The Hybrid Series: Medium Rare Book 5

By Andrew Harding

Everything stopped for call-outs. They became a priority, whatever the team of hybrids were doing and this day was no different from any other. Thinking they were finishing interviews, for their last big case, their day took on a more sinister feel, called out to a job that posed more questions than answers for everyone.

The call had come from a vice officer, who’d stopped the raid they were on, after they’d used the enforcer to open up a house. The smell of death nearly knocked them off their feet. His team members knew what that meant and had wanted to leave, obvious it wasn’t a brothel, reported by neighbours, and all of them furious with him for standing his ground and calling it in. He was adamant they waited for the murder squad to arrive. Once they had, it became apparent why they’d wanted to leave. Only one of them was left with a job when Harvey had had his say, and he joined the hybrids in the hunt for the bodies. The contents of this book are not suitable for readers under the age of eighteen years of age.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Andrew Harding
• Release date: Sep 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311658906

Andrew Harding

Andrew Harding worked in manufacturing all his life and eighteen years ago was diagnosed with Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Although it was tough, he worked on for thirteen years and finally had to stop because he developed arthritis in his left hand. All through his life he wanted to write a book, and with time on his hands that first book grew into three, The Spirit Trilogy: Spirit, Force and Parity. Next, The Hybrid Series: Split Decision, Critical Moments, Devil's Dyke and Wet Daddy. Medium Rare has just been released. Although each book has a unique crime and can be read as stand-alone, the back-story in the series rolls from one book to the other where you'll see how the outrageous family of hybrids grows. Harding's life-long fascination with Crime, the Paranormal and the Supernatural has given him a huge amalgam to dip into, and more importantly a new lease on life.

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The Hybrid Series

Book Five

Medium Rare

ANDREW HARDING

Smashwords edition. Copyright © 2013 Andrew Harding

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living, dead, or undead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from Andrew Harding, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

This book contains descriptions of scenes of an explicit sexual nature which are suitable for adults only. The contents are not suitable for readers under 18 years of age.

Contents

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

About the Author

He Who Shall Not Be Named...

Also by Andrew Harding

Acknowledgements

Dedicated to my sister, Gerry, who has patiently listened to all my thoughts and read some of the hairy bits. I had her toes curling most of the time. Your enthusiasm pushed me to cross boundaries and you’ve always been there for me, Gerry – you’ve been my rock.

And thanks to you, John, for listening to my ramblings about my book and being so supportive and enthusiastic. The knowledge you imparted was invaluable. Thank you.

Chapter 1

I looked around and couldn’t understand why I was sitting on a bench in a park, and why am I alone? Where’s Harvey…or anyone else for that matter? I tried to remember if there was a reason for me to be there and I couldn’t think of a damn thing.

I haven’t lost my memory…what the hell’s going on?

The sun was out. I looked up to the sky, trying to see where it was…couldn’t see it – bloody weird. What the hell am I doing here? That’s it! This is work and that’s why I’m here, waiting for someone. Who? Now, I’m more bloody confused than ever.

The tatty dark green bench I sat upon was on the edge of a wide asphalt path. There was another bench opposite – no one on that one – why would there be? Not many people about, that’s all. Then I noticed there were no shadows beneath it and the edge of the grass didn’t look normal, either. For some reason that made me feel even more uneasy.

I looked up and down the path and there wasn’t a soul anywhere.

Why the hell am I sitting here, then?

I wanted to go home. I stood up, and then I wondered where the bloody hell is home. Where I actually was, was unrecognisable and I knew for definite I hadn’t been in a park for years – especially this one. I sat down again…extremely worried now.

I looked around trying to remember something I may have seen before – nothing.

Then, movement caught my eye, out to my right in my peripheral vision. I turned my head to see what it was, properly, and the only thing I could see that was moving was a wheelchair, and in it sat a strange looking girl; a teenager by her clothes, although I really didn’t think she was. Her wheelchair was in the middle of the path. The type that sported large back wheels, to make it easy for the person in the chair to propel themselves. She was coming towards me. One thing struck me as very strange. She had her hands in her lap and the wheels were turning. Who the fuck’s pushing it?

Holy shit!

I don’t even know why I had that reaction. Ghosts had never bothered me my whole life, so why would this one freak me out?

She’s not a ghost; that’s why, you idiot!

For some reason my fascination with the wheels stopped the panic brewing; watching them turn as she slowly came closer. I didn’t recognise her, although she did try to smile, even if it did end up in a grotesque grimace. I smiled back and the chair stopped abruptly, next to the empty end of my bench.

Why did you smile back? Bloody fool!

She slipped from the wheelchair onto the bench, and then she scooted along it until she was right beside me, almost touching, which gave me the bloody creeps. The very fact that she didn’t use her arms was particularly freaking me out.

How the hell did she do that?

I looked around again to see if Harvey was coming. I couldn’t see anyone…or the bloody wheelchair. I looked to see if the girl was still there, trying hard not to stare at her – bloody difficult. She was worth every second of a stare. Her eyes, nose and mouth shimmered, as if they were not her own, but borrowed from someone else – older than her tiny size allowed. I had to turn away.

I felt a nudge from her, although her hands were very still in her lap, and then she spoke, They were frozen.

What were frozen? I asked her.

I don’t know. I just know they were frozen. She had a sad voice and one too old for her years.

Must be a pigging psycho? I always bloody find them…like leeches.

Then I was curious to find out who she was, but when I turned my head to speak to her again, she’d vanished.

I stood up and yelled, I haven’t finished talking to you! WHERE DID YOU GO?

Alli, you’re dreaming, come on, wake up? I opened my eyes and Harvey looked really worried.

What’s the matter? I rested my head on my hand and waited for him to tell me.

You were yelling, Where did you go?" I was worried, Alli; you sounded distraught. Do you remember any of it?

I told Harvey the dream, remembering it perfectly. He looked as confused as I’d been…in the dream…and now.

I think I better have a swim, to wash it off me, Harvey. I don’t like not understanding things – reminds me of my life before I met you. Christ, she’s not come back, has she? Tears trickled down my face.

Harvey grabbed hold of me, Alli, don’t do that to yourself? Of course she hasn’t. Gina would tell you if she thought anything had changed. You know that.

There was a knock on the door.

Harvey called, Come in, Gina.

She came straight in and sat on the edge of the bed, next to Harvey, I dreamt the same dream, Alli. This has nothing to do with her, so stop thinking it has. Olli’s just listened to me explaining it to him. I’ve no bloody idea what it meant and what the hell was frozen – did you work it out – I didn’t?

No, Gina. Thanks for coming along here. I was bloody scared.

I know. That’s why I’m here and I’ll join you for a swim. I don’t want to remember that all day, either, Alli. You get up and I’ll make a start on the tea and toast. She left us and closed the door quietly.

I told you, didn’t I, Alli? I gave him a cuddle.

I know it sounded irrational. Sorry, Harvey.

He pulled back from me to look at my face, Look, Alli. I know you’re still worried about your other ‘self’, rearing her ugly head again. It won’t happen now – too much has happened and you’re stronger than you’ve ever been. The very fact that yours and Gina’s minds are linked, I understand now that she’d have a bloody battle on her hands, with you two. He giggled. I wouldn’t fancy her chances – would you?

When you put it like that, no, she’d run a fucking mile.

It was throwing it down and today we’d planned to search for more babies bodies, like those I’d found buried at the rear of the old mental hospital. I’d already found thirteen when we were looking for a young lad’s body. I’d pulled that from the mind of a suspect in his interview, and the reason I was employed by MI5, even though I’m a hybrid, along with the rest of my extended family. We were their pet project, once overseen by the Home Office, for MI5. Not now – two Home Office employees turned Gina in an experiment and now they languish in Broadmoor Hospital for the criminally insane. The best place for them and hopefully they’d never see the light of day again. Even that was too soon for us, though we had to accept it and get on with the next case that was thrust upon us. We were here for eternity and would hear when they died.

Most hybrids don’t sleep at all. Gina, me and Chris, Reese’s partner, only slept a couple of hours a night. Reese and Chris were turned just over a week ago after Reese had sustained injuries in a car crash, so serious, he wouldn’t have lasted the night. I turned him to keep him alive, if that’s what we are, and Chris, at his request.

When we pulled into our parking space at the nick, I looked at the size of the droplets hitting the windscreen of our car. They were large and we’d have been soaked, running from the car into work. Let’s think ourselves in there, Harvey? I’ll look like a drowned rat all day, if we don’t. Please?

He giggled, Suppose there has to be a first for everything.

Once we were in our office, Harvey opened the door to the team’s office and Debbie was shaking an umbrella out on the floor. She looked up, Jammy buggers. I wish I could do it.

Her phone rang and she dropped the umbrella to answer it. We could hear the ear-bashing that filled her head, in our minds. Debbie tried to speak and she was stopped more than once, before she could utter a full word.

Harvey said, If she ever lets you get a word in, invite her here, Debbie and we’ll talk to her? Debbie nodded and tried again – she couldn’t.

Hang up, Debbie. Cut her off. Her phone was laid on its cradle.

Sorry, Harvey. She was impossible.

He knew and said to her, She’ll ring back and then I’ll answer it. We’ll have a little chat before we interview that husband of hers. He sat on the end of Debbie’s desk.

Lucas and Andy came in, shaking water off their jackets. How come you’re not wet, Sis?

I laughed at the pair of them, dripping all over the floor. They looked like they’d just climbed out of the pool, at home. We used our brains and didn’t get a spot on us.

Lucas giggled and wished they’d done the same when Debbie’s phone rang again. Everyone was silent.

Harvey picked her phone up and held it away from his head for a minute, grinning at us. He could hear every word because his hearing was so acute, and we could hear it too, through him.

After about five minutes, the bellower on the phone realised no one was answering her and she starting asking if anyone was there. That was when Harvey put the phone to his ear. Good morning, Mrs Phelps. Could I help you with anything?

The rant from her started again so Harvey cut her off for a second time. He laughed at me, I’m sure she’s caught Wicks’ syndrome? Good job she’s a doctor, though I’m not bloody surprised he’s had affairs. He stood up and said, Switch her through to my mobile when she calls again, Debbie, please? Debbie smiled and sat at her desk.

In our office, Harvey had a little surprise for the boys, Lucas; Jack, sorry about this. Ron has a warrant for Phelps’ house. I’d like you both to execute it…means you’re going to get wet again, I’m afraid.

Lucas smiled and said, I’m sure she won’t mind us dripping all over her house. Tough if she does. He looked at his jacket and then he hung it on the back of his chair, Pointless wearing that – doing me no bloody good.

Gina came in with a tray of tea, Here, get a drink before you go out. I know you don’t feel the cold but it could be a while before you get another.

Cheers, Gina, Lucas said, taking a mug and drinking a mouthful. She won’t hold us up. We’ll have to remember to call her Mrs Phelps, Jack.

Before Jack could answer, Harvey’s phone rang. He opened it and said, Yes.

We all expected it to be Mrs Phelps; obvious it wasn’t, watching Harvey’s face grow more serious with every minute that passed. Harvey was the leader of this murder squad and he was the first point of contact, if we were called out. We didn’t listen-in – just waited to find out where we were going. Everything else would have to wait now, until we’d dealt with whatever this was. New crimes were always a priority with us.

We’ll be there in half an hour, Ian. Just sit tight. Harvey’s phone snapped shut and he looked up, Vice had a tip-off and Ian was on the raid with them. Neighbours had rung in repeatedly to complain that a house in their row was a knocking shop – that’s why it was passed on to them. When they broke in, the stench almost knocked them off their feet. Ian stopped them going in and phoned here.

The door was tapped and Reese, our boss at MI5, walked in, Morning everyone. Sounds serious, Harvey?

Morning, Reece. Harvey shook his hand. We’re not interviewing Phelps for a while – sorry.

Well, he can bloody wait, Harvey. I’ll come with you. See if Jo’s forgotten how to drive. Everyone laughed at that and we heard Jo in our heads, from the outer office.

You’re a brave man, Reese.

He laughed at her. I wouldn’t have that car, if I didn’t like driving fast, Jo.

Andy came in, What shall I order, Harvey?

Just Socco for now, Andy. We’ve no idea what’s there yet. Andy left the office. He’d have heard the address Ian had given to Harvey, although we didn’t know.

Six Templeton Close, everyone – on the old estate where they’ve started to modernise the houses. About fucking time, too; rat holes, all of them.

We’ve been there before, Harvey. He looked over to me.

We certainly have, Alli.

Recognition spread to everyone in the room – they’d heard all about how Nick, our duty solicitor had adopted his daughter, Josie. With us all being telepathic, it didn’t take a second for them to understand – including Reese. He’s known about everything we’ve done, since I met and married Harvey. We were going next door to where Josie’s mother lived, with her stepfather.

Let’s go, Harvey spouted, dragging his jacket from his chair. In the outer office, Debbie looked up, to see if she had to do anything. Keep things rolling here, Debbie, and I’ll ring if we need you. Andy’s stopping with you, to see to us. You’ve got enough on your plate, for now.

Right, Harvey. We hurried to our cars, soaked now as it was still lashing down. By the time we got out in Templeton Close, it had stopped. Ian and his sidekick saw us pull up and joined us in front of the house. One of our vans was full of other vice officers.

Morning, Harvey. Sorry to call you out and that lot are pissed off with me. The other officer looked daggers at Ian.

Don’t worry, Ian. As of this morning, you’ll be the only one of this fucking shower, left in vice. He looked at Ian’s partner, That includes you. Where the hell were you when that body was found? Don’t answer, I know. Playing fucking cards! When you get back to the nick, the commissioner is waiting with your P45’s. Make sure you collect them? Now clear off with those other lazy bastards.

All through Harvey’s tirade the other guy’s colour had drained from his face. He opened his mouth to say something and thought better of it. He turned and headed for the van. The sliding side door opened for him to get in, and we heard his comment to them loud and clear. We’ve all been fucking sacked! Whoever was driving took off like a rocket and hit a car that was overtaking them. He hadn’t indicated or checked his mirrors. Harvey pulled his phone from his pocket and rang for the traffic cops to sort it out. We had enough on our hands.

Ian looked dumbfounded. When Harvey had finished his call, he laughed at Ian’s face.

You’ll be more than gobsmacked, this afternoon, Ian – you’re being promoted. Ian stared, wide-eyed and scratched his head.

Keith joined us with Darren. They’d had to walk from their van, with the road now blocked by the accident and he couldn’t help having a dig when he could, Is that those bastards in vice – no one taught them to drive? The sarcasm in his voice was typical of Keith. He’d had enough of them, like us.

They’ve just got the push, Keith. He smiled at Harvey. He and Darren had been called out to the body, Harvey had referred to.

I opened our car boot and gave Harvey a forensic suit; finding another for me to struggle into. Now we were wet, it made it more difficult.

Have you any spares, Alli? Ian asked.

If you really want to come in, there’s a pile that fit Harvey on the right – should be okay for you. There are masks, if you want one, Ian?

Reese and Jo walked up to us, they’d parked along the road and I could see Lucas, Jack and Olli behind them, with Gina bringing up the rear, still fiddling with the strap at the neck of her suit.

Reese said, I’ll get that lot towed out of here, Harvey, if you want?

Traffic will be five minutes, Reese, and we don’t know if we’ll need any space yet. Everyone ready? We nodded and followed him to the front door. They’d used an ‘enforcer’ to break open the double-glazed door. Shows how bad the properties were, the door wasn’t damaged at all, apart from the impact point where it was slightly marked. The door-jam was so riddled with wood-worm it had disintegrated, leaving the locked mortise sticking out into the air. That wasn’t really what was on everyone’s mind, though; the smell that hit us could only mean one thing – bodies inside.

Harvey pushed the door with his gloved hand and it swung back to the wall. He stepped inside and we followed. The smell was so strong there had to be more than one body.

Andy, you’ll have to block this road off, asap, or we’ll have the bloody press wading in here. This smells bad.

Okay. On it, Harvey; anything else?

I’ll ring Hillary if we need her, Andy. He turned to us, We better split up and check every room. Jo, Lucas and Reese headed upstairs and we fanned out to the rooms on the ground floor. Every room was empty, with curtains at the windows to make it look lived-in.

Ian said, How could anyone think this was a knocking-shop?

God only knows, Ian – bit uncomfortable. He grinned at me.

Empty up here, too. We heard from Jo.

Where’s that fucking smell coming from, then? I said, more to myself. I looked for the kitchen and it was worse in there. Has to be in here, Harvey, but where? I looked around the filthy kitchen and I couldn’t see anywhere a body could’ve been stashed. All the doors were smashed off the old kitchen units or hanging on the odd screw, by the skin-of-its-teeth.

Hold my hand and close your eyes, Alli? You’ll feel where they are.

Good idea. I grabbed his hand and did as he said. Suddenly I felt surrounded by bodies and ghosts.

They’re all Chinese, Alli. Those words filled our heads from Gina. She was very rarely wrong with her premonitions and we knew it.

I opened my eyes and told Harvey, They’re under this floor. He looked astonished. The floor we were on was solid.

Olli came into the kitchen with the others, There might be an outhouse on the back of this shit-hole. Old council houses had them, Harvey.

Let’s check it out. The back door was locked and an old wooden type; not modern like the front door. Harvey pushed his weight on it and it gave way, without much effort. Sawdust fluttered to the ground where worms had eaten their way through that, like every other piece of wood here, I suspected.

In the back yard, black bags full of rubbish were stacked against a greenhouse, and the length of that was flush with the wall of the house. This wasn’t like a normal greenhouse, with a dirt floor. This one was on concrete with the edge of a wooden hatch, just showing under the two-tier staging for pots that ran along both sides. Olli went in there and lifted the one above the hatch and passed it to Harvey through the door. He rested it up against one of the walls adjoining next door's garden.

Now we could see the padlocks; new, and locking together two rows of heavy duty hasps that were bolted into the concrete, either side of the hatch and holding it down.

Andy, ring Marty and ask him to deliver a gennie here, with fuel, and a Kango-gun with an inch wide chisel bit, please?

Right, Harvey.

I looked at the others, He’s a dab-hand with this bloody thing. They laughed at me.

Lucas piped up, We’ve seen him use one, many times, Sis, when we helped with all the plumbing in the cellar.

I giggled and elbowed him, Oh, of course you did – sneaky buggers. Not that I’m complaining. Harvey flashed his eyes at me.

Hey! What’s going on here? We turned around to see a head above the wall, next to the staging. It was Josie’s mother, looking as delightful as last time, with a cigarette hanging from her mouth. Perhaps it’s the same one?

Harvey giggled at me before he walked over to her, We’re the police. Do you know who lives here?

Are you daft? The place is empty.

When did they move out and do you know who they were?

Don’t know and I’m missing Jeremy Kyle, talking to you.

Go back to your television, Harvey said bluntly and turned away from her. Then she was pissed off and started shouting abuse at us.

Leave this to me, Harvey.

I walked over to her and said, Look at me. You will go and watch your television and not bother us again. She turned from the wall and waddled off, having put on another couple of stone since we last saw her. Maybe she’ll have burst, before we set eyes on her again?

Thank God for that, Alli, Harvey said and then his phone rang. He opened it and said, loudly, Yes! He listened for a few seconds, I’ll be right out, Marty. Shit, he’s about to get a ticket off Traffic. Be right back. Harvey disappeared.

Lucas said, He’ll need a hand. The boys followed him through the house to the street which left a few of us in the back yard.

I hate waiting around, Alli – don’t you? Gina face was twisted, making Reese laugh.

Why don’t you and I go for tea, for everyone, Gina? Reese smiled when her face lit up.

We’ll be here for fucking hours; good idea. They might have opened that bloody hole by the time we get back, as well. See you later, Alli.

Bye. Just after they’d gone, something pushed against my arm. When I looked there was a line of oriental ghosts, jostling to be next to me. If you lot don’t pack it in, we’ll leave your bodies down there? Is that what you want? Shock filled their grey faces. They moved away and huddled together across the yard. I’d forgotten about Keith, Darren and Ian, standing with Jo. Sorry boys, they become a bloody pest. I can’t hurry things up and they’ve got no fucking patience. Jo had seen it all before and laughed at their gobsmacked faces.

Harvey and the boys came back which stopped any questions. He carried the heavy gun that looked like an enormous drill. Olli and Lucas held a handle of the gennie each and a can full of fuel. As soon as the gennie was put down, Lucas fired it up. Harvey plugged the gun in. He wasted no time forcing the chisel into the concrete around one of the bolts. It took a few minutes to loosen the first one, giving Olli enough room to get his hand under the hasp. He pulled on it to make it easier for Harvey to see where to plunge the drill in, next. Seconds later, the bolt flew out of the concrete. Olli fell backwards and laughed, righting himself quickly because Harvey was on the next one. It took around the same amount of time to dig up. Gina and Reese came through the back door of the house. The road’s clear out there, Harvey! Gina bellowed as she thrust a take-away beaker of tea at him. Drink it before you open that up? You won’t want to, after you see what’s down there.

Right, Mrs Walker; whatever you say. Harvey laughed at her and switched the gennie off, to give us some peace.

Gina handed the tea out then opened her cup to drink it. Crap tea, I’m afraid. Bit like Debbie’s.

I heard that, Gina. Each to his own. Gina laughed at her. Debbie drank tea that was so weak, you could see the bottom of the cup.

Don’t you think it would be wise to open that thing up and let the smell clear; like we did on that bloody Anderson shelter, Harvey?

Good idea, Mrs Burgess. You lot go out to the street and I’ll open it. I’ll hold my breath and then I can think myself to the front door. We hurried through the house.

We’re outside, Harvey.

He came through the front door and pulled it as closed as it would go. The smell still hit us, it was that bad. Close neighbours came out of their houses, those that had windows open, to see where it had come from. Harvey went over to two women, standing outside the houses opposite, to tell them we were the police. They soon went indoors and closed their windows.

Harvey said to me, That’s worse than the foundry. At least some air found its way inside that place. This was like taking the lid off… He looked up to the sky. I’ve never smelled anything like it, Alli, honestly. From the look on Keith’s face, nor had he.

Harvey threw his tea slops in the gutter and stood the cup on the bonnet of our car.

I think we should go in first, Keith. We can hold our breath for nearly an hour. You stay out here too, Ian and Reese. You wouldn’t be able to handle that, at the moment.

Glad you said that, Harvey, Keith owned up. Harvey nodded to him and we entered the house with our lungs full of cleaner air from the street.

We didn’t mess around, hurrying through the house to the back yard. Olli pulled a torch from his pocket. He looked down the concrete staircase and went down first. Watch your step. The treads are deep. Harvey went