In Jeopardy Read online

  She laughs. ‘That’s not the half of it. Richard likes dress-ups. He wanted me in a school girl’s outfit, gothic vinyl. And wait for it – accompanying him to special parties in an assortment of crotchless, bare-breasted outfits – he particularly likes Catwoman with her tits hanging out and showing a smoothly shaved twat.’

  ‘You are my sister – this is too much information.’

  She laughs. ‘You did ask.’

  ‘Perhaps it was just as well he had an assortment of girlfriends he could try this out on. Obviously his job isn’t that taxing if he’s got time for all of this. You’re well away from this sis.’

  Endings and Beginnings

  Chapter One

  ‘Your situation is like Lucy’s. She struggled to get out of a mess she blames herself for.’

  Christine is surprised at how accurately Julian has read her thoughts.

  ‘You push away people who want to help. Like Lucy, you want to fix everything yourself.’

  ‘I’ve accepted your kindness.’

  ‘That’s good news.’ She’s got the same stubborn pride as Lucy.

  Julian claps his hands together. ‘That’s settled. Now speaking of solicitors – it’s been over a week since you’ve heard from Thornton.’

  ‘No news since that encounter with Richard.’

  He fixes a puzzled look on her. ‘I think Thornton needs a bit of a push.’

  ‘It’s not Thornton. I’ve been distracted by the hospital and our accommodation arrangements.’

  ‘For now, I want you to stop worrying about finding a place. There is somewhere around the corner waiting for you.’

  ‘Tomorrow my shift doesn’t begin till late afternoon. We can start looking again in the morning.’

  ‘I’ve got a better suggestion. Why don’t you contact your solicitor and make that appointment to see him. Let’s find out where things stand; what progress he’s made, or lack of.’

  Julian insists on accompanying Christine to Thornton’s office. She braces herself, dreading what she is about to hear.

  Thornton’s words replay in her mind. I’m convinced your estranged husband has withheld information about your shared assets. It’s possible he’s in debt and appears wealthier than he is. If this is the case – his debt is your debt.

  She worries that she could be staring into a black pit as she waits for a miserable settlement that may only cover her legal costs.

  Thornton appears without her noticing him before he interrupts her thoughts. ‘Christine – I see you’ve got a new boyfriend? You’ve wasted no time getting your life back on track.’ He gives her the thumbs up.

  ‘It’s never a good idea to jump to conclusions mate.’ Christine notices that Julian has suddenly lost any trace of his English accent. He offers Thornton his hand, they shake. ‘I’m Julian Francis, Christine’s brother.’

  ‘Christine said she has a brother who lives abroad.’

  ‘I was working on a media project here and have extended my stay to keep an eye on Christine.’ He adds with emphasis, ‘I’m looking after her interests.’

  ‘And you’re here to check on me?’

  ‘You could say that.’

  He ushers them towards his office with the sweep of a hand. ‘This way, guys.’

  Thornton offers them tea, coffee or chilled water. ‘Christine, you look worried – a contrast to how you were the last time we met.’

  Her eyes widen with interest.

  ‘I was impressed by your composure as I watched how you managed pathetic Mr Banks.’

  ‘I’ve spent ten years dealing with those tantrums.’

  ‘I call it abuse.’ Thornton turns to Julian. ‘I was impressed by how your sister stood up to Banks. He’s probably still reeling at how we watched him make an ass of himself. I’ve made claims about his threats of violence.’

  ‘What claims?’

  ‘I recorded the conversation before entering the room.’ He adds that recorded evidence is inadmissible and a violation against a person.

  What the f—k – you what? Julian fixes a hard look on Thornton.

  ‘Don’t worry I won’t be informing Banks’ solicitor about this.’

  ‘Why – then – did you tape a conversation you can’t use as evidence?’

  ‘I’ve played and replayed that conversation. His threats, his menacing tone; no wonder she walked. I have the man’s measure and this makes all the difference.’ Thornton advises Christine to allow him to present a sworn affidavit that he witnessed her estranged husband threaten violence. He further advises her to press charges.

  Christine looks at Thornton in disbelief. ‘He didn’t strike me.’

  ‘He pushed you – shoved you, and that’s assault.’

  Julian turns to Christine. ‘You didn’t tell me that!’

  She shrugs.

  Julian thinks, what else haven’t I been told?

  At the same time Christine recalls treating scores of battered women who presented bruised, bleeding and broken. She armed these women with paperwork detailing safe places for them to go, yet most of them return to these men and the abuse they continue to inflict on their victims. Many of the casualties are women on high incomes and without children. Until now Christine hadn’t considered herself a statistic.

  Thornton clears his throat, interrupting the awkward silence, ‘Are you with us Christine? He’s committed criminal offences against you.’

  ‘I don’t understand how you’re going to make this claim stick.’

  ‘I’m suggesting that you obtain a restraining order against Banks. He threated to confront you at the hospital and stalk you. This alone is sufficient grounds.’

  ‘Why didn’t you advise me to take this action sooner?’

  ‘I wanted to have more facts at my disposal. With your permission I will inform Banks’ solicitor about what happened.’

  Thornton tells Christine that she can press criminal charges at any time. He sums up Richard’s behaviour as little more than hot air and that he is astute enough to avoid carrying out his threats. ‘It is likely that he expects the scene at the house has blown over, and has avoided mentioning it. I consulted a senior partner for advice and he agrees we inform Banks’ solicitor that you intend to press criminal charges against him. We can also offer them the alternative that you won’t press charges if your estranged husband agrees to your claim of seventy-five per cent of shared assets.’

  ‘I can’t imagine him agreeing to these terms.’

  ‘Isn’t that blackmail?’

  ‘Yes – it’s blackmail. Of course I wouldn’t be fool enough to put this in writing – it would be done over the phone.’

  ‘That’s unethical?’

  ‘If you’re too nice in this business you get screwed. My advice hinges on how to best look after my client.’ He pauses then shifts his gaze to Christine. ‘I don’t expect Banks will agree to a seventy-five per cent claim, but you always ask for more than you expect.’

  Christine quietly despairs that Thornton has not discovered that Richard has salted away a substantial amount of cash. Thornton’s words seem to echo her fears. He explains that all of Richard’s accounts are legal and kosher.

  ‘I have arranged for another forensic audit on Banks’ assets and have extended this to family trust accounts.’

  Julian shoots Thornton a look of impatience.

  ‘It’s a tedious process at the best of times.’

  Thornton reads the look on Christine’s face. ‘I’m sorry; this is the best I can do at this stage. Don’t give up, we are far from beaten.’

  He reminds her that he is confident they only have a partial view of the situation and there’s much more to be discovered. He claims that Banks has been too clever by half and that hidden behind tampered documentation is the truth. ‘We may not unravel all of it, but what they have provided us with is full of holes. They are stalling for time in the hope that you will lose patience with the legal process and accept the scraps from the table.’

  Th
ornton asks Christine to estimate the worth of their assets before they married, before she left, and to cost out their lifestyle over the duration of their relationship. He tells her that these details may give a clearer picture of their shared wealth. ‘I want a snapshot of your lifestyle as a couple. With this information I want to show that he is far wealthier than he states.’

  The first thing that springs to Christine’s mind is the jewellery. These facts alone are enough to indicate unexplained wealth. Then there is the wine cellar filled with vintage wines, limited-edition labels, many of them worth hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars. Until now she didn’t consider his numerous personal collections, such as vintage trains, war medallions and ancient firearms as worth much. Thornton will be more than interested.

  She will put together a dossier to send to Thornton. Would a mutual friend who disapproves of Richard’s affairs be prepared to verify that he had numerous lovers? She thinks of Jenna then dismisses the idea. She’s too much under Damien’s influence and he is too loyal to Richard.

  By removing herself from her former social circle she has effectively gone into hiding. She recognises that she has avoided being the victim of Richard’s curious friends who might pry then report something to him that she said in an unguarded moment.

  Today Thornton pointed out the importance of timing, strategy, secrecy and the art of knowing when to strike. She resolves she will have every piece of jewellery valued. While her estranged husband lives a charmed life Christine is determined to expose his exploits. Until now she didn’t think that he might have enemies baying for his blood and waiting for the right moment to strike. I’ll have what’s mine. I want justice. I want revenge. Let the wheel of fortune turn against him.

  Julian’s account of Harry lacks Richard’s menacing cruelty and brutality. His boyish charm and indifference towards Lucy and likely others caught up with him turning his life into a broken mess. Here’s hoping a similar fate awaits Richard.

  Thornton asks her to rake her memory for other examples of abuse that she has suffered, to document travel and social engagements; details that would allude to a lavish lifestyle.

  Thornton’s call days later alarms Christine.

  ‘I have left Banks’ solicitor a number of messages and none of these have been returned.’

  Her despair turns to silence.

  ‘Are you still there Ms Francis?’

  ‘Christine.’

  ‘Sorry. This isn’t the bad news you think it is.’ He laughs. ‘You’ve given Banks’ solicitor plenty to chew on. With a bit of luck she’s spooked and in a state of damage control.’

  ‘And what evidence do you have of this?’

  ‘The other party will either reject the proposal or ask for more time.’ He pauses. ‘But I can’t calculate how long settlement will take.’

  He talks and talks, hitting Christine with details she doesn’t absorb. ‘I assure you Christine I will see to it that you’re not swindled.’ Since meeting the well-attired Mr Banks I have more than once contemplated smashing a fist into his face. I didn’t think I had such a passion for blood.

  ‘And if I am swindled…’

  ‘Trust me – you won’t be.’

  It’s not your life and financial future that’s at stake here. This is a game to you as much as it is an income. If the legal action he advises her to take fails she and she alone will be left picking up each and every broken piece.

  Thornton glances up at the clock on the wall. That time already. ‘My next client is minutes away – we’ll have to wrap up the conversation. I almost forgot – how’s your documentation of assets going?’

  She sighs. ‘It’s a slow work in progress.’

  ‘That sounds promising.’

  Work that was once a distraction for Christine becomes an obstacle to finding somewhere to live. Living in the hotel and out of a suitcase, although not unpleasant, stretches from days to weeks. She becomes increasingly ill at ease with Julian’s arrangement, continues to plead with him to allow her to pay for the room, but he insists that this is the least he can do for her.

  Each day Julian continues to search for a place. When Christine returns from work he has often shortlisted apartments and townhouses he hopes she will like. When they contact the agent they have been snapped up. They become tired of the same slick agent rhetoric: It’s a tight market – high demand and shortage of inner-city properties.

  Between working and finding somewhere to live, Christine takes her jewellery out of storage. She finds a jeweller from the phone book who specialises in sworn valuations. From the outside, Jaguar’s Jewellers is an ancient and slightly faded art deco establishment with highly polished windows. The sign outside reads: Jaguar’s Fine Jewellers, Established 1900. Inside, the store is surprisingly large. Behind the counter are two small workrooms obscured by smoky glass.

  A cheerful young woman barely out of her teens approaches Christine. Her wild red hair is restrained by a green ribbon. ‘Can I be of some assistance?’

  ‘I have an appointment with Mr Blunt at ten.’ She glances at her watch. ‘I’m early.’

  The girl’s name tag reads Emily. She gestures to Christine to sit in the Queen Anne chair at the front of the shop facing the door.

  The other woman behind the counter is bent over an assortment of rings she is showing to a potential buyer. She has dark straight hair and is at least five years older than Emily.

  Christine doesn’t notice Mr Blunt appear and jumps when he speaks. ‘Ms Francis.’ Without waiting for a response he adds, ‘Follow me.’ He turns and she follows him into the room on the right. He tells her to take a seat, places a velvet pad on the table and asks her to display each piece of jewellery, one at a time. He can’t determine whether some of the pieces are natural or laboratory-produced stones as he doesn’t have the appropriate equipment. He looks up from the velvet pad. ‘Some of these will need to be sent to a more specialist jeweller for valuation.’

  Christine asks, ‘Can you give me an idea of the value of any of these?’

  He picks up a number of them. ‘Do you know what any of these pieces cost?’

  ‘None, these are gifts my estranged husband bought for me.’

  ‘Do you know if any of these are insured?’

  ‘I guess they must be.’ Richard harped on enough about how expensive each one was.

  He looks into her face, narrows his eyes as if scrutinising it. ‘And you really have no idea of their value?’

  Richard never asked her what jewellery she liked, and therefore didn’t know that she is largely indifferent to it. The few pieces she values are relatively inexpensive like the onyx pendant set in white gold. She expects that the black diamond is worth a bomb, but it means no more to her than the cheaper stone. She only wanted a fire or black opal surrounded by faceted diamonds because it would attract enough attention to become a talking point. She knows the rarer pieces like these reek of money. What better way to remind Richard’s bimbos that she has special status – she’s prima-donna.

  Chapter Two

  Since Christine’s last conversation with Thornton and her trip to the jeweller, she feels strangely disconnected from the hospital.

  The staffroom feels crowded and louder than she recalls and this makes her head ache. She moves to a quieter corner to distance herself from hospital gossip. These hopes are short-lived when Kath, the charge nurse she filled in for, finds her.

  ‘You’ve been hiding. I’ve been back for more than a week and haven’t seen you. Have you been avoiding me?’

  ‘I wish that was my excuse.’

  ‘Don’t tell me – word’s got around.’

  ‘I guess the whole hospital knows I’m finished with Richard.’

  ‘I’m sorry Christine – I’m truly sorry, but – that’s not what I’m referring to.’

  ‘What else could you be referring to?’

  ‘Are you still roughing it in that hotel – still looking for a place to live? No one has said anything about Ri
chard. I just assumed your situation somehow involved him.’

  She can’t be serious that everyone’s been tight-lipped about my busted marriage.

  ‘Actually – I did hear, but I didn’t believe you and Richard are finished.’

  ‘It’s true.’

  ‘Christine – I’m sorry – shocked. You appeared to be the perfect couple.’

  ‘You’re not the only one who thinks that – not the only one fooled by Sleaze-bag’s charm.’

  ‘You’re hurt and angry…’

  ‘And that’s exactly what he is. There’s a lot you don’t know about Richard.’

  ‘Without prying – are you okay?’

  ‘I’m here aren’t I?’

  ‘I understand your cynicism, but I am seriously concerned about you – we all are.’

  ‘That’s kind, but there’s no need.’

  For a number of seconds an uncomfortable silence weaves itself around them.

  ‘I’m not always okay. And this mess is far from over.’

  A voice from behind rushes at them. ‘Have you found a place to live yet?’

  ‘No. Everything I’ve seen is worlds away from where I used to live.’

  ‘Is your brother still here?’

  ‘You have a brother? Christine, you’re full of surprises.’

  ‘I also have a sister – they’re twins – they left home before I started secondary school. Julian lives overseas and Diana lives interstate. Over the years we have only managed fleeting contact.’

  ‘Is he tall, dark and handsome?’

  ‘Neither.’

  Annie butts in, ‘Christine you’re terrible.’ She turns to Kath. ‘He’s been to the hospital.’

  Kath’s eyes express interest and curiosity.

  ‘You’re interested in my brother aren’t you?’

  ‘I could be if I wasn’t in a relationship. Tell me anyway.’

  ‘He dresses sharp – he even has a bit of an English accent.’

  Kath turns to Christine. ‘How long is he staying?’

  Christine shrugs. ‘He was assigned to a project as a foreign correspondent. He’s extended his stay to help me sort out my life and my dramas with Richard.’