Leah's Story Finding Jake Read online

  “How can you defend a guy against murder, when you know he did it” I was struggling to comprehend his morals, Adam answered honestly

  “It doesn’t matter what I think, that’s my job, is it any better putting a man behind bars you know is innocent, it all comes down to how well the evidence is collected and who happens to have the best argument in court” I thought about it and decided he was right. It was wetting my appetite for my new job though, court reporter would be fascinating. Perhaps if Victor goes to court I may get chance to cover it.

  It sounded like Victor was a rather ruthless business man; Adam’s fathers company had represented him for over forty years and had his trust completely. No wonder Adam was putting his all into this case, as their father’s biggest client it was a real privilege to be asked to replace him as his lawyer. Adam obviously had a good reputation in court, Rob seemed to have utmost respect for him. I could imagine him being able to persuade any jury of absolutely anything, especially if the majority were female!

  The food arrived, I wolfed down a chow mein and half a portion of chicken fried rice, Rob kept teasing me that he had never seen a girl with a healthy appetite before. What I didn’t explain was having been a child with no food to eat it made you appreciate anything that was put on your plate.

  Adam was staring at me, it was like he had the same thought in his mind too, exactly how much did he read in my scrap book? The conversation turned to television I confessed to being an Idiot Abroad fan, we all agreed on that one then we got onto thrillers

  “Luther best thing ever shown in my opinion” Adam liked Luther wow, my box set sprang to mind jumping up, I disappeared to my room. To everyone’s surprise I returned with my pride and joy, Adam’s face lit up like a child. Lucy groaned, she had been forced to watch Luther many times

  “Okay I give in, Rob time to retire with me, let’s leave the geeks to their box set.” I didn’t have time to register that now I would be alone with her brother, Luther was going to be on so I didn’t care who watched with me. An hour in we were curled up part way through series 1, I was fighting a yawn but Adam didn’t look like he was leaving any time soon.

  Funny but I actually felt comfortable with him, I know it’s only watching the telly but any awkwardness I had felt previously seemed to have dissipated. It was dark now but we left the lights off, it added to the atmosphere, Idris Elba was my guilty pleasure but I sneaked a look at my companion. Stretched out on the sofa Adam looked dark and dangerous, his hair was falling over his forehead and I wanted to run my fingers through it to get a better look at his eyes. What the hell was I playing at, blimey Idris was affecting me rather too much. I focused back on the programme, however tiredness was taking over and before I knew it I had drifted off, I have no idea what episode we were on but the combination of cleaning, beer, lots of food and a dark room had finished me off.

  Chapter 5

  I awoke to my alarm; I sat up with a jolt how did I get to bed last night? I blushed as I noticed I was only wearing my top and panties, eek he must have put me to bed. I jumped up suddenly excited about my first day at work, Adam shot to the back of my mind. Suited up in my new grey fitted jacket and matching pencil skirt, tights and heels, I was happy with the impression I would make. Lucy was suited up too, she was going to be clerk at her dads Manchester office, working for one of the female barristers Margie James, a real bolshie woman but nerves of steel. Lucy idolised the woman and couldn’t wait to work for her.

  Adam was based there at the moment so at least Lucy would have his support, me on the other hand would be alone in the cut throat world of journalism. One good thing was that our offices were on the same street so we could meet up for lunches occasionally. We both ate breakfast in silence, unusual for us, we were really nervous and neither of us finished our cereal. I hugged Lucy hard and wished her luck, she did likewise, we would normally share lifts but for today Lucy was working late to do her induction.

  My office used a multi storey car park in the Northern Quarter, permits were issued to all staff, obviously mine was going to be sorted today so the car park attendant had to make a couple of calls before he allowed me to access our level. Now I was running late by the time I found my floor in the building it was gone eight thirty, I knocked on the department heads door.

  “Come” Gordon Steel was a scruffy but amiable man, he was forgiving of my time keeping, and he made a quick call to a Richard Green, my mentor to be. The man sauntered into the office and all my creep senses shot up. He was a grubby looking man only probably forty something but easily mistaken for older. I caught a wiff of booze on his breath, Great a drunk in charge of me just what I needed. He shook my hand for rather too long and I felt myself shudder, he made me want to have a wash. However he was to be in charge so I put on my professional face as he gave me a guided tour of our floor.

  My desk was adjacent to his, rather too close for my comfort but as long as he kept to his side I would be fine. Later today we were attending court to follow a case Richard had been on all week; the case was an assault on a black man. The prosecution were trying to prove that the defendant carried out an act of racial abuse.

  I read the notes at my desk; I only had an hour to read them all through. Richard seemed to be happy to let me get on with it, this I think came from him being a lazy bastard! So far the prosecution appeared to have the upper hand, our press coverage had been quite biased in my opinion, we seemed happy to paint the attacker with the racism brush. I decide to do some digging into the victims background, what I found interested me greatly and I needed to pop out for an hour.

  Richard gave me my break at eleven so we could be in court by two; this gave me enough time to visit a care home where the defendant’s mother was staying. I parked my car at The Manor and buzzed myself inside, the care workers took my story of being a niece and led me to Mrs Pilkington’s room. My hunch was based on the fact that the victim worked in the same home as the defendants mum resided was too much of a coincidence. The police had looked into the link but came up with no story just used it to confirm that the victim was preselected. Operating on my general feeling that elderly women were more likely to chat with a single female than a man in uniform I hoped my interview would bear fruit.

  Mrs Pilkington looked tiny; she was upright propped up with cushions, watching This Morning on her little portable TV. The tiny lady sat on a huge arm chair, my heart pulsed she reminded me of my Gran.

  “Mrs Pilkington? Hello my name is Leah I am trying to help your son Joseph” she opened her eyes at the sound of his name

  “My joseph where is he? It has been ages since he visited, do you know him? Is he okay?” I sat beside her and stroked her hand

  “He is in trouble Mrs Pilkington, he hurt someone badly and they want to punish him” she snapped back at me, snatching her hand away I felt really guilty, wondering if maybe this was a bad idea.

  “It was someone who cleaned here at the home Jimmy something” the old lady winced and her eyes filled with fear

  “Evil that man is evil he hurt me, he touched me, I told my Joe to tell him to stop but he didn’t, he took my wedding ring, my Alfie would turn in his grave if he knew” she was getting upset, but I had all I needed, why had the defence not questioned her properly, I knew this was important so left the room to call Gordon. My boss was thrilled with my initiative though Richard unimpressed that I had gone behind his back.

  The court was informed of a delay as the defence lawyer immediately came to see the defendant’s mother. As it turned out Joseph had approached the victim about the theft of the wedding ring, he promised to not report him if he returned the ring. Jim did as he was asked but made a couple of very sick comments about touching his mother which made Joseph snap.

  Once the court had all the information the case was dropped, Jim was fired and arrested for theft and abuse of Mrs Pilkington, it conspired she was one of many he had given the same treatment to.

  I wrote up the story and it was given page fiv
e status, Gordon was thrilled my first day had been a resounding success. We went out for a few drinks and I couldn’t help but notice Richard sending me daggers, my new mentor was not happy with me, I didn’t care but part of me knew he would retaliate in some way. I had dealt with worse so Richard, bring it on, he was one minion for me to crush on my way to the top! Go Leah.

  When I got home, Lucy was back and there was a delicious odour permeating the flat.

  “Hey working girl I thought I would be last in” I wandered in to the kitchen and Adam was there, in fact he was cooking.

  “Hello Leah, looking smart, I hope you don’t mind me gate crashing you again but hotel rooms are very lonely places” I smiled to let him know it was fine, he was making chicken stew by the looks of it, I peered over his shoulder.

  “Oh my God that smells like the one your housekeeper used to make” he grinned at me, took a tea spoon and gave me a taste “oh yes that’s the one how come you know how to make it”

  “I watched and learned, it was always my favourite too, I wouldn’t leave home until I had it mastered, my flat mates never went hungry with me around” blimey sexy and a good chef Natalie was very lucky. I excused myself to get my slob clothes on, and then came back in time to sit down for our meal. We had fresh baguette to go with it; I was instantly taken back to sitting in the Richmond’s kitchen tucking into a bowl by the range.

  I opened my eyes and realised they were both staring at me.

  “What?” they laughed loudly Lucy said I was making very sexual noises while I was chewing, it was very off putting, I blushed as did Adam. Changing the subject we exchanged first day at work stories and mine won.

  “That is fantastic work Leah I can’t wait to read about it tomorrow, I knew you would be good at this, you are like terrier when you are on to something” I was exhausted but pleased with my first day, tomorrow I may have to deal with a pissed off Richard but I would be ready for him. Adam stayed until after the news at ten he fitted in like part of the family now, it shocked me how comfortable I was around him. He left after giving us both a kiss, my cheek burned where his lips touched and my breath caught in my throat his touch was like fire. Adam appeared to be unaffected but as he opened the door I did notice he let out a breath so maybe he felt it just a little. Still it meant nothing after all he was taken and me well I was unattainable so that was that.

  The next morning everyone was sheepish when I got to work, I was excited to see my first by line and picked up a copy of the paper to take to my desk, I could hear Gordon shouting in his office but ignored it. I turned to page five, there it was my first story, it read well and I was really pleased that was until I saw the byline Richard Green. I stood to my feet and gasped; the whole office looked up from their monitors and gave me a sympathetic look, hastily returning to whatever they were doing. I looked round for the snake

  “Dickhead that’s what he is” I was about to march into Gordon’s office when I spotted the so called person leaving with a smirk on his face. He had just had a rollicking but so what it didn’t mean a thing the damage was done, you can’t reprint a story with my name on it. So that was it my first article nobody would know it was mine.

  “You prick, why did you do that? Couldn’t stand a female taking the shine off you or something” a voice interrupted

  “Fellows in here now” I stormed past Richard and shut the door to my boss’s office, I was about to say something when he indicated for me to sit down.

  “Leah, I can understand how annoyed you are, but this was a printing error only, I know you feel aggrieved but nothing can fix it now, we need to move forward. I was very impressed by the writing and look forward to many more articles from you. Please go back to your desk and regroup, take this on the chin and move on, the same mistake will not happen again.” I left the room mumbling under my breath but did not want Dickhead to feel he had the upper hand so I made us both a coffee and returned to my desk.

  “So boss what’s for today then” Richard was lost for words, there was my victory frozen in his expression. The rest of the day I was filing we had no case until Thursday and the files were arriving first thing tomorrow. The filing kept me busy all day, I did notice Dickhead was busy with his nose in something, every now and then he looked at me strangely, by the end of the day he looked like the cat that got the cream. I grabbed my coat to leave saying my goodbyes Richard caught up to me at the car park.

  “Leah I am sorry about your story” I turned to face him with my no care face. “It was a regrettable incident. You have a talent for reporting, I can be a great help to you if you let me” the creep placed a gentle hand on my arm; I caught on to his meaning instantly so played along.

  “I would really appreciate your help and guidance Richard, you have been in the job so much longer than me so I am sure you can teach me a lot” he smiled his hand began stroking

  “Well for starters you could try being nice to me, fetching me a coffee is a start, then well use your imagination a man likes simple things in life you should know what a man likes Leah.” My hackles were raised this piece of shit was asking for more than coffee. I peeled his hand off my arm then raised my knee into his groin, he doubled over groaning

  “Keep your hands to yourself Dick head or I will report you for harassment and by the way make your own coffee arsehole” I was about to walk away when he spoke again

  “You will live to regret this, you won’t report me as then I may share what I know about you Miss Fellows,” My feet stopped and I turned to glare at him, his face was wearing the biggest grin and I wanted nothing more than to wipe it off. I forced myself to leave before I did something I would regret, I got in my trusty Golf and sat there wondering how the hell my job had gone from fantastic to tragic in less than twenty four hours.

  Chapter 6

  By the time I got back to the flat I was furious, I didn’t notice Adam’s Mercedes parked in the lot, stomping into the flat I was shouting

  “Do you know what that piece of crap has done? Lucy are you there? I need to vent do we have Vodka” I was walking into the kitchen when I heard the shower in Lucy’s room. I poured myself a glass and waited for her in the lounge. I was staring out of the window when I heard her bedroom door open

  “I need to spew Luce I have had the day from hell a few Vodka’s and a night with Robert Pattinson may be required” I turned to greet her but to my horror it was Adam, wet from a shower with nothing on but a towel. My jaw dropped as I took in his sculpted torso, his tattoos were perfect big enough to show but not too big to mar his delicious skin. I realised I was blatantly gawking at him and managed to close my mouth before I dribbled. In his favour he looked just as surprised to see me there,

  “Sorry Leah, Lucy told me you were going straight to dance so I could crash here for a shower until she got back, I was expecting to be gone by the time you got home” I was still struggling to maintain eye contact, it was like his body was a magnet for my eyes. Part of what he said jolted my brain

  “Shit dance class, damn damn, stupid Dickhead, bloody hell.” I halted my expletives after catching his amused expression.

  “Let me get dressed and I will join you for a Vodka, give me a minute” he wandered off giving me a perfect view of his back, that man must work out he was built like a Greek God, boy I hated Natalie tonight, in fact her and Dickhead should get together a perfect combination to ruin my life.

  Adam returned covered up, we sat with a bottle of Vodka on the table and I decided I was going to vent to him for a change, give Lucy the night off. He listened, bless him, and actually he reacted far more intensely than I imagined, he was livid.

  “The creep, I want to know who this guy is I will come in with you tomorrow you can point him out,” I laughed at him and then he laughed actually we both got drunk quite rapidly, Adam kept going on about what he would do to Richard, we had come up with seven ways to kill a creep, we got to number three; chop off his dick and feed it to him when Lucy turned up.

  “W
hy are you two sat in the dark?” she put the lights on and we both blinked dazzled by the lights “Hey Leah where was your story I couldn’t find your name on any this morning” I burst out laughing again, Adam joined n and soon we were verging on hysteria

  “For God’s Sake you two what has gotten in to you, I will put some coffee on, looks like you need some” We giggled again at bossy Lucy but she gave us such a look we tried to sober up. Four coffee’s later and we were both feeling better, we discussed the day’s events with Lucy who had a far more rational approach.

  “Leah you have dealt with worse than that just make sure you are never alone with him, carry a Dictaphone in case you get chance to record his threats. Work hard and give him no excuses to have a go, you will be fine” she made sense and the Dictaphone was a brilliant idea, I had one in my room somewhere. Adam called a cab and watched the window for its arrival; Lucy went to her room leaving us alone.

  “Thanks for tonight Adam. That was just what I needed” his taxi was there so he turned to leave, holding both my shoulders he kissed my forehead

  “Sorry I couldn’t be Robert Pattinson for you, maybe you will settle for less one day” with that he was gone, wow that was a bit flirty wasn’t it? Maybe not, who knows I was too drunk to work out conundrums, I was off to bed. Tomorrow better be a nicer day or I would be an alcoholic by the weekend.

  The next day dawned with a thumping head, and lots of groaning. The shower definitely improved my mood but not my appearance; I pulled on a trouser suit and went to join Lucy who I could hear rattling around in the kitchen

  “Urgh I don’t think I can face Dickhead today” Lucy had the kettle on ready, toast on a plate and a bowl of porridge for me. Hangover cures never worked on me but porridge did so I wolfed it down plain and immediately felt lifted.

  “What time did Adam leave last night then?” I spotted a touch of sarcasm in her voice

  “Couldn’t say but not long after you deserted us” she frowned but with an amused expression