Simon Fraser and the Demon’S Cave

By Edward J. Laurie

Brenton College may be a highly reputed private school of music and the arts, but there are deadly things associated with its director and staff. Are some of them victims or villains? In any event two students have been killed near the Demon Cave once owned by the head of Brenton College and now in Simon's possession.

Fortunately, Tom McElrath's young stepbrother has appeared on the scene to take his place as Simon's assistant. His job will be to learn how to protect himself and Simon, attend and spy at the Brenton College, and stay alive. With two students murdered near the Demon's Cave, this is a risky business indeed. With the wily Mildred Brenton guarding her school, Simon may have met his match.

As usual, Lieutenant Robert Campbell of the Ben Nevis Homicide Department has more assistance than he wants from Simon, Mrs. Zacharias, and now young Alex McElrath.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 7, 2012
• ISBN: 9781468581331

Edward J. Laurie

The author, like his protagonist, is a retired professor of some 87 years of age and hence is more than familiar with the vagaries which afflict Simon Fraser. Other than that, there is no resemblance between the two whether or not his friends sometimes think otherwise. This is his tenth novel with Author House and he is a serious admirer of their clever paperback front cover designs. Sometimes he believes they may be better than his stories.

Book preview

Simon Fraser

and the

Demon’s Cave

Edward J. Laurie

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AuthorHouse™

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© 2012 Edward J. Laurie. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 4/27/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4685-8133-1 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-8134-8 (sc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012906527

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter 1 

Chapter 2 

Chapter 3 

Chapter 4 

Chapter 5 

Chapter 6 

Chapter 7 

Chapter 8 

Chapter 9 

Chapter 10 

Epilogue 

Cast of Characters 

About the Author 

Endnotes

For:

Tracy and Winnie Baker

Dan and Linda Leary

Chapter 1 

Mildred Breton, Chancellor of Breton College of Music and Arts sat behind her large walnut desk in her elegant office as her Dean of Students, Ronald Jackson made his appearance at a scheduled meeting.

That dammed George Kudor again? she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Ronald Jackson seated himself and vented a sigh. Yes. Four fist fights with other lads this last week.

Due no doubt due to his flirtatious ways with the girlfriends of other young men?

More than likely.

And you’ve arranged for a meeting with his father for me?

Yes. He arrived a short while ago. I’ll send him in. Jackson rose to his feet and sighed again. I don’t envy you this interview.

Mildred Breton smiled grimly. Not to worry, Ronald, I have much tougher things to deal with than a roue boy and his wealthy father. In fact, I intend to turn all this into something profitable for us.

I’m not surprised, Jackson acknowledged, as he stepped out the door and the wealthy Marcus Kudor, clearly aggravated, walked in and seated himself without ceremony. More problems with George I suppose, he said.

I’m afraid so, Marcus. Fighting with other students again.

Marcus merely nodded. And?

Any more incidents of this kind and I’m afraid I’ll have to expel him from the school. It will be regrettable, but as you know, my devotion is foremost to the school and its survival. She thought a moment longer: And our reputation is critical to our survival. We expect the best and we produce the best.

Marcus Kudor was a millionaire himself because he had a swift and calculating mind and moreover knew a formidable foe when he met one. Mildred would, if necessary, do exactly what she threatened. Personally, he didn’t give a fig about music and the arts, business was his forte, but his wife, a cultured woman, mixed in arty circles and that was that. Too, she had informed him long ago that she would no longer tolerate their son in their home. If George came home, she would leave. There was no doubt she meant exactly what she said.

It just happened that Marcus was more fond of his wife than his son. He tolerated George, in fact was a bit sympathetic, but in the case of a forced choice he knew he would side with his wife. His path and choice in this particular incident were clear and he took the plunge: How goes it, by the way, with the new addition to the dormitory?

Mildred Breton, knowing exactly where she was going said, with a frown: Not as well as I would have liked. Margaret Vannelle has covered one third of the cost and Alicia Henning the second third, but I’m left with a shortage of funds for completion and getting more money could be difficult.

Marcus smiled inwardly to himself. This was clear blackmail, of course, but his wife would be pleased to be listed as one of the three rich and elegant contributors to the welfare of Breton College, so what the hell. How much to complete the extension? Marcus asked.

I just happen to have the figures at hand, Mildred Breton said, reaching into a drawer and withdrawing a document which she passed across her desk.

Marcus Kudor scanned the document with a keen eye, made his calculations and said: Well Mildred, if you’ll give George another chance, I’ll see to the money for the completion of the dormitory and finance the furnishing of the new wing as well.

In that case, Mildred Breton said with a grim smile, I’ll see what I can do to tame George down and make him behave himself.

Relieved, Marcus reached for his over-sized checkbook, scribbled out a check for a large sum of money and handed it across the desk. Just notify me of any further expenses in the matter of the furnishing and I’ll see you’re paid immediately. He rose and made a somewhat stiff-legged departure. He hated to part with large sums of money but the truth of the matter was he loved his wife sufficiently to do so. After all, that’s why he made it in the first place.

Too, he had a certain male sympathy for his son because as a youth he also had been a roue and had his own fights over girls he had taken away from other fellows. In fact, his last most serious fight had been with an old-time boyfriend of the young lady he had made his wife.

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Young George Kudor reluctantly had a preliminary appointment with a thoroughly irate Dean Jackson.

I suppose I’m in trouble, George said with a shrug.

Big time this time, Jackson said with a growl and a frown. Isn’t it true your father has said if you fail here you’re on the street?

So he threatened.

He’s just had a meeting with Ms. Breton and I think he means it, George. And that will mean you’ll lose your allowance which, I might note, is larger than my year’s salary. If you’ve got any brains at all, you’ll keep that appointment and not argue with the dragon lady."

George frowned and said: I will.

Very wise, Ronald Jackson said, You’re playing for big stakes this time around my boy, particularly when you pick a fight with the son of one of our best faculty members over some skirt.

He started it.

I don’t give a damn who started it. Back off! All this messing around with the girl friends of others is going to get you into a lot of trouble.

You ought to know.

Jackson’s eyes turned hard and steely. He moved and loomed over young Kudor. Don’t you mess with me young fellow. You keep your mouth shut or, so help me, I’ll see you out of this school and on the street so fast you won’t know what happened. You understand me?

Yes sir.

Then get the hell out of my office and keep your nose clean.

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When George arrived, on time for a change, for his appointment with Mildred Breton, she was ready. Sit, she barked, when he had entered the room.

George started to open his mouth but a pointed finger and steely eyes silenced him.

You’ve been a lot of trouble lately,