THE HEARTBREAK COMMISSION - Part 3

CHAPTER 5: BETRAYEL

Lucy sent me the details that evening, I decided to read them in the morning while waiting the mysterious lady to come. I had planned on getting out again in the morning but that would have to wait. “Incoming message, no vid.” ZAKs voice rang out. “Accept.” The screen was blank again, some people put a picture up they don't want to Vid message or didn't have the technology, it always bugged me when they didn't. “Hello, John Envers Detective Services, how may I help you?” hell why do I sometimes add the “how may I help you” on, I sound like a secretary. “Hello its Kate Newton, I called earlier and sorry I couldn't get back to you when you replied.” she sounded all squeaky but sweet. “That's OK Mrs Newton, what can I be doing for you?” I asked. “You can call me Kate, anyway....I think my husband is cheating on me.” “Why do you think that Mrs.... Kate?” “He's never hardly with me, always at work and if I ring his work up they always tell me that he left ages ago.” she said sounding quite upset. “Would you like me to look into it for you?” I asked softly as to try and calm her down a little. “If you could, I'll pay you if you want but I haven't many credits to pay you with.” she said but still sounded upset. “Tell you what Kate, I'll look into what your husband is doing and I will compile a report for you and if you are happy with my findings you can pay in instalments, I will only charge you a hundred and fifty credits and I will spend one week, but any more time after on the case then you will have to pay my normal fees of fifty credits a day.” “That sounds fine Mr Envers and quite reasonable, I'll send you the details through shortly.” “Thanks Kate and any time you want to talk I'll be here and if I am not you can leave ZAK a message and I'll get back to you.” “Thank you so much Mr Envers.” “That's OK Kate and if you want you can pick up the report from my office in a weeks time.” “Thanks again and yes I will, Goodbye Mr Envers.” She cut the line and I was pleased, her squeaky voice cut through me like a knife. The documents came through my mailbox system after about ten minutes and I put them to one side until the morning.

I was in a happy mood, I had two jobs which would ease my financial headache a little and I thought a little celebration was in store. I went to the drinks cabinet controls and pressed the brandy neat button then asked ZAK to play me the song “Lets Get This Party Rockin.” By a band called Pink Elephants Of The New Order. The night wore on and I went to bed, I decided not to use the SEU, the sleep enhancement unit as sometimes I woke with a headache and a runny nose with it.

I had a good sleep and had a relaxing hot bath, I used the Magic Bath system which just ran the water, added the soap, oils and bubbles, then kept it warm and then cleaned itself after I was done. I got my finery on, a dark blue suit, a dark purple shirt and dark red tie. I didn't know why I was making the effort for a complete stranger when she may not even turn up, whoever she was. I made a cappuccino and went to my office and got ZAK to bring out the job files on screen. I had the pick-up and delivery job my sister had found me which I titled simply P&D and the Kate Newton job which I titled Betrayal for obvious reasons. I opened the P&D files first. I had to meet a lady who calls herself simply Ruby at Scunthorpe and take the package from her and deliver it to a man who calls himself Mr Hardy who lives in the Sunnyside apartments off eastbridge, not too far from me. The journey would take about half an hour to Scunthorpe that was all and Mr Hardy was only about ten minutes in car away from where I lived in Evervale. The job sounded easy. I then looked at the Betrayal job. Kate was married to a Jake Newton and they didn't have any children yet. Kate was forty seven and Jake was twenty five, they had been married for ten years, that means Jake had only been fifteen when they married. Kate had found him on the list that many parents put their children on to marry them off. There was a gap of twenty two years between them so it wouldn't surprise me if Jake would have liked to be with a younger women. The law stated that if a married couple divorced then they would have to be single for a year before they could see anyone else. Adultery was forbidden and huge punishments were given out in court. Friendships were aloud between single and married people but any sexual relationships must only happen when you are married, and by sexual relationships they meant kissing and cuddling as well as the obvious. Hugging was permitted between friends and holding hands. So, for Jake to have a relationship with a younger women he would have to divorce Kate, be single for a year while he got to know her as a friend and then marry her. Jake would be in big trouble if he was seeing another women. Of course there could easily be a logical explanation or Kate could just be feeling lonely when her husband was at work. I liked cases like this they got me thinking. I was deep in thought when ZAK reported. “lady at the door, Mrs Louise Pernetti, security scan passed and identity true.” “Show on screen.” ZAK put her on screen, she had a grey hooded leather jacket on and I couldn't see her face, she was slim and shapely wearing black leggings. “Accept.” ZAK let her in, I greeted her at the door.

CHAPTER 6: HEARTBREAK

“Hello I am Mrs Pernetti and I have an urgent job for you Mr Envers.” she sounded like a strong lady and a very direct lady. “Pleased to meet you Mrs Pernetti, shall we go to my office.” I said as I led her that way. “Take a seat Mrs Pernetti, would you like a coffee?” I didn't think she would want one I got the impression she wanted out of here as soon as possible. “Yes please Mr Envers.” she replied simple. “Cappuccino be OK?” “That would be fine.” I went and made the drinks, there was something just not right about her and she still had not removed her hood, with the light in the office I glimpsed dark hair and blue eyes but that were all. She had a lovely figure I would give her that. I brought the drinks in and as I was ZAK sent a quick message to my implant. “Mrs Pernetti is checking for bugs and other devices.” It seemed odd that she was unless she was insecure or had a big secret that she didn't want anyone but me knowing. I sat down and placed her drink on my desk. “Thank you.” she said as she drew her hood back. She had a sharp look to her face, pointed nose and small ears with tiny rings in them of red and gold. She looked pretty enough. “No problem.” I said as I smiled. “Now what is this urgent job you want me to do?” I asked. She breathed in then asked. “Can I trust you Mr Envers with anything?” Oh I didn't like the sound of this but in my line of work I had to keep customer confidentiality. “Of course you can.” “Good then I will begin with my explanation.” she said, her voice very strong and with such a clarity, it was clear she was not to be messed with. “Go ahead Mrs Pernetti.” “I have left my husband Luke Pernetti and have been having an illegal affair with another man, a single man and I running away with him.” she paused, I nodded for her to continue. “I cannot tell my husband for fear of what he might do, it will break his heart. I want you to tell him that I have left him and convince him to divorce me, and deal with the paperwork.” she stopped then, there was a slight pause while I thought. “Mrs Pernetti what you are doing is illegal and I am not a divorce specialist.” I said but I didn't want to be turning down work. “I know you are not Mr Envers but I have heard of your reputation in dangerous matters and I think this job is perfect for you.” she said with confidence and sipped her cappuccino. “Your husband is dangerous?” I didn't like this even more. “He can be and I don't know how he will react.” she said. “You do know that if you get caught with this other man you will be in so much trouble don't you, even if I get the divorce for you?” “Yes I do, but like I said I am running away, will you take the job Mr Envers or shall I look elsewhere?” she was very direct with a steely look in her eyes and I couldn't turn down work. “I'll take the job Mrs Pernetti.” I hoped I wasn't going to regret this. “Thank you Mr Envers, I will pay you 2000 credits in a short while and another three upon completion of the divorce.” I was shocked, that was far too much for a job like this, I supposed she was buying my silence at the same time. “That is very generous Mrs Pernetti.” “If you inform the police Mr Envers.....I will kill you.” she said cold and hard and I new she meant it. I nodded agreement. “I will be in touch but not in person from time to time, that will be the only contact we have.” she said then took one last sip of her drink and stood up. “I thank you Mr Envers.” she smiled, a small one at that and walked away to the exit. I followed and let her out.”Goodbye Mrs Pernetti.” I said as she stepped out and walked to her car.

I went back to my office and sat down and breathed a sigh of relief. One thing was sure I had gained some work and the Mrs Pernetti job would soon clear my debts and no doubt my sister would be asking how I had done it. So I had three jobs, I knew I would be busy this week. I went to make another drink and then ZAK informed me that The Mrs Pernetti documents had been delivered to my system and that 2000 credits had been debited to my account. I asked ZAK to pay the Royal Garden Park bills including the fine for taking them snaps and the GPSL so I new my power wouldn't be getting cut off. No doubt the rest left over would be used to balance my account and pay the other debts Off, which my sister would take care of.

I Opened the Documents for the Pernetti contract, I decided to name this one The Heartbreak Commission.

Mrs Pernetti was thirty six years old and had been a fashion model until recently and Mr Pernetti was forty two years old and worked in banking but had several convictions for assault. They had no children and owned a huge house in the Dragon part of the central city, five levels up. How was I meant to do this, I mean Mrs Pernetti wanted a divorce but wouldn't be around any more and yes it would hurt Mr Pernetti to know that his wife had left him but surely any normal man would just accept it and move on, the quicker a persons divorce was done the faster they could move on and re marry if they desired to. I would then have to acquire all the divorce documents and process them and finalize all the details. Mrs Pernetti had put down in the documents she had gave me what she wanted out of the divorce. She was happy to let Mr Pernetti keep the house, his pension and other small business interests they both had in return for a lump sum cash payment amounting to fifty percent of the total value, but was willing to be go down to thirty percent. She wanted me to get a good deal for her but also to not worry too much as the divorce was the main goal. It sounded simple enough in theory but things were never simple.

CHAPTER 7: TRAM

I had another cappuccino while I got ZAK to get the details on screen of Jake Newton's work place. I found out he worked at a food manufacturing facility in the lower parts of the city called NiceFoods incorporated which made a some of the pre packed meals that were in some of the lower market cafe's and supermarkets. His job title was simply “process technician” which was often used for a general labourer job. I had decided to check the place out and see if I could find any signs of Jake. I left my apartment and headed to the AirTram entrance which was only about a ten minute walk from me. I still had my suit on and looked smart for a change. There were many couples rushing here and there and again my loneliness settled in, I found myself thinking of the lady I had seen in the mirror at the Royal Garden Park, just wanting to find her once more and not let her go this time. With my wondering thoughts I accidentally bumped into one of these couples. “look where ye ar going ye smart arsed posh git” shouted a fat bold man in a rough common voice, straight at my face. His belly was quite clearly a beer belly and I was surprised he could move at all. “You too baldy.” I snapped back. “Come on Steve leave the man alone.” whined his wife as she grabbed his arm and tried to pull him away from me. She was huge and rounded but had a sweet small face. He was inches away from me I just felt, like, well sick. He gave me a thunderous look then turned and went with his wife. “Steve you should leave people alone and look where you are going!” rapped his wife.

I entered the tram system entrance. The trams were in a dark indoor building with many tunnels taking trams to and from the higher levels to the lower levels of the city. I looked up at the electronic boards on display with the information on, I could have easily used my implant but it gave me too many headache's to use. I found the tram number I needed, it was number 901 and was due to leave in five. I looked at the signs and found that the platform area for the tram I wanted was right at the end of the platform, I was pretty sure I would miss this one and would have to wait for the next one. The tram was going to the lower city so it was of no surprise it would be a poor and irregular service. In Evermoor there was a rich versus poor problem and it wasn't getting any better.

I thought about running down the platform to try and catch the tram but it was fairly busy so I decided against the idea. I watched the trams going past the platform, some were really modernized and had some beautiful colours painted on them while others were just plain white and looked like they could do with a wash. As I walked someone caught my eye in the distance. She had shiny, long blonde hair and a really nice figure, her blue eyes was piercing. She wore a beautiful flowery dress and wore black high heel shoes. She was looking straight at me. My memories went back to the lady in the mirror. It was her I was sure of it. I looked again and ran. I kept losing her as other people went back and forth. I heard another Tram come past, I took a quick glance and noted it was the 901, the one I wanted. I couldn't see the lady but I ran still, I banged into the arm of a smartly dressed gentlemen and shouted an apology as I went past, he gave me a frown. The tram had stopped, I ran still and there she was getting on the tram, the slight wind blowing her hair into gorgeous waves, I noticed her smooth long legs and the last I saw of her was her high heel black shoes disappearing onto the tram.

I had missed the tram and lost the lady. As I had reached the tram, the doors had closed and it had sped away, my heart had been beating so fast and I had felt weak at the knees, I had stared after the tram in disappointment. I decided to sit down on one of the benches near the platform. Was this love I was feeling even though I had not spoke to her? Would I ever see her again? Was she married? I had no way of knowing. I could have used my implant to find more out about her but with amount of people on the platform it would have been difficult. Was this just lust? Desire? I tried to work things out in my head as I waited for the next tram, but with no success.