Chasing Shadows: A Distant Land

By B T Coll

Fourth novel in the crime series Chasing Shadows but can be read as a stand alone novel. DI Mike Watson finds himself involved with Secret Service Agents in both the UK and USA. For over 10 years, the illusive assassin called the Chameleon has evaded capture by the CIA. DI Watson is recruited by the Secret Service to help them catch this assassin before he completes his mission, with the assassination of an African President. He soon finds that his own life is in danger. Who can he trust? With a dramatic climax, who will survive? As with the other novels in the crime series, there is a twist at the end which only the reader discovers. Other ebooks in the crime series Chasing Shadows include: Countdown, Malevolence, A Son's Revenge and Time To Run.

• Language: English
• Publisher: B T Coll
• Release date: May 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310727931

Book preview

Chasing Shadows

A Distant Land

B T Coll

Table of Contents

Author’s Note

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Epilogue

Author’s Note

A Distant Land is a work of fiction. Names, characters and incidents are entirely fictitious.

2017 Copyright @ B T Coll

Smashwords Edition

All Rights Reserved

Chapter One

The vibration from his cell phone, in his jacket pocket, made him jump. He was off duty for a few days and didn’t expect to receive a call. Quickly pulling it from his pocket, he made a gesture to his wife that he had to step outside to take the call. He knew by the glare he received from her, that she was angry but so was he. All they wanted was some peace to spend time as a family and enjoy a short break. Now that peace was being broken. She shook her head and he quickly left his seat to make his way to the back door, to take the call and hoped upon hope that he wouldn’t be sent on another mission.

They had only been in Fort Worth for two days and had planned to stay for a full week. Would this now be possible? He hoped that it would, otherwise his wife would blow a gasket and his life wouldn’t be worth living. Before they had set off, he had assured her that they would have a whole week of family time with no interruptions. Why had he done that? Now standing outside the door of the Rodeo, he wished he hadn’t made such a promise.

The shouting from the rodeo show inside made it impossible to hear the person on the other end of the phone. Wait a sec. I can’t hear you. he shouted, moving further and further away from the door. Even outside the noise was deafening. Fort Worth Stockyards was always a busy place and he cursed under his breath, as he looked around for somewhere quiet. Eventually finding a secluded corner, he lifted his cell phone to his ear and was surprised to find that the caller had not hung up but had waited for him to speak. Hello. Carry on. I can hear you now. he said in a quiet hushed voice. He was stunned to discover that his next mission was outwith the United States. Scotland! he exclaimed. Where the hell is that?

After a few seconds of awkward silence the voice at the other end of the cell phone replied. I will send the details by special delivery, as usual. You should receive them by tomorrow lunchtime. He was shocked. Wait a sec. I’m not at home. he said. Where the hell are you then? the voice asked angrily. I’m in Fort Worth and won’t be back until Friday. he replied, unsure of how that statement would be received. Friday. Are you bloody joking? We need you now, so get your ass back home and collect that package at lunchtime tomorrow. I will be in touch after you have had time to look at the mission. the voice replied sternly and the line suddenly went dead.

Returning to the rodeo, he took his seat again and purposely ignored his wife’s glaring stares. He knew that she wouldn’t be happy about cutting their holiday short but he would deal with that later. He watched as his six-year-old son Jesse, jumped up and down with delight at the cowboys who were trying to lasso a huge white bull. Soon the bull was on the ground and his son high-fived one of the cowboys, who had jumped from his horse and ran over to the crowd. You having a good time? he asked his son, who immediately informed him that he was going to be a cowboy and wanted a horse of his own. His wife laughed at such a ridiculous suggestion. Where on earth would we keep it for goodness sake? she replied shaking her head. Oh, please mum. I love horses. If I get a horse then I will be a real cowboy. he pleaded. Jesse was the spitting image of his mother with his dark brown curly hair and brown eyes. If Jesse is getting a horse I want one too. Amber, their 10-year-old daughter suddenly announced. Amber was more like her father with her blonde hair and blue eyes. Don’t be silly. How about some riding lessons? their mother suggested as a compromise. Ok then. But when I’m a good rider I want a horse. Jesse stated with determination in his voice.

Soon the rodeo show was over and as they joined the crowds of people leaving the show, his wife turned to him. Do you have something to tell me? she asked. Not here honey. I’ll tell you all about it later. he replied. Let’s get something to eat I’m starving. Who wants a hotdog?

An hour later they were back at their hotel. As the children went off to bed, they settled down in front of the television with a glass of wine. He turned to his wife and by the look on her face, she knew exactly what he was about to say. Sorry honey but we have to go back home tomorrow. I’m expecting a package. he told her. She took a deep sigh before replying. Do you have to go away again? You promised we could have this week together as a family. He held her hand. Sorry but it’s work and you know that I would rather stay here with you. Listen, I have an idea, why don’t you and the kids stay till the end of the week and I will go home alone. His wife jumped from the sofa. We stay as a family. If you go home, we all go home. she announced, with determination in her dark brown eyes. Now I’m going to bed, all that shouting and screaming at the rodeo has given me a headache." she said, before making her way to the bedroom. He turned the television off and sat by himself drinking a glass of wine. For some reason, his wife didn’t want to argue, which was unusual. Perhaps she really did have a headache.

His thoughts returned to his mission. Scotland, he knew was far away but exactly where it was, he wasn’t quite sure. And what was he expected to do when he got there? He sighed, all would be revealed when the package was delivered tomorrow.

Chapter Two

In the morning, the children moaned about having to cut short their holiday, as there was so much else they wanted to see. They had wanted to visit Houston and Dallas before returning home, so they were more than a little angry that this would now not happen. Next time. I promise. he told them and cursed under his breath, when he realised that he had made another promise which he would probably be unable to keep. Do we have to go straight home dad? Can’t we go to Houston first? I really want to see the Space Centre? his son Jesse asked him. Sorry but we have to get straight home. Next time. he replied seeing the sadness in his young son’s eyes. We will go down and get breakfast first and maybe just maybe, we will have time for a quick swim in the swimming pool before we leave. he told him but his son shouted NO! before marching out of the room in a huff.

Just over an hour later they were in the car making their way home to Austin. It would take them nearly three hours to reach home and he knew it might take longer than that, as he would have to stop off here and there for the children to visit the restrooms. He hoped he would be home in time for the delivery of his package. In order for that to happen, he drove a little faster than usual, in an attempt to return home as quickly as possible. They had lived in Cedar Park, a suburb of Austin, for just over two years and they all loved it; having moved from Chicago. Their home was only 17 minutes from downtown Austin, which gave them the best of both worlds. Austin is the capital of Texas and is situated on the Colorado River.