by Sean Russell
Ontheotherhand,ifhechangedhismindandaccededtoTeddy’sdemands,it
would be disastrous, or worse yet, if Teddy or Phil himself concocted another illegitimatemodusoperandi.
She concluded that Poppa Ferg had enough going on. He still had his business and other personal matters in his life. Besides, she could be wrong and she would have disgraced Phil when he was at his lowest point unnecessarily. She wouldhandlethiswithoutturninginformantonherhusband.Shejustneededto findhim.
“Nothing specific, it’s just living with him and seeing him stressing has me on myguard,especiallyafterhehurthimselfwhenhecrashedthecar.”
“I see where you’re coming from. I’ll make sure to call him as soon as I put downfromyouandI’llhavehimcallyouwhenIspeaktohim.”
“Okay.”
Jadetriedtosoundlessconcernedthanshewas.
“Remember,havefaith,bestrong.Thereisalsonoharminpraying.”
“Iknow.Ihavebeen.Byefornow,PoppaFerg.”CHAPTERFORTY-THREE
Jimmywasinhisofficetextinghisnewestintern.
The content was not any form of tort, it was about his intentions for her that evening.Shewasn’ttheprettiest,butshehadapairofbreaststhathehadtoget toknowfirsthand.Shewasalsoveryambitious.
Shewouldbeeasytobed.
Jimmyhadfoundatremendousneedtosecurehismanhoodsincehissodomitic
encounter.Histypicallasciviousbehaviourhadescalatedtoanewextreme.
Itwasasifthemoresexhehad,thecloserhegottoexpungingthatdarkmark onhisjournalofexploits.
Hewasinterruptedbytheringingofhistelephone.Aglanceatthedisplaytold himitwashissecretary.Hecompletedhistextandanswered.
“Mr.Brownisheretoseeyou.”
“Sendhimin.”
Jimmywelcomedhisvisitorandusheredhimtohisseat.Hewalkedovertohis
bar which was concealed by ornately-designed mahogany doors. He poured a largeshotofpremiumbrandyineachoftwobrandyglasses.Hehandedoneto
Brian.
“Cheers.Tovictory.”
BrianknockedhisglassagainstJimmy’s.
“So,it’sdone?”
“Thecaseistomorrow.Philgoestojail,theFergusonsaredisgracedandweget thetwentymilliondollarcontract.Wesigndayaftertomorrow.”
“Great. Cheers, partner. Or should I say boss, seeing that you have controlling interestinRegalEnterprises.”
“I shall be magnanimous today as I’m in such a good mood, partner. After all, you run the business. I just inject capital and provide strategic advice.” Jimmy
was smiling as he sipped his brandy. Life was as it should be, with Jimmy Cadogan in full control, the incident with Amanda and that thing, Jackie, recededfromhisconsciousnesstemporarily.
Ithadnaggedhimdailysinceitoccurred,butJimmyknewtheywouldpay.
“Youmakemostofthemoney.”
Brian’stoneborderedonaccusing.Hewasgladforthebailoutfouryearsprior, and to be honest, his association with Jimmy had kept the business very profitable,especiallywiththebigdealtheywerecelebrating,butJimmywaslike a tick. He sucked money from the company like an unpleasant parasite did, relentlessly. Worse than the tick was that Jimmy was involved in much of the runningofthecompany,moresothanwasexpectedfromasilentpartner.Jimmy wasimpervioustoBrian’slackofenthusiasm.
“Settheyachtup.Wearegoingtohaveacelebration.
ThesamenightafterweseeFergusongotojail.”Jimmy’swarpedmindstarted
processing.PerhapshewouldinviteJade.Jimmyhadcloutandheroncehotshot husbandwouldbeinjail.Shewouldneedcheeringup.Thistimehewouldmake
sure she fully appreciated the luxury of a yacht and this time she would be conscious.
ThetwistedtrainofthoughtgaveJimmy’sserpentinemindimmensepleasure.
CHAPTERFORTY-FOUR
Phil felt more nervous than a bank robber on his first heist. He felt like a criminal. It was not something he had done before, but this was fast becoming his new mantra: desperate times called for desperate measures. He agreed to meetAmandaatabarinahotelawayfromtheeyesofcuriouscitizens.
He turned his mobile off because this meeting was crucial and he could not affordtobedistractedinanyway.Heneededtofocusonehundredpercent.He didnotintendforthemeetingtobelong,andfigureditwasunlikelyhewould bemissed.
Hetookaseatatonethetableswithanumbrellastickingthroughthemiddleof it several feet away from the pool. It was a medium-sized pool, the water appearingcrystallineasitreflectedtheafternoonsunlightintoPhil’seyes.There was a ficus hedge surrounding the area, punctuated strategically by several colourfulshrubs.Philalmostbegantorelax.
Itwasacozyhideaway.
Shearrivedfiveminuteslater.Hecouldnotmissher.Shewasstrikingasusual.
Why did she have to be so attention-grabbing? The fact was, today it was not intentional.ShedidnotgooutofherwaytograbPhil’sattention,butwhenever ithappened,shedidnotmindatall.
She was wearing a khaki-coloured dress which reminded Phil of the
Combermerejuniorgirls’
schooluniform,butthecolourwastheextentoftheresemblance.Itwascutto exposesomecleavage,inthatnicewaythatletsyouknowit’stherebutdoesn’t shoutatyou.Itwastaperedatthewaist,withjustenoughroomatthehipssoit was not tight. Her thighs were exposed from below a hem line that was seven inches above her knees. Her feet were shod in a delightful pair of copper-coloured Jimmy Choo pumps. Her belt, which was broad and sat on her hips, matched her shoes perfectly, as did her Coach bag. Her beautiful face was accessorisedbyagorgeouspairofFendisunglasses,whichsheflickeduponto her forehead as she sat opposite him and greeted him with a smile so sweet it could melt the heart of a serial killer. It was then Phil realized that whatever
troublehewasin,hewasupformore.Philtriedtomaintainhiscool.
“HiAmanda.”
“HiPhil.”
The waiter stepped up, took her order and retreated. Phil collected himself. He was focused. Get in, get out, don’t get caught up. Don’t let the pretty face and designerclothescatchyou.
ThewaiterreturnedwithAmanda’sGuinness.
Moretimemusthavepassedthanherealized.Hewasblankingoutagain,losing littlehandfulsoftimewithoutwarning.Hehadtogetoutofthis. Gameon, he thought. Firstserve.
“So Amanda. What’s this about solving my problems and getting Cadogan to backoff?”
Shebeamedathimagainandtookalongsipofherdrink,wearinganexpression whichsaidshewassavouringit.Shelickedherlipsslowly,thepinktipofher tonguelazilyexploringhersensuouslips.
SheexploredPhilwithhereyesanditwasclearthatthepleasureonherfacewas comingfromhervisualinput,itwasifshewastastinghim.ShetookPhil’shand withhersasshespoke.Itwassoftandchargedwithsexualelectricity.Philfeltit.
Itranallthroughhisbody,includingtheerectiletissuewhichextendedfromhis pelvis.Hefeltastirringrightthere.Thatwasnew.Ithadneverhappenedtohim before,ormaybeitwasthewayshelickedherlips. Focus,Phil.
“Comeon.Tellmewhatyouhave,Ireallydon’thavealotoftime.”
“Straight to business, like when we first met. The consumate professional. No timeforforeplay.”BeforePhilcouldreplyadeviousgrineruptedonherf
ace.It tookhimbysurprise.
“Let’ssaythatIaminpossessionofsomevideofootagewithJimmyinavery
compromisingposition.”
Philsniggered.“Sowhat?Knowingthatsickbastard,hewouldwanttoputinon
Facebookundertheheading:‘Cadoganinaction’.ComeonAmanda,youshould knowbetterthanthat.”
Amanda squeezed his hand and played with his fingers. Phil got that sensation again.
“It’snotwhatyouthink.”
“Oh.”Philreallywashopingthatshehadsomethingandthatthiswasnotsome sillyploy.
“Ihaveaquestionforyou.”
Phil’shopesplummeted. Shehasaquestion…
right.Question,myass.She’splayingme.
Amandasawhisexpression.Sheignoredit.Shetookbothhishandsandgazed
into his eyes. She was smiling again. She managed to engage his attention despitehisresistance.
Whatisitwiththiswoman?
“Humourme.”Shesaid.
“Uhhuh.”
“WouldyouconsiderJimmyhomophobic?”
“Areyoukidding?He’stheposterboyforgaybashing.”
Phil’sfacebecameanimated.Itwasasifafloodlightgotpoweredupinsidehim.
Theenergytransferredtohisopposite,andhersmilegotmoreradiant.Hewas piecingthecluestogetherinhismind,hopereturninginahugewave.
“No.”Amandashookherhead.“Cadoganisdown-lowman.Hewasparadingto
coveruphistruecolours.”
“Then…What??”
“IhaveavideoofJimmytakingsomeseriousdick.
Hisfacewasapictureofpureagony.Hehatedit.Iknowit’stheworstthingthat couldeverhappentohim.”
Phil’s jaw dropped. He was absorbing this new revelation—the notorious Cadoganfinallybeatenathisownnastygame.
“Howdidyougetthisvideo?”
Amandaworeamixedexpressionofpride,anger,anddisgustallatonce.
“Isetthefuckerup?”
Phil’s brows high-jumped to this statement, though maybe he should have not beensosurprised.
“Youwanttosee?”Shesaid.Shedidnotwaitforhimtoreply.Shepulledher iphone out from her bag and selected the video. She pushed the phone over to him. He picked it up and started the video. He was riveted by the images streaminginfrontofhim.Hewasdisgusted,thenperverselypleased.Thiswas priceless.
HewassoabsorbedbythevideothathedidnotnoticewhenAmandagotupand
positioned herself beside him, her hair brushing his face, her breast massaging his arm. Phil smelled her before he felt her. She smelt like heaven and sex mergedperfectly.
“ImaginethatonYoutube.”
He turned to look at her. She seized the opportunity to plant a kiss on his lips, whichputthepoormaninatailspin.
“Yeah,thatwouldbesomething.”
Hismindwasfracturedbywhatjusthappened.
“Sothisisseriousammunition.Howdoyouproposetouseit?”
“I will tell him that I will release this video into the public domain unless he reversestheinjusticehehasbroughtuponyou.”
“Aresureyouwanttodothat?Heisanasty,dangeroussonofabitch.”
“Iamsure.Itwillbeworthit.Besides,Idespisehim.”
“Worthit?”
“Yes.Worthit.”Shewhisperedthewordsinhisearandthencaresseditwithher tongue.“Whatdoyoumean?Whatwillyoubegettingoutofit?”
“You.”Ittookafewmomentsfortheimplicationofthethree-lettercombination.
“What…doesthatmean?”Thedeliverywasveryslowandmeasured.
“Sleepwithme.”
Philwasunabletospeak,largelybecausehisbrainjustfroze.
“I need to have you again. I’ll be nice. It’s a one-time demand and a one-time offer.”
Hewasstillspeechless.
“Youdon’thavetoseemeagainifyoudon’twantto.Iwillplacenodemandson you.Iwantyouthistime.Now.”
Somehowthewayshesaid‘now’hadaneroticeffectonhim.
“When you told me where we were meeting, I took the liberty of booking a room,thewaywherenoonehastoknowyouarestayinginaroom.”Beforehe
couldrespondshegotupandsashayedaway,treatingPhiltoaviewofthemost exquisite ass he had ever seen. He finally stopped looking in her direction secondsaftershehadgoneoutofsight.
He looked down on the table, the number 201 was scribbled on the napkin in frontofhim.
He had a decision to make. He did not know what to do. He knew what was right.Healsohadanacheinhisheartforfreedomandjustasgreatanachein his loins. He had to ease the pain, his health demanded it. He had to do it. He wantedtodoit.
CHAPTERFORTY-FIVE
Phil arrived in court with Jade in tow. She had been furious about his disappearingact,butPhilexplainedthathethoughthewasgoingtoloseitand hehadneededsomequiettime.Shewasn’tsurewhethertobelievehim,butshe decidedthattherewerebiggerissuesimmediatelyathand.Ifhewenttojail,he would be missing for a long time. There was a huge irony in the fact that this man walked into court obviously supported by the woman he was accused of killing.
Phil scanned the courtroom. Although he was dressed in a tailored Hugo Boss suit, navy blue with pinstripes, white oxford shirt secured at the throat with a crimsonnecktie,hisfeetinapairofblackStacyAdamsshoes,hestillmanaged to appear uncomfortable and unkempt. The courtroom was packed with fellow attorneys,friends,andcuriousonlookers.Philcontinuedhiswalktothefrontof thecourtroom.HetightenedabitwhenhesawAmanda.
He knew she would be there, but he was considering Jade’s reaction. As if by telepathy,Jadelookedathim,disapprovalevidentbutnotblatant.Philaccepted hernon-verbalreproachandcontinuedhissurveillance.
Jadefelthismusclestense.Itfeltlikeawildanimalreadytofightforit’slife.
JadefollowedPhil’sgaze.HiseyeswerefocusedonJimmyCadogan.Jimmy,in
his typical way, was impervious to Phil’s glare. In fact, he looked as if he was sittingattheGrammy’swaitingforhisnametobeannouncedasthewinner.
Jade squeezed Phil’s elbow. Phil bit his lip and took a seat beside his attorney, whowasalreadyseated.
Theygreetedeachotherwhilethejudgestrodein.
Theystoodatthebiddingofthecourt’smarshall.Thecasewasannouncedand
everyone took their seat. The tension in the court immediately became electrified.Itwasasifthecourtroomanditsentirecontentsgotpluggedintoa hugepowergrid.
TheassistantDirectorofPublicProsecutions,DecourceyO’Neale,commenced
his opening remarks to the court. He was a tall, thin man, dark in complexion,
baldingexceptforacrownofgrayinghairandatuftofhairatthefrontofhis scalpthesizeofasilverdollar.
Itlookedasifsomeonejuststuckitthere.Hehadasomewhatshrillvoiceandhe struttedacrossthecourtroomashespokeasthoughhewereauditioningforthe leadroleonahitTVlegaldrama.Jimmywasenjoyingeverymoment.Hewas
invigorated with the same energy that was putting Phil out of his mind with anxiety. Jimmy felt like he was literally vibrating. This is so sweet, if this continuesIwillclimax,figurativelyofcourse.Jimmyhadahellofanevening planned.
Apartyontheyachtwithlotsofchampagneandaliveshowin‘his’stateroom involving to two young females heavily blessed in looks, but mu
ch less so in inhibitions. Jimmy knew it was going to be a good night, but he also had a feeling.Itwashisblackberry.
Itwasvibrating.Etiquettesuggestedthathewaitforanopportunetimetocheck hisphone,curiosityandarrogancedemandedhecheckrightaway.Hesawthatit wasanemail,buthewassurprisedattheidentityofthesender.
It was from Jade. It said: ‘ I have a momento for you J’. Jimmy’s head was spinning.Thiswaswhatbeingawinnerwasallabout.Everyonebacksawinner.
Jimmy read Jades thoughts: Jade saw her ship about to sink and she was attempting to board Jimmy’s yacht. She can be on it tonight, I will have to arrangeasecondshowtonightinthestateroom.Jadewasasmartgirl.Herlife would be shit with Phil in jail and the family business struggling. She was accustomedtoacertainlifestyle,andsheknewthatJimmycouldprovideitand more.
Jimmywasnowhighonlife.Lifeaccordingtohiswill.Hewasbarelyawareof thecourtproceedings,soabsorbedwasheinhisreverie.HisBlackberryvibrated again.Thistimetheemailhadanattachment.
It was from Jade, with pictures attached. He knew what they were. They were alreadyplayinginhismindashewasusingthemtovisualizehisnewlyplanned eveningontheyacht.TheywerethepicturesheusedtoinflamePhil,theonesof heandJade.Heglancedattheimagesastheydownloaded.Hewasdismayed.
Hewasinthem,sansclothes,buttheotherpartywasJackie.Thephonevibrated.
Itwasanotheremail.Themessagewascurtandclear:‘ Youknowwhattodo’.
Jimmy became consumed by a blinding rage. It descended on him in a dark cloudofhatred.Hecouldseenoonebutthefocusofhisrage,thepersonbold enough to threaten him. She knew not what she was doing. He saw her sitting aheadofhim,acrossandtotheright,justbehindthatpoorexcuseofaman,the manstandingtrial.Inaswiftmotion,Jimmywithdrewhisfabledgun.TheSTI
VIP 0.45 calibre was a showpiece of workmanship. It was also loaded and accurate.Jimmy’sclaimwouldbethathehadneverusedittoshootatanother humanbeing,butthenonewouldhavetoaskJimmywhoheconsideredtobea
humanbeing.Jimmyfiredfourshotsbeforehewasapprehendedbytwocitizens