Belle nodded. She felt woozy, which she guessed was part aftershock and part strong brandy. But she looked at him steadily. The way he’d reacted in that situation. The cold-blooded taking of two human lives. There was something military in the way he’d moved around out there. He didn’t look shaken; in fact, he didn’t look affected in any way.

‘Jack?’ she said.

He lifted his head. What?

‘What the fuck are you? Really?’

But he didn’t answer. He just left.

134

By the time the sun was sinking into the west, Belle was getting anxious. Jack had been gone a long time. Maybe Harlan had sent more people to search her out. Maybe Ludo and Nipper had reported where she was and there was backup coming right now. Maybe they were here already. Maybe they’d got hold of Jack, finished him, and maybe now they were creeping closer to the farmhouse, coming for her.

When the door finally opened, she leapt to her feet, reaching for the big heavy gun, not knowing what was going to come at her. But it was him. At last.

‘Going for a shower,’ he said, and walked straight past her into his bedroom, emerging moments later with some clean garments. Then he went into the bathroom and started throwing off the soiled ones he was wearing. ‘Burn those, yeah?’

Belle gathered the clothes up, wincing as she smelled on them the iron scent of fresh blood, mingled with dirt and sweat. She took them over to the fire and tossed them on, one item at a time.

Hearing the shower start up, she went back to the table and sat there. She really ought to make them some food, but the thought of it made her want to puke. Her mind kept replaying those minutes before Jack had shown up. Ludo with the gun pointing at her head. She’d been certain she was about to die.

Finally Jack emerged from the bathroom, towelling his hair dry. He came and sat down at the kitchen table. Belle got up, made them both tea, then sat down again. He tossed the towel aside. Then he looked at her.

‘All right?’ he asked.

‘All right?’ She stared at his face. She didn’t know him. She couldn’t pair up the sensuous, almost tender lover with this killer who took life so brutally. He was a stranger to her. ‘Yes I’m all right. I was nearly shot and then nearly knifed, but I’m fine. And now I would like to know what the fuck I’m dealing with here.’

Jack heaved a sigh.

‘Answer my question. Tell me what the hell you are. Because you’re not a farmer.’

Jack picked up his cup. Furious, Belle knocked it out of his hand and he grabbed her wrist, quick as a snake, hauling her half across the table and glaring into her eyes.