Read Jodi Ann Page 10

CHAPTER EIGHT

  Jodi launched headway into investigation of the Reichmann family, links became apparent amid the horse racing industry in Australia, dirty work it would appear. Pressure applied followed by legal action if persons did not comply. Jodi assessed the horse racing industry in Australia to be an intimidating entity controlled by a few people in direct power, she made a note in her diary; ‘they appear to operate with the integrity and approach of a car salesman.’ Disinterested in such things she pushed on, a horse purchased for her by her father called Mickey bolted and threw her after only a few rides as a young teen. Jodi learnt fast and a passion suddenly became a pastime to be treated with due respect. A new car, a birthday present when old enough to drive soon became the centre of attention, this had a clutch and brake and appeared to be a calculated risk. She still visited her ageing horse running wild in the Essex countryside; they are on first name terms and walk together often Jodi telling Mickey the woes of her life. She suddenly thought and whispered to herself. ‘Oh my god, Mickey, how will he and I cope with this.’

  She contemplated other personal and family implications of living on the opposite side of the planet and the chosen option to relocate seemed grim. She split the white board in her office in two and listed the advantages on the left and the disadvantages on the right. Suddenly nothing made any sense at all. She sat down studying and running through the different scenarios each disadvantage come advantage displayed before her eyes always came back to safety of her siblings, something she never expected lifted it’s head, the safety of her husband.

  She drew a big breath and clasped her hands together with her elbows on the desk. She lent her chin on her fingers, she sat in silent contemplation and had to admit that separation in the eyes of all would give her and her husband lavish stealth even MI would be oblivious to. Could she successfully convince her husband she was leaving on the basis of inconceivable differences in opinion within their marriage and his infidelity with the vixen Bella Elizabeth, could this work.

  In twenty years with sons so powerful in the realms of law and firmly in control of Australian media could this be the vision she would follow. John had taught her a lot, things were seldom as they seem. How solid would her resolve hold during such testing times, she made a vow to herself.

  She muttered it softly to see if she rejected the theory. ‘My husband and I will become so powerful; we alone will control the separation of powers.’

  She smiled, she felt secure in the statement, and she heard her husband echo in her mind. ‘Evil will reign when good people do nothing.’ She clasped her hands in prayer and closed her eyes. ‘God help us.’

  She rose to her feet, walked to the white board and wiped it clean. She attended a board meeting called for attendance by all department heads no apologies and delegated responsibility, her father looked on with interest, he stopped nothing his only sibling put in place, he wondered but knew his daughter well.

  Elderslie Jodi’s stately chauffeur was found sound employment with merchant bankers Hornswaddle and Fothrington, the powerful pair located in the fair city of Bristol sitting between the counties of Somerset and Gloucester was prime real estate. The Ivory tower of Hornswaddle and Fothrington was nestled in the city centre suburb of Broadmead. Their merchant banking empire had been built over several generations and the only real concern in life for the trust less pair was falling from the top of their wallets and being fatally wounded. Wilson Hornswaddle and Bartholomew Fothrington started work for their fathers direct from university and now controlled the empire as middle aged businessmen, when close friends William Bradley Simpson offered his daughter's faithful chauffeur Elderslie knowing their fathers faithful servant had just passed the pair seized opportunity, William had no suggestion he had been led by his cunning daughter. Elderslie was given the task of caring for Mickey her horse; he placed the steed in a nearby town called Flax Burton with new young horse whisperer Roger Palmer to see out his days in country splendour. The princely payment made to Palmer for the task saved his dreams, a meagre investment that would produce a black mountain only one little girl could climb.

  In the town of Scone, New South Wales, Australia, Glen Cumberland married his childhood sweetheart Susan. They would bear two children, one would be crushed by his passion, the other, a girl, would rise to win the greatest race in the land aboard such a steed none could challenge. The thunder of a black horse would unite all whom he touched and strike fear into the evil and misguided. Although Jodi prepared for these visions, she had no idea why but questioned nothing of her instinct.

  Cynthia Lowestoft, friends with Jodi since primary school moved to the Hunter Valley in New South Wales Australia this very day, her husband had just completed his bachelor of arts in winemaking. Jodi made time to catch up with her for a short goodbye at Heathrow airport; little did Cynthia or anyone else know that was not the only reason Jodi and her children graced the airport. Not long after the tearful goodbye Jodi and her siblings boarded a private yacht, it silently left for its destination, St Jean De Luz in the South of France.

  John Stanton received a call from close friend Bruce Hurst MI6 cohort, he informed Stanton of this wife's departure. Stanton became thwart with anger and worry, for the first time he questioned and stood against the autocracy he had been moulded within, he yelled at the top of his voice, "In the name of the Mother". His family suddenly took precedence over all else, he made directly for Westminster. Jodi had succeeded in gaining control.