Everlasting Guilt

By Russell Robertson

WHILE berthed in The Firth of Forth, the luxury cruise ship Atlantic Ocean is attacked by terrorists, throwing the city and authorities into turmoil.
A Cabinet meeting of COBRA is urgently convened and the British Government dispatches Cpt. Gordon Graynor from MI5 and two of his agents to Edinburgh to take control and investigate the crime.
Investigative Journalist Harry Cram and his partner Skye Livingstone return home from Australia as they learn that two of their friends were onboard the ship, presumed dead. After many fatalities on the cruise ship, the relatives seek answers to the lack of security on the cruise liner and engage Harry Cram to gather information allowing them to lodge a class action against the Company operating the cruise line.
Cram also has unfinished business in Edinburgh trying to find out who murdered his previous partner.

In the middle of the investigation, a never to be released psychopath imprisoned in the State Mental Hospital contacts the police claiming that he has valuable information into the terror attack and is willing to trade that information in return for a release date.
Can they afford to ignore his claims that another attack is imminent?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Russell Robertson
• Release date: Mar 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370272235

Russell Robertson

Born in Scotland, Russell was among many things, a professional soccer player, an Insurance salesman, labourer and crane driver before leaving for Australia (the lucky country) Business life in Australia has varied from roles as Marketing Manager, Senior Management Roles, Real Estate Principal to Company Director. As a successful business man and director of a translation business he recently stepped down to concentrate on his next exciting venture, writing crime novels

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EVERLASTING GUILT

A Harry Cram Novel

Russell Robertson

All rights reserved

Copyright © Russell Robertson. 2018

Written by Russell Robertson

First Edition March 2018

In memory of Faye Darling

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

Dedication

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

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Acknowledgements

About The Author

HARRY CRAM NOVELS

Windsor Place

Everlasting Guilt

SHORT STORIES

Eternalism By Death

Thirty Days In Prisonland

http://www.harrycram.com/

Chapter 1

DCI Craig Spencer was sitting by the unlit fireside drinking a cup of freshly made tea and watching his favourite early morning food program on BBC Scotland when it was suddenly interrupted by a newsflash... Unconfirmed reports of ten dead, dozens injured and hostages taken on a luxury cruise ship in the Firth of Forth... Updates to follow...

Before he got to his mobile, it rang. He checked the screen before answering. It was DI Darling. What the fuck is happening Andy?

You’ve seen the news then, sir?

Yes.

More information is coming in as we speak. Some unconfirmed reports put the death toll at around twenty. It is changing rapidly. It sounds like it could be a terrorist attack on a luxury cruise ship berthed in the Firth of Forth.

I'm on my way. Get the team assembled and set up number three office as the main incident centre. Has the detective superintendent arrived at the station yet?

Yes, he has just arrived. I’m also hearing people from MI5 are on their way up from London.

I'll be there in around twenty minutes. No one and I mean no one is to leave the station.

Right, sir.

Who has been dispatched to the scene?

At this point, DI White, DC Cropley, DC Rayner, Sergeant Blackie, PCs Reilly and Gordon should just about be arriving in Queensferry.

Who’s in charge out there at the moment?

DI Jim Harvey from Fettes police station has set up a temporary camp in the local Queensferry Police Station.

Okay, talk to you when I get in. I cannot believe this is happening here in Edinburgh and so soon after the recent terrible attacks in Manchester and London. Nobody is safe anywhere, anymore. Remember, Andy, as I said, no one leaves the building.

Spencer had a lot of time for Darling. He was as dependable as a Swiss watch and as sharp as a tack. His dress sense left a lot to be desired, but that was not a pre-requisite to being a good cop.

Spencer called Detective Superintendent Sam Johnston from his mobile phone as he drove from his home in Barnton towards the station in Leith. No answer. He left a message, then turned on the car radio hoping he might get an update before he reached his destination. Nothing, the news obviously hadn’t yet hit the airways. He checked his phone at intersections, and social media had not picked up anything either.

As he drove to the station, dozens of ambulances with sirens blaring and police cars doing the same were heading in the opposite direction towards Queensferry, where the drama was unfolding. People just stood at street corners, staring and wondering what the hell was going down. Edinburgh was not used to this scale of mayhem.

The traffic heading into the city was fairly light considering it was a Friday morning. The festival was in full swing at this time of the year. That meant thousands of tourists were swarming all over the city, day and night. A catalyst for chaos and panic.

The Edinburgh Festival was established in nineteen forty-seven and had grown to form what is acknowledged as the world’s largest annual cultural festival attracting millions of people to the city in the middle of summer. An unwanted annual headache for the already stretched Edinburgh Police Force.

He approached the steel barrier at the entrance to the off-street car park at the Leith station which was already lined with frenetic reporters, anxious for news for their papers. He kept the car windows closed and ignored the flashbulbs going off and the questions being shouted through the window at him as he waited for the barrier to raise. Journalists were not known for their patience or good manners as they shoved multiple cameras against the window and waved their notepads in the air hoping for any morsel of response.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, the barrier slowly lifted, and Spencer drove into the sanctuary of the police car park.

Inside the station was, as he'd never seen before. Phones are going off everywhere, people darting from office to office, coffee being spilt, tempers flaring, some individuals trying to assert their authority and small groups nervously watching overhead TV screens. Organised chaos would be the only way to describe it.

Above the din and pandemonium, he could just make out Darling's high pitched voice. Over here, sir. He was standing at the door of the incident room frantically beckoning Spencer over.

Spencer quickly made his way across the general office floor, entered the room and simultaneously scanned around to see which personnel were in attendance.

Where is DI Alex Stone? he demanded as he jostled his way through the crowd of detectives and police officers on his way to the front of the room. Wherever she is, get her in here pronto. If that's not possible, get her on the line, now.

Darling clicked his fingers, nodded toward Trish Hanly from Operations and ordered her to deal with this immediately.

What's the latest on the situation DI Darling? Please bring everyone in the room up to speed.

Darling slowly walked past his colleagues on his way to the front of the room, adjusted his crooked tie and took up a position where he could see everyone in the room, ensuring they could all see him. At around seven thirty am this morning a single call came in to triple nine from the cruise ship Atlantic Princess, which is berthed in the Firth of Forth, reporting two people were running around the cruise ship randomly selecting people and shooting them in the head. The operator asked the caller where he was on the ship, but the line went dead. Over the next few minutes, more calls came in. All saying the same thing. There was no further communication for around twenty minutes then there were texts being sent from passengers to their friends and family.

Darling double clicked the remote, and the text messages flashed up on the screen for all to see.

In my cabin door lockedgunfire goin off terrified please hurry help Atlanic princessedinburgh

Cruise ship Edinbroug shots fired help

Pleesehelp people bein shot cabin654d

Dozens shotpeople guns everywher

All very similar. Terrified people, scared out of their wits and not knowing where to hide or what to do. Stranded on a mechanical island, wondering if they’ll ever see their loved ones again.

Darling switched his focus back to the people in the room. Look at all the grammatical errors. People frightened, hands shaking, trying to text in terror. This is no doubt terrorism on an unprecedented scale in Scotland. I would imagine most people would have locked themselves in their cabins, scared to move.

What else do we have? requested Spencer.

First responders are four Tactical Response Teams, and they are now in position under the command of MI5 Director of Security Gordon Graynor, who has just flown in from London and set up headquarters in the multi-agency command centre at Fettes police station. Two of his Agents also from London will be here in this office within the hour. All airports in Scotland have been closed, and all trains, buses and trams in Edinburgh have been suspended. Every hospital in Edinburgh and surrounding areas are on standby, and all elective surgery has been cancelled. The Forth rail and road bridges have also been closed. No one on this ship is going anywhere.

What structure has command set up? Spencer enquired.

Sir, the multi-agency command centre based in the former Lothian and Borders control room at the former headquarters at Fettes has instructed that the incident room here in Leith police station be set up. MAAC will concentrate on the live incident, and MIT (major investigation team) here at Leith will carry out the ongoing investigation.

Who is in the MAAC team?

There would be representatives from our executive, probably an assistant chief constable, and people representing the fire service, ambulance service and the council.

And who, may I ask, is running the investigation team?

Detective Superintendent Sam Johnston, supported by your good self.

Okay, get this Graynor chap on the phone for me, as soon as possible. He looked at his watch. We will reconvene in this office in two hours time. Go and get some breakfast, it will be a long day ahead for everyone. Remember, no one leaves the station until I say so. And DI Darling, go talk to the media meerkats parked outside. They will go to any lengths to seek out a story, and they won’t let the facts get in the way. Tell them enough to whet their appetite but not enough to distort the truth.

Chapter 2

Beautiful one day, perfect the next.  That's how Surfers Paradise on Queensland's world famous Gold Coast is described in the enticing winter holiday brochures.

Lounging in the shade on his Gold Coast balcony in the late afternoon with an ice cold beer and a light salty sea breeze drifting in from the Pacific Ocean, Harry Cram's only company was the sound of the cicadas, the bronzed surfers shuffling their way back up from the beach and the soothing sound of Fleetwood Mac's Albatross emanating from his Wi-Fi speaker box. He finished his fourth beer of the day and cruised down to the mailbox to pick up the recently delivered mail. These days his correspondence was normally made up of bills and more bills.

As he settled back into his chair on the balcony, he opened the envelope addressed to Mr Harry Cram from Slater Walters and Kelly Solicitors. He thought it would be the normal solicitor flyer promoting their real estate services until he started to read the contents of a formal letter.

Dear Mr Cram

We are pleased to inform you have been mentioned in the estate of Carole Hunter (nee Baxter) late of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Would you be kind enough to contact Nadia Ross in our estate’s section to arrange an appointment to discuss this matter at your earliest convenience.

It had been over two years since his girlfriend, Carole Baxter and her two daughters had been brutally executed in Scotland. He thought about them a lot, and he was surprised, to say the least, that he was mentioned in the will. His immediate thoughts turned to whether he should mention this at the moment to his partner Skye Livingston and what would be the reaction of Carole's husband.

Harry was enjoying the life in Australia, and his relationship with Skye couldn't be better. Together they enjoyed the wonderful weather, the golden beaches and the relaxed lifestyle. His job with the online social media website Crime News as an investigative journalist was working out well and the money was damn good. Skye had landed a great job with the Australian government as a financial analyst and life couldn't be better for both of them.

If he responded to the letter, he was concerned it might interrupt what they had. He decided to pull up stumps, give it the twenty-four- hour rule and think about what he was going to do just as his mobile rang. 

Harry answered the call with his unique traditional style. Harry Cram receiving.

Harry, it's Blair here. Have you been watching the news?

Hi, Blair. No, I haven't, what's up?

There’s been a terrorist attack in Edinburgh.

What. Where?

Cruise ship in the Firth of Forth, dozens reported to have been killed so far, and hundreds of hostages have been taken.

When did this all happen?

A few hours ago. What is the time where you are Harry?

Six in the evening. I’ll switch on Fox news and call you back later.

Harry, I have to tell you, James and Moira Scully are on the cruise ship, and they’re not answering their phones.

I’ll call you back.

Harry fumbled with the remote and flicked through the channels to Fox news. The presenters were displaying a map of Edinburgh detailing where the attack had taken place. At this time, he felt so alone and so detached from his homeland. 

South Queensferry was a very small coastal village straddling the Firth of Forth some ten miles north-west of the city centre of Edinburgh. The prefix South served to distinguish it from its partner North Queensferry on the opposite shore. Both towns derived their names from the ferry service established by Queen Margaret in the eleventh century. The ferry was disbanded in nineteen sixty-four when the Forth Road Bridge was built.

The Firth of Forth is a deep-water channel where cruise ships dock when they are too large to get into the Port of Leith. Passengers are tendered some five hundred metres to the shore at the Hawes Pier at South Queensferry before being transported by buses to and from the City.

There were graphic live shots now being shown from the scene depicting a large cruise ship anchored in the middle of the channel. Smoke was pouring out of numerous portholes, people were scrambling around the decks, and a few were jumping into the sea and being picked up by an armada of small boats.

The cameras panned around to the shore where scores of ambulances and police cars were located. There were also six Tactical Response vans parked at the rear. There appeared to be dozens of police running around, and of course, hundreds of intrigued onlookers armed with their smartphones and terror on their faces were cordoned off like cattle in a pen.

The headline tape at the bottom of the screen was now reporting up to unconfirmed thirty dead and dozens injured. This didn't happen in Edinburgh, surely not. Harry was confused and angry. He called Skye on her mobile. Christ was everyone on the phone at the same time. He left a message for her to ring him urgently.

*

The incident room was jam-packed, and standing room only as Spencer and Darling entered the room for the second time this morning. They both took their respective places at the table.

The shapely, well-dressed woman at the front of the room snapped her fingers at the man standing next to the door, and he immediately closed the door.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. My name is Agent Andrea Kilbride from MI5 and over by the door is my associate Agent Fergus Striker. We are here to oversee the current incident at Queensferry.

Her associate nodded as the heads turned towards him.

Spencer shook his head and interrupted. Incident, is that what you people call it? We call it a terrorist attack.

She leaned forward on the lectern and slowly removed her glasses as if she was buying time. "Remember, two things you can never get back. Words after they are spoken or the criticism you throw.  We take a pragmatic approach to these types of incidents. I suggest you do the same. No matter what it is called, it is extremely serious and requires specialised personnel and everyone’s co-ordination. That's where we come in. We are here to help, not to put barriers in the way. Do you understand?"

Understood, came the reply from Darling and the others in the room.

"Fine, then let's all start working together as one unit. The situation demands we do this. Up to date reports from the command centre state we have isolated the ship and are attempting to talk to the terrorists on board. We received a call from the Captain half an hour ago reporting he is okay, unharmed and confined to the bridge. He is obviously under instructions from his captors and informed us he would call again in one hour.

We expect the terrorists at that time to inform us of their demands. As the interior of the bridge is visible, we have determined there are three armed terrorists with the Captain and five crew members. The three terrorists have machine guns, and it would seem they could also be wearing explosive vests. They appear to be of Middle Eastern appearance. We don't know how many people are dead or injured and we have no idea how many terrorists are on board or indeed how they got on board. We have divers in the water looking at ways to secretly access the ship. Captain Graynor has also requested a full list of the passengers and crew."

How many people are we talking about aboard the ship? asked Darling.

Two thousand and twenty passengers and one thousand and fifty-nine crew. That brings us up to date. We will reconvene in one hour. Go and get some coffee, it's going to be a hell of a long day.

Spencer and Darling made their way to Spencer's office.

Where is DI Alex Stone? Why can't we raise her? Spencer asked Darling.

We've left a couple of messages on her phone. She is actually on a couple of days leave. She could be anywhere.

The landline phone rang. DCI Spencer here.

Craig, it's Curtis Stone here. I've just heard about the attack on the cruise ship, and I’ve been trying to call Alex all morning but can't get through to her. She's not in the office is she?

No, we are also trying to contact her.

Any idea where she might be?

I left home early this morning for a walk. She was meeting a girlfriend for an early round of golf and then going on to lunch, I think.

Do you know where?

Somewhere in Musselburgh. Can't remember the name of the place and I’m not sure which golf course they were playing at, although I would think it might be Royal Musselburgh.

Ok, let us know the minute she contacts you.

Vice versa.

*

Skye listened to the message on her phone from Harry. He sounded anxious, so she called him straight away.

Harry Cram receiving.

What's up love? You sounded concerned.

You been in meetings all afternoon?

Yes, what's up?

There's been a terrorist attack today in Edinburgh. A cruise ship in the Firth of Forth. James and Moira are on the ship.

There was a pause on the line for a few seconds, followed by a deep sigh. Stay calm darling; I'm on my way home. I'll see you in fifteen.

His first reaction when Skye came home was to hold her tightly. God I hope no one else we know is on the ship. 

Skye softly replied. You know the old saying... Until we know we don't know. 

They both sat down, holding hands and watched the news. They were deeply in love and Skye was desperate for them to get married, but Harry was more interested in pursuing the status quo. They briefly discussed what had happened, asked the question why and who, then Skye got up from the sofa announcing she was going to make some coffee and toast. Harry nodded and switched his attention back to the news while keeping an eye on his mobile phone.

As she made the coffee, Skye was thinking, Harry, didn’t deserve all this bad luck and trauma. He was a gentle soul, liked by all his peers, honest and trusted in his profession. Sure he had his faults, like everyone else, but he wouldn’t harm a fly. She knew he wouldn’t appreciate pity, but he did respond to care and love. She needed to concentrate on giving him some of that in the next few days in particular.

Chapter 3

A meeting with the superintendent was not something Spencer ever enjoyed. He could be a crusty old fart one day and as pleasant as a summers day the next. He wondered what today would bring. He suspected today would be a crusty day.

Superintendent Sam Johnson lived for the force, his wife and family would attest to that. Most evenings he was the last to leave the office and inevitably the last to leave the Raeburn Bar. He just couldn’t seem to leave if anyone else was still in the pub and there were a lot of social coppers in the force.

Fortunately, he was within walking distance of home, saving him the task of getting into and driving a vehicle.

Sam Johnson was all of five-foot-two dripping wet and wouldn’t have weighed in at more than ten stone. Sometimes out of uniform he was mistaken for a jockey. He was a tough bugger though and had sorted out many a criminal earlier in his career. He had a memory and ears like an elephant, which led to the unofficial nickname of ‘Jumbo Johnston.’ Seven years into his current position, he was only a few years away from retiring to his love of gardening. He quietly slipped the Homes and Garden magazine into his top drawer as though it was a top-secret file as DCI Spencer knocked on the door.

Come in young Spencer, take a seat. He always referred to him by that title although Spencer was not sure as to why and never bothered to ask. Nasty business this terrorism thing, bring me up to date with the situation.

Sir, I have called a media briefing for tomorrow on your instructions at the Portobello Town Hall, and I have organised every person on the list as well as the usual press to attend.

Great, well done. Where is Graynor, by the way?

He is at Bilston Glen, meeting with the hierarchy.

Good, keep him away from here as much as you can, I don’t like or trust his type.

I’ll do my best sir.

Spencer made his way back to the sanctuary of his office to make some calls and have a quick bite of lunch. Suddenly and without notice, Darling burst into the office at the same time as Spencer was about to grab a bite out of a sandwich.

Sir, phone call for you on line two. I think you should take it.

Spencer sat back in his chair, dropped his sandwich on his table and stretched out his hand to pick up the phone, How can I help you?

Sir, DI Stone here, got a message to call you, thought it must be important as I'm actually on a few days off.

Important? Christ, where have you been? Haven't you heard what's going down?

Sir, I've been playing golf, I just got off the course.

Chasing a small white ball around a park with little steel sticks while Edinburgh is under attack. Hell, woman, there has been a major terrorist attack on a cruise ship in Queensferry and your playing golf.

Sir, I had no idea. Is that what all the sirens are about?

The police officer in her immediately clicked in. How many dead, sir?

Never mind about that at the moment, just get yourself in here pronto. Your leave has just been cancelled, and Alex, on your way in, give Curtis a call, he's worried sick.

As Spencer put the phone down, he realised he might have been a little bit tough on her. Tempers were getting short; everyone was extremely anxious. This is what a crisis of this size does. Got to keep calm and show the staff he's in control. Take a deep breath, plan ahead.

Agent Andrea Kilbride looked refreshed and very calm as she opened up the second meeting. "Thank you, everyone, for being patient and on time, much appreciated. We do have a recent update on what’s