Angel Murders: A Suzie Hyde Crime Thriller, #2

By Kerry Sharp

The Met is using Suzie's C.R.I.M.E. software. She accepts an invitation to Melbourne where she takes over two cold-cases; success with these cases will mean more sales.=

One local cold-case soon grows to a National investigation Suzie is tasked with finding a serial killer. The other shakes an alibi given by a judge.

As Suzie and Owen collaborate to solve these crimes, their friendship deepens. Will they be able to re-kindle the flame snuffed out too early, or will it gutter and die?

Suzie learns she is the flavor that the serial killer wants to taste. Should she use herself as bait to bring him to justice, or will she become the target of the Russian mob or the local mafia before she is able sacrifice herself?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Progenero Press
• Release date: Sep 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9780994556929

Kerry Sharp

Kerry was born in Gloucestershire UK he later discovered that he was philosophically Australian when he followed a cute Australian/Italian girl back to Melbourne. Marriage; family, work all followed. Kerry was always a bit of a late starter (1st Degree at the age of 34). He waited until his hard work made the tyranny of swapping time for money unnecessary, before writing his first Novel ‘Pea Pod Murder’. Pea Pod Murder, the first book in the Suzie Hyde Thriller Series, it was completed in 2015.

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Before You Start Grab

The complimentary prequel

Oxford Murder

Suzie knows she does not deserve affection. Friendship is impossible and love, well someone wanting HER is just laughable.

Suzie’s unbending principles soon draw her into trouble. Prepared to fight the world unaided she finds she is not alone. But do her allies have their own agendas?

Believing a missing girl has met with violence, Suzie seeks the guilty. She becomes embroiled with a spy network, in attempting to penetrate their evil, she falls foul of the police.

Suzie watches a vengeful gang member kill her ally, will she die not knowing Suzie really did call her friend?

Click for your Complementary Copy

INDEX

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

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

About the Author

Oxford Murder

Boxed Set

Pea Pod Murder

Wood Smoke Murders

Copyright

Chapter One

FRIDAY - 13th SEPTEMBER 2002

The siblings had spent the weeks in each other's arms, crying. Without each other their now bleak world would have overwhelmed and consumed them.

Last month they were part of a loving family. Now, after the death of their parents, THEY were the family.

Their parents died in a car crash. A log truck collected them at the top of their track and pushed the car into a tree. The truck used its considerable weight to turn the car, and its passengers, into a one meter cube.

They saw little point in living, even together, apart they would have already snapped.

Hold me tighter Dondon, she sobbed.

The formalities surrounding their parents' death had been settled. Don was eighteen and was entrusted with the care of his fifteen-year-old sister. The fridge was still full of food brought by generous neighbors and friends.  Friends who felt that after three weeks of support the siblings had been set on a path of recovery. Yet without the distraction of their well-meaning supporters they slipped back into the dark, their only comfort was each other, joined in a bond of grief and tears.

Closer Dondon.

Our clothes are wet again, Don said.

He wondered how it was even possible to cry so much.

She stood and pulled her saturated top over her head then undid the buttons of his shirt.

Let's get rid of them, then.

Don didn't notice her nudity, he was overwhelmed by her palpable need for love.

He gathered her to him, her small pert breasts pressed into his chest. They used their parents' bed when alone.

Snuggle, Dondon.

She wriggled in his arms, seeking a closer contact which was physically impossible. Any spare molecule between their bodies was already squeezed out.

Oh, you're excited!

Her knee had slipped between his legs, and yes her body did excite him. Her voice betrayed a brightness which had been missing for weeks,

Can I feel all of your skin, please Dondon?

This behavior was inappropriate, Don knew but the spark he'd heard from his sister needed kindling. It was the first sign of hope, the first sign they may escape their despondency.

OK.

He felt no need to caution her against any form of escalation. She was well grounded, comfortable in her sexuality, even at fifteen. She was also a virgin he knew because they shared everything. They even spoke of his fumbling attempts at sex with girls at school.

He stood and shucked off the rest of his clothes while she did the same. They shared another molecule excluding hug. She was right it was better.

With Dondon in her arms, sharing his warmth in this intimate way, she could image a tunnel with light at the end, although she could not yet see it.

They slept, more comfortably than they had in many weeks.

——o0o——

Her dream was of light and hope instead of darkness and pain. She felt strong, supported by her connection to her brother. He was her salvation. She felt her dream slip away with regret, but in waking she found all the love and warmth that had been missing. She had rolled on top of Don in her sleep maybe that explained why she had never felt so connected.

He moved in his sleep, she felt a strange sensation between her legs, she yelped waking Don.

He smiled, the first she had seen on his face in weeks.

You feel so close... oh fuck. What have you done?

Having been awake longer she took charge.

Dondon, keep still!

He did.

I didn't do it. You know that.

He nodded, it was true, he knew that. Feeling her closeness he luxuriated in her warmth. That had been the connection they were seeking.

I woke like this, she said, indicating their connection.

I wouldn't have done this, but god it's good, she said.

She tentatively moved her body against his.

Can we? she asked.

Realizing that this was cathartic, what they both needed, he said, OK, just this once.

Her smile justified his decision. They moved against each other. The feeling was fresh and new. Despite their inexperience, Don had petted before but never penetrated, they achieved a pleasant and co-ordinated outcome.

In the afterglow of their connection they fell into a deep and peaceful sleep, entwined. Having found, in each other, the connection that would allow them to weather the storm which had buffeted them.

Over the following months, they slept naked together whenever the darkness threatened to engulf them. Despite their close cuddles they never repeated the enjoyment of that evening. They wanted to, but the connection they had achieved that night was strong enough. Whilst they would have enjoyed reinforcing their closeness, their ethical compasses were stronger than their base desires.

They cared for each other, she loved and caressed Dondon from his dark moods and he cared for her when it got too much and she was physically sick.

The sickness passed just as Don's moods improved. He could supplement their farm income by repairing any broken machinery brought to him by his neighbors. They had glimpsed a light, the tunnel was dark and long, but they knew together they would recover.

They fell into a routine. She had given up school as soon as she was able, she found it all too fatiguing.

Their need for contact had reduced, but they still slept together just because they enjoyed it, like this evening.

Don had become an expert on her naked body.

Why are you putting on weight? he asked.

Although it was not a surprise, her appetite was insatiable.

She stroked her stomach. She had put on a bulge.

Your breasts are fuller too, he said, stroking her.

You will be a stunning woman.

She recoiled from the touch, he questioned her with his eyes.

They are tender, she said.

Realization crept up on Don. The sickness; her fatigue, her fetish for citrus, always complaining about odors he could never smell and now, tender breasts and a bump.

He pulled her to him.

You are pregnant.

She stayed still in his embrace working through the issues in her mind.

I am. You are the only one and we only did it once. I must be five months.

He nodded, he had come to the same conclusion.

We can't tell anyone Dondon, I'll stay home.

Why? he said, puzzled.

I'm not sixteen, and this happened half a year ago, they will convict you. Dondon I can't lose you... you know without each other this... She indicated around the room, but meant the recovery they had achieved. would all collapse. Without you I would find no reason to continue living.

The unfair and dire consequences of their actions dawned on Don. If they arrested him, she would kill herself, he knew.

Promise me, if anything happens to me, you will not give up.

She looked at him, she knew he would be burdened unless she agreed but she couldn't lie to him. Nor could she tell him the truth.

You promise, you will live irrespective what happens, she demanded.

OK, I promise.

Although he looked less than convinced, she changed the subject before he demanded reciprocation.

We'll move away for a year after it's born. When we come back, we can say I was knocked up by someone else, she continued.

OK, he said.

They enjoyed the warmth of each other's bodies. Playing with different scenarios in their heads.

Dondon?

Yes.

As our union is blessed, can we make love again?

He thought. Neither of them had instigated the act. Their bodies had found a solution to their problems without their conscious volition. He had been viewing the outcome as a curse, but she was right, they were blessed.

He didn't answer, instead he sought her lips and kissed her with passion.

The months moved on and life had blossomed. The joy they had found in each other and the growing life within her, had filled the void left by their parents' death. Their parents were not forgotten, but the children had learned to function without them.

They lived passionately together as husband and wife, enjoying every aspect of each other and each other's bodies.

She estimated she would be due within the week.

They were both Internet experts on home birth and confident they could meet every eventuality.

The storm drove them to bed early.  The reports promised torrential rain and gale force winds but they felt safe and warm together, until their home shook, and the power failed.

What was that, Dondon?

She looked white, frightened.

I'll find out.

He felt around for the matches in the bedside table, left by his parents for emergencies like these. He lit the candle by the bed.

Stay safe, he said.

He felt his way to the kitchen where he found a torch and ventured outside.

The large gum tree his grandfather had planted lay across the bonnet of his car, after crashing through the carport and wiping out the power supply and telephone lines. He needed to act on the disconnected wires arcing and wriggling where they had fallen. He took a step towards them but decided it was too dangerous.

They'll have to cut the feed, he said to himself, nothing I can do.

He was saturated within moments of leaving the home. The wind was more than playing with the trees on the property it was bullying them. A sheet of corrugated iron sailed away into the distance, the carport would be difficult to fix, he thought.

He decided to comfort his sister and tell her about the damage their grandfather's tree had caused. Don stepped around the debris of the carport. He escaped the storm which had buffeted his ears. The quiet inside the home gave him relief from the cacophony outside and then he heard her.

He could just make out his name in the frightened screams, he raced to the bedroom. Hearing him coming she held up her hand for him to see that it was dripping with blood.

Even in the candlelight, the flow of bright red blood across the bedsheets was inescapable.

I'll call for help!

Dondon, NO!

It was half way between an admonition and a scream.

Yes, back soon.

He hoped a baby would stop her from taking her life if he was imprisoned. Don remembered he had not made her promise to live.

He ran from the bedroom. In the kitchen he grabbed the phone, no connection. He chided himself he had just seen the phone lines in the dirt.

Doooonny!

Her scream made him shiver. He grabbed his cell phone from the charger and headed back to the bedroom.

The sheets, red before, were now awash with her blood, she was pail and breathing heavily.

Stay with me Dondon, hold me, she said between screams.

He held her, melding with her through a layer of her blood, her comfort was his only aim. With his free hand he dialed the emergency number.

Fuck, he screamed, no service.

It seemed her pain had abated.

She whispered, Dondon none of this is of our making, what will be will be. Please stay with me.

She was right, his car was flattened by the tree, there was no one living within half-an-hour, on foot. He decided to hold her, she should not die alone.

He held her close, occasionally he kissed her forehead and told her how much he loved her. Her breathing stilled. He bent and kissed her on the lips. Her last words were.

Dondon, I love you... remember you promised...

His connection to her was so strong that he felt the exact moment she slipped away. He held her until her blood, which had soaked into his clothes congealed. Don laid her gently in the bed and covered the bloodstained sheets. He made her look as pretty as he could. Don walked from the room without looking back.

He fought to accept the death of his sister and his child, until he realized life was shit, he should have expected nothing else. Don knew love would be ripped from him, compassion died within him with that realization.

He had never imagined he could be so empty, so distraught. Don thought he had hit the bottom with his parents' deaths but there was a fissure which his psyche had thrown him into. He wondered if there even was a bottom or would he be plummeting forever, never again able to find firm ground?

Don couldn't cry, he could no longer love or care. He would NEVER cry again.

The arcing of the, still live, severed power wires caught his eye. Don walked towards them planning to join his sister and their unborn child. He ran so he could throw the body, he no longer wanted or needed, upon the frayed ends.

He felt a hand restraining him and a firm voice.

You promised Dondon.

He turned to brush away the constraint but there was no hand, just the strong presence of his sister. Don nodded, he did promise.

Don turned his back to his home, and the two families he had lost and strode towards the highway.

——o0o——

Jamie was driving his horse transport vehicle to the show, he was worried about the horses. No horse liked storms but there was little he could do, his last employee had walked last week. Weak bastard he thought, I live without money what makes him special? He laughed at his own joke.

The night was a shocker, the windscreen wipers barely cleared the water from the screen.

Christ! he shouted.

He hit the brakes, just missing the person walking down the road. He slithered to a stop on the gravel of the unmade road, he felt lucky that the truck had stayed in the tracks, avoiding the trees that waited patiently for careless drivers.

What the fuck are you doing? he shouted as the walker walked past his truck paying him no attention whatever.

He looked like a sleepwalker.

He selected low and crept up on the walker who continued to ignore him.

Get off the road you fuck wit, he shouted.

The walker looked up, he was only a teenager. He transmitted a wave of emotion, far colder than the storm. Jamie felt sorry for him.

Come on mate, he said more compassionately, hop in out of the rain.

He turned and nodded, walked to the truck and dragged his waterlogged body into the cab, the rain had washed her blood away. For Don it was as if his family had never existed, it too was washed away by a violent storm. Not a storm of wind and rain but more damaging, by an inner storm of emotion.

What's yer name son? Jamie asked.

The walker knew that Don was dead, but he had promised to maintain this body.

I haven't decided yet, he said with a voice totally devoid of emotion or feeling.

Well, if you're happy to work for me, I can help you with that.

#

Chapter Two

MONDAY - 3rd AUGUST

Suzie had insisted they travel straight from the airport to the Victorian police headquarters. She had to push Owen into the cab. He didn't even settle into the bright yellow taxi before he complained.

We have just flown for twenty-five hours and our circadian rhythms are out by ten hours. Why the rush?

The flight from London to Melbourne had not lessened Suzie's resolve to get started.

Arranging thing on the phone is inferior to meeting face to face. I want to meet the Commissioner and get the show on the road.

Why?

Nicolas Christensen sounds sexy. Suzie said with a wicked smile. She was responding to advise to make Owen jealous whenever she could.

I'm too tired for your stirring, can't we rest first?

Owen stop wingeing. Shut your eyes I'll wake you when we arrive.

Despite his protests he slept. He missed Suzie's excitement about seeing Melbourne again. She chatted to the driver about the changes she noticed. Too soon for Suzie they arrived at their destination.

They pushed their luggage into reception. Owen's eyes sparkled. The place was busy.

This place bustles like Scotland Yard, he said.

The sleep had done him some good, he had emerged from his grouch.

We are to see the Commissioner Nicolas Christensen, Suzie said to the receptionist.

She grabbed her phone and announced their arrival.

Can we leave our luggage here during the meeting? Suzie asked.

The girl nodded and wheeled their cases behind her desk.

They should be safe there, she said.

Hello!

They spun to see a pleasant young man who introduced himself as Gary Treddle.

I am Nicolas' Personal Assistant, he said. Welcome.

Thanks Gary, we are keen to get going, Suzie said.

Oh! The Chief Commissioner gives his apologies, he is presenting at an Anti-Corruption Royal Commission. He said should you arrive today you are to see Commander David Peart instead.

OK, Suzie said,. Lead on.

Gary took them straight to David's office. On seeing them David sprang from his chair, rounded his desk like a slalom skier and advanced with his hand extended to Owen.

Hello Owen, I'm David Peart, Davo to my friends.

Davo grasped and shook Owen's hand with gusto. Davo was gangly; lanky, loose-limbed and awkward looking. Even though he was tall his arms and legs seemed to have been stolen from someone with far greater height although he seemed to move with fluidity.

Owen was unsure whether Suzie was unnoticed or being ignored.

Hi Davo, he responded. This is Professor Hyde, the author of the programs we are trialing.

Davo had difficulty equating Suzie's apparent youth and small structure with her reputation.

He stuttered, Really?

Suzie offered her hand.

Hi Davo, I'm Suzie.

Davo responded then snaked back around his desk as if offended that Professor Hyde had one too many X chromosomes. He scanned her up and down, he saw a small well-proportioned body, just over a meter and a half tall. She wore it with confidence, balance and poise which made her look taller. Suzie looked flight-worn. Her hair forced into a tight pony tail which accentuated her long straight nose, which was too big for her face. Although her smile, which sparkled, negated any perceived imperfections.

His gaze swiveled back to Owen who just looked tired, the long flight had not served him. He was tall and wore it well. His shoulders were square displaying a well-muscled frame. His hair was brown but a shade of brown that held fond memories of once being red. He was not good-looking but was fortunate in possessing a cheerful sort ugliness which one could learn to like.

We were to call in today to get our warrant cards and get set up in an office, Owen said.

He smiled even though he wasn't sure about Davo.

Oh dear, said Davo, with no regret whatever.

His smile looked as awkward as the rest of his body.

I have your warrant card Chief Superintendent, you are a just a Superintendent here we have no Chief Super. As Professor Hyde was only seconded to The MET we can't issue her with one. Sadly an office is out of the question too.

Owen's face darkened.

In our discussions with Nicolas, he promised two warrant cards and an office.

Really?

It seemed like Davo's favorite expression.

Then he would have broken the rules.

Suzie looked at Owen and knew that an explosion was imminent. She put her hand on his arm, looked at Davo.

We don't want to be a burden Davo, what would I have to do to get a warrant card?

Davo seemed perplexed by the question, after a moment of thought he said jokingly, Pass all the exams, I suppose.

Would that be only written exams, or would that include physical assessment too?

Oh both. Davo realized that although he had been joking, Suzie failing the exams would let him off the hook, if the Chief Commissioner returned from the Royal Commission unscathed.

OK, just three conditions, Suzie said. The assessment must be concluded within two days. We include the Inspector's exams, and finally, if I pass I get an Inspectors warrant card AND get gazetted as an Inspector of the Victorian police which will stop this happening again.

Davo smiled, no one passed these exams first time, especially a blow in who wasn't a real Police Officer.

No worries, he said.

Owen was not happy.

Given that the earlier promise is already broken, we will need it in writing.

He turned to Suzie and said, Or... we could take up the offer of the New South Wales Police Commissioner and run the trial out of Sydney.

A sensible solution, but Melbourne was where she almost had a normal childhood. Suzie had lived for almost three years in Melbourne and had acted like a real teenager she almost made friends. Prior to that she seldom spent over nine months in the same place. Her father was a peripatetic computer consultant, engaged to solve only the most complex problems.

Suzie had qualified for tertiary entry at the age of twelve. Her Father said she could not go to university until she was fifteen. So Suzie had spent the time to her university entrance behaving like a teenager; she practiced martial arts, joined the pony club, raced motorcycles and programmed with her Dad.

No, Melbourne was where Suzie wanted to be.

Davo, add to your letter, that irrespective of the outcome, I will trial the software in Melbourne, it's fairer if we are mutually obligated.

No worries, there will be four, three-hour written exams and the physical assessments. It's not fair we are mutually obligated. When... If you fail, you are welcome to move on.

He was trying to think of things she could not pass. She was so small, he doubted that she'd pass anything.

We have Sandown race track booked for motorcycle training tomorrow, you can be assessed as a pursuit rider. What else... Mounted police... Unarmed combat... and you will need a Firearm assessment.

He beamed, happier now her failure was certain.

Owen was red, his eyes bulging. Suzie stilled the soon to erupt volcano with a firmer grasp. His lips slammed shut but his temper didn't improve.

——o0o——

Suzie fronted up for Unarmed combat assessment at 8.00am the next day, she met with a frigid welcome.  Anton Petrik looked like Arnold Schwarzenegger, he had his cold robotic smile down to a tee but his accent instead of Austrian was Australian.

Professor Hyde? he asked, as Suzie wandered into his domain.

He nodded to the changing rooms.

Any armor you want.

He turned away and busied himself tidying the already spotless Dojo.

Suzie returned dressed and ready to fight. She walked up to Arnie 2, held out her hand.

Hi, I'm Suzie.

He took her hand but instead of shaking it, he pulled her into a body check, she bounced off him, like he was a wall. She maintained her balance and kept her feet.

Goodness! she said, I must be good, I have upset a man I haven't met, or even spoken to before. I wonder what's stirred you up Arnie?

Anton, he said in a monotone.

Well Anton, whatever you have heard is untrue-

Anton stepped towards her and aimed a vicious cross punch at her shoulder. Suzie being small and agile swiveled and ducked. She was saved by her reflexes. The blow sailed over her shoulder. Anton expected a counter punch, so he reversed the rotation that his missed punch had caused. It was a difficult maneuver requiring faultless balance. He made it look easy. He faced Suzie again, surprise plastered over his face.

Oh, said Suzie, you didn't expect to miss. Broken bones if that had connected. So that's the way it is huh... Anton?

He answered her query, with a flurry of punches and kicks, from long range Suzie swept them away in classic style. He pressed forward, expecting her to retreat but Suzie stood her ground and used her favorite Wing Chun technique. Lin Wan Kuen, close contact punching called Invisible because of its speed. An observer would see a blur of multiple punches. A recipient would feel they were arguing with an automatic weapon.

Though it is an attacking technique, Suzie was using the speed of the technique to defend. Anton, was so close that any punch he landed would maim but he was unable make even a single contact.

Suzie was punching straight, he had heard of the technique but had never seen it practiced. What he knew was that despite his formidable aggression, she had stood her ground and she had only defended.

As Suzie's punch rate was higher than Anton's her excess capacity would soon lead to an attacking blow. Her first strike landed, piston like, in Anton's solar plexus, his attack faltered. Three further punches landed before Suzie stopped. She had hit him much harder than a normal sparring would demand, she felt no sympathy, he had set the rules.

Anton lay on the floor, changing color as his desire to breathe was thwarted, by the temporary damage caused by Suzie's punches. Suzie dropped to the floor pulled him into a sitting position and compressed his chest from behind, like a Heimlich maneuver. Even though Anton couldn't institute his own breathing Suzie was able to ventilate his lungs, saving him from discomfort.

Suzie stepped back out of range as soon as Anton gasped in air without her help. She stood, light on her feet, in perfect balance. Her total attention focused on Anton. She thought him unable to continue his hostility, but she was taking no chances.

Anton rolled from the sitting position Suzie had left him in, on to his knees. He looked Suzie full in the face, he admired the fluidity, balance and poise in her stance, his anger had gone.

He touched his head to the mat and said, Excuse my poor manners. I have violated the rules of the Dojo and the laws of common decency. Please forgive me.

He kept his forehead on the mat.

Still cautious, Suzie knelt on the mat in front of him and touched her head to the mat too.

Your assessment is correct, you are a superb fighter, but your shabby behavior diminished your skills. Let's start again. He looked up, to see her hand extended.

Hi, I'm Suzie.

He took her hand, this time he wanted to recognize her generosity by pulling her into a hug, rather than a body check. He was afraid his motive would be misconstrued and that she would put him down again, thinking it was another attack.

I'm Anton, thank you for generosity I don't deserve it.

No worries, she said, smiling, the smile was infectious.

So what was the story? Suzie asked.

Feeling greater loyalty to her than Commander Peart, he said, Davo, said that you were a pompous Pom, who could say nothing nice about Australia or Australians and that you said, that if you must demean yourself, to prove your superiority, then you would take down whoever, however.

I said all that? Suzie asked.

"No, you clearly didn't. You are a superior fighter and yet you