The Biter Bit

By David L Atkinson

Patrick A Steele, accountant turned vengeful Robin Hood, is off on his crusades once again. He has given himself a role that sees him trying to right the wrongs and inadequacies of the legal system in the UK. His experiences as a child and through higher education have equipped Patrick with abilities that realistically only has value in the field of rough justice.

Steele has developed a working relationship with the Gurentai, a more benevolent sub-group of the Japanese Yakuza and, as a result of a number of successful associations, have furnished him with a Swiss bank account and a very healthy retainer. As a result Patrick is building his own little empire.

Everything seems fine in his life until he is drawn into trying to solve the problem of lawless youths that are targeting tourists in the City of York. He enlists the help of his two colleagues from Japan, Takuo Sumisu and Naomi Kobayashi, and with one of his own staff they head off to identify and eradicate the source of the problem. All is proceeding as planned until there is a knifing and one of the team is shot!
The action then migrates across France and eventually to Le Marche in eastern Italy where it seems to have been brought to a conclusion until the team return home!

• Language: English
• Publisher: David L Atkinson
• Release date: Feb 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9781465753564

David L Atkinson

Born in Sunderland in 1950, retired after 34 years teaching and then a further 6 years working in a bank.I began writing in 2009 and have published 10 Patrick A Steele stories, a dystopian novel and 2 collections of original poetry.

Book preview

The Biter Bit

By

David L Atkinson

The Biter Bit

by

David L Atkinson

Copyright David L Atkinson2011

Published by Smashwords

Other Steele Novels by the author are :-

‘I Have To Get It Right’

Published August 2011

‘The 51st State’

Published November 2011

http://david-latkinson.blogspot.com

Acknowledgements

Kodomo ga san nin imasu

Ross, Nicholas & Charlotte

I must also thank friends and family for their undying forbearance and support.

Chapter 1

I gazed across the pillow at the girl sharing my bed - Detective Inspector Kathryn Best. I had to stop myself from looking round for Sergeant Gerald Maltby who always seemed to be at her side! She is tall, about 5 feet 10 inches, slim and has the most striking grey eyes that match her jet black hair perfectly. She couldn’t be described as voluptuous rather willowy and extremely supple, we had fun in bed!

Not unlike Naomi Kobayashi whom I haven’t had any contact with for almost three months. I thought we were quite close! In some ways we were but it was just sex as it is with Kathryn. It couldn’t be anything else because the bottom line is that she would like to arrest me! Yes I believe she thinks I have had something to do with various illegal activities that on occasions have resulted in the deaths of some rather unsavoury characters.

My name is Patrick A Steele and I am an independent agent in the fight against unfairness. Sounds grand but I suppose the nearest I can explain it is that I am a 21st Century Robin Hood acting both independently and occasionally with the Gurentai. They are a sub group of the Japanese Yakuza, a mafia style organisation that spent centuries making money from the proceeds of crime. The Gurentai were Robin’s merry men of centuries ago who used the proceeds purloined by the Yakuza to help the needy in society. They are still in existence as are the Yakuza, although the relationship is not at all close, and I had been recruited by one of their number one, Takuo Sumisu. I did a job on the Italian Mafia a few months ago and have hit various targets since, saving ordinary people from extortion and other crimes.

Where have I got the courage to take action? I was 16 when my Uncle was killed. I had been a regular visitor, spending holidays. He was an interesting man and I enjoyed his company. But one afternoon someone walked into his house and robbed him of his wallet and frightened him so much he had a stroke. He fell against an armchair, which was then pushed against the gas fire and it started to smoulder. My uncle died of smoke inhalation. To cut a long story short I found out who the culprit was and went after him with my Dad’s golf club – the driver! I was young and got away with a non-custodial sentence, but the dye was cast. Since then I have developed a number of skills both legitimate and not so! Some from a very interesting three weeks learning to be a Bodyguard at Officer Training School while at university. Also during my time at university in the gun, sailing and climbing clubs. How I got a 2:1 in Maths I don’t know.

So my day job is working with figures, amounts, balances and transfers. A situation where I don’t have to relate to people! However, I moonlight doing something completely different but needing every bit as much care if for no other reason than my own personal safety! I have been paid handsomely into an anonymous Swiss bank account with a company called Micheloud & Cie. Micheloud & Cie offers quality services to wealthy people who would like to relocate either physically or financially to Switzerland and other selected jurisdictions. Wealthy people! My dad would turn in his grave if he had one to turn in – he was cremated! But they have made me very wealthy in that I am receiving around £40 000.00 each month with expenses. I am struggling to get used to the amounts!

Make no mistake I have killed a number of people but no one who has an innocent family. No one who hasn’t caused harm to others that the authorities haven’t been able to deal with effectively. I have also operated in a number of countries around the world from Japan to the USA. In fact I was responsible for the most part in the strained relationships that currently exist between the US and the UK. It was while involved in this final project that Kathryn turned up with Sergeant Maltby. I had some dealings with the British National Party that ended up with one of their people dying as a result of his failure to work within the parameters that I had set for him. He was a violent thug and had tried on a couple of occasions to have me beaten up so in my mind he got what he deserved. She had obviously made some kind of connection between me and him. As a bonus I had gotten to sleep with her! That didn’t make the situation any the less dangerous for me it was just another adrenalin rush!

My activities had given me the wherewithal to make myself very comfortable. I had kept on my apartment but when the adjacent one had become empty I was able to buy it so that I own the whole of the top floor of my block. I also had purchased a warehouse unit and converted it into a garage, a dojo for the practice of Aikido, a gym, and an office with living quarters. In it I had three vehicles, a Jaguar, a Mercedes and a Renault. My own sensei, Vince Thompson, comes to the complex every morning to help me with the Japanese art of self-defence that also includes a degree of mind training and meditation. I have three very important people that help me to run the complex, Bill and Stacey Fordyce, a semi-retired couple who care for my domestic needs and that of the vehicles, and their nephew Ethan Small, who had no specific role but was proving to be very useful. He’d helped Uncle Bill with the vehicles, used my practice facilities and helped to re-organize the two apartments for me. He had been brought to me with a reputation of causing trouble but with a bit of T and C he had responded well and was now looking to take accountancy examinations. He was also very fit as he used my gym frequently which was a perk of his employment.

I had bought a property in La Forge northern France, a mini chateau close to Le Mans that, as yet, I had done very little with. That was my next project and I am hoping to involve my three people. Although I employ them and have taken pains to ensure that they have all the correct paperwork I still consider them friends rather than employees. Ethan is growing into that roll!

What to do with Kathryn? I feel guilty because of Naomi who I feel close to, much more so than just for sex. It was not clear to me how she felt as she always avoids the subject. She is also a tall, willowy, and dark haired girl of Japanese extraction. Basically, Kathryn was just a good fuck and if I am not very careful I am going to get my fingers burnt. She will have to go! There can be too much of this ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer’. I prefer ‘discretion being the better part of valour’.

I went for a run and a workout in my own private facility. I also meet Vince Thompson, my sensei, every morning for an Aikido session. By the time I got back to the flat Stacey was preparing my breakfast and Kathryn had gone! I sat down and contemplated the near future. I still did the occasional task for the Gurentai via Takuo Sumisu who had become a significant source of support and advice to me. I had the odd client of my own that I looked after accounts for, mostly rich private clients rather than businesses and corporations. These days I only take such clients on personal recommendation as I have no need for the cash with the funds I have from the Gurentai and time is tight, but I do have to maintain my ‘cover’. It allows me to pursue my hobby!

I always read the newspapers when at home because they are a useful source of information when it comes to identifying my next illicit job. Just like this morning there are a number of reported muggings of tourists in the City of York. There have been some arrests and releases on bail but still tourists are being targeted. I had spotted this last week and was becoming suspicious that there was more planning behind the attacks than just random violence. For one thing their hauls were high value and they also seem to have a protecting group as well as the kids who do the stealing. There had been violence to people trying to help stop the thefts as they were happening. Also for a few random thefts the solicitors employed to get them off were high value. Decision made! I needed to look harder into this situation.

Stacey! I yelled.

She came into the kitchen with the coffee pot in her hand and a scowl on her face. She is a feisty lady and I bet she gives Bill some stick!

Yes Mr Steele! she glowered.

I am sorry Stacey I didn’t intend to be rude I was going to ask you if Ethan is about. I cajoled.

He is in the Annexe Patrick. Has he done something wrong? she asked rather defensively.

No not at all, I replied. I have a job for him that he can do down there! Thanks!

I set off down to the Annexe. I had in my mind to putting him to some research for me. I was curious about the attacks on tourists and I wanted to examine the cases that had occurred and see if there was a connection. Ethan needed to have plenty variety in his work so this would be useful for both of us. The one thing I cannot do is to tell him why I needed the information.

I found him cleaning out the inside of the Jaguar when I arrived. Bill had him working hard.

Hi you two, I yelled as I walked in the door.

They responded appropriately and in a friendly tone. I went across to Ethan and asked him to stop what he was doing and come into the office I have down there. When we got inside his body language said that he thought he was in trouble, which was hardly surprising remembering his past and I had to smile.

Don’t look so worried Ethan! I have a slightly different job for you for the rest of the day. I would like you to look up on the news web sites for muggings and attacks on tourists in York. I want you to see if you can find a common theme apart from the obvious. I finished with a smile which I thought was reassuring!

Ok Mr Steele, he replied, if you’re sure?

Look Ethan, you are part of the team. I don’t expect you to stick to one thing all the time that would be boring for you. Besides the cars can be cleaned later! I want to see what you’re good at!

Thanks Mr Steele, he said with a slight smile.

I returned to the apartment and had a look at the conversion that was going on. The apartment that I’d bought on the same landing was similar to mine but for the fact it had two small bedrooms rather than the double room that mine possesses. One of those I intended to keep as a bedroom and access was being put through to the bathroom to make it en suite. The other bedroom was becoming an office. The lounge was staying as such and the kitchen being converted into a dining room. I had an idea that the roof space may make a good game facility but as I don’t have that much free time it may have to wait until after I have retired! Bill and Ethan were overseeing the work with the odd input from Stacey. I’m sure she has the final say but overall things seemed to be progressing well.

What do I do next? Well it was too late to head across to York today but I will go tomorrow and I think by train. My reasons for that were that it is more anonymous and I could also pass for a tourist. I had no specific area to target as yet, which may be determined by whatever Ethan comes up with, but areas round York Minster, The Shambles and the museums would be primary targets if someone had organised hits against the tourists. So that was what I would do, even if Ethan found nothing specific I am going to York tomorrow.

It was late afternoon when Ethan came back to me with what he had so far. It seemed that there had been around fifteen to twenty five attacks in the last six weeks or so centred on three of the cities tourist areas. He couldn’t be more specific on the numbers because of partial complaints where the victims were leaving the area or country imminently and the police were unable to complete their investigations. What he had found was that there were usually three attackers that were obvious and possibly two or three others in the background for protection. The information on this peripheral group was somewhat sketchy and came solely from eyewitness accounts that were found in the local press. The main areas where the events had taken place were near the Minster and The Shambles, The Railway Museum, the nearby station; and Clifford’s Tower and the nearby shopping precinct where the Jorvik Centre is situated.

There also seemed to be a pattern in the way they operated. They had no compunction about the size of the group they targeted seemingly delighting in the chaos they created in stealing from a large group which enhanced their opportunity to escape. With couples their actions were more noticeable and they had to get away quickly and it was with these events that their backup had appeared more frequently. It would seem that three made the approach initially, two approaching from the front and the third in behind. They were very quick, taking bags, wallets or purses and any wrapped packages that were then shared out and the perpetrators went separate ways discouraging a chase. When one was chased there seemed to be another that caused a distraction or blocked the pursuit. Any have-a-go hero seemed to fall before they could even begin their pursuit!

Analysing the overall situation, Ethan and I decided that there must be around ten or a dozen young people, male and female, involved. I also felt that someone was probably controlling them and fencing the stolen goods. A little of a Fagin figure I felt!

That’s great work Ethan, thanks for that. If you wouldn’t mind doing a bit more digging I will pass on what you find to Inspector Best, I told him.

Is that your new girlfriend Mr Steele? he countered with a smirk.

Ethan is a gangly youth of around 17 years sporting ginger hair, (natural), and freckles with an attitude as spiky as his current hair style. His Mum, Stacey’s sister was struggling with him and Stacey and Bill thought a bit of work might help him and so his mother agreed. He’d been absolutely perfect for the six months he had been with us and he was growing, and had the free run of the gym equipment. The lad had done some decorating and odd jobs for me as well. The situation gave him space, activity and stretched him physically, the research I had asked him to do was intended to stretch him mentally in some small degree.

Mind your own business, I laughed, I am just being public spirited. Right Ethan I am off to Thirsk to see a client tomorrow so I probably won’t see you and I am also going by train so the cars will all be here for you to go back to your cleaning! I concluded with, and thanks again!

The following day I walked down to the local railway station and caught the train into Leeds and then took a connection to York which was my real destination. I had no intention of looking for anyone in particular rather taking in the atmosphere of the place and, even though I had been many times before in my life, getting a feel of the areas where these attacks had taken place.

The day was rather grey and damp. The sort of day in February that can be described as having ‘no weather’! Grey skies, poor visibility, cold, not a breath of wind and not really the sort of day for wandering about seeing the sights. Still it had to be done for my peace of mind because it is the way that I work! From the station I strolled on to the Railway Museum which had always been one of my favourite spots although today I had no intention of spending the whole afternoon there. There were a number of spots where someone could be targeted for theft but I didn’t feel the museum itself would fit the bill. It would be too easy for our gangs to get trapped inside. That translated across to the other museums and any indoor facility. Already I was getting some idea of the areas I needed to focus on. Also, if I am thinking that way, then whoever was organising the thievery would be operating on a similar strategy. I still felt that there was an organiser behind the incidents.

I walked on towards the Yorkshire Museum and the surrounding park. The latter is popular for picnicking tourists and even school parties to enjoy their lunch. Again there are lots of areas where strolling couples and groups could be assaulted and relieved of their belongings. Similarly, the streets leading to the Minster and then off to the Shambles were all likely spots for trouble. Circling back round towards Clifford’s Tower there were small precincts, like the one outside the Jorvik Centre, that were constantly teeming with humanity and provided targeted and multi-faceted escape opportunities. I headed back to the station and home.

Chapter 2

The following morning, after Aikido with Vince Thompson, I found Ethan and asked him to research the exact sites of where the attacks had taken place and to draw them on a map. I told him that I wanted him to see if there was a pattern. I suggested he went out and bought a street map of York and some map pins and have everything ready for this afternoon. I am putting him under pressure I know but I believe he can cope.

I went back to the apartment and checked out my emails and spent the time contacting clients and updating accounts. I had to maintain my everyday cover after all! I also did some research of my own, into the York situation. I looked into the timings as well as the place of the muggings. I wondered if Ethan could be as thorough. In the matter of Ethan I will have to make a decision quite soon. It had been relatively simple to keep Bill and Stacey in the dark as they have their specific duties and areas of work, but Ethan is young and sharp and will eventually question why an accountant has all this training equipment and weaponry. At that point he will have to be brought into my confidence completely or he will have to leave. I am not used to working with