THE TRUTH
THE SEQUEL TO ‘I WILL FIND YOU’
BY CATHERINE LAMBERT
WORD COUNT 72,676
THE CHARACTERS IN THIS NOVEL ARE FROM THE MIND OF THE AUTHOR. ANY SIMILARITIES TO ANY PERSONS LIVING OR DEAD IS PURELY COINCIDENTAL.
Re-cap of ‘I Will Find You’
Lydia and Marney are sisters who have different personalities. Marney is out-going and enjoys the company of men, married or single. Lydia is shy and sensible, but slightly in awe of her sister’s extroverted personality. Lydia’s marriage fails after the death of her only child at the hands of a hit-and-run driver. Her husband Jake begins a new life with Maria with whom he was having an affair during his marriage. Struggling to cope with her grief, Lydia returns to the café she owns and runs with her sister, where she receives a phone call from a stranger who claims she has evidence to prove who killed her son. Using an alias, Lydia does not realise that she is Ellen Gerrity the wife of Dan Gerrity, a college lecturer with whom Marney if having an affair. The stranger now begins a cruel game of cat-and -mouse as she reveals false information to Lydia. Awaiting a further meeting with Ellen Gerrity, Lydia meets Tom Anderson, Ellen’s brother instead. Unaware he is Ellen’s brother, Lydia begins a relationship with him.
Marney’s complex love life causes problems between the sister’s when Marney tells her about the affair with Dan Gerrity. After an argument with Dan, Marney is involved in a one-night stand shortly after which, she discovers she is pregnant. Marney is not sure if Dan Gerrity or a stranger she slept with is the father of her child. When Lydia finds out, she warns Marney that Dan Gerrity has a reputation for affairs with his students, having meet him in the past. After obtaining photographic evidence of Dan Gerrity’s reputation, she arranges to meet him and challenge him over supporting Marney’s baby. Following an argument and a struggle, Gerrity falls to his death in a dis-used warehouse.
Before the truth is discovered, Ellen Gerrity dies, and Lydia discovers that Tom Anderson killed her son. Marney receives a letter which will have life-changing consequences.
After being imprisoned for the death of Adam Nevin, Lydia begins to get her life back to normal until Anderson writes to her from prison. The letters arrive every week causing her anguish which won’t allow her to have a normal life. Her life is once again troubled. Will the sister’s find happiness?
SYNOPSIS
Following the conviction and imprisonment of Tom Anderson for the death of her only child, Lydia begins to receive letters from prison begging for forgiveness. Refusing to acknowledge him she concentrates on re-opening the cafe with her sister Marney. The unexpected appearance of her ex-husband Jake, throws her emotions in turmoil as he admits his marriage to Maria is failing. A vicious attack on Marney has devastating effects on her as she continues to discover the identity of the father of her child. A letter sent to Marney will have life changing effects for her and her daughter. Will the sister’s find happiness? Read on to discover the truth.
PROLOGUE
Tom Anderson, -escorted by two police officers- was taken from the docks of the courtroom and detained in a holding room to await an interview with his solicitor. Still visibly shaken by his conviction and sentence, he paced nervously up and down the limited space until the door eventually opened. After a brief discussion concerning the probability of an appeal, his lawyer informed him that he would approach the judge and ask for the charge of death by dangerous driving to be altered to a lesser charge of death by careless driving. In the event of success, his sentence would be reduced by half. With hope of a reduced sentence, he sat down to await his transfer to prison. The reality of his predicament occurred sooner than he had anticipated as he was bundled into a small van, together with three other prisoners, and locked in a cell within the confines of the vehicle. This abrupt loss of freedom and contact with the outside world, was immediately devastating. His life for the next eight years was out of his control, and now the fear of incarceration, daunting.
With no perception of time, the journey eventually came to an end and the prisoners were escorted from the van. After an induction process and a risk assessment interview, each prisoner’s belongings were placed in separate bags, and signed for. Tom Anderson had been shrewd in concealing a single photograph of Lydia, which he did not intend to relinquish. Despite a thorough search, the photograph remained in his possession, and he was issued with a set of prison clothes. It was stressed at this point that all new prisoners were liable to be moved to another prison without prior notice; this was normal procedure not a personally motivated decision. All that remained now was the allocation of a cell, and Tom Anderson’s internment would commence in earnest. It had been a long and slow process in adjusting to prison life. He had found it difficult to forge any close relationships with his fellow inmates, whom he considered to be beneath his intellect. However, he did indulge in sporadic conversation with a corrupt accountant, who was serving five years for embezzling his company’s assets. Tom knew his crime did not endear him to his fellow internees, albeit that Adam’s death had been accidental. This situation was not detrimental to his well-being; in fact, it suited him to be left alone so he could think about Lydia, and how he could redeem himself.
Having no control over his daily life was the hardest thing to endure. To pass the long hours, he had enrolled on a business administration course on the pretext of continuing this career option on his release from prison. This was not entirely true; it was simply an easier option to the menial work that was available, and he had unlimited access to writing materials.
Following his trial and conviction of causing death by dangerous driving, Tom Anderson appealed and subsequently received a lesser sentence. His lawyer argued that the lesser charge of careless driving should be applied. Consequently, the previous sentence of eight years – with three on probation- was reduced to four years. Assessed as a Category D offender, he had yet to be transferred to an open prison despite indications that this move was imminent. In prison, time passed by very slowly, and after twelve months of contemplating his callous actions, he had not given up on eventual redemption from Lydia. Words left unsaid on the outside gnawed away at him causing sleepless nights and bouts of depression. To ease his conscience, he wrote endless letters to Lydia, many of which he never posted, but the act of transferring his guilt and remorse into words temporarily appeased his angst
Although Lydia had still not replied to any of his letters, he had not given up on her. He knew he could never change the past, but she had to be made to understand that he had never set out to kill Adam it was an accident. His only crime was to drive away; with hind-sight he now knew how stupid and cruel he had been. Perhaps he would still be at liberty if he had stopped the car and tried to help, but all he could think about was his bloody job and his licence. It all seemed so petty and pointless now. How many hours of the day did he spend thinking about Lydia and how it might have been? He was deluded if he thought that she would ever feel the same about him, but he had to keep trying. He didn’t want to love her, he just did, and she haunted his dreams and filled the long desperate hours of every day. Picking up his pen, he began to write to her again hoping that this time, she would reply.
CHAPTER ONE
Marney yawned as she stuffed the last teddy into the toy-box. Her daughter Heidi was now thirteen months old, and life as a single working mother was harder than she had anticipated.
“I’ll give Heidi a bath tonight, you have a rest,” her sister Lydia offered as Marney sank down wearily on the sofa.
“Thanks,” she smiled.
“Come on you little monkey,” Lydia scooped the little girl into her arms and head
ed towards the stairs.
Within a few minutes, Marney drifted into a deep sleep but was soon woken by the sound of Lydia’s mobile phone ringing. Annoyed at the intrusion, Marney snatched the phone without looking at the caller’s identity.
“Hello Lydia’s phone,” she answered grumpily.
“Is that you Marney?” a man’s voice asked hesitantly.
“Yes, it is, who is this?” she sat upright.
“Have you forgotten me already?” he asked.
“Obviously, stop playing games and tell me who you are?”
“It’s Tom Anderson.” Marney leapt to her feet and began to pace around the room unable to think of anything to say. As she opened her mouth to speak, Lydia appeared in the door-way.
“She’s fast asleep sis, sorry I didn’t know you were on the phone,” she whispered.
“It’s for you,” she passed the phone over.
“Who is it?” she mouthed, but Marney shrugged her shoulders and sat down.
“Hello,” Lydia replied cheerfully, but the smile disappeared from her face and the colour drained from her cheeks as she discovered the identity of the caller.
“Where did you get my number from?” she asked in a whisper.
“I know your number Lydia,” Tom replied in a sinister tone.
“Don’t call me ever again or I’ll phone the police, do you understand me?” she raised her voice.
“What do you think they’ll do, throw me into prison?”
“I mean it, don’t call me again.”
“Please Lydia, all I want is for you to read my letters and write to me,” he pleaded.
Lydia stabbed the call end button and hurled the phone across the room where it collided with the wall and shattered into fragments.
“That’ll stop him,” Lydia turned and glared at Marney.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” she asked
“I’ll have to use my old phone, until I get another,” Lydia mumbled.
“You knew it was him, didn’t you?”
“So, what if I did?” Marney was too tired to deny it.
“He killed my son, your nephew. How would you feel if he’d done the same to Heidi?”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t think.”
“You never do Marney; it’s your speciality,” Lydia turned away.
“That’s unfair sis,” she attempted to defend herself.
“It’s nothing to do with that; you just blurt out whatever comes into your head without thinking about the consequences.”
For once, Marney was stumped for words and just mumbled an apology. Lydia stood up and headed towards the kitchen where she began to empty the dish-washer as Marney followed closely behind.
“Let me help you,” she offered. They completed the task in silence, after which, Lydia sat down at the table and buried her head in her hands.
“Are you alright Lyds?” Marney asked as her sister looked up.
Lydia paused, “I didn’t think it was going to be like this.”
Marney looked confused, “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Him, I mean him; I’m not going to say his name. I thought my life would change, I thought I could move on and now he’s phoning me from prison. That’s not right Marney; I’m still the victim.” Lydia was close to tears.
“It’s my fault I’m so sorry.” Marney knelt beside her sister and stroked her hand.
“It’s not your fault sis, it’s that bastard. In fact, it’s not him; it’s the bloody system that allows murderers to have privileges. What right has he got to phone me? “Lydia stood up, wiped a tear from her eye, and filled the kettle.
“Do you want a coffee?” she called over her shoulder.
“Aren’t you going to tell me what he said?” Marney ignored the question.
“No, do you want a coffee or not?”
“Please. I’ll just go and check on Heidi.”
Still seething with rage, Lydia kicked out at the rubbish bin sending the contents sliding across the floor and onto the skirting board. The sight of teabags and peelings littering the floor fuelled her anger.
“How dare he phone me?” she muttered under her breathe as she swept the pile of teabags and leftover food into a dust-pan. Marney appeared in the doorway as she emptied the mushed-up garbage into the bin.
“Shall I make the coffee then?”
“Yeah, I knocked the bin over.” Lydia managed a faint smile.
Marney took the drinks into the lounge and placed them onto a small table. She felt guilty for deceiving Lydia, but she hadn’t intended to upset her. Marney looked up when her sister entered the room.
“I wish you’d tell me what he said Lydia.”
“I’m surprised that Heidi sleeps on her back. When Adam was born, he always slept on his side. I used to roll a blanket into a sausage shape and put it along his back, so he couldn’t roll over,” she replied vacantly.
“I was told to put her on her back in the hospital, things change Lydia, but you don’t. You’re so bloody stubborn.”
“He keeps writing to me. One letter every week; they arrive on the same day every week without fail. He won’t leave me alone.”
“What does he write about?” Marney leaned forward.
“I don’t know I haven’t opened any of them.”
“Why not?
“He’s not my pen-pal Marney, he’s a callous murderer.”
“Some women become obsessed with murderers, they’re sexually attracted to them. I read about this woman in America who began to write to this bloke on death row. She sent him photographs and then went to visit him. They fell in love and got married and then he was executed; can you believe that?” Marney shook her head.
“No, I think it’s sick?” Lydia stood up.
“Perhaps it is.” Marney looked thoughtful, but Lydia could tell she was burning to say something else, and reluctantly sat down.
“Come on tell me what’s on your mind,” she sighed.
“Well, I know you won’t agree with what I’m going to say, but I’m going to say it anyway.” Marney sat upright and folded her hands in her lap.
“I’ve been doing a lot of research on line,” she began. Lydia opened her mouth to speak but Marney pre-empted her and continued.
“Victims of crime find it hard to move on with their lives long after the offender has been put behind bars. Top psychiatrists have been studying the offender/victim relationship and,
“I know what you’re going to say Marney, and it’s never going to happen. Why are you so forgiving?”
“Please Lydia let me finish,” she pleaded but Lydia refused to listen.
“I’m not going to sit in the same room as him while he attempts to justify what he’s done to me, and I’m not discussing this with you anymore.” Lydia’s expression was one of infallible determination. Knowing it was futile to pursue the matter any further, Marney backed down.
Without another word, Lydia stood up and walked out of the room. Her anger was not aimed at her sister, but she did have a habit of persisting with ridiculous notions that would never materialise. Her latest supposition was not only cruel, it was inhuman. The only person to benefit is the criminal; they crave exoneration from their horrendous crimes because even in prison, they are haunted by their evil acts. Well that was part of the punishment, and she was not going to allow Tom Anderson the luxury of forgiveness. There were some acts that could never be forgiven; the death of her son was one such act. Marney had a different stance on life; she was more forgiving and liberal in her views. Lydia didn’t enjoy harbouring the intense loathing and anger she felt towards Tom Anderson, but just the thought of forgiving him was unbearable.
Still deep in thought, Lydia was unaware of her sister’s presence behind her.
“Look I’m sorry Lydia I was only trying to help you,” she spoke softly.
“If you really want to help me then don’t mention anything like that again. I need to get on with my life and I can’t do that if you keep
dragging up the past and trying to get me to come face to face with the monster who killed my baby!” her tone was harsh and unnecessarily cruel which caused Marney to flinch.
“You already did more than that with Tom Anderson.” Marney butted in again without thinking. Lydia’s expression visibly changed; her eyes blazed with anger as she breathed deeply through her nose, trying to compose herself.
“Lydia, I’m sorry.” Marney shrank back in her seat.
“Why don’t you just write that bloody word on a card and wave it at me every time you open your big mouth.” Lydia raised her voice.
Marney stood up, grasped the edge of the table and drew closer to her sister before she spoke, her face taught with rage, and her lips clamped tightly together.
“I think I made a big mistake moving in here with you; you obviously can’t stand the sight of me.”
“No, that’s not true, let’s just calm down a bit, please Marney.” Lydia’s eyes darted to and fro desperately searching her sister’s face for a hint of forgiveness, but nothing was forthcoming.
“Let me tell you something; you’re worse to live with now than before Tom Anderson went to prison. It’s no wonder you’re on your own.” Marney rushed out of the room and stamped up the stairs. Lydia realised it was pointless to go after her; she was understandably angry and had every right to react the way she had. Her words were cruel and spoken in the heat of the moment; Lydia hadn’t meant what she said, but the damage was done. Torn between confronting her sister and letting her calm down, Lydia decided on the latter and picked up a magazine. About ten minutes later, Marney appeared in the doorway, her eyes red and puffy from crying. Lydia looked up and smiled not knowing how her sister would react.
“Can we start again?” she asked timidly. Lydia sprang to her feet and hugged Marney so hard she pleaded to be released.
The Truth: sequel to I Will Find You Page 1
