After Jessica: A mystery novella
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Chapter 41: Simon
“He won’t fancy you if you’ve got no fingernails left?”
“Sorry?”
“Andy. He won’t fancy you if you eat your fingers to the bone. You like him, don’t you?”
Simon nodded.
Marion smiled. “How did you leave things with him?”
“I’m not sure. Sort of good. I think he’s interested but we’ve not talked about it. There… there was an awkward moment.”
“Awkward? In what way?”
“We were talking about our jobs and he had his hand on my arm and kind of rested it there for a… bit too long. It was nice but he seemed rather embarrassed. Oh God, I hope I’m not picking up the wrong signals.”
“What was the last thing you said to each other?”
“I’ll call you.”
“Who said that?”
“We both did. At the same time.”
“That’s good. Great minds thinking alike and all that.”
“If you say so.”
Marion smiled. “Yes, Simon, I do."
Simon looked down at his ringing mobile and stabbed the green button.
“Hello is that Mr Price?”
“Yes.”
“Mr Simon Price?”
“Yes. Who’s this?”
“Sorry, Mr Price. It’s John Frizzell from Eversley Bank.”
“Oh, hello.”
“I’ve just had a strange call about your sister.”
“Really? From Alexis?”
“No, sorry. Do you have a brother called Shaun?”
“No. No brother. Just Jess.”
“I didn’t think so. A man rang me calling himself Shaun Price. He knew Jessica’s password and your mother’s maiden name but said he was Shaun not Simon. And his voice was different to yours. An east-end London sort of accent.”
“Do you think it was a scam?”
“I’m certain it was, yes. Do you know who it might have been and how they would have come by Jessica’s details?”
“No. No idea. Jess had a friend, boyfriend, called Shaun but I’ve only met him once. I think he’s still in Australia. He’s English though; they met here a few weeks before he went out there and she went with him. They didn’t keep in contact after she came back, about a year later. Not quite sure what happened. She didn’t talk about him after that but I got the feeling he was rather controlling. Anyway, his accent is, was, more refined. And his surname isn’t Price, obviously.”
“He could be pretending to be another brother.”
“Why go to all that trouble?”
“You know how much money was in the joint account. He may have found out.”
“Doubt it. It was a while ago, before she got her legal job. Can’t see it being him.”
“Can you contact him anyway – to make sure – and let me know?”
“I guess. His number must be at Jess’ house somewhere or on her mobile.”
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Chapter 42: Rick
Tapping a couple of buttons on his mobile, Rick put the phone to his ear.
“Good afternoon, Cheshire Hotel.”
“Tania?”
“Speaking.”
“Hey, it’s Rick.”
“Hi.”
“Heard anything more about this Alexis woman?”
“No, sorry. I’ve spoken to everyone who might know her and it’s like she’s disappeared off the face of the earth.”
“Thanks.”
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Chapter 43: Simon and the Bank Manager
“Is that Simon?”
“Speaking.”
“Hi. It’s John Frizzell again.”
“Ah, yes. I was going to ring you.”
“I wasn’t actually chasing for that, but how did you get on?”
“It wasn’t him.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. He says he didn’t know anything about it and I believe him.”
“OK. Do you have any idea who it might have been?”
“No, sorry. I’ve got to go back to Jess’s house later so I can do some more digging if you like.”
“That would be great.”
“You said you rang about something else?”
“Yes. I’ve found an alternative address for Alexis.”
“You have? That’s great.”
“Do you have a pen and paper?”
“Just a sec. Can you pass me that pad. And a pen? Thanks. Go on.”
“Twenty-seven Waverley Drive, Mil–”
“Are you sure?” Simon interrupted.
“Yes. Why, do you know it?”
“I’m there now. Were you going to say ‘Milton Keynes Village’?”
“Yes. How do you know it?”
“It’s my mum’s house.”
“Mum. That was Jessica’s bank.”
“Oh yes?”
“Do you remember me mentioning an Alexis to you?”
“The other day, yes.”
“They’ve found some more paperwork relating to the account that Jessica set up with her.”
“That’s good.”
“I’m not sure.”
“Oh, why?”
“Because it’s got your address as a secondary contact address.”
“Really? Maybe that was Jessica’s idea.”
“Could have been but it seems odd. The Manager said that the address by Jessica’s signature was her home address but the one by Alexis’ signature was yours. Wouldn’t she have put her own mother’s?”
“Maybe she doesn’t have one or she lives further away.”
“Could be, but he also said that they’d had a call from someone claiming to be a Shaun Price and asking for Jessica’s private details.”
“Shaun? You don’t think…”
“No. I’ve spoken to him already. I think it’s a coincidence.”
“Maybe they have another Jessica on their books?”
“But this guy used Jess’ passwords including your maiden name.”
“Oh, no. I don’t like the sound of that. Do they have any idea who it was?”
“No. But he didn’t get far. John said his voice was nothing like mine, like someone out of Eastenders. He’ll let me know if they get another call.”
Simon opened the door of number fifty-one and looked at the floor. There was no sign of the book. He smiled. That meant that Alexis had turned up at last.
“Hello?”
No reply.
He went into the lounge then dining room, both of which looked much as they’d left them, though not quite as tidy. He returned to the lounge and looked in the unit drawers. The money was still there so she’d obviously not needed that – clearly a flying visit.
Simon headed into the kitchen to make a cup of tea and took the kettle off its stand. Looking out the window at the white-covered garden, he robotically filled the kettle for a couple of cups of tea. He turned off the cold tap and was about to turn round when he looked down.
“Eh?” He stared at the book looking back at him from the bottom of the sink. He picked it up and shook it. Luckily the bowl had been dry and he’d only splashed it from filling the kettle. “So Alexis moved it from the hall floor and put it in here?” Simon shook his head. “Where’s your head at, girl?” It then dawned on him that she must know about Jessica. He returned to the lounge and looked at the answerphone. No messages. Maybe there was one and she deleted it. But from who? The only person that sprung to mind was Veronica.
Pulling his mobile from his jeans pocket, Simon scrolled down to V and clicked on the green phone button.
“Ziebis?”
“Veronica?”
“Yes. Can I help you?”
“Veronica, it’s Simon.”
“Simon?”
“Simon Price. Jessica’s brother.”
“Oh, yes. Any news of Alexis?”
“No, but I think she’s been home.”
“You think? Is she there?”
“N
o, but things have been moved and whoever it was had a key. You were going to ring?”
“Yes. Sunday evening. Did she get the message?”
“I think so. It’s been erased.”
“Oh.”
“Oh?”
“I let slip about your sister.”
“Shit.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t worry. She had to find out.”
“Any idea of where she might have gone?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t looked round everywhere yet. I’ll see if any of her clothes have gone.”
“OK. Will you ring me if you hear anything or find something out?”
“Of course. I want to find her as much as you do.”
Upstairs also looked different, with the exception of the study which had radically altered. There were files scattered all over the room. So she’d been looking for something too. Simon returned them to their shelves and tidied up some random papers. He switched on the computer, waiting for the password prompt, typed in buttons51 then went into the main bedroom. The only thing that looked out of place in this room was the bedside unit. The top drawer was open slightly; a chest of drawers he’d not got around to searching. He looked around the room and sighed. Although the house was neat, there was still so much to sort out. He made a mental note to get some cardboard boxes from the supermarkets and pack things away. He’d ask his mum if she wanted anything, keep a few bits for himself but sell the rest. He supposed he’d better ring a couple of estate agents and get the ball rolling on that front. Hopefully they’d find someone who’d buy the house to let it out and maybe then he wouldn't need to sell the furniture. It was decent stuff after all.
He pulled the drawer open and looked inside. There was a square box of tissues with the top tissue pulled out an inch or two. In front of it was a box of coasters then to the left was a stack of books behind a small open-topped silver mesh tray of pens and pencils. Pulling the drawer out until it threatened to fall, he noticed the gilting on the top book.
His heart thumped in his chest as he opened the front cover of Jessica’s diary. Her writing was impeccably neat. Knowing that there were only going to be a few pages of entries, Simon sat down on the side of the bed and read. The pages week-to-view and while the weekdays were methodical; work in the daytime, watching TV, playing with Buttons and report of latest book in the evenings, the weekends were a mixture of lie-ins, reading the newspapers, sorting receipts and bank statements (that made Simon smile), watching DVDs and going to the cinema. Simon thought it a solitary life as there was no mention of anyone else… until January second. ‘Saw Shaun in bar near ‘BP’ this evening.’ Chatted for hours. So happy. Invited him up. Feels right.’ Simon’s heart sank. This was how he wanted to remember his sister, not the image he had when he last saw her.
Within a few minutes he’d read the whole thing. She’d seemed really happy and the potential between her and Shaun so poignant. She’d had relationships in the past, she’d mentioned some to Simon but ‘feels right’? Life could be so cruel.
Simon opened the top drawer of her bedside unit to put the diary away, out of respect, but then saw the previous year’s book beside the tray of pens and pencils. He swapped the books over and shut the drawer. Lying lengthways on the bed, he pulled the two blue pillows from the left side to prop himself up.
Starting at the beginning of the year, much of it was again mundane until he got to Tuesday eighth February. “Tonight: Alexis was born.” That was the only entry other than a large smile. “Eh?” Simon said, staring at the page. The rest of the two-week spread was the usual work and relaxation mix so he turned the page. A photo fell out, face down on the bed. Simon picked it up then dropped it as if it had burned him. Again, it landed face down.
Picking it up again slowly, he turned over the picture … carefully, as if the reality of what he’d witnessed would change his life forever.
There in front of him was his sister smiling back. His sister by face, but the rest was new to him, though he recognised the clothes from the wardrobe just a few feet away. He looked up and stared at it, his eyes burning imaginary holes into it, through the outfit in the picture.
Beneath the self-portrait, in Jessica’s handwritten blue pen, was one word: ‘Alexis’.
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Chapter 44: Simon and Veronica
“Hello?”
“Veronica?”
“Yes?”
“Veronica, it’s Simon again. Jessica’s brother.”
“Yes, Simon. You’ve found Alexis?”
“Er, yes.”
“Great! Where is she?”
“Dead. I’m afraid.”
“What? When?”
“That’s the complicated bit. You see I found a picture of Alexis.”
“Right.”
“She has ginger hair, yes?”
“Yes.”
“So does Jessica.”
“Oh? That’s a coincidence. Isn’t it something like four percent–?”
“It’s more than a coincidence.” Simon interrupted. “You see, this picture I found was Jessica.”
“I thought you said it was Alexis.”
“Yes.”
“You’ve lost me.”
“They’re the same person.”
“What?”
“Jessica is Alexis. My sister is Alexis. Was Alexis.”
Silence.
“Veronica?”
“I’m sorry. What? Your sister, Jessica, is my girl Alexis.”
“Yes.”
“And your sister died, so Alexis is dead.”
“Yes. I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks for telling me. I’m sorry too. She was your sister. I’d only known her…”
“About a year.”
“Yes. How did you know that?”
“From her diary.”
“You’ve read her diary?”
“Yes, I know. It felt weird but I needed to see if I could explain everything that had been going on.”
“And it did?”
“Yes. Well, that part.”
“And the unanswered parts?”
“A man phoned Jessica’s bank the other day pretending to be me, only he got my name wrong so he didn’t get far.”
“I see.”
“And I don’t know how to find out who he was. He knew things he shouldn’t have known.”
“I think I know who it might have been. Don’t worry. He won’t be troubling you again. I’ll speak to him.”
“You know him? How?”
“A private investigator, of sorts, that I’m sure Daniel hired. Daniel’s like that.”
“Oh. So you’ll tell him what happened?”
“Sure. Leave it with me. Thanks Simon and again, I’m sorry about your sister.”
“Thanks. It’s a shame in a way that there’s no Alexis. It would have been nice to meet someone else who knew Jess.”
“Yes, it’s a real loss to us too, believe me.”
As far as Simon knew, the only other people who’d known of Alexis were his mum and the woman with the mobile, Beth. Only it wasn’t Alexis’ phone, it was Jessica’s. Still she didn’t need it and nor did Simon.
“Hello, this is Alexis. Sorry I can’t get to the phone. Please leave a message after the tone.”
Simon laughed. If only he’d heard that when he’d rung before, it would have saved a lot of chasing around. It was Jessica’s voice to a ‘tee’.
“Hi, Beth. This is Simon Price, Jessica’s brother. I have some news about Alexis. Can you give me a call back please? I think I left my number the last time we spoke but if not, it’s…”
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Chapter 45: Veronica and Rick
“Yeah?”
“Mr…” Veronica realised that Rick had never told her his surname. “Rick?”
“Yeah. Who’s this?”
“Veronica Ziebis of Frau–”
“I know who you are. How did you get this number?”
“You phoned me t
he other day.”
“And you’re phoning me now because…”
“You were after Alexis.”
“You’ve found her?”
“Not exactly.”
“Explain.”
“She died recently.”
“Shit! Sure?”
“Yes, sorry.”
“How?”
“Car crash.”
“No way. Shit.”
“It’s very sad. She was a popular girl.”
“Is it usual protocol to phone all your clients to tell them?”
“Of course not but…”
“But?”
“We both know that you weren’t phoning to book Alexis. You’re working for Daniel Goldstein, aren’t you?”
Rick frowned. He needed to up his game. He was slipping and that could only lead to trouble… or no work. “So why are you telling me and not Daniel.”
Veronica kept silent.
“Because it’s easier, yes?” Rick said.
“You need to report into him anyway, don’t you?”
“Of course. He’ll not be pleased.”
“None of us are.”
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Chapter 46: Rick and Daniel
“Yes?”
“Daniel, it’s Rick.”
“Found her?”
“Yes and no.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
“She’s dead?”
“Shit.”
“My sentiments exactly.”
“How.”
“RTA.”
“Rick. Speak fucking English.”
“Road Traffic Accident.”
“When?”
“’bout a week ago.”
“I saw her a week ago. So that’s that, is it?”
“’fraid so boss.”
“Not the outcome I’d expected but it draws a line.”
“Yes, boss.”
“Thanks, Rick. Your fee…”
“It’s OK, boss. I didn’t get the result you wanted.”