Revenge! The Return of Jimmy Cadogan

By Sean Russell

Phil thought his troubles were over with his acquittal from the trial where he was accused of trying to kill his wife. He finds himself on a roller coaster of events taking him from his law office to a rum shop, to a strip club and finally the church where he finally finds peace but it's short lived. In the end his life and his wife's are threatened. Their imminent death is at the hands of none other than his nemesis Jimmy Cadogan.
Revenge is a fast paced ride taking ordinary people and ordinary places on an extra ordinary trip.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sean Russell
• Release date: Dec 20, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301326358

Sean Russell

Sean Russell is the author of The One Kingdom and The Isle of Battle, previous books in the Swans' War trilogy, plus the River into Darkness books: Compass of the Soul and Beneath the Vaulted Hills; the Moontide and Magic Rise books: Sea Without a Shore and World Without End; and Gatherer of Clouds and The Initiate Brother. He lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, with his wife and son.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

I’m pregnant!

It was the second time in as many days that Phil had that statement addressed to him. First it was Jade; he was initially elated until she continued the conversation. The memory of the conversation as well as the painful emotions evoked as a result.

They had gotten back from their vacation sailing the Grenadines. Phil needed a break after the nerve wracking time he had when he was accused of trying to kill Jade; who was to know that a real attempt was made when he was defending himself against that very charge.

Phil was feeling like a human being again and no longer like a ball in a pinball machine being bounced all around with absolutely no control over what was happening. He was in charge of his life again; he was back in the game. He knew his practice had suffered but not irreparably and now there was a lot of sympathy for him. He was cruising on the highway of life and then he encountered a pothole and the road he was on began to deteriorate. He noticed when they returned to Barbados that Jade’s mood had changed. She became withdrawn and then irritable, even short tempered. At first Phil thought she was having a kind of emotional lapse, a low feeling after the high of the release from all the drama they experienced just two short months before and then an idyllic Caribbean sail. One of the things Phil loved about Jade was that she was hardly ever down, she loved life and she always had something witty to say. She always managed to be his ray of sunshine whenever the clouds of his life experience threatened to darken his existence. She wasn’t sunshine anymore; in fact she was turning into a cloud. Phil decided to confront her about it. He had no idea what ants nest he was about to step in.

They were in their bedroom after having dinner, watching the TV. The air conditioner gave a cool respite from the hot weather outside. Phil noted Jade’s dour expression yet again and decided to take the bull by the horns.

What’s up with you babes, you’re not yourself? Phil looked into her eyes as he spoke, his own eyes reflecting the concern he had.

Jade seemed a bit dazed but spoke,

I’m okay.

Her eyes drifted back to the TV following the response but it did not look as if she was registering what was showing.

No, I don’t think you’re ok. You’re not acting like yourself in fact, you’re cranky and I'm beginning to feel that I don’t know you anymore. There was an edge in Phil’s voice; he hated to be ignored, especially when it came to important matters like his domestic well being.

Jade almost rolled her eyes but she checked herself.

There’s no need to be melodramatic, I’m fine.

Really? Phil’s brows were now raised.

Really .

Phil was getting annoyed and he wanted to raise his voice but common sense prevailed and he tried a different tact. He took Jade’s hand in his and started talking to her in a gentle sincere way.

Look, Jade, I’ve known you too well and for too long not to be in tune with you. I’m concerned about you, why don’t you let me in, let me help you.

Jade looked into Phil’s eyes and he saw her eyes filled with tears which had overrun her lower lids and raced down her cheeks.

I’m pregnant, she blurted.

Phil was shocked twice, first at the admission and second at Jade’s response to it. Phil’s emotions got the better of him while his intellect ran second.

You should be happy, what’s wrong?

Jade was sobbing and glaring, Phil was totally nonplussed but he tried to make sense of what was happening

Oh I get it. It’s the hormones; they’re playing with your emotions.

Phil broke into a smile and started to put his arm around Jade.

She threw his arm off with more force than a small woman should possess.

DON’T patronize me Phil! It’s not any damn hormones! The agitation energized Jade into motion. She got up and was paced around the room.

Phil had not recovered from Jade’s explosion as he watched her pacing around him as if she was about to pounce on him.

You know Phil for a smart, educated man you can be quite dense.

If Phil’s eyes could become question marks they would have. Jade pressed on.

Think Phil, what happened a few weeks ago, what got us into all this mess, and who was behind it.

A dim light started to glow in Phil’s brain, but realization was still slow in coming.

Damn it Phil! Jimmy raped me. He didn’t use a condom; I could be pregnant by him! That animal's seed could be growing inside me. I wish I could tear my womb out.

Jade was torn by rage and sadness; she bawled and heaved anger at the same time. Phil didn’t know what to do. The nightmare was back, in fact it hadn’t gone, and his horror movie of a life had only had a brief intermission. He was back. Back in hell’s bowels. He felt he was going mad. He could not deal with this. He did not want to deal with this. His rage at his impotence in controlling his life made him feel as if he would detonate and disintegrate into a million pieces.

He stormed out of the bedroom and out of the house. He had to keep moving and he had to get away from Jade, the state he was in made him dangerous to anyone within a close radius.

Phil’s mind continued to recount the unpleasant history and his body responded as if it was happening in real time. He jumped into his car and sped off, common sense prevailing somewhat, he did not drive at the insane speed he had done before, the pain he felt in his leg in cold or wet weather was an eager reminder of the consequences of his stupidity. He drove for about twenty minutes before his emotional temperature had simmered to the point where he could communicate with people using words. Prior to that his rage could only be expressed in violent body language. He knew he needed to talk to someone, he could not yet go home to Jade, the cinder of her ire was far too combustible to accommodate the fire that was still in him, smoldering though it was. He thought of Teddy, but somehow this cut too deep for him to share with his friend. Besides, Phil was not in the mood for Teddy’s ‘keep it real’ brand of advice. He had no other friends he could trust with something so sensitive. He thought of his father Isaac and the support and love the older man had given him as he fought through his trials and tribulations. The man had never criticized Phil. He did not admonish Phil; he just sought the best way to help. Isaac had the constitution of a rock. As far back as Phil could recall his father had been as steady as Gibraltar. He wished he had inherited that nature for as it were he felt as steady as a feather in a storm. With that thought in mind Phil decided to anchor himself to his father. He adjusted course and made his way to his father’s house, fortunately the hour was not too late.

Phil found his father in his favorite part of the house, the study. Isaac was seated in a dark brown leather covered chair. Phil recognized the chair from his boyhood days; it was one of Isaac’s very rare indulgences at the time he bought it. Phil thought that his father had gotten more than his money’s worth out of the chair, not only in use but also years of memories as his father sat many hours contemplating and talking to the Almighty seeking guidance. Phil feared the forthcoming conversation would not be part of those fond memories. It irked Phil that in recent times he only seemed to provide his father with fodder for unpleasant recollections. Phil swore to himself that he would return to his usual contributions of proud memories in his parent’s lives.

Isaac looked up from the book he was reading. His eyes rested on Phil and his face erupted in a smile.

Hi Phil, how are you? What brings you here?

Hi Dad, I need to seek your counsel, Phil attempted a wry grin, and was partly successful.

Isaac warmed to the humor.

My lawyer son seeking my counsel. Hmm, how can I help?

Phil sighed.

I might as well cut to the chase. I just had an argument with Jade. She’s pregnant and doesn’t want to keep it. She’s afraid it could be Jimmy’s.

Isaac stared at his son and for a few moments anyone seeing them would think they were a video stuck on pause. Isaac finally found the words he needed to respond.

I can see how that could cause concern for both of you.

Phil immediately became agitated, he had expected his father to see his side and advise him how to handle Jade.

But you can’t be condoning abortion, you’re in the church! You can’t!

Hold on Phil, calm down a minute and listen. Take charge of your emotions son.

Immediately Phil deflated and felt like a little boy. Recent happenings in his life had significantly weakened his usual tight rein on his emotions.

It would seem to me that first of all you need to establish if Jade getting pregnant by Jimmy is a real likelihood. Did you check with Jade if she was on the pill, or was it a safe period when this intrusion took place, did he use a condom, is Jimmy even capable of conception?

What Isaac was saying was making perfect logical sense but the thought of Jimmy with his wife in any way made Phil sick to his stomach. He started to feel nauseous, his head began to spin and his skin became clammy.

He excused himself and left the room. He headed straight to the bathroom and puked all the contents of his stomach. It was then he had an inkling of what Jade was going through. It assuaged his sanctimonious urges like water quenching a flame.

Isaac watched as Phil left the room, he felt for Phil his son. He was a good man and had lived a blessed life until these past several months. Isaac knew every man had to go through his own trials, it was just how things were, and he himself had faced his own. He did think however that closeness to God made all the difference, it was what took him through all his challenges and he had overcome and been rewarded beyond what he imagined he could have achieved as a young man. He believed Phil needed to tighten his relationship with his father, the spiritual one that is, hence the difficulties he was now facing. Isaac was not worried; he knew everything would work out. It always did, he would remain strong for his son. A sourness in his throat and a burning in his stomach told him he needed to take some ginger tea and eat some food. Phil returned to the room drawn and deflated.

Phil, why don’t you give yourself and Jade a little chance to work this issue out.

Phil looked over at his dad even though he felt drained and beaten like a discarded rag.

I guess you're right. I'm going to head home and get some rest. Thanks Dad. Isaac got up and walked Phil to the door. The burning became more insistent and rose to his chest. He made his way to the kitchen after seeing his son off and made a cup of tea.

Phil returned home after his discussion with his father, he was much more sympathetic to Jade. He promised himself to be more supportive and understanding but he was against abortion. They would have to work something out. He didn’t want to make any propositions, he wanted to make up and let her know he was there for her and they were on the same team.

When Phil entered the bedroom he found Jade asleep. He did not dare wake her up but he really wanted to talk to her, to tell her he could appreciate her perspective and her desire to have an abortion. He would have to deal with it in the morning.

CHAPTER 2

The next morning Jade was up and out early for a morning workout; she was fighting the weight gain she was experiencing by exercising. Phil was disappointed he really wanted to talk to her since the night before, now he had to wait until she got back