Get Behind Me, Shadow -An Artist's Story

Get Behind Me, Shadow

By Joy Bassetti Kruger

Get Behind Me, Shadow

By Joy Bassetti Kruger

Copyright © 2014 by Joy Bassetti Kruger.

Edited by Ackru

Smashwords Edition

Cover downloaded from Google -with thanks

Dedication:

Get Behind Me, Shadow is dedicated to my husband Alan and my cat Rosie, both of whom waited patiently in the shadows for their dinner and other meals, while I finished writing –Get Behind Me, Shadow. So many thanks to both of you for giving me the time.

Get Behind Me, Shadow

By Joy Bassetti Kruger

CHAPTER ONE

Simon woke up hearing a loud knocking sound. He’d been dozing on and off and half-awake for ages already, but the sound still startled him. Then after a moment when he’d got his bearings, he realized there was someone waiting outside his bedroom door, so he called out Yes, who is it and what do you want?

It’s Webster, sir. I have a note from your father, he said softly.

Oh, just shove it under the door, please Webster. I’ll read it later, he said as he rolled over and pulled up the duvet.

No, sir, I can’t do that. Your father said I must make sure you read the note right away, Webster said as he cautiously opened the door and then shuffled over towards Simon and handed him the note.

Groaning loudly, Simon read the note. It was brief and to the point and all it stated was that he must be down at the breakfast table by nine, as his father needed to discuss something important with him.

Okay Webster, tell him I’m on my way down, Simon said as he glanced at his watch, threw off the duvet and made for the bathroom

He was uncertain what to make of the note, for although he frequently ate breakfast with his father, he’d not previously been asked to join him at a particular time. The tone of the note also concerned him. He’d recently had words with his father, who was angry that he’d not pitched up for the golf lessons he’d arranged for him through his club. Simon though the incident had blown over and that his explanation had satisfied his father, but now he began to have a few doubts. -I thought he understood that I had no aptitude for the stupid game and that chasing a little white ball around was not my idea of having fun, he thought crossly.

Eventually making his way downstairs, he noticed that his father was already sitting at the breakfast table. He stood in the doorway and watched him for a while before he walked out onto the patio and noisily pulled out a chair and sat down.

His father did not respond and neither of the men said a single word or even greeted each other. This was not unusual though, as his father was not a morning person, but this morning, the vibes between them seemed more intense than usual.

Simon noticed that the table had been set for six people and that the ornate silver cutlery, which was usually reserved for special occasions had been used. Also, a number of small silver dishes filled with marmalade, preserves and piles of butter balls were arranged on a bed of chipped ice. While two baskets lined with white linen table napkins, filled with at least a dozen croissants each, had been placed on a small heating plate to keep them warm. While at the very centre of the table and standing on a gleaming silver tray, there were a number of highly polished glasses, a large jug of freshly squeezed orange juice and a bucket of champagne on ice.

The setting looked festive. So this made Simon wonder if the breakfast was a celebration of some kind, but then after noting his father’s strange mood and remembering the tone of the note, he somehow doubted this.

He noticed too that the servants, who usually wore plain white cotton uniforms, were wearing their maroon coloured sashes and matching fez type hats today. -I guess this means that the meeting is important. But then again it’s probably just dad’s lawyers again, which makes me wonder why they’re meeting here on a Thursday, when they’ve already had their usual Monday morning meeting, he mused.

Meanwhile, he could hear the cook clattering around in the kitchen as he hovered over a meal he’d already prepared for six people, four of whom were at least ten minutes late. –Gosh, I bet dad wouldn’t dare remark on their lateness, yet he always picks on me for being late, he thought with a sigh of indignation as he inspected his fingernails.

Then after looking at his watch for the umpteenth time, Simon began to feel slightly anxious. His father seemed tense, as his knuckles gleamed white where he held on tightly to his newspaper. So sensing that this meant something important was about to go down, he made up his mind that he’d rather not be there when it happened.

He tried to get his father’s attention by fiddling with things on the table. But when this failed, he quickly slid his chair backwards and said, Dad, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll rather have breakfast at the mall this morning.

Without looking up from his newspaper, Joe motioned with his hand for him to sit down again and also said, Sit down Simon. I need you to be here for a meeting with Harry and the other guys.

Simon grimaced and at this point, he began to worry that the meeting might be about something he’d done, or failed to do. Especially since his father had formally requested his presence at the breakfast table.

As he sat impatiently staring into space now, he wondered how long the meeting would go on for and why this particular meeting seemed to concern his father so much. Thinking back, he decided that he hadn’t been in any kind of trouble of late. Then again, things he’d done in the past, had often come back to bite him when he least expected it.

He watched his father carefully for a few moments, but as he was busy scanning through the latest share prices, he knew better than to try and question him about what was going on.

What worried Simon was that his presence at these morning meetings was not often requested, even though he frequently joined his father and his four lawyers at their regular breakfast meetings.

Thankfully, moments later, the sound of loud voices coming towards them announced the arrival of the lawyers, who walked out onto the patio and sat down at their usual places around the table.

Joe looked up and nodded a greeting in their direction and the servants handed each of the men a cup of coffee. Then as the men were obviously in a cheerful mood, a number of greetings rang out and even Joe became caught up in their banter.

This meant that the earlier atmosphere of tension was temporally suspended. But even so, Simon still sensed that a thick vapour cloud was lurking around above their heads and threatening to spoil the lovely bright morning.

A moment later, a small silver bell was rung, which was cook’s way of telling them that breakfast was about to be served. The men all began to talk excitedly amongst themselves and smile in anticipation as they waited to be served one of cook’s beautifully prepared meals.

Moments later, the servants ceremoniously walked out of the kitchen in single file, each carrying a domed silver serving platter high above their heads. They placed a dome on the table in front of each of the men and then stood to one side, where they paused briefly before simultaneously lifting the domes from the platters. There was a slight pause all around the table as the men eyed the food and caught the pleasant aromas from the rising steam. Then a sigh of appreciation escaped from the men’s lips and the servants all grinned as they watched them tuck into their eggs Benedict, slices of crispy grilled bacon, chips and fried tomatoes.

As the same procedure was followed at each and every breakfast the lawyers ate with them, Simon wondered what the servants thought about these proceedings. He also hoped that they ate a similar breakfast later in the morning, but he somehow doubted this.

The last man to settle down was Harry, who first got up and walked over to shake hands with Joseph. Morning Joe, he said, before bending in closer and whispering, Joe, everything you need from Simon will be set in motion this morning. So don’t worry about anything that the four of us says or does from now onwards.

Joe smiled as he looked up at him and then replied, That’s good news, Harry. Thank you. I hope it all works out as planned.

Winking at the others and giving a thumbs-up gesture as he walked behind Simon’s chair, Harry quickly ruffled Simon’s hair and said, And how are you doing today, my boy?

Simon, who often felt a little irritated by the patronizing way his father’s lawyers treated him, muttered something under his breath but said nothing.

After they’d eaten, the men all sat and chatted amicably over their second cups of coffee. They discussed what was going on in the news, asked about the latest cricket score and mentioned how disappointing it was that South Africa had lost the first innings. They also discussed the weather, which seemed to be holding for now after a couple of miserable rainy days.

Then moments later, especially since everything around the table had appeared to be so normal and relaxed up until now, Simon was momentarily stunned by the bombshell that Harry, the leader of his father’s legal pack, suddenly casually dropped into his lap. So feeling flushed and even a little afraid of what was going on, Simon quickly pushed his chair back. Then he got up from the table and walked towards the edge of the patio, where he kicked agitatedly at the low wall with the toe of his shoe and said, You want me to what, Harry? Surely you can’t be serious about wanting me to testify in court and say things that will keep my father from being sent to prison.

Smiling now, Harry said, I think you heard me correctly the first time, Simon. I don’t want you to testify, I want you to lie under oath. There is a huge difference, my boy. So let’s begin by discussing what our strategy in your father’s court case is going to be and also what part we want you to play in it.

No, I don’t think I want to hear anything further, Harry. I can’t just stand up in court and tell the judge that my dad was with me, especially since you obviously already know he’s been involved in some sort of criminal activity. Anyway, my dad and I haven’t socialized in ages and people probably know this, so it wouldn’t be right for me to try and fool them. Simon said as he backed away from Harry.

Feeling alarmed by his son’s reluctance to help him out, Joe, who’d always thought of himself as being a lucky guy, that could get away with almost anything he tried, began to have his first doubts. Also, the very thought that Simon was unwilling to assist the lawyers in keeping him out of jail scared him. So after a moment’s reflection on how they were now going to handle the situation, he allowed his shoulders to slump and he looked down dejectedly at his feet.

Taking note of Joe’s defensive body language, Harry hastily said, You obviously don’t understand the seriousness of these allegations against your father, Simon. Your dad needs a reliable alibi, someone that can testify as to his whereabouts on four separate occasions in the past. You should also realize that if you don’t step up and do this for him, your dad could go to prison for a very long time. The family’s dirty laundry and darkest secrets would then be exposed and blown wide open. So you stand to lose everything. This means that your home, your car and your lifestyle, would soon disappear and I’m sure that you don’t want that to happen, Simon.

No, of course not, Harry. But would it really come to that? I mean you guys are supposed to be smart, so I’m sure you can come up with another plan to help him out, Simon said.

Believe me, it would all be exposed pretty quickly Simon, and an astute judge would quickly see through any contrived circumstantial evidence. But don’t allow these matters to concern you. The boys and I have already come up with a plan that will work, but only if you cooperate with us to the letter, Harry told him.

Harry then went on to explain, how in their devious minds they’d already fabricated a feasible story, which would prove that Simon and his father had been together at these times. He also emphasized that they expected Simon to rehearse this mock-up of theirs over and over again, until they were sure he was word perfect and could lie blatantly under oath without flinching. Then pausing for a moment, Harry asked, So have I made myself clear now, Simon? Or do you still have a couple of questions?

I’ve got a whole lot of questions Harry, but I still don’t think I’m up to lying under oath. Can’t you find somebody else to lie in court? I’m confident you know a lot of guys who’d do it for a good fee, Simon said.

No Simon, on this occasion it’s up to you to help your dad out, Harry said. Then he handed him a script to read from, that was typed out in the form of a play, with Simon and his father’s four lawyers, each playing a different character.

Frowning now, Simon asked, What on earth is this for, Harry?

It’s a script of what we’ll each be saying in court. It’s also something we need to begin rehearsing right away, if we ever want to get it right and prove your father’s innocence, Harry said firmly.

But he’s not innocent, Harry. You said so yourself. Sorry, but I don’t think I want to act in this play of yours, Simon said sulkily.

Noting Simon’s reluctance and trying his best to win him over, Harry walked over towards him and in a friendly gesture he slapped him on the back. Then he said, Come on Simon, surely you can do this for your dad.

Feeling pressured, Simon surreptitiously glanced at the group of lawyers that were now standing around him. Then he lowered his gaze and after pursing his lips, he said calmly, No you’re wrong Harry, I’m not up to lying under oath.

Not even for your dear old dad? Harry queried.

That’s right Harry, not even for my dear old dad, Simon replied.

Not even as a thank you to him for that swanky new red Porsche he’s recently bought for you? Harry asked.

Picking up now on how Simon had just winced and looked down, his father said encouragingly, Harry’s right Simon, as my son you need to do this for me. And anyway, what’s so bad about lying under oath? Surely you realize that people do it all the time, Simon.

Facing up to his father, which was unusual, Simon said, Maybe people do lie under oath, but that still doesn’t make it right, dad.

His father threw up his hands in a helpless gesture and after glaring at Simon; he turned to face his lawyers and muttered, You guys had better deal with this problem. Okay?

In response, Harry rolled his eyes and shrugged. Then under his breath he muttered, I know, I know. This tactic is obviously getting us nowhere.

Harry sat down and poured himself another cup of coffee and the others soon joined him. Then he sat for a few moments with his chin resting on one of his fists, before he confidently leaned over towards Len and whispered something to him.

Len frowned and then whispered back, What do you mean, Harry?

Continuing to whisper, Harry said, I think I’ve got the answer to this little problem and I’m confident this strategy will work on Simon. But between us, we first need to come up with a proper plan. So please call the guys together for a quick meeting, Len.

Len nodded and said, Okay Harry, I’ll do it right away. Standing up, he beckoned to the others with a thumb gesture over his left shoulder, indicating that he wanted them to follow him into the snooker room next door.

Simon realized something was going on behind his back, but he pretended not to notice and to show he didn’t care, he picked up a magazine from the coffee table and casually paged through it. He also made a call from his cell phone and sent off a couple of messages.

Then he tried to listen to what the lawyers and his father were discussing, but he could only catch the odd word here and there, so what they were saying made no sense.

When he heard their voices suddenly becoming louder again, he realized their meeting had broken up and that they were about to come back out onto the patio. So looking up expectantly at his father, who led the way, he said, So what’s up dad?

Realizing that Simon was waiting for an answer, his father said, It’s nothing that you need to be concerned about, Simon. We just needed to clarify certain legal matters.

Coming out of the room and regrouping, the lawyers now decided to try a different approach, by tackling Simon’s conscience on another level. A level which Harry had noted seemed to have an effect on him.

Taking turns, they now reminded Simon of how much his