Flight into Death

By Alida van den Bos

Flight into Death is a crime thriller about Nina, a children’s author who escapes a violent marriage to the vile, philandering drug dealer Roberto after he kills her family in a plane crash.

She relocates and buys a house at the Central Coast area to what she hopes is going to be a safe place. She finds love in Matthew, but also finds evil forces at work. Paul, the plumber who wanted to buy the house before Nina beat him to it, believes there is a hidden treasure in the house and tries to scare her into abandoning the property by leaving decaying animals at the foot of the stairs and a threatening note. Lucas, the schizophrenic child next door who killed a cat by strangulation, sees a devil in the house and puts dead rats in front of Nina’s bedroom to protect her. Tormented by the voices in his head, he contemplates killing his sister and committing suicide so he can fly away to heaven.

After the unhappy marriage to Roberto, it takes Nina time to trust Matthew, and at one point suspects him of being the one trying to get her out of the house. Matthew enlists Ryan the detective to investigate the insidious goings-on and is himself drawn into the dangerous situation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ReadOnTime BV
• Release date: Sep 2, 2012
• ISBN: 9781742840123

Alida van den Bos

Born in the Netherlands, Alida lives on the Central Coast, near Newcastle, Australia. Her love of writing has been a lifelong pursuit leading her to become a novelist ten years ago. Alida emigrated to Australia in 1959 with her husband and two children where adventure beckoned and the family tried opal digging in Coober Pedy and Lightning Ridge. A move to midwestern New South Wales town of Orange where her third child was born and with her husband started a horse stud, aptly named Running Hoofs, leading to success in local and metropolitan racecourses.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Fleeing from her violent ex-husband, Nina Edberg, an attractive young woman, found herself looking at a property in the Tuggerah Lakes area on the New South Wales Central Coast where she used to enjoy her holidays when she saw a For Sale sign on a house she liked. Pushing the advertised number into her mobile phone, she asked if there was any chance she could arrange for an inspection, explaining she was parked in front of the house and would love to have a look. A voice assured her someone with a key would arrive soon to show her around.

While waiting she walked around the house which seemed to be empty, and as she looked over an easy-care garden, a man approached her, asking, Are you the lady interested in this house? I’m Anthony Stuart from Stuart Realty.

Yes, I’d like to have a look, she responded while shaking his extended hand. I’m Nina Edberg and I’m pleased to meet you.

The pleasure is all mine, he answered, smiling. He was a gentleman in his early fifties, tall and lean with his hair greying at the temples and a friendly likeable face.

I must warn you, he advised Nina with a surprisingly strong voice, this house is very run-down, but with a lot of work and some imagination it could be made into quite an attractive property. Producing a key he opened the front door.

When Nina entered the foyer, she noticed the arches down the hall, the ornate high ceilings, and the lounge with the bay window in front overlooking the lake.

Anthony sensed she was interested. You like it, don’t you?

Does it show?

Your body language gives you away, he said as he admired the view from the bay window with her. Do you want to go upstairs now? Only be careful, the balustrade needs fixing.

I might as well, I know it’s going to cost a lot of money organising a new kitchen and most probably bathrooms along with a host of other things, but that will be a challenge.

Upstairs, Nina was surprised when she saw the size of the bedrooms, so much bigger than what they were building in new houses. No built-ins, but that could be rectified, or she could buy some old wardrobes at auctions to go with the style of the house. The floorboards looked quite solid and that was important. She tried to open a door but it didn’t budge. Apparently it was locked from the other side.

Coming to the rescue, Anthony pulled hard and the open door revealed a narrow winding staircase. Hey, I didn’t know that was there, he exclaimed, surprised. I haven’t been up these stairs before; I’ll have a look for you.

Nina watched him go up the stairs and when he was about halfway she started to follow, wondering what they would find, but it was only a big open space under the roof. The small window made it possible to have a good look around. The floor seemed solid, Nina thought, as she walked on it.

Downstairs again, she knew she had to have the house, there was something about it that attracted her, and a little voice in her head kept saying, Buy it, buy it.

Now it was back to business for Anthony. Well, what do you think Miss Edberg, are you interested? I have a contract ready in the office, but I must warn you, I’ve had a reasonable offer and the owners want to settle quickly, so if you like it, don’t wait too long.

Pacing up and down, Nina had another look out the window. That offer could be just sales talk, she thought, but why not pay the asking price, she could easily afford it. Please call me Nina, she remarked, "and I’ll take it.

But I would like a building and pest inspection, okay?"

Of course, I’d always recommend that, my office is just around the corner past the motel. You want to be sure there are no termites and the house is structurally sound, don’t you?

After following him to his office, Nina signed the contract and paid the deposit. Anthony promised to have the inspections done the following day as he knew she wanted to move in as soon as possible. Then she returned to the motel situated on the corner.

As soon as she left, Anthony telephoned Paul Williams, a plumber who’d made an offer on the house. When Anthony told him he’d just sold the house to a young lady who had paid the asking price, the plumber swore, and when Anthony told him the contract had been signed, he swore again.

Anthony explained that as an agent he had to make the best deal for the owners, that was his job. She wants to renovate the house Paul, why don’t you ask her if you can do her bathrooms and all the other plumbing jobs, she’s a stranger here, her name is Nina Edberg, and she’s at the Lakes Motel, so I suggest you phone her.

That calmed down Paul, a little. Okay, I’ll phone her. Thanks for nothing Tony, you owe me a beer.

As Nina entered the motel’s office, the owner greeted her with a welcoming smile. An older man, he’d borrowed heavily to buy the motel, but it was now paying off he’d told her earlier. You look happy Nina. What happened, win the lottery?

No, not quite, I just bought a house.

Really, which house did you buy?

I bought the house on the corner of Lakes Parade, number three.

That brought a quizzical look. Do you mean the house on the corner, the one that’s falling apart?

Yes, that’s the one. Nina’s tone was full of confidence.

Oh no, not that one. There’s something about that house, strange things have happened in there, he told her, sounding alarmed. I wouldn’t touch it with a ten-foot pole.

Why, what’s wrong with it? It looked all right to me. I’ve just come from there.

Okay, I’ll tell you. About two or three years ago a family bought that house and had big plans with the renovations they were going to do, but all they did was spread the word the house was haunted, and last year they just vanished into thin air leaving behind a lot of debts.

His story and the way he acted worried Nina, but when he talked about them leaving a lot of debts, she brightened up.

That’s the reason those people left, they couldn’t pay their bills. Anyway, I should need the room a bit longer, possibly a few weeks. Is that all right?

Sure, stay as long as you like. Taking the key from the board behind him he handed it to her, saying, Enjoy your stay Nina.

In her motel room she fell on her bed reflecting back on the time she lived in Orangeville and met, for the first time, Roberto Ostini, a handsome man with olive skin, brown eyes and dark hair, but something about him put her off. A good friend of her brother Nicholas, she didn’t like him much, thinking he was arrogant, egotistical and overconfident.

Roberto owned several houses and a well-known restaurant frequented by celebrities. Nicholas couldn’t understand why she didn’t like Roberto. He said Roberto could get any girl he wanted, but he was after her. Knowing that, Nina always made herself scarce when he came to their house.

An aerial photographer, Nicholas owned a special plane for that purpose, also a four-seater Cessna in which he took the family sometimes and recently Roberto, teaching him to pilot the plane. Nicholas told her Roberto wanted to learn to fly so he could impress her.

Nina had flown with her brother sometimes and she knew he was an extremely experienced and competent pilot. That was why she couldn’t understand that when he took her parents, Helena and Frederick, for a joy flight in the same plane he’d been teaching Roberto, he crashed into mountains in rough country and all three died instantly.

After that she thought Roberto changed. He was at her side all the time, very attentive, drying her tears, forgetting his vanity. Because she had no-one else, she clung to him for support. After the inquest and the funerals, she agreed to marry him and for six months Roberto was her ideal fiancé, helping her through difficult times, until the wedding.

The first day of their honeymoon she knew she’d made a mistake. Roberto did a complete turnaround. She saw him sniffing cocaine, smoking joints, getting cranky for no reason; then chasing other women. She was his trophy now, he’d won her and she looked good for the decor in his restaurant, with her long blond hair, high cheekbones, almond-shaped blue eyes and a generous mouth. She was not particularly beautiful, but looked strikingly elegant. She dressed well and men turned their heads when she passed.

The phone rang and she came back to earth. The reflections were over when a man’s voice asked, I’m sorry to disturb you, but are you the lady buying the house at number three Lakes Parade?

Yes I am, but who are you and who gave you my number? Nina sounded annoyed.

I’m Paul Williams, and I’m a plumber. I put an offer on the place, but you beat me. Anthony gave me your number; he said you needed a plumber.

Yes I do, she replied, relieved it wasn’t Roberto. I need more than a plumber; I know the place needs a lot of work.

I work with Matthew Miller and he does renovations. As a matter-of-fact we are working on the house next to yours, and we’re nearly finished. If you like I could show you some of our work. Are you interested?

Yes, of course, that’s a good idea. What time?

About nine; if it’s not too early.

No, that’ll be fine; I’ll be there, thanks Paul.

Goodnight Miss Edberg.

It’s Nina.

Goodnight Nina.

Hey, she thought, Anthony must have been talking, and that’s good, the sooner she could move in the better. Then she realised she’d completely forgotten to get something to eat, but it was too late now, so she decided to have a cup of tea and some biscuits, courtesy of the motel. At least she hadn’t forgotten to order breakfast. While drinking her cup of tea, she flicked through the TV channels, but nothing caught her eye.

Thinking about the house, she fell asleep, but abruptly woke up at three in the morning. She’d been dreaming about the house and something had frightened her. She tried to remember what it was, but couldn’t. She fell back to sleep, waking up when somebody knocked on the door calling out, Breakfast.

That really woke her up and suddenly remembering her dream she felt a cold chill creeping up in her. What was it that happened in the house?

* * * * *

Chapter 2

Lying in bed, trying to get to sleep, Roberto was angry with himself. Why did he ever agree to a divorce in addition to paying Nina a generous settlement? His solicitor had recommended it because the alternative would have been going to court. Then the media would have been there following the story, publicity he could do without. The wedding had been publicised widely two years earlier, but that was different, no scandal was involved, and his restaurant had benefited greatly. Nina was a perfect asset to his business. How stupid he was to let her go.

True, he had to admit he had neglected her and humiliated her by bringing other women home and making love to them in their own bedroom. Then when she tried to leave he spiked her drink, bashed her up and, helped by a staff member, locked her in the bathroom for two days

After she managed to get away, Nina had moved back to her parents’ house and taken an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) out on him. He was sorry now, he should never have done those things, and even though he told her repeatedly she was the only one he loved and the other women meant nothing to him, he knew he should have been more discreet. Was it too late now? Nina, the only relative left when her parents and brother died, had sold her parents’ house and everything else they owned, even her brother’s second plane.

Just after the accident, at her most vulnerable time, Roberto had pounced on her, knowing she would go to him, the only one left close to her family.

His solicitor must have caught him in one of his generous moods, high on dope, to agree to a divorce and settlement. Now it was final, he was sorry. He wanted her back, but she’d packed her bags and left town. He had no idea where she was living now.

There had been an inquest into the death of Nina’s parents and her brother. The wreckage had been discovered and the bodies removed, but the tedious task of finding the cause was still going on.

The terrain was difficult to get to, with the mountain often covered in fog or snow. Soon after the bodies were retrieved, torrential rain had fallen and Roberto was hoping the cause of the accident would never be known. Nina had almost flown with them as it was supposed to be only a few hours flight and back the same day. He had trumped up some excuse that her editor wanted to see her urgently about one of the children’s books she was writing and by the time she found out it was a mistake, it was too late.

It was now about two-and-a-half years since it happened, and while it had been all over the newspapers and on television at the time, it was now a forgotten tragedy.

Nina had not left a forwarding address. Tomorrow, he thought, he’d hire a private detective to track her down. It shouldn’t be too difficult as he remembered her car registration number. With that in mind he yawned and dreamt of Nina.

* * * * *

Chapter 3

Meanwhile, after finishing breakfast at her holiday resort, Nina decided to go for a short jog to the lake that featured a footpath all the way around. She planned to walk right round one day, but for now just a short jog was all that was needed to get rid of the cobwebs in her brain.

She missed her family desperately, especially her brother. She and Nicholas had been very close, telling each other everything. While jogging she was thinking about how Nicholas, with all his experience as a pilot, could have crashed into the Barrington Mountains while on his way to Port Macquarie where he was planning to look over a vintage plane he thought was a good investment. Her parents had flown with him for the ride, and she’d nearly gone as well, but at the last moment Roberto stopped her, saying there was an urgent message from her editor which turned out to be a lie.

She had asked Roberto to go to the police about Nicholas being so far off course, but he’d said not to say anything because the police would think it had been Nicholas’s own fault for being a bad navigator. At the time she was so distressed she’d believed him, but now doubt had started to creep in. She was sure her brother was not planning to land where he did.

As a pelican swooped over her head, she thought she’d gone far enough, and on her way back she enjoyed the scenery. The lake was beautiful with hardly a ripple on the water and a slight mist curling up. Stopping, she watched the pelican land in perfect fashion. How graceful she thought for a big bird, hardly making a splash.

Without realising where she was, she found herself in front of the house she’d bought and glancing at her watch, noticed it was almost nine. Dressed in her tracksuit and her hair tied back in a ponytail, she thought she was nicely on time to meet the plumber.

Then she saw a big man with a dark complexion, about forty-five, sorting out some tools on the back of the utility truck parked in front of the house next door. As she approached he looked up and asked, Are you the lady buying the ruins next door?

I’m afraid I am, she said, smiling; then extending her hand, I’m Nina Edberg.

Taking her hand, he looked her up and down. And I’m Paul Williams. Now I know it’s you who beat me to the house, I don’t mind as long as you let me do the job. Taking a key out of his pocket, he continued, Come on, I’ll show you my work and work by Matthew Miller, the carpenter. We’ll get this finished today. Matthew is particularly good at renovations, we work together a lot.

While walking into the foyer, Nina noticed that both houses were similar, only her corner one was slightly bigger. She was amazed at what they’d done with the leadlight windows, the polished floor in the lounge and dining room, and the tiling in the hall. The kitchen was completely new.

You’re impressed, aren’t you Nina?

She nodded, mentally thinking how she’d have her house done. Yes, I love it.

Wait until you see my bathrooms upstairs.

But before she went upstairs, a voice asked, Are you admiring our work lady? Standing at the bottom of the stairs, Nina looked back at a tall young man in working clothes with brown hair, blue eyes, an athletic type wearing a cheeky smile. I’m Matthew Miller of Miller’s Renovations.

He seemed likeable and handsome, she thought, as she walked back to him, taking his extended hand. I’m Nina Edberg. I’m buying the house next door. I was invited here to inspect your work and I must say; I like it.

Yes, Paul told me you’d be here; it’s the best way to appreciate our work.

Paul nudged her on. You still have to see the bathrooms, let’s go upstairs.

After inspecting the work with Matthew and Paul, Nina was surprised at what a little paint and a new bathroom could do to an old house.

We could do something like that to your house or, if you would like it different since the houses are not quite the same, please tell us how you want it. I could make a drawing, Matthew offered.

Yes, that sounds good. I’ll have to think about it. For a start I’d like a small office at the front with a window overlooking the lake. I’m a writer and I may get some inspiration gazing out the window. I’d also like different colours.

That can be arranged, Paul told her. You can select any colour you like.

I have a fair idea what you’d like Nina, Matthew interrupted. I’ll make a drawing, then we can go over it together, but I suppose we have to wait for the reports and Paul and I still have a day’s work here anyway. He handed Nina a business card. My number is on there; don’t hesitate to call me if you have any questions.

Nina studied the card for a moment. I think I’ll take up your offer Matthew, but as you know I have to wait for the reports and exchange of contracts. I’ll call you.

As she went to walk away Matthew stopped her. What, may I ask, are you writing about?

She looked at him and with a cheeky glint in her eyes answered, The haunted house.

He laughed an infectious laughter, but Paul had a strange look on his face when she said it. That made her remember what the motel owner had told her. Was the house haunted? Was it true?

Paul watched Nina walk away, then saw Matthew’s admiring look which annoyed him. The bitch stole my house and you look as though you like her.

Matthew turned to him, surprised. Please refer to her as a lady if you don’t mind, it’s not her fault. You should have offered more in the first place. Not wanting to show his anger, Matthew walked away, then looking back over his shoulder; stated sternly, I’m going to finish my job.

But Paul caught up with him, I’m sorry, I know it’s not her fault, he apologised; then went upstairs to finish the bathroom.

But Matthew was still angry, a sore loser, he thought. He rather liked Nina, she was different; nothing like the girls he met in the pub on the odd occasion he had time to go out. He was working for a boss when a year earlier he decided to take the plunge and start his own business; and now he could get more jobs than he could handle. He was a carpenter with some architectural knowledge and with Paul as a plumber; they had already done many renovations together.

Most people wanted their bathroom and kitchen modernised, and as there were so many old houses in the area, he doubted if he’d ever run out of jobs. At thirty, he already owned his house and his business. His only entertainment at weekends was playing goalkeeper with the local soccer team. Then there were two weekly training sessions. He liked to sit in his easy chair afterwards when he was tired, listening to classical music with a beer or a whiskey.

His parents owned a large cattle station on the outskirts of Tenterfield, the cold country in northern New South Wales. They had their own airfield with a plane and helicopter used for mustering. Matthew went to help a few times, flying the plane which he loved. Being up high, above everything, was a special feeling. He’d obtained his pilot’s licence a few years before and now had to make the hours or it would be cancelled.

At Christmas time he always took at least two weeks off to help on the property, and for him that was a holiday. This coming Christmas his sister Roslyn