The Other Mrs Hayes

by Ross Richdale

  "Because he is a devious little bastard," Doug replied. "All the women or their families are well off and he sucks money out of them."

  "So what would you have me do, Doug? We can't arrest someone on what they are planning to do."

  "How about a bigamy charge?"

  Toby laughed. "We haven't had one in years. The law book says there is a sentence ranging from two to seven years imprisonment for bigamy but I doubt if anybody has been sent to prison for the crime in my lifetime." He leaned forward. "Way back and I'm talking a century or more, both the man and woman were jointly charged with the crime. Do you want me to also arrest the three wives?"

  "Of course not but how about abandoning a young family or embezzlement? This Reyna Aquino has rich Filipino parents who have bought her a flash house in Botany Downs. That would set them back close to a million bucks."

  "But Brendon Hayes doesn't own it?"

  "The other two families have good quality homes and I know Jessica Hayes' mother helped finance her one."

  "The marriages are illegal so the homes become their own. Even divorce laws would not apply in this situation. Any conflict would be a civil case, not a criminal one." Toby chuckled. No doubt you're charging exorbitant fees to find all this out. Whose paying, one of the wives or a concerned parent?"

  "You know the information is confidential?" Doug rubbed his chin. "How about if some uniformed police arrive and tell Reyna Aquino about Brendon Hayes. I reckon that she's shit scared of the police. Aren't they pretty corrupt in her homeland?"

  Toby shrugged.

  "Well, could you do that?"

  "I'll speak to one of the uniformed sergeants. No promises though. By the way, we have another little job for your firm if you're interested. It's right up your alley."

  Doug nodded and the conversation switched to the new topic. Most of his police work came through Toby."

  ON A WEDNESDAY, REYNA usually spent the afternoon at university doing research for her thesis as she only had one morning lecture. Today, though she headed home as later in the afternoon she was having a fitting for her bridal gown at her dressmaker's place. She stepped off the bus in Gosford Drive a few hundred metres from home, and wandered along on the sunny afternoon. As she turned into Channing Crescent she noticed a police car parked at the kerb not far from home.

  She frowned for she didn't like the police. Back in Manilla, one tended to avoid them whenever possible. In New Zealand she had had little to do with them but knew they were usually well regarded by the public and local constables didn't even carry firearms. She quickened her pace and her heart pounded when she realised that the police car was right outside her place. Two police constables were standing on the footpath as if they were waiting for somebody.

  When she arrived at her driveway one police constable, a woman walked up to her.

  "Miss Reyna Aquino?" she asked in a polite softly spoken voice.

  "Yes," Reyna muttered and just stared at her. "What do you want me for, officer?"

  "I'm Constable Andrea Gilbert and my companion is Constable Kisona Saluni..." He was a massive Pacific Islander cop who had a surprisingly gentle smile on his face. "Can we come in a speak to you for a moment?"

  "Has there been an accident?" Reyna gasped for except for immigration matters she didn't know any other reason why the cops would want to speak to her.

  "No, It is another matter we wish to bring to your notice."

  "Bring to my notice! I don't understand." She frowned. "But yes, come inside. Can I offer you a cuppa coffee?" Back home one always offered the police something.

  "No thank you," Constable Gilbert replied as they stepped inside and on Reyna's invitation, sat down.

  "We do have some news that could be distressing," said the other constable. He opened a satchel, brought out a photograph and handed it to her. "Do you know this lady?"

  She studied the photograph of a woman about her own age smiling at the camera. She held a tiny baby in one arm and a little girl who looked about five held her free hand.

  "No."

  "There is no way to tell you this so I'll be blunt," said Constable Gilbert.

  Reyna paled and her hands shook. "Please do," she whispered.

  "Her name is Jessica Hayes and those are her children, Carla and her newly born son, Austin."

  '"Hayes? That's my fiancée's surname. Is she related to him?

  "That's the problem, I am afraid, Reyna," the Samoan constable said. "You see, Brendon Hayes is the children's father and he is married to Jessica."

  "What!" Reyna gasped. "No, no! You are wrong. It cannot be so. We are due to be married this month. Even the wedding invitations have been sent out. It's going to..." Her voice shook as she studied the sympathetic look in the two police constables' eyes. Tears welled into her eyes. "Oh my God. That's why you are here, isn't it?"

  She stood up, felt almost dizzy and would have fallen if Constable Gilbert hadn't reached out and hug her gently. "Yes Reyna," she replied. "I am afraid your fiancée is already married and as the photograph shows has a young family that he has abandoned."

  "Abandoned," Reyna sobbed.

  "Yes. Soon after the baby was born he walked out from Jessica and we have only recently traced him to this address."

  "He also has another wife," Constable Saluni added and showed her a photograph of a blonde woman about Brendon's age. "Her name is Stacey Hayes and she is the principal of a primary school down in Wellington."

  "I know about Stacey," Reyna said and explained how Brendon had lied about her.

  The constable nodded. "Both Stacey and Jessica have only recently become known to each other. We are here because we do not want you to go through the same experience of a sham marriage that would be illegal in New Zealand."

  How could this happen? She shuddered and her whole body shook as tears flowed down her cheeks.

  "Is there anyone we can contact to be with you?" Constable Gilbert asked.

  "I've friends at the Filipino group over in Papatoetoe. Grosamie Ocampo is usually there during the day."

  "We'll call her. Do you have a number?"

  Reyna nodded but could barely remember what happened over the following few minutes. She noticed Constable Saluni speaking on his mobile and a few moments later was taken across town in the police car. She recognised the house where they stopped and noticed Grosamie standing in the driveway. She stepped out into welcoming arms of her friend and turned to the police constables.

  "Thank you," she whispered. "You have been so kind..."

  "It has been a pleasure," Constable Gilbert replied. "I am only sorry that we had to bring you the disturbing news." She turned to Grosamie. "Will Reyna be okay with you?"

  The Filipino woman nodded. "Yes, we'll look after her. Our group are here to help each other. We'll see she has all the support she needs and will get her home afterwards. Thank you both for contacting me."

  Both constables squeezed Reyna's arm before they drove away.

  "'The police are not like that at home," Grosamie said. "But come inside. A couple of the other girls are also here. I'll put the kettle on."

  CHAPTER 8

  "I've just had a call from Hayes and Hayes lawyer," Stacey said to Jessica. "The firm is continuing on quite well without Brendon but there needs to be a shareholder's meeting to sort out what's to be done about Brendon's disappearance."

  "I know," Jessica said with a grin. "I did, too."

  Stacey frowned. "Are you one of the small shareholders?" she asked.

  "No, I'm the Ashley Hayes who owns thirty percent of the company."

  "You! But why didn't you say?"

  "No reason," Jessica replied. "I guess it never came up."

  "But the name Ashley."

  "My second name. I'm Jessica Ashley Hayes." She grimaced. "Brendon suggested I use that name."

  "But why?"

  "He didn't say but I think it was his male chauvinist streak. Ashley can be a male or female name."

  Stacey frowned. "Would
n't Doug have found that out?"

  "Probably but he only tells us what he thinks we should know. He's a nice enough guy but is still a detective. My Mum knew about it. Most of my money came from my late father's estate."

  Stacey grinned. "So between us we own most of Hayes and Hayes/"

  "It appears so."

  THE MEETING WITH RAYMOND Downs, the lawyer was quite interesting. He was an older guy who gave the appearance of being somewhat traditional in his approach. He gazed at the pair over his glasses and listened to the explanation of their circumstances.

  "I had no idea," he said. "However, if I can be assistance for either or both of you, just ask." He coughed. "However, there could be a conflict of interest if either of you wish to test the validity of your marriages to Brendon." He took a document from a folder. "In regards to the company, together you can outvote Brendon and pass whatever you wish. My advice though is to tread carefully."

  For twenty minutes they discussed the company and agreed that it appeared to be making a small profit but an acting manager replacing Brendon needed to be appointed. Brendon would be classified as absent without leave and his salary stopped.

  "If he does not return to the position or fails to make contact, this can be made permanent," the lawyer said. "It is an unusual situation and I'll have to study the implications of dismissing him."

  "But in the short term, you advise us to keep the company going in its present form?" Stacey asked.

  "Yes but the acting manager will need to given authority to make day by day decisions."

  "And should this position be advertised?" Jessica asked.

  "An internal promotion would be better. I would actually recommend..." Raymond suggested promoting the assistant manager that Stacey had met a few times and added some other suggestions that could help.

  "Probably the company will be better off without Brendon," Jessica said after they left the office.

  "Like us all" Stacey smiled. "Hope Carla and Austin are getting on okay at the early childhood centre."

  Jessica smiled. "Taking someone as young as Austin was a bargain but the four hours we asked for should be enough."

  "Yes. Time for a coffee before we pick them up," Stacey replied. "My BOT said I could have the morning off."

  AS IT OFTEN HAPPENS, everything seemed to be happening on the same day. Stacey was back at school in the afternoon when Laurie poked his head in the door.

  "Doug's on the phone. Have you time to talk to him?"

  "'Put him through." She clicked the appropriate button on her desk. "Hello Doug. What have you got for me?"

  "Two items and a question."

  "Which is."

  "Is Jessica still staying with you?"

  "Yes,"

  "And you aren't scratching each other's eyes out?"

  "Of course not. I know it sounds ridiculous but we are getting on extremely well. I think she appreciates my help and also wanted to get away from her mother for a while."

  "Chelsea does have a strong personality and has hired me again to help trace Brendon."

  "But no luck."

  "Oh I found him easy to trace. He's got himself engaged again."

  "What?" Stacey gasped. "Hope you got that sorted out."

  "Spoke to a friend of mine, a police detective inspector..."

  Stacey listened as Doug told her everything about a Filipino woman called Reyna Aquino and how the police had warned her about Brendon.

  "So how did she take it?"

  "Not very well. A couple of constables visited her and left her with some Filipino friends in town. Haven't heard about Brendon's reaction but will check it out. Would you like me to tell Jessica or can you pass the news on?"

  "I'll do it, thanks. And you said there were two items. What are the other one?"

  "Neither Jessica or yourself are legally married to Brendon for he was married before your ceremony." He continued on with information about his contact with Michelle Packwell.

  "Oh hell," Stacey muttered. "I know nothing about her."

  "We'll contact your lawyers about it all. Saves the trouble of getting a divorce as both Jessica's and your marriage are legally annulled." Doug chuckled. "How's the new boyfriend?"

  "What?"Stacey gasped. "What do you know about that?"

  "Your office manager, isn't it? Nice guy from what I hear."

  "So much for being discrete," Stacey muttered. "Why don't I just go on Facebook and tell everyone about my personal life?"

  "Please yourself but everything between a client and myself is confidential."

  "But I'm not your client. Chelsea is."

  Doug laughed. "Same rules. Want to hear what happens to Brendon?"

  "Why not? I'm moving on in my life but Jessica is still quite upset about everything. In spite of everything I'm sure she still has feelings about Brendon."

  'That's my conclusion. The trouble is the new woman has, too. She's a pleasant person."

  "Aren't we all?" Stacey retorted just before she clicked off and wandered into the outer office to give Laurie the latest update.

  BRENDON ENJOYED The Spotted Hound Tavern that he had frequented since starting his new life that he liked to call it. The tavern's clients there were mainly small businessmen or managers, not the riffraff of the pub down the road nor the snobs at the local golf club. Also, the women who drank there were few and far between,

  He was pleased with himself having come to an informal arrangement with a local developer to sell houses for him. These were often only half built or even in the planning stage with future buyers having an input in the finished home, including interior colours, wallpapers and carpets. With this, plus the ordinary homes he sold he visualised that his income would be double that back at Hayes and Hayes.

  He had found his salary and shared bank accounts had been stopped but guessed this was inevitable. Through an elaborate transfer of funds between banks, he was sure that he could not be traced by his bank accounts. It was mid-evening and time to go home. He had sent a message to Reyna but she had not replied. This was unusual but he guessed she was all wrapped up in getting her wedding gown and those of her bridesmaids completed. Why women always insisted on spending thousands of dollars on these items amazed him. Reyna was even worse than Jessica had been. He signed and sipped his beer. He actually missed Jessica but why did she have to trick him into impregnating her?

  "Well, I'll be off," he said to the barmaid.

  "Right Brendon. Hope your wedding arrangements are going okay."

  He grinned. She was a well-developed girl. Perhaps he could bed her sometime in the future but right now Reyna more than fulfilled his physical needs. He thought back to Stacey in bed and grimaced. She used to be fun but had become bossy and a bit of a snob in the last few years...should have given her up ages ago.

  Like all taverns, there was quite a large car park provided for customers. It was half full so he walked diagonally across the pavement but in doing so came to a poorly lit section where two of the floodlights weren't working.

  He heard footsteps and a cough behind him. He turned to see a scruffy looking character just standing there. Not really concerned, he nodded at the guy and turned to continue on his way.

  "Brendon Hayes, the bigamist who abandons all his wives and kids who is now screwing a foreign tart and sucking money out of her family?" hissed a voice.

  Brendon shuddered and realised that trouble was brewing. This was worse for two more scruffy characters had materialised out of the gloom.

  "Brendon Hayes," he spluttered. "No, never heard of the guy. Got me muddled up with that other guy at the bar chatting the barmaid up." He went to step forward. "Sorry guys but no offence taken."

  "Heard you were a smooth talker, Hayes," muttered one of the other men. "Pity you had to pick on one of our kind for your latest romp. Otherwise you could have got away with it."

  "Now wait guys!" Brendon flustered... "Oh shit..."

  Without warning he felt a piercing pain in his chest and staggere
d backwards, tripped over and felt a boot kick him in the ribs. He managed to stagger to his feet and had a spinning vision of even more attackers gathered around.

  In the following minutes of agony he felt countless kicks all over his body. He actually saw a knife blade flash as he was stabbed in the chest and his clothes became moist with his own blood. He tried to defend himself by holding one hand over his face and lashing and kicking out but it was to no avail.

  All he could do was moan and scream as he sank back down on his knees, just as another boot caught him in the ribs.

  "Screams like the tarts he screws," someone laughed.

  He was seized by the throat and again hauled to his feet. A bearded face was mere centimetres from his own and the stink of beer filled his nostrils.

  "This is a warning Buddy Boy. You will leave the girlfriend alone and move out of the house. We don't care where you go as long as it isn't in this part of Auckland."

  The man stood back, produced another knife and thrust it forward. Strangely he only felt numb as he stared down, saw only the knife handle poking out of his shirt and blood everywhere. He staggered and dropped, unconscious onto the pavement.

  IT WAS DARK AND THE middle of the night when Stacey found herself awoken. It was not, however, baby cries that caused it. She had now become used to this as she would often bottle-feed Austin and let Jessica sleep.

  Her bedside light was switched on and she saw it was Jessica herself standing there. She looked terrible with tears rolling down her cheeks and her face was as white as a sheet.

  "Mum called me on my mobile." She was almost sobbing. "The police contacted her. Brendon has been found."

  "So what's wrong?"

  "He was attacked in a pub in Auckland and is in Middlemore Hospital with multiple stab wounds."

  Stacey shuddered and stared at Jessica who told her all she knew about the incident.

  "I know you've moved on with Laurie, Stacey but I still love Brendon and he's the father of my children," she sobbed. "I need to get up to Auckland."