Chapter 58: The Mystery Unfolds

Jennifer

‘Jennifer, I need to speak to Cieran about something, please can you ask him to get in touch with me?’. The text came through from Bjorn first thing and I was still wondering what to do about it.

First, I decided, I had my hospital appointment to get to. Travis was taking me as usual so we were able to talk on the way. “Is everything cleared up?” I asked. “Yep, Kevin and Valkyrie left with the package first thing.” He replied.

The coincidence was making me paranoid but there was o way he could know, surely? And even if he did know something, why would he be wanting to talk to Cieran about it and not me?

“The yard is back to normal?” I pushed; the last thing I wanted was Bjorn turning up and finding something. What is it Michelle calls it? Plausible deniability? We could still spin a story if we must.

I sighed inwardly, warring with myself. I don’t want to be a liar, I never wanted to be a murderer, I never wanted any of this. I swore I would never be anything like those cruel, heartless, vile creatures that raised me and tried to turn me into one of them.

“We didn’t leave a trace behind, I promise Jennifer, we know what we are doing.” Travis tried to reassure me. My fingers mindlessly drummed against the door. “Are yo9u expecting someone?” He finally asked.

“I got a message from Bjorn this morning. He wanted to speak to Cieran but didn’t say about what.” I explained. “You think he knows something?” Travis asked. “I don’t know, but why speak to Cieran if he does?” My mind drifted, deep in thought.

“I don’t want him getting involved if we can avoid it. It’s too dangerous, I am already putting enough people at risk.” I concluded. Travis nodded, a look of deep understanding in his eyes.

I hadn’t told him anything about breaking up with Bjorn, but he was bound to have noticed the fact he was not around yesterday after we had been spending every day together for the past couple of days.

I didn’t need to say any more and Travis knew better than to ask, already sensing that I was saying more to him than I would have normally. If Bjorn showed up, he wouldn’t turn him away, but he would be careful that he was not exposed to anything that was going on right now.

The rest of the journey was quiet, and we arrived at the hospital shortly after that. I gave some excuse about spilled fertilizer chemicals to explain the burns, using the excuse to complain about not being able to do anything with the cast on my leg.

Eventually, the doctor gave in, giving me a state-of-the-art removable cast that had specially designed steel rods integrated in the casing to give maximum support. She told me that with this, I would be able to put weight on my leg but that I must promise to wear it at all times, or the break would refracture and become even worse than before.

With a warning that further damage would lead to an operation to insert steel rods in my leg this time, not just the casing of the cast and that this would also mean a prolonged hospital stay, I decided that I could concede to wearing the cumbersome thing, as long as I could use my leg again.

After she examined the injured area the doctor bandaged my burns, mumbling about third degree burns, skin grafts, lucky it wasn’t worse and how stubborn I was. She was concerned about my oxygen levels but seeing how determined I was not to be in the hospital any longer than I needed to be, she finally conceded that I could go home.

She gave me a note for my ‘personal doctor’, I didn’t tell her that he was actually a vet and had plenty on his hands with our recent rescue already. She told me to rest plenty, and I hobbled out of there, now only using one crutch to help me steady my braced leg.

When I got back, Maya seemed more energetic. She had finally started eating properly again so I decided to take her for a walk to check on the horses. I would have to get back to work soon so I wanted to make the most of this freedom.

I had to admit, having to take this time off has been a blessing. Not that I have had much time to rest but even so, the feeling of not having any obligations to wake up to the next morning is refreshing.

I feel bad for Maria, I know she can handle it but I know I am putting a lot of pressure on everyone just now. If only my body would stop failing me so I could feel a little less useless.

Of course, it would help if people stopped trying to kill me and destroy everything I have built and hold dear. I suppose we can’t have it all though. As soon as I hear that my father is home, I can start the wheels turning.

My mind keeps reeling over every detail, all that could possibly go wrong. I would rather wait until Kevin and Valkyrie are back, but they will not wait once they receive the package, so I have to be prepared to keep ahead of them.

I will start pulling strings, removing funding, shifting stocks and shares. It could open the market to Wez stepping in to take some control if I don’t do it just right but if I can pull it off, it will take the power away from the corrupt powerhouses as well as removing any hold that Wez has here.

Only the rich or desperate fools think of war, so balance is key in order to manipulate them into believing that the risk is not worth taking. They only need to hesitate, faulter for a moment.

Maya sat back as we approached Theodores pen. I slowly walked over to lean on the fence, watching the majesty of his muscular physique, galloping along the fence line in large, powerful strides.

A snort of his nostrils showed me that he knew I was there, and he abruptly turned to charge straight for me.