Guilty! The Trials of Phil Ferguson

by Sean Russell

  “Sendherin.”

  Amanda walked in. She was stunning. She looked like she was set to go on a photoshootforahigh-endfashionmagazine.Sheworeacrimsondressdesigned by Vera Wang. It was pleated below the waist and was above knee length, but notshortenoughtobeamini.Itwasnarrowatthewaistandcrossedattheback torunoverhershouldersandcoverherbreasts.

  The material sat loosely folded on each breast. Only a woman with perfect breastscoulddaretowearit.

  Theyhadtobefirm,uprightandjusttherightsizetosetthedressoff.Andsetit off they did. It looked as if each one wanted to peek out and say hi, but was tactfullyrestrainedbytheredfabric.SheworeredpumpsbyStuartWeitzman.

  Her hand bag was to die for—a Coach, red with silver studs. She capped it all withaSarasotawide-brimmedhatwhichwascrimsonwithwhitetrimming.Phil

  wastakenaback.

  Hedidnotrememberhertobesostunning,butherememberedherfragrance.It caressedhisolfactorynerveasshesteppedtowardshimandheldoutherhand.

  Hetookherhandandshookit.

  “GoodafternoonMs.Callender.”

  Philofferedheraseatandthensatdown.Hehadtocollecthisthoughts.Shehad caughthimoffguard.

  “Hi Phil. First of all, let me apologise for my hasty departure at our last appointment.ImayhavebeenabitrudeandIdidn’tmeantobe.Thecallwas

  unexpected.”

  “Noapologynecessary.Itwasobviousyouweredisturbed.Thefunnythingwith cell phones is that the calling party often doesn’t know where you are or what you are doing when they call. I mean it could be an awkward time for you.

  Doesn’tmattertothem,theyjustlaunchintowhateveritistheyhavetosayto you.Theyshouldhavesomecourtesyandatleastaskifitisabadtimetotalkor simplysay‘canyoutalknow’.”

  Philsmiled.HewasalreadyforgettinghismissionandthatMs.Callenderwasa nuisance.Shewassoeasyontheeyes…likefineart.

  Amandasmiledback—adifferentsmilethistime.

  Appreciative,notflirty.

  “Soaboutthisletteryouaskedmetodraftforyou.”

  “Sorry if I seem evasive. It’s a bit sensitive. You see, the client is a family memberandsoIfeelveryawkwardwiththiswholesituation.”Philwasalittle perplexed. Ms. Callender seemed like a different woman from the one he met twoweeksearlier.

  “Ithoughtaboutwhatyousaidandyoumayhaveapoint.Actually,tobehonest, I overheard two people discussing a situation in which one of them received a lawyer’sletterand,asyousaid,thepersontookitpersonallyandwasallhyped upandreadytofight.”

  “Uhhuh.”

  “But I need to get this matter resolved, and I think you can still help me. You haveexperience,soyoucancomeupwithsomeplantosettlethis.”

  “Iamwillingtoassistyou,butIneedsomethingtoworkwith.”

  Hercellphonewentoff( LiveYourLife,byRihanna).

  Shecheckedherphoneandthenherwatch.Shelookedalittlehurried.

  “Phil,I’msorry.I’vegotaplanetocatchandI’malreadyrunninglate.I’moffto Miami.Thingsgotbackedupthismorning,butIcameanywaybecauseIdidnot

  wanttomissmyappointment.Ididn’twantyoutakemeforsomeonewhowas

  foolingaround.I’vegottogo.Iwillsetanotherappointmentandgiveyouallthe informationyouneed.”

  Shegotupquicklyandinitiallymovedtowardsthedoor.Then,toPhil’ssurprise, inasplitsecondshesteppedbackandkissedPhilonthecheek.Hewashalfway upoutofhisseattoseeherout.BeforePhilfullyregisteredwhathappened,she wasoutoftheroom.

  Phil was in a quandary. He did not know what to make of Amanda Callender.

  Whowassheandwhatwasherprogramme?Philwasalsointelligentenoughto

  besuspicious,butmorethansuspicious,hewasvery,verycurious.Hedecided thathehadtomakeacoupleofcalls.Heneededtoknowwhothiswomanwas.

  CHAPTERFIVE

  Philawokewithajoltandfoundhimselfinacoldsweat.Hisheartwasracing.

  Hefeltlikehewasgoingtopassout.Hethoughttheevening’srelaxationhehad at the beach was enough therapy. He did not expect to be so shaken again so soon.Itwascomingbacktohim.Hehadrecalledtheeventinhissleep.

  Itwasnighttime,about10:45.Hewasworkingonacontract.Jadewasoutwith hergirlfriends—girls’

  nightout.HedidnotrecognizethenumberthatshowedonhisBlackberry,but

  heansweredanyway.

  Hedid,however,recognizethevoiceandexpectednothinggoodtocomefrom

  itsowner.

  “Phil?Ibetyou’reworkinghard.”

  “What’sthisaboutJimmy?”

  “Just finished working myself. Seems we have a mutual client. Stand by, I’m sendingsomeofthefiles.

  Technologyissuchawonderfulthing.Youhavemynumberonyourphone.You

  cancallmeandgivemeyourthoughtsonthematter.”

  In almost no time the email alert sounded on Phil’s blackberry. He checked it immediately.Theimageswerethemostdisturbinghehadeverseen.

  The impact struck him like a physical blow from an incensed Great Khali in a WWEsmackdown.Therewereseveralphotosinsickeningdetail.Hiswifewas

  naked. Jimmy Cadogan was also naked. Jimmy’s cock was in his wife. In her vagina. They had to be fakes, except that the pictures were detailed enough to showtheneatJade-colouredtattooofastoneonherinnerthighnexttoherlabia majora.Thepicswerereal.

  Philnowfeltlikesomeonehadstabbedhiminhisgutwithahuntingknife.He wasparalyzed…inshock.

  Hisbrainstalledandthenmomentarilyshutdown.

  Somewhere in the recesses of his mind it occurred to him that the email he received could be sent to all and sundry, any and everywhere in the world. He waspainedintonumbness.Theonlythingheknewwasthatwhenherecovered,

  someonewouldpay.

  Jadedidnotcomehomethatnight.Philcouldnotfindher.Shehadcalledearly thenextmorningandsaidshehadhadtoomuchtodrinkwiththegirls,soshe sleptoverbyafriend.Philwantedtoclimbthroughthephoneandthrottleher, buttechnologyhasitslimitations.Philwantedtotalktoher,butsheswitchedthe celloffafterthecall,andhedidnotknowwhereshewas.Shewasnotatanyof herrelativesoranyofherknownfriends.

  Phil was going out of his mind. To be sent those sickening pictures from that snakeJimmyCadoganofallpeople,andtobeforcedtostewinagonybecause

  Jaderefusedtocommunicatewithhim.Thiswastheworstkindoftorture.Phil drewonhisinnerstrength.

  HecouldnotsitathomealldayhopingforJadetocomehome.Hehadworkto

  doandimportantclientstoservice.Besides,theresponsibilitiesofworkwould help to distract him from his pain, analogous to rubbing a gunshot wound for painrelief.

  *****

  JadedidnotlikeJimmyCadogan.Shewasnotinaminorityinthatregard.Very

  fewpeoplelikedJimmyandthatwasbecausehewassimplynotaniceperson

  andthatwasputtingitmildly.Shecouldnotfathomwhyhewouldwanttosee

  her,butthepictureofPhil’snakedbackforcedhertowanttofindout.Shehad received it in an envelope with a note requesting that she call Jimmy’s Blackberrynumber.WhatthehellwouldJimmybedoingwithapictureofPhil’s naked back? Phil wasn’t gay, neither was Jimmy, she didn’t think. Her first responseshouldhavebeentocallherhusband.Maybeitwouldhavesavedher

  and him a
whole lot of heartache. Curiosity tricked her into responding to Jimmy’sinvitationtocall.

  Heansweredonthesecondring,hisvoiceamellifluousbaritone.

  “JimmyCadogan.”

  “HelloJimmy,JadeFerguson.”

  “Hi Jade.” Jimmy’s voice now had an extra coating of honey. “Excuse me one moment.”

  Shecouldhearhimclearinghisofficeofwhoeverwasthere.

  “Sorry,howareyou?”

  “Healthyandimpatient.”

  “Thepicture,yesweneedtotalk.”

  “I’mrighthere,thisiswhatwecalltalking.”

  “NoJade,comeon,Imeaninperson.”

  “WhywouldIwanttoseeyouinperson?”

  “Thesamereasonyoucalledthisnumber.”

  “GetonwithitJimmy,what’sthisallabout?”

  “I’msimplytryingtosaveyoualittleembarrassment.”

  “Me?”Jadelaughedtoherself,“youmustbekidding.”

  “Ifyousawthecompletepictureyouwouldnotbesoamused.”

  Jade’stonetookonanedge.Shewasnolongeramused.

  “Complete picture? What are you talking about Jimmy? What complete

  picture?”

  Jimmywastheonewithamusementinhisvoicenow.

  “Icroppedit.Ididnotwantsuchsensitivematerialtogothroughthelocalpostal service.”

  “Whatelseisinthepicture?”

  “Thatyouwillhavetoseeforyourself.Meetmeat10:00tonight.St.Lawrence Apartments. I have a penthouse suite there. We can have a drink at the bar downstairs.”

  “IwanttoseethatpictureJimmy,butI’mnotmeetingyouatanybartonight.I canmeetyouthisafternoonortomorrow.”Jade’svoicewasindignant.

  “That’s fine. I was trying to help you out. I’ve got meetings booked ’til this evening, then dinner with a client. Tomorrow I’m off to Trinidad, then New York.

  I’llbebackintheislandintendays’time.”Jadesighed.“Okay.Tentonight.”

  Jadedidnottrusttheman,butwhatthehellwashedoingwithapictureofPhil, apparently naked? She should really have confronted Phil first; given him the benefitofthedoubt.Afterall,hewasherhusband.

  Hewasalsoamanandherrulewasnevertotrustthem.Shewouldgatherher

  information first; her due diligence, so to speak. If Phil was innocent, he had nothingtoworryabout.Ifhewasn’tandJimmyCadoganhadtheevidence,God

  helphim.AndthathadnothingtodowithwhatJadewasgoingtodotohim.She hadtomeetJimmy.Shereallyhadfindoutwhatwasgoingon.

  *****

  A lot of people hated Jimmy Cadogan. But he, Jimmy, loved Jimmy Cadogan andthoughtthathewasahelluvaguy.Heviewedhimselfasabrilliantattorney and a shrewd businessman, and he had the trappings to show it. He was of averageheight,ontheslimside,ofaveragebuild,inhisearlyfifties.Hehada medium complexion. He was neither dark- nor light-skinned. His face was not good looking, nor was he ugly. He had a roundish face with close-cropped graying hair and slightly close set eyes. In fact, there was nothing outstanding abouthim,excepthismoney.Hesmeltofmoney.Hedressedintailor-madesuits with custom cuff links, wore designer shoes and enjoyed displaying his expensivejewelry.Hedressedlikeawinner.Itdidnotconcernhimthathebroke rulesinordertowin.Winningwaswinning,andthatwasallthatmattered.He wasgoingtowintonight.

  HewasgoingtohaveJadeandscrewPhilintheprocess.Infact,hewasgoingto screwbothofthem.

  Helaughedtohimself.

  JimmyCadogan,you’reahelluvaman.Hereflectedfurtherashesavouredthe ideahewasnowcontemplating.HehadmetJadefiveyearsago,whenPhilhad

  introduced her to him as his wife. Jimmy was instantly attracted to her, which wasnotanunusualexperience.Hewasattractedtoanybeautifulwoman.

  ThedifferencewasJade’spresence,her‘IknowIlookgoodbutyoucan’thave me’aura.ThatreallyturnedJimmyon.Healmostgotarousedthereandthen.He wasalsoarousedbythechallengeoftakingthisbeautifulgirlandteachingher thewaysoftheworld,theopportunitytoteachherhowitwaswitharealman, notalittleboyjustoutoflawschoolandonJimmy’spayroll.Alas,thatmeant shewasonhispayroll,andwhateverwasonhispayroll,washis.Hehadmadeit hisbusinesstolookoutforheronhervisitstotheofficetobringPhillunch.He mademorethanoneattempttohavehersleepwithhim.Oncehehadinvitedher onayacht.Heaccostedherinthehallwayofhisofficebuilding.Shewasonher wayoutafterdroppingofflunchforPhil.

  “Haveyoueverbeenonayacht?”Heaskedher.

  “No.”Shereplied.

  “I’m having a private party. Only a few selected friends have been invited.

  WouldyouandPhilliketocome?”

  “Soundsgood,whenisit?”

  “Tomorrownight.7:30p.m.”

  “Okay,we’llbethere.”

  The following night Phil found himself with an impossible amount of work.

  There was no way he would have been able to attend a function after work.

  JimmyjusthappenedtopassbyPhil’soffice.

  ItwasobviousthatPhilwasnotleavinginahurry.

  Jimmy offered to have Jade picked up. It was no sense missing a wonderful eveningout.Philagreed.

  Jade had been excited. The idea of a yacht party had intrigued her. She had wondered who would be there, what the people would be like, what the conversationswouldbeabout.Italsowouldbeagreatopportunitytonetwork.

  Phildidnotsmelltherat.Hewasstillrelativelynewtothefirmandhethought hisbosswaslookingoutforhim.Philhadalreadystartedtobuildareputation forbeingahardandeffectiveworker,arealassettoJ.C.Chambers.Thestench came soon after when Jade reported her evening affair. She was picked up by limo and taken to the yacht where she was assisted aboard by none other than Jimmyhimself.

  Heintroducedhertoafewbusinessassociatesandmilledaround,returningever sooftenwithaglassofchampagne.Jadewaswiseenoughtospillalotofit.

  Shewasuneasywiththeatmosphere.Ratherthanacocktailpartyonthewater,it feltmorelikeapreludetoaswingers’party.

  ShewasrelievedwhenJimmycametoherrescueandtookherawayfromaman

  inthetoolbusiness.HewasatthetimeofrescuequiteintentontellingJadehow bighistoolwas,andhowwellitworked.Shewassurehisnextstepwastoshow herhistool.Jimmycameup,engagedherinsmalltalk,andwalkedheraway.He asked her if she had seen the stateroom. She admitted she hadn’t. He took her below deck to have a look. They made their way to the room, with Jimmy for somestrangereasonguidingherfrombehindandpressinguncomfortablyclose

  onherbackside,occasionallytouchingherback.Jadedecidedtoblameitonthe alcohol,butshewasnotpleased.

  They reached the door to the master stateroom and Jade, at Jimmy’s urging, openedthedoor.Jadewasdismayedatthesightbeforeher,withsoundeffectsin closepursuit.

  Therewerethreepeopleonthebedhavingsex—

  one man with two women. They paused to see the cause of the intrusion. All theysawwasJadewithherjawhangingseeminglyinchesfromthefloor.They

  returnedtotheirexertionsasifitwasbusinessasusual.Jimmywasindignant,of course. He slammed the door, shouted ‘perverts!’ at the room and quickly escortedJadeofftheboat,apologizingprofusely.

  “Nothing of that kind has ever happened on the yacht…” was what he said. “I

  amgoingtotalktoBrianaboutthis,it’shisboatandthe
searemostlyhispeople.

  It’s disgusting…” were the last words he said as the limo pulled away, taking Jadehome.

  Jimmy was furious. He was sure he was going to get Jade that night. The stateroomwassupposedtohavebeenvacant.Heknewthatwiththeamountof

  champagne he had given her and the mood that he set in that room that she wouldnothavestoodachance.

  She had been outstanding. She looked good enough to eat. She wore a white form-fittingdress.Ithadthinstrapsandwascutlowtoshowoffhercleavage.

  Therestofithuggedherbodycloselyandstoppedsixinchesshortofherknees.

  It wasn’t designer, but it showed off her figure is if it was made for her. The brilliantwhitecontrastedagainstherbrownskinwhichappearedtohaveitsown internalglow.

  She’dhadshortlocksatthetime.Shedecidedtoletthemdownasopposedto

  havingthempinnedupasshewasaccustomedtowearingthem.Sheworelittle

  makeup.Shedidn’tneedit.Theoveralleffectwastheappearanceofabeautiful, sexy,‘rootsy’woman.Philshouldneverhaveletherleavethehouselookinglike that,butJimmywasgladhedid.

  Jimmy’s disappointment and fury were short-lived. He had another woman on board lined up for the kill. This one he was sure to have that night. It was guaranteed.Thenecklacesheworearoundherneckontheyachtthatnightwas

  exquisiteandherboyfriendcouldnotaffordit,butJimmycould.Jimmysmiled to himself, remembering the lesson he learnt from the airline industry—to overbook. He followed that lesson, the result being that he was rarely disappointed.HewouldgetJadeanothertime.Evenifittookawhile,hewould gether.Shewashot.

  Jade reported the evening’s drama to Phil when she got home. He laughed at first.Hethoughtshewasmakingituporatleastembellishingthestory.When herealizedthatherreportwassincere,hebecamefurious.Philwantedtothrottle Jimmythereandthen.

  Jadehadtocalmhimdownanddownplaythewholescenario.

  Phil was torn over the situation. He felt that on principle he should resign and give Jimmy a piece of his mind. Jade reminded him of their financial situation