Twenty One

Untitled Part 8

                                                                                     Chapter Eight

                                                                                     In For A Penny

Frustrated by the events in London Rachel threw herself into her studies, less and less frequently visiting her Mother in Devon as she knew Steven would be there and memories of her Father could lead to conflict. A conflict of which her Mother and Sister were completely oblivious. On the bright side Katherine Riesen was in good health and a regular phone call and not to frequent visits to Bristol, kept the family harmony. Catherine had married and was pregnant with her first child. She kept in regular contact from her home in Cambridge, where her husband was a junior Doctor at Cambridge General.

After qualifying in journalism from Bristol, Rachel landed a place with a prestigious magazine with offices in London where she was involved in Political Propaganda between the two countries. One evening on a brief visit to Paris her eyes were drawn to a handsome sophisticated looking man across a crowded restaurant. The eye contact was mutual and as one thing leads to another they were married nine months later. His name was Jean Paul an Architect for the French Government, mainly concerned with the restoration and upkeep of historical buildings. Rachel in turn secured a transfer to the Paris office where for once in as many years in her life she felt a freedom from the inner knowledge she had stored away. But all was about to change.

One morning after Jean Paul had left for work there was a knock on her apartment door. On opening it Rachel was confronted by two smartly dressed  young men looking for all intent and purpose like Hoover or Double Glazing salesmen. 

"Good morning Miss Riesen" said the one to Rachel's left, "my apologies for the intrusion"

Not having been known by her maiden name for some time Rachel hesitated. "Yes I am" she answered, "what can I do for you?

"Do you mind if we come in? asked the one on the right, as they stepped towards the door.

Rachel instinctively stepped back, "Who are you? she asked sounding agitated.

"We are from the J.W.C." answered the one on the right, "now can we come in?

Rachel held the door closed, all kinds of memories were racing through her mind. her late Father, Murder, Police cover ups. "Come in quickly" she said, waving them through, "go into the lounge"

The young men in front of her were no more than mid-twenties with English accents, brief cases and good manners. "What can I do for you? asked Rachel.

"Can we sit, we have come a long way" was the answer.

"Of course" said Rachel, "excuse my manners.

"We have come as previously mentioned from the J.W.C." said the one who first spoke, "an organisation we know you are aware of. We have a proposition for you if I could have a few minutes to explain?

"Carry on" said Rachel, now sitting down.

"The J.W.C. have moved on Miss Riesen since your first involvement through your investigations, and your late Father. The organisation has been taken over by a younger more moderate group, who although they still believe in the end product they would like the perpetrator to have more of a say in his or hers destiny, do you understand?

"I think I follow you" answered Rachel.

"Well" said the young man, "we would like to set up contact with the said perpetrators at the earlier age of 18 and advise them of the consequences regarding their inheritance, this would give them 3 years of consideration before the release of the funds at aged 21."