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“Yeah.” He didn’t look up as he sat before the computer, logging on. “Just something the boss wants me to have a look at.”
Abby frowned but said nothing. Picking up the knife, she continued slicing the vegetables for the salad. It wouldn’t help her cause to point out again that it was supposed to be Scott’s day off. It would only add more fuel to his argument for transferring out of Robbery and Serious Crime.
“Knock, knock.” Rachel’s voice rang out from the front door. A moment later she appeared.
“Hi, Mum.” Abby wiped her hands with a tea towel before coming forward to give her mother a kiss.
“Hello, darling.” She squeezed her daughter’s arm. “Hello, Scott. It’s good to have you home.”
Scott rose from the dining table. “Rachel, you look radiant as ever!”
Abby watched as they embraced, confused by Scott’s assessment of her mother. Rachel’s smile could light up any room, but to Abby, her mum still looked tired and pale.
“Scott, darling,” said Rachel. “Would you mind bringing in the painting from my car? I got inspired the last time we had a barbeque here and painted the seascape. I thought it would look lovely in your spare room.”
“Mum! I didn’t know you were doing that?” Abby loved her mother’s paintings and had several in her home.
“Wow,” said Scott, heading for the door. “I can’t wait to see it.”
“No peeking until you get it inside,” Rachel called after him.
“No promises!”
Abby laughed, feeling a sense of normal return. “What would you like to drink, Mum?”
“Oh, just a glass of water, darling.”
Rachel sat her handbag on the dining table as Abby grabbed a glass and began to fill it with the cool water from the refrigerator.
“I didn’t notice any seascapes when I was at your place on Friday.” Abby took a lime from the fruit bowl and sliced it, adding it to the glass of water. “Were you hiding it from me?”
Her question was met with silence.
“Mum?”
Abby took the glass and walked around her island bench to where she’d left her mother at the dining table. Rachel was staring at Scott’s laptop, all the colour leached from her face.
“Mum?” Abby placed the glass on the table and joined her mother. “What is it?”
On the laptop screen was a series of images of men who were clearly bikers, judging by the clothes and leather vests. A couple of the pictures were mugshots, while the rest appeared to be surveillance photos.
Abby looked from the screen to Rachel, unsure what had captured her attention so completely. “Mum?”
“Yes?” Rachel’s eyes darted to her daughter’s face; her own was blanched of colour.
“Is everything okay?”
“Here it is!” Scott returned carrying a large, bubble-wrapped parcel. “I can’t wait to–” He looked from Rachel to Abby. “What’s going on?”
“Are you investigating this biker group?” asked Rachel.
Scott placed the package carefully on the floor against the dining table, giving Abby a questioning look. Abby shrugged; she had no clue what was happening.
“Rachel, have you seen any of these men around?”
“What? No, why would I? I don’t know any bikers.”
“Mum, are you okay?” Abby touched Rachel on the arm. She’d never seen her mother react like this before.
