After Jessica

By Morgen Bailey

Money and a Girl Gone Missing

Meet Jessica, an ordinary woman who comes across extraordinary circumstances and pays for them with her life. 

 

As her brother Simon winds up her affairs, he gets more than he bargained for... 

 

Who is Alexis, and why are Veronica and Daniel searching for her? Why is there a roll of cash in Jessica's house, and what's the connection between Simon's sister and Alexis? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: August Publishing UK
• Release date: Mar 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9781913633011

Morgen Bailey

Morgen Bailey always loved books and writing (and blames reading Stephen King books under the duvet with a torch as a teen for her wearing glasses) but it wasn't until she went to an evening class in 2005 that she considered it as a career. Now she is the author of 10 books so far, with more on the way...  Morgen’s fiction books include crime, mystery and women's novels, and short story collections.  They are mostly set against a Northamptonshire background, whether there is crime involved, a dog-detective that can talk, or a serial dater on a mission!  Her non-fiction works are aimed at all levels of writers whether beginners or those who want to refresh their skills – Morgen also tutors in person and has several online writing courses available. She runs her own mentor group on Facebook, very much a collaboration, and she invites all authors to join.  Her Writer’s Block Workbooks are a go-to for every author.  Morgen lives and breathes writing. When she's not editing or writing, she's walking her dog, out with friends, at a literary festival (speaking or visiting), or at the cinema (the only time she sits and does nothing). Find out more about Morgen Bailey, her books, writing guides & courses on her website, www.morgenbailey.com. 

Book preview

Andy

ANDY SLAMMED BOTH HANDS on the emergency brake and the train jolted, slowing nowhere near as quickly as he was pleading it to do. He could hear shouting from the carriage behind him, but was too busy concentrating on what, or who, was in front of him to pay any attention. His first thought was another clueless animal, but as he got nearer, he realised it was a car and something inside it was moving.

As the two machines drew nearer, he could smell burning rubber and saw the smoke as the car’s tyres made contact with the edges of the track. As he stared at the inevitable, he knew nothing he or the car driver did would be enough to avoid the impact.

He stared at the woman facing him. He could see her hands gripping the steering wheel. She’d screwed her eyes shut, seemingly knowing her fate, but he guessed by her right shoulder dancing forwards and backwards that she was still trying the pedals.

Then to his surprise, she stilled and opened her eyes, staring straight at him. When they were just a few feet apart, she mouthed something like sorry. Sorry? Had she done this on purpose? Andy shook his head. He didn’t know what she’d said, and now he’d never know.

As metal hit metal, it was the highest pitch noise he had ever heard. Expecting the inevitable grinding sound, he remembered afterwards being shocked that it sounded like a beautiful violin. Of course, there was nothing beautiful about what had happened, but instead of being afraid, he was calm. As calm as the woman he’d been face-to-face with, the woman with green eyes.

He wasn’t sure why he’d smiled and she’d done the same, before mouthing that one final word.

Chapter 1: Alexis

SWINGING HER LEGS SLOWLY from under the pale Egyptian cotton sheets, Alexis turned to the man in the bed beside her and sighed. He was snoring as loudly as he had been within seconds of the end of their lovemaking. This wasn’t how she’d planned her life, but she couldn’t complain.

She slipped on her pink silk underwear then stepped into her simple black evening dress, running her right index finger under the straps to smooth them in place.

Turning back to the bed, she gazed at the still-sleeping figure. He gave a loud snort then rolled over to face the other side of the room. Although it was obvious that even a hurricane wouldn’t wake him, she crept round the bed on the balls of her feet to his bedside table and picked up his wallet. It was loaded with cash and credit cards as well as a picture of his beautiful brunette wife and their two young children; a handsome trio.

Another trusting wife, Alexis thought before pulling out a bundle of fifty pound notes, leaving a solitary twenty. He’d paid her the night before; upfront as always, but she’d neglected to tell him he was to be her last, that she was retiring, sticking to her day job. It paid well enough to keep her afloat and thanks to the escort work, she’d put enough money by to cover more than one rainy day; a few hurricanes in fact.

She felt a pang of guilt as she put the cash in her purse, but he could afford it. He was a soft touch and would probably have given her the money if she’d asked, especially if he’d known it was to be the last time, but this way it was kept businesslike. No emotions. She’d never been good at goodbyes and he’d have no doubt begged her to change her mind. This way, he’d be too angry, no, hurt, to want to deal with her again and she could draw a line under it. With her evenings free, she’d catch up on her sleep, maybe take an evening class... learn salsa or write the novel that kept knocking against the side of her brain, begging to be let out.

Grabbing her cashmere coat, she closed the door quietly and headed for the lift. Tapping the ‘down’ button with her immaculately painted false red nails she hummed as she waited for the lift. Apart from an abandoned cleaner’s trolley there was no sign of life on the top floor.

As the lift came to a smooth stop, a sophisticated lady’s voice announced ‘ground floor’ and a single F-sharp ping indicated the opening of the heavy steel doors. Not looking towards the reception or in anyone’s direction, Alexis strode to the chrome and glass revolving entrance doors and left the Cheshire Hotel.

Spotting a small round bin a few yards away, she dropped her mobile into the heap of sweet wrappers, drink cans and day-old newspapers, whispering, No more hotels, no more tricks. This part of my life is over.

Chapter 2: Nate

OUTSIDE THE PAWNBROKERS along the road from the hotel, baby-faced petty criminal Nate Morrison was pocketing his ‘winnings’. He smiled as the woman walked away; he was in need of a new phone.

Chapter 3: Daniel

DANIEL GOLDSTEIN YAWNED and stretched out his left arm half-expecting to touch flesh, but felt only Egyptian cotton. Sometimes, the girls would stay till morning but Alexis rarely had and it looked like she’d not done so on this occasion either.

After a quick shower and shave, he dressed, put on the watch that had been lying on the bedside table, and stuffed his Gucci wallet into the inside pocket of his Armani pinstripe jacket. Packing his belongings, he took the lift from the penthouse and carrying his small overnight case and suit bag, headed to reception to settle his account.

Reading the receptionist’s lapel badge, he bade Tania a good morning and told her his room number to enable her to bring up his details on her sliver-thin computer monitor. For the bill for dinner for two, mini-bar and suite charges, Daniel pulled out his wallet, only then realising how thin it felt. He pulled the back section open and found only a single note.

Shit!... Shit!

Is everything all right, sir? Tania asked.

Erm, yes, fine. Daniel said half-heartedly. He’d booked Alexis numerous times and there’d never been any trouble before. He stared at the row of credit cards and the solitary twenty, frowning as he handed over the company platinum card. He’d always paid cash; untraceable transactions, but using this card was at least still keeping it away from home. He’d need to be more careful next time.

Tania slotted the card into the payment handset and Daniel typed in his four-digit code; his youngest child’s birthday, before pressing the green ‘enter’ key. The computer beeped and Tania smiled at Daniel. Thank you, Mr Goldstein, that’s gone through for you. I hope you enjoyed your stay, and we do look forward to seeing you again.

As Daniel negotiated his two bags through the revolving doors with his left hand, he selected the ‘contacts’ option on his BlackBerry with his right, scrolling down three names until Alexis’s appeared, disguised as Alex Cheshire. Pressing the green receiver symbol, he put the phone to his right ear and listened to it ring.

Yes? a man growled.

Who’s this? Daniel asked.

Who the fuck’s this? the other voice asked.

Ignoring the question, Daniel said coolly, I need to speak to Alexis.

You can’t. And before Daniel could reply, the man continued, Now fuck off. And the line went dead.

Chapter 4: Jessica

PULLING HER FRONT DOOR shut, Jessica Price walked towards her car. Although still early morning, it had so far seemed like any other weekday.

Pressing the remote control button to unlock the blue Kia Picanto, she cursed as her feet slid on the late-January ice. She wanted to go back into the house and swap her kitten heels for something more sensible but didn’t have time. Her bosses at Andrews, Patchett & Raven wouldn’t have minded her being a few minutes late but she thought of the stack of legal files, and accompanying audiotapes, that she’d left behind on the Friday afternoon. Besides, it would take her a few minutes to defrost the car. She picked a stray hair from her red wool jacket. The colours clashed with each other but she didn’t care. Everyone said red suited her and she agreed. Scratching her left ankle for the umpteenth time, she pulled up her trouser leg and wrinkled her nose up at the patch of skin that matched both hair and jacket.

As she started the engine, she clipped in the car radio’s anti-theft plate and pushed in a classical CD. She normally preferred chart music but a powerful overture was the thing to wake her up. On the way home she’d listen to Radio One, which would remind her she was a trendy thirty-something who could like Franz Liszt as well as Franz Ferdinand.

With the windscreen and windows cleared, she headed out the cul-de-sac and to the main road. The traffic was heavy which was sod’s law given Jessica’s already tight schedule but the first three sets of lights were all green, making up some time.

As she approached the turn to Eversley, still ten minutes from work, she indicated, then slowed down the car by lightly tapping her foot on the brakes. As she did so, she felt the car slide into the middle of the road. The movement was slow, but enough to clip the corner of a white Renault Trafic van, sending Jessica’s car spinning off the road.

Had she been nearer to Eversley, Jessica may have careered towards a brick wall, garden or pavement but still being on the outskirts, her car headed towards the railway line and onto a level crossing.

Had Jessica left her house at the usual time and not had to de-ice her car, she may still have skidded on the ice and clipped a different vehicle, but the level crossing barriers would have been down and may have resisted the impact of her car. Being just those few minutes late, and in the wrong place during those vital seconds, left her stranded when the barriers lowered, the left grazing her rear bumper as it rested on to its white metal supports.

Unlike Jessica, the 08:17 train from Rugby to Milton Keynes was two minutes ahead of schedule. Due at Eversley at 08:47, it approached Jessica’s level crossing at 08:42 instead of 08:44.

Jessica saw the train bearing down on her. It was like she’d seen in films, where everything turned to slow motion. Her life didn’t flash before her, there wasn’t enough time, but she knew she had a choice. Get out the car and run like hell, letting the train crash into it, no doubt killing numerous passengers or stay in the car and try and drive it out of the way.

No choice, she thought as she slammed her foot on the accelerator. The wheels spun but nothing happened. Her heart thundered in her ears as she stabbed at the accelerator and tugged at the wheel; to no avail. She could smell rubber from the tyres’