CHAPTER TWELVE

Laura walked into her apartment feeling numb. She had lost her son, her baby to that…man. She would only get to see him once every month!

" I'm extremely sorry." Morag said.

" It's okay, it's not your fault. We both know it's been fixed."

" How can the Mayor get away with it? He may be the Mayor of this town but it doesn't give him the right to stick his nose in other people's business."

" If I know our esteemed Mayor, he wouldn't have done it unless there was something in it for him." Morag told her, " and I'll find out what he has to do with Peter Westerman. He's as crooked as Judge Gilroy."

" Would you mind if we cancelled drinks tonight? I'll need some time for my son."

" Of course. You'll be all right while I go out for awhile?"

" Yes…you don't need to look after me Morag." Laura smiled at her and wished Morag would stay for a while. They said goodbye and Laura waited for her son to come home.

" Hey, where's the fire?" Tim demanded as he ran to catch up to Jacob.

" I have to get home." Jacob replied impatiently.

" I thought we made plans."

" they have to wait. I need to talk to mum about something."

" About what?"

" It's none of your business." Jacob said sharply, " I'll see you tomorrow at school." Then he ran off and Tim glared after him. What was his problem?

Jacob threw open the door to the apartment and found his mother vacuuming.

" Mum!" he shouted over the noise, " How did it go?"

Laura switched it off, " Not good. Sit down Jacob." She sat down on the couch and patted the empty space next to her.

" We lsot didn't we?" Jacob said worriedly, " I can tell we lost."

" I'm sorry." Laura said, " we lost. Somehow your dad's lawyer thought I was an unfit mother."

Jacob's shoulders sagged, " When do I go?"

" At the end of the week. We have to get you ready for him."

" You mean I have to move again?" Jacob demanded.

" I'm afraid so." Laura knew her son was trying to be strong, for her sake. But she could see he was scared.

" Mum, I don't want to go." He burst out, " I just made some new friends at school. Now I have to move and start all over again! It isn't fair."

" Jacob unless you agree to testify against him there's nothing we can do."

" Are you saying this is my fault?" Jacob frowned.

" Of course not! Look, I'll ask my solicitor if there's any chance of an appeal but I don't like our chances. Your father has a very powerful lawyer."

" Morag Bellingham is a crap lawyer." He decided.

" Jacob!" Laura exclaimed, " That's not a nice thing to say. Ms. Bellingham did all she could. She's very sorry about what's happened."

Jacob rolled his eyes, " Whatever. It's her fault my life is ruined." He jumped to his feet, " If I ever see her again I'll tell her that." He ran to his room and slammed the door.

An hour later, Jacob emerged and told his mother he was going out. She didn't stop him but reminded him they still needed to talk. Jacob left then and met Tim at the beach.

" Whatever you have planned for Morag, I'm in." he told Tim determinedly.

" What made you change your mind?" Tim asked, his eyes bright.

" She's ruined my life. I hate that bitch." Jacob replied coldly.

Morag walked into the council chambers and bypassed the secretary. The secretary protested but she ignored her and burst into the Mayor's Office.

" Ms. Bellingham, what the hell are you doing here?" Josh demanded, standing up quickly.

" I need to have a word with you." Morag narrowed her eyes, " You're blackmailing Judge Gilroy aren't you? You blackmailed her so that Sam Tate can have his way. Do you realize what you have done?"

" Yes and I don't really care Ms. Bellingham. Now if you've finished with your little temper tantrum, I'm going to ask you to leave before I call security."

" What's in it for you?" Morag demanded, ignoring his advice.

" Excuse me?"

" You obviously know Mr. Westerman. You wouldn't have fixed the hearing if there wasn't something in for you. What was it-money?"

" You have no proof that I have anything to do with Peter winning the case." Joshua West sneered, " I think you're being a very bad loser Morag."

" Why were you at the hearing?"

" To support my friend Peter. There's no crime against that." Josh said, " Now I'll warn you again, get out."

" I'll find out what you're up to Mr. West. You mark my words."

" You should accept that you aren't as a good a laser as you think you are Morag." Josh said, taking another jibe at her.

" It's Ms. Bellingham to you." Morag countered coldly.

" And you better watch your back from now on Ms. Bellingham." Josh West returned as she turned on her heel and stalked out of the office. Josh sank back down and sighed. When will she ever give up?