Best of all, it was nice coming home to her three closest friends, Jane, Casey and Sarah. These guys she considered as family, as her sisters. They missed her and worried about her while she was away, which is why they liked to spoil her on her return. As usual, whenever she finished up an assignment, they did something together. It was the girls’ way of welcoming her home. They were well aware of the risks involved during her undercover assignments so it gave them the perfect reason to celebrate her safe return. Billie also had another reason to be excited. Today was the start of a whole week off. Rarely did she take leave, particularly as long as a week. She was always recharged and ready to jump into the next assignment after a couple of days, but this time was different. This time she’d arranged to visit her good friend, Jesse Doyle. They’d known each other since they were young girls. Billie used to often visit her grandfather, Digger. At the time, he lived on a cattle property in Cowra. The country town was roughly four and a half hours west of Sydney. Digger adored her and loved having her around. That’s when she’d met Jesse. They became good friends and caught up with each other whenever Billie was there.
The visits and happy reunions all came to an abrupt end when Billie lost her parents at the age of twelve. She’d witnessed them cut down by a machine gun outside her house. Devastated, she moved to Cowra to live with Digger. They were hard times, for her and for her grandfather. His grief became so entrenched, her relationship with him deteriorated. Despite her problems with her grandfather, Jesse was always there for her and helped her deal with the horrible nightmare that refused to leave her alone. Jesse had stood by her when she’d mourned her parents, shared tears with her while she struggled to deal with her grief. She’d listened to her over and over while she was trapped in her helpless state of trying to understand Digger’s unusual and withdrawn behaviour. Jesse never gave up on her and supported her through it all, and continued to do so during their high school days. With their friendship well established, they’d been inseparable. They’d stayed in touch ever since Billie moved back to Sydney to join the police force. Unfortunately, these days they don’t catch up too often, at least not as much as they’d like to. It made this week coming extra special.
Jesse lived outside of Mudgee, a few hours north west of Sydney. She owned a horse stud. Always having a love for horses ever since Billie had known her, she’d built the stud up from scratch, breeding particular horses and training them to use in her Polo events, another love of her life. The two girls had started playing Polo in high school. They’d joined the school team for fun. As much as Billie enjoyed it, she didn’t take it as seriously as Jesse had. She now plays semi-professionally. Highly skilled and dedicated, she has made a name for herself, not only for herself but with her horses. Because of their fine quality and stamina, riders and breeders now contact her, all prepared to pay big dollars for them. Jesse’s business was doing very well, just like her career. Billie couldn’t be happier for her, or prouder. Jesse had come a long way. Sure it was hard work and time consuming, but she was doing something she loved. Billie wished they could catch up more often but, due to the distance separating them, and their busy workloads, it was hard to line up time off together. Yet, regardless of that, they’d remained as close as they had during their school years. Time and kilometres failed to break the strong relationship they’d formed. Looking forward to catching up with Jesse, Billie’s week away was kicking off with the special night tonight with Sarah, Casey and Jane. They’d arranged to come over for their welcoming get-together. Tonight was going to be laidback with a few drinks over dinner. They were ordering in takeaways so everyone could relax and focus on enjoying each other’s company without the distraction of cooking.
Instigated to get moving on that thought, Billie opened the rear door of the mailbox and took out the few letters inside. She skimmed through them to see if any needed immediate attention. There was nothing that couldn’t wait until she returned from her holiday.
A call caught her attention from the side.
“Excuse me!”
Billie looked up to see a boy on a bike riding along the footpath towards her, pedalling fast. He was standing up off the seat with his focus locked on her. Two metres out from her, he slammed on the brakes and skidded to a sideways halt. The brake pads gave a high squeal against the sudden braking. Reading the intent look he eyed her with, Billie sensed he was here specifically for her. Now why would that be? She didn’t know him and hadn’t seen him before. He looked to be around eleven or twelve. A sprinkle of freckles across his nose added a cheekiness to his appearance. Wearing his helmet well back on his head, his red sweaty hair clung to his forehead. His exertion left him panting. Had he ridden hard to catch her while she was down by the street. To catch her? That seemed a little bizarre. Her curiosity heightened. Maybe it was just a coincidence he’d stopped while she was here . . . or maybe it wasn’t.
“Are you Billie McCoy?” he asked, striving to settle his breathing after his speedy ride.
Billie checked her surprise. He knew her name? What was going on? How would a random kid off the street know her? One thing, it answered her question about him riding hard to catch her. She nodded.
“Yes, I am.”
“I have something for you.” He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out an envelope. Billie hesitantly took it when he passed it to her.
“Thanks. Who’s it from?”
The boy shrugged. “Don’t know. They didn’t say. Just paid me to deliver it to you. See ya.” He shuffled the bike around to face the direction he’d come.
“Wait a minute. Can you tell me more about who paid you?”
“Nope. Sorry, have to go.” He pushed off, jumped on the seat and hurriedly started pedalling. He quickly picked up speed. Billie watched him scoot along the footpath and disappear around the corner.
“That’s weird.” She dropped her attention to the envelope in her hand. Who would be sending her a letter, particularly with such a strange delivery? Why pay a kid to do the job? What was wrong with a simple phone call, or a visit? Unless of course the sender wanted to remain anonymous. Curiosity got the better of her. She opened the envelope and pulled out a neatly cut strip of note paper. Its message was just as short.
It’s time to finish it under the fig tree.
Billie frowned. Finish it under the fig tree? Fig tree? All she could associate a fig tree with was a school fight. The students used to secretly settle scores between each other beneath it, only because it was well hidden at the back of the school yard and out of the eyes of the teachers. She looked up and stared across the street at nothing in particular while her mind roamed. She’d been involved in a fight under it only once, a fight she didn’t want to have in the first place. The leader of a school gang had taken her on. Yes, Becky Nolan. She was a pushy bully and picked on anyone she could to enforce her control. She and her gang had everyone afraid of them. Could it be her? But why would she contact her now, after all these years. And what did ‘finish it’ mean? Finish what? There was nothing to finish as far as she was concerned. It happened in another lifetime. It wasn’t even all that significant. It was nothing more than a teenage fight. They happened in all schools, didn’t they? It didn’t make sense. Why would Nolan, or whoever it was, want to carry on with something so trivial and after so long.
Snapping out of her daze, Billie looked around the empty street, checking it over with a different outlook to her admiring appraisal minutes ago. Nothing looked suspicious amidst its picturesque appeal. She couldn’t see anyone sinister watching or threatening her. Well, no doubt Nolan, or whoever sent the note, would contact her to fill her in with what was going on, and that wouldn’t be until she returned from Jesse’s in a week’s time. No way was she about to spoil her holiday by worrying about unidentified notes for something she wasn’t interested in. Whoever they were would have to wait.
Adding the note to her mail, Billie walked back to the garage. Stepping inside, she pressed the button on the motor of the roller door. It came to life with a quiet hum and slowly powered the door downwards. The detective picked up her handbag and keys off the bench and unlocked the personal door into her spacious kitchen. Walking in, she half turned and closed the door. A gun cocked behind her. Billie froze. She slowly looked over her shoulder to see who threatened her. A guy with a cold hard stare held a pistol aimed at her forehead. His grip was steady and confident. She’d never seen him before. Dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, he looked like your typical thug: muscle bound, unshaven and oozing of arrogance. Was he connected to the note the kid had given her? Gut instinct told her yes. It was too coincidental not to be. He smiled and then motioned with his head for her to step away from the door.
Dumping her mail, keys and handbag on a sideboard beside the door, Billie moved towards the centre of the room between the kitchen and the dining room. A woman and a guy emerged from the hallway opposite. Billie stopped. They strolled towards her in a casual approach. The guy looked much like the thug holding the gun on her. He, too, was armed. Quite relaxed, he targeted the pistol in her direction. Ignoring him for the moment, Billie shifted her attention to the woman. Although she hadn’t seen her since school, she easily recognised her. Becky Nolan. Well, her theory of who sent the note was confirmed. Here was the bully from school who’d forced her to fight her under the fig tree. So much for waiting a week. She hadn’t expected her to contact her so soon, or to break into her house. That was a bad oversight on her part. Shit. The sight of the stranger shot Billie’s memories back to her school days, to the fig tree. She remembered the fight clearly. She’d flattened Nolan within the first minute, leaving her barely conscious and embarrassed in front of her bullying gang and every spectator there, which was half of the upper school. No one, other than Jesse, knew she could fight so it came as a shock to all the onlookers, as well as her opponent. Billie had never displayed any sign of her hidden talent at school. At the time, there had been no need. Digger and her father had taught her to fight from an early age. She’d put her training to good use that day. She’d taken Nolan out easily and knocked her bullying attitude, along with her overconfidence, down with her. The girl never bullied her again. Yet here she was, years later, and according to the note, was ready to take it up again. But why? Was she that bad a sore loser?
In her mid-twenties, the same age as the detective, Nolan wore her dark hair shorter than when she was at school. It was boyishly short. Billie noted her solid build. She looked fit and strong – attributes only extensive bodybuilding and routine exercise could achieve. Had she been working out since leaving school? To prepare herself for this planned event that seemed so trivial? As much as she hated to think so, it certainly seemed to be leaning that way.
Nolan smiled warmly at Billie. “Billie McCoy, or should I say, Detective McCoy. My, haven’t you stepped up in the world. Such a big milestone in such a short time. Very impressive.”
“Becky Nolan. It’s been a while.”
“It certainly has, and you remember my name. Nice.” She flashed a beaming smile. Billie ignored it.
“How could I forget it? You made quite an impression at school. Can’t say it was a good one but nevertheless, an impression, one that had just about every student on edge.”
Nolan chuckled. “I tried.” Her self-righteous answer was typical of her conceitedness. “I had everyone there toeing the line, exactly where I wanted them.”
“Yeah, that you did . . . at least for a while.”
Nolan made no reaction to the discrediting remark. Billie didn’t push it. She glanced at the guy beside her. He watched her expressionlessly. Had Nolan hired these guys to back her? They seemed more like thugs than associates, ready to jump at her every command. Was Nolan still running some kind of gang, some kind of oppressive entity to enforce her rule? It certainly seemed that way. Billie looked back at her.
“I’m glad to see you made yourself at home . . . particularly when you were so uninvited.”
Another chuckle. “And what a lovely home it is.” Nolan looked around the open planned, split level rooms with the loft above. Her attention returned to Billie. She looked her up and down before meeting her gaze. “Wow, look at you. Still good looking, and still with a great figure. I have to say, you haven’t changed much at all.”
“I wish I could say the same about you.” She glanced at the guy beside Nolan and then at the pistol aimed her way. “Or maybe you have. Gone downhill by the looks of it.”
A smile touched Nolan’s lips. “I can understand this must be a bit of a shock for you, I mean breaking into your house and holding you at gunpoint and all.”
“Yeah, it is a little. Can’t say it’s a regular occurrence.”
“No doubt. My point is, I wanted to make sure you made the time to listen to my proposal.”
“Proposal? Nothing you could propose would be of interest to me.”
Nolan smiled, unoffended. “You haven’t heard it yet. I’m sure you’re going to love it.” She nodded. “Yes, I’ve been thinking about this day for a long while now. You’ve been on my mind quite a lot lately.”
“Really? I hate to disappoint you but I haven’t thought about you in years. Didn’t really want to. We had nothing in common, and still don’t, which brings me to the question bothering me so much. Why are you here?”
“My proposal for you, remember?”
“Which is?”
Nolan gave a chuckle. “Oh, I’ll get to that in a minute.”
Billie sighed and had to curb her frustration. It was bad enough this woman, who she wanted nothing to do with, was in her house threatening her. Now she was wasting her time stalling to explain her reasons why she was here. Couldn’t she just get to the point and leave? The sooner she was out of here, the better.
Nolan ignored her obvious signs of annoyance and casually looked around the large open-planned room. “I thought I’d try my luck in the big smoke. As I’m kind of in between jobs at the moment, Sydney seemed a good place to, you know, check out.” She returned her attention to the detective. “And then I had a brainwave thinking that you might be here. I mean, this is where you lived before you moved to Cowra, right?” Her smile strengthened. “Boy, I had fun chasing you up, finding out what you were up to. I was astounded when I discovered you were a cop, and not just any old street cop but an undercover detective in a special squad. That’s pretty cool. I learnt heaps about you and the reputation you’ve built up.” She beamed a bright smile. “Who would have thought?”
“Get to the point, Nolan. What do you want?” Billie was tiring of her game. She never liked her at school and didn’t like her now, and knew she wasn’t going to like her reasons for being here.
“Exactly what the note said.”
“See, that’s where I’m confused. What exactly do you mean by finish it? I didn’t think we had anything to finish.”
Nolan chuckled. “Ha! Yes, it was a little cryptic, I guess. That’s why I added the fig tree in it. Don’t you remember what happened under the fig tree at school?”
“Yeah. We fought. I won, you lost, end of story. Like I said, there’s nothing to finish. It was a fair fight so I really can’t see where you’re going with this.”
Nolan remained calm behind her lingering smile. A coldness invaded her eyes. “Let me clear it up for you. It was not a fair fight and it is far from finished. That is why I am here.”
Billie raised her eyebrows. “You want to fight me . . . again?”
Nolan dropped the smile. “Not just fight you . . . beat you. I want to claim my title back.”
Billie stared, stunned. “What? That’s crazy. You’ve held a grudge all this time over a petty schoolyard fight? Shit, we were only sixteen, school kids. It was a means of release, at least for some. That fight was nothing, just like all the others that took place there.”
“Nothing?” Nolan snapped. “It might have meant nothing to you but—” She stopped, staring hard. She used the time to recover her composure. She shrugged and blurted a scoff. “What’s the big deal? I know you’ve kept up your training since you left school.” She smiled. “Found that little fact out as well while I was checking you out. I couldn’t believe my luck.”
Billie couldn’t get her head around Nolan had gone to so much trouble delving into her life. “That was for my job, not for some backyard fight I have no interest in.”
“Backyard fight?” Her eyes narrowed. “Ooh, it will be far more than a backyard fight, believe me.”
Billie held her gaze, trying to work her out, trying to get her head around what she was suggesting.
Nolan’s smile returned. “Let’s say you inspired me that day under the fig, I mean, once I got over the embarrassment you laid on me in front of all the other losers watching on, not to mention my loyal followers. Yeah, I was so inspired, I took up boxing. I have been training ever since, waiting for this day, preparing for it. It was like a calling. I enjoyed it so much, I lived and breathed it. I improved every day and moved up the ladder in the boxing world quite quickly. Believe it or not, I’ve built up quite a name for myself as well. I hold several boxing titles, nationally and internationally.”
“Good for you,” Billie said, uninterested. “Can’t say I’ve heard anything about you though. I don’t really follow the boxing world.”
Nolan fed off her blasé tone. “Maybe you should.” Her stare hardened. “I had so much incentive during my training. Do you know why?”
“Surprise me.”
“It was because you were always on my mind. I kept believing this day would finally eventuate where I would have my retribution. It made it so much easier to advance in my career. Yeah, focusing on you gave me the hunger I needed to get where I am today. I only had to recall how you humiliated me in front of everyone, including my friends. My gang looked up to me. I was their idol, their strength. They weren’t expecting me to fall, not after I’d won every other fight under that tree. Let me tell you, I was so embarrassed when you knocked me down. Not just knocked me down, you had to do it like a real smart arse with your quick moves. You crushed me, and I’ve had to live with it for years.”
Billie was unfazed by her pathetic excuses. “To me, that sounds exactly what a sore loser would say, and there’s your problem . . . you’re nothing more than a bad sport who won’t accept the truth.”
As intended, the casual comment slammed Nolan, rubbing it in her face. Her nostrils flared in her stirred annoyance.
“The hell I am. That fight was unfair. I wasn’t prepared for what you brought to it.”
“I could say the same about the students you picked on. Most of them had no idea how to fight but it didn’t stop you bashing the shit out of them.”
“They were losers. Besides, I didn’t hurt them that much.”
“That’s how you excuse your actions?”
“Excuse? I’m just stating the truth.” She emphasised the last word, pushing her point of what Billie accused her of. “It’s not my fault they couldn’t defend themselves.”
“Those kids never stood a chance. None of them wanted to fight you, and still you forced them to, just like the fight you laid on me.”
Nolan shook her head. “Oh no, our fight was much different, a bad different. It wasn’t a fair playing ground.”
“It was as fair as you made it, only you didn’t like it when the tables turned on you.”
“You’ve got it wrong. It was very unfair, and I’ll tell you why. Had I known you were at that level, I would have been more prepared. It wasn’t until after our match I found out you’d been training since you were a young kid under your father and grandfather.”
“What has that got to do with anything?”
“Everything. You knew how to fight. You were well trained, trained to a level well above anyone in the school, and wasn’t it funny how you never mentioned your talents to anyone.”
“Why would I? I had no reason to, especially to you. I had no time for you at all. I didn’t like your bullying measures or how you treated everyone . . . and still don’t.”
Nolan gave a strained chuckle. “I can see nothing has changed. That’s why this will be so good.”
Billie held her gaze without a comment. Nolan smiled. It melted into a frown.
“Why didn’t you let on to anyone you knew how to fight? In all the years we spent together, or rather put up with each other, no one knew.”
Billie shrugged. “My fighting ability was my business, no one else’s.”
Nolan considered her answer. “Huh, doesn’t change things, does it? You had the unfair advantage that day and you know it.”
“Unfair advantage? Really? Are you saying you wouldn’t have fought me had you known I could fight?”
“Of course I would have. As I just explained, I would’ve been more prepared if I’d known, that’s all. You took me by surprise and that’s why you won.” Her voice hardened. “It was the only reason you won.”
“You made the call, remember? You were the one who forced me to fight you. I didn’t want anything to do with you but you wouldn’t listen. You gave me no choice, not after you threatened to bash the shit out of Jesse if I refused, and let me tell you, that’s why I took you out so quickly. You really pissed me off. I don’t appreciate being blackmailed and I don’t appreciate having my friends hurt or threatened.”
“See, your mistake was when you stepped in to help Doyle while I was laying the law down to her. You stepped into my territory. I had no alternative. You needed bringing down.”
“Laying the law down? It was nothing short of bullying. You were about to lay into her for no reason other than to push your weight around. I wasn’t prepared to let that happen.”
Nolan scoffed. “It was far from bullying. I was simply living up to my reputation, as I am now.”
“Now? I didn’t know you had a reputation?”
“I have a very well-known reputation, let me tell you. I have built it up to new heights from the one I had at school.”
“The only one you had at school was to all of your lowlife friends. Had you asked anyone else there, they all would have said you were nothing more than an aggressive intimidator backed by a gang of thugs. That was the depth of your so-called reputation, which I can see hasn’t changed.”
“Oh, you’d be surprised. I have quite a following in and outside of the boxing world, and I plan to endorse it . . . when I beat the crap out of you.”
Billie held her steadfast gaze. She couldn’t believe this was happening. She exhaled a heavy breath in an effort to relieve her irritations. Nolan wasn’t listening to her. As usual, it was all about her. She intended to throw her weight around yet again. Could she talk her out of it? Could she convince her how crazy this was? Probably not, but it was still worth a try.
“You know, I should be the one holding the grudge. You forced me to fight you through Jesse, against my will, but strangely enough, I don’t. Who’s going to remember a school fight anyway? More to the point, who is going to care?”
“See, you are missing the most important point.” A growl invaded Nolan’s tone. “I lost everything that day, everything I’d accomplished. I was the leader, the boss, the best fighter around. No one could beat me in the entire school. Everyone had me on a pedestal. They looked up to me with respect.”
Billie strived to remain calm. “Did I miss that memo because I don’t ever remember having respect for you, nor did anyone else I knew. They were simply too scared to go against you. They knew they’d get their brains bashed in if they disagreed with you.”
Nolan glared fiercely. “They did have my respect but you took it all away in the blink of an eye,” she spat.
Billie held her cold stare, speechless. She lowered her head. She was having trouble getting her head around Nolan’s obstinate reasoning. The girl was fanatical about it. Her life goal had festered into a vengeful obsession since leaving school, all over a stupid school fight. On top of that, it had targeted her. Why? Because she’d lost to her, or was it because her bullying leadership had lost its standing because of her? Maybe it was both.
“You made me look like a fool,” Nolan went on. “And for that, you are going to give me back my status.”
Billie lifted her gaze. “It was you who challenged me. You brought it on yourself, and that’s where the problem lies. You refused to take the blame, or accept the outcome. Like I pointed out, you’re nothing but a sore loser because it didn’t go your way.”
“Yeah, maybe I am, but let me tell you, I am starting it again and this time it’ll be me who will finish it. I intend to make amends for all the misery you’ve caused me and I don’t give a shit that you’re a cop. I’ve waited too long for this day.”
Billie blew out a breath. It seemed there was no getting out of it. “Okay, and what if you lose again?”
“I won’t. You can count on that.” She took off her coat, exposing her well-toned biceps. Billie had to check her surprise.
“You’re going to fight me here, now?”
Nolan passed the coat to the guy beside her. “Sure, why not?”
“For one, I don’t feel like paying out on the damages, and I’m guessing you don’t plan on helping out with that.”
Nolan looked around. “Oh I wouldn’t worry too much about that. There’s enough space here not to cause too much damage. Besides, it won’t take long so there shouldn’t be any damages anyway.” She grinned.
“What happened to the fight being under a fig tree?”
“Oh, it still will be. This is merely a tester for my benefit to see if you’re up with me, which I’m sure you are according to your records. I want a good show when I slam you into the ground in the real deal under the fig tree.”
“Forget it. I am not going to fight you, here or under any fig tree.”
“Yes, you are.” The statement was filled with confidence. “Starting now.” She swung a punch, hard and fast, and packed with power. Billie hardly had time to ride it. It staggered her back a couple of steps.
“Come on, McCoy, I’ve waited too long for this moment.”
Billie fingered her jaw. She looked at Nolan braced in a fighter’s stance, ready and waiting. The two men stood back and lowered their weapons, a sign they wouldn’t interfere.
“Let’s do this, cop. Show me what you’ve got,” Nolan snarled.
Billie faced her in an unaggressive stand. “No.”
“No? I’d reconsider that answer if I were you.”
“I told you, I am not interested in fighting you.”
A cold smile touched Nolan’s lips. “See, that’s why you should be. If you refuse to fight me, I will come after your friends, and before you ask, I will find out who they are the same way I tracked you down. I will pick my time when they won’t see me coming, and believe me, after I’m finished with them, they won’t be a pretty sight.”
“You stay away from my friends.”
The girl shrugged. “The choice is yours. Fight me now and I promise I won’t touch them.”
Billie held her stony gaze while considering how genuine she was. Here was history repeating itself. This was the exact position she’d been in all those years ago. Nolan was forcing her to fight her through her friends. Billie knew her well enough to know she would indeed hurt them. Violence was in her nature. Shit.
Nolan pressed her point. “What’s it going to be, McCoy? Are you up for it? It’s just a bit of fun. No big deal. Don’t you want to see who’s the better of us?”
“I thought I’d already answered that.”
“Ha. I’m sure there’s a little bit of you interested in finding out.”
“Not at all.”
“Well then, I guess it falls back on your friends’ welfare, doesn’t it?”
Billie tensed at the words. She couldn’t ignore Nolan’s threat. She had no doubts she would follow through with it. There was no getting out of this, not when her friends’ health was on the line. Fine, the sooner it was over, the sooner she could piss Nolan off. Besides, if she could hurt her and put her down here, maybe it would change her mind about this whole sick deal.
“If you touch them after we have this fight, you can count on it that I’ll come after you.”
Nolan nodded. “There’ll be no need for that. You have my word.” She launched into an attack, swinging fast punches at Billie’s head and body in a trained boxing regimen. It took all of Billie’s skill to deflect each one as they forced her back. Her speed saved her from the full attack. Nolan was stronger but couldn’t match Billie’s speed. Dodging a swing, the detective delivered two quick punches into her face. Nolan staggered. Billie followed and launched a kick. Nolan caught her foot and locked it against her shoulder, leaving Billie balancing on one foot. Before she could do anything, Nolan kicked her in the ribs. Billie gasped. As much as it hurt, she couldn’t let it hinder her. Leaping high, she twisted her body over and drove her other foot into the girl’s face. Nolan reeled backwards, losing her grip on the cop’s foot. Billie landed out of the flip on her hands and feet. Quickly she stood and faced her enemy. The fight held much more savagery and professionalism than the last. Nolan’s training had transformed her into a dangerous opponent.
Nolan wiped the blood from under her nose and looked at Billie. She gave a faint smile and slowly began to circle the cop, watching her with an admiring gaze.
“Not bad, not bad at all, McCoy.” She rushed in and threw a punch. Billie ducked and rammed her in the stomach and then in the nose, knocking her back. Following, she launched a kick at her jaw. Nolan ducked under it and dropped to the floor in a spin with one leg stretched out in front of her. Her foot caught Billie behind the leg she had her weight on, knocking it from under her and dumping her on her back. Aware Nolan wouldn’t stop, Billie rolled and knelt up to face her. The girl was ahead of her and punched out. Billie dropped to the floor. Rolling onto her back, she kicked Nolan under the chin the instant she moved in on her. The girl staggered back. Billie jumped to her feet and stepped forward. She needed to finish this fast. Just like under the fig tree at school, Nolan needed bringing down, needed to learn she had no right pushing her weight around where it wasn’t wanted, no matter how big her grudge.
One of the men suddenly grabbed Billie from behind in a bear hug and held her tight, preventing her from going anywhere near Nolan. Billie struggled against him. What was going on? Why was this guy interfering? Nolan was just as surprised.
“What the hell are you doing, Wood? Let her go,” she spat, striving to control her breaths.
“We have three visitors in the drive.”
“What?” She glanced at Billie before looking back at him. She held his gaze while thinking. “Shit.” She nodded. “Okay, keep her quiet.” She strived to get on top of her shallow breaths. Wood clamped a hand over Billie’s mouth. She struggled harder. Three visitors? Casey, Jane and Sarah were here? Of course they were. This was the time they’d arranged to meet. Was it good or bad they’d arrived? It didn’t matter. If this bitch found out they were her friends, she could attack them for no reason. Billie needed to warn them. She kicked Wood’s shin with the heel of her boot. He yelped and loosened his grip. Before Billie could do anymore, the other guy shunted her and Wood backwards into the balustrade of the interior verandah. The men shifted either side of her without loosening their hold and pinned her against the railing. Wood kept one hand over her mouth, the other across her chest. His partner held his weight against her legs and body. As hard as she fought them, Billie couldn’t break their hold.
Nolan moved to the window closest to the front door and peered out. A knock sounded on the door. Billie tried calling out. The hand clamped over her mouth muffled it. A second knock tapped on the door.
“Billie?”
Sarah’s voice. Billie fought against the thugs holding her. The worry for her friends skyrocketed. Who knows what Nolan would do to them. The other problem was, the girls wouldn’t let up until they knew she was all right. She could imagine their rising concerns when she failed to answer the door, or their calls, particularly when she was expecting them.
Another set of knocks sounded on the door.
“Billie? Come on, open up.”
Nolan looked at the detective struggling against her men. Snatching up the gun Wood had left on the lounge, she strode to the group and shoved it in Billie’s face. She cocked the hammer.
“If you want to try me, cop, go ahead,” she snarled in a quiet seething tone. “Either you settle down or I’ll start plugging your nosey visitors out there.”
Billie stopped her struggles and held her gaze, panting from her efforts.
“Good decision,” Nolan said. “Who are they?” She nodded at Wood. He removed his hand to allow her to speak.
“Some colleagues from work.” No way was she about to tell her they were close friends. “They know I’m expecting them. They’re here for a meeting,” she bluffed.
“They’re cops?”
“Yes.”
Nolan glared while considering her answer. “Shit.” She turned away, thinking. Her attention was drawn to the window when the three shapes passed by it. “Damn it. Looks like they’re going around to the back.” Nolan turned to Billie and nodded. “Okay, McCoy, you win this time. Don’t worry, I’ll be back in touch to let you know when we’ll finish it properly. Like I said, this was only a warm up session and guess what, you passed the test with flying colours. You’ve given me a fair indication of your capabilities, and let me say, I’m not disappointed.” She smiled. “Next time we’ll go the whole hog and believe me, we won’t be disturbed.” She followed her guarantee with a sharp hit to Billie’s stomach using the pistol’s grip.
“Uff.” Billie sank in the men’s hands rasping shallow breaths. Not only had Nolan caught her out with the blow, the solid gun butt added to her infliction. Her strength instantly drained. The men lowered her to the floor and released her. She fell onto her side. Bringing in her knees, she strived to catch a breath. Nolan had hit her hard – intentionally.
“Let’s go. See you soon, cop.” The three left by the front door, pulling it quietly closed behind them. Billie, glimpsing them leave, attempted to get up. Gasping short breaths, she rolled onto her knees. She could go no further. Striving to catch a breath, she massaged her throbbing stomach to help ease the pain. Damn Nolan. In the back of her mind, she prayed the bitch didn’t run into the girls.
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