Echoes Of Fate

By LaTrance Peebles

A stunning look into the dark recesses of the human heart and mind a brooding reflection on the evils that are sometimes just a breath away. As a veteran homicide detective in Sydney, Australia, Kate Summers solves mysteries for a living. Yet only a handful of people know that a generation earlier Kate herself stood at the center of one of the most tantalizing unsolved cases in the recent annals of American crime and remains the largest police investigation in the state's history. At the age of twelve, Kate, and six playmates wandered into the woods near her home in the town of Duvall, Washington. Hours after her close friend had been reported missing, then found murdered, Kate and Bryce were found unhurt but hiding in fear standing near a trail of blood, so deeply traumatized that they did not know a single detail of what had happened. The four other children went missing and were never found.

 

Kate has spent twenty years trying to bury her past, but if her line of work has shown her anything it is that some secrets refuse to remain hidden. Her long-stifled anxieties abruptly surface when the battered bodies of three twelve-year-old girls are discovered at the same time floating in a lake in the same woods where Kate had lost her friends. When Kate's partner Bryce Karzen requested her to take the case, Kate embarks on a treacherous odyssey through repressed memories and contemporary horror, sending her emotions into a bottomless abyss of despair. How far will two detectives go when all leads have been exhausted?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emphaloz Publishing House
• Release date: Apr 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386220404

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

I need to sleep today but I am afraid that I might see her blood-soaked hands reaching out to me, calling me, asking for help. My screams are always louder than hers. I think I’m slowly losing it. I spent the night drinking, smiling, and mingling. She spent the night in that same old wooden box six feet under. It doesn’t seem fair, does it?... I pressed my badge to the keypad and listened for the soft beep and the loud clank of the door unlocking, simultaneously. Pushing my way through the heavy steel doors to my department, the buzzing of voices encased me. It was barely eight o’clock. The office smelt like freshly brewed coffee and I salivated at the thought of my first warm cup. My black pumps clicked against the linoleum floor. I loved that sound. It gave the same adrenaline rush as an espresso shot. Being one of just a small handful of women on this floor, I didn’t go unnoticed, naturally, but I can’t deny that I love commanding attention by just walking in. Two years ago, I marched through those doors and I am just as hungry today, as I was then. Sydney has been so good to me.

Good morning! I said to no one in particular.

Hi Kate! Oh, I love those shoes! I don’t know how you walk around in heels all day. Erin was the first female detective in this agency. Everyone loves Erin. She’s my work mentor; she’s pretty great. She was born and raised in Australia and was a huge help with me getting settled in. She was one of the first people I met in the office and to this day looks after me like a daughter.

Oh thank you! I’ve had these for years. I smiled."

I walked past her, headed in the direction of my office. I passed Richard and Thomas who were standing near the cubicles, talking with large steaming mugs in hand.

Working hard, or hardly working? I joked, nudging Richard on my way past him. Richard was fairly new on the scene, but was settling into his role nicely. Richard was married and had two of the most adorable red-heads I’ve ever seen.

Well apparently not working hard enough! I heard you closed the Bates case yesterday. Congratulations. I know that was a tough one, Richard said with a smile.

It was so nice to know that people were genuinely happy for me around here.

Why thank you! Once I got my lead downtown, everything else kind of just fell into place.

You seem to have that magic touch with people; could make a caged bird sing, Thomas complimented.

Thomas has been here longer than I have but hasn’t been promoted. He doesn’t seem to mind his job but his complacency is unsettling sometimes. He complains so much but doesn’t do anything about it. He’s married too, but that didn’t stop him from hitting on me day in and day out for the first few months of me working here.

You all are so sweet. I’m just doing my job, boys.

And damn well. A voice came from behind me. May I see you in my office, Detective?

It was my boss, Martin. I smiled and nodded my head. I felt in my element today. Closing the Bates case took a lot of weight off my shoulders. I could finally relax for the first time in weeks. I followed Martin into his office, closing the door behind me. I slipped into the comfy armchair in front of his desk and adjusted my pencil skirt around my knees.

How are you feeling after closing the casket?

Martin always referred to cases as caskets for some strange reason. Maybe it was an Aussie thing. There were still a lot of things I didn’t understand about Australians.

I took a short sigh of relief. I feel great. Happy that we were able to put some things to rest for the family and find out the truth. They really deserved justice.

Good. Nice work, Detective. The first time you walked into my office, I knew you had something special. I know sometimes we pick on you for your corky little American ways, but we love you here, Kate. You’re an asset to any team and we’re glad to have you.

Wow, thank you so much. I love being here. I feel like I’ve grown so much these last two years. I feel like I’ve settled into my own and am exceeding the boundaries I dreamed of when I first decided this is really what I wanted to do with my life.

Well you know we value you here. You’re a great detective. I know I work you hard, but it’s all to better you. You have an amazing career path in front of you. You can be anything you want to be. Things are going to pick up for you and I just want to make sure you’re up for the challenge. Martin said with a smile. He stood to his feet and straightened his tie.

Thank you. And, always.

Good. Well get settled in and we’ll talk soon. I have a briefing downstairs in a few.

I headed to my office with a huge smile on my face. Moving to Australia was a big risk, for many reasons, but everything about this just felt right. I was a mess when I got on that plane. I pulled it together and wore a mask, and eventually, that mask became who I wanted to be all along: a powerhouse of a detective who was up for any case.

CHAPTER 2

Once in my office, I placed my bag on my desk and fished for my cellphone in the front pocket. Opening up my laptop, I powered it on and logged into my emails. Settling into my chair, I pulled out a pad and pen to create my to-do list for the day. Before I could even check my first email, my cell rang. I looked down to see it was Bryce. There was no hesitation to answer in the middle of the workday.

Bryce was one of my very first friends, and to this day is still one of my closest. Our friendship saw its fair share of rough patches, but nothing was too difficult for us to overcome. We grew up together, in a small town. We are the same age, went to the same school, and ran in the same circles. Many years ago, something happened that changed us forever. It was the reason I became a detective to begin with. I pushed away from everyone and everything that reminded me of that time. I’ve never dealt well with my emotions. But despite that, Bryce never gave up on our friendship.

I shouldn’t be so excited that he’s calling considering the circumstances, but I am. Bryce has been in a committed relationship. They seem happy and I am too, but I can't deny my own feelings. I answer and put him on speaker so I can multitask.

Hi, Bryce.

Kate! I figured I’d get your voicemail this time in the morning. I’m happy to hear your voice.

My heart might have skipped a beat.

I’m glad to hear yours too. How are you?

I’m alright, trying not to complain, how are you?

I’m on my high horse a little bit. Solved the Bates case I was telling you about a few weeks ago. I grinned, feeling pretty good to be sharing my big news with him.

Wow, that’s awesome! I know you were worried. See, I told you it would all work itself out.

That you did. I smiled fondly, leaning back in my chair. I turned to face the window, staring out at the view of the city.

Well, I was calling to ask you about something. I didn’t think you were going to answer so I wasn’t prepared to really talk to you about it.

What do you mean? Everything’s okay? I furrowed my brow.

Yes, I just know you told me that there are certain things you’d rather not talk about and I’m trying to respect your wishes, but I really need to ask you a few things.

My heart dropped. Bryce, if it’s about what I think it is, I’d rather not get into it. I have a lot to do today and I’d like to stay focused.

He took a moment to reply. —I understands. I hate to bring up bad memories.

Then don’t. There’s no reason to go digging up the past.

Well there is a reason…listen. I feel just as guilty as you do, if not more about the whole Sherry thing, and you know this, but I need help remembering some things.

Bryce, I’ve had to carry this guilt on my back for most of my adult life. I left home and moved thousands of miles, across oceans, to escape what I couldn’t let go of. You’re my best friend and I want us to be able to talk about everything, but this isn’t something I think I’m ready to talk about right now.

Please, don’t push away from me. I’ll call you back later tonight. Focus on you work and we’ll talk later.

But— I started to reply.

Kate, you can’t keep running for the rest of your life. This situation can’t affect you unless you allow it to take control over your life. Maybe if you talk about it, you can let it go?

I’m making a conscious choice not to talk about it.

And how has that been working out for you? You packed up and moved your whole life to a new continent and you haven’t looked back since. I miss you. My best friend can’t even get on a plane to come home because she’s too afraid to face her demons.

I couldn’t argue with that. The thought of returning home made my skin crawl; sent a wave of unsureness over me. I bit my lower lip. My hands were trembling.

Kate?

I’m here.

You have to let this go. But you can’t do that unless you face your fears and talk about things. Trust me, I’ve been working through my feelings and I honestly wish I’d tackled this years ago.

Maybe someday, in the near future, I’ll be ready.

I hope so. You know I’m here for you. Anything you need. I know. You always have been. Thank you for that.

That’s what best friends are for. I smiled. My eyes were welling with tears.

I had other news as well. I’m coming to visit you in a couple of days. I just booked my flight this morning.

Are you serious?! I exclaimed a bit louder than I intended to.

Yup! Finally, right?

Don’t play with me. Are you seriously coming to Sydney?

"Yes, my first international business trip. I can send you a picture of my flight information if you don’t believe me. I’m really excited to see you."

Me too! I just can’t believe it.

Well, it’s happening. My flight comes in early morning so I’ll take a taxi to the office, first thing.

That’s perfect.

I'll call you back later tonight. Focus on your work and we'll talk later, okay?

I ended the call. It took a moment for that all to soak in. Bryce was coming to Australia? Two years was a long time apart, but our reunion was long overdue. I wondered if he was bringing his girlfriend. Were they still together? Probably. Did she know Bryce was coming here? It didn’t really matter; it wasn’t solely to see me.

He was coming on business, but it slipped my mind to ask what. Our agencies didn’t work closely together. The most interaction they’d had was when I was applying for a position out here. Whatever the reason, it had to have been approved for expenses. Maybe Bryce had convinced them to give him a short apprenticeship—see how we do things out here. Regardless, I was excited that he would be here in a few short days.

I had so much to say to him face to face. I wanted to hug him and smell the sweet woodsy aroma of his skin. I wanted to catch up on everything I’d missed out on in the last two years, from what was going on in town, to the people we used to hang out with. When Bryce and I talked, it was mostly about work. We were both detectives and worked for the same agency when I lived in the States. I knew most of the people, which made stories easier to follow. We vented about everything and kept each other encouraged. Being a rookie detective can be trying and Bryce’s partner was condescending and downright nasty to him. I had gotten wrapped up in my new agency and put everything that had to do with the US on the backburner. But Bryce had remained the definition of a best friend.

I went about my day, thinking about Bryce. I thought about all of the places I’d like to take him; some of the hidden gems of Sidney he might enjoy. I hadn’t gotten a chance to show anyone around my new home and I was excited to finally be able to host! Sydney had captured my heart and I wanted Bryce to see that this move was exactly what I needed and life was treating me well. I know my friends and family worried about me; that I was running from my problems and trying to chase a new life. While I was running away from the darkness, it ended up being a move that was healthy and provided me with a level of happiness I don’t think I’ve ever felt in my lifetime.

The workday dragged on. As I moved through my routine, I couldn’t stop thinking about Bryce. I continued through the rest of the week, and these questions lingered. I wish that I could be more excited to see Bryce face to face again, I didn't want this conversation to overshadow his visit and suck up the limited amount of time we had to spend together. I finally had to make the conscious decision to lock this all away for later.

I shifted my thoughts to counting down the time we were reunited.

CHAPTER 3

This has been the longest week of my life, but in a good way. Last, night as I tried on several outfit combinations and settled on a pencil skirt, a white blouse, my favorite rose colored blazer and my black Jimmy Choo's. I woke up extra early to apply my whitening strips and spent the extra time doing my hair. I usually let my hair fall in its natural state, with its slight wave to it, but I remembered the look he had on his face every time I'd wear it bone straight with the part down the middle. I slapped on a nude lip and left for work. Upon arrival heads turned my way. Today, I didn't feel as powerful as I normally did. I was hoping my coworkers didn't notice I got all dolled up for my visitor today. I hadn't said much about Bryce coming. Word had gotten around naturally that another American would be in the building from my office back home. Thankfully, I just got a few compliments as I headed to my office. My nerves were on end. I needed to occupy my time until his arrival. I opened up my computer and glanced at my to-do list as I waited for it to boot up.

I quickly realized I hadn't had my coffee and walked down to the lounge. I stood there, swirling the coffee stirrer around, creating clouds in my morning coffee. I kept checking my watch, then my hair in the reflection of the microwave. I knew that Bryce's flight had arrived, as he'd text me to let me know