Me Before You

by Sylvia M. Roberts

  ME

  BEFORE

  YOU

  A Gripping Thriller

  By Sylvia M. Roberts

  Copyright © 2016 Sylvia M. Roberts

  All rights reserved.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 1

  In a side room of the Superior Court of Justice, Annie was waiting impatiently for Mia Fisher to arrive, the lawyer that defended in the appeal process by getting three Supreme Court judges deciding to release Annie on the basis of new evidence submitted by defence.

  - You were very lucky! - Told the police that escorted her on the way to court.

  - What?! Lucky for them I finally convinced of my innocence? After I served three long years in prison? You call it luck?

  - Well ... - the woman hesitated, trying to express her opinion, raising her thick, bushy eyebrows almost joined in the middle of her forehead. - Actually you were released because of "technical details" and not to be presumed innocent.

  - Ah yes the "technical details"... Are you referring to the fact that a corrupt police has hidden on purpose a report that could prove my innocence all this time?

  Before the policewoman could reply, the door opened and Mia appeared displaying a bright smile of a won victory.

  - There's a crowd out there! - She said, speaking to Annie. – Mainly journalists.

  - I don’t want to talk to the press. Won’t they leave me alone?

  At that moment the policewoman make a joke:

  - This is a good move! If you play hard to catch, maybe you can get a good price for your story.

  - Let's get out of here now Mia, before I actually commit a murder! - Begged Annie and both took the exit direction to the parking lot, avoiding the main entrance and all the people waiting for them.

  Still, some reporters were covering the back of the building and surrounded them quickly, peppering them with questions and trampling at each other.

  With some difficulty the two were able to reach the car and away from there.

  In a few minutes and the car already transited on a quiet street, far away from all that chaos.

  - "Technical Details" ... - Annie recalled, talking to herself. - That nosy woman...

  Mia turned her head slightly toward Annie, without taking the traffic's attention, and commented:

  - You know, I don’t want to burst your bubble, but as a lawyer I must say I feel a lot better if the decision was because of proven innocence.

  - But the witness has ensured that saw me kilometres away at the time Tom Phelps was murdered!

  - He made sure the witness saw a woman who matches your description, but it was also very dark. And to be frank, I think that this witness had appeared in the first trial, the jury probably wouldn’t consider a reliable testimony.

  - Oh yes? So why did it now become so important? - Annie asked with a worried tone.

  - Because the investigator didn’t forward to defending the report containing the name of the witness, as required by law. - And with a sigh of dismay, she concluded:

  - I hate to agree with that cop, but it really is a "technicality".

  Annie remained silent for a few seconds, and then she remembered:

  - I saw Frank's lawyer in court.

  - Me too. I've talked to him. It seems that Frank has not changed position. He still thinks that you are guilty and doesn’t want to give Jimmy back.

  - My God! - Annie exclaimed, shaking her head vigorously.

  Mia stopped the car in front of the streetlight and spoke with impassioned voice:

  - Don’t panic yet, we will fight to the end.

  - Thank you, Mia. I promise to control myself. After all, I am waiting for three years now...

  - That's it - Mia approved, with an encouraging slap on her friend's leg.

  - I am very happy to have received only a suspension - yelled Cornwall, the head of the researchers behind the desk piled up with papers, newspapers and office objects.

  - I hate police acting on their own. And now, Edwards, as well? That criminal is loose and if not enough the press is outside all the time.

  He was settled with his promotion! Richard Edwards thought.

  And that's all that matters to him. But instead of talking about what was in his mind, he stared at the top and cast doubt on the air:

  - Who said she's a killer? The court released her.

  - No wonder! They were forced too! And it’s all your fault...

  Judging from fat cheeks flushed and the glare, Cornwall looked like it if he was going to explode with so much indignation. And what made him angrier still, was the quiet man in front of him. Leather jacket and tight jeans, marking his muscled thighs, Edwards remained standing, with his eyes fixed on his superior. He could keep the serenity and even a slight smirk with stress.

  - Look at these headlines! - Cornwall ranted, shaking the newspapers around the table displayed in large letters: Concealment evidence creates freedom; Why had evidence been hidden? Why wasn’t the witness asked to give testimony.

  Richard Edwards watched him in silence.

  - For incompetence or corruption, is something I cannot tolerate - Cornwall continued. - For me you would be off the function, but your colleagues came up with a series of arguments about as if shaken on occasion. From my part, I don’t think a personal problem can justify such lack.

  Richard flinched at the harsh words, hitting like spears, reopening wounds barely healed.

  - My problems were and are still my business. I didn’t ask anything to anyone, nor they need to intercede on my behalf - he blurted, speaking through clenched teeth.

  - If so, think they pondered the boss. - It is best to empty your drawers and go home until I decide what to do.

  Richard turned around and, without a word, withdrew quickly.

  Soon after a middle-aged police officer, very easygoing, entered the room and approached Cornwall, who was reading a document.

  - I spoke with Edwards out there. Don’t you think you were very severe, boss? After all, it wasn’t just a personal problem with his wife and son...

  - We all have problems, Spencer - Cornwall interrupts him without looking up from the paper.

  Spencer left in disgust. Instead of getting back to his desk, he went down the stairs trying to reach Richard, before he left the building.

  - He'll regret it, I'm sure - Spencer cried approaching Richard. - It is better to take a few days off. What, moreover, I should have done long ago.

  - Do you think she's guilty? - Richard asked, slowly.

  - Of course she is!

  - I wouldn’t forgive me if I knew I had sent someone innocent to prison. If only I could remember exactly what happened in...

  The prompt intervention of Spencer prevented him from continuing:

  - You were out of your mind in those days. Well I said you should take a vacation, it’s a pity you haven’t taken them before.

  Richard nodded, and some time later the two said goodbye with a strong handshake. On the way to the car, Richard avoided the eyes of some colleagues with whom he crossed.

  He knows that many defended it, but most of them hated him. Rude manners and strong personality had raised him numerous enemies.

  Walking hurriedly sought to divert two men who came in the opposite direction as he realized that they were journalists.

  - I have nothing to declare - he was just anticipating with his arms trying to open the way between the reporters.

  One of the reporters, holding a microphone from a famous TV station, insisted;

  - How do you feel with the release of Annie Pearce? It is true that the
y will not reopen the case?

  - I have nothing to say - Richard repeated.

  - You are sure to be fired from the police? - Another journalist asked.

  At cost Richard controlled his inner irritation. Finally he got into the car. But when one of them knocked on the window insistently, he couldn’t endure more. He rolled down the window and shouted in fury:

  - Get out of my way!

  The reporter stepped back, scared.

  Upon arriving home, Richard sighed relieved to see that the crowd of reporters who had planted there the night before had disappeared. At least he would have had a quiet night.

  *****

  Chapter 2

  Meanwhile, across the city, one of the most humble neighbourhoods of South of London, Mia accommodates Annie in a modest pension. The room she had rented for her client and friend was not much bigger than a prison cell, but at least Annie was free. That is, if you could call freedom to the life that was waiting for her.

  After all, she had lost all what really mattered, such as reputation, marriage and especially her beloved son.

  Annie kept only a few belongings from early life, it was enough to remember the arrogant man who learned to hate every day for the last three years. The thought gives her a hand tremor and she barely managed to get the last hanger in the small closet.

  She knew he had been suspended, but as soon as the dust was settled, he would get back to work.

  Very simple! She concluded in thought.

  For him everything would return to normal. Her life, however, would never be the same, especially without Jimmy.

  The first night in that tiny room Annie couldn’t fall asleep. In the few moments she managed to doze off, nightmares plagued, forcing her to wake up screaming and her face bathed in tears.

  The next day, for several times she tried to contact Frank, but she end up always talking to the assistant

  “I'm sorry, he is currently busy and can’t answer."

  She tried to talk to him many times, but didn’t succeed. It was useless not to know how Jimmy was.

  Time is slow-dragging and uneventfully. The early spring that year was different. Instead of clear, sunny days, the rain was intermittent and stubborn.

  At dusk, Annie readied herself to sleep while listening to the heavy drops of water crashing against the window, causing a monotonous noise that accentuated the loneliness she felt.

  Suddenly the doorbell startled her.

  - Mrs. Anderson? Mrs. Anderson? - A male voice repeated loudly, as the man insisted knocking on the door with his knuckles.

  - Who is it? - She yelled while she unlocked and opened the door. - If it’s a reporter, please let them go away. I'm tired and I have nothing to say that they don’t already know...

  - I ... I ... - the man hesitated. – It’s Richard Edwards. He needs to talk to you.

  The unexpected revelation left her bewildered and making an uncontrollable rage, Annie threw open the door and stared at the man who had the audacity to go there.

  - What do you want? Aren’t you pleased already with all problems you caused? - She screamed, so loudly that the door across the hall opened and the figure of a white-haired dishevelled appeared, peering curious to know what it was.

  Richard, sheepishly before that explosion, whispered:

  - Please let me in. It only takes a minute. I need to talk to you.

  - But I don’t want to talk to you. I’m no longer obliged facing you. I am now a free woman. I’ve got out of that damn place, where your lies and your bad character played me ... I am free also to send you to hell! - Saying this, she tried to close the door. Richard, however, put his arm around the door to stop her.

  - Please ... - he insisted, pushing the door a little bit to enter the room.

  Annie tried in vain to block the entrance from the intruder, but he had a force according to the muscular mass of his body.

  - What's wrong with you, huh? You don’t know how to take a no? - She blurted finally opening the door, since she couldn’t beat him. - Damn, after all, what do you want now?

  Richard hesitated and almost gave up his intention to see her so nervous. If only the woman had looked once for his dejected face, unshaven and she undoubtedly would realize that the owner of that sad and tired features, deserved an opportunity to express themselves.

  - Say just what you want and go away - she intimated, with a challenge in her voice.

  - I had to come. Couldn’t bear leaving things as they were - explained Richard, speaking softly trying to calm her.

  - If you mean the suspension, I think it was too little for what you did to me - she teased with a voice even more challenging, and shot it with her beautiful brownish eyes.

  Somehow that penetrating gaze made Richard remember the first time he saw her.

  He had gone to her apartment to ask some questions about the violent murder of Tom Phelps, at the time the owner of the property Annie had rented. She had just come from a journey that she had worked as a personal assistant.

  She opened the door and he saw since the first glance her beauty. Annie wore a black silk dress, long, fair, outlining the perfect curves of her slender body. Beautiful hair and a flawless make-up completed her elegance.

  The attraction that Richard felt at that time, was not greater because his heart was closed to the emotions, exactly two months, three weeks and two days before, his wife and child had been killed by a drunk driver when they were crossing the street coming home in the end of the day.

  Now Annie no longer wears expensive clothes like that day. Barefoot and no make-up, she reveals a clear and smooth skin, which made her more beautiful and sensual than ever.

  - Mrs. Anderson... - He coughed to clear his voice and continued - I know what you think of me, but I assure you I'm not a dirty detective. I want you to know I didn’t hide any report.

  - Now you want to make me feel like a fool? - She said with a sarcastic laugh. - There was a witness who could ruin your case against me, proving that I was far away from the place at the time Phelps was murdered. But lucky for you, this witness travelled to Australia. Everything was just perfect for you – however you didn’t say anything when he returned, someone found the report and endeavours to clarify the case, isn’t it?

  Richard remained motionless, listening patiently Annie’s words, who continued gesticulating:

  - The only thing that astonishes me is that I considered you smarter! Why hide a report? Wouldn’t it have been easier to destroy it, leaving this way no trace?

  - Enough! - He intervened with a changed mood, and slammed the door behind him. - I haven’t hid any report. I just don’t remember seeing it.

  - And how could it be, if Jamie Kent sent it to you directly!

  - I know it's hard to understand, but I don’t remember.

  - And you forgot that he made several notes on it? His letter was recognized and proven. Moreover, it was found in another folder, but belonging to your file. - And with the expression marked by irony, added: - I suppose you don’t remember placed it there, isn’t it?

  - No - Richard rasped - When the report was found, I was surprised as everyone else.

  Annie gave a mocking smile, showing that it she was no fool to fall in a story like that.

  - Frankly, I don’t know why you came here, because you are wasting your time.

  - I came because I need to know the truth.

  - And did the truth become important only now? If you never believed in my innocence, what do you really want, a confession of my guilt? Do you think you would feel better and would clear your name in the department?

  Richard lowered his head and introduced his fingers through thick and abundant hair.

  - I don’t feel better if you admit guilt, because that would mean for me lack of professionalism and a criminal would be free. Can you understand now? - He asked hopefully. - Anyway, I'll have to live with it – a criminal freed or an innocent sent to jail?

  - Your arrogance is really surprising
! - She said annoyed. – You still have the courage to come and ask for support?! Do you have any idea what could do it to me? I didn’t kill anyone, but because of your lies, I was thrown to a cell for three years, and now I am forbidden to see my own son!

  As Annie was talking, her anger grew and grew, until she could no longer contain and moved forward to this man who had ruined her life. With clenched fists, began throwing punches to his huge chest, he didn’t move. She tried to reach his face at all costs – at this point Richard tries to defend himself and grabbed her wrists with both hands. Unintentionally, he pulled her close to him, so that both bodies were united. For a moment the two looked at each other’s eyes, surprised and embarrassed by such proximity.

  - Let go of me! - She demanded her voice was calm but rude, trying to pull away from that strong man.

  Richard was gradually loosening her arms, slightly intoxicated with the warm and fresh odour emanating from Annie's fragile body. When he finally released her, she pulled away a bit and sighed deeply. An unconscious tremor, maybe anger or cold, did cross her arms.

  - It's freezing here - Richard noted – isn’t it better to put a coat on?

  - Don’t worry about me - she spoke aggressively. - The only thing you want is to go away and leave me alone.

  And with that, Annie opened the door, straddling it. What she didn’t count with it, was with the crowd of reporters that was standing already in the hallway, waiting for an opportunity to talk to her.

  - Mrs. Anderson, do you have anything to declare? Mrs. Anderson, I'm allowed to...

  - Mrs. Anderson...

  She was approached with so many questions, which made her completely bewildered. In a sudden fury, she rushed through the journalists, opening the way. In an instant she reached the stairs and out of sight.

  *****

  Chapter 3

  Richard at first hesitated. He didn’t know whether to run or stay in the middle of all these people, he was afraid of being recognized and the scandal could get even bigger. However, driven by an impulse, he turned out to accompany them.