A Family Affair - Next of Kin (16 page)

Iris tottered away, but her comment was turning cogs in Kane’s mind. There was only man who made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. “Sounds a lot like Hayden,” he mumbled, more to himself than to Nikki. As soon as the words escaped his lips, he regretted them.

“Hayden Joseph, you mean?” Nikki asked, turning to face him.

There was a new look of hope in her eyes, and Kane could tell Nikki wanted to talk more about his theory. But given what he knew about the man, sending Nikki in his direction was the last thing he should be doing. “Never mind, Nik. I was just thinking aloud. Iris was right. It could have been anyone.”

Douglas Walsh made up his mind, and there was no going back. Ever since Tom Bradley had visited, his course of action had been clear. Tom knew that the phoney paternity test was the direct result of Dr Walsh’s interference. Tom didn’t have proof, but he knew nonetheless. It wouldn’t be long before the whole truth was revealed.

Tom had correctly sensed the presence of someone pulling his strings and manipulating his life. But of course, he had no idea that it was his best friend Hayden doing these things. Dr Walsh guessed that the fake paternity test was probably just the tip of the iceberg. Who knew what else Hayden had done to Tom over the years?

There was no doubt in Dr Walsh’s mind that Hayden was ruthless and depraved. He maintained associations with the criminal underworld. Until recently, Dr Walsh had not realised Hayden’s true nature, even though they had known each other for years. Hayden was an accomplished chameleon who didn’t stand out in the crowd, and was nothing like the person he pretended to be. However Dr Walsh could see the man clearly now as his disguise had been removed.

Dr Walsh shuddered, as he remembered the day Hayden had threatened him, putting a gun on the table between them. By the look in Hayden’s eyes, Dr Walsh had no doubt that the weapon would have been used without hesitation. Hayden’s fingers were too comfortable on the trigger. It implied that he had killed people before, and Dr Walsh’s own life had been on the line that day. Oh, Hayden was a devil in disguise. He had rescued Dr Walsh from Tony and that awful dark car boot only to own him - to demand the repayment of a debt when it suited him most. The repayment had been a lie - a contradiction of Dr Walsh’s legally bound duties as a physician. Dr Walsh had lied to Ellen Bradley and Kane Jarrad about the paternity of their child, and lied again to the second man involved in this mess - Tom Bradley.

Why on earth Hayden cared so much about a paternity test was still a mystery. A reasonable person might think it sensible for Tom to avoid marrying someone as unfaithful as Ellen Bradley. She was certainly beautiful - there was no doubt about that, but too young. Dr Walsh liked confident and worldly women. He could see no reason to excuse Ellen’s lapsed judgement in becoming impregnated with another man’s child. He himself would want nothing to do with such a woman if he were as rich and successful as Tom Bradley. Hayden’s intentions were impossible to guess.

Dr Walsh had contributed to the web of deceit which surrounded Tom. The lies had caused untold harm to his family. Far from protecting his friend, Hayden’s actions were destructive, and Tom deserved better from his supposed friend. If nothing else, he deserved the truth.

Hayden had demanded Dr Walsh’s full compliance with the lie, and it had been delivered as promised. However the truth was coming out on its own accord. Tom already knew, and it wouldn’t be long before either Kane or Ellen returned to demand answers from Dr Walsh too. The truth had a way of coming out in the end. But far from setting Dr Walsh free, it would destroy him once and for all. Hayden was going to kill him - of this he was certain. It wouldn’t be long before his miserable existence came to its end.

In recent times, things had gone from bad to worse in Dr Walsh’s own life. His gambling addiction had reared its ugly head again, having been under control for many months. There was a new loan shark who would be paying him a visit soon. It was a familiar feeling. A smaller amount was owed this time, but the expected injuries would still be horrific.

Dr Walsh’s wife remained distant and uninterested. The last time he had seen his children, they played video games together, not wanting to be distracted. His wife had rolled her eyes at his feeble attempts to engage, walking away when her new boyfriend called. All three of them were better off without him. They wanted his money, but not his company.

Dr Walsh needed to do something positive - an act of truth that would set Tom Bradley free of the deceit. If nothing else, at least Tom’s life would get better from that day forward. Dr Walsh found some paper, and began his hand-written note.

Dear Tom

When you visited me last, I lied to you, and I’m sorry about that. I was afraid of the truth coming out because of my own cowardice.

The paternity test I performed on Ellen’s unborn child concluded that Kane Jarrad was the father of the child. I admit that now to you.

I was threatened and blackmailed into altering the result by Hayden Joseph. I know that you may find this hard to believe, but I promise you it is the truth. Hayden is a violent and psychotic man who threatened me with a gun. He is not someone you should maintain an association with going forward. I do not understand his motivations for this behaviour, as he provided no clues to guess at. He only told me that ‘Kane Jarrad was not going to be the father of Ellen’s child’.

Unfortunately, he did not get his wish.

Hayden suggested that I tell Kane he was infertile, but I see now what a miscalculated statement that was; one destined to be proven false almost immediately. I am sorry for the pain these actions have caused you and your family. If you decide to tell Ellen, please let her know that I am sorry too. I hope this letter goes some way to undoing the injustice which has befallen you.

I wish the Bradley family well.

Douglas

Dr Walsh folded the letter and winced as it created a paper cut along his index finger. He put the paper into an envelope, and addressed it to Tom Bradley at his Satinol office in the city.

Only after it was addressed and sealed did Dr Walsh realise that his bloody finger had soiled the back of the envelope. But it wasn’t to be helped now. There was no time to redo his efforts. Dr Walsh affixed a stamp and dropped his letter into the post.

Ever since Margaret Bradley overheard Kane Jarrad’s conversation at the courthouse with her daughter-in-law, she’d been unable to think of anything else. Relaxation was now impossible, not even with the ladies at the club. It didn’t matter if it was a pleasant Saturday afternoon with tea and sandwiches, his words were repeated over and over in her head. The implications of his questions were undeniable. Ellen had been unfaithful to her son, and therefore did not belong in the Bradley family.

Unfortunately, Tom would not listen to reason. He had banned her from speaking some sense into the girl. Not wanting to cause any trouble or anguish for her son, she avoided their home, and didn’t return Ellen’s many calls. Lord, the girl was persistent.

However, staying away from little Angus had been heartbreakingly difficult. That little boy had brought so much joy into her life already, and despite his mother, Margaret loved him dearly. When Tom and Ellen’s marriage eventually failed, as Margaret was sure it would, the one worthwhile legacy from this sorry mess would be baby Angus. Tom had the son he always wanted, and Ellen couldn’t take that away - not with Dr Walsh’s conclusive findings.

Tom was convinced that Angus was his because Dr Walsh had performed a paternity test. Thankfully Dr Walsh was involved, because if anyone could be trusted with this catastrophe, it was him. He had been the family’s specialist for many years, and was highly reputable in the medical community.

Notwithstanding the child’s confirmed paternity, Ellen’s actions remained unforgivable, and Margaret could not understand Tom’s loyalty to the woman. He was bewitched by a foolish desire for her youthful ways, and the life he thought they had created together. But her infidelity revealed so much to Margaret. She was not the caring loving wife that Tom thought her to be. Margaret had always suspected her agenda to be linked to Tom’s money. Ellen had certainly spent enough of it on her unnecessary renovation project. Some people might even say that her project had achieved nothing but to remove elegance from the house.

Without Jack and without Angus in her daily life there was a hole in Margaret’s day. The emptiness couldn’t be filled by shopping and ladies’ lunches, despite her best attempts. Inevitably a confrontation with Ellen would occur. But before then, Margaret needed to understand everything there was to know about paternity tests, and the accuracy of the finding in question. Her Tom needed to know if there was any chance that the result was wrong.

Margaret’s mind was buzzing with questions about paternity tests, as she waited in the front sitting room of her residence for her driver to arrive. Without Jack, it had been necessary to find an alternative means of transport, and Margaret was employing the services of a chauffeur-driven luxury car service. She was pleased when a stylish sea-blue BMW pulled into the driveway. Having a fondness for fine cars, it was a small delight to be driven in a different luxury car every day. Margaret collected her handbag and straightened her jacket, as the driver rang the front doorbell.

It was a short drive to the clinic where Dr Walsh practised. Of course it was not necessary to make an appointment with him, but she was unsure exactly how long she would be there. “Will you wait for me, driver?” Margaret asked. “I shan’t be long.”

“Certainly ma’am,” he answered, parking under a shady tree.

Margaret waited for her door to be opened. Stepping out, she straightened her jacket and rearranged her scarf before entering the premises.

There was a young girl behind the reception desk busily packing boxes, but no sign of patients waiting as Margaret would have expected.

“Young lady,” Margaret said confused. “Margaret Bradley to see Douglas Walsh at once please.”

The girl looked at her in a perplexed sort of way. “I’m sorry. Did you have an appointment?”

“I don’t need to make an appointment. I’m sure Douglas would be pleased to see me. Perhaps you could rearrange a couple of his existing patients so that I may go next.”

The girl stared at Margaret without answering, her mouth agape.

“What is it child? One shouldn’t just stare. I asked you a question. I’m sure that Dr Walsh would not appreciate your representation of his office in this manner. I would like to see Douglas at once.” Margaret tapped the counter with her knuckle.

The young lady stood up, and Margaret noticed that she was wearing some sort of tracksuit. It was most unbecoming.

“All of Dr Walsh’s scheduled patients have been contacted and referred to other physicians,” she explained.

If there was hidden meaning behind the girl’s statement, Margaret did not understand what it was. “I can assure you Dr Walsh would be more than happy to see me on short notice. He has been our family’s physician for many years.”

“I’d be happy to refer you to another physician,” the girl said. She searched for a notepad.

Margaret was becoming frustrated. “Young lady, I do not wish to be referred. You do not seem to be listening to me. I wish to see Dr Walsh.”

“You cannot see him.”

“Why not?” Margaret looked around bemused. None of this made any sense. “Is he moving offices or something?”

“He’s dead. He killed himself on the weekend.”

Nikki arrived at Satinol with a fierce determination to see Hayden. She had found her old security pass, given to her by Jack when they were married, but had no idea if it still worked. With trepidation, she approached the first swipe point and amazingly, it still worked. Tom would probably have never guessed she would use this card again.

She made her way to the executive level. Tom’s office was to the left she knew, and presumably Hayden’s would be nearby too.

Suddenly Nikki realised there was a receptionist staring at her in a peculiar way. It was not someone that she recognised - perhaps a new employee?

“Can I help you?” the girl asked.

Damn, Nikki should have been acting like she belonged there. “Hayden Joseph,” Nikki said to the girl, drawing herself up and finding her confidence again.

The girl sat up straighter and started to beam. “If you turn right, and right again, you’ll find his assistant Emily. Would you like me to call her? She’ll come and meet you here instead.” She spoke quite quickly.

“No, it’s okay. I’ll find my way.”

“Are you Nikki Lucas?” the girl asked, slightly embarrassed.

Nikki nodded. Sometimes being recognised for her music was very helpful. The girl was unlikely to query her presence there now.

“I’m a fan of your music. I think you are an amazing singer.”

“Thank you for saying so.” Nikki pointed in the direction of Hayden’s office. “Excuse me, but I should get to my appointment.”