Hell Bent on Blackmail

By Robert James Bridge

Hell Bent in Blackmail #4.
Hell Bent on Blackmail follows the career of private eye Jim Bent on a trawl through the seedy underworld of London,England. It stands alone as a complex yet compelling adult crime story. Fast paced,racy,tortuous. This book is all of these and more as it swerves in and out of London's club- land,opulent country houses and the world of politics.On one level it is a terrific story that has been constructed with care to keep its readers guessing as parts of an intricate jigsaw gradually fit together,whilst on another level it is a masterful comparison of differing concepts of loyalty,the loyalty of brothers and of spouses and true friends

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert James Bridge
• Release date: Apr 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463339428

Robert James Bridge

The Black and White House has been reviewed by [e-mail] and a small section is attached to this intro!. Just been informed A Bolt From The Blue-The Halifax Explosion is to be published alongside Sealed With A Loving Kiss and The Black and White House at penitpublications.com or https://www.smashwords.com/ I am a prolific author of many books, books that may never see the light of day or indeed get published, but I love what I do and that gives me the hope that one day I see one of books in the stores. I do not write one specific area, infact my books are mostly diverse for instance. A Bolt From The Blue is historical fiction woven around a true story.A story that has mostly been erased through the sands of time . Un coup de bleu L'explosion de Halifax Available at penitpublications.com A Bolt From The Blue-The Halifax Explosion . The bells ring out in Halifax Nova Scotia Canada each and every year on December 6th at 9am to remind folks of the tragedy that happened in 1917 when two ammunition ships collided in the Harbour of Halifax and Dartmouth. A tragedy that took almost 2,000 lives. Kinmel Revisited is another of historical fiction woven once again around the fascinating story of the Kinmel Camp Riot in 1919 in North Wales. This book is also available at penitpublications or blazingheartpublishing.com The Black and White House is a on the edge nail biting thriller that will leave readers maybe thirsting for more of the same as Joshua Jenks a poor coloured boy from Memphis goes on to defy the odds by becoming a Senator and this is where his troubles begin!. At this stage I would like to introduce adult readers to my series of adult fictional crime. I say adult simply because each book contains explicit references suitable for adults. I have four books in the series and the first is now on Smashwords entitled Hell Bent on Murder,followed by Hell Bent on Revenge and if this has wetted your appetite then to come shortly is Hell Bent on Corruption followed by Hell Bent on Blackmail, all featuring ex met cop turned private eye Jim Bent. It is my hope one day to continue with Hell Bent on Collaboration, but at this juncture please by all means read of Jim Bent and his adventures when he leaves the met after fifteen years and takes on the role of a private eye.If you have enjoyed the first two in my series then Hell Bent on Corruption and Hell Bent on Blackmail will leave you thirsting for mor...

Book preview

HELL BENT ON BLACKMAIL

BY

ROBERT JAMES BRIDGE.

Copyright Robert James Bridge 2017

Smashwords Edition

CHAPTER 1

The estate bequeathed to the right honourable Vincent Crutchley and his younger brother James was set in the rolling hills of Buckinghamshire, a modest twenty two room mansion left to the two young men by their father in his will. This also included the stables which contained ten of the finest thoroughbreds money could buy. To add to this a thriving Solicitors practice in the city had also been left to Vincent and his brother. Since he took a great interest in the world around him it seemed obvious that Vincent was to enter the world of politics; James it seemed was more interested in his father's horses and spent many a happy hour alone in the stables. The two young men had been brought up with a silver spoon in their mouths and had not wanted for anything, their nanny, a Mrs Brown, had become more of a mother to them since their own mother had become bedridden for many many years with cancer; although only thirty five she suddenly took a turn for the worse and died leaving Vincent his brother James and of course their father John - a sad and lonely old man, a man with everything except the love he wanted most.

The money and the estate made the two boys the most eligible bachelors amongst not only the rich but also the famous. James got more involved amongst the racing fraternity and even purchased some Arab thoroughbreds, racing them all over the country leaving the London office to be run by his trusty managers. Meanwhile Vincent became a leading member of his local Conservative Club. John Crutchley had made sure his beloved sons were financially sound before his impending departure from this life. The local Hunt Ball seemed to be the place where marriages were made since the night Vincent and his brother attended word soon spread they were rich and available. Now, the sisters Bloomfield also came from a rich family and were also available, their father owned many jewellers’ shops in many countries including one in London. Vincent was immediately attracted to Julie whilst his brother danced the night away with her younger sister Justine. Her interest in horses instantly made her his dancing partner and as time went by Justine was to spend many days out riding with James whilst Vincent showed Julie around The Crutchleys, as the mansion had been aptly named by their father. Although politics did not really interest Julie she felt it her duty to be by Vincent’s side at each and every party meeting, and anyway he said it does get your name in the papers and people notice you.It soon became obvious to the servants of the household that there was to be at least one or even two marriages on the horizon and they did not have to wait too long as a double wedding was decided upon. Jack and Mary Bloomfield were overjoyed at the prospect of their two daughters marrying into nobility: mind you in comparison to the Bloomfields' mansion in Essex The Crutchleys looked small.

After the weddings James decided to buy a house in Devonshire, a house with stables and many other animals, whilst Vincent stayed on with Julie at the Crutchleys. Jack Bloomfield had met Vincent's father many times and although he was proud of Justine and her love for James he secretly hoped he might have a future M.P. as a son-in -law; he had visions of maybe the gentry buying their gold and silver from his shops. As a special wedding present he had given each of the girls the best rings in his shop. It was not long before Vincent became a prospective parliamentary candidate and this was to take him and Julie all over the country. His zest for politics seemed never ending and sometimes Julie began to wonder if his world of politics came before her.

Vincent decided it was time he settled in one place and since most of his time was spent in London he would purchase a flat in the swanky part of Chelsea, meanwhile Julie was spending more and more time down at her sister's house in Devon since Vincent hardly had any time for her and in any case politics was not exactly her forte. The Solicitors they owned was being run by their great friend Jack Ripley and occasionally Vincent would pop in to sign some papers or see how things were going, that is until one day to their surprise Jack asked to buy out the business. Well, with Vincent more and more involved in politics and James going from one race meeting to the other along with Justine and sometimes even Julie they decided to sell their father's business and split the proceeds.

The upkeep of The Crutchleys along with the servants was fast becoming a burden since it was not lived in for some six months of the year. Julie was spending more and more time down in Devon so Vincent in his wisdom decided to let the public view its many treasures and of course turning it into a sort of Pleasure Park would perhaps help pay some of the bills. The staff was kept on since many of them were friends of their father and indeed part of the family. Vincent although a Tory was getting well known for his work with the poor and homeless, his never ending gifts to those in need became well known and his name was to be spoken of many times in Parliament, and not only for his endeavours. His marriage was also on everyone's lips.

Occasionally he would met up with Julie but the spark had gone out of the marriage and she was often seen mixing with the owners of horses at many race meetings. Vincent knew of this but also knew he was to blame since he was no family man but he was shaken when he found out she was seeing none other than their old pal Jack Ripley, a guy with a failed marriage, money and now a Solicitors practice. She was not spending her time in Devon; she was in fact not far from Vincent since Ripley also had a flat in Chelsea. It could be supposed that in a sense they were both guilty of a failed marriage since Vincent was also involved with a girl half his age, a secretary to one of his friends in the party.

Vincent had met Jackie Long while at a Tory conference in Brighton. She was only twenty and had the looks of a model, her blonde hair and slender figure would turn any man's head; she was also single and had a flat in Kensington. The first time Vincent met her it was electrifying to say the least; as he shook her hand he knew he had to have her, her scent drifted past his nose and his imagination ran wild, he dreamed of nights of passion he would like to spend with her, he dreamed that one day Jackie would be his mistress. As his eyes roamed her slender body he knew somehow she felt the same because her eyes followed him the whole evening. Vincent spent most of the evening himself staring at her every movement. As she sat down she revealed long, slender legs that he found himself unable to take his eyes off that are until his name was called out to give a speech.

Vincent himself was in need of a private secretary and even though Julie objected to his stealing her from one of his close friends he went ahead regardless and asked Jackie to become his secretary. He decided on a plan of action so he invited Jackie to have lunch with him at the Savoy which she readily accepted. Although he felt like a father figure because of the age difference he could not fail to be taken aback by her beauty; he knew he would have a fight on his hands to get her to work for him but he also knew the fight would be worth it. Julie was forgotten as Vincent took Jackie's hand and led her towards their table in the corner. As she removed her coat the dress she was wearing revealed the largest breasts he had ever seen and he could do nothing but stare in disbelief. Jackie soon noticed Vincent staring and seemed to be enjoying every minute of it. Jackie, er, sorry, may I call you Jackie? Vincent said, shaking as though he were on his first date. Of course you can as long as I can call you Vincent, she replied with a broad smile on her face. I think you have an idea why I asked you to lunch Jackie, don't you? Vincent said. As she replied, I hear rumours that you are after a secretary and you need me.‘ Need you?' Vincent thought to himself, my bloody body aches for you. 1 really need a secretary who like yourself is young and attractive and is able to keep my workload in some kind of order. She sipped her wine through those red lips as Vincent sat almost open mouthed. "I would rather keep this as a Relationship on a boss and secretary basis since you are married and I don’t want people talking. What I am saying is that the job I am in now with John Rush at the foreign office is alright but Mr Rush is approaching sixty six and will one day be retiring.

He also has an eye for the girls and was once found with a young secretary in a compromising position to say the least, she was only eighteen and it was all over the papers, so as you can see, Vincent, I don't want that sort of relationship since that girl was in fact me. Jackie, Vincent replied, my wife and I have an understanding and have not lived together for years, but I do understand how you feel and I promise it will only be work I want you for. Vincent noticed a sort of look on her face that spelt disappointment. Jackie knew of Vincent's riches and of course his mansion, The Crutchleys. Being a young impressionable lady she felt a little humble in his company since she was not used to eating at the Savoy. She looked Vincent over and decided he was not bad looking for a guy in his forties; in fact Vincent was only thirty eight even though he was greying a little at the sides. This time she knew she was not about to let herself fancy him since old Rushy had thought his luck had changed the day he tried it on with her. She knew he was after her but never realised it until he asked her to stay behind and work late. Everybody had gone home and she was busy typing, she never heard him behind her, only the smell of his sweaty body made her turns to face him. As she did he said she had nice breasts, to which she had replied, Sorry Mr Rush, but I have to go home. As she started to stand up he pushed his body against her and started to moan, she knew what he was doing since she once caught her young brother doing the same thing in his bedroom. Mr Rush, please, Sir, let me go home, she had said, shaking as she spoke. The old man undid his trousers and exposed himself to her as he put his hands on her head and pulled her down on him. Excuse me Sir, do you want me to, er, lock up?" The voice of the security guard stopped him in his tracks and he quickly covered himself up but the deed was done and word went around that she was giving the boss more than typing. After that day she'd known that she had to get out of there before he tried it on again.

Suddenly Jackie realised she had been dreaming because Vincent started to pour her another drink and she said, Please, Vincent, no more for me. I have to keep a level head since I am still working for that dirty old..... Vincent placed his hand over hers and removed it from the glass, saying, just one more and we can decide when you can start to work for me. Jackie felt her head reeling as Vincent poured another drink and her mind raced back to that day in the office, and how the old man ran his hands over her breasts saying he would get her promotion if she did as he wanted, how he placed his sweaty hands on her head and pulled her down, she never wanted to touch him and was violently sick afterwards but the Security guard had seen what was happening and wanted to watch, he shone his torch on Mr Rush and his now naked body as he said, if you don't want me to say anything then I'm next.

Vincent knew as he bundled Jackie into the taxi that a person as prominent as himself had to be very careful of the media and he also knew if the driver recognised him he might be done for so he slipped the guy a fifty pound note and gave him a wink. As the cab pulled up outside a large block of flats she suddenly fell onto Vincent’s lap and her long blonde hair rested on his knees. 'What was I doing in this cab with a girl half my age?' he asked himself as the cabbie said, Sure you can manage, guv'nor? She's only a lightweight, I can manage, Vincent replied. As the cab pulled away he shouted, Your daughter should lay off the gin, mate!

CHAPTER 2

As the lights of the cab got dimmer Vincent pressed the lift button for the first floor just as Jackie said, its flat number three please, Vincent. Vincent reached into her bag to retrieve her keys and as he turned to unlock the door she fell over so he took her in his arms and carried her through the door just as she mumbled please Mr Rush, don't make me do that again. She soon fell asleep and Vincent felt kind of let down. He soon found the bedroom and, surprisingly, a large oval bed which was in fact a water bed. Vincent was sweating as he loosened his tie and pulled back the covers. He removed Jackie's shoes and stood back to admire her long, shapely legs. 'Should I remove her clothes or not,' he asked himself but although his hand brushed against a well-formed breast he decided to be a gentleman and let her sleep on, even though the water bed sure was tempting. As he closed the bedroom door he hoped his next encounter