Undue Rewards

Chapter One

Richard looked at his watch, five forty five, it was still early. He reached into his back pocket pulled out his key and opened the door, Spencer came bounding forward leaping at him with too much excitement and joy leaving an unwanted trail of dog hair on his jacket.

Down boy. He said, exhausted from the day he took off his jacket, dusted it off and hung it by the stairs.

It would be a couple of hours before Alex got back and Joanna had acting classes which meant he could have the house to himself for a couple of hours before it got noisy again. There was only Richard left, his eldest child eighteen, named after himself Richard in the hope that he would one day turn out to be a successful and hardworking attorney. Richard was the exact opposite, he preferred computers and playing sports rather than any sort of academia. He dumped his briefcase on the table and made his way to the fridge where a ready made meal laid waiting there ready to be heated up, it was shepherd’s pie, Richard‘s favourite he popped it in the oven and made his way to the coach.

At around six o’clock the door opened again and Richard sat up from the coach to see his son step through the door looking burnt and exhausted from the sun. It was summer and the days were getting hotter.

Where’s mom? Richard said as he walked through the hallway.

Why what happened? Richard replied.

Nothing. Richard replied.

So you walk through the door not even a hello or how was your day dad? Richard said with an element of surprise.

He paused for a bit and sat back down.

Son is there anything you’re not telling me? he asked.

No I’m fine, everything’s okay.

Richard knew when his son was lying and Richard knew his father knew when he was lying but they both dismissed the awkward moment anyway.

Did you manage to enrol on that course I was telling you about last week? He asked.

Richard reached into his bag and pulled out the management textbook.

I already told you dad I’m not interested in that stuff, I picked this up after school from the careers department before practice but I haven’t even looked at yet.

His eyes remained glued to his ipad, with the television glaring in the background it was a surprise how he could stay so connected with this thing, half hearted answers were given as his mind remained in his own world of media.

It was Wednesday so Alex would be eating out most likely with her colleagues at the centre but she must have returned earlier at lunch to cook the meal. Richard expected her anytime soon, it was getting late but he lay awake focused on his laptop trying to get through his cases for the day. He didn’t like bringing his office work home but sometimes he just had to, when the load got too heavy, he had recently taken on case, a client who seemed to have a lot at stake. He was forbidden to share certain things with anyone. He continued rapping away on the laptop keyboard gathering notes on this particular client. He preferred it when clients were open and honest with him, it made things easier. After two weeks of briefing he didn’t have much except for what he had been given from the firm and from the meetings he had had personally with the client.

Alex walked in to find Richard with the management textbook in his hands.

"Richie! nice to see you’re showing

interest in your Career" Alex paused a little, looked at Richard in disbelief and then looked at her husband and knew immediately that he had something to do with this.

Later on that night Richard lay next to his wife.

I’ve tried - I’ve tried to get him interested but he just won’t have any of it. He said.

Don’t worry about him, give him a chance to grow, plus you already have so much on your plate already. Alex said.

Richard sighed and switched of his bedside lamp. Alex did the same. Within minutes they were both asleep.

*

Chapter Two

Alex put on her protective gloves and reached for the pipette. She lay out the filter paper released 1ml of the deceased blood on the overhead projector and zoomed in to see what she could see - a few prints, minor evidence of blood clotting, no evidence of mal practice, it seemed like the victim had died a natural death. She likened herself to Jane Addams when she was at work she saw her work as something which served the greater good. She had studied Sociology and biology at University to be a criminologist and now she was here she excited but not as happy as she thought she would be when she was studying. She knew there was more to life, she knew there was more she could achieve and that identifying the criminal and helping them before they acted or committed the crime in the first place was a gift that few people had - she believed she possessed it.

Richard stepped into his office, his desk was piled with files which consisted of about ten cases, he had seen only two clients all week and he knew for the first time in a while he was behind, how on earth would he manage to get through this workload,

his daughter was ill, Alex was pressuring him and now the investigation was taking place at full throttle, his colleagues had their eyes on him and knew his time was nearly up.

Chapter Three

In all his years at this firm he had never seen anything like this and thought that if this could go wrong now then he had to fix it without Alex knowing. Sitting in the Brighton branch reception at Brack and Brack Richard excused himself and, concluded that she didn’t have to know everything he was getting up to, he was not a child anymore, and she was not his mother, he dismissed the idea of getting Alex fully involved.

Richard returned to his car to find a parking ticket, the day wasn’t getting any better. He got into the car, left the parking lot and took the M25 back down to London. Despite what had happened it was a warm evening and the sun was setting nicely into the horizon, he thought whether he should stop by at the firm before he went home, but why should he, he had had a long day and needed to rest, tomorrow was another day. He would wake up bright and early and treat himself to a hot light breakfast and coffee at star bucks before he went into work, he felt that he deserved it.

*

Chapter Four

When the Bell rang at three o’clock everybody began to flood the hallway, the sound was unbearable. Mr Taylor managed to raise his voice above the class who had now begun their own conversations.

Quite for a moment please! everybody paused.

I’d like to see a few people please before you leave.

Joanna was asked to stay back along with a few other classmates, once the other classmates had gone, it was time for Joanna, Mr Taylor looked at her with a puzzled face, Sit down he said.

Is everything okay Mr Taylor? She asked.

I was about to ask you the same question, he said.

I have looked at your reports and although they seem good they are not the best and not what I usually expect of you. Is there anything you want to talk to me or tell me about or are you okay?

Yes I’m fine.

Well its not reflecting in your grades at the moment. he replied. Don’t be afraid to speak to me if there are any problems ? And rather sooner than later he said.

Yes sir Joanna said and left the room.

Alex came back and noticed that Richard’s bag was gone, he had left without saying anything. He had made his decision and had to leave in order to save his career, his livelihood and his family which was disintegrating before his very eyes.

*

Chapter Five

On another day Alex would have seen this coming and avoided it, it was a high school mistake which she wasn’t supposed to be making, especially in these contexts and the complexity of the case she was now facing. Her job was now on the line and she needed to think properly so she had to remember that sleep was important, she had slept four hours in three days and was in need of a good rest. She was at the point where she felt that she could push no longer and that if she stretched herself any more she would suffer from some kind of mid-life crisis or nervous breakdown, although she was only thirty two.

She peeped through Joanna’s door and saw her sitting on her bed painting her toenails with her favourite boy zone CD on explaining why she didn’t hear the calls from downstairs.

Mom I’m getting ready for the prom can’t you see?

But still very early, in fact, two days early She said.

I know mother. Joanna replied.

Joanna was getting irritable and this was her alone time, the time when she could just sit down and catch up with herself, and freshen up after a long day.

Alex decided to let it go. She put on here brand new nikes and got prepared to go on her daily run. She was into fitness and would beat herself up mentally when she missed a day at the gym. She used running as a substitute when she couldn’t make it to the gym. She had more control over her exercises when she ran and she liked to be in control of what she was doing. At the gym there were too many restrictions, and running was better than the treadmill anyway. She put on her tracksuit and got ready to run.

*

Chapter Six

The road to London from Brighton was a fairly smooth ride. Richard took the route which went along the coast, winded through a couple of roads and entered the city - he preferred the scenic route. He stopped of at McDonalds and ordered himself a sausage and egg Mc Muffin meal, that would be enough he thought to take him through the morning ahead. He parked his car in the area marked reserved and stepped into the foyer, his right hand clutched his coffee which was still piping hot and in his left hand he held his briefcase containing all sorts of files and documents. The investigation started at ten o’clock so he thought he would stop by at the firm to gather all the necessary information. He took a sip of his coffee and made his way briskly towards the lifts. He got out at the Third floor and made his way to the reception area. Stephanie was on duty this morning, a woman of her late forties with half a degree in Law to her name and a little receptionist experience. Good morning, she said smiling.

Good morning Stephanie. He said. Is Chris in? He asked.

Yes just go straight through and two doors on your right.

Thanks. He entered the neatly organized room. Chris who was sat on a chair and immediately got up and offered his hand to Richard I’ve been expecting you, thanks for being early take a seat."

Richard shook Chris’s hand and took a seat on a rather comfortable office chair Chris had set aside for him. He took out his briefcase.

Right, what have we got?

The client wants to proceed as planned.

Aw you’re kidding so where looking at what three four days now, possibly weeks? Months even?

Well it depends how the investigations are carried out which is why I’m entrusting you, well your firm has entrusted you to deal with the investigative side of things seeing as you were the subject, and one of the targets you are in the best position to help us along the way in a professional manner.

I have here some fingerprints and a couple of photos which might be of use to you to help us identify some of the suspects.

Where did you get a hold of these? Richard asked.

I’ve spoken to the DCI, they act pretty quickly hey? And I have my sources.

Chris went to the cabinet and poured himself a drink.

Would you like a shot?

No thanks there’s work to be done I don’t recommend you should have one either.

"Well, I’ve been here all night and my only next plan of action right now is my bed, we’re getting closer, you’ve just