent were filled with beautiful pictures of the scenery around Port Angeles. It looked wild and pristine. Just to be thorough, she’d researched it all on the Internet. Hopefully the tours along the bay weren’t all booked out before she arrived. There were plenty of treks through the National Park, but the boat cruises would show off the best views.

She frowned as the muffled sound of a telephone ringing interrupted her planning. After a moment of scratching around on the floor beside the bed, she rescued her cell phone from under a pile of pillows. Burying it the night before to give her a holiday sleep-in had been a good idea after all.

Hello, Maddie O’Connell speaking.

Good morning Maddison, I hope I didn’t wake you.

Mr Browning’s voice on the phone during an employee’s vacation time surprised her. She stifled a giggle at the use of her full name. He was always so formal.

No, it’s fine. I was just enjoying the sight of sunshine for a change. Maddie waited for him to get to the point. With him it won’t take long, she thought wryly. Mr Browning never wasted words.

I understand you are flying to Seattle this afternoon. I was wondering if you could possibly stop by the office for a few minutes on your way to the airport. There is a matter with a client I was hoping to discuss with you before you leave.

Maddie sighed inwardly and glanced at the clock. Obviously he wasn’t as keen for her to have a holiday as he’d first appeared. Well, at least he wasn’t suggesting she change her flight.

The plane leaves at eleven o’clock. If I come about nine would that be enough time?

She silently crossed her fingers. Fortunately she’d packed most of her things the night before. It would only take a few minutes to throw the last essentials in her bag.

Mr Browning was all business, but sounded helpful for a change. That will give us plenty of time. I’ll organize one of the staff to run you out to the airport after we finish. There will be cakes and coffee in the boardroom if you would like to join me there for morning tea while we go through the details.

Maddie agreed and hung up slowly, wondering what could be so important that someone else couldn’t handle it. Mr Browning was very careful about who dealt with his clients. She knew most of them and couldn’t remember any new work coming in before she left on Friday.

A hummingbird landed outside on the balcony rail, and she watched it stretching its neck and calling to its mate. She laughed when it eyed her pots before diving headfirst into the flowers. The birds were probably happy to have dry feathers, and she was delighted to share her blooms. She was proud of her little patch of greenery above the street.

When she’d bought the flat five years ago with the money from her parents’ will, it had been a bare two yard square of cement. After spending hours on her hands and knees laying tiles, she had filled it with pots of different colours. It now sparkled with life as the herbs and flowers competed for the sun.

Greenwich Village was a beautiful suburb with its recognisable buildings and tree-lined streets, and Maddie loved this corner of New York. The subway was nearby and gave her an easy trip to the city. It was no hardship to pass the trip with an Ipod in her ears, or if she was lucky enough to find a seat, there was time to read a few chapters of the latest bestseller.

An empty tummy reminded her how fast the day was marching on, with plenty to be done before her flight. She grabbed a quick breakfast of tea and fruit on the balcony with the birds, before rummaging through the bathroom to fill the suitcase lying open in the second bedroom. Being away for three weeks made no difference, Maddie spent minimal time on packing. Unlike her organized sister, she preferred to throw a pile of clothes into the bag and sort it out at her leisure at the other end.

Glancing at the clock, she calculated quickly. Just shy of half seven. If she hurried she had time for a jog around the Square before showering and catching the train. Donning her shorts and T-shirt, she took the stairs two at a time and turned into the street.

Everybody seemed to be outside to catch the sun, and the familiar sight of Maddie jogging brought smiles and waves from the neighbours. Old Mrs Haberfield from across the hall gave her a cheeky grin as she waited for her dog to lift his leg on the nearest tree. Maddie often wondered how she managed to get around the no-dog policy in the building. Maybe she thought an early walk meant no-one would notice. Archie was a tiny ball of fluff and hardly ever barked, so perhaps the old lady didn’t count him as a real dog. It was beyond her as to why she viewed Maddie as a co-conspirator.

Washington Square was clean and shiny after the rain, and Maddie savoured her two quick laps. Running always cleared her head, and it felt especially good today knowing there was no twelve hour day at her desk ahead of her.

The hot shower stung her back as she washed her short blond hair. It was thick and wavy, and she stood at the mirror ready for the usual daily fight to master it. Looking back at her was a small, triangular face, with wide green eyes above a short straight nose and a mobile mouth that easily showed its hurts.

Hastily brushing on a minimal layer of make-up, Maddie frowned at the large dimple in her rounded chin. It gave her an elfin look, and annoyed her no end because many of her clients thought she was too young to handle their cases. She’d always thought it was a pity she wasn’t tall and elegant, but nature had actually been kinder with her looks that she believed. Her small slight figure was smoothly curved and her creamy skin was flawless.

Casting a hurried look around the house, she turned off all the lights before she left. The last room was the living room, and she paused to run her finger over the lid of the old wooden piano. This was her most prized possession, free from dust and in perfect condition. Maybe the baby grand did take up most of the room, but Maddie didn’t mind. It had belonged to her grandmother, and become Maddie's after her death. It was no coincidence that since the heartbreak over Eric she had hardly touched it.

Her hand trailed across the woodwork and just for a moment she paused, before slowly sitting down and lifting the lid. The tips of her fingers began to dance on the keys and a piece from her childhood practice hours sprang from her hands. As the theme from Anastasia filled the room, Maddie suddenly laughed. Perhaps everybody was right. This holiday might be a blessing in disguise. Eric really wasn’t worth a moment in her thoughts, and it was well past time to let go of the memories and move on.

CHAPTER 3

The subway train rattled to a stop at Grand Central Station and Maddie snapped up the retractable handle and towed her suitcase to the door. It felt strange to be heading for the office in the middle of the morning, without the manic hurrying masses which usually pushed around her in peak hour times. Fortunately it was only a short walk to the tower on 42nd Street, as the heavy bag kept getting bumped by passing pedestrians.

Sitting high above the New York skyline, the offices of Browning and Jenkins were on the 20th floor of the beautiful Chrysler building, and the lift sped smoothly upwards. Maddie had worked in this building since finishing her law degree at Yale, and loved the feel of the city below her. She was an east coast girl, but still young and naïve when she’d first travelled nervously in this lift.

After five years with the firm, she was almost considered an old hand. The hours were long and hard, but she knew both senior partners were happy with her work. The last year or so the cases they assigned to her had become increasingly more involved. That meant they were pleased, didn’t it? She felt a charge of excitement as she tried to anticipate what this seemingly important summons held in store for her.

What are you doing here on your holiday? Marie was Maddie’s assistant, and showed her disapproval as Maddie appeared at her desk.

Marie was small and dark and very Italian. Constantly moving, she had expressive dark eyes and a razor-sharp wit which Maddie often envied. She was a fourth-year student at New York Law School and her fast efficient hands had worked with Maddie for almost a year. Maddie frequently wondered how she had ever coped without her.

Just checking up on you, Maddie laughed. No, actually I’ve been summonsed on important business.

Marie’s eyebrows went up. You must be expected in the boardroom then. Mr Browning is in there with one of our big clients and I have to bring coffee in.

I’d better go and see what he wants. Hopefully he won’t keep me too long. After all this planning I don’t want to miss my plane, Maddie said.

I’ll drive you out to the airport. Marie pushed her towards the door. Now in you go, I’m dying to hear what this is about.

With a quiet knock for politeness, Maddie opened the door to the boardroom. This room was the showpiece of the office and often reminded her of an old-fashioned library in a classic movie. Holding pride of place was the large table, beautifully carved in walnut and surrounded by expensive leather chairs. It had ornate legs with fascinating Victorian craftsmanship, and was a perfect accessory to the tall bookcases along the wall filled with countless volumes of the law.

Maddie loved the smell of old books and timber, and whenever she opened the glass doors for reference to a particular case, the smell always wafted around the room. She remembered the special day when she was allowed to open those doors for the first time. She felt as if she’d passed some important test.

Today the table was not being used, and Maddie turned towards the sitting area in the corner. Comfortable floral sofas and a coffee table were positioned to make the most of the stunning view of the city, and the two men rose from their seats as Maddie approached.

Clinton Browning was a spry sixty-five, but looked at least ten years younger despite the receding white hair. He wasn’t a tall man, but he commanded attention by his bearing and that voice. Nobody could argue with that voice. Maddie had been almost hypnotized the first time she heard him speak in court. Clinton was a founding partner of the firm. He’d controlled the office for more years than anyone cared to remember, and she smiled inwardly at the office joke. Clinton would probably still be in charge after the rest of them had died or moved elsewhere.

With all due respect to her boss, Maddie was more interested in his companion. He was a tall handsome man in his late fifties, with well-groomed dark blond hair going grey on the sides, and deep blue eyes behind his frameless glasses. Under the expensively-cut dark suit, his shoulders were broad and straight. Although he looked tanned and fit for a man of his age, something about the strain lines around his mouth made Maddie wonder if he was unwell.

Maddison, I would like you to meet Alistair Macleay. Clinton Browning, as usual, was at his official best.

It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss O’Connell.

Maddie liked the low well-modulated voice with a trace of British, and smiled as he shook her hand. Please, call me Maddie.

He inclined his head slightly and motioned her to sit down. Maddie had often heard her bosses discussing this man, but had never met him. From what she knew, most of his business with Mr Browning was attended to either over the phone or at the club they shared in the city. She thought hard to refresh her memory about him.

Alistair Mackey was a self-made multi-millionaire who had achieved recognition over many years in the business world. Starting with only his degree from Edinburgh University and his own ingenuity, he had built his empire by taking over small struggling businesses and changing them into success stories. She guessed the man had the Midas touch.

Maddie had always thought it unusual that he kept his business with Mr Browning, rather than using one of the larger, more modern law companies to handle his work. Apparently he felt loyalty to the firm which had stood by him in the beginning, and she liked that about him.

She was surprised to find on finally meeting him that he wasn’t the forceful arrogant personality she’d envisaged. In fact, he appeared calm and sincere, and she decided she probably should rethink her opinion. If memory served her correctly, he was married with two grown-up sons whose names she couldn’t remember, and lived in a huge mansion in the city overlooking Central Park. The