Page 30 of Stripped

"Look, you're upset. That was a lot of news for one afternoon. Let me take you home."

"Fuck off, Wraith."

He watched as she lengthened her stride and made her way down a walking path. Unable to drive any farther, he turned the car around at the dead end and drove the short distance to her flat, calling Gabriel on the way.

"Wraith, what can I do for you?" Grabriel asked.

"I need you to check on the girl again, Natasha, only this time run the report as Natasha McNeil. Look for any hospital reports or birth records."

"Okay. I've texted Dougie. He's on it. What's going on?"

"She showed up at the reading of the will, claiming to be Angus' wife and claiming the boy was his son."

"That must have caused a stir."

"To say the least. I have a sinking feeling that Angus was involved in a lot more than drugs."

"Here we go. There are no hospital records, but Dougie found a birth certificate for a boy, born July 10, 2015. His name is Hamish McNeil. The mother is Natasha McNeil but there is no father listed."

"I think this might explain who broke into Angus' place. Thanks, Gabriel. I'll call you back in a bit." He parked the car and got out, waiting for Pim to arrive. The picture of Natasha as a child and the twenty thousand pounds spoke of only one thing—a child bride.

"Primrose," he called out, intercepting her as she limped toward the door leading to her flat.

"I told you, our deal is over." Her eyes were puffy and bloodshot. He could tell she had been crying.

"I heard you. I need to get my stuff."

She nodded shortly, regaining her composure. "Of course," she said, opening the main door to the townhouse and heading up the stairs to her apartment. She held the door for him as he entered.

"I'll just be a second," he said, retrieving his bags from the closet and zipping the last of his belongs into a rucksack.

She stood there, watching him silently.

"Thank you, truly, for your help," he said, reaching out. His finger stroked her cheek. "I'm still worr—"

"Stop." She pushed his hand away. "Let's just go our separate ways. I told you there was no reason to make this complicated."

"You're right." He pressed his lips together. All her walls were up, so he wasn't going to make any headway with her right now. "Well then, I'll get going."

"Good bye, Wraith."

He left without looking back.