The Many Faces of April Jade

By Lee J Morrison

April Jade wove an intricate and lucrative web of deceit behind her quiet and introvert faade.
This worked very well until she fell in love, and more dramatically, until someone fell in love with her.
Gerald Jed Green fell hopelessly in love one night with raunchy jazz singer Elle Carter, not realizing that this was just one of the many faces of April Jade. April, by day, cared for her terminally ill, but domineering, mother and felt unable to reveal her true self to him for fear of losing him.
Jed, a successful businessman, enlisted the help of his top man, Rick, to trace this elusive woman of his dreams, with some very surprising and intriguing results.
This is a new fictional book by Lee J. Morrison, the author of the Chrystabell trilogy, and takes on a new direction. This romantic detective story will delight you and entertain you with a resounding wow factor.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Jan 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491891902

Lee J Morrison

Dr. Lee J Morrison was born in the UK, in Lancashire, with an Afro Caribbean father and ancestors from Kenya. His White English mother was from Derbyshire, with French ancestors and Viking ancestors from South Yorkshire. Lee qualified for a BA honours degree in London and graduated from the University of Reading, Berkshire (affiliated to Oxford), with a master of fine arts degree. Studying also in Paris, Lee taught at the University College London. He is now a PhD graduate. Lee was also a tutor with the University of Sussex, at Brighton, and at Hastings. Whilst married for twenty-five years and living in Brighton with a son and daughter, Lee extended his life experiences in other professions. These included construction and a very enjoyable time as a head chef at a popular restaurant next door to the Opera House. For several years he operated a successful landscape gardening business and sold and exhibited his own graphic art and paintings on a regular basis. Working also in London theatres and behind the scenes at the Royal Ballet, Lee counts actors and dancers amongst his friends. His musical tastes are diverse and he enjoys jazz, opera, Latin, and Caribbean genres. He was a semiprofessional singer and dancer himself with several musical theatre groups, a stand-up comedian, and a street performer in St Tropez and appeared on stage in Tunisia and Brazil. Writing has always been close to his heart, and he has penned poems, songs, and short comedy scripts throughout his life. Brandon developed along the lines of a detective story. Again it is based upon elements of reality, but it is definitely a fictional story. Although written in the first person, the book is not autobiographical to the author. Brandon is a young graphic artist and painter teaching at a university in New York. He finds himself endangered after he discovers one of his close friends, Hanwell Nnagobi, murdered in mysterious and gruesome circumstances in the South River. He becomes entangled with a subversive mob carrying out heinous crimes against humanity in his attempt to track down his friend’s killers, who are a threat to his own and his family’s safety. He is befriended by chief detective inspector McArthur, whose son Nigel is one of his students and who is also trying to crack the ring. Brandon’s relationship with his wife, Naomi, deteriorates, and there is much heartache to face with his children before he meets the mastermind of the ring face-to-face. As usual, Lee J Morrison presents his characters poetically with humour as well as with traumatic sadness, but here he moves away again from the passionate romance genre of his previous novels in the Chrystabell Trilogy and the happy ending of the romantic detective story The Many Faces of April Jade. He is acutely aware of social issues in the world and has travelled fairly extensively, but he nevertheless aims is to be entertaining and to present a gamut of emotions which encompass Brandon. The original hand-drawn black-and-white illustrations by Derek Vernon-Morris highlight the author’s vision of the drama, Brandon. Previous publications include the following: —Chrystabell’s Secrets (December 20, 2011) —Theo: A Nephew of Chrystabell (June 5, 2012) —Christina: A Sister to Chrystabell (June 28, 2013) —The Many Faces of April Jade (January 24, 2014) —Xerses Franklin: The Saga of Gabriel & Melona (January 30, 2015)

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© 2014 by LEE J MORRISON. All rights reserved.

Cover image: April Jade.

All original Hand Drawn Illustrations by the Author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 01/24/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4918-9188-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-9189-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-9190-2 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

Dedication

Preface

Chapter 1 Mitzi

Chapter 2 Miss Francesca

Chapter 3 Rosamunda

Chapter 4 Contemporary Film Art

Chapter 5 Madame Odine

Chapter 6 Elle Carter

Chapter 7 Molly

Chapter 8 Gerald ‘Jed’ Green

Chapter 9 La rencontre du club

Chapter 10 Jed Embarks upon a Mission

Chapter 11 Rick Makes a Discovery

Chapter 12 A Double Date for Rick

Chapter 13 Francesca and Remy

Chapter 14 The Mission

Chapter 15 A Dash for France

Chapter 16 Rick Buys A Ring

Chapter 17 A Surprise for Francesca

Chapter 18 A Desperate Move

Chapter 19 Elle’s Revenge

Chapter 20 Tammy is In Love

Chapter 21 A Discovery In Cannes

Chapter 22 Unexpected Events

Chapter 23 April Jade—The Beginning

Chapter 24 The Promise Fulfilled

The Author

Dedication

This is dedicated to an attractive and fascinating friend, Mary.

Preface

After writing the Chrystabell Trilogy, I wanted to write something slightly different, with a slightly different Heroin. One who was successful in many ways and yet still struggling to overcome personal problems which prevented her from developing into a fully integrated personality, like many people in the real world. Some have their wings clipped by the necessity of daily routines, and just long to soar high and free, and yet feel a strangeness and even guilt maybe if and when they can.

April Jade—The Many faces Of April Jade—was actually the name of a film which I invented for one of Chrystabell’s starring roles. I did not include the story of April Jade in any of the Chrystabell books, and so I decided that she would make an interesting subject for a whole fictional book of her own.

Jade, or Jadeite is of course the beautiful shade of emerald green on valuable, antique Chinese carved objects, such as arrow heads, opium pipe mouth pieces and animal images in jewellery, maybe some are even priceless now. It was mined in the Yangtze River Delta between 3400 and 2250 BC, and became known as the Imperial Gem. Jade can have the hardness of quartz, and sometimes consists of two minerals, Jadeite and the softer Nephrite. Like the heroin, and a heroin she is, the mineral has many facets, and can be found in pink, purple and white. It is also mined in present day Burma, Guatemala, and Canada.

April in the Northern Hemisphere of the World, certainly in the UK, is the name of the month associated with Spring—a time of freshness and rebirth when buds appear on trees and shrubs and pretty flowers emerge from the Winter mulch and frost.

So this is the idea behind the name of someone who is fresh and priceless and unique. Something which also is budding and will burst into even more abundant life. April Jade has many buds which Gerald ‘Jed’ Green with the assistance of his friend Rick, (Richard Arnold) manage to turn into a beautiful Flower. This does not mean that she is coerced against her will. No, it is the eventuality which she longs for but is unable to attain, until the extraordinary love and determination of Jed make it possible.

There is also another subjective derivative of Jade, meaning old and tired—the word jaded. This might be a clear case of the Ying and the Yang, but it describes one of April’s identities to which she adheres in order to hide the dazzling array of brilliance and cleverness underneath. The word jaded is also attributed to an Old Norse word, describing a Mare, which eventually was used to describe an old horse—world weary. In either case the subjective use of the word has come to mean the same thing.

Rick with his cleverness and accurate intuition takes on the role of Detective—with a very agreeable salary—for his Security Company and Businessman friend and boss, Jed. Rick is streetwise and sceptical, but as he patiently discovers the intriguing identities assumed by April, he finds his own ideas changing and affecting his relationships, especially with loving and caring Mariella.

There is humour within the story, for many situations in real life have a funny side sometimes in the midst of tragedy or pain, but I have not set out to deliberately write a spoof Detective story, though there are many excellent ones at the back of my mind. As usual some of the detail within the fiction is based upon reality and personal experience to give a little bit of authenticity to the action, but none of the characters are meant to represent actual persons, and to repeat—this is a fictional story which I hope will be hugely entertaining and enjoyable.

The problem with a book, is that the ending is available at the same time as the beginning, unlike a new TV series or film where the audience can travel upon a journey of suspense or anticipation before the climax is revealed. I know people who read the ending of a novel before deciding to read the whole story to ensure that their journey through the pages will be worthwhile, and agreeable. If it were possible, I would like to ask the readers of this book not to read the last chapter, named the Epilogue, until they reach it naturally; in order to obtain the full effect of the unfolding drama.

But—who reads a Preface? Maybe like myself on some occasions, readers skip the Preface impatient to embark upon the adventure of the story. What do the intellectual aspirations of the author count for? After all some may say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and whatever methods are involved the result has to be satisfying and enjoyable to some degree. I hope this fictional story will be hugely entertaining and enjoyable.

It often appears that for every bit of fiction there is a matching fact somewhere in the real world, quite by chance or coincidence. I often write a scene based upon a reality that I know of already, but completely from within my head, and then I open a newspaper a few days or months later, and there is a similar scandal or investigation revealed. I think to myself—when I publish this book—it may appear that I have copied events revealed by the newspapers. I know that the daily news can be a source of inspiration, but I ignore my sense of sinking originality and take heart in the fact that I can manipulate my characters and bring events to my own cohesive conclusion. How many times does one read a book and ask the question—has this author been looking into my life? Obviously not, one knows, they are thousands of miles away, and the whole of my profile is not on social networks. Yet what a striking parallel the characters have, so the author must have experienced similar things to myself! But then is not this one of the reasons for writing; to share an experience and awake in others a parallel recognition in the vast resources of our ‘human’ condition?

The Many Faces Of April Jade, is a continuous development, and not written in flashback sequences between a fictional present or a fictional past. Sometimes the action takes place on consecutive days, and sometimes after a time lapse, but always advances, as the characters emerge.

There obviously is a fair amount of sexuality, and this is a Contemporary Romance, but not in the category of Passionate Romance as some publishers may define it. It is not really a Mystery revealing the plot of a crime or murder, though there are elements of this in the story. I would like to call The Many Faces Of April Jade, a Romantic Detective Story.

Lee J Morrison

14 January 2014.

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CHAPTER 1

Mitzi

Please Miss Mitzi. Please Miss Mitzi, I will lick the toe of your red patent boot. I am not worthy to kneel at your feet! The smooth haired man aged round about 50 years knelt naked on the smooth polished wooden floor as he uttered this supplication to the attractive tanned woman with short blonde waved hair standing over him.

Silence! She shouted, and brought down the whip across his buttocks.

Ooh Miss Mitzi please. The man shouted, as he felt the lightly stinging blow.

I said hold your tongue, or I will whip that also. Miss Mitzi rasped in an accent that was difficult to place, rather indeterminable. Her scarlet Basque was glossy and revealed most of her firm well-formed breasts. Scarlet fishnet stockings rippled along her shapely legs, and her feet were clad in scarlet ankle boots with a cruel seven inch metallic stiletto heel.

No Miss Mitzi, mercy. He cried, as she placed her foot upon his back, not drawing blood, but indenting his skin enough to leave a red mark.

I never show mercy to anyone, you cowering dog. She replied through clenched teeth.

Please, I will be very good—Ow! The man ended his entreaty with a sharp cry, as the whip stung his buttocks again.

That will not do, you need to be punished more She declared, rubbing the whip between his buttocks.

Oh yes,—yes I need to punished, I have been very bad, yes please Miss Mitzi. He was supplicating and sighing with erotic please at the same time.

Now what did bad boys do when they were naughty at school?

I don’t know Miss Mitzi. The man replied expectantly.

Insolent subordinate. Give me an answer. She rasped, bringing the whip down harder.

They had to stand in a corner. He shouted.

Crawl on your knees to the corner, and put on the cap. Mitzi commanded, lashing the whip viciously all around him.

Please Miss Mitzi I have not been very bad. He said, almost in masochistic sexual ecstasy, as he crawled to the corner, and stood on a small circular podium, and placed a conical Dunce cap on his head.

Very good, and now for your final punishment. Mitzi said menacingly, as she tightened a thick purple cord around his neck, and fastened thick purple velvet cuffs attached to chains around his wrists.

Miss Mitzi please. He almost whimpered.

Silence! She commanded, and pressed a switch on the wall. Padded metal sprung open and closed over his feet, whilst two padded metal hands on a hydraulic rod extended upwards pressing his buttocks and spreading his legs into a semi-sitting position, with his testicles hanging free below his straining phallus.

I kneel to NO man. She rasped, And now you are completely in my power. She continued, as she raised the podium a little, until his erect organ was level with her mouth. Reaching between her breasts she produced a scarlet strawberry flavoured condom and placed it in her mouth with the rim on the outside of her crimson lips. Deftly she rolled the condom down his organ with her mouth, as she worked with her teeth.

Holding him firm she brought him to a heaving ejaculation, forcing his pelvic muscles to work, as he gasped and gagged on the rope around his neck, and his wrists strained against the cuffs.

Miss Mitzi worked him expertly until his organ began to recede within the condom. Then holding the end delicately with two fingers and a thumb, with long false nails of scarlet, she extricated it from her mouth, tied it and discarded it into a bin.

Oh Miss Mitzi. The man gasped. Oh, thank you Miss Mitzi, when shall we meet again?

No questions. You know when our next meeting will be! She exclaimed, this time with a faint sadistic smile, as she lowered the podium, and released all the bonds of heightening sexuality. She let her breasts roll against him as she did so, and allowed him to kiss them.

Now go! She commanded, as a door slid open on his left.

The middle aged man with an anonymous name departed to retrieve his clothes and freshen up in the luxurious changing room, and check his next appointment at reception, well pleased with his evening experience.

Miss Mitzi departed through the staff door, and released herself from the tight Basque, she showered quickly as that was her last appointment for the night. Removing makeup, blonde wig, and nails, it was a very different woman who emerged from the rear entrance of the club into a narrow side street.

She was April Jade, with her dark straight hair drawn plainly back and fastened in a single black and yellow elasticated band. Heavy dark brown frames held the lens of her spectacles, and a shapeless long dark grey waterproof coat covered her curvaceous figure. She pulled up the collar against a faint drizzle blowing through the London streets, and her black pantyhose were warm and concealing against her shapely legs. Flat brown brogues had replaced the stiletto ankle boots.

Walking quickly, she avoided looking at anyone as she made her way to the car park two or three streets away from the club. Her small black car was there and soon she was leaving Central London for the suburbs.

You are late again. April’s Mother chastised. Why do you have to do computer filing at night?

Oh Mother, I thought that you would be asleep. It is because I need to do it whist they can shut down part of the system. There is extra security there at night you know, so I am safe. April lied convincingly.

What about me, I need another cup of tea, Ainsley is busy with his own family you know. Her Mother was ill, but rather demanding and selfish, and her bed was in the ground floor front room off the hall, so even the quietest movement of the Yale lock could disturb her.

April Jade sighed, as she wiped her spectacles, and removed her coat to reveal an old baggy dark blue woollen cardigan, and navy pleated skirt. She went to the kitchen and switched on the kettle. Ainsley her elder brother had always been allowed his freedom, but she had always been brought up strictly, and since her Father had died, the task of looking after her Mother had fallen upon her, as a dutiful daughter. "If only—she thought.

April%20Jade%20returns%20Home%20001.jpg

April Jade returns Home to her Mother

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CHAPTER 2

Miss Francesca

April Jade? A slightly familiar voice reached her as she sat hunched on a moulded plywood chair with her hands clasped on her lap. Her calf length grey coat was buttoned neatly up to her throat, and her right foot was placed slightly over her left clad in her customary brown brogues. April looked up expectantly at the pharmacy counter.

Yes. She replied very quietly, and then noticed a smart young woman on her left, wearing a very fashionable beige trouser suit, and carrying a small expensive designer handbag. Her six inch black bullet shoes caught the highlights from the spotlights above. Then she looked into a familiar face framed by a black bobbed hairstyle, her carnation pink lip gloss contrasted with the turquoise eye shadow.

Gisselle Makepeace April almost whispered. "I have not seen you for ages and ages.

No, I live in Bordeaux now, I am just visiting my Mother and Father. You have not changed a bit.

What do you do in Bordeaux? April inquired, genuinely curious.

Well you know that I got a job with Customs and Excise, and one day, I had to pay a visit to a wine retailer. It wasn’t the owner, but his son representing him. He was very attractive if you know what I mean, he asked me out to dinner, and then to meet his family, and before I knew it we were married and living in a fabulous Chateau, with a one year old son.

Tears almost welled up behind April’s brown eyes behind the heavy framed spectacles. Oh, well I am very pleased for you. She uttered quietly.

If you don’t mind me saying so, you ought to do something about those spectacles. There are so many attractive styles available, you could have contacts,—and you were always quite pretty underneath.

Oh, those school hockey team days, which is the only time I used to take them off. April ventured with a slight smile."

We must catch up properly, I remember that you were always quite clever. How about coffee? Gisselle continued.

Prescription for Mrs Jade. The Pharmacist called.

No, I am afraid Mother is waiting for some of her medication, I had better hurry back. April sighed, as she took the package and gave her address.

It was nice to see you again anyway, I have a little shopping to do, so maybe I will see you around, au revoir Gisselle headed off smartly towards the bakery, with a sweet smile and a little wave.

April with her head slightly bowed, rushed off towards the exit of the store, like a little mouse with a prized morsel of fruit cake.

Emily Steadman would call in on Stephanie Jade, some evenings, but she was elderly, and only called for a quick chat, and maybe a cup of tea. Everyone knew that April’s Mother would only become more ill as time marched on. The young attractive woman that she had once been had vanished. This knowledge weighed heavily upon April, and yet she had her own life to live somehow, and she wanted,—she wanted so much.

On this evening after preparing a simple dinner of broccoli, potatoes and steamed fish for Stephanie, April got into her little black car and headed for her place of work. The little car was a comfort to her, she felt that it always smiled in anticipation every time that she saw it, and being a small urban car, it purred along the city roads very economically. Out of Asia, Kia, so many wonderful things came out of Asia. She recalled someone had called their child by that name, but when would she be able to allow herself the luxury of a son, or daughter.

Tonight she would give another great performance, and hopefully no one would know that she was lying.

Waiting for her date in the exclusive red plush lounge of the agency, April Jade was not April Jade, but Francesca. Dressed in a silver grey crepe de chine midi dress, swathed around her shoulders, with bare arms, she looked like film star material. Her rich auburn hair piece was piled on top of her head, and pinned with a central diamante clip, with thin silver bands. She held a silver clutch bag, and her six inch heels were fastened with delicate cross over silver straps.

Dark blue eye liner gave her a sophisticated exotic appearance, and she pouted with pale orange sparkle lipstick. She was a consummate makeup artist, and a touch of subtle blusher hinted at rising excitement beneath her beautifully classic cheek bones. Indeed, now that she was her alter ego of Francesca again, she felt some excitement. The company might be charming, and she could probably look forward to an exquisite dinner.

Tonight it was a single date. Sometimes she was a double Escort with Veronique. Hey, whilst she was Escorting she actually enjoyed it once the gloom of her daily duties were temporarily forgotten. Men paid for pleasant Arm Candy, and that is what she gave them, especially after the first glass of champagne, sometimes maybe more. Tonight it was a new client. If only—.

Miss Francesca? A pleasant male voice inquired, and jolted her out of her reverie.

Ah, yes, you must be Mister Hope-Jones. Francesca half turned