Hard Justice

By Josie Paige

The third in this trilogy finds that Angel now has the woman of her dreams at her side and a family where there was only her mother before the accident. Her world has turned completely around, but there is still the small matter of her biological father and his seedy underworld, a need for justice and a business thats growing with her more at the helm than ever before. Some good news about her father is what she needsif he could only be caught and jailed! Has Marion got something up her sleeve? She seems to be planning something, maybe a way of getting him caught? The pain and memory of her mothers demise still haunts her, trying to overcome these feelings has been impossible so far. Kat needs to find a way to help her. She needs to move forward somehow.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Jul 25, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477214305

Josie Paige

This was the hardest to write for me. I do hope you find it finishes the story well. I did have the most fun writing this part of the story though, trying marry justice and feelings of getting over a loss most tragic.

Book preview

Anger

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Frank got home to what looked like a very drunken Jimmy indeed, in his usual place in front of the television, he was a lot drunker than usual tonight. At least he still had his loyalty and his same old routines he could undoubtedly rely upon. Jimmy had been loyal to him all the time he had known him and was always drunk these days, but it didn’t matter to Frank. After pulling up at the door Jimmy was trying to get up out of the seat to hail his return as he usually did but couldn’t make it. Slamming the door as he entered Frank went to the fridge and found a can of lager in there and went to sit on the sofa after taking the first swig. Did you find them Frank? Did you see her? Jimmy was slurring his words and looked as though he was trying to decipher which image of Frank was the real one. Frank smiled to himself. He didn’t want to look like an idiot in front of Jimmy but Jimmy was a drunken lap-dog, so probably wouldn’t even remember this conversation. Marion was there Jimmy, how did she know I was going to be there? That woman gets everywhere! Jimmy poured another glass of Jack Daniel’s forgetting the ice cubes and waited for a long argument from him about what had gone wrong and why it had gone wrong—even what he should have done. Instead Frank just sat there, staring at the television, there was a repeat of a game show he saw the other evening, the sound was turned off though; it was on only as a distraction. Jimmy was an expert at playing very drunk; he had learned very early on that if he looked very drunk Frank would be less likely to expect anything of him and leave him alone. Jimmy had been thinking about Annie lately, wishing he had taken a different path in life and shopped Frank in when he had been given the chances to. Jimmy could see him bubbling up underneath, he wasn’t usually this quiet when he was pissed off; Jimmy would have to watch in case he needed to inform Marion of any changes. He was angry, very angry, but wasn’t shouting at Jimmy like he did usually. This did worry him a little; he wanted to know what he was thinking. I think I will just stay the hell away from that whole family, ever since I got involved with them I have bad things happen to me each time. Once Marion just kneed me in the bollocks!—and I hadn’t done anything more than try to get her to kiss me!—Then her friends saw me in town with my business contact and I get hauled up on charges because someone told the pigs I was buying drugs; getting her sister in the woods should have just been sweet revenge, no-one told me she was pregnant!—Well, they told me she died in labour, after that fact like. My grandma was acting a bit weird a few months between staying here and being back in England though, I wonder if they knew something. I feel like I’m being watched all the time, if I catch anyone watching me I will kill them! Talking to himself Frank looked towards Jimmy and saw him staring at the tele, he was nearly asleep. He would leave him stay in his seat tonight, let him sleep it off down here, it was probably safer that way anyway. Finishing his can he threw it into the bin and placed a blanket over Jimmy. Leaving the tele on in case he awoke again, Frank went upstairs to bed. Leaving things for about a half hour or so Jimmy got up to use the bathroom and heard Frank snoring in the other room. Sitting down for a while longer he smiled a little and hoped that what he heard tonight was what Frank intended to do, otherwise he may have to intervene once again. At least there was a tag on Frank’s car now; Marion told him that when she rang earlier before Frank got back home. Turning the sound up Jimmy started remembering the answers from the week before when this programme was on. He smiled to himself. Maybe when Frank was away on one of European trips again this year alone, maybe he could think about sneaking up to see Annie, just see her and not let her see him in case she asked too many questions and that would then spoil his place here at the cottage. Jimmy was feeling scared tonight, Frank had seemed strange since finding out that Angel was alive and hadn’t been disclosed to him. He didn’t want her, he didn’t want children ever—since his father lost his wife when Frank was a toddler—Frank didn’t feel appreciated or wanted, he hated children—as far as he was concerned they were more trouble than their worth. Jimmy on the other hand had made the choice to stick with his spying game and live his life as he did now. If he had the chance to live his life over again he would take the other route and stick by his sister and niece, be a great uncle and may even look into having a kid or two of his own. But that wasn’t going to happen now, you only live once or at least one life at a time. Hearing the door upstairs creak open Jimmy half shut his eyes and stared at the screen, Frank came downstairs and walked to the fridge, grabbed another can of lager and stood briefly looking at his friend in a stupor on the chair. Giggling quietly he went back up to bed and shut his door behind him. Jimmy turned off the screen and curled up on the chair to sleep. He had a few things to do in the morning and wanted to be up before Frank awoke. Their landlord insisted upon a clean home, that was Jimmy’s job. That way Frank didn’t bother him too much to go with him on all his misdeeds and the landlord wouldn’t want them out of the cottage. Frank got him to rent it to them real cheap so if this meant keeping him sweet or find the first excuse to kick them out then Jimmy would do the chores. They had the man coming round at eleven so everything needed to be spick and span. Falling back to sleep Jimmy dreamt of younger days and visiting Annie with Kat in the front garden; the time he took over a small motorbike toy gift for Kat, he saw her face light up and smiled at the memory. That was a memory that kept coming back to him of late. Who knows, maybe the opportunity would come up to shop him in for good, keep him locked up forever—Jimmy knew enough about Frank’s comings and goings all these years to get him locked away for a very long time; Frank had even hinted at killing a few men in his lifetime. Frank hadn’t quite admitted it to Jimmy as such but had hinted at it often enough. None of Frank’s lot as far as Jimmy was aware knew of Annie’s exact location here in Spain but he couldn’t be sure. That was something else to consider. Anyway Frank would be getting out of the house tomorrow before the rent collector came, then he wouldn’t be back till about seven. That gave Jimmy the majority of the day to himself at some point. Smiling he fell asleep soundly.

A new car

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Angel and Kat came back to Spain, after their week away. They came back to their new house and Kat opened the door, threw their bags inside and waited for her wife to meet her at the front. Looking at her curiously Angel smiled as she wondered why she was still stood outside on their doorstep until Kat kissed her briefly and then picked her up, she giggled and then Kat carried her over the threshold. Slamming the door behind them they both laughed. Carrying her upstairs in one bound Kat asked Angel to open the bedroom door, entering their room Kat gently placed her on their bed and lay down next to her. Cuddling up to her for a few minutes they both recanted stories from their honeymoon and played around until they both fancied a hot drink. Making their way down the stairs Kat put the kettle on for tea. I am going to say thank you honey, thank you for asking me to be yours. Thank you for kissing me in the stables, thank you for everything. Kat held her tight, waited for the kettle to boil and then made them both a drink. It was Saturday and they would go a visiting tomorrow, today would still be theirs. I think you need a car of your own now Angel. What would you say to going out and getting you your first car? Kat asked her gently, smiling and saw a twinkle in her eye. Deciding that maybe they should go out and look for what Angel wanted for her first car they drank their coffee and rang chef from the restaurant, he recommended a dealer that was honest and who had new and used choices on his plot. Thanking him for this information he congratulated them both before finishing the phone call. Angel had opened a couple of upstairs window and noticed some wiring that was different in some rooms, it was new. Looking around Kat realised that something had obviously gone on here while they were away. Looking at the house Kat noticed there was newer paint that matched her work on the walls in the bedroom and the wardrobe had been replaced. Opening this up there was a note inside from Aunt Marion and Rachel. Angel read it and decided they were going up to Marion’s place tomorrow, she wanted the whole truth about her father and would have Kat there with her to hold her hand. She had a feeling that all this had something to do with him. Angel, Marion and I had some security cameras installed before the wedding, just in case they would be needed—so we would be safer. After Marion got wind about him leading up towards our wedding she wanted things in place to safeguard our well being. Angel smiled and decided that that was a topic for tomorrow and she wanted to see about a car. Angel wanted to get it for herself though, she didn’t want it bought for her she wanted to finance it for herself so it was totally her responsibility.

Getting to the retail park they got out of Kat’s car—Lance had parked it there the day before so she would have it to use. The manager came over to greet them and said that he knew they were coming over because a mutual friend had called to say that they may be coming over to view what he had for a first car. Angel smiled as they walked around and she told him what she wanted. Angel wanted something nice and new, silver grey if possible or a pastel blue; it shouldn’t be too racy because she wasn’t interested in that sort of thing but she didn’t want a wimp of a car. Taking them inside, he had a new Mercedes on the books. It would come in any colour she wanted and he was sure she would like it. It was a two-seater though which said racing car to Angel so she wasn’t too excited just yet. Looking inside the car, she almost wet herself with excitement. Asking about the engine size it wasn’t too big so she decided to sit in it and test how it felt. Kat could just see her driving this one and loving it. It was quite a feminine car with its shape but was practical too—it had a small boot for a small amount of luggage or work gear. The manager asked her if she wanted to test drive it and her smile said yes before she even answered him. Driving it around the area for about half an hour she decided this was the one she wanted. Getting back to the dealership Angel was now very excited about her first car. This one is second-hand though, do you mind? It’s only had one other lady owner and she was very careful with it. It will need to be serviced etc before you can have it but that can be done and be delivered to you next weekend if you want it? What about the colour? I can have it re-sprayed a different shade for you also if you wanted a special request for that? Angel was very excited by this process. Deciding that she wanted a silver-blue shade instead of the colour it was now, with a streak of lightening effect down both sides, just to be different, they came up at a price with a plan that suited her and the deal was done. It would be delivered to her next Saturday morning at eleven. Signing the paperwork Angel was very pleased with herself. Thank you honey, that was very good. I enjoyed that—my first car! I can’t wait for it now to be delivered to me. Giggling they got back in Kat’s car after taking a picture of it on her phone. Do you want to go over to Marion’s now? It’s up to you and then we can stay in bed tomorrow all day if you want, or for a good part of it and then go see Shadow? This was a great idea, get these things out the way now so she had time to be upset and angry about Frank today and then recover and relax tomorrow before going back to work Monday.

Arriving at Marion’s place Harry was smiling all over when he saw the two of them coming up the drive. Hetty was there too and gave both the girls a big hug. Marion and Rachel wanted to hear all the honeymoon so chatted about where they went and what they had seen over there, Marion hadn’t been to Greece for many years and wondered if she should maybe go with Rachel for next year’s birthday? That would be a thought for another day. Then Angel asked the important question about her father and wanted to know everything Marion knew about him, the truth and nothing but the truth. Talking about him would take a while and Harry brought some teas and coffees in for them all left them to it. Well my dear the only white lies I have told you about him are that I didn’t know where he was or what he was up to now. And I had another phone call about him this morning from someone I’ll tell you about after the rest of the story. So be prepared for a few surprises and shocks. Talking about him Angel was listening intensely. Hearing all the stories about his father and the loss of his mother, the beatings he got regularly until he was physically big enough not to be so easily got anymore; the people he got involved with when he was younger kept him out of the house so he wasn’t around to be beaten anymore. The drug taking and selling, the beatings he was paid to deliver to anyone who paid his asking price and then his one friend to whom has stuck to him like glue but also been keeping Marion informed of his movements all these years. Kat looked at Marion and nodded discretely to confirm to her what Kat was beginning to realise now. Kat would wait and ask later on this point if she wanted to. This is where we are up to until you’re honeymooning anyway. We had to get you both away as soon as possible and your friends back home by limo to each door front safely. I managed to encourage a run-in with him to catch him red-handed in the act. He had a gun Angel, a large gun I might add. We got it on tape. I have told him to keep away from you both forever and a day, but that it would always be your choice as to whether you wanted to speak to him ever, that I would not hold you back from your decisions upon that subject. I also said that you knew all about what he did to your mother so if he was lucky enough he should be wishing that you wouldn’t ever find him because you thought he was a maggot for his behaviour. He did look as though I got my point across for the time being anyway. Now the phone call I got this morning from my source of information—your Uncle Jimmy, Kat—saying he was seriously thinking about finding a way to shop him in as long as he could guarantee that Frank would not be able to get him done over or ever get out of jail. So I am working on something in my mind, it will take a while but when I have the plan worked out I will let you know what’s happening. I have to keep my word to your uncle Jimmy; I said that I would always look after him if I could. I told him that I had evidence that he raped your mother and I would use it to get him convicted but I don’t know if I can actually do this because she is not here anymore. But if I can, then I will. Kat and Angel were both in shock and Angel was squeezing Kat’s hand quite tightly now. She was clearly upset. Did he have anything to do with my mother’s accident do you know? Angel was holding back her anger, she was looking very stern and serious. As far as I can tell, no he did not. Gordon said he wasn’t quite so sure but he hasn’t found anything to that yet. I don’t think so honey. Marion looked at Kat a little concerned. Angel had tears falling down her face but she wasn’t making a sound. Marion went out the room for a few minutes and took Rachel with her; Kat just pulled her close and hugged her until she heard her start to cry. She cried for a long time before she slowed down her tears. Bringing more coffee Marion sat down again with her and saw that she was in turmoil, her head had so many questions in it she was hurting. Marion, would it be wrong of me to seriously wish him a very long and painful death!? I wish I could arrange that! Marion and Kat sat either side of her. That would then make you no better than him though; he is a no-good waste of space and doesn’t need you wasting your energies trying to wish things like that. When I have a plan sorted out, how about you help me execute it? Or at least see him behind bars—I’ll see to it that rape of a minor is one of the things he goes down for and then he will be punished everyday in prison by the inmates, they don’t like men raping children—she was sixteen but she was very innocent up till that point. They tend to take things into their own hands in places like that. That would be a much better and longer punishment in the long run. Angel didn’t think about that until now. Smiling at that she started giggling a little. Thank you Aunt Marion, I needed to know exactly how much of a bastard he is; although this has upset me, I am glad to be in the know. Marion, is that why mum and Jimmy haven’t talked in many years? Because of Frank? Kat asked a little shocked. Yes I think so; you would have to ask her about what she knows and how much she knows though. I know they used to be close. I also know that he was the one that brought you that first toy motorbike you had. Do you remember that? Kat smiled and nodded. Realising that this wasn’t going to be over for a very long time as yet Kat would have to have a long chat with her mother shortly, when they had time to just talk quietly. Now, anything else new going on girls? Rachel asked gently, with a glint in her eye, she was trying to lighten the mood a little for Angel’s sake. Tell both of your aunts about where we were before getting here today honey… . Angel had almost forgotten. I have bought myself a fantastic car and it’s going to be delivered next weekend! I found it at a dealership that the chef at the restaurant recommended and I love it! Marion was a little surprised but very pleased for her. Wow! That’s great. Telling them about her car Angel found her excitement again, briefly at least. Giving Marion her brochure Marion was very impressed especially with the colour re-spray design she wanted on it. Do you mind if I suggest having a tag put on your car? In light of Frank and his behaviour at least we would be able to keep an eye on you and/or your car in the worst of situations? Angel thought this was the best idea forward, Marion said then that she would go speak to the dealer in the week and ask for one to be fitted discreetly before it was delivered. Rachel looked at her car in the photograph and smiled, it would be what she herself would have picked for her if they had bought the car for her. It was uncanny how alike their thoughts sometimes were. Eating at Sangrinarium tonight ensured Marion that Angel was fine before they went home. Asking what plans they had for tomorrow Rachel wanted Kat to be taking her outdoors to take her mind off the news she had received today and was pleased that they were going out to see Shadow. Getting home about eight o’clock in the evening they were both tired from the flight and sat in each other’s arms with just a small glass of wine.

A fortuitous turn of events

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Jimmy had a week of Frank moaning about Marion seeming to be reading his mind all the time, Jimmy was a little scared at this point in case he realised that it was him causing these turns of bad luck. He decided he had to ask Marion to help him shop Frank in sooner rather than later. Something was telling him to start being careful. It was Friday night again and Frank was going out down the pub again. He would be gone for a while tonight, he may even get lucky with that tart of a barmaid that was new down there; she had been flirting with him the last few times he had been down there. Mentioning her to Frank as a reminder before he went made Frank think that perhaps his luck was in too. So Frank dressed in his better jeans and cleaner t-shirt, then splashed on some cologne and went out the door. Jimmy would ring Marion tomorrow when he was sleeping off tonight’s beers and hopefully getting lucky with her before he came back. Sending Marion a text message to