The Bully Trap: Fraser and Spencer, Consulting: Episode One

By SF Lakin

Two Newcomers to London . . .

Jonathan Fraser: A veteran of the Second Afghan War, broken inside and out, he struggles to build a new life for himself.

Jacob Spencer: An eccentric consulting detective from Manchester whose skills include normal observation, deduction, chemistry . . . and magic.

When an unwelcome figure from Fraser’s past threatens to return him to nightmare, can he and Spencer find a way to escape?

• Language: English
• Publisher: SF Lakin
• Release date: Nov 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370882649

SF Lakin

SF Lakin is a former aerospace and software engineer whose work has varied from teaching to medical data mining to development of rocket ships and ray guns. Seriously. Ms. Lakin is excited to be publishing fiction, a lifelong dream while figuring out why rocket engine parts break, dealing with students, and troubleshooting apps. She lives in Tarzana, California.

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The Bully Trap

Fraser and Spencer, Consulting

SF Lakin

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Copyright © 2016 SF Lakin

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Dedication

For my father, because he knew I could.

THE BULLY TRAP

I SAT IN my comfortable upholstered chair, my right foot upon the ottoman. My window framed as gloomy a day as London could produce, rainy and with a penetrating chill that set my poor knee to throbbing. Gloomy myself, I brooded. Even June cannot guarantee decent weather in this miserable country. Perhaps I should go home to Inverness after all… but surely the weather is worse there. Summers were delightfully warm in Peshawar.… I sighed. Come now, old chap. You hated summers when you were there as thoroughly as you now despise those of London. Complaints about the weather will not produce shillings to please your landlady. I therefore set myself to reading yet another chapter of Mitford’s Chancery. A knock upon the stairway door and a Cheerio! May I come in? announced that same landlady just as I was turning the page.

Come in, Mrs Burberry. In she came, all four feet eleven inches of her, steel-grey hair in its usual bun, with the light of battle in her eye. I pummelled my memory but could think of nothing I had done that might have angered her. What may I do for you? I asked. I believe my rent is current.

That it is, Captain, but you told me if you had not found a fellow-lodger by this month you would be in arrears the next. Is that still true?

Yes, I regret to say, and having found no other man to share these rooms I am already looking for less costly quarters.

She gave me a sly look and said, Well, now, I would hate to lose such a quiet and honest tenant as yourself. I have never had a complaint from other tenants nor from the servants regarding you. So, I asked about the last few weeks. My second cousin sent me word of a gentleman down on his luck, moving here from Manchester and looking to share rooms. I’ll not complain if you already have other arrangements in hand, but if not, would you speak with him?

I do not have other arrangements in hand, and should be grateful to speak with him. What is his name and his profession? When may I expect him?

"His name is Jacob Spencer; younger son of a household for whom my cousin was solicitor some years past. My cousin told me he was always a quiet one, if a bit eccentric, and did well in school