Betrayal of Innocence (A New Adventure Begins - Star Elite 1)

It was going to be highly amusing indeed to see his esteemed colleague felled by an outraged old lady, and so he settled back to watch what happened.

Justin was still quietly cursing them when the door opened. He turned around, but whatever he had intended to say disappeared instantly as he watched a stunningly beautiful young woman enter the room.

“Good God,” Angus grunted, launching out of his chair and tugging at his jacket as he turned to greet the lady.

“Good God indeed,” Oliver whispered, echoing the sentiments of the rest of the men of the Star Elite. He put his pad down and stood up.

Together, they watched the redoubtable Miss Clarkson stop beside the chaise and dip into a curtsey. They immediately realised that life – and the investigation – had just become considerably more difficult than any of them could ever have anticipated, not least because their new boss was just as struck by the beautiful young woman’s stunning good looks as they all were.

CHAPTER FOUR

Vanessa’s heart was hammering wildly as she dipped into a curtsey. These men were a powerful force, and a little intimidating, especially staring at her as though they were hungry, and she had a joint of beef in her pocket. Carefully, she schooled her features into one of polite enquiry, and tipped her chin up as she waited for Mr Weeks to join them. It was a battle to keep her face calm and impassive, but she managed it – or hoped she did because she had never felt so small and insignificant in her life. The urge to apologise for her intrusion was so strong that she opened her mouth to speak only to then remind herself that Mr Weeks had allowed her in. She had nothing to apologise for.

Sensing movement behind her, Vanessa whirled around and watched the magistrate take his time closing the door behind him.

“I didn’t realise you were busy,” she began.

She looked around the room. It was difficult to know where to move because the usually large room now felt tiny and cramped. The solid wall of

masculinity around her was daunting, and enough to make her glance about warily – until one of the men stepped forward and bowed politely.

“Please don’t let us interrupt you. We were just about to make our way to the tavern, but if you don’t mind would like to stay to listen to your interview with Mr Weeks,” the man closest to her declared suddenly. “Please do excuse me. My name is Oliver, ma’am. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“Miss Vanessa Clarkson,” she replied cautiously, allowing the man to take her hand.

She looked at the magistrate for confirmation of who the strangers were, but the impassivity on his face was worrying. Before she could ask, Oliver edged her toward the man standing beside him. The round of brief introductions began, and they were brief because only first names were given. No titles were offered, or explanation as to what they were doing in the room, or why they wanted to stay.

Seconds later, Vanessa found herself looking up into the eyes of the last man to introduce himself. She opened her mouth to greet him as she had the others but quickly discovered that she couldn’t speak. When her eyes met his she seemed to fall forward somehow, deep into the dark orbs of his steady stare. That startlingly hypnotic gaze of his seemed to draw her in and hold her captive while they sought out her deepest, darkest secrets. She knew instinctively that he was different to the rest, not least because he was the most handsome. There was something about him that warned her he was in charge, and he would not take objection kindly. She wanted to take a step away from him. The magnificence of his presence was just so overwhelming, common sense and logical thought seemed to leave her.

Not a sound could be heard, save for her thunderous heartbeat which seemed to be trying to crash right out of her chest. She dipped into a curtsey, but to her surprise, watched the man nod coldly, not bow as she had expected him to do.

“This is Justin, our boss,” Oliver declared quietly from beside her when Justin didn’t seem inclined to speak.

He looked warily from her to Justin and back to her again, then realised someone had to do something or they were likely to be standing in awkward silence for the rest of the afternoon.

“Come and take a seat,” he urged, nudging the young woman over to the closest chair.

Maybe it would help if she was seated, preferably well away from Justin, he mused with a wry smile at the young woman in question.

While she made herself comfortable, Oscar glared at his colleague over his shoulder, prompting him to do something to break the tension between him and their guest. He was a little surprised by his colleague’s rudeness and wondered why Justin was so put out by her arrival. There didn’t seem to be anything about this young woman that could cause anybody any problem. She was polite, beautiful and well-spoken. Even so, something had irked Justin.

His colleagues had noticed Justin’s odd behaviour too, if their consternation was anything to go by. Tension began to build as everyone waited for Justin to speak.

Justin watched the young woman perch elegantly on the edge of one of the high-backed chairs bracketing the fireplace. He knew immediately she was trouble, but not for the reasons he had expected.

But then you had expected some nice old, eccentric old bat with a stern backbone and a bible in her hand, face it. This woman is beautiful.

Weeks, seemingly oblivious to the undercurrent of tension in the room, propped his hips on the table behind him and folded his arms in an almost challenging stance.

“Now, might I ask what this visit is all about? I hope you haven’t been annoying Mr Bennion again.”

Vanessa’s cheeks heated. “I am sorry if he is annoyed with my questions, but I am sure you will understand my eagerness to get my sister back as swiftly as possible. That is of more importance than my brother-in-law’s discomfort, isn’t it?” she protested. “Surely you should be finding out why he is so unsettled by my questions if he has nothing to hide, shouldn’t you?”

She watched Weeks’ cheeks flush and knew the man was angry, but he was prevented from venting his annoyance by the presence of the men who were watching with interest. Aware of their attention, Vanessa heaved a swift sigh.

“I am sorry, I don’t believe you gave me a reason for your interest in this interview,” she said to Oscar having flicked an angry look of distaste in Weeks’ direction.

“We are assisting Mr Weeks in the investigation of the disappearances,” Angus explained gently.