The London Taxi and The Highgate Horror

By Melissa Franklin

The daughter of the President of France suddenly disappears, he holds the key to a French Royal secret that he won't divulge, not even to save the life of his own daughter. Young women are 'dying' mysteriously and their bodies stolen after each funeral Highgate Cemetery is known for its ornate tombs and h

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookTrail Publishing
• Release date: May 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9781637671658

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Copyright © 2021 by Melissa Franklin.

ISBN-978-1-63767-165-8 (eBook)

ISBN-978-1-63767-164-1 (Paperback)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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.

Jack Courage is a London

Black Cab driver but not your usual taxi driver, he’s ex army and SAS, and run’s his own Security business, which is a cover for his real job ……...as an MI5 agent.

Although the capital was full of black cabs his taxi is special, very special.

His name is Tim, no one knows where he originally came from or who named him but Jack used him in his job as a way of getting around London fast…. and legally. Jack lived alone in a traditional London mews house which was left to him some years earlier by his Aunt Verene.

This particular Aunt was very eccentric but not as ‘mad’ as people thought! Aunt V as she was fondly known also worked for MI5! As well as being Director General of the Security Services she was also in charge of the department that trained Britain’s top agents.

She was an imposing woman, tall, heavy set but carried herself with poise, most men feared her, and rightly so!!

One night whilst she was having a quiet evening in at her mews there was a loud knock at the door. Due to her training and position she was never off duty. Making her way down the stairs armed with a Walther PPK in one hand and opening the front door with the other she came face to face with nothing only the dull sound of a humming engine and a midnight owl hooting.

As she crept outside into the crisp cold night air she saw that the humming engine belonged to an abandoned black London taxi but no driver. Making sure no one was about she needed to decide what to do with the vehicle, she couldn’t just leave it there unlocked. Perhaps someone left it for a reason but who and why?

Leaning against the warm engine she tried to make sense of the ‘gift’....she reached inside to turn off the engine.

My name’s Tim by the way. Aunt V nearly knocked herself out as her head shot up and hit the metal door frame at the sound of the bodiless voice. Looking around she aimed her gun, her back to the vehicle she moved slowly, never losing connection with the bodywork for protection. The few lights that glowed in the mews street flickered, her breath heavy with anticipation of the danger billowed out like a cloud in the cold air. Just as she slid along the metal towards the bonnet she heard the voice again.

I wouldn’t worry there’s no one about, only you and me Miss V, would you mind not leaning on my paintwork I’d hate for you to scratch it.

Aunt V shot round, gun aimed at……. the taxi!!

As I said my name’s Tim, I thought you could do with my help

That was over thirty years ago, Tim and Aunt V formed a solid bond, an unusual partnership that saw them traveling around London quickly and legally on many MI5 assignments.

When she disappeared under suspicious circumstances her home and contents were left to her nephew Jack Courage who she had entrusted her faith in as a MI5 agent, she was always proud of his ability and loyalty.

Chapter One

His ancient weathered hands lingered

as they tightly gripped the tomb gates, the church bell struck midnight. Dark sunken eyes hidden beneath red lenses staring out at the surrounding tombs and graves, surveying what he classed as ‘his domain’ ‘his kingdom’. The feeling of being watched ran through his skeletal body, he wasn’t afraid, nothing ever frightened him. The damp coldness in the air enveloped his thin body while he hung onto the gates as if to savour the moisture hanging in the atmosphere, breathing in deeply he closed his eyes, when he opened them that’s when he saw her.

Eyes scanning the darkness to see who else was watching him, only statuesque stone angels stared back at him as the moonlight crept through the sky. The shadows of clouds stroking the angels as they passed over head like God loving his children.

Her angelic giant stone form creaked loudly as it turned to look at him slowly raising her hand to point in his direction, staring with dark determination.

The stone walls of your tomb can only protect you so much, your living death will come to an end soon, be assured you’re going straight back to hell.

Laughing he turned and pushed one of the gates open, pushing on the adjoining metal structure arms outstretched as high as they could as if in pride of the opulence.

Before him lay a long room, it seemed bigger on the inside. The walls were full of shelves with cobweb covered coffins filling every space, he took a deep breath soaking in more of his power, his ownership.

Dropping his arms he turned around slowly, purposely, hands clenched in determination, head slightly bowed his dark black eyes looking over his glasses up towards the angel, throwing his arms up he let out a half scream half growl, spittle flying forwards as it hit the ground it smouldered as if acid had fallen, gripping the gates once more to give him leverage in his attack he stared at her, dribbling more saliva as he did so.

The hallway lit up as lightning struck above the tomb, shielding herself from the clash of thunderbolts the angel’s demeanour slumped momentarily but she soon found her strength, her massive stone wings expanded loudly as if to take flight, the noise was almost deafening, branches, bushes and leaves blown aside in their wake, a gold light hummed like a protective barrier around her, nothing could penetrate its power.

By the hand of God Almighty you will not succeed in your evil deeds The gold light beamed towards the tomb hitting the rusting iron gates, as they did an electric shock was sent through them subsequently through the tall man’s body as he held onto them unable to let go. His electrified body shook as the power surged through his thin frame, teeth bared only a gurgle managed to emit itself, sparks flew like fireworks on the 5th of November, still he stared at her never once breaking eye contact.

As the angel drew her hands back the power stopped so suddenly the man dropped to the floor to a kneeling position, his breath heavy as if it could be his last. It took a few seconds for him to regain the ability to breathe properly let alone speak, looking up at the angel drooling he spat out……..

Just you try and stop me, I doubt very much that you can. He struggled to get up, almost staggering back into the tomb, turning he almost seemed drunk, his arms flaying as he tried to find his balance. He slammed the gates shut behind him with such force the sound of crashing metal echoed around the cemetery, the silence soon returned as he disappeared staggering back into the deepened darkness.

Nothing stirred for a few seconds, no birds or bats flew over for fear he may return. Stone statues stood stock still only their eyes moving to see if he would return to the entrance to continue the battle. Thankfully the large metal gates remained closed, the lights inside the tomb dimmed to darkness, a sigh of relief befell the surrounding area once more but for how long no one knew.

Chapter Two

As the shops began to

shut one by one, lights dimming a cold night air enveloped the indoor market. A thin damp mist hovered below waist level moving slowly like a creeping ghost, it seemed to take the form of a body, head and arms outstretched as if looking for someone as it crawled past each shop while the early evening took hold.

Angele hesitated as she turned the OPEN sign to CLOSED on the front door of her french chocolate shop, hand still on the sign she glanced nervously out of the window, her warm breath steaming up the glass. As the mist brushed past she was sure she heard a voice whisper her name.

Angeleeeeee…………. A haunting voice soft and musical. She didn’t notice the white misty body like form circle her as if to almost embrace her then within a split second it’s smoky hands making a grab for her throat dispersing like a bubble bursting as it made contact with her solid form.

Oui? She answered automatically but there was no one there, her hand lingered on the handle just a little longer as she scanned the courtyard of shops for any sign of life, the hairs on the back of her neck rose as a cold chill shot up her spine.

She left the shop locking the door behind her as quick as she could, glancing left and right nervously she struggled to get her keys into her small handbag but as she exited the market into the open air of Covent Garden a loud clap of thunder and flash of lightning startled her, she swung round for some reason anticipating someone behind her and as a cloud of the mist parted she was sure she saw a dark figure standing there, man or woman she couldn’t tell.

Dropping her bag and the contents on the old cobbles she crouched quickly to retrieve them from the wet floor, her eyes darting around in case there was anyone there. Scrambling to her feet she turned to run when the dark figure grabbed her by the shoulders, unable to move from the force of the grip and fear she waited for the end to come.

Closing her eyes for one last time she waited and waited, it seemed like a lifetime until she realised the sharp grip of the dark stranger had gone, opening her eyes she seemed completely blinded by a thick cold white mist, turning round and round disorientated she could not find a way out, her breath became heavy with panic, knuckles white as they gripped her now damp velvet bag.

A voice whispering from the left no, the right or was it behind she groaned as she grew more disorientated and terrified by the second when a deep voice quietly coaxed her to approach……..

Angele come my dear don’t be afraid The dark form moved slowly, hovering towards her through the thick mist a gloved hand held out in front of it. She took a step back her heel caught a raised cobble, momentarily she lost her footing, twisting mid stumble she managed to regain her composure and started to run, a hand grabbed at her shoulder again forcing her back into the mist she clutched at the white cloudy substance no chance of it helping her now as she disappeared hands reaching out for help…….help that would never come.

Chapter Three

The early morning birds sang

as always as the local traders set up their stalls in the popular market of Covent Garden, the hustle and bustle of boutique shops, perfume and cosmetics sellers calling out greetings and jovial exchanges unaware of the horror of the night before, until a piercing scream brought the whole of the market to a silent standstill.

Hand hovering over the blood drenched door knob, unable to move away, Charlotte the chocolate shop assistant stood stock still, the only sound leaving her mouth was the scream, then the words…..

Angele oh Angele!

Albert the artisan baker ran from his shop next door and gently walked her away to stand at the rails that overlooked the basement shops in the middle of the covered market.

Stay here my dear I’ll go look for Angele, I’m sure everything is as it should be.

Slowly Albert moved towards the door, as he got closer it creaked open all by itself to reveal the most beautiful French chocolate shop he had ever seen, although he had the shop next door he had never ventured into Angele’s. Entering he felt as if he had stepped back in time.

Glistening in the streams of sunlight were bits of dust dancing like tiny angels, nothing seemed out of place, nothing disturbed, slowly he crept towards the back room, a shaking hand ready to part the red velvet curtain, as he whipped it back he came face to face with……..nothing! There was no sign of Angele, no sign of anything unusual in the shop, no sign of a disturbance!

He turned to leave but was momentarily blinded by a bright shard of light coming in through the window, for a split second he thought he saw a tall man standing in front of him wearing a top hat but quickly decided it was a trick of the light. Shielding his eyes from the glare and the silhouette of the man as if in self protection, he rushed forward and out into the market where he was surprised to find it hard for his eyes to become accustomed to the light outside, looking at Charlotte he quickly forgot about the strange light inside and the dark image of the tall man in black.

Chapter Four

Sergeant Franks glanced around the

tiny shop as he jotted notes in his little black book. Moving through the curtains to the back room nothing seemed unusual to him either, there was no sign of a break in, nothing really worth taking, it was just an ordinary little chocolate shop. Why would anyone attack a beautiful young French woman, but more so where is she?

His Chief had been very insistent that he investigate this case himself, he wasn’t sure why but the boss said the owner was a very important woman in the community and had very very high connections. Franks didn’t ask any questions just did as he was told.

He turned quickly as the shop bell tinkled on the opening of the door, he walked back through the curtains to an empty shop, the only thing he noticed was a wisp of white mist disappearing out through the keyhole….the door was still shut!! He thought he heard someone laughing, a male voice but decided he had imagined it.

Putting his notebook away in his top pocket he took hold of the door handle to leave, as he did so he was sure he heard a whisper of a name……. ‘Angeleeeee’ Shaking his head as if to clear a fog he opened the door to leave looking up he glanced around but all he saw was the hustle of the market with the traders and tourists, as he was about to walk away he noticed a dark figure in the distance that seemed not to fit into the modern surroundings although many people dressed differently in this area due to the entertainment industry, there was something about this individual that didn’t sit right with him, the man was all dressed in black with a top hat and cane but the strangest thing was the white mist surrounding him as he walked away towards the Opera House and as he entered the side door of the opulent building the white cloud disappeared with him as if sucked in by a vacuum.

Scratching his head Franks turned and made his way back to the station, glancing back at the stage door a couple of times not quite sure what to make of what he had seen, he made a mental note, how do you explain something like that on paper convincingly?

Chapter Five

Jack stretched as he started

to wake to the sound of the London bird’s shrill song. He lay still as his aching body acclimatised to the fact he was still alive after yet another mission completed. On the one hand he thought he was getting too old for all these adventures but on the other he thrived on the excitement and danger. He sighed and yawned…..BANG BANG!!! He shot up out of bed, who the hell was making that noise at his front door?

Muttering a few unwelcome expletives he quickly wrapped himself in his dressing gown and rushed down the stairs of the mews house to the door that was almost being hammered in with the panicked banging on the other side.

Ok ok I’m coming, for heaven’s sake give me a chance….. he stopped dead on opening the door as he came face to face with a beautiful young woman, his jaw dropped.

Oh lord here we go again Tim The London Taxi now in the ownership and capable hands of Aunt V’s nephew was parked outside and caught sight of what was happening, if he could he would have rolled his eyes!! Jack had been using Tim who turned out to be no ordinary taxi as his way of getting around London in his job as a private detective for years, no one would ever suspect a black cab of anything other than picking up and dropping off tourists or business men.

Tim and Jack had just finished a big case involving a Russian Tsarina which changed her country’s history forever.

Tim had hoped on a rest but a beautiful young woman hammering on Jack’s door meant only one thing…..more work, more adventure and knowing Jack more danger.

Er hi, can I help? Jack ran his hands through his hair in an attempt to tidy his unkempt bed hair and try to wake up a bit more at the same time which looking at the beautiful woman at his door right now wasn’t too difficult.

I need your help, my friend who I work for has gone missing, please you have to help me.

The young girl was very distressed, Jack stood back to indicate to come in, just as he was closing the door behind him Chief Gibson barged past almost shoving him against the wall leaving Jack open mouthed at the sudden intrusion.

Jack, we have an international incident.

Yes Chief Jack managed to muster a few words together as both Charlotte and the Chief marched up the stairs.

As he followed them into his sitting room feeling a little underdressed he motioned for both to sit as he rushed into his bedroom and threw on some clothes. On re-entering the room he found the Chief pacing up and down, Charlotte sat dazed.

Right you had better fill me in on what’s happened to your friend Miss. Chief?

Jack wasn’t sure who to talk to first but had a feeling this wasn’t a coincidence that they both turned up at the same time.

Charlotte, you can call me Charlotte. My boss, well she’s more a friend than a boss. She’s disappeared. I got to work the other morning and found blood on the door knob of her shop where we work, there was no sign of her, she didn’t make it home either. Mr Courage she’s gone. The police are involved but don’t have a clue, I heard of you through the papers and what you did for that Russian lady and thought you would be the best person to find Angele……. her father is the French President.

The Chief coughed at the last bit of information, there was the connection, the French President’s daughter had been ‘kidnapped’ MI5 are involved, Jack and Tim are involved now no doubt.

WOW Jack almost fell over when he heard the last part, Cuba, Russia and now France, his portfolio of countries was certainly widening by the day. He offered tea and waited for one of them to carry on.

Angele is a beautiful person inside and out I don’t understand why anyone would hurt her, her father is a popular president Mr Courage. She wouldn’t go anywhere without telling me and then there’s the blood on the handle, thankfully according to the police it’s not even hers, there was no blood inside the shop just on the handle. The shop was left untouched.

Jack, our political relations with France are the best they have been in years and this ‘incident’ happening in our country is a disaster, we need to find her ASAP else there will be hell to pay. MI5 have an idea what the connection is but at the moment it’s classified As he said this he motioned towards Charlotte, she wasn’t privy to the information that could be vitally important to this case, Jack would have to talk to the Chief on his own at some point later.

Tim was downstairs listening in on the conversation at the same time his inbuilt computer system was doing an overall check on the De Bleu family, politically and privately,