Her Husband's Honour: A Brutal Murder - An Innocent Man

By Kitty Boyes

HER HUSBAND'S HONOUR

Book Five of the Award Winning Mystery Suspense Series.

A BRUTAL MURDER - AN INNOCENT MAN

After an emotional courtroom drama, Arina's husband Matt is jailed for committing a

• Language: English
• Publisher: K B Publishing
• Release date: Apr 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9780648513537

Kitty Boyes

Kitty has written her 5-book Mystery Suspense novels from the pristine coast of Western Australia.Follow her writing journey at www.kittyboyes.com she welcomes your visit and likes when you stay for a quick chat. Subscribe and become an email member to stay on to learn when and if, book six hits the shelves.

Book preview

This book is firstly dedicated to Penny Piggford who slapped this title on my office desk at work after I told her I am done with this series, and to all my readers, reviewers, followers, fans and supporters, who have loved reading this mystery suspense series and also encouraged me to continue writing, but especially to Shirley Everingham, who aged 93 recently and very sadly, passed away. Shirley was possibly my most avid fan claiming to have read my previous books about 6 times. Sadly, Shirley never got to read this one. ☹ I will miss this beautiful lady for always.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

CHAPTER FORTY

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

HER

HUSBAND’S

HONOUR

BOOK FIVE OF THE ARINA PERRY SERIES

KITTY BOYES

CHAPTER ONE

Outside the thunder crashed. Great globs of water pelted the windows and ran down in torrents of rivulets while the summer storm raged, while the overhead clouds darkened the room.

Inside, the curious crowd, shrouded in loud murmurs quietened the exact moment the usher called All stand. The grey bearded judge returned from his chamber to amble with a slight stoop towards his platform. He straightened as he stood by his seat for a moment. His lips tight, his head swivelled from left to right casting his eyes over the crowded room. Then, adjusting his glasses, he flipped aside his black garb and sat to preside over his courtroom.

Arina inhaled a deep calming breath. The sentence for the crime her husband was accused of committing was about to be read. The realisation that Matt had been found guilty of manslaughter made her heart race in fear. The trial had ended after a long month of deception, duplicity and circumstantial evidence that she felt did nothing to prove his innocence. Nor, for that matter, and more importantly, his guilt. Today’s sentencing, even if one day long would, in her eyes be too long. Arina knew Matt was innocent. He had to be. To believe otherwise was unthinkable.

Despite the work their friend Sergeant Jason Hall did to help prove Matt’s innocence, he found nothing substantial to add to Matt’s case. She had to give it to him, he did his best despite being pulled from the case. The hours and work Arina and Matt’s mother Ella devoted fell on deaf ears. His lawyer, Shane Deverox proved incompetent, and despite Arina pleading with Matt to hire a new lawyer, Matt insisted he retains Shane. He claimed, he wanted to keep him on his case because Shane knew the whole story, and that he believed in Matt’s innocence. Arina fumed at Matt’s apparent naivety, but she couldn’t shift his stance. Shane went on to fail miserably in delivering a satisfactory closing statement. The fact Arina couldn’t testify or construct an appeal in Matt’s defence almost killed her.

On the day of the murder, Matt hadn’t been home for over seven hours. She knew practically nothing of his whereabouts during this time. The chills still ran down her spine whenever she thought back to the early evening when she opened the front door to two detectives who asked her if she was Arina Jackman. Stilled to silence in alarm of their presence, she could do nothing but nod her affirmation. Her mind reeling as to why they were there. Had Matt been in an accident? Is he hurt? Dead? Is this why he hadn’t answered her calls for over three hours?

The words from the stocky male detective that so shocked her, easily tumbled back onto her mind.

‘Mrs Jackman, I regret to inform you, your husband Matthew Paul Jackman is in custody under arrest for the suspicion of an alleged murder…’

After their home was built in the City of Perth, Matt and Arina decided to set up shop together as private investigators. They used a downstairs sizeable room as their office. On this day, Matt was supposed to go out and talk to someone to see if he could help. Not go out and become accused of murder! After he didn’t return when he said he would, Arina drove to the restaurant where he planned to meet their client. His car was nowhere in sight. Nobody in the restaurant had seen him. She scoured the streets and went inside other nearby businesses. Nobody recalled seeing him. His phone constantly rang out. Mat had disappeared. Becoming frantic, Arina drove home hoping he was there and to relieve a neighbour’s daughter, who at that time, babysat their five-year-old son, Ben. She tried calling Matt several more times. The last attempt, being moments before the doorbell beckoned her to see the detectives standing outside.

She shivered and lifted her eyes to see Matt being ushered inside the enclosure reserved for prisoners. Handcuffed. Dressed in dark grey pants and light blue shirt with his favourite tie, his face betrayed anguish and fear. Deep lines creased his brow and black semi-circles under his eyes spoke volumes of his traumatic experience. She felt like weeping. Sensing tears beginning to form as the temperature in her face and her heartbeat increased, she fought back the natural impulse taking great gulps of air. She almost failed.

Arina turned her head scanning the faces of the expectant onlookers. She tried to read their expressions; hoping to see a slight smile of encouragement, wanting to know that they agreed with her in Matt’s innocence. Silence reigned as a few eyes darted towards her and returned to seek out the prisoner or the judge. With all the stoic expressions surrounding her, the feel of Grandma’s hand covering hers brought her eyes back from the crowd and their indifference. It seemed they were more interested in hearing the sentence that will put away another cold-blooded murderer.

‘Mr Matthew Paul Jackman.’ Judge Bentley quoted with a voice so deep it belied his frail appearance. ‘It is recorded that you understood the charge of manslaughter and that you pleaded not guilty. However, after a lengthy trial, and by the unanimous vote of a jury of twelve peer members, you have been found guilty of the manslaughter of Miss Kasih Che by virtue of the evidence and the statements under oath by the witnesses that were heard and seen before this court. Do you understand the verdict?’

‘Yes, Your Honour.’

‘Duly noted and recorded.’ Judge Bentley cleared his throat, adjusted his glasses and resumed. ‘The sentence I am about to impose on you after careful deliberation of the circumstances, the evidence and witness statements that have been brought before this court carries a maximum term of life imprisonment with opportunity for parole when half of your sentence is reached or two years before the end of a sentence when it is longer than 4 years. Do you understand?’ Judge Bentley removed his glasses and looked towards Matt.

‘Yes, Your Honour. I understand,’ he responded

Arina felt faint. Matt was going to go to prison. Originally convicted of murder, the charge was changed to manslaughter; a charge linked to causing serious injury or death, as in this case, by an intentional unlawful act. Either way, he shouldn’t have been charged at all.

Kasih’s stabbing certainly did kill her, there was no doubt about that, however Matt didn’t put that knife in her and Arina had no doubt about that either. It simply couldn’t be Matt who inflicted these mortal wounds, except for the fact his prints were on the knife and the woman’s blood was soaked all through his clothes. Then there were two witnesses who saw him running from the scene. Yes, there was that.

One witness, a woman and relative of the deceased woman, by the name of Hapsa Che, declared she would tell the truth and nothing but the truth, then claimed Matt had been ‘involved’ with Kasih. This testimony did irreparable damage and to top it off, the Prosecutor submitted a photo of Matt and Kasih sitting in a darkened restaurant, depicting them in deep conversation, looking almost like lovers. Hapsa declined to reveal from whom or where the photo had originated, claiming ignorance. Shane, much to Arina’s chagrin, didn’t push it. Making dagger eyes at him, didn’t even make Shane flinch. All she received in response was a small shrug of his shoulder. He didn’t care. That much became evident right there, and soon after that day at trial, Arina began to think about putting together some sort of complaint against Shane Deverox. She just needed to find out how.

Matt had assured Arina the accusation of a relationship was a blatant lie. Arina believed him, however another large area of doubt was thrown into the mix by the Prosecutor when everyone in court was shown a blow up on a large screen depicting Matt’s phone text message to Kasih. Used in evidence, the message, still firmly embedded in her mind, read; I’ll meet you in our special place at 12.30. Arina couldn’t help but notice several of the jurors nodding and stirring in their seats when they heard this as it was read out to the court. Arina became furious when Shane Deverox failed to cross examine to ascertain the reason for the message. And there was good reason.

Arina first saw a photo of Kasih plastered on the front page of a West Australian newspaper after Matt had been arrested. Kasih, a pretty woman, with large dark doleful eyes, creamy tan skin and long black hair which fell in soft straight tendrils and cascaded softly in a dark shiny shroud around her shoulders. Kasih was only twenty-five and discovered to be in Australia illegally. Her passport was stamped from the Malaysian airport in Kuala Lumpur. Then stamped again at the Perth airport, allowing her entry, but her tourist visa had long expired. As had her return ticket to her hometown.

Her cousin Hapsa Che had no valid explanation as to the reason for Kasih’s overstay. She shrugged when asked, claiming perhaps it was because of the relationship she had built with Matt. That she thought Kasih may have even been pregnant to Matt. This admission was overturned; struck from the registry, however, further damage was done, and this statement would be firmly embedded in the minds of the jury. Arina knew Hapsa more than lied and evaded the truth. She vowed to find out why. Something told her that this woman knew important information that she wasn’t divulging. Matt agreed and Arina was not going to give up searching for the answers she needed to free her husband and father to their son. She would never give up. Even if it killed her.

The judge cleared his throat again as he picked up a sheet of plain white paper from his desk. He held it back a few inches, giving Arina the impression he could be long sighted, and his glasses weren’t helping. She inched forward in her seat, wondering if she could hate this man for condemning her husband.

‘By the powers vested in me, I have taken due consideration in factors relating to the defendant that include a scrupulously clean slate of any past criminal record, his age, and position in the community as an honest and commendable private investigator. I have also thoroughly explored the circumstances under which the crime was committed, and whether the defendant genuinely feels remorse. It is this last finding that leaves little doubt the defendant feels he is innocent and thus has shown little to no remorse towards the death of Miss Kasih Che. In fact, he maintains his innocence where guilt has been proven. It is with a certain regret I pass the sentence of fifteen years jail with no parole for thirteen years, backdated to the day you were brought into custody.’

The court room, full of people erupted in cheers and shouts, Arina didn’t hear a thing. She passed out just as she heard the gasp from Grandma who sat beside her then the look on Matt’s face that sent her reeling. Their friend, Seargent Justin Hall caught her before she hit her head on the seat in front of her.

CHAPTER TWO

Staggering from mental fatigue through the front door, Arina could do little beyond dumping her handbag on the floor of the foyer and dragging herself to the lounge room to toss herself on the white leather modular couch. Grandma, George and Jason Hall followed and took their seats surrounding her. She felt wasted, exhausted both physically and mentally.

With her elbows on her thigh, Arina threw her head into her hands.

‘I’m so sorry,’ she said shaking her head. ‘I am at the end of my rope and feel like there’s no hope for us.’

Grandma patted Arina’s leg and Hall sat forward in his chair. ‘Things will work out sweet girl,’ said Grandma.

‘They will,’ countered Hall ‘We just have to start working on an appeal. We only have twenty-one days to lodge it with the Court of Appeal. Too many mistakes were made, and my mate Daniel has offered to help. He’s pretty savvy about these things and offered any assistance you need to see this through.’

‘Thanks, Jason but it’s not just that. I need to find a way to cope with this new house too. There are garden beds and lawns to establish. We need a shed built out the back, and the fences aren’t all in yet! Then there’s our new business to run, and the motel in Secret Bay to oversee. I can’t do any of this without Matt! How the hell do I even begin to be a father to Ben? How do I explain his daddy is in jail for killing a woman?’

‘Mummy, mummy! You are home!’ yelled Ben as he scampered into the room and jumped into her arms.

Arina nuzzled her son and sat him on her lap. Drawing in a deep sigh she flashed her teeth in a joyless smile as Marianne walked into the room.

‘Hello Arina, everyone,’ Marianne said awkwardly while scanning the faces of Arina’s visitors. ‘I was about to get Ben to take his afternoon nap until he heard you coming in.’

‘Sorry, Marianne, we’re back sooner than expected, but if you wouldn’t mind taking Ben up to his room for a story and nap, you can go home as soon as he is asleep if that suits you?’

Marianne and Ben left the room hand in hand. Arina’s eyes saddened as she watched her little boy walk away with his head bent. What would all this mean for the little boy whose daddy was in jail? What impact would it have on his life? Arina shook the dark thoughts from her mind, she inhaled and blew out air through puffed cheeks.

‘Getting back to what you were talking about, Arina,’ said George. ‘As far as the work that needs to be done around here, I would like you to cast yer mind back to the massive accomplishments you undertook on your Motel in Secret Bay a few years ago. You did it then and you can do it again. I, of course will be here to help you,’ he smiled. ‘Plus, it ain’t anywhere near the mammoth work load you had there. It’ll be a cinch, by comparison.’

Arina peered at George with a frown as she flung her mind back to those times. He was right of course, but this was different. She was about to tell George how different when the landline in the office rang. ‘Oh, great! Here we go,’ she sighed slapping her legs ready to get up. ‘I bet it’s some journalist. I did wonder how long it would take before these pesky newspaper reporters find out our phone number or, god forbid, where we live.’

‘Wait Arina,’ said Grandma holding her palm up towards her. ‘I’ll get it.’

Arina sat back down, she felt no urge to talk to anybody, let alone gossip mongers who only served to spread the lies about her husband to feed the masses some fodder to talk about over their fences. It all came down to money. Selling millions of newspapers was how they did it best. Bugger the consequences to any victims.

Grandma sauntered back into the room, clapping her hands as though wiping off dirt. ‘There,’ she said with a smirk. ‘That took care of them! Now, where were we?’ she said seating herself.

Arina couldn’t help a grin of her own. Her Grandma, a feisty old lady who retained her elegance and elite bearing could word-wrestle with the best of them when the need arose. Tall, slim and intelligent, she made a formidable adversary when anyone crossed her, yet was the gentlest of souls to those she liked and loved.

‘What did you say to them, Grandma?’

‘You were right about it being the news hounds, dear. I simply told him he had the wrong number and knew no one by that name, and if he ever called again, I would report him for harassment. The bloke apologised and hung up,’ she said beaming a smile of triumph. ‘Oh, and I blocked his number on your phone.’

Arina shook her head, a deep loving smile on her lips. ‘That’s my Grandma for you,’ she said shaking her head. ‘Blocking the number is a great idea, one I probably wouldn’t have thought of, seems you’re the tech savvy guru.’

A laugh broke out amongst the men which lifted Arina’s spirts enough to realise she hadn’t so much as offered her family a cup of coffee.

An hour later everybody left, promising to be back in a day or two. As Arina shut the door she became overwhelmed by all that happened over the past few months and allowed herself to cave into her misery. Tears flowed freely for her husband, her son and for herself. It wasn’t the first time she cried through this ordeal. There were many sleepless nights and days where she couldn’t bring herself to even accomplish menial tasks around the house. Hence, she hired Marianne.

Playing with Ben, something she always enjoyed, now drained her in trying to keep a constant pleasant demeanour, so he wouldn’t see her heartache. It felt like she was in a spin dryer, tossed around in never ending circles, trying to get her head around how to ensure Matt didn’t go to jail, to bring him home so they could finish off their new home, run their new business, and bring up their son as though nothing had happened. Instead, she faced Ben’s constant questions about where his daddy was, when was he coming home, and questions like, is Daddy coming to help me get dressed this morning? Can Daddy read me the story tonight? It went on and on until Arina told him a lie. She reached the point after putting her little boy off for so long, because she didn’t know what to tell him. All she knew at the time was, she couldn’t bear to tell him the truth. She told him Daddy was off in another place doing some especially important work and wouldn’t be home for a long time. How was she going to live with this lie? How was she going to cope with the untruths she told others like her new neighbours?

Lately, she felt uncertain about so many things like she had lost something precious. And, she conceded, she had, but she didn’t know she would lose half her mind in the process.

One thing she was certain of, she wasn’t going to give up on her family. She would see this through. Somehow. But today she needed to let go of the bottled-up tears that had been trying to escape all day. Going by the way she felt right now, she might even need tomorrow to do this too, knowing soon enough she had to dry these tears and knuckle down to this new existence that she found herself in. Matt needed her. Ben needed her and so did others who she was especially close to. She was adamant that she wouldn’t let them down by ending up in a nuthouse a blithering mess.

Arina sniffed and heard Ben calling her from upstairs. She pulled herself up from her cross-legged position on the floor in the foyer and wiped her face with the sleeve of her blouse. ‘Okay, Ben I’m coming!’

Reaching the top of the stairs, she saw Ben standing by the glass and chrome railing with his finger in his mouth and swinging his little body from side to side. To Arina, this was a clear indication something had upset him. She knew his body language like any mother would. She approached bearing a smile.

‘Hey sweetheart. What’s the matter?’

Ben kept swinging. His eyes became downcast and his lips began to quiver. He was gearing up to cry, causing Arina to rush to him and pick