Chapter 1
Friends. Well yes, they were, whist coming
from diametrically opposed families. Jennifer from an affluent family living on
the outskirts of Ramada. Jane entrenched in her working class roots, her home, a
squalid apartment in the downtown project. What probably cemented and
maintained the bond between them was the kind and generous nature of Jennifer.
Jennifer never judged Jane in any way. Jane on the other hand was outwardly
sweet as pie but had a deep and troublesome engrained jealousy of her friend
Jennifer, unfounded really, just based on the privilege Jennifer had been born
into.
Through their school and college days Jane struggled to keep up with Jennifer, wanting to do something, anything to proof her worth. Unfortunately this rarely happened. Jennifer was blonde and pretty. She could eat anything she wanted and never gained a pound and excelled in all academic subjects and sports. Jane was dark haired and suffered through adolescence with acne: it was always Jennifer that the boys congregated around. As hard as she tried, she was always just one step behind her friend Jennifer both academically and in sports. Jennifer, with such a sweet and kindly nature, never gloated or belittled her friend. Quite the opposite, she always encouraged her friend Jane, making little of her own successes.
Jane used her mathematics and economics to good effect establishing a career in the finance sector, her aggressive nature seeing regular promotions. Jennifer could have chosen any career and succeeded but she worked initially in the charity sector. Raising millions for her charities Jennifer was then head hunted to lead a division of Microck MD one of the country’s leading capital investment houses.
Jane had worked hard to weasel her way up the greasy pole of corporate life and was pleased to have received her most recent promotion to section manager with 15 staff reporting to her. But one can only imagine the rage when it was announced that a new divisional director had been appointed and that divisional director was none other than Jennifer Robertson. Jennifer the girl in whose shadow she had spent the majority of her formative years. Jane had grafted to where she had got and now Jennifer had been parachuted in above her. Jane was seething.
At the formal introduction of the new divisional director Jane bit her tongue smiling and congratulated her friend but inside she was boiling with resentment.
Jennifer soon ingratiated herself to the staff at Microck MD, well liked and admired as the changes she made increased business and everyone’s bonuses, much to the annoyance of Jane whose anger simmered.
Twelve months and Jane remained a section manager, her only promotional opportunity was to become divisional director, a coveted position held by her childhood rival.
Jennifer treated all the staff at Microck MD well and went out of her way to ensure Jane was always first in line for any training and travel opportunities but that just annoyed Jane more. The last straw for Jane was when, Troy Lane, an up and coming executive, who happened to be the son of one of the vice presidents at the company, started to show interest in Jennifer.
Troy was hot and rich, and Jane had been on a few dates with him and saw him as her route to the top table at Microck MD. Now Miss Perfect was going to ruin that too?
Six months passed and there was talk of an engagement between Troy and Jennifer, but tragedy struck, and Jennifer returned home to see to the arrangements for the internment of her parents.
Whilst Jennifer was away following the tragic death of her mother and father, in a freak road accident, Jane did all she could to destabilise the relationship between Troy and her friend.
A month was not a long time for Jennifer to settle her parent’s estate and other outstanding issues but, with the help of legal advice, all was resolved. Jennifer placed the large property, which had been the family home, into trust to be used as a halfway house for reforming female inmates. Jennifer had a good salary and the monies and assets from her parent’s wills would be used to finance the facility. All done anonymously of course.
Returning to Microck MD, Jennifer’s managers and staff that worked for her were all sympathetic, Jane especially so. Six months after returning and things generally settling back into routine Jane convinced Jennifer that she should treat herself to something from her inheritance. Something she would not ordinarily purchase. Jennifer had never been into material possessions, but Jane had her on a mini spree. Spa treatments, short vacation breaks, a new very expensive car, furnishings for her apartment, a new wardrobe of designer clothes. All quite ostentatious for the reserved Jennifer that did not go unnoticed at Microck MD.
When asked what the change was in Miss Robertson, Jane would slyly just shrug her shoulders questioning how she could possibly afford everything she was buying.
When the city regulators, accompanied by the FBI, led a handcuffed Jennifer from her office eyebrows were raised the staff putting two and two together and making five fuelled by the duplicitous scheming Jane Shank.
The evidence against Jennifer was damming - multiple accounts were being fed from client’s funds siphoned from Microck MD accounts. Transactions all emanating from Jennifer’s computer terminal from files protected by Jennifer’s own secret passwords. Grainy CCTV footage of a women matching Jennifer’s description unearthed showing the accounts being opened, a blonde woman of Jennifer’s built wearing suits matching those known to be worn by Jennifer. The killer blow being some of Jennifer’s personal stuff and work files found in a security box at one of the banks in question. An anonymous whistle blower from within Microck MD have put the authorities onto the case which had led to the investigation.
As far as the prosecution were concerned this was a slam dunk case. At the arraignment bail was denied and Jennifer was placed on remand pending her trial. Jennifer stripped of her fine clothes and issued with prison fatigues and being shackled when moved to the visitor’s area or to see her lawyer
Jennifer denied all the charges of course, why wouldn’t she Jennifer had done nothing , but her Lawyer told her that, with the overwhelming evidence against her, if the case went wrong at trial, pleading not guilty, she could be facing fifteen to twenty five years prison when found guilty which she surely would be. Even Jennifer’s lawyer finding her denials hard to believe.
Jane of course visited her friend whilst on remand telling Jennifer how everyone’s jobs were at risk if the case became a show trial with the publicity it would bring. A visit from Microck MD’s Lawyers reinforcing this and in return for a gagging order, non-disclosure agreement, preventing Jennifer ever discussing what had occurred they would not press for recovery of the outstanding monies. When Troy visited, he also begged Jennifer not to contest the charges because of the damage the publicity would do to the company.
Jennifer had a dilemma did she try to save her own skin or think about the livelihoods of all the staff who worked for her? There was only one course of action sweet Jennifer could take.
A meeting with her Lawyer worked though her guilty plea but whilst the majority of the money had been traced and recovered there was an outstanding amount of some three million dollars. Jennifer could not account for these missing funds, how could she?
If all the monies had been recovered the sentence Jennifer received would probably have been much less, but the prosecution went against verbal agreements made during plea bargaining, the prosecutors and the Judge wanting to make an example of Jennifer, not wanting it to be seen that, perpetrators of such white collar crimes, could profit from their wicked actions.
With a guilty plea entered Jennifer’s Lawyer thought five to ten years with parole after two years but that is not how things worked out.
Pleading guilty Jennifer had no defence in court and, on her lawyer’s advice, did not seek any mitigation so as not to antagonise the jury or judge. Jennifer being a trusting soul went along with her lawyer’s suggestions much to her cost. Gasps were heard in the courtroom and Jennifer could not hide her tears, her legs wobbly, when she was sentenced. Branded a despicable cheat for stealing monies, mainly from pensioner’s accounts, Jennifer stood head lowered in the dock, the judge handing down a sentence of ten years with no parole until after five years, the maximum sentence. It was later revealed that the judge’s parents had been victims of Jennifer’s scam.
Jane sat at the back of the court, tightened her arm around Troy, and hid her satisfaction of knowing her lifelong rival would be out of the way for a long time. Pretending to be upset Jane was comforted by Troy who still could not believe such a sensitive and kind girl like Jennifer was could have done such things. But, over the months that followed, Jane managed to convince him otherwise making up convincing stories of Jennifer’s previous delinquency.
Jennifer found prison life difficult to adjust to and the few friends she had on the outside slowly deserted her. Why wouldn’t they the publicity surrounding her conviction painting Jennifer a manipulative witch, foregoing all her previous exemplary character.
During her first two years of incarceration Jennifer became more and more isolated and her only friends now being her fellow inmates. Jennifer pretty and gullible her kind nature was taken for weakness and soon found she was taken to be a virtual wife by one of the inmates named Julie. Doing whatever was demanded of a good wife in this saprophytic relationship Jennifer was at least safe with Julie. Tales of innocence, by almost all of the inmates, made Jennifer’s own pleas of non-complicity in the fraud, that placed her in Stag moor penitentiary futile. Julie’s attentions for her increasingly willing young prison bride were not constant and many nights Jennifer would stare up at the ceiling trying to unravel who actually perpetrated the fraud and why and how she had been so meticulously framed for the offence.
Work detail was mainly physical working in the laundry, kitchens and general cleaning. In these early years Jennifer, having been an academic was mocked for her lack of knowledge of these mundane tasks but was a quick learner and soon became practised in all things menial.
Chapter 2
Despite efforts to minimise the impact of the fraud Microck MD collapsed and the staff that Jennifer had sought to protect, by herself sacrifice, lost their positions. Jane of course was insulated from the impact of the collapse; she had considerable funds at her disposal, three million dollars of insulation.
When Jennifer met with the parole board the five years had taken their toll on the bright articulate sweet girl who had entered the correction system and she sat facing the five members of the board contrite and nervous.
Parole granted Jennifer was to be placed under license into the care of a halfway house to help her reintegrate into society. The irony being it would be the same halfway house she had funded with her inheritance all those years ago.
Arriving at the facility Jennifer laid the small case containing all her belongings at her feet, sighed and rang the bell.
A stern-faced woman opened the door and Jennifer entered to be guided to the office. Her documents processed Jennifer was shown to a small room. A bed, a closet, some drawers a table and chair and a cramped shower cubicle, Jennifer laid face down on the bed and sobbed remembering all the happy time she had with her parents in this very house, that was her home.
A job found for her at a local factory Jennifer worked on a packing line and the shifts passed slowly and mundanely. Each evening returning to her room complying with the conditions of her curfew. With all her assets having been seized following her conviction she had nothing apart from the minimum wage she received. Jennifer, as was her nature, resigned herself to her situation determined to make the best of what little she had.
A month had passed since her release and Jennifer was sat making the most of her day off stuffing envelopes for the outreach charity. There were many restrictions placed on Jennifer, conditions of her parole. No internet access, no travel outside the county, attendance at rehabilitation sessions three evenings a week and no contact with financial institutions. Jennifer often thinking she would be better back at Stag moor at least she would have Julie she was missing her terribly and wondered if she would ever see her again?
Three months became four then six and even Jennifer’s resilient spirt was beginning to wane, without a sponsor she could be stuck in the halfway house indefinitely. Who would possibly come forward to sponsor someone who had purportedly, indeed admitted too and been convicted of robbing pensioners of their life savings?
A wrap on the door of her room brought Jennifer back to the stark reality of her situation. The custodian of the home, Mrs Cuthbertson, leaned through the door.
“Someone to see you.”
Who else but Jane dressed to the nines and the scent of her expensive perfume billowed into the room?
“Oh, you poor thing. Look at you, your clothes, your hair so short. What have they done to you?”
Jennifer stared at her friend Jane. She looked perfect hair and makeup her clothes and noticed the glint of the diamond on her ring finger and a gold band adjacent to it.
Jane stood from the bed.
“Jane what are you doing here you are married I see you look fabulous you really do.”
Jane smiled, more of a smirk at her humbled friend and held out her hand to display her rings.
“Yes, three years now, Troy, you remember Troy?”
Jennifer remembered Troy of course she did they were so close before.
Jennifer had not lost her grace and her predicament was nothing to do with Jane was it?
“I am so pleased for you I really am but why are you here I haven’t seen you for well its years.”
Jane adjusting her skirt sat on the chair by the small table against the wall and Jennifer sat on the bed.
“Jennifer it has been difficult coming to visit you at that place, but I have always been thinking of you I really have and when I knew you had been released, well I had to see you. I spoke to the authorities and they told me you would be staying here; it must be awful for you this having been your family home. It took some time and a few hoops to jump through but how would you like to leave this place, come and stay with me and Troy?”
Jennifer looked at her friend, had she put forward to be her sponsor?
“What? Oh Jane, anything to be free from this place anything.”
Jane stood and smiled.
“Good I thought so, anything you say, well leave that with me and I will see what I can do.”
Jane and Troy had prospered since the demise of Microck MD their own investment company Longshore sureties was thriving. Their collective knowledge and expertise providing a solid foundation to the business they had built. Of course, the monies mysteriously bequeathed to the duplicitous Jane played no small part in the establishment of Longshore sureties.
Mrs Cuthbertson, the manager of the halfway house sat opposite Jennifer at her desk and offered a weak smile.
“You are very different to the majority of my clients Jennifer, very different. Going on for seven months now and not one issue or complaint have I had with you, not one. Mr Forbes at the factory as given glowing reports, never late and always conscientious in your work, he will be sorry to lose you.
You obey curfew your room is always kept spotless you are just the type of reforming felon the anonymous benefactor of this hostel had in mind when they established this facility.”
Jennifer offered a wry smile at the mention of the anonymous benefactor, little did Mrs Cuthbertson know, how could she that she was that benefactor.
Mrs Cuthbertson continued.
“You will be pleased to know that I have had no reservations in recommending you to the parole board to continue your rehabilitation under the custodianship of a sponsor. The terms of your license remain of course, and any breaches of these terms will result in you being returned to Stag moor penitentiary to finish your sentence. All the formalities with the sponsor have been completed and you are to be collected from here on Friday to begin your work at their residence, a change for you, from working on the packing line at Mr Forbes factory, being a house maid, but I am sure you will serve the sponsor well.”
Jennifer was aware that Jane was to be her sponsor to take her to her home but to be her house maid, perhaps she had to say something to the parole board, to obtain her release from the halfway house? Jennifer was so excited to be leaving the hostel she paid little mind to that comment, a house maid for her friend, as if she would make her do that!
Friday soon arrived and with forms signed Mrs Cuthbertson bid farewell to her departing parolee wishing her well. A chauffeur collected Jennifer from the hostel and sat in the rear of the limousine she watched the city streets replaced by the open countryside on the journey to Jane and Troy’s home the sponsors and custodians of her parole.
Jane and Troy’s house, more like a mansion, was a splendid large residence set in its own gated grounds some twenty miles from the city in the seclusion of the countryside. The gates opening on her arrival the car crunched its way up the long gravel driveway to the stone steps leading up to the double doored entrance. Stepping from the car Jennifer turned to admire the manicured gardens Jane and Troy had obviously done well for themselves and she was looking forward to finding out what had been happening whilst she had been away.
Turning back to face the steps Jennifer saw a large African lady stood with arms folded staring down at her by the open door.
“Jenny Robertson?”
Jennifer responded.
“Yes, Jennifer actually, Jennifer Robertson I am here to see Jane.”
The woman huffed.
“Mmm, indeed, come on in then, don't dawdle."
Jennifer strode up the steps and inside, the door closing behind her.
“Mrs Williams is away at present, but she informed me you would be coming follow me.”
Years ago, before her world collapsed, Jennifer would not have been intimidated by this woman’s gruff manner and demeaner but years of being institutionalised had left its mark and Jennifer meekly followed the large lady down the entrance hall and into a small office.
Offered a chair Jennifer sat and the Lady smirked.
“So, the Mistress has taken pity on you, has she? Well you will get no pity from me girl. I call things as they are. You are on parole for a crime you no doubt did not commit but I have no interest in that. So keep your tales of innocence to yourself not a fucking word of it understand girl?”
Jennifer, somewhat taken aback by the forthright abruptness of this domineering woman sheepishly nodded.
“Yes, yes I understand.”
My name is Martha Albright the housekeeper of the Williams, whilst you are here you will refer to me as Miss Albright and when Mr and Mrs Williams return, they are to be addressed Sir and Madame is that clear?
Jennifer was confused but complied.
“Yes, that’s clear Miss Albright.”
Martha placed two sets of forms in front of Jennifer and offered a pen.
“Sign these, one from the Parole board authorising your time here and the other from Mr and Mrs Williams, conditions of service demanded by the parole board.”
Jennifer quite rightly began to read the first of the documents only for Martha to slam her palm down on the desk.
“What the fuck are you doing I said sign them not read them now sign or I will have the chauffer take you back where you came from.”
Jennifer reluctantly signed the two documents, what choice did she have?
“Right girl on your feet and follow me I will show you your quarters.”
Jennifer was becoming increasingly apprehensive, not a room or suite in this luxurious household but quarters? it was becoming clear that Jennifer would not be staying with Jane and her husband as a guest, she really was going to be their maid?
The room that Jennifer was shown to was not much different to the one that had become her home at the halfway house.
Martha stood by the door whist Jennifer entered.
“Get changed, you will find everything you need in the closet and drawers. I will be back in thirty minutes to show you around the place and tell you your duties.”
Jennifer surveyed the contents of the closet and drawers and sighed before looking into the small bathroom then sat on the bed putting her head in her hands tears not far away. Her friend Jane had got her away from the hostel and the mundane job on the packing line at Forbes factory but to be her maid and working for this ghastly woman, Miss Albright? Surely Jane did not intend this surely not. Jane convinced herself that Jane probably had to go through a pretence for the parole board. Until Jane and Troy returned, she would have to comply what choice did she have?
The modest maid’s uniform, a short-sleeved calf length black dress with a white lace petal collar and matching lace trim to the sleeves was a surprisingly good fit and the shoes, like everything else was all brand new. Tying the short apron around her waist Jennifer stood looking into the mirror to pin the tiara lace cap in place. Perhaps the name Jenny embroidered on the breast of the dresses was a clue that this was not going to be a temporary appointment?
Through their school and college days Jane struggled to keep up with Jennifer, wanting to do something, anything to proof her worth. Unfortunately this rarely happened. Jennifer was blonde and pretty. She could eat anything she wanted and never gained a pound and excelled in all academic subjects and sports. Jane was dark haired and suffered through adolescence with acne: it was always Jennifer that the boys congregated around. As hard as she tried, she was always just one step behind her friend Jennifer both academically and in sports. Jennifer, with such a sweet and kindly nature, never gloated or belittled her friend. Quite the opposite, she always encouraged her friend Jane, making little of her own successes.
When graduation from college came, Jane,
who had excelled in two particular subjects, mathematics and economics,
received the year prize for her efforts little knowing that Jennifer had
forgone the accolade for her friend knowing how much it would mean to her.
Jennifer received other awards and was so pleased seeing her friend joining her
on the podium to receive her scroll.
With both young ladies beginning their
careers Jane never returned to her humble beginnings were as Jennifer could not
wait to return to her loving family. Like many friends after college, Jennifer and Jane kept in touch initially but within two years it was only birthdays when they communicated.
Jane used her mathematics and economics to good effect establishing a career in the finance sector, her aggressive nature seeing regular promotions. Jennifer could have chosen any career and succeeded but she worked initially in the charity sector. Raising millions for her charities Jennifer was then head hunted to lead a division of Microck MD one of the country’s leading capital investment houses.
Jane had worked hard to weasel her way up the greasy pole of corporate life and was pleased to have received her most recent promotion to section manager with 15 staff reporting to her. But one can only imagine the rage when it was announced that a new divisional director had been appointed and that divisional director was none other than Jennifer Robertson. Jennifer the girl in whose shadow she had spent the majority of her formative years. Jane had grafted to where she had got and now Jennifer had been parachuted in above her. Jane was seething.
At the formal introduction of the new divisional director Jane bit her tongue smiling and congratulated her friend but inside she was boiling with resentment.
Jennifer soon ingratiated herself to the staff at Microck MD, well liked and admired as the changes she made increased business and everyone’s bonuses, much to the annoyance of Jane whose anger simmered.
Twelve months and Jane remained a section manager, her only promotional opportunity was to become divisional director, a coveted position held by her childhood rival.
Jennifer treated all the staff at Microck MD well and went out of her way to ensure Jane was always first in line for any training and travel opportunities but that just annoyed Jane more. The last straw for Jane was when, Troy Lane, an up and coming executive, who happened to be the son of one of the vice presidents at the company, started to show interest in Jennifer.
Troy was hot and rich, and Jane had been on a few dates with him and saw him as her route to the top table at Microck MD. Now Miss Perfect was going to ruin that too?
Six months passed and there was talk of an engagement between Troy and Jennifer, but tragedy struck, and Jennifer returned home to see to the arrangements for the internment of her parents.
Whilst Jennifer was away following the tragic death of her mother and father, in a freak road accident, Jane did all she could to destabilise the relationship between Troy and her friend.
A month was not a long time for Jennifer to settle her parent’s estate and other outstanding issues but, with the help of legal advice, all was resolved. Jennifer placed the large property, which had been the family home, into trust to be used as a halfway house for reforming female inmates. Jennifer had a good salary and the monies and assets from her parent’s wills would be used to finance the facility. All done anonymously of course.
Returning to Microck MD, Jennifer’s managers and staff that worked for her were all sympathetic, Jane especially so. Six months after returning and things generally settling back into routine Jane convinced Jennifer that she should treat herself to something from her inheritance. Something she would not ordinarily purchase. Jennifer had never been into material possessions, but Jane had her on a mini spree. Spa treatments, short vacation breaks, a new very expensive car, furnishings for her apartment, a new wardrobe of designer clothes. All quite ostentatious for the reserved Jennifer that did not go unnoticed at Microck MD.
When asked what the change was in Miss Robertson, Jane would slyly just shrug her shoulders questioning how she could possibly afford everything she was buying.
When the city regulators, accompanied by the FBI, led a handcuffed Jennifer from her office eyebrows were raised the staff putting two and two together and making five fuelled by the duplicitous scheming Jane Shank.
The evidence against Jennifer was damming - multiple accounts were being fed from client’s funds siphoned from Microck MD accounts. Transactions all emanating from Jennifer’s computer terminal from files protected by Jennifer’s own secret passwords. Grainy CCTV footage of a women matching Jennifer’s description unearthed showing the accounts being opened, a blonde woman of Jennifer’s built wearing suits matching those known to be worn by Jennifer. The killer blow being some of Jennifer’s personal stuff and work files found in a security box at one of the banks in question. An anonymous whistle blower from within Microck MD have put the authorities onto the case which had led to the investigation.
As far as the prosecution were concerned this was a slam dunk case. At the arraignment bail was denied and Jennifer was placed on remand pending her trial. Jennifer stripped of her fine clothes and issued with prison fatigues and being shackled when moved to the visitor’s area or to see her lawyer
Jennifer denied all the charges of course, why wouldn’t she Jennifer had done nothing , but her Lawyer told her that, with the overwhelming evidence against her, if the case went wrong at trial, pleading not guilty, she could be facing fifteen to twenty five years prison when found guilty which she surely would be. Even Jennifer’s lawyer finding her denials hard to believe.
Jane of course visited her friend whilst on remand telling Jennifer how everyone’s jobs were at risk if the case became a show trial with the publicity it would bring. A visit from Microck MD’s Lawyers reinforcing this and in return for a gagging order, non-disclosure agreement, preventing Jennifer ever discussing what had occurred they would not press for recovery of the outstanding monies. When Troy visited, he also begged Jennifer not to contest the charges because of the damage the publicity would do to the company.
Jennifer had a dilemma did she try to save her own skin or think about the livelihoods of all the staff who worked for her? There was only one course of action sweet Jennifer could take.
A meeting with her Lawyer worked though her guilty plea but whilst the majority of the money had been traced and recovered there was an outstanding amount of some three million dollars. Jennifer could not account for these missing funds, how could she?
If all the monies had been recovered the sentence Jennifer received would probably have been much less, but the prosecution went against verbal agreements made during plea bargaining, the prosecutors and the Judge wanting to make an example of Jennifer, not wanting it to be seen that, perpetrators of such white collar crimes, could profit from their wicked actions.
With a guilty plea entered Jennifer’s Lawyer thought five to ten years with parole after two years but that is not how things worked out.
Pleading guilty Jennifer had no defence in court and, on her lawyer’s advice, did not seek any mitigation so as not to antagonise the jury or judge. Jennifer being a trusting soul went along with her lawyer’s suggestions much to her cost. Gasps were heard in the courtroom and Jennifer could not hide her tears, her legs wobbly, when she was sentenced. Branded a despicable cheat for stealing monies, mainly from pensioner’s accounts, Jennifer stood head lowered in the dock, the judge handing down a sentence of ten years with no parole until after five years, the maximum sentence. It was later revealed that the judge’s parents had been victims of Jennifer’s scam.
Jane sat at the back of the court, tightened her arm around Troy, and hid her satisfaction of knowing her lifelong rival would be out of the way for a long time. Pretending to be upset Jane was comforted by Troy who still could not believe such a sensitive and kind girl like Jennifer was could have done such things. But, over the months that followed, Jane managed to convince him otherwise making up convincing stories of Jennifer’s previous delinquency.
Jennifer found prison life difficult to adjust to and the few friends she had on the outside slowly deserted her. Why wouldn’t they the publicity surrounding her conviction painting Jennifer a manipulative witch, foregoing all her previous exemplary character.
During her first two years of incarceration Jennifer became more and more isolated and her only friends now being her fellow inmates. Jennifer pretty and gullible her kind nature was taken for weakness and soon found she was taken to be a virtual wife by one of the inmates named Julie. Doing whatever was demanded of a good wife in this saprophytic relationship Jennifer was at least safe with Julie. Tales of innocence, by almost all of the inmates, made Jennifer’s own pleas of non-complicity in the fraud, that placed her in Stag moor penitentiary futile. Julie’s attentions for her increasingly willing young prison bride were not constant and many nights Jennifer would stare up at the ceiling trying to unravel who actually perpetrated the fraud and why and how she had been so meticulously framed for the offence.
Work detail was mainly physical working in the laundry, kitchens and general cleaning. In these early years Jennifer, having been an academic was mocked for her lack of knowledge of these mundane tasks but was a quick learner and soon became practised in all things menial.
Chapter 2
Despite efforts to minimise the impact of the fraud Microck MD collapsed and the staff that Jennifer had sought to protect, by herself sacrifice, lost their positions. Jane of course was insulated from the impact of the collapse; she had considerable funds at her disposal, three million dollars of insulation.
When Jennifer met with the parole board the five years had taken their toll on the bright articulate sweet girl who had entered the correction system and she sat facing the five members of the board contrite and nervous.
Parole granted Jennifer was to be placed under license into the care of a halfway house to help her reintegrate into society. The irony being it would be the same halfway house she had funded with her inheritance all those years ago.
Arriving at the facility Jennifer laid the small case containing all her belongings at her feet, sighed and rang the bell.
A stern-faced woman opened the door and Jennifer entered to be guided to the office. Her documents processed Jennifer was shown to a small room. A bed, a closet, some drawers a table and chair and a cramped shower cubicle, Jennifer laid face down on the bed and sobbed remembering all the happy time she had with her parents in this very house, that was her home.
A job found for her at a local factory Jennifer worked on a packing line and the shifts passed slowly and mundanely. Each evening returning to her room complying with the conditions of her curfew. With all her assets having been seized following her conviction she had nothing apart from the minimum wage she received. Jennifer, as was her nature, resigned herself to her situation determined to make the best of what little she had.
A month had passed since her release and Jennifer was sat making the most of her day off stuffing envelopes for the outreach charity. There were many restrictions placed on Jennifer, conditions of her parole. No internet access, no travel outside the county, attendance at rehabilitation sessions three evenings a week and no contact with financial institutions. Jennifer often thinking she would be better back at Stag moor at least she would have Julie she was missing her terribly and wondered if she would ever see her again?
Three months became four then six and even Jennifer’s resilient spirt was beginning to wane, without a sponsor she could be stuck in the halfway house indefinitely. Who would possibly come forward to sponsor someone who had purportedly, indeed admitted too and been convicted of robbing pensioners of their life savings?
A wrap on the door of her room brought Jennifer back to the stark reality of her situation. The custodian of the home, Mrs Cuthbertson, leaned through the door.
“Someone to see you.”
Who else but Jane dressed to the nines and the scent of her expensive perfume billowed into the room?
“Oh, you poor thing. Look at you, your clothes, your hair so short. What have they done to you?”
Jennifer stared at her friend Jane. She looked perfect hair and makeup her clothes and noticed the glint of the diamond on her ring finger and a gold band adjacent to it.
Jane stood from the bed.
“Jane what are you doing here you are married I see you look fabulous you really do.”
Jane smiled, more of a smirk at her humbled friend and held out her hand to display her rings.
“Yes, three years now, Troy, you remember Troy?”
Jennifer remembered Troy of course she did they were so close before.
Jennifer had not lost her grace and her predicament was nothing to do with Jane was it?
“I am so pleased for you I really am but why are you here I haven’t seen you for well its years.”
Jane adjusting her skirt sat on the chair by the small table against the wall and Jennifer sat on the bed.
“Jennifer it has been difficult coming to visit you at that place, but I have always been thinking of you I really have and when I knew you had been released, well I had to see you. I spoke to the authorities and they told me you would be staying here; it must be awful for you this having been your family home. It took some time and a few hoops to jump through but how would you like to leave this place, come and stay with me and Troy?”
Jennifer looked at her friend, had she put forward to be her sponsor?
“What? Oh Jane, anything to be free from this place anything.”
Jane stood and smiled.
“Good I thought so, anything you say, well leave that with me and I will see what I can do.”
Jane and Troy had prospered since the demise of Microck MD their own investment company Longshore sureties was thriving. Their collective knowledge and expertise providing a solid foundation to the business they had built. Of course, the monies mysteriously bequeathed to the duplicitous Jane played no small part in the establishment of Longshore sureties.
Mrs Cuthbertson, the manager of the halfway house sat opposite Jennifer at her desk and offered a weak smile.
“You are very different to the majority of my clients Jennifer, very different. Going on for seven months now and not one issue or complaint have I had with you, not one. Mr Forbes at the factory as given glowing reports, never late and always conscientious in your work, he will be sorry to lose you.
You obey curfew your room is always kept spotless you are just the type of reforming felon the anonymous benefactor of this hostel had in mind when they established this facility.”
Jennifer offered a wry smile at the mention of the anonymous benefactor, little did Mrs Cuthbertson know, how could she that she was that benefactor.
Mrs Cuthbertson continued.
“You will be pleased to know that I have had no reservations in recommending you to the parole board to continue your rehabilitation under the custodianship of a sponsor. The terms of your license remain of course, and any breaches of these terms will result in you being returned to Stag moor penitentiary to finish your sentence. All the formalities with the sponsor have been completed and you are to be collected from here on Friday to begin your work at their residence, a change for you, from working on the packing line at Mr Forbes factory, being a house maid, but I am sure you will serve the sponsor well.”
Jennifer was aware that Jane was to be her sponsor to take her to her home but to be her house maid, perhaps she had to say something to the parole board, to obtain her release from the halfway house? Jennifer was so excited to be leaving the hostel she paid little mind to that comment, a house maid for her friend, as if she would make her do that!
Friday soon arrived and with forms signed Mrs Cuthbertson bid farewell to her departing parolee wishing her well. A chauffeur collected Jennifer from the hostel and sat in the rear of the limousine she watched the city streets replaced by the open countryside on the journey to Jane and Troy’s home the sponsors and custodians of her parole.
Jane and Troy’s house, more like a mansion, was a splendid large residence set in its own gated grounds some twenty miles from the city in the seclusion of the countryside. The gates opening on her arrival the car crunched its way up the long gravel driveway to the stone steps leading up to the double doored entrance. Stepping from the car Jennifer turned to admire the manicured gardens Jane and Troy had obviously done well for themselves and she was looking forward to finding out what had been happening whilst she had been away.
Turning back to face the steps Jennifer saw a large African lady stood with arms folded staring down at her by the open door.
“Jenny Robertson?”
Jennifer responded.
“Yes, Jennifer actually, Jennifer Robertson I am here to see Jane.”
The woman huffed.
“Mmm, indeed, come on in then, don't dawdle."
Jennifer strode up the steps and inside, the door closing behind her.
“Mrs Williams is away at present, but she informed me you would be coming follow me.”
Years ago, before her world collapsed, Jennifer would not have been intimidated by this woman’s gruff manner and demeaner but years of being institutionalised had left its mark and Jennifer meekly followed the large lady down the entrance hall and into a small office.
Offered a chair Jennifer sat and the Lady smirked.
“So, the Mistress has taken pity on you, has she? Well you will get no pity from me girl. I call things as they are. You are on parole for a crime you no doubt did not commit but I have no interest in that. So keep your tales of innocence to yourself not a fucking word of it understand girl?”
Jennifer, somewhat taken aback by the forthright abruptness of this domineering woman sheepishly nodded.
“Yes, yes I understand.”
My name is Martha Albright the housekeeper of the Williams, whilst you are here you will refer to me as Miss Albright and when Mr and Mrs Williams return, they are to be addressed Sir and Madame is that clear?
Jennifer was confused but complied.
“Yes, that’s clear Miss Albright.”
Martha placed two sets of forms in front of Jennifer and offered a pen.
“Sign these, one from the Parole board authorising your time here and the other from Mr and Mrs Williams, conditions of service demanded by the parole board.”
Jennifer quite rightly began to read the first of the documents only for Martha to slam her palm down on the desk.
“What the fuck are you doing I said sign them not read them now sign or I will have the chauffer take you back where you came from.”
Jennifer reluctantly signed the two documents, what choice did she have?
“Right girl on your feet and follow me I will show you your quarters.”
Jennifer was becoming increasingly apprehensive, not a room or suite in this luxurious household but quarters? it was becoming clear that Jennifer would not be staying with Jane and her husband as a guest, she really was going to be their maid?
The room that Jennifer was shown to was not much different to the one that had become her home at the halfway house.
Martha stood by the door whist Jennifer entered.
“Get changed, you will find everything you need in the closet and drawers. I will be back in thirty minutes to show you around the place and tell you your duties.”
Jennifer surveyed the contents of the closet and drawers and sighed before looking into the small bathroom then sat on the bed putting her head in her hands tears not far away. Her friend Jane had got her away from the hostel and the mundane job on the packing line at Forbes factory but to be her maid and working for this ghastly woman, Miss Albright? Surely Jane did not intend this surely not. Jane convinced herself that Jane probably had to go through a pretence for the parole board. Until Jane and Troy returned, she would have to comply what choice did she have?
The modest maid’s uniform, a short-sleeved calf length black dress with a white lace petal collar and matching lace trim to the sleeves was a surprisingly good fit and the shoes, like everything else was all brand new. Tying the short apron around her waist Jennifer stood looking into the mirror to pin the tiara lace cap in place. Perhaps the name Jenny embroidered on the breast of the dresses was a clue that this was not going to be a temporary appointment?
What a great beginning! Maybe Jennifer is shown off to friends and former peers on a party? Can we hope for some footmassages to be given? Again thank you for the story so far!! Peter
ReplyDeleteWonderful start!
ReplyDeleteI hope that Jenny, for her work, will also be given a plain and practical long apron. She doesn't have to soil her new and elegant maid's uniform......
Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI would like to see Jenny (very soon) scrubbing floors, laundry and washing dishes.
Maria
nice one! jackie.j what an interesting story I will continue to read till next chapter comes.
ReplyDeleteVery Good beginning, cant' wait for a continuation :-)
ReplyDeleteOff to a great start! One thing though, is that "saprophytic" does not refer to a lesbian relationship. It means "living on dead organic matter", as some fungi and bacteria do.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see that maid Jenny being punished by her friend Jane with more corporal punishment..
ReplyDeleteGood opening, Jackie
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the rest of it
I noted that the prior comments all centered on the continued torment of Jennifer for a crime she did not commit. I would find it far more rewarding if Jane gets her just deserts in the end and she is called upon to pay for her sins. That wold taste so much better.
ReplyDeleteThis development that you want is right, credible but also terribly banal.
DeleteI prefer the imagination of our author and a more "bubbly" plot development though not fair.
Jenny will probably get used to her new life and find it pleasant to devote herself to her work and obey her superiors.....in my opinion, of course.
Brilliant...look forward to public humiliation of Jenny. Thanks, Jackie
ReplyDeleteDan
London
when the next update take place?
ReplyDeleteWhen next update, chapters 3, 4 .......?
ReplyDeleteIt's coming up, please be patient.
DeleteOk, thanks Camille!
DeleteA excellent twist on the common theme of descent of the social ladder.
ReplyDeleteThe Hobsons choice for Jennifer of accepting Janes 'benevolent' offer to be her sponsor, or stay at the halfway house, and continuing to work in the factory set the scene for the future brilliantly.