Jaguar

By Duncan MacLaren

Jacky threw a look through the window and saw some patrol cars, which came nearer and nearer. Fast she put the jewellery into her pocket from the trousers and left the room. She ran the stairs up.

Gloria sat already on the roof again; she helped Laura with the old clothes. As Laura was on the roof, too, Jacky climbed up the rope.

Gloria stretched out her hand and helped her onto the roof.

The three women exchanged a look together as they heard how someone opened the entrance from the museum. The alarm bell stopped her sound.

Hurry up! Jacky pushed Laura and Gloria over to the other rope from the helicopter.

Gloria squeezed the picture, which she had stolen under her arm and climbed up the rope. Laura had it more difficult: She threw the clothes about her shoulder and fastened them on to her belt. Then she pulled herself up the rope.

Stop Police! Hands up! a voice sounded loud over the roof.
Jacky turned around.

A man hung on the rope what they had needed to come into the museum and out. He grabbed the frame in order to come onto the roof.

Climb up! Jacky called to Laura and Laura disappeared into the dark night.
Jacky ran to the parapet where she had fastened to the rope. She took out her knife and cut the rope...

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Nov 12, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477235102

Book preview

© 2012 by Duncan MacLaren

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 11/8/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4772-3509-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-3510-2 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Introduction

1 – Isabella

2 – Gloria

3 – Johnny

4 – Laura

5 – Jacky

Epilogue

FOR MY BEST FRIENDS

NICOLE

JENNY

DAVID

Introduction

She couldn’t see anything; a black scarf hid the light above her eyes. And this scarf was tied firmly.

She could move her head but only from side to side; she could not brush the scarf off.

She lay on a big bed, so she suspected.

Her arms snuggled up at her head with her hands tied up with a solid rope at the top of the bed. Again and again she tried to loosen the rope, which she could not manage.

Her legs were spread out and around each ankle a rope was tied, so firm tied that every ounce of feeling slowly slipped away. Before she tried to close her legs, she already knew that she couldn’t do it. Also her feet were tied up at the end of the bed.

She looked like a fallen angel; black hair snuggled widely around her white face and the light sun burnt skin was pale like the blanket she lay on.

She trembled.

A cold draught went through the room.

She called for help.

She wasn’t gagged, and she used this opportunity to make a cry for freedom… but nothing happened. Nobody heard her cries.

Her mouth was dry; fear drained off the colour of her face.

She was terrified.

She was naked like on the day she was born, and there were no blanket to cover her.

She trembled again, as the cold draught was getting stronger.

Then she heard footsteps – quietly at first but coming closer.

Who’s there? She asked lowly, her voice croaked.

No answer.

She felt the stranger sitting down on the bed and approaching her. She felt on her face the breath of the stranger and smelt the alcohol in it.

What do you want from me? She asked, her voice trembling. Shivers ran up and down her spines.

Silence again.

A careless hand grabbed after her naked breasts; a brutal, bearded mouth was pressed down on hers…

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Jacqueline Goldman could not sleep anymore.

After this nightmare she was scared to fall asleep again. And the nightmare had pursued her for years ever since the day it had happened.

This was one of the reasons why she had established her company. Her company: That was a chain of hotels, shops, shopping centres, offices, certain other companies, inns and pubs, which came together under the sign of the Jaguar. And with the power of the Jaguar she was now in a position to help other women who had suffered like her. She hoped she could protect at least some of them from a destiny like it had been hers. And she did a lot of good work.

She was having a hard time holding the company together. So she was able to forget her nightmare. But when the night came once more, she got scared and after the paranoia followed the nightmare.

Jacky shook her head.

This wasn’t the right thing to think about when she wanted only to fall asleep again.

Did she have the wish?

To fall asleep – yes!

To dream – no!

Jacky pushed the blanket from her body and got up from her bed. Without light she groped her way over to the bathroom where she switched the light on, avoiding her reflection in the mirror and turned on the tap. She held her face under the cold water of the tap and after a few minutes she dried her face, turned off the tap and switched the lights off.

As she came back into the bedroom, she needed some moments for her eyes to get used to the darkness again.

Suddenly she saw on the other side of the room a strange figure.

Then she smiled as a sign of relief. A sense of calmness ran over her body.

She went through the room to the shadow and sat down next to him.

The shadow turned out to be a Jaguar with a shoulder height of about three feet and five inches and a length of nearly three yards with which he threw an impressive shadow at the wall. His tail swung up and down like the one of a dog, which is glad to see his mistress.

Jacky had got him as a gift from some of her good friends – women whom she had helped – when he was a little cub. Lovingly she called him Jack. Now Jack was an adult but still very young and he hung on to his mistress with great love and admiration. He kept careful watch over her and protected her whenever he could.

At this moment he was restless. He did not understand why his mistress went up and around in the night.

Jacky scratched him till he lay down and began to purr. Quietly she spoke to him: Everything is all right, Jack. You know it was only the nightmare again. Sometimes I wish that you could protect me of this dream the way you protect me before other dangers. But it is not possible. We will finish with it, okay? Lovely Jack, good night! She gave him a kiss between his ears and stood up.

With one eye Jack followed his mistress on her way back to bed.

Jacky did not remember what she had said to Jack; she was too tired at this moment. She sat down on her bed and before she had lain down completely, she fell asleep again.

1 – Isabella

Her marriage was destined to fail on the rocks.

Isabella King passed with her hands over her long blond hair. She seemed to be a young, beautiful woman but she had experienced enough bad things in her life that she could not laugh anymore. Her blue eyes did not sparkle anymore and on her forehead were some deep wrinkles.

Her children were her only sunshine. Miki was her serious six-year-old son, and Susan was the sad two-year-old daughter. They made the life with her husband easier but she did not know if this was good for the children.

Her husband, Walter, made her life to hell. He oppressed Isabella in every way; he locked her up – hit her and knocked her down when something was not the way he wanted it.

And the children noticed everything and grew very scared.

Isabella was afraid of Walter but she did not know where she could go to with the two children. So she stayed.

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This evening Walter went to the pub. He had complained about the dinner and the children; and Isabella was glad, as he had gone.

He locked the door but Isabella wasn’t interested in it anymore. Since a short while she had an own key to the flat; she prayed that Walter never would find out.

Isabella sat down in an armchair and she thought intensive about her life and the lives of her children – like she did so often in the last months. And the more she thought about it, the more she was convinced that it could not continue like this.

In the last days she had heard something about a company, called Jaguar. There were other women like her. Perhaps they could help her. Still the people also said they were monsters…

Isabella sighed. It was not so easy for her to find the right way; she wasn’t used to anymore to decide anything but finally she made a decision.

She stood up and quietly went into the children room. She looked at the dreaming children, kissed them and soundlessly closed then the door behind her, as she left the room again. After that she took her jacket and her key and went out of the tower block, where she lived with her husband and the children.

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Knock! Knock!

Jack pointed his ears but Jacky was not so sure if someone had knocked at the door or if she had dreamed it.

Knock! Knock!

The knock at the door was hard, and Jacky forgot her dreams once more and forced her eyes open. She made a calming down gesture at Jack and said a little bit louder: Come in!

The door opened and someone entered the room. It was so dark in the room that it was nearly impossible to recognize the tall, strong person who came over to Jacky’s bed. But Jack did nothing so Jacky knew who came in before this person even could say something: It was Laura, her right hand, secretary and bodyguard in one person.

Sorry but I think it’s important! Laura whispered.

What happened? Jacky asked quietly, a trace of curiosity on her face.

Laura sighed and sat down at the end of Jacky’s bed.

Jacky sat up and observed Laura with full attention. But it was dark in the room and she couldn’t see so much.

Jacky stretched out to reach the lamp but Laura held on to her hand, No lights please!

Why? Jacky was astonished. She lowered her hand and pressed Laura’s while she looked intensive at her friend.

Laura sighed again. I made a mistake. She told Jacky and as she said nothing, Laura continued: I couldn’t sleep this night, so I got up and went down to the kitchen to make myself a cup of tea. But on the stairs I stopped and looked out of the window. After some time I noticed that a young woman was going up and down in front of the gate. I observed her. I think she has a problem, which doesn’t let her go but it hasn’t enough power yet for her to come and knock at our door. I mean she thinks that nobody has seen her and when now the lights go on… Laura broke her sentence up and took a deep breath.

…She runs away! Jacky completed the sentence while her thoughts rotated around the fact that there were other women as well who could not fall asleep in the night. Perhaps they had the same problem like her or other ones.

Laura nodded.

And if I understand you correct then you expect me to go outside and to talk to her?

Laura nodded again.

Why don’t you go? Jacky asked calmly.

Laura shrugged her shoulders. You are better in talking with frightened women than I am.

Now Jacky sighed.

This was one of the disadvantages: when it gave any problems they came to her. They made nearly nothing without her attention or decision. And when it was in the middle of the night…

And on the other hand they complained that she worked too much…

Jacky pressed her body down under the blanket in the bed. She didn’t like to get up; she had slept so very well for some moments.

But then she pulled herself together: The others with her problems were more important to her than her sleep – even if she didn’t know them yet. So she put the blanket to the end of the bed and got up. She went to the window, lifted a part of the curtain and looked out. After a few seconds Jacky whispered: She has long blond hair, seems to be quite young, tall and slim. Correct?

Yes. Laura confirmed it.

Okay! Jacky turned around and went over to her wardrobe, took off her nightdress and dressed fast with underwear, T-Shirt and Jeans. With naked feet she slipped into the boots. She combed her hair with her hands till the black curls of her hair did not stand up in every way anymore like before. Then she pulled over her jacket and went to the door where Laura waited impatiently.

Together they went outside and ran quietly down the stairs.

In the last moment Jack slipped out of the room, too. Behind him the door fell soundlessly back into the lock.

Down on the ground floor Jacky stopped Laura and whispered to her: I’ll go through the side gate. Please wait at the main door and let us in, when the time has come for that. And – please – be quiet and let the others sleep! She pleaded Laura.

Laura nodded. She was curious about what would happen but the thing she would have liked most was that she would have been able to wake up the other women to talk about the new situation. But she accepted Jacky’s order. So she filled herself with patience and waited at the main door.

Meanwhile Jacky had turned around and wanted to go to the side exit. However – at the middle of the hall, near the inside-fountain – she ran into someone. In the darkness of the night she only could feel who was there. She would have done this at once, as she smelt something.

Melanie? Jacky asked carefully – and a quiet, laughing voice confirmed her suggestion. What are you doing here at this time of the night?

Melanie grinned. I could ask you the same! She contradicted.

Jacky shook amused her head. She sniffed at the smell of the hot tea in the hand from Melanie and thought about it shortly. Then she spoke again: It’s good that you’ve been up. So I haven’t to wake you up. Please, can you go back to the kitchen and make some tea for us? We’ll get a guest in a few minutes.

Certainly, Melanie wasn’t surprised. She knew when Jacky was on her way during the night – it was important. She followed the order without hesitation.

Jacky looked after Melanie and shook her head. Then she felt something again but different this time. She sighed. Jack! What are you doing here? I don’t need you at the moment! She patted him between the ears whilst Jack pressed himself against her right leg and pushed her softly.

But Melanie had heard her call, turned around and called now quietly: Jack! Come with me. Your mistress has something to do!

Slowly Jack solved himself from his mistress and went over to the kitchen, leaving Jacky alone in the hall.

Jacky took a deep breath.

In the darkness she looked for her way to the side exit and as she had found it, she left the house in quiet but fast steps. Between trees and bushes lay the garden gate and Jacky left also the garden. Finally she ran quietly along the road to the crossing and looked carefully around the corner.

The young blond woman stood in front of the main gate, shrugging her shoulders in this moment and moving on. She came into the direction of the crossing.

Jacky waited till the woman was close to her then she went some steps back, stepped up firmly and ran around the corner.

Her calculation was right.

Jacky ran into the young woman and hit her at the shoulder after only some steps taken.

I’m very sorry! I didn’t see you! Jacky apologized to the woman.

That’s okay! The young woman had a soft voice, as she was with her thoughts in another world and completely lost for this world. She had tears in her eyes, which she could not hide and didn’t try to. She moved on without another glance at Jacky.

But Jacky saw the tears on the face of the woman and ran after her. Can I help you? You’re crying!

The young woman shook her head.

Do you have a problem? Jacky did not want to let her go so easily.

The woman sighed. Nobody can help me. She spoke very quietly and Jacky had problems to hear and understand her. She laid her arm around the shoulder of the woman.

Perhaps I can help you.

The woman hesitated. Then she shook her head again. I don’t think so. She turned around and went quickly down the road.

Jacky was amazed but she had herself under control and ran again after her. And I think you can tell me your problem and after that we will see if I can help you. Perhaps it’s already enough when you can talk about it?

The woman smiled timidly about the fact that Jacky did not let her go and thought about her suggestion. Finally she shrugged her shoulders and answered quietly: We can give it a try. She held her hand out to Jacky and said: My name is Isabella King.

It’s nice to meet you! Jacky pressed the hand of Isabella, held it firmly for a moment, observing her but she didn’t say anything more. She hoped that Isabella wouldn’t notice that she didn’t tell her own name.

Jacky led Isabella over to the main gate of her plot and opened it. She felt that Isabella was confused but she left her no time to think about it.

Isabella stopped. Do you live here?

Yes. Is that a problem for you?

No. Isabella hesitated again.

But what is it?

Isabella shook her head. This house is the reason why I’m here. But…

What? Jacky was patient.

I didn’t dare to go inside.

Why did you?

Now Isabella was embarrassed. I… I heard something. She stuttered.

I see! Jacky laughed. What do the people say?

Isabella was feeling extremely shy and embarrassed; she blushed and the colour of her face changed to a dark red like of a tomato. She could not say anything more.

Jacky laughed again. Don’t believe everything what the people say. We’re all normal women who help each other. And nothing more, Jacky pressed Isabella’s hand and started moving towards the house again. Come on! I want to introduce you to some of the… monsters. She grinned.

Isabella had no other chance as to go with her; she felt downcast and followed Jacky slowly with drooping shoulders.

They climbed up the stairs in front of the main door, as a light went on like on command and the door opened up.

Isabella twitched together. She saw a woman in the frame of the door and suspected that she’d been waiting for her and the other woman. She wasn’t feeling well at all at the moment.

Jacky noticed the fear in the face from Isabella and laughed at her. Don’t be afraid! You’re under friends!

And Isabella dared a little smile.

Laura closed the door behind the women and showed them over to a room on her left hand side.

It was the living room.

Jacky took the hand of Isabella, pulled her over to the room, opened the door and switched the lights on. She dimmed the lights of the lamps so that it was half dark, as there was a fireplace inside and a little fire cared for enough light and warmth.

This was the work from Melanie.

Jacky knew that Melanie loved dark lights and warmth.

Please take a seat! Jacky asked Isabella and pointed to the armchairs and sofas in front of the fireplace.

Isabella sat down on a sofa on the left side and looked around in the living room, trying to hide her interest.

Jacky gave her the time she needed to feel a bit more comfortable. She whispered something into the ear from Laura and sent her with that out of the room. Then she took her jacket off, threw it over a chair, which stood on the side and let her fall down on the sofa just opposite of Isabella. She watched her carefully and spoke first, as she noticed that Isabella observed her. Are you feeling better?

Isabella nodded shyly.

Jacky pulled off the boots, kicked them to the side and stretched out her naked feet towards the fire. That’s good. She sighed. It was cold outside.

Isabella was surprised. I thought you only came home at that moment.

No. Jacky shook her head. Laura woke me up. She pointed over to the door and Isabella understood that she meant with that the other woman who had left the room some minutes ago. She frowned. I thought nobody saw me.

Laura has very good eyes. Jacky smiled about Isabella’s surprise. She wanted to say something more but at this moment the door from the living room opened again and Melanie came inside. Behind her Laura stepped along.

Melanie carried a tray with some cups and a big pot – full of her wonderful good tea.

Laura carried a big plate with biscuits.

They put down the tray and the plate on the small table in the middle between the sofas and armchairs. Then Melanie poured tea into the cups and passed them around; at last she sat down on the sofa next to the fireplace beside Isabella.

Laura took an armchair near the door, so she could see everyone and everything in the room. She noticed, too that Jack with velvet paws had come into the living room. He lay down behind the sofa in which Jacky had stretched herself out.

Isabella saw over at the other women she didn’t know and looked intensive at them. She took a cup of tea, as Jacky had told her and drank in short sips.

Jacky opened the discussion after she had drunk some drops of the tea, too. At first, I want to introduce you to the others. Laura, Melanie! This is Isabella King. Isabella, this is… She pointed at the woman on her left side. Laura. She saw you at first and came then to wake me up. She thought that you needed help and she noticed that you were afraid of coming inside.

Laura nodded to confirm it.

Isabella looked under her eyelashes at Laura. She liked what she could see out of the corner of her eyes.

Laura was a young, tall woman. She had short red hair like a fire extinguisher and blue eyes. She gave the certain impression that she was very intelligent with more than an athletic body. At the moment her face was full of sympathy.

Jacky continued. And here we have Melanie. She’s the good spirit in this household. She manages the kitchen and everything else what belongs to a household. I hope, you have no problems with each other or you, Isabella, will see what happens when she turns into a dragon. Jacky spoke with a smile and Melanie shook threatening her hand at Jacky – with a smile though.

Don’t believe it, I’m very good-natured. Melanie laughed at Isabella.

Isabella smiled timidly.

Melanie looked like a housewife, how everyone imagined one. She had long brown hair and green eyes. They sparkled. Otherwise she was a little woman and very chubby. Also she looked very friendly.

Isabella liked her immediately.

Then Isabella observed the last woman from whom she did not know the name. This woman made no effort to introduce herself. And Laura and Melanie said nothing either. She didn’t understand it. Though she was too frightened to ask, although all of the women were friendly to her, she only remained to look silently.

In front of Isabella Jacky squatted on the sofa. She looked like a cat, which lay on her favourite place for sleep. Her whole movements were soft and elegant. She had long black curly hair and blue eyes like the deep sea. She was friendly – Isabella knew it – but on her face laid a close expression. Isabella wanted to know why and she started to plan finding out why. She liked the unknown woman very much.

How is it? Can you tell us now why you look for help? Jacky interrupted her thoughts.

Isabella twitched again. She felt that she could trust these women but it wasn’t easy for her to speak about her problems. She hesitated.

In the middle of the silence Laura asked: How old are you?

Gratefully Isabella accepted this subject. I’m twenty-five.

So young, Melanie spoke enviously; she went straight towards the middle of the forties.

Jacky smiled amused.

Married? Laura was still curiously.

Isabella looked suddenly very sad and nodded.

Jacky got up from her sofa and asked with importance, cause of her experience two or three questions skipping: Does he hit you?

Isabella took her head down and stared only into her cup. Yes, too. she whispered.

Jacky and Laura exchanged a look together.

And what else? Jacky stretched her question.

Isabella didn’t speak. Only a tear fell down onto her hand.

All the women exchanged again a look.

Carefully Jacky changed the subject. Do you have children?

Yes. Isabella raised her head and her eyes started to sparkle. I have a son. He’s six years old and a daughter. She is two.

And you don’t know where you can go to with the two children? Jacky asked carelessly as she found out. And she skipped a question again. That Isabella wanted to leave her husband was obvious for her.

Isabella nodded.

Jacky changed the subject again. Do you like it here?

Amazed Isabella nodded.

Where do you live?

Isabella didn’t come along anymore. She stuttered: 111, Queen Street.

Jacky thought about the situation while she observed Isabella sharply. Under her look Isabella felt downcast again.

When I promise that I help you, do you swear that you don’t ask me any questions anymore tonight? Jacky spoke slowly.

Isabella looked at her. How do you want to help me? She asked incredulously.

Jacky shook her head. No more questions, please!

Silently Isabella saw at her. Then she bowed her head. It was obvious that she didn’t believe what Jacky had said. Every hope was gone from her eyes.

Jacky bent herself over to Laura and whispered something into her ear. Laura nodded, stood up and left the living room.

Jacky got up as well and went around the table to the sofa where Isabella sat. She sat down on the armrest and laid her arm around the shoulders of Isabella. She started to speak quietly to her: Please, trust me. I know that you have no reason to do so but it’s important for you. I can help you when you let me. And a little bit trust is important for that, too. She was silent for a minute than she spoke again: Where is your key for your apartment?

Isabella hesitated; she really didn’t believe that this woman could help her. But did she have another choice to escape from her husband? She hoped that everything would be all right when she accepted the offer. So she took her key out of the pocket from her jacket and gave it to Jacky.

Walter – I mean, my husband – doesn’t know that I have a key. Isabella’s voice was hardly understandable.

At this moment Laura came back inside. In her hand she held another cup of tea. She nodded at Jacky.

Jacky took the cup from Laura and reached it over to Isabella. Please, drink. She said warmly. It’ll be good for you.

Isabella took the cup – and hesitated again. Why… She began to speak but Jacky laid her finger on her mouth.

No questions. Jacky spoke firmly and everything in her voice said that she would not accept a contradiction.

Isabella lifted the cup up to her mouth – and emptied the cup with only one long swallow. Then she shook herself. What was it? She asked, as she tasted a bitter flavour on her tongue.

Jacky smiled warmly, Only a sleeping pill in the tea. It’ll be good for you when you can sleep a night through. Jacky had noticed that Isabella seemed not to have had enough sleep in the last nights because of her fears.

Isabella felt the good intention of Jacky but she defended herself. No! I don’t want to sleep! I can’t leave my children alone! I have to go home! With her first words she jumped up, grabbed at the same moment at her head and sat down again because her legs began to feel like a pudding. Her voice became thinner and thinner; the sleeping pill showed its effect. Only with effort Isabella could hold her eyes open.

Jacky laid her hand down on her eyes. Trust me. She whispered into her ears.

And Isabella fell asleep in the arms of Jacky.

Poor girl, Melanie had pity with the young sleeping woman.

Jacky waved Laura with the hand nearer and pleaded her: Can you carry her to the empty room on the second floor? Then I haven’t to wake someone up for that.

Laura nodded. It’s all right. Carefully she picked Isabella up onto her arms und left the room.

What do you want to do? Melanie asked.

Jacky passed with the hand through her hair. I think, she begun to speak slowly, we have to get hold of the children at first. But it’s enough time to make it tomorrow morning.

Do you want to leave the kids this night alone? Melanie looked bewildered.

Jacky smiled. She held her hand into the air and let the key swing. No. I want to send someone to look after them and to check if everything is all right – if that’s okay with you?

Melanie grinned. Yes, that’s okay.

Jacky thought about everything. While she was thinking she got up and went to the fireplace. She put the fire out perfectly and wiped off the ashes.

Melanie looked at her amused. She knew when Jacky was in thoughts she made her work correct und perfectly. She did not want to be in the way, so she got up and said quietly:

Good night, Jacky.

Good night, Melanie. Jacky answered automatically; she had no idea what was happening around her at this moment.

Melanie laughed soundlessly and left the room.

After her work at the fireplace Jacky went back to the table, put the cups, the pot and the plate on the tray, took a biscuit from the plate and ate it. Then she picked up the tray und went over to the door.

In this moment Laura, trying to enter the room, opened the door.

The door hit against the tray in Jacky’s hands, Jacky lost her hold of the tray and Laura could only just manage to catch it before it could crash down to the ground.

Jacky woke up from her thoughts. Stunned she looked at Laura.

Laura shook her head with a grin. Come on; let me take this to the kitchen. You’re too tired.

Jacky noticed soon that Laura was correct. She was tired but at first she had to do something else. So she followed Laura into the kitchen and stopped next to the door. Can you… she started.

You mean…? Laura asked.

Yes. Jacky confirmed.

The two women knew each other very well. So it wasn’t a problem for them to understand each other without many words.

Laura knew what Jacky had meant. She wasn’t tired, and so she nodded. It’s all right. When do you want to come for the kids?

We’ll come at eight in the morning. Okay?

Okay. I’ll take my mobile phone with me in case anything happens.

Thanks. Jacky nodded at her and smiled weakly. She threw the keys from Isabella over to Laura, and Laura caught them with a turn of her hand. Go to bed! She winked at her.

Jacky put her hand up in greeting and left the kitchen. She turned to the staircase but on the first step Jacky turned around and went back to the living room. She opened the door and looked around for Jack.

Jack lay behind one of the sofas and had only put up one ear. As Jacky now opened the door, he got up and stalked slowly over to her.

Jacky patted him and said quietly: Come on. Let’s go to bed! And together they left and went up to their bedroom.

Laura had left the kitchen and looked behind them for a moment. Then she went to the wall beside the entrance where the keys of every possible car and door were hanging, found the right one she needed and ran outside over the meadow to the garage. With Isabella’s house and flat door-keys in the pocket she made herself on the way to look after the children.

Jacky fell asleep immediately - but she thought she had gone to bed at the same moment when her alarm was ringing.

She got back up, went over to the bathroom and jumped under the shower. After ten minutes she came back a little bit more awake. She pulled over her clothes, greeted Jack and left together with him the room.

The other women – without Isabella – were fresh, cheerful and lively.

Jacky stopped in front of the dining room Diana, her driver from America, and Miriam, a young German girl. The two women belonged to the firm group around Jacky. The same was valid for Laura.

Jacky told them shortly what had happened during the night and that they had to leave in some minutes.

So the women only drank a cup of coffee like Jacky then Diana went away to prepare the car.

Jacky’s car was a big American automobile with seven doors including the boot.

Miriam kept one door open for Jacky – and Jack. He didn’t leave Jacky alone when it was possible. Then she closed the door and opened another in front of it. She sat down between Diana and Jacky.

Diana turned her head around. The address? she asked.

111, Queen Street, Jacky answered.

Soundlessly the car started and rolled on and silent it was during the whole journey.

At the end the car stopped at a tower block.

I wouldn’t like to live here. Miriam shook herself as she looked up the tower block.

It’s better than under a bridge. Diana warned her and reminded her of her life before she had come to the company ‘Jaguar’.

Miriam was silent and let her head drop. She knew that she could be happy to be here.

Jacky didn’t pay any attention to the discussion of the women. She looked at the tower block and murmured: That reminds me that we should paint our house again.

Diana threw a look behind her. When you think that we paint the house then you’re on the wrong path. She mocked.

Jacky grinned. No. I don’t think that. I’m thinking that we should order some young men to paint the house. She looked at Miriam. Involuntary she dripped into the same notch as well as Diana. She knew that the girl had a weakness for young men. Finally she was young herself, too.

Miriam sighed.

Today was one of the days everyone mocked about her. She left the car and opened the door at Jacky’s side.

Jacky turned to Diana and said to her: Please park the car in a way that we can get away immediately. It’s better, in case something happens.

Diana tapped on her forehead as sign that she had understood the order and Jacky got out of the car. With Jack on a chain at her side Jacky looked up the tower block again. What time is it? She asked Miriam who stood and waited next to her.

Five to eight, Miriam answered shortly.

Punctual on the minute, Jacky smiled. Let’s go.

They went over to the main door, always on the stone way whilst Jack walked over the meadow at the side of the way.

At the door Jacky looked for the bell from family King. There it was – on the seventh floor.

Do you want to ring? Miriam asked naive.

Jacky nodded. But not here. I don’t want to stand in front of a closed door and Laura has the keys. We’re going inside in our way. Jacky made a sign with the hand to the door.

Miriam sighed again.

This wasn’t the work she liked. But she knew that she could do that, and she knew that this was one of the things, which had made herself valuable for Jacky.

She stepped over to the door and pulled some skeleton keys out of her pocket. She had the keys always with her.

And after a minute the door was open.

Jacky entered the hall and turned to the elevators. She pressed the chain from Jack into Miriam’s hand and ordered shortly: Please, take the stairs with Jack. You know he doesn’t love elevators.

Miriam agreed and took the chain. Seventh floor. she murmured and disappeared up the stairs up.

Jacky pressed her finger on the button for the elevator. As it came, she went inside and chose the button for the seventh floor. A short time later she was on the right floor. She looked for the bell of the family King and discovered it at the end of the corridor. She turned her head and waited till Miriam and Jack had caught up with her; then she gave them a sign that they had to wait and pressed the button at the door.

Ring! Ring!

Nothing happened.

Jacky pressed the button again.

Ring! Ring!

There was nothing but silence.

Jacky was surprised that Laura didn’t come to the door. She should have waited here, and normally she could trust her to follow such an order.

Jacky turned her head over to Miriam again to give her a sign – as suddenly the door was opening.

Jacky turned back and got a glimpse at the inside of the apartment before she noticed the little boy who stood in the doorframe. She kneeled down and saw the boy straightaway into the eyes.

Big blue eyes caught her look; eyes very much like Isabella’s. The boy looked exactly like his young mother with his blond hair.

Hello! Jacky greeted him friendly. Is your mother at home? She wanted to check up what the boy knew.

The boy shook his head.

And what is with your father?

Now the boy nodded.

And is there a foreign lady?

The boy hesitated. He turned his head around and had a look over his shoulder before he nodded again.

Jacky understood. Something had happened here. Can I speak to your father? She tried to stay calm.

The boy shook his head.

Why can’t I?

He sleeps. The answer came so suddenly that Jacky had problems to understand the meaning. Then she nodded. Can you bring me to the foreign lady? She asked the boy.

The boy stared at Jacky. He hesitated again. Then he took the hand from Jacky and went with her inside.

Jacky entered the corridor and made a sign to Miriam to wait for her at the door.

The boy led Jacky straight into the living room.

The living room was a big room with two big windows and dark old trimmed furniture, which gave the impression of being nice and warm.

But on one chair in the middle of the room Laura sat and she didn’t look so well. She was bound and gagged and on her forehead was blood. She was unconscious.

Jacky didn’t pay attention to anything else, as she saw in which terrible situation Laura was. She let go the hand of the little boy and ran in panic over to her best friend. She convinced herself fast that Laura was still alive then she cut with the knife, she had every day with her, the rope and laid the woman down on the floor. She wiped carefully the blood out of Laura’s forehead. Then she got up. Where is the phone? She asked the boy who waited at the door, still afraid.

Silently the boy pointed over to the corner next to Jacky.

Jacky turned around, grabbed after the phone and called the emergency ambulance. After she had finished with the call, she looked over at the boy. Your mother doesn’t live here anymore. Do you want to go to your mother?

The boy nodded hard.

And what is with your sister? What do you think?

And again the nod came.

Where’s your sister? Jacky looked around.

The boy pointed back into the corridor. She’s in our bedroom.

Jacky nodded; she wanted to say something more but she hadn’t the chance anymore.

A big loud voice interrupted her. You know a lot of things about this family – too much! A man stood in the doorframe of the living room and looked at her. He grinned.

It was Walter King, Isabella’s husband.

The little boy hid afraid behind Jacky.

Jacky met the eyes of Walter King and spoke very calmly: Yes, I know many things about this here. But it isn’t a family.

It was a family before she came. He pointed at Laura. And I want to do everything I can that this will be a family again. It was wrong to come. He came next to Jacky but she didn’t give way. He threatened Jacky and lifted his hand in order to hit her.

Everything what Jacky did was to whistle.

The man laughed – and hit out.

Jacky got a slap into the face that she made a step to the side and lost almost her balance. But she recovered soon.

Suddenly a big shadow came running through the door and caught the arm of the man with its mouth. Jack didn’t bite but he held the arm so firm that the man