Right To The Top

By Llewelyn Pritchard

Right To The Top is the second of two novels of historical fiction based on unique first-hand experience in Port Hope Simpson, Labrador, Newfoundland, Canada that tells the continuing story of Richard Ap Meurig’s action adventures. Join him in his escapades as he seeks to right the wrongs of the past. The underlying lesson in both books is how you can come to terms with something that really bothers you whilst simultaneously gaining great personal satisfaction and benefits along the way. The best of both worlds! Or, looked at in another way, how you can endeavour to resolve a series of coincidences, puzzles, mysteries or most grave, serious issues in such a way that your work will maybe benefit others.(Disclaimer This book is a work of historical fiction and is not to be taken literally. If the reader sees similarities between characters in this work of fiction and people in real life, they should be thought of as merely coincidental.)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Llewelyn Pritchard
• Release date: Jan 23, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301625376

Llewelyn Pritchard

Llewelyn's collection of books include the Series: UK Travel and Tourism Travel Handbooks Photo Albums Illustrated Diaries about European Budget Short-Break Holidays The Port Hope Simpson Diaries 1969-70 Port Hope Simpson Mysteries The Voluntary Service Overseas in Labrador and "Hidden Gem" written in honour of the staff of an Oncology Unit within a General Hospital in the National Health Service (N.H.S) in the United Kingdom (U.K.) Llewelyn has worked with The Honourable Canadian Senator William (Bill) Rompkey, on writing the history of the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) in Labrador. This is what Bill wrote in his letter to the first get- together of the VSO teachers at Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire 1-3 August 2003, "...Labrador called to you and we are calling you now. I hope you will do what you can during these few days to fill in the Labrador record with your recollections and reflections. This too will be an important contribution to Labrador history. But mainly I hope you enjoy your time together. Llewelyn Pritchard has done a remarkable job in bringing you together. He is as shrewd as Holmes and as persistent as Poirot. He could even be a great Canadian! We owe him more than we can say. It's his event and I know it will be successful. All good wishes. Bill Rompkey"

Book preview

Right To The Top

Series Title: Port Hope Simpson Mysteries

Vol 7

By Llewelyn Pritchard

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2010 Llewelyn Pritchard

Right To The Top is the second of two novels of historical fiction based on unique first-hand experience in Port Hope Simpson, Labrador, Newfoundland, Canada that tells the continuing story of Richard Ap Meurig’s action adventures. Join him in his escapades as he seeks to rights the wrongs of the past. The underlying lesson in both books is how you can come to terms with something that really bothers you whilst simultaneously gaining great personal satisfaction and benefits along the way. The best of both worlds! Or, looked at in another way, how you can endeavour to resolve a series of coincidences, puzzles, mysteries or most grave, serious issues in such a way that your work will maybe benefit others....

Richard Ap Meurig pulled steadily back on the joystick…as his favourite Cherokee 629 single-prop aircraft climbed steeply out of the mountains around Solero on the rugged north-west coast of Majorca. His second thoughts hadn’t lasted very long when Gary Shepherd had phoned him partly because he couldn't resist when he heard $100,000 was on the table if he accepted the assignment.

As Richard was forced further back into the pilot's seat, he was thinking about what Gary had told him over the telephone. As auto-pilot took over he thought he had maybe bitten off more than he could chew but, so what, he thought, there was nothing new in that. He pulled out the brief memorandum from Justin Harcourt, British Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, from the map pocket on the left leg of his flying suit. He didn't know how the memo had come into Gary's hands but he had known Gary for so long that he had no reason whatsoever to doubt its authenticity. It was written in the Minister’s own hand to the Newfoundland Governor himself dated and signed by Harcourt. Richard knew they’d probably never thrown away a single piece of paper during the Commission of Government days from 1934 - 1949. Its calculated ambiguity wasn't lost on Richard.

It said, Wrigglesworth corrupt group proceed with caution.

On the face of it seemed like plain common sense, but Richard knew it was a stern warning to anybody thinking about delving into the affairs of the Wrigglesworth group in Wild Bay from 1934 to 1949. It meant, "Keep out Ap Meurig or else!

He took out a Majorcan Times from his weathered green rucksack and settled back for a comfortable read and a ride.

15 minutes later air traffic control at Palma directed him on to his approach runway and Richard was soon taxiing towards his parking bay at the end of the hangars. His mechanic took over and Richard headed off to climb into one of the apparently endless line of yellow and black taxis heading out on the fast coastal road to his hotel.

Just as they were about to turn off at the penultimate roundabout there was a harsh screech of tyres, a loud bang and Richard was thrown forward against his seat belt. The next thing he knew his passenger door was yanked open and a rifle butt smashed into the side of his face shattering teeth, breaking his nose and splintering his left cheek. With blood pouring from his face he was hauled out face down in the dirt with a heavy boot on the back of his head.

He lay absolutely still for a few seconds whilst his senses cleared until he felt the faintest relaxation in the pressure on the back of his head. Then he pushed off with both his powerful arms, jack- knifed his legs and kicked his assailant at the base of his spine. Caught off guard the thick-set, black-haired olive-skinned sailor gasped in pain. Momentarily losing his balance, he was unable to prevent Richard from springing to his feet with the taste of blood in his mouth. He kicked him incredibly hard in the groin splitting one of his testicles. As he bent over with the sickest feeling in his stomach and a searing pain between his legs he was helpless. Richard grabbed him by the hair on his head and crashed his face into his rising knee. The ruffian’s nose, lips and eyebrows exploded with blood. He was blind. Then bending his knees and using the combined power of his legs and his whole body Richard hit him with an almighty double uppercut. He was unconscious before he even hit the floor.

The Guillard articulated lorry had rammed into the left-hand drive Mercedes taxi killing the driver outright and throwing Richard against the passenger door. Although Richard had expertly dealt with the first thug, out of the back had leapt another four hooded, armed men who had pinned his arms behind his back whilst one of them proceeded to punch him until he blacked out.

He came round from the anaesthetic in an overcrowded hospital ward with a bizarre group of individuals around him. As he gingerly moved round after facial surgery he saw one man gazing vacantly into space with his eyes wide open. Another was bandaged heavily with left leg and right-arm in slings suspended by separate wires from the ceiling. Another woman was walking round and round in circles in her dressing-gown muttering something to herself. Richard thought he was in a lunatic asylum. After been so badly beaten up his abductors had left him here on the edge of town.

He was a prisoner!

Standing outside the doors at each end of his ward were armed guards. Richard had no idea where he was or why he'd been taken there. All he could think about was how to get out of the place.

Meanwhile in Lisbon, Harold James Johnston Wrigglesworth the son of Sir James Wrigglesworth was playing his compatriots in crime at poker when the door burst open and in came Harold Lessonfield with the news of Richard’s capture.

Good, said Wrigglesworth, that should at least teach the interfering blighter a thing or two.

The game continued all afternoon until 1800 hours when the party had drinks, caviar and smoked salmon brought to them by one of the