even though she had felt intimidated by the encounter, a feeling of anticlimax washed over her. She’d wanted to meet them all for many years, despite her job and their reputation. Secretly, she’d hoped they’d be friendlier with her. In an ideal world, she might have got to know them, but today had shown that wasn’t likely to happen.
There was one thing she had learned, though; from that meeting alone, she sensed that the Steele family were unnerved about something. Grace had seen the looks flicking between them. Were they trying to put up a united front that didn’t exist? Or was it meeting her that had made them feel so uncomfortable?
She went to join Perry.
‘We’ve just busted Parker’s locker open,’ he told her. ‘There’s the usual stuff in there – spare workout clothes, a towel, pair of trainers and some protein shakes. But we also found a leather bag full of sex toys, condoms, lubes, et cetera. And this.’ He held up a key ring. Attached to it was a luggage label, a key and an electronic key fob. The numbers 171794 were written on the label in black pen.
‘Playing away?’
‘It’s possible.’ Perry paused. ‘What did he mean back there?’
‘Who?’ Grace questioned.
‘Eddie. When he said “Well, well, well”?’
‘I’ve no idea,’ she replied, spotting Nick returning. ‘You?’
Perry shook his head. ‘I just wondered, with it being a really strange remark.’
‘It was,’ Grace said quickly. ‘I’ll go and update Nick.’ She walked away, hoping he wouldn’t see the blush she could feel forming on her face.
Eddie pinched the bridge of his nose. He wanted to punch out, hit the wall, throw the desk across the room, anything to rid himself of the feeling in his chest. He wouldn’t let his grief show in public, not even to his family. But Josh had been his friend since they were young boys and he trusted him more than he ever had any member of his family.
‘What the hell went on here last night?’ he yelled, slapping his hand down on the desk.
Jade visibly jumped. ‘Don’t look at me!’ she pouted.
‘I’m not. But someone knows something and I intend to find out who by the end of the day.’
‘Ed, I’m sorry.’ Leon walked round the desk to him and put a hand on his shoulder.
‘Yeah, I’m sure you are.’ Eddie shirked it off.
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘Well, there was never any love lost between the two of you. I also know what’s been going on. Josh told me what you’ve been doing to make more money on the side. I was as pissed off with him getting involved as I am with you. It’s stupid. And would you stop with the snivelling, Jade?’ Eddie snapped.
Jade pulled herself upright. ‘I have feelings!’ she shouted. ‘Josh was my friend too. I can’t believe he’s gone.’
‘I can’t believe someone would kill him at the gym.’ Leon ran a hand through his hair. ‘And what the hell is she doing turning up here?’
‘Grace?’ Eddie said, noting his brother had evaded his accusations. His informant at the police station had told him she was back. He hadn’t been too pleased about it at the time, and had hoped their paths wouldn’t cross so soon. He’d wanted to get a handle on her before deciding whether they needed to get her on side, to recruit her to their team.
‘Yeah,’ Leon responded. ‘As a fed, she’s a threat. As a person, she’s not welcome at all.’
‘I think she made it perfectly clear she didn’t want anything to do with us.’ Eddie reached for his phone. There were already seven messages waiting for him – news was getting around.
‘I didn’t get that impression,’ Jade said. ‘I think she was shy, maybe overwhelmed to meet us all in one go. Aren’t either of you intrigued to see what she’s like?’
‘No, and you aren’t going to find out either,’ Eddie remarked. ‘She isn’t family and never will be.’
‘But that’s—’ Jade began.
‘But nothing.’ Eddie glared her way. ‘You’ll do as you’re told.’
Jade folded her arms and stuck out her chin. ‘You might think you can still bully me – both of you – but you can’t tell me what to do now that Dad isn’t here. If I want to see my sister, then I will.’
‘Tell me,’ Leon mocked, ‘why hasn’t she been in touch before?’
Jade lowered her eyes momentarily. ‘I don’t know.’
‘And why didn’t you get in touch with her?’
‘Because of Dad, and you.’ Jade pointed at Eddie. ‘You were always threatening – like you are now – exactly what you would do to me if I did. If it wasn’t for that I would have got in touch with her years ago.’
‘But that doesn’t alter the fact that she never got in touch with you,’ Leon scoffed.
‘She probably hadn’t wanted to while Dad was alive,’ Jade said, adamant. ‘But now he’s gone and she’s back in Stoke. Well, I think I might like to get to know her.’
‘No,’ Eddie said.
‘You can’t stop me.’
‘You wouldn’t have seen her if she hadn’t come here this morning!’
‘Like I said, I’m curious!’ Jade leaned back and folded her arms.
‘I don’t want anyone to find out she’s related to us, either,’ Eddie stated.
‘Fortunately, it doesn’t seem like she is too keen to tell anyone,’ Leon remarked. ‘It was clear that Perry didn’t know who she was. We could use that to our advantage.’
‘No one finds out,’ Eddie warned. ‘I’ll tell our mother the same when I see her later.’
‘But—’ Jade started.
‘Stay away,’ Eddie warned. ‘She’s blue and she can’t be trusted.’
‘I’d trust anyone over you, so I can’t see why not.’ Jade raised her voice. ‘And losing Josh like that makes me realise how precious time is. If I want to see her, I will.’
‘Who’d want to see you?’ Leon sneered.
‘Why do you always have to be so nasty?’ With two strides Jade was out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
It was Eddie’s turn to run a hand through his hair. ‘Do you know anything about this?’
Leon came to stand by his brother. ‘No, I’ve told you that already.’
Eddie still didn’t believe him. He clicked a file on the screen. ‘We need to take a look at our security cameras to see what the cops will find on them.’
‘Shouldn’t we leave it to them?’
‘We sort out our own business.’ Eddie stretched up his arm, put a hand behind Leon’s neck and pulled him down until they were eye level. ‘If I find out you’ve had anything to do with this, you’re on your own, brother or no brother, do you hear me?’
For once, Leon didn’t try to resist his grip. Instead, he leaned on the desk with clenched fists, his eyes never leaving Eddie’s. ‘I hear you.’
‘And the girls, Leon.’ Eddie knew his brother would know exactly what he meant. ‘It stops, right now. I’m not covering