Michael Angele

By Cain South

Michael Angele, the boy with the jade eyes. Orphaned at four years and unwanted by an uncaring family. The Reverend Johnathan Wilkes an in-law and dean of a boarding school for sons of the privileged reluctantly agrees to act as the boys’ guardian. The Reverend is a man with many dark secrets..., but finally agrees to abide by the conditions of the boys’ deceased father......., some very odd conditions in his will. Sixteen and nearing the end of his secondary schooling, came the day he found the dragon. An ancient cameo carved in Ivory and inscribed with strange runes, their meaning lost in time. From that day onward his life and fortunes seemed out of his control, the pendant somehow had become part of him. The day he found the dragon the two men found him, two dangerous men who would shape his future. His life at the boarding school completed, he had a year before starting university, but the day came when he found himself fleeing the girl who loved him and the woman who desired him. Inadvertently plunged into the world of high fashion after a chance meeting with a fashion photographer on board a plane bound for Hong Kong. Making the most of his new found freedom and enjoying life and vices of Europe’s society. However fate decreed that like it or not he was to return home and face the women in his life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ReadOnTime BV
• Release date: Jun 23, 2014
• ISBN: 9781742844541

Book preview

Chapter 1

To an observer, the young man in the foyer of the theatre might appear to be anxious, tense almost, pacing cat like, back and forth. His dark green eyes had earned him the nick- name, cat and now the name seemed to fit him perfectly. Though only sixteen the boy carried a natural air of independence, a trait that often kept people at a distance though the same characteristic also drew people. Pacing and alert he seemed to be waiting for something or someone.

The lights in the theatre dimmed and the crowd in the foyer began moving toward the plush red curtain entrance. The boy stood staring at the illuminated show cases lining the foyer walls, enjoying the moment of anticipation in the golden glow of the dimmed foyer. Waiting until the crowd had thinned, waiting until the movie was about to start. This was normal, waiting until the last minute before entering through the curtained entrance. He was about to make his way to the entrance, when he froze, reflected in the showcase stood two men, the two men that he had feared he might meet again.

The larger of the two men stood back away from the other. The man, blonde, crew cut and with cold grey eyes, and easily the biggest man the boy had ever seen. The other man though nowhere as large, was still of a formidable size, a big man, dark eyed and dark haired. Shit he thought, I am dead, they found out about the money I took. He was trapped and looked about but knew there was no escape.

Hello Mikey, said the tall dark man as he placed a firm hand on the boys shoulder.

Hi Tony, look I will give the money back I spluttered.

The man laughed, money? Mr Conti was grateful for what you did for us, what’s a couple of hundred quid?

God! I thought, they don’t know a feeling of pure relief flooded over me, if they don’t know by now they probably never would, but if not, what are they doing here? Before I could ask, Max the blonde giant had walked over.

Hey kid how’s it going? Without waiting for an answer added, the boss needs your services one more time. How would you feel about a couple of days down south?

I don’t know if I can Max, I stuttered. The dark haired man cut in, sure you can Mikey, you’re on school holidays aren’t you? Placing his hand on my shoulder again to stress his point.

Yes, yes, I am, I replied.

There you go then, we’ll have you back safe and sound by Sunday, grab a change of clothes for a couple of days. We will meet you at the pub when you are ready, ok?

Yes, yeah sure Tony I said.

Don’t be long; we’ve got a long drive ahead of us said Max, looking back over his shoulder as they walked out of the Theatre.

Chapter 2

Christ what have I got myself into I thought, as I started to run back to the boarding school. The school was home, it had been home for most of my life. Nearly all my life, since I was four years old I had lived at the Boarding school. My Father was still away and would be, for another week. Scared as I was, I started to look forward to what was about to happen, half an hour later I was back up town, standing in the street I looked in through the window of the Public Bar. The two men weren’t to be seen, they must be upstairs I thought. Entering the Lounge I saw them immediately, they were sitting at the end of the bar talking to the barmaid. Julie a thirty something year old blonde who’s main assets were a large pair of breasts, who managed to keep the Lounge Bar full most evenings. She put both hands on the counter and lent forward giving me that cheeky grin she had. I’d known Julie for about two years, while I had been the paper boy and she had always been nice to me. Before I could say anything I felt a tap on the shoulder, Tony nodded to the door and as I started to leave he handed me the keys to their car.

We will be down in a minute, I’ll get some supplies for the trip, what do you drink?

Just coke I said.

Ok we won’t be long he grinned.

I unlocked the boot of the black Ford, I recognised the car from the last time I had seen it, just a few days ago, when all of this had just started. I was sitting in the back seat when the two men came down.

You sure you don’t want beer or something kid? Shit at your age I’d been on the booze for years, laughed the dark haired man.

No I am ok I said. Minutes later we’d left the street lights behind and were heading south towards the main highway and a six hour drive. I lay back in the seat and recalled the events that led to me now sitting in a car driven by two thugs.

Chapter 3

Tuesday afternoon, the day I found the Dragon, I had decided to spend some of my pocket money at the local Burger joint. The Café was run by a Chinese couple, whose takeaways appealed to me. I was standing at the counter going through my financers and about to order when the two men walked in. When I turned to see who had entered the café. The physical size of the big blonde man was so startling that I dropped the change I had been counting, embarrassed I knelt on the floor trying to retrieve my lost coins. Reaching under the old drink fridge I felt around until I felt what I thought was my missing coin but when I looked in my palm I saw what appeared to be part of a white plastic toy the size of a twenty cent piece, the type you find in certain popcorn or snack packs. Getting a little panicky I resumed my search. The Chinese woman small and quite pretty started to berate her husband about just standing there and not helping me look for the coin. He replied in Chinese "I can’t move I’m standing on the coin." I was about to challenge him about the coin, but just as I was, the other man, the dark haired man walked over and stood looking down at me. Don’t worry about it kid it could be anywhere, let me shout you a burger. The Chinaman shuffled over, the coin, my coin, still trapped under his shoe. He told the dark haired man what I normally ordered only he doubled it and winked at me. The Chinese guy was starting to tick me off and I was starting to say something when the dark haired man stepped in and said that’s fine and ordered for himself and the blonde man. I turned again and thanked him. Its ok kid he and walked back to talk to the large blonde waiting near the door.

The Chinaman and his wife were putting the order together, when the big blonde walked to the counter and waved the man over. The Chinaman shuffled over, a look of caution on his face, not fear but close. The big man reached into his coat pocket and drew out a photograph. You see these lady’s’ around here he asked? The Asian hesitated but picked up the photo, he seemed to freeze, momentarily, but quickly recovered. He turned and walked over to where his wife was working and slowly placed the photo on the bench in front of her.

Then in Chinese he said to her "these two men are looking for your sister and her two bitches. I told you she would get us into trouble. As soon as I get rid of the two you go to the railway station and book a sleeper on the 9.40pm train. I’m going down to the showgrounds when we close. I’ll get those bitches out of that van and put them on the train myself. These two clowns aren’t police that’s for sure and I don’t think it would be good for your sister and your nieces if they found them". His wife paled visibly and nodded.

The woman finished wrapping the orders and placed them along with the photo on the counter in front of the big man. Sorry I not seen these people, she lied. The blonde man picked up the photo and their order, nodded his thanks and left with the dark haired man.

The decision I was about to make was to change my life. The two men were about to get into the black ford when I caught up with them. The dark haired man turned and held up his hands. Its ok kid, you don’t have to keep thanking me, and He laughed.

He lied, I blurted out, the china man lied to you, I repeated.

What are you talking about kid, he asked, starting to get a little annoyed?

He lied to you, they know who and where those woman are, I heard them talking about them.

The big blonde had walked around to us and had been listening. Not too gently he grabbed my collar and I suddenly realised just how big he was, you understood what they said? You screwing with us? If you are? He left the threat hang.

No sir I understand Chinese, my father is Chinese, well not my father, my guardian.

The big man seemed about to grab me againwhen his partner stepped in front of him. Let the kid talk Max, the dark haired man said.

I retold the conversation between the café owners and had just finished when the Chinese woman came out of the café pushing a young child in a stroller. I wonder where she’s off to, get into the car kid said Max, and making it obvious I had no choice. We waited till she turned the corner at the end of the block, Max turned and looking back at me, nodding his head in the direction the woman had taken and asked, the railway station?

Yes I nodded, Its’ about a hundred yards down the street.

The big man started the car and drove into the street the woman had just entered. We had just entered the car park adjacent to the rail station as the woman made her way to the ticket booth.

The two men turned to me grinning, Max the large blond turned and asked, kid what’s your name?

Michael Angele I replied.

Well Michael it would appear that we owe you an apology and our thanks, reaching over and gripping my shoulder, but now we need you to do us a small favour.

I was beginning to feel apprehensive, maybe I should have kept what I heard to myself I thought.

Tony the dark haired man leant across the front seat. What we need is for you to meet us tonight, at the showgrounds the china man was talking about, he could see the surprised look on my face and added we need you to do your interpreter thing and as he was talking he handed me a twenty pound note. Twenty pounds was equivalent to a couple of months pocket money, before I could argue he took the note and slipped it into my shirt pocket, it happened so fast I had no time to say anything. Great, now lets’ go and see where these showgrounds are, he said.

Chapter 4

The showgrounds bordered the rail station directly opposite to where we are, parked. I gave directions around the block and in a couple of minutes we pulled over opposite the main gates to the showgrounds. Max turned off into the car park guiding the car behind a bushy section of hedge. Looking across at the grounds we could see about forty vans in a fenced off area. None of the vans appeared to be occupied at the moment.

Tony turned to me, seems like everything you’ve told us so far is spot on, do you know how we can get into the grounds before the chow gets here tonight he asked?

Yeah, if you go to the last post by the kiosk, you can lift the chain mesh and climb underneath I said to the two men. For some reason both men laughed.

I should have realised a kid your age would know how to sneak into here, so the china man will sneak under the fence tonight?

No I forgot to tell you, he has the food concession at the kiosk, so he has the keys to the grounds I added feeling a little guilty at not telling them before this.

Tony turned to his partner, that explains how he stashed the broads in the vans and turning to me asked, what time does he shut shop?

Seven thirty I told him.

Good it will be dark by six, be here by seven and there will be another twenty in it for you, ok?

As I turned to leave the big blond grabbed my wrist, kid don’t be late, I don’t want to have to come looking for you, ok? Leaving no doubt that it would be in my best interest to be on time.

I had been waiting in the shadows of the hedge for about fifteen minutes when the black ford drove into the unlit car park. The two men waited beside the car for a couple of minutes before Tony pushed me towards the darkened grounds. There was little chance of us being seen due to the landscaping that the local council had put in place to screen the unsightly fencing. Max checked his watch, it was almost seven thirty, and we had taken up a position behind the kiosk where we could see the gates as well as the road.

The china man made his appearance ten minutes later, riding a pushbike and in a big hurry. Unlocking the gate he paused looking about, then entering relocked the gate and headed toward the van park.

Ok kid you know what to do, just stay out of sight till I come and get you.

Sure Tony I’ll wait till you come back, I said, feeling a mite anxious. The three of us stood waiting for the man to appear when the pale yellow ring of light from his torch marked his approach.

Chapter 5

The Chinaman never hesitated and turned towards the darked rows of vans as he neared our hiding place. He was twenty yards ahead when the two men set off in pursuit. I could see the torches ring of light and the chainman’s silhouette as he stopped and looked back in my direction.

I stood waiting for what seemed like ages, till Max tapped me on the shoulder, he moved quietly for such a big man and I almost yelled in fright when I felt his hand.

Come on lets go and be quite they can’t know you’re here he stressed. As we approached the van he held his fingers to his lips in a motion to be silent. Standing, listening for a moment he motioned me toward the open window from which I could hear muffled voices. I gave Max the thumbs up and took up my position under the partially open window.

Everything ok? I heard Tony ask. Yeah fine replied the blond. The interior of the van was well lit and I could see the older of the Chinese women sitting at the fold down table. Two younger girls of about eighteen were sitting on a double bed at the end of the van, all three of the women looked to be very frightened. The dark eyed man Tony grabbed the frightened china man, roughly pointing a large pistol at the terrified man’s stomach.

Now my friend I want you to ask your sister in law here, where the suitcase is and if you have any plans of ever seeing your wife again she had better start talking, now ask away, emphasising the point, by pushing the gun into the trembling man’s ribs.

The china man seemed to struggle for words and sweat had beaded his forehead, then in Chinese he addressed the older woman. They want to know where the suitcase is.

I heard what he said you arsehole, why did you bring them here she spat.

I didn’t they followed me, I don’t know how they knew you were here he hissed.

You lying bastard she screamed as she lunged, raking her nails down his face then spitting into Tony’s face. The china man reacted instinctively, gripping the front of the woman’s dress and pushing her away. He stood with the torn garment in his hands, dabbing at his bloodied face. The woman seemed to gain some composure and made as if to attack the bleeding man once again.

Tony took a small step and punched the woman on the forehead although his fist seemed to travel only inches, the woman’s eyes momentarily rolled back in her head as she collapsed into the bench seat.

Ok no more fucking around, he said quietly.

It wasn’t what he had said, but the manner he now spoke, that sent a shiver down my back. I realised I had been holding my breath when he reached into his coat pocket and took out what looked like a short length of pipe and screwed the silencer onto the barrel of the gun in his hand. The woman appeared to have regained some of her composure but on seeing the silencer had turned a deathly white and the fear on her face could not be hidden.

Now ask this crazy bitch again, where is the suitcase?

The Chinese man said you heard him, in god’s name tell him before he pulls the dammed trigger. I’ve got a family to take care of he pleaded.

You really didn’t bring this pair she seeming surprised?

No fuck you, I didn’t. Just tell them where it is so we can get out of here, he pleaded once more.

Listen to me for one minute she stressed, I’ll tell you, but you have to promise to take the case to my brother. If this pair get their hands on the case we’re as good as dead anyway. Mister Tao will execute us if he finds us. You have to promise me you’ll take the case to my brother. There’s a fortune in cash and drugs, if they get the case they won’t need us, while they don’t have the case we stay alive. If we don’t talk they’ll have to take us with them, at least we’ll still be alive and you can take the case to my brother, he can deal with Tao for our release. Promise me this and we will all be rich the woman pleaded.

Though I couldn’t see the man, his hesitation said more than words. The woman must have noticed as I had, the man wavering and threatened.

If you don’t, when I talk I’ll tell them that you are involved.

What? You would risk the lives of your own family? He appeared shocked at the woman’s threats.

Just do as I say and you’ll be safe and rich she pleaded. Listen carefully. Three vans down this row, is a green van with a blue and white striped canvas annex, go inside the annex, underneath the van in front of the wheels is a metal carry rack for the spare tyres, the suitcase is hidden between the tyres, all you have to do is get it when we leave and take it to Lou, he can bargain for our return, remember if they get the case we’re good as dead. She pleaded.

It was obvious that the man was wavering and about to agree to the woman’s demands when Tony demanded to know what the woman was saying. Although obviously terrified, the man lied, saying that she didn’t know anything about the suitcase. The big man reached across the table and grabbed the woman by the throat and dragging her roughly to her feet rested the silencer between her exposed breasts. Again the fear flashed in her eyes but she said nothing, merely staring at him, a sneer on her face and lashing out viciously at his crutch.

All right then, lets approach this from a different angle, shall we, as he pushed the woman face down on the table. Holding the gun to the back of the woman’s head with the other hand he yanked down her panties exposing her bare behind, one of the young girls started to giggle. Frightened as the china man was the effect of the naked woman sprawled across the table in front of him was all too obvious, now both of the young girls were giggling. Tony pushed the gun into his ribs saying, drop your trousers fella, its show time. I watched enthralled but made sure I remained unseen, the china man positioned himself behind the vulnerable woman and was about to enter her when Tony stopped him saying let’s take it up a notch shall we.

The china man looked at him not sure what the big man meant. You know like the English say top whole old man top hole. A small grin crossed the china man’s face as he repositioned himself. The woman seemed to be unaware of the events happening behind her and said something that I missed to her brother in law. Grinning He placed his hands palms down either side of the woman’s hips pinning her in position, then bending over the woman’s raised buttocks suddenly lunged,