The Code

By Alison Clifford

NCIS Special Agent Ryan Gilmour finds himself back at the New London submarine base, the result of a posting swap with a friend. He settles in to wait for a chance to lead an investigation and for a woman who can capture his fickle heart.

When a vandal carves a Morse code message onto a building on the base, Ryan crosses paths with librarian Alex Ware. Her ability to avoid answering his questions leaves Ryan convinced she is hiding something. Determined to find out what it is he seeks her out, but his persistence only leads to conflict and frustration.

As a second act of vandalism rapidly follows, and then a third, Ryan is given the lead in the investigation. The attacks become sinister, the trail of Morse code messages with each act taunting Ryan and his team, daring them to break the code before it’s too late. And at every turn is the elusive Alex Ware.

Will Ryan and his team find the key to solving the case? Will Alex let down her guard and tell Ryan her secret?

Can they uncover who is behind The Code?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alison Clifford
• Release date: Apr 29, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370550302

Alison Clifford

Alison began writing as a teenager, hiding away in the school library during lunch to work on her stories. None of these projects ever made it beyond the first few chapters as other interests took over.During her final year of high school, Alison joined the Australian Army Reserve and went on to serve in the Royal Australian Air Force.A fan of motorsport, Alison follows the V8 Supercars, Formula 1, and MotoGP, and loves to attend local motorsport events. As well as being a self-confessed stationery junkie, she also likes spending time at the local Botanical Gardens.Alison is married with three children and lives in Tasmania, Australia.

Book preview

Ryan stepped back and smiled, avoiding the closer intimacy of a goodnight kiss his date had blatantly offered.

I had a lovely time, and it was nice getting to know you, he said, maintaining the distance as she leaned towards him.

Are you sure you won’t come in for coffee? she asked.

Thank you, but no. I must get going.

He hated that line, but right now he couldn’t think of one better. His date’s mouth drooped as she took a step back. Rule number one was don’t let them believe things would go further than he intended them to. Ryan smiled, waiting for her to enter her apartment. Another of his rules; never leave them standing alone on the doorstep. ‘Always be a gentleman,’ his mother told him. His father was blunter; ‘It’s your duty to make sure they get into their home safely.’ Old-fashioned these days but leaving before they were inside was something he couldn’t do. He may not plan to take things further, but there was no reason to be rude. So, he waited.

His date tossed her head and sniffed as she inserted her key into the lock. She disappeared into the apartment without saying another word, shutting the door behind her with a snap. Ryan allowed a sigh of relief to escape as he turned and headed back to his car. The girl had seemed so nice when they’d first met, but this evening she had talked non-stop about herself, her best friend’s problems, her sister’s problems. She’d then rounded off the evening by asking him how to deal with her ex-boyfriend without the cops being brought into it. Ryan shook his head as he climbed into his car and then drove away without a backwards glance. Asking an NCIS special agent how to avoid the law only showed the level of intelligence that existed, or didn’t, behind her pretty face.

He had a reputation as a ladies’ man, but it didn’t bother him. He dated a lot. There was no law against that, and most dates never went beyond the first. Right from the start he had set rules for himself: never promise what he couldn’t or wouldn’t deliver, always be a gentleman, see them safely indoors, and never sleep with them on the first date. The rules had stood up well, and while he might be known for dating a lot, no woman could complain he had led her to think there was more to it than there was.

After a short drive, Ryan slowed as he approached the entrance to the base that was his temporary home; Submarine Base New London. A big change from Washington DC, but one he’d volunteered for. The agent in charge at New London had leapt at the chance to have someone with Ryan’s experience join the team. Ryan had proposed an exchange with a junior agent, Tait, who wanted to join her fiancé and Ryan’s close friend, Andrew, in DC. The DC office had resisted, but the exchange had gone through and here he was. The quarters on base were supposed to have been temporary, but six months later he was still living there. A reluctance to settle in? Maybe he didn’t feel he fitted in. Not yet, anyway.

Ryan held up his ID for the guards at the base entrance and drove on when they nodded and waved him through. He directed his car towards his building, winding along the streets of the base. As he passed the recreation complex, a flash of torchlight caught his attention and he stopped. Two people were looking at the side of a building. The light from their torches moved almost in unison from side to side as if following a mark or trail. One of the torch-bearers turned their beam on their companion, lighting up a Master at Arms uniform, the Navy’s police. That was enough for Ryan. If the MAs were interested in something, so was he.

One of the MAs looked up as Ryan stepped out of his car, shining his torch in Ryan’s face.

Drop it, will you? Ryan said, lifting a hand to block the glare.

Oh, Special Agent Gilmour, it’s you, the MA replied, frowning. This isn’t an NCIS issue. I wasn’t expecting you lot to bother with this.

I was just passing and saw you checking something out. Ryan shrugged. There was no way he would leave without knowing what was happening. Got curious, I guess. He strolled over to the two MAs. So, what’s going on?

The first MA glanced at the other who had turned back to the building and was shining his torch at the wall. Graffiti, he said. Not the usual kind, though.

Ryan walked over to the building to look at what the MA highlighted. A row of dots and dashes stretched across the wall for about two yards, chipped into the red brickwork.

Morse code?

Like I said, not the usual kind.

Ryan held out his hand. May I borrow the torch?

The MA hesitated and then passed his torch over. Ryan lit up the wall and read off the word. Eighteen. Strange. Who found it?

Got a complaint of someone banging rocks, the MA said. We saw the chips on the ground first. The torchlight swung down to show brick dust and small pieces of red brick on the grass beside the building. Whoever did this was long gone before we got here. No sign of them.

Ryan swung the torch on the ground and then in each direction away from the site. The ground was hard, so there were no visible footprints showing which way the culprit had come and gone.

Anyway, the MA said, holding out his hand for his torch, I think we’ve got this.

The message was clear—this was their jurisdiction, not Ryan’s. He passed the torch over in acknowledgement. Of course. I appreciate you showing me this. He waved to the message on the wall. Let me know if NCIS can assist you in any way.

We will.

Ryan headed back to his car, taking the dismissal in his stride. The MAs had clear jurisdiction over a case like this—NCIS would only be called in for more serious crimes. Still, it was a curious message conveyed in an unusual way. Chipping out Morse code on the building wouldn’t have been quick, and the noise would certainly have been noticed, and it had been. It was as if the person who had done this wanted to be caught. That alone had Ryan’s investigative juices flowing. He wanted to be a part of solving this puzzle.

He reached his car and turned around, surveying the scene and the surrounding areas. The place where the two MAs continued their work was shadowy; the gap between the two buildings narrow. He continued his scan, storing the scene in his memory; the lighting, the buildings, and the routes to and from the area. He wanted to know who had called in the noise complaint, he wanted to…Ryan sighed and climbed into his car. The investigation wasn’t his, and while he had little interest in base misdemeanours, the message and the delivery had him wondering. Not a message—a single number. What was it about? What was the significance? The strangeness of it had him worried and hankering to know more.

He took one last look around and then started his car. He’d keep his official distance, but he wouldn’t leave it there.

Chapter Two

Alex unlocked the side door and entered the staff office of the base library. The library was quiet, opening still half an hour away. The rest of the base hummed with the daily life of a busy Navy establishment; the sounds of movement in the adjoining areas contrasted with the peace of her domain. Her domain. She loved the library; the books and the peace of it. Not that the library was always so peaceful. These days they encouraged the children to come in for readings and activity sessions, and adults for book groups, so there was plenty happening. She loved the groups and the talk with other readers, but the atmosphere of the place was always one of calm.

She deposited her bag under her desk and headed into the main library. As she entered she paused for a moment to survey the space and reassure herself all was as it should be. The first task done, she then started the computers and self-checkout machines before collecting the day’s papers from the deposit slot at the front entrance and taking them back to the counter. Once the papers were stamped, she laid them out ready for the regulars who came in to read them.

She was about to head back to the main counter when a movement outside caught her attention. A tall man stood outside the library, staring at the wall of the adjacent building. A workman was next to him, gesticulating as if he were explaining something. The tall man continued to stare at the wall before taking photos with his cell phone and turning away. As he turned, he caught sight of her watching him and frowned. Alex spun and hurried back to the counter to complete the log in, her cheeks burning. She hadn’t been doing anything wrong, but the man hadn’t seemed happy she was staring at him. She had recognised him—the NCIS agent who’d come from DC. He was an out of towner, and one with a reputation, too. And what had he been looking at? She glanced over towards the window, but she was too far away to see anything. What had they been doing outside, and why had the agent taken photos of the wall? For a moment she was tempted to go and take another look, but she didn’t have time to allow her curiosity full rein.

Alex refocussed her thoughts and finished logging into the first of two computers on the counter. A glance at the clock showed her she still had fifteen minutes until the library opened. It was enough time to do what she needed, but she couldn’t afford to ponder what she had seen—yet, anyway.

A sharp knock on the library door startled her, and she glanced at the clock again. Barely two minutes had passed. Surely whoever knocked could see the large opening hours sign. Alex moved to the second computer and typed the password, jumping as the knock on the door turned into pounding. She ignored it, completing the log in before looking up at the door to see who was so impatient. The NCIS agent frowned at her from the other side of the glass door and beckoned.

Alex frowned back, mirroring his attitude. His frown turned to a scowl as he knocked again. As tempting as it was to ignore him, Alex conceded and walked over to answer his summons. Maybe he wanted to talk about what he’d been looking at and she’d get her answers.

Special Agent Gilmour, he said as soon as she had opened the door. Can I talk to you for a few minutes?

For a few minutes, yes. We’re about to open, she said. His frown stayed in place as she opened the door wider to allow Special Agent Gilmour in and then locked it again behind him. She crossed her arms and looked at him as he stared at her. It took Alex a moment to realise he was waiting for her to introduce herself. She smothered a smile—he probably wouldn’t see the ridiculous picture she’d had of the two of them standing in silence, each waiting for the other to speak.

Alex Ware, librarian, she said.

Ms Ware, I was wondering if you had noticed any unusual activity outside the library. Anyone hanging around, or even someone spending time near those windows— he pointed to the windows near the newspapers, or anything else you would consider out of the normal?

No, I haven’t, Alex answered. Why? What’s happened? She walked to the window as her curiosity kicked in, wanting to see what the maintenance man was doing.

Just some graffiti, Gilmour said from behind her.

It took a moment for his words to register. She frowned at the wall outside and then turned to the agent.

Graffiti? Isn’t that more of an MA level investigation? Why are NCIS involved?

He didn’t answer at once, his eyes narrowing as he stared at her. Why do you ask that? he said after a pause.

Because I would have thought graffiti was out of your jurisdiction.

What do you know about NCIS jurisdiction?

Only what I’ve read. You lot deal with felonies; the MAs deal with misdemeanours. And that’s what graffiti is, a misdemeanour.

He had the grace to blush, a slight rosy colour, barely visible, but she saw it. His mouth twitched, and amusement lit his eyes. Alex smiled, winning a wry grin from the agent in front of her.

Okay. Ms… may I call you Alex?

Only if I can call you Ryan.

You know my first name.

I think every single woman on this base knows your first name, Alex said before she could stop herself.

The blue eyes staring into hers hardened, the amused gleam vanishing. Don’t believe everything you hear.

I don’t. Do you?

No, I don’t. Why? Is there something about you I should already know? Or do you keep all of your secrets hidden out of the grapevine’s hearing?

She kept her face relaxed, she hoped. Who says I have a secret? Or are you trying to find out if I will keep your little investigation under wraps and not tell the MAs about it?

Nice try. Tell me about your secret.

What secret? That I value my privacy? Alex glanced at the clock, seeking a way to halt the conversation. Sorry, but I need to open the library. It’s been nice having a chat. She turned away from him and walked to the library door. She unlocked it again and looking at him, held it open as a hint for him to leave. Instead, he looked around the shelves and over to the papers she’d laid out.

Well, if the library’s open, I might have a look around and maybe check out a book.

You?

He scowled. Why not? I like to read.

Really?

Yes, really.

Alex held back a grin and allowed the door to close as she walked back over to him. This would be fun. Okay, well, the restaurant guides are over there, she pointed to the local information stand, and the thrillers are down there, she pointed again, and legal books are over there.

He stared at her, the scowl fading when it clicked that she was baiting him. Okay. I guess you can tell me where the humour section is too, right?

She smiled. Sure, you’re standing in it. The answering gleam in his eye recalled his reputation to her mind, and she stepped back, breaking the moment. I have to get back to work, she said. If you want to check out a book, Shane will be happy to help. Alex nodded towards one of the library technicians who had come in through the office while she’d been talking to Ryan. She turned to where Shane stood at the counter and took two steps before turning back to Ryan. Ryan looked at her, then towards the window looking onto the wall, and then left the library. Alex watched him go, curious about the agent with the reputation. Tall, dark, and handsome. The classic description fitted him perfectly. And then those blue, blue eyes that had glinted when he smiled. Alex let out a slow breath as she wandered towards the window again, her curiosity growing once more. Ryan hadn’t been the smug, arrogant type she’d expected. She watched as Ryan walked out to the path and then came to a halt, staring at the wall as though he’d had a revelation.

As Alex watched, a mother walked up behind him with two children in tow and spoke to him. Ryan jumped and moved to one side, allowing the family past. He glanced up at Alex, catching her watching him, and the last thing she saw was his grin as she spun around. Sprung.

Chapter Three

Ryan made his way back to the NCIS building on the base, pondering the strange graffiti on the building wall. The events of the previous night had sent his curiosity into overdrive, but he’d had to leave—the MAs right in their assertion of jurisdiction. He couldn’t forget it though. Graffiti was rare enough on a naval base, but Morse code carved into the bricks was something he’d never heard of before, let alone seen. Ryan’s intuition said it was more, but there was nothing much he could do about it. Seeing the maintenance guys covering up the evidence—he couldn’t think of it in any other term—had infuriated him. Perhaps that was an over-reaction; the MAs would have documented it well enough for their own purposes. It certainly didn’t hurt for him to grab some quick photos too.

As he entered the NCIS building, Ryan turned right instead of the left, taking him away from his desk rather than towards it. He stopped at an office door, looking to check who was in there before knocking and walking in.

Ryan, the man sitting at the desk greeted him.

Morning Theo, Ryan answered. Theo, the NCIS Special Agent in Charge at the base, had made Ryan’s transition from running his own team in DC to being one of several agents easy by treating Ryan as an equal, not a subordinate agent. Something curious I thought I’d mention.

Fire away, Theo said, gesturing Ryan to take the empty seat by the desk.

Ryan sat and relaxed back into the chair. Last night I saw some MAs examining graffiti on the side of the building next to the library; a message carved into the bricks in Morse code. It was a single word, or number rather—eighteen.

You know this because you saw them?

And I stopped.

Of course you did.

Ryan shrugged. I was curious.

Nothing wrong with that—provided you remembered who had jurisdiction.

I was tactful.

Theo smiled. Good, and you’re right, that’s interesting. In Morse, you said?

Yes. Unusual.

Ryan watched Theo lean back in his chair and contemplate the print of a submarine hanging on the wall. After a minute of silence, Theo brought his gaze back to Ryan. This isn’t our case, but I’d like you to keep an eye on it and see what you can find out.

Will do.

Unofficially.

Ryan smiled. Of course.

Theo nodded. Keep me posted.

Ryan rose and left the office, heading for his own desk. The assignment might not have the level of some of his cases in DC had, but things could be a lot worse. This graffiti may prove to be a trainee’s prank or the work of a bored sailor but keeping in the loop with the MAs would give him enough entertainment. If it developed, he was in the prime seat to run any investigation. He’d had his own team in DC, but as the newest arrival on base he had to earn Theo’s respect first. His experience would stand him in good stead, and bump him up to head a team sooner rather than later.

Ryan dropped into his chair at his desk and tapped the space bar of his computer keyboard, bringing the screen to life. Instead of checking his emails as he’d intended, he stared at the screen as his mind went over the conversation with the librarian, Alex. She’d been friendly enough. Or had she? She obviously knew of his reputation and had no hesitation in calling him out over jurisdiction. That puzzled him. It was one thing for naval personnel to know the boundaries between the MAs and NCIS, it was another for a civilian to know them. Where had she learned about that? She was hiding something, or had he imagined her hesitation? As Ryan stared at the screen he tried to figure out if she’d deliberately evaded answering his question, or whether it had been a coincidence. The more he thought about it, the more the answer eluded him.

Ryan focussed on the screen and typed in his password. It made little sense that she would have been in trouble with the MAs—she wouldn’t have her current job if she had. Perhaps she had been part of an investigation before. But which investigation, and in what capacity? He recalled the amused gleam in her eyes. Had she been teasing him? He frowned at the desktop image again. Why would she have been amused unless she wanted to tease him? His curiosity awakened, Ryan ignored his emails and sat thinking about Alex Ware.

What was that all about? Shane asked as Alex joined him at the counter. We rarely get NCIS agents in here.

He wanted to know if I’d noticed anything unusual happening outside, Alex replied, indicating the