Shattered Perfection

Fourteen

Siobhan opened the front door of Roger's mansion and made her way quietly to his office followed by Mia and Reece. Vivian had wanted to join them but Siobhan didn't want her anywhere near Roger's house. She couldn't put her in more danger than she was already in.

She pushed open his office door and the three made their way over to the large opulent desk, their footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. 'The safe is behind the desk,' she murmured.

'I remember,' Mia replied quietly. Roger was meant to be playing golf until 4pm. It was already 2pm, they didn't have long. Siobhan stood with her heart thumping and her fists clenched, halfmoon indents appearing in her palms.

Reece quickly opened the safe, they knew the number, being the date Roger became a millionaire. It wouldn't have been anything related to his children or his prior marriage. Money was the most important thing in his life. That and power. Reece hoped that they could find the evidence to bring him down.

Mia moved to stand at the window, watching the driveway just in case he returned early. Siobhan stood frozen to the spot. She looked at his desk, remembering when he had pinned her to it by her throat, choking her until she passed out. Mia noticed her stillness. Her hooded eyes showed her fear. 'Siobhan, you're safe, he can't hurt you.' She said carefully. She approached Siobhan cautiously, not wanting to spook her. She reached out a hand and put it gently on her arm. Siobhan was trembling. 'Think of Vivian,' Mia said softly, 'she's waiting for you.' This seemed to reach Siobhan who screwed up her courage and took a deep breath before nodding at Mia.

'Thank you.' She replied. Reece looked up.

'Look at this.' He held up a small plastic bag filled with white powder, thankfully he had worn a glove so not to leave finger prints, he wouldn't put anything past his father. Mia's eyebrows almost hit her hairline.

'He's getting sloppy,' she asked, 'a few years ago he wouldn't have the stuff in his house.'

'Careless or more confident?' Reece replied, 'he really thinks he's untouchable.' Siobhan was snapped out of her fear.

'Drugs?' she was confused. She had never had any inkling that Roger was dealing in drugs.

Reece nodded, 'Once, when I was about sixteen, Aut and I were once taken to a warehouse of his. We saw packages being unloaded. Aut went nosing around when Daddy dearests back was turned and we found slabs of what we think was cocaine. We did wonder if he was in the same line of work.' He continued to look through the paperwork, taking photos on his phone. Right at the back was a black leather book. Something that Siobhan had seen him write in frequently. It was his diary. Reece flicked through before whistling under his breath, 'bingo.' He said pocketing the book.

'Uh oh,' Mia said from the window.

'Roger?!' squeaked Siobhan looking terrified.

Mia shook her head, 'Janice.'

Reece walked up to Siobhan, 'can you get rid of her?'

'I will try, recently, she's been rather difficult but she usually doesn't come here without Roger.' Siobhan replied. Taking another deep breath Siobhan left the pair and walked into the hallway. Janice was in the process of opening the door. A burning anger started in the pit of Siobhan's stomach. How dare she just walk into her house! As far as everyone knew, she was marrying Roger not Janice. She snatched open the door, placing her slim body in the gap.

'Can I help you Janice?' She drawled in an icy tone. Janice looked surprised, obviously not expecting anyone to be home.

'Hello Siobhan, Roger sent me to collect some paperwork from his office.' She said. Siobhan raised an eyebrow.

'Roger sent you?' she queried, 'He said he was playing golf this afternoon, if it was so important why didn't he come and collect it? And more importantly, why have you got a key to MY house?' Siobhan felt the rage build, it made her feel more alive than she had in weeks.

'Your house?' Janice said with sickly sweetness, 'I think you'll find it's Roger's house.'

Siobhan put her hand on her hips, flexing her fingers to make her engagement ring catch the light. 'And I think you'll find I am Roger's fiancé.' She drew herself up to her full height.

Janice's eyes narrowed but the grin never left her face, 'you know what will happen to you if you refuse to let me in and I tell Roger.' Siobhan started to feel uncomfortable. Did she know what she had been going through? Janice shrugged. 'It's your choice,' she said as she reached for her phone. Siobhan rolled her eyes apparently relenting.

'Fine, tell me what you need and I will go and get it. You will not be poking around my house.' She said firmly.

'I don't need to poke around, I already know all your secrets.' Janice smirked. Siobhan clenched her fists. How dare she.

'For goodness sake Janice, I have work to do. Tell me what paperwork you need!' Siobhan was seething as well as terrified. If this escape plan did not work then she was going to have to face Roger. She knew she wouldn't survive it, she would disappear like his first wife. Who knows if she really did run away with Mia's dad or whether they were made to disappear. She stepped to the side to let Janice in.

Janice looked closely at Siobhan as if sensing a trick. 'It's the file marked Juniper.' She finally said.

'Wait here,' Siobhan snapped, turning her back on the woman and stalking into the office. Reece and Mia were nowhere in sight. Siobhan sorted through the folders on Rogers desk before finding the one Janice wanted. She turned to leave only to realise Janice was stood in the office doorway. 'I told you to wait there. I did not invite you to wander through my house.' Siobhan said.

'I was just....checking.' Janice replied sweetly, 'I will be telling Roger about the reception I received. I don't think he will be happy. He prefers it when I am treated nicely.' Janice leant forward into Siobhan's personal space. 'Don't say I didn't warn you.' She whispered.

'Get out,' hissed Siobhan. Janice smirked again before turning to go.

'Oh, Siobhan,' she said, 'don't get any ideas above your station, remember who owns you.' She flicked her hand in a lazy wave before closing the door behind her.

Siobhan deflated like a balloon with a leak. She sank to her knees, shaking, with both hands over her mouth to keep in the sobs. Roger is going to kill her, slowly. She was terrified. Hands gently grasped her shoulders and she jumped like a scalded cat.

'It's only me,' said Mia softly, 'Come on, let me help you.' Siobhan was not used to seeing the softer side of Mia. She allowed Mia to help her off the floor. 'Leave Reece to finish gathering evidence, let's collect your things.'

Within twenty minutes, they had collected a few bags of personal belongings and photographed as many of the documents they could find. Reece was taking the diary with him. As time ticked by, Siobhan was becoming more and more anxious. She stood at the door wringing her hands as Mia told Reece they were ready to leave. It had taken all her strength to face Janice and now she was running on empty. Literally. She hadn't eaten in two days. Reece and Mia finally came out of the office and picked up a bag each. As they made their way out to the car, she turned and took one last look at the prison she called home.