The Greater Evil

By Kaeleb LD Appleby

The death of a congressman’s wife seems like a standard robbery gone wrong. But as Kusan and Vhindr investigate, an intricate web of deception and intrigue opens up around them.

Will infamous assassins, The Cartel, and a devilish mastermind prevent Kusan from finding the culprits behind this murder?

Perhaps as she works with Vhindr on this case, she will have the chance to learn more about his mysterious past. But will Kusan like what she discovers?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kaeleb LD Appleby
• Release date: Nov 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005691530

Kaeleb LD Appleby

May you all enjoy reading my books as much as I enjoyed writing them

Book preview

The Greater Evil

A Crime in Me’tra Story

By

Kaeleb LD Appleby

Chapter One

Good book?

Tarna’s sudden question interrupted her reading and Kusan irritably looked up from the pages and to the computer screen that sat in the centre console.

Yes. Kusan replied stiffly before turning her eyes back to the writing on the page.

What’s it about?

Kusan clenched her jaw, You can read the title for yourself.

’Demons of Essinenduer’, Tarna read the title aloud, Isn’t that a children’s book?

Kusan sighed heavily and did not reply.

Why are you reading a children’s book?

Because I am.

And why read it in hardback and not a digital version?

Because I already had it in hardback, Kusan said with tight lips.

I see.

Kusan sighed again and dropped the book to her lap, Is there something you want to say Tarna? Or are you just bored?

No, sorry detective, the computer mumbled and Kusan returned to her reading. It’s just; we’ll be arriving at the crime scene soon. Don’t you want to go over the initial report?

Kusan closed her book, dropping it to her lap as she rubbed her brow and clenched her jaw. Stretching her neck she turned her gaze out the window of the car and to the bleak view of Bayside.

The day was overcast and the feint light of the sun struggled to push its way through the high cloud cover, throwing a pale light over the city. It was mid-morning and the traffic was typically thick, making their drive through Bayside longer than it should have been. But it was not as if there was any rush, the benefits of investigating a dead body was that it was not going to go anywhere.

Ignoring the flashing advertisements outside her window Kusan looked ahead of them and to the large shopping complex they were driving towards. Fortunately it was a working day, and it was unlikely the complex would be overly busy.

She sighed and closed her book completely before tossing it onto the back seat and taking out her phone. Tarna was right, she knew that, and absently she opened up the digital file that had been sent to her in regards to the murder she was heading to investigate.

Female, aged forty-two, Kusan read softly, Killed this morning at eight-fifteen. Preliminary report: death by pistol shots to the chest from a black market weapon. All indications being that this was a robbery.

Closing her phone she ran a hand over her face.

Something wrong in the report? Tarna asked curiously.

No, she replied despondently.

But you seem unhappy.

For the past five cases I’ve had to deal with these kinds of menial investigations, Kusan replied.

But that is what you do: you investigate things, replied the computer, not understanding.

Yes, but, Kusan let out a deep breath, These types of cases are so, boring. I’m the highest ranked detective in the city and yet I have to deal with these mundane crimes.

Would you prefer another ritual killing?

If it took me to Hell Fire Pass like the last one, then yes I would.

It must have been so exciting to get so far out of the city, Tarna exclaimed, and a slight smile came to Kusan’s face. What was it like in the refugee camps?

Hot, she replied, And open.

Open?

Yes. There were no buildings as far as the eye could, just rolling sand dunes and rocks.

Sounds boring, Tanra replied despondently. I wouldn’t like to go there.

Well, there weren’t any roads so you probably never will.

Good, I like roads.

Kusan scoffed and shook her head slightly, turning her eyes back out the window as Tarna drove into the shopping complex and down into the parking lot. They were met with the flashing lights of police patrol cars, and a congestion of shoppers looking for a place to park. Half the parking lot was sectioned off by holographic police lines and parked vehicles.

There’s quite a few here, Kusan remarked thoughtfully as Tarna slowly made her way through the congestion and into the sectioned crime scene.

Finding a place to stop Kusan was quick to slip out of the car and move through the surprisingly large gathering of patrolmen that seemed to be doing nothing aside from mulling about in groups, talking.

Over there, detective, one of the officers called to her as she passed by and pointed to the far corner.

Giving the man a brief nod she slowly headed in that direction, her eyes scanning the area for anything that seemed unusual. The place seemed like a standard parking lot at first, but curiously she noticed that the lights were out in this area, not necessary unusual in public garages, but for some reason the observation lingering in her mind.

No Ratlin today? Kusan spoke up as she stopped at the scene and looked down on the body of a middle aged woman lying beside her car with three metal shafts protruding from her chest.

Detective Kusan, the forensic scientist looked up in surprise and jumped to his feet. No Doctor Ratlin is on holidays. I’ll be taking over his duties in the meantime. My name is Aborn.

The scientist offered his hand to her, causing her to frown at the blood covered glove and then at the man.

Sorry, Aborn exclaimed and quickly retracted his hand. How silly of me. Anyway, yes, this lady is dead.

I can see that. Kusan nodded slowly. Who is she?

You don’t recognise her? Aborn asked back in surprise.

Should I?

Well, if you follow politics you should.

I don’t.

It’s Liane.

Kusan narrowed her eyes at the forensic scientist and did not reply.

Liane, the man stammered again, She’s-

She is the wife of congressman Doumont.

Kusan turned from the scientist to the man who had spoken, the tails of his long coat drifting out behind him as he walked over.

Vhindr Varrintine, Kusan stated, her eyes narrowing slightly. Why are you here?

The same reason you are I would think, the tall man replied calmly, running a many ringed hand through his long black hair.

You’re not a detective, and this case was assigned to me, she was quick to state, So try being blunt in your response for once.

Vhindr smirked, The Chief assigned me as your consultant due to the high priority of the case.

Kusan cocked her head to the side slightly.

From your expression I gather you did not read the case file, Vhindr observed and shook his head slightly, Congressman Doumont is a well-known businessman who is currently running for the position of Mayor of Me’tra. Although he is not the favourite to win he is in the top five of the candidates expected to take the position. Thus the death of his wife is going to afford the police force much of the public’s scrutiny, and thus I have been asked to aid in the investigation.

I don’t need any help, Kusan replied evenly.

The Chief expected as much so perhaps you should check the messages on your phone, Vhindr replied, a knowing look twinkling in his dark eyes.

Clenching her jaw she looked away from Vhindr and back to Aborn, Continue with your findings.

Aren’t you going to check your messages? the scientist stammered, his eyes darting between her and Vhindr.

No. So continue.

Right, Aborn nodded and knelt down beside the body. "Well, as you can see she has been shot in the chest with a pistol, see here the three round burst of projectiles embedded in her chest. All of which pierced her heart and caused death to be virtually instantaneous. The weapon used was likely an older model pistol from the black market, you can tell by the pattern of impact and the grooves along the metal shafts that were caused when they were fired from the barrel.

There are marking on her neck which suggest a necklace was violently tore off, and the tan lines on her wrists and fingers also suggest her other jewellery was taken. She also has no purse or wallet which further suggests this was a robbery.

Was she assaulted in any other way? Kusan asked seriously, glancing to Vhindr who was not even paying attention to the forensic scientist and had walked away from them to look about the area.

No, Aborn replied, She has no defensive wounds either or anything to suggest she fought with the attacker before he killed her.

Witnesses?

None.

None? This is the car park of a busy shopping centre.

There were a few who remember seeing Liane in the parking lot, but none saw the attack or anyone suspicious who might be considered to be the attacker.

Kusan frowned, Surveillance footage?

There are cameras, Aborn motioned absently about the area, "But most are