The Unsuspecting Housewife

by Olivia Charles

  “What’s all this about then, I’ve been called away from important work because you need to see a detective. So talk to me…”

  “I can’t cope on my own any more. Please help me.” The man nodded and his accompanying female Constable smiled slightly to encourage Henrietta to continue.

  “My ex-boyfriend has tried to terrorise me, so that I won’t give you all this evidence. He has threatened my son and my mum and he even threatened me with a gun. I can’t risk holding it any longer.” The Detective Inspector took his hand from his coat pocket and gestured towards the canvass bags at Henrietta’s side and asked the Constable to lay the contents out on the floor. He sighed when he realised how long the job would take.

  “I don’t have time for all this lot now but we will check it all and contact you and give you a receipt for it. Please leave your details with my Constable.” He stood and requested that Henrietta be given a dated generic receipt for a ‘large amount of papers’.

  Henrietta walked through the lobby and Dave called after her.

  “Everything alright?” He asked.

  “I hope it will be now. Thanks.” She smiled and headed for her parked car with her arms held out at right angles so that it was obvious to anyone who might be watching, that the documents were now in paper custody. She was relieved and went to back to tell her mother what had been done.

  October 4th 2008.

  Two days later Henrietta was contacted by the female Constable she had met at the police station and was asked to return to sign for the many itemised receipts and discuss her knowledge and understanding of the documents. The process took an hour and made her wrist ache after the first one hundred signatures as the bundle included: a Court order to re-possess Terry’s flat, unpaid bills from the management company, an unpaid invoice from the estate agent who rented out Terry’s flat, the sales brochure for Terry’s flat, a letter from a Swiss bank outlining their terms of business, Terry’s personal bank account statements at five separate banks, Terry’s P60, a massively inflated Annual Return for the phone company certified by Aiden Hoare as Company Secretary, finance agreements for Terry’s Jeep and his wife’s car both in the name of his brother, V5’s for both cars in brothers name, bank statements for Terry’s brother, a photocopy of Terry’s passport and a similar photo of Terry as his brother, phone company records in his brother’s name, the business card of Hit man Mark, a colour photocopy of Hit Man Mark’s passport, demands to Terry’s brother from inland revenue and a receipt from San Roque golf club for the 78,000euros membership fee.

  There was another bundle which included photocopies of all Henrietta’s bank cards, birth certificate, passport, driving licence, plus a copy of the POA obtained by Terry and his POA on the Spanish Limited company, forged payslips in name of Henrietta Champion, a letter from Aiden Hoare to the bank stating Henrietta’s supposed salary with the phone company, an Experian report on Henrietta and an identical forged Experian report with Terry’s name superimposed upon it and a list of Terry’s assets which were in fact Henrietta’s.

  The Constable offered Henrietta a hot drink and told her that two officers had been allocated the task of investigating her allegations. She brought DI Robson and DC Wooster to meet with Henrietta and dismissed herself. The two police detectives brought their own cups of tea and introduced themselves before they sat down to listen to Henrietta’s grievances, which they told her were only preliminary and would not be recorded at this stage.

  “We are financial investigators and have been handed this case in the first instance, to substantiate your claims and the validity of the evidence you have supplied.”

  “What if I’m not safe?”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “I have been abused financially, physically and emotionally by Terry Newman. He has also threatened my Mother’s life, my son’s knee caps and I have had my tyres slashed and had hit men calling on me!” Henrietta started to pant with anxiety and tears came into her eyes. The senior officer put his empty cup on the floor beside his chair and smiled patronisingly.

  “Then we will hand you to the domestic violence team, once our investigations are complete but I think you are getting over excited. Perhaps you’ve been watching too much weird drama on TV or reading too many books. This is Derby not L.A. Would it be ok for me or my fellow officer to call you if we need to clarify anything?”

  “Yes of course. I will help in any way I can.”

  “Can you speak and write Spanish? Some of these documents need translating.” When she told them she could not, they thanked her for her time and she was free to go home.

  Six days later Henrietta received another call from the Detective allocated to her case and asked to attend them again. She obliged and was shown the passport with Terry’s photograph on it but bearing the personal details of his brother who immigrated to Australia many years earlier. She confirmed what she could of the details and they told her that having checked with HM Customs; they knew that the passport was a forgery and that Aiden Hoare had validated it as an authorised professional. Henrietta was not shocked.

  “What do you know of this Aiden Hoare?”

  “He is a friend of Terry’s. He is a financial advisor and I think he was secretary to Terry’s phone company.”

  “Have you ever had any dealings with him?”

  “Yes, Terry sent me to see him when we decided to buy the farm. Terry needed a mortgage for his part but the farm was purchased in my name. Aiden asked me lots of questions and then I signed the disclosure document as his client and we got the loan and took out life insurance too.”

  “What was that for?”

  “It was Terry’s idea. To be honest I didn’t like the idea at all, as I had enough life insurance already but Terry pointed out that everything I had done previously was in trust for my son.”

  “We need to investigate what you have told us and will call you. Ok?”

  “Yes, but when will you arrest him? Word is out that I’ve been to see you and I’m nervous.”

  “In our own time. Thank you. Anything else?”

  “Please arrest him.” She earnestly requested. “Before he hurts anyone else.”

  “Let everyone else look after themselves, it isn’t for you to decide who needs help or to tell us who needs arresting. We can manage adequately, thank you.” He was infuriated by her arrogance and superior attitude. The meeting was over save for what seemed to be random questions about where she was living and whom she had been speaking to. Henrietta was deflated and could see that the officers didn’t believe her. She hoped that after careful examination of the papers she had given them, that they would see the enormity of the crimes perpetrated against her and would then change their callous attitude.

  The following morning as she lay in bed thinking about the apparent lack of urgency or action, the phone rang and she leaned over to retrieve the handset.

  “Hello.” Henrietta looked at her brass carriage clock on her bedside table. It was 6.55am.

  “Mrs Champion, this is DC Wooster. Can you talk?” He enquired whilst chewing the large bacon sandwich he had bought on his way into work. She confirmed that she was alone and listened as he munched through his enquiry:

  “Have you ever met any of Mr Newman’s brothers or sisters?” She confirmed that she had not. “I have contacted them all and spoken with them either in person or on the phone and they tell me that they’ve had no contact with him since their father died.”

  “Terry told me they had fallen out, but I don’t know why.”

  “What would you say if I told you that Terry forged his dead father’s signature to release equity from his parent’s house? His siblings apparently confronted him when they found out what Terry had done and they had to find the money to pay for their Dad’s funeral and refused to let him attend. The sister told me that their Mum died of ‘shame’ shortly after that.” Henrietta gasped. He went on: “It seems that Terry was bullied by his Dad when he was a youngster and was consequentl
y cruel to other children and pets. They say he was upset when his father took him out of a posh school after his O’levels and forced him to work on a market stall.” DC Wooster sucked the glutinous doughy mass from his teeth and asked: “Did you know any of this family history?”

  “No, but it explains a lot. Have you spoken to his ex-wife?”

  “Not yet but I am hoping that she will corroborate everything we have been told. Meanwhile, please stop sleuthing and leave this investigation to us. We will be in touch.”

  Henrietta got out of bed and felt happy that the police were at last being proactive and it would not be long before Terry would be arrested and life could revert to being normal again.

  October 12th 2008.

  Henrietta regularly attended police stations to assist the detectives with their enquiries and was asked to comment on the documents which she had previously given to them. She also phoned Margot regularly for any news or gossip about Terry and was disappointed that the police had apparently not contacted him yet. Margot said she heard a rumour that Terry was flying to England for half term and Henrietta looked up the flight times on the date Margot suggested and estimated the approximate time he would arrive. She phoned the number given to her by DC Wooster and left a message to inform him of Terry’s plans, then decided to go and park outside the house where his children lived and watch.

  She sat in her car in the cul-de-sac with a bottle of flavoured water and a packet of chocolate limes and patiently waited for his arrival. She noticed the curtains twitch but did not see any undercover police and not expect Debbie to come outside and confront her.

  “What are you doing here Henrietta?”

  “I know he is coming to see the children, so don’t pretend he isn’t.”

  “I’ve phoned Terry and he won’t come here until you’ve gone, which is not fair on the children. They love him regardless of your grievance.”

  “He is a criminal and I want him to pay. I’ve told the Police.”

  “You shouldn’t have done that Henrietta. It won’t do any good. Just go away and accept that whatever you have given to him, is now lost forever.”

  “No. It’s theft and abuse!”

  “Henrietta, I know what he’s done to you, it’s what he does, but you are still own a nice car and a home. I lost everything! Get over it and start again. I’ve had to.” She stood beside the open window of Henrietta’s car and opened her heart: “Terry was bullied and beaten by his father who dominated the household and used to hit his mother. They say history repeats itself but Terry told me he wanted to re-write history. He decided to split from his father’s business and begin market trading on his own, but he struggled and I had to go out to work too which was so hard on me and the kids. It was obvious that I had to take them out of their private schools and we had to sell our house. But no, not Terry, he decided that we should take a further mortgage out on our home to tide us over. I wouldn’t sign it, so guess what; he forged my signature in front of me and got the money from the building society and tried to carry on. He assured me that things were improving and when I accidentally fell pregnant with our youngest he convinced me that we could cope. Well that was a lie! His van full of stock got stolen and he went bust again eighteen months later. Now he can’t be discharged until the seven years is up. We lost our home and he left me in the shit with three children. My parents helped me and my dad bought me an old car to run around in.”

  “I don’t understand how he got a mortgage and a car and a business and credit cards.”

  “I don’t know and I don’t want to know, I am just grateful for a place to live with the children and he gives me what he can, when he can. He loves the children and was angry when I took them out of their old schools. It was ridiculous, when I was taking in ironing and doing two part time jobs and trying to find child care. I started to hate him.”

  “I am sorry, I had no idea.”

  “I know you looked down your nose at me but you aren’t the first and you won’t be the last woman to suffer. Did you not know about the young girl called Claire who he got pregnant, just to get a house paid for by the rich father? That was a kick in the teeth when I’m struggling with our baby! Anyway, that is another sad story. Now go home and don’t contact me or any of the children again. I know they were very fond of Oscar but it’s over now, go away and keep your mouth shut.”

  “Will you come to the police with me and tell them what you know?” Henrietta implored.

  “Don’t be stupid, I don’t want the father of my children to go to jail. I will never give evidence against him or incriminate myself, especially as he provides me with regular maintenance and since he met you, he pays for the lease of my new car.” She gave Henrietta a disparaging look and turned to go back into the house she rented. Henrietta felt truly sorry for her, sighed and drove away without seeing Terry or any police cars.

  October 23rd 2008.

  Henrietta eventually received a letter which had been forwarded to her mother’s house, in which she was notified of the necessity to attend the San Roque Court, to give evidence at Terry’s trial. She had very little time to organise herself but realised that the court date coincided with Oscar’s half term break. Hetty asked Clive for his advice and he make enquiries with the Spanish lawyers and informed Henrietta that Celia and her firm required another three thousand euros to accompany her to court. Neither Clive nor Henrietta could see the point of the expense as the evidence had already been given to the police and accepted at court. Clive wrote a witness statement on his headed notepaper, giving details about the attack and threats which he overheard on the phone and he wrote further details of the criminality he had uncovered. Clive told her to present the statement to the court clerk as soon as she arrived at Court and wished her luck.

  She asked her computer literate friend to book flights for her and asked Margot to check in on the villa and make sure that there was cereal, milk and coffee in a plentiful supply and that the heating was working. Both friends obliged and Oscar and Henrietta flew to Malaga airport and hired the cheapest little car for their trip. Oscar was excited at the prospect of seeing his old friends but was cautioned by his mother to avoid Terry and his restaurant and to keep his mobile phone on him at all times whilst out of her sight.

  They landed in the evening and immediately drove to the Thai restaurant in the little shopping centre near to Terry’s villa to enjoy a meal with Margot and Miles. After a complete de-briefing of all relevant news, they drove in convoy to the villa and checked that no-one had been inside the house apart from Margot who had avoided being seen and had not turned on any lights. Henrietta thanked her for her loyalty and decided that she too would avoid letting the neighbours know that she was in occupancy.

  The following morning Henrietta phoned Imogen and arranged to spend the day at her house, so that the boys could have some fun, whilst they reacquainted themselves over lunch and afternoon drinks. In the evening she arranged to have dinner with another mother from school, so that Oscar could enjoy the company of another friend. Hetty wanted to treat Annette to a meal at the renowned fish restaurant in the port, as she knew times were hard for the newly separated lady and Hetty had missed the fresh tuna steaks. The boys promised to stay away from Terry and were given enough money to dine on big fat burgers at the popular Irish Bar. As night fell the boys started to walk back to their mothers who sipped calypso coffee under the metal heaters.

  Annette saw the boys first and got up to greet them and Henrietta asked why Oscar was in tears. His friend Greg had to explain that they had been ambushed by Terry in the alleyway behind the Irish Bar and Oscar had been repeatedly smashed against the wall, in spite of the boy’s best efforts to call for help or intervene. Terry had threatened both boys and told them to pass on a message to Henrietta to stay away from the court hearing the following day. The foursome broke up for the evening and Henrietta took Oscar back to the relative safety of the locked down villa.

  The following morning after breakfas
t Henrietta dropped Oscar at Josh’s and set off for San Roque Court with Clive’s letter in her handbag. She reported her attendance to the Clerk who spoke decent English and showed him Clive’s letter. The Clerk said that three Judges were presiding over the hearing and promised to show them the document. However when she was escorted in to court, before Terry, she was told that the letter had been rejected and could not be used as evidence because Clive was not present could not be cross examined by Terry’s lawyer. Henrietta felt outnumbered and outplayed and wished she had found the money to pay for a solicitor or barrister to fight on her behalf because as the hearing began and was translated bit by bit by a dispassionate woman in her fifties, Henrietta was asked to re-tell the Judges what had happened on May 5th at the villa and then afterwards, Terry was asked for his account of the event which was totally different.

  Terry’s sophisticated lawyer then stood before the judges and pointed out the disparity between Henrietta’s statement to the Spanish police and her evidence voiced in court, as she had given a written statement saying that ‘Terry was at the villa when she arrived’ and ‘I fell and hurt my arm and my head’ whereas in court they had just heard her say she ‘was at the villa when Terry arrived with his friends’ and ‘he hit me and I fell against the wall and hurt my wrist and my head’. The lawyer admitted that the discrepancy in Henrietta’s evidence could be blamed on the translation problem at the police station but that there had been plenty of time to translate and correct the statement and now it created doubts about what really happened. Terry’s lawyer said; ‘in dubio pro reo’ which obliges a judge to acquit if there is a reasonable doubt. The judges conferred with each other said they would make a decision on Senor Newman’s fate which would be available the following day. Henrietta phoned Clive who was furious that he had not pre-empted the Spanish court process and had been unable to help her when she needed his support.