Stretched Horizons

by Ross Richdale

  Bree stared in disbelief. "But why?"

  DS Robert Lueker glanced up. "We were hoping you could help us with that question," he said.

  Bree shook her head, but Linda chimed in.

  "Money. Everything Colin did ultimately came down to that."

  Bree looked at her, dazed. "Yes, you're right. At the end of our marriage I had it and he didn't."

  "Was there anything else? Life insurance for example?"

  "Oh my God," Bree whispered. "Of course. I had a life insurance policy from when I was a teenager. After our marriage, Colin persuaded me to increase its value to a fifty thousand pounds, which isn't really a lot. It was one of those endowment policies I'll receive when I turn sixty. The premiums weren't too bad so I agreed."

  Lueker nodded. "Did it have any other clauses?"

  Bree stared at him and paled slightly. "Yes," she added. "I remember we laughed about it at the time. In the case of a death by accident or unnatural causes there would be a pay out of a million pounds."

  "So we now have motivation. If you became divorced he wouldn't be next of kin, so time, from his point of view, was running out."

  "Colin was capable of that," Bree whispered.

  "He needed money," Linda cut in. "Some great deal he was going to make millions from in Birmingham collapsed and he owed heaps. I think one of the banks was about to foreclose on him."

  "So back to Selby," the detective said. "We think that after the attack here was thwarted, he followed you to New Zealand, Bree. Perhaps your late husband put him up to it. Anyway, he placed an explosive device on the aeroplane you were booked to travel on. A mechanic who worked on the aeroplane confirms that an Englishman came up and talked to him. Apparently, he convinced the chap he was aviation official. "

  "But the guy was at our fancy dress," Jenny said. "I remember him."

  "He's a professional, Miss Dench. I would say part of the contract was that killing Mrs. Ashworth had to look accidental. He deliberately used you as bait to attract Bree but also wanted it to appear that you were the primary object of the attack. He was just covering all the bases, so to speak."

  "So he'd have killed us both?" Jenny whispered.

  "Probably not," the detective replied. "You were probably better as a live witness to support the theory you were the main object of the attack."

  Bree cut in. "But how did he know we were booked on an airline on the other side of the world. I changed our bookings after Jenny decided to come with me."

  "Did you pay by credit card?" Lueker asked.

  " I did. I've had the same card for years. Colin could have easily had the number."

  "It wouldn't have been hard to contact the airline and find out what flights you were booked on."

  "So where is he now?" Bree whispered.

  "We arrested him at five this morning," the detective said.

  Bree sighed. "Can you make any charges stick?"

  "The evidence from both of you about the assault and attempted sexual violation should help prove any charges we make. The New Zealand authorities would also like him extradited to answer murder charges."

  "But we're alive," Jenny said.

  "The pilot isn't," DC Margaret Blackburn replied.

  "Oh...of course."

  "Are we safe from any associates of his continuing his dirty work?" Bree asked.

  "He worked alone. I think the local underworld would be glad to have him off their patch. He'd become a liability, you see."

  Bree stared at the detective. "It makes me feel ill, Detective. Is human life so casual to these people?"

  "I'm afraid so, Bree. You can be thankful you're still alive. We were investigating your late husband as well, you know. "

  "No, I didn't." Bree glanced at Linda.

  "I suspected but didn't want to know," the younger woman whispered.

  AFTER THE POLICE LEFT, Bree leaned back in her chair and watched her two friends. "Oh, hell," she finally said. "I've been pretty naive all the way through."

  "I don't think so," Jenny replied. "You were a victim, Bree. We were all victims, weren't we, Linda?"

  Linda nodded. "But I ended up as a solo parent because of my stupidity."

  "But would you go back?" Bree asked.

  Linda shook her head. "No. Cassandra is my life now, Bree. I could never wish to be without her." She stood up. "Speaking of Cassandra, I must go. Mom's looking after her but she's hopeless with feeding and changing napkins. I'll catch you later, Jenny. Bye, Bree."

  She left and Jenny turned to Bree. "There's something you aren't telling, isn't there?'"

  Bree bit on her lip. "I have to tell you sometime so now's as good as any."

  Jenny waited.

  "It'll start to show soon," Bree blurted out. "I'm pregnant. "

  Jenny grabbed a chair behind her and sat down. "Oh hell, that was something I never expected. Who's the father?"

  "Jenny!"

  "Okay, I'm thrilled but what does Ray think of it all?"

  "I haven't told him."

  "Why not?"

  Bree sighed. "I love Ray, Jenny, but don't want him to feel committed because of my condition. If I tell him he'll be out here on the next aeroplane and I don't want that."

  "Why?"

  "He has his job, his lovely home and Pattie."

  "But he wants you, Bree."

  "Don't you tell him, Jenny," Bree warned. "Don't say a word to anyone."

  "Of course I won't say a word," Jenny responded. "That's a promise."

  JENNY KEPT HER WORD not to 'say' a thing. However, that evening after Linda had gone to bed, she sent Ray an email.

  Dear Daddy ... the message began.

  CHAPTER 19

  Doctor Sandy Lynch was not only Bree's gynaecologist but also a personal friend.

  "So we're in new territory now, Bree," she said after a very thorough examination.

  "How so?"

  "You've been pregnant longer than on any of your previous occasions."

  Bree sucked on a bottom lip. "Superior genes and no physical violence," she muttered.

  Sandy glanced up at Bree. "The ultra-sound results are through. I can tell you the child's gender, if you wish."

  Bree stood without saying a sound and stared out the surgery window. Outside was a flowering shrub with several small birds flying around. In some ways, they reminded her of the fantails back in New Zealand.

  "A pregnant pause..." Sandy remarked in a kind voice. "There is no need..."

  "No," Bree replied. "I would like to know."

  "She is a healthy little girl, Bree."

  Bree sat and gripped the chair arm. "Oh my," she whispered.

  "So don't you think it's time to tell Ray?"

  "I guess."

  "Bree, you're assuming things that may or may not be true but it is not your decision to make."

  "I'm scared, Sandy. I need Ray to want me for what I am, not because I'm carrying his child. We live in different countries with different cultures. I have a career here and he has one back in New Zealand. Is it unfair to expect him to give up his way of life."

  "Or you yours?"

  Bree smiled. "I thought of that, too."

  "So now is the time to discuss it with Ray and work everything out together. Isn't his input important?"

  "Yes, extremely."

  The doctor made a note in a notebook. "You can't hide your physical condition for much longer. Who else knows, Bree?"

  "Everyone here," Bree replied. "I told the members of the Sunset Grove Governors at this week's monthly meeting and placed a formal announcement in this week's school newsletter."

  "Any reaction?"

  "Unexpected," Bree replied. "Everyone was thrilled, but their main concern was that I might leave. The governors want me to remain on as headteacher and ..." Bree sighed. "It's actually made things more difficult."

  "You mean if there was a groundswell of indignation on a morality issue you could have resigned and had your options made for you."

  "Some
thing like that," Bree replied.

  "So that makes it even more essential that you discuss everything with your child's father. If you procrastinate it will only become more difficult." The doctor fixed her gaze on Bree. "You should continue to have a healthy pregnancy, Bree. However, with your history of miscarriages, placing this stress on the situation will do far more harm than good, From a medical point of view I suggest you contact the father forthwith and tell him." Sandy smiled. "As a friend, I think your worries about Ray are without foundation. Just look at the bracelet you're wearing."

  Bree nodded and fingered the bracelet on her wrist. "Okay, I will," she whispered.

  SHOWERS THREATENED as Bree walked home from the underground station. With only three months to go until her child's birth and the summer holiday arriving she could fly out to New Zealand and be with Ray. They could... Oh my, here she was again trying to make all the decisions herself. The first thing was to tell Ray and see what he wanted.

  She walked up the steps into her home. It was the same of course, silent and lonely. Using her foot, she slammed the door and headed in.

  A noise caught her attention and a massive Black Labrador bounded around along the hallway and straight up to her.

  "Pattie," she cried as the dog leapt up at her, all sloppy tongue and wagging tail. "Pattie... but how can you be here?"

  She grabbed the dog and hugged the vibrating bundle of energy while her mind whirled.

  "Now, I couldn't leave her at home, could I?" a soft New Zealand voice whispered. "She hated the journey out with all the regulations, inoculations and..."

  "Ray!" Bree screamed. Tears streamed from her eyes as she launched herself at the man she loved. She clung on, kissed and sobbed, kissed again and buried her head in his arms. "Ray," she wailed. "Oh my God. How..."

  Ray squeezed her in a massive bear hug, then purposely ran a hand over the swell of her tummy. "You're starting to show, my sweet," he whispered.

  Bree stopped and stepped back to an arm's length. "You know?" she gasped.

  "Yeah, well Jenny didn't say a word but wrote a lot... email, you know."

  "How long have you known?" Bree stuttered.

  "A bit over three weeks."

  "And neither of you said a word. My God, I'll kill her..."

  "And who kept her own big secret, Bree?"

  "I didn't want to pressure you." She glanced up, saw the love in her companion's eyes and slipped back into his arms.

  My God, he was here, in London with her, here and now. Bree let the tears stream down and emotions take over. They were going to make it after all. They were a family. She had stretched her horizons all of the way to New Zealand, and actually made the world a smaller and much better place.

  The End

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  Did you love Stretched Horizons? Then you should read The Other Mrs Hayes by Ross Richdale!

  School principal, Stacey Hayes follows the advice of private detective Doug McCann and flies from her home city of Wellington to Auckland airport on an early morning flight. Remaining unseen, she watches her husband's arrival on a later flight and receives an unpleasant surprise.

  Her husband is greeted passionately by a pregnant woman. Jessica is the other Mrs Hayes. It was Jessica's mother Chelsea who hired Doug to investigate her son-in-law. He discovers that Brendon Hayes is a bigamist with two homes and wives living in the two New Zealand cities, 650 kilometres apart.

  Until now Brendon Hayes has managed to keep his two lives and wives secret from each other. However, when the pair meet they, somewhat surprisingly, become friends as they, with Doug's help, delve into Brendon's past. They find the egotistical and manipulative man's whole life is based on deceit and fraud with his accountancy company Hayes and Hayes the centre of his activities.

  Stacey and Jessica cope with the unpleasant truths about their husband in different ways. Stacey recalls doubts about him over the years and decides to move on in her life while Jessica finds it more difficult to manage.

  When Jessica's baby is born, Brendon who does not know his bigamy has been exposed, decides to walk away from both marriages and marry his latest mistress, a young Filipino girl, Reyna Aquin. Doug's investigations discover this and he asks an acquaintance in the police force to intervene and stop another sham marriage from happening.

  This proves to be Brendon's downfall. It is not Stacey or Jessica who plan this but more ruthless enemies gather to revenge his exposed past life. He is attacked with dire consequences that affects everyone.

  How does his dishonesty and possibly criminal behaviour led to Stacey and Jessica being placed in a dangerous situation? Can the two Mrs Hayes finally meld their lives and families to move forward and face their future?

  All will be revealed in Ross Richdale's sixth recent contemporay novel set in his homeland of New Zealand

  Read more at Ross Richdale’s site.

  Also by Ross Richdale

  Emerald Eyes Trilogy

  Emerald Eyes Destiny

  Emerald Eyes Mist

  Emerald Eyes Pyramid

  Our Ancient Ancestors

  When the Longships Came

  The Druid's Daughter

  Meztli - Sacrificial Maiden

  Kyla's Fate

  Our Romantic Thrillers

  Blemished Jewel

  Jana Adrift

  Broken Silence

  Eagle's Claw Lake

  Snow Bond

  Blossoms in the Wind

  Terra Novels

  The Truth About Terra

  Terra Incognita

  Wisps Trilogy

  Wisps of Cloud

  Wisps of Snow

  Wisps of Wisdom

  Standalone

  Solar Search

  Acid Air

  Embrace the Fog

  Cosmos Quest

  Azure Sea Gold

  Alien Hybrid

  Crystal Souls

  Countess In Exile

  Anu Factor

  Into the Wormhole

  Time Portal

  Like Twigs in a Storm

  Omega Seed

  Catalyst

  Long Valley Road

  Armlet

  Claire

  Liberty & Opportunity

  Transmigration

  Shadows Behind

  Wind Across the Playground

  Arising Magic

  Generation 7

  The Other Mrs Hayes

  Stretched Horizons

  Behind the Fire

  Watch for more at Ross Richdale’s site.

  About the Author

  After a career as a teacher and principal of mainly small rural schools, Ross Richdale lives in the small university city of Palmerston North in the North Island of New Zealand where he writes contemporary novels and science fiction. He is married with three adult children and six grandchildren.

  His interest in current events and international incidents serve as a backdrop for many of his novels. Ordinary people rather than the super rich super powerful or violent, are the main characters in his stories. His plots also reflect his interest in the rural lifestyle as well as the cross section of personalities encountered during his years as a teacher.

  Read more at Ross Richdale’s site.

 

 

 
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