Leah's Story Finding Jake (10 page)

At my desk the following morning I was energised ready for my new challenge, Victor Bosic. I also
hoped to meet his wife the reclusive Alexandra. A woman who was rarely seen on his arm, hardly
ever attended his functions but had an elusive air about her. She was still a beautiful woman in her
forties. She reminded me of Honor Blackman, a film star Hollywood style.

The case Adam was defending was straightforward. Victors investment company Investanet was
worth billions. The London office was the heart of the business, Martin Sands was an accounts
manager for exclusive customers only. Martin would see the potential clients on a one to one basis.
Any money invested was put into shares with far greater interest rates than high street banks but
also with risk. It conspired that Mr Sands was skimming, taking 10% off investors listing it in
paperwork as Admin Charges. The scam had been going on for almost twenty years Martin had
accrued millions of pounds, which he had squirreled away overseas.

Once the scam was exposed, Victor obviously fired him; all the paperwork was ready to go the
metropolitan police fraud squad. The officers raided Mr Sand’s home to find him hanging from his
chandelier. Straightforward enough until the post-mortem discovered fingerprint bruising around his
throat, meaning he had been strangled prior to the hanging. Victor had the strongest motive so of
course became chief suspect; Adams defence was firstly a loose alibi given by Alexandra and Mr
Sand’s list of clients who had been ripped off as having a stronger motive. Unfortunately a hair from
Victor was found in the flat which placed him at the scene. Of course it was hard to prove that hair
got there on that day so there was a good chance Adam could prove reasonable doubt.

After a coffee I set out looking for angles to make a story. I began with the family, his wife and son;
Alexandra was fascinating, married against her families wishes, she never spoke to her politician
father after leaving Russia; it seemed she was cast out for marrying Victor. Motherhood seemed to
be her life force, an adoring mother who supported all his dreams. She had watched all her sons
matches from junior school to Premier League come rain or shine. She was there when he signed
with Stretford United for an undisclosed fee. I was looking forward to finding the woman behind the
face. They had numerous properties, currently residing in Hale Barns to be close to the courts and
Dimitri’s new football club. They also owned a large Victorian semi in Knightsbridge, from the google
maps it was not far from the Richmond family home. Properties in LA and Barbados completed his
portfolio.

Dimitri their only child was an attractive young man eighteen years old. He was the image of his
father, the same chiselled features, but where Victor had black hair and brown eyes, Dimitri was
blonde with blue. He was a grade A student right through his education but chose not to attend
University. Instead he followed his football dreams. This surprised me greatly, from what I knew of
Victor, a merciless control freak. I was amazed he hadn’t intimidated his son into business and
academia. Maybe Dimitri had the same ruthless streak as his father; perhaps Victor had met his
match.

I read through the Wikipedia again, he was worth a few billion our Victor, a number of aircraft to his
name plus the most amazing Yacht. It must be nice being Mrs Bosic. Adam texted me at lunch to say
we were meeting them for dinner at Heathcotes he would get ready at his hotel and pick me up at
seven thirty. I worked through lunch trying to put together some ideas and lines of conversation for
tonight I didn’t want to be unprepared for Mr Bosic.

I packed all my things ready to go home. Gordon came out of his office

 

“Leah scrap the Bosic case it’s been dropped” you’re kidding I was getting really interested in this
one

 

“How do you mean dropped?” just then the mail boy passed me an envelope

 

“Just came for you Miss, in the second post” I thanked him impatiently wanting Gordon to finish his
explanation;

“A man has confessed, fellow worker, Sands was screwing his wife apparently, Victor is exonerated.
Stinks like fish to me but that’s the way it rolls sometimes, I have a robbery case I can give you for
tomorrow” I nodded disappointed to be back to the mundane. I felt my phone vibrate with a text
from Adam.

Guess u have heard the news? Victor still wants us to join him for dinner to celebrate, pick u up as
planned x

 

I texted back my acknowledgment excited I would at least get to meet the man after all. Collecting
the rest of my things including the mysterious envelope I grabbed my bag and keys and drove home.
Chapter 14

Dumping my things on the bed I sat down to open my mail. Tipping out the contents, there was a
folded piece of paper and a note. The note was from Mrs Franklin, I was totally shocked, what could
she want with me? Her son apparently had been clearing the shed out back. He had come across a
box of things rescued from the fire some were Suzies. Mrs Franklin spotted this painting as she was
sifting through it and recognised the name Leah on the corner, she realised it must have been made
by me and thought I would want to have it.

Holding my breath I unfolded the sheet of cheap paper, trying not to tear it. I gasped when it was
revealed, a picture I had made. Tears pricked my eyes I remembered painting this at our little
kitchen table. It was a painting of mummy, Jake and me in the sunshine. I had given the picture to
Suzie; it was to thank her for the bag of clothes she had sent for Jake. I remember it had been pinned
to her fridge. I clutched it to me trying to hold it together, I couldn’t let this take over me again, as
much as the urge was pulling me I knew what I had to do. I slipped my hand under my pillow and
retrieved the little blue hat. Taking both items to my dressing room I dragged Grans box out from
the midst of my clothes. Placing the hat with the painting I slid them inside the scrapbook and
tucked it deep down into the cardboard box. Closing the lids together I then shoved it to the back of
my closet.
Always in here Jake always with me I will never forget

I was dragged from my melancholy by the timely arrival of my best friend

 

“Hey Leah where are you?” Thank goodness she was back, I had a dinner to go to and no clue what
to wear and I needed distracting fast.

 

“I’m in my room hang on” I covered Gran’s box with a throw and joined Lucy in the lounge. She was
surrounded by bags of shopping. I raised my eyebrows in question, Lucy peered at me sheepishly

“Spain the day after tomorrow Leah, and no summer clothes to impress Rob’s family. It had to be
done darling” I grinned at her as she started parading different things under my nose. Bikini’s, Hat’s,
sundresses, shorts. You name it she had bought it. I told her about my date tonight and she squealed

“Leah I have the perfect thing, you have to wear it tonight, now where is it?” she was routing about
then pulled out the most beautiful red dress I had ever seen. It was floor length but very fitted with a
built in structured bodice that laced up at the back, the skirt was ruched and had a side split almost
to the thigh. I was in love with it until I saw the label.

“Lucy I can’t wear that, it’s a Stella McCartney What if I spill something on it? Don’t you want it for
Spain?” she smiled

“I wouldn’t care; I kind of got it thinking we could share it. I didn’t buy it for Spain it wouldn’t pack
well, I thought of you to be honest when I spotted it. You can wear it tonight and I will wear it when
Rob picks a better date for me than the Rugby! Hang on I picked up some heels to match it” The
heels were ridiculously high Manolo’s a perfect match colour wise but Jesus walking would be a
challenge. Lucy was in full make over mode again;

“Go and take a shower but don’t wash your hair, I will put it up for you as that will suit the occasion
better, give you a classy edge. I also plan on doing your makeup, you obviously still have no idea
what to do with your eyes, now go on off you go” Lucy was in a very helpful mood Boyed on by
thought of a free holiday in Spain no doubt. Possibly coupled with a tinge of guilt about leaving me
alone after we just moved house!

An exhausting hour later, after much titivating, preening and basically taking me in hand I was ready.
I don’t know why but I was feeling nervous as Lucy dragged me to the full length mirror. I screwed
my eyes up imagining something far different than what I actually saw. The woman in the mirror
didn’t look at all cheap despite the red lips and dark eyes, the huge earrings and pushed up cleavage.
In fact she or rather I looked amazing

“Blimey Lucy I look like a lady!” she giggled giving me a smug look, I turned to the side to examine
the curvy shape that the bodice had given me, wow I looked hot and classy at the same time. I
wondered what Adam would think, he was due any minute. Lucy fetched me a shot of vodka for
Dutch courage; facing a night with a notorious Russian required a lot of that. Lucy was so peeved;

“Victor Bosic wow Leah he is hot and dangerous I am so jealous you are spending the evening with
him, I would love to pick his brains. Rob hates him you know, he wants to nail him for this murder
charge, and the boys have fallen out a few times over it too” I didn’t mention the fact he wasn’t
going to face charges at all now. “They have agreed to disagree. Adam can’t be choosy; Rob
understands that, you have to defend whoever pays your bills despite personal opinion.” I was
intrigued myself. We heard the door open and my stomach somersaulted again, knocking back my
drink I attempted to walk elegantly out to meet Adam.

Adams face when I walked in was everything I had hoped it to be, his jaw dropped and his eyes
raked me over from head to toe, Lucy broke the silence;

 

“Put your tongue away bro, yuck I can see drool. Take it easy and have a fab evening you two” Lucy
kissed us then returned to the lounge, leaving Adam and I facing each other

“Leah I have no words, you look beautiful, I have never seen a woman more beautiful in fact” I
blushed at the exaggeration. He wasn’t looking too bad himself in my favourite black suit with white
shirt. He pulled me closer running his hands up and down the bodice brushing his fingertips over my
cleavage. Dipping his head he kissed the top of each breast, he then turned me round and moaned
when he saw the laces that were holding me in.

“God help me this dinner best not drag on tonight, I need to get you back here so I can unwrap you.
Very Slowly” He kissed the back of my neck causing me to squirm “Come on we need to leave this
very minute, my control is good but you are pushing me to my limits tonight” I smiled to myself as I
saw him adjust his trousers to accommodate his arousal. I thanked Lucy silently, she had done
wonders and for the first time I felt worthy to be on his arm.

Grasping my hand he led me out to the car. The drive was short thankfully as the sexual tension in
the car was affecting both of us. I spotted the Maybach outside the restaurant. The Bosic’s must be
here already. Parking up we entered the foyer and headed straight for the VIP area upstairs. I had
never been anywhere like this before, I felt very conspicuous but Adam kept a firm hand on my back
grounding me.
I saw Victor watching as we approached, he caught my eye and I sensed approval from his
expression. While Adam let the Maitre D’ know we had all arrived, Alexandra greeted me warmly

“Leah, I am so charmed to meet you at last, Adam has told us all about you” she kissed both cheeks,
I was glad I had borrowed Lucy’s dress now. Seeing her stunning gown I didn’t feel like the dumpy
one for a change. Dimitri was standing to the side of his father looking bored, he brightened when
Adam joined us, I sensed a touch of hero worship going on as the talk quickly turned to football.

We were seated and drinking champagne, Adam and Victor doing most of the talking. I tucked into
my Gravadlax, which was divine. Just as I put a large forkful in my mouth Victor chose to address me;

“Leah I thought your Simon James story was quite remarkable, it is the first time I have found a piece
of writing interesting in the law section. We both enjoyed it didn’t we darling” Alexandra nodded
enthusiastically but I got the feeling everything Victor said got the same response from her. She was
definitely the classic stepford wife.

“Thank you I fell upon the story really, Simons mum opened up to me. Once she showed me his
bedroom it all clicked into place. I am happy to learn your problem is now solved Mr Bosic. However
I have to confess I was looking forward to writing about you and your family, it would have been
fascinating” I hoped that didn’t sound rude

“Miss Fellows you are welcome to write a story anyway, I could do with some positive PR at the
moment, maybe your editor would allow it?” I explained it would not be the sort of article our
department would write, but if he wanted I could look into finding someone for him. Victor seemed
to dismiss that, insisting he would talk to Gordon for me. I was happy when he steered the subject to
his son. Strange relationship those two seemed to have. I couldn’t work it out Dimitri seemed totally
unimpressed by his father, I would almost say tolerant. In complete contrast he adored his mother
he appeared to be very protective of her.

Talking about football was great for me; I was a keen fan and knew my subject well. Victor was
proudly talking about his LA team and how he hoped one day Dimitri would play for them.
Personally I decided he didn’t look keen on that idea one bit. But finding out Victor had a box at
United did catch my attention, especially as he invited Adam and I to use it. I jumped straight in
much to Adam’s surprise;

“It’s the last game of the season next weekend, and it’s the derby. We may have won the title but
quite fancy robbing you of another 3 points, now that is a match I would like to see” Dimitri for the
first time acknowledged my existence, staring at me for a second we locked eyes and he smiled
warmly. He had definitely inherited his father’s arrogance, but with a softer edge