Nine Points of the Law(2013)
by
Jillian Brookes-Ward

Proposed cover

Nathaniel and Megan Mackie have barely settled into their new life of wedded bliss together when a blue envelope drops into their mailbox.

The catastrophic news it contains threatens to tear their newfound happiness apart and will change lives forever.

Follow on from Saving Nathaniel

 
The words drew the breath from his body and made his legs buckle. He staggered to the chair and almost fell into it.  He read on.

What to do, we need to discuss, so it would be good if you can phone me on the number given under and we can arrange to meet.
Best wishes.
Irana Petrova.

He stared fixedly at the note, two words blazing from the page as if illuminated from within - your son. His breathing became laboured and ragged...your son...and his heart pounded in his ears. He tried to swallow, managing only a dry click in a throat as rough as sandpaper, and when he called for his wife, it came out as nothing more than a hushed whisper. He tried again, directing all his strength into one desperate word. 'MEG!'

She came strolling in from the kitchen, still drying a dinner plate with a tea towel. 'There's no need to yell, I'm just...'

One look at his eyes, huge and moist in his sweaty, ashen face, made her heart skip in its beat and she was by his side in two strides. 'Darling what's wrong? Are you sick? Do you need a doctor? What's the matter?'

'No. Not sick,' he breathed, and looked down to the creased and crumpled sheet of blue paper, clutched in his trembling hand.

'Is it the letter,' she asked. 'What is it...let me see?'

So tight was his hold on the paper, she had to prise his fingers from it before she could read it for herself.

'Oh my blessed God,' she gasped, as she joined him in his deep state of shock.

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