Du Rose Legacy

Chapter 3-4

“Nothing. Don’t worry about it. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Hana pushed her keyboard away with her left hand and groaned. She listened to Sheila speak to someone in the corridor outside and stared at her silent phone. Nobody called to offer her a ride home and she contemplated her dilemma. The buses didn’t run as far as Hakarimata Road and a taxi would burn holes in Logan’s credit card. Tiredness turned her limbs to concrete and she lay her face on the desk and closed her eyes. “I’ll sleep here,” she sighed. “Nobody will care.”

“I’ll care.”

Hana sat up so fast she jarred her arm. The chair swivelled around to face the door. “Logan,” she breathed. Relief wrenched a sob from her throat and she pressed her fingers against her lips to prevent its escape.

Logan leaned against the doorframe with his hands jammed in his pockets. A nerve twitched below his left eye and exhaustion hung around him like a shroud. “You didn’t think I’d leave you here, did ya?” He smiled through a dark shadow of beard growth. Yesterday’s clothes looked rumpled and dirty.

Hana sniffed and stood, crossing the distance between them with quick footsteps. “Thank God!” she breathed into his chest.

“I smell sweaty,” he apologised, cradling her head and pushing his fingers into the back of her hair. “They didn’t let me shower.”

“I don’t care.” She threaded her left arm between his jacket and shirt and held on, breathing in his familiar scent. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

Logan winced and wrinkled his nose. His sigh covered the news he’d need to deliver later. The sound of the vacuum cleaner broke the moment and Logan stirred. “Let’s get out of here,” he said, kissing the top of her head. Hana lifted her face and pursed her lips and he shook his head. “I didn’t clean my teeth, babe. I found a mint in the car and ate that.” He ran his tongue over the front of his teeth and rued his compulsive tendencies. “I need to get clean.”

Hana nodded and snatched up her phone. She yanked her handbag from the bottom drawer and almost forgot her jacket. “Is the car okay?” she asked. “Bodie drove me round to check on it last night.”

Logan nodded and his smile looked tight. “Yeah. It’s fine. I parked out front.” His gaze roved over her attire, the tight cream jumper hugging her rounded belly. A light flicked on behind his eyes, pushing away the threatening darkness. He smiled and the action seemed more genuine. “I love you, Hana. Don’t forget that.”

“I won’t.” She killed her computer and followed him from the office.

They passed through the empty reception and almost reached freedom before Angus called Hana’s name from his office doorway. Logan kept walking, head down and thoughts miles away. He landed on the front steps before realising she’d let go of his hand. “Yes, Angus?” Hana asked.

The principal raised his eyebrows in question and jerked his head towards Logan. “Is there any need for an emergency board meeting?” he asked.

Hana glanced through the glass doorway at her husband’s distracted expression, suspecting he held something back. But for Angus, she manufactured her brightest smile and shook her head. “No. Everything’s fine now.”

She bolted through the doors and grasped Logan’s hand, urging him to walk fast. “What’s wrong?” he demanded.

“Angus, asking questions. Keep walking and don’t look back.”

Logan sighed. “I’ll need to speak to him sometime,” he said.

“Not tonight.” Hana shoved him towards the car and took the keys from his hand. “You look knackered. I’ll drive.”

Logan didn’t question her, sliding into the passenger seat and sighing with relief as the engine started. They reached the expressway before he glanced across and remembered her cast. “b****y hell, Hana! You can’t drive like that.”

“You did.” She stuck her nose in the air and refused to pull over. They reached home with more luck than judgement. Hana steered the vehicle and let the automatic gear changer do its work, but she didn’t indicate once. Logan grumbled for half the journey and then fell asleep.

He woke as the gate clanged shut behind them and the Honda strained at the hill. Hana slowed as they reached the house. “I didn’t leave any lights on!” Her voice sounded strained as she stared up at the welcoming porch light and the sound of music coming from inside.

“I’ll check it out.” Logan heaved himself up the porch steps and tried the doorhandle. It gave way. He disappeared inside and returned to beckon her in. “It’s Maihi,” he said with a yawn. “She’s made dinner.”

Hana’s shoulders slumped with relief and she kicked off her boots. Maihi met her at the kitchen door. “Hey tamariki,” she said with a smile. “I’ve brought you a wee thank you for letting us use your paddocks for grazing. I've done a roast for youse.”

Hana swallowed and her voice sounded croaky. “Gosh Maihi, you’re amazing!” she breathed.

Maihi patted her cheek and planted a kiss on her forehead. “Want me to help you dish up?”

“Aren’t you staying?” Hana asked, glancing back at Logan.

He avoided contact with the old woman and waved a hand in their general direction. “I need a shower,” he said. “Thanks Maihi.”

They listened to the bathroom door shut and water ran through the pipes within seconds. Hana sighed and sank into a kitchen chair. “He doesn’t mean to be rude,” she said, scrubbing at her eyes with her hand. “He’s had a terrible few days.”

Maihi tapped the side of her nose. “Maihi already knows what’s goin’ on, girly. I have my spies.”

Hana exhaled and nodded. “When did you find out?” She narrowed her eyes. “How did you find out?”

Maihi pulled out a chair and sat next to her. “My cousin rang me this morning. She cleans at the police station. A detective spoke to a colleague on the phone and she heard him mention Logan’s name. She took a while emptying the dustbin and listened to all the details.”

Hana nodded. “He didn’t do it. Logan didn’t bash Boris.”

“I know, I know.” Maihi patted her fingers. “He’d bury the body and not ring an ambulance.”

Hana gasped. “Maihi! He wouldn’t.”

The old woman smirked. “What’s happening now then?”

“I don’t know.” Hana shrugged to emphasise her hopelessness. She listened to the shower pound against the bathroom tiles. “He fell asleep on the way home. I don’t know if they let him go or if they want him back.”

“Perhaps he broke out.” Maihi waggled her eyebrows and widened her eyes. She crinkled her weathered face into a smile. “We look after our own,” she said with sincerity and kissed Hana on the cheek. “Don’t you fret about nothing. Now, old Maihi needs to go home and leave youse two lovebirds to sort out yer problems in peace.” She hugged Hana, grabbed her coat and boots from the hallway and left.

Her words gave Hana a feeling of profound safety and she basked in its warm glow. The roast beef sent delicious smells into the kitchen, reminding her she hadn’t eaten.

“Hey.” Logan stroked her hair as he passed, heading for the oven and peering through the glass door. “This looks amazing.” His pyjama bottoms hung low on his hips and his back muscles rippled as he bent.

“Are you hungry?” Hana asked, pushing herself upright.

Logan nodded and turning, held out his arms to her. His downy chest hair smelled of lavender shower gel and Hana closed her eyes and drank in his nearness. Water laced with hair conditioner dripped onto the top of her head as she nestled close. “I missed you so much,” she breathed.

“I know, babe. We need to talk,” Logan replied.