Skeletons

By Kaeleb LD Appleby

Detective Kusan’s latest case is a series of old murders where all the evidence points to none other than Vhindr Varrintine as being the killer.
To make matters worse Vhindr has vanished, making him seem even more guilty of the crimes. As Kusan pursues the case and searches for Vhindr much of the enigmatic man’s past come to light.
Who is Vhindr Varrintine? Where did he come from? Why is he in Me’tra?
The answer to these questions will be found amidst a deadly game of cat and mouse created by Kusan’s nemesis, The Keyboard King.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kaeleb LD Appleby
• Release date: Jan 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005844165

Kaeleb LD Appleby

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

Book preview

Skeletons

A Crime in Me’tra Story

By

Kaeleb LD Appleby

Chapter One

A low cloud drifted overhead, passing between the tall buildings of Bayside as they rolled in off the ocean. The hour was early and the sun was making its rise behind the grey curtain streaked with dirty browns. A stillness hung over the humanity terrace where the lights of the city struggled to outshine the dawn.

It was not silent, in a city like Me’tra it was never silent, and yet everyone walked about, on their way to work or what have you, without saying a word. Such isolated inheritance of every citizen made the morning feel hollow as they moved across the terrace, their eyes glued to the digital device in their hands, communicating with others without uttering a word.

Kusan sighed, looking away from the depressing sight of such populated emptiness and towards the overcast sky. Up through the buildings and past the flying cars the clouds lit up with golden fire as the light of the sun pierced the veil and reached into the cold world. But it was only for an instant, the brilliant light vanished as quickly as it had come and the morning seemed darker than it had done previously.

With another annoyed sigh she grabbed her coffee cup and took a sip of the quickly cooling drink.

Where are you? she mumbled to herself, tapping her phone on the table top to see the time light up on the screen. It’s nearly been an hour.

She ran a hand across her brow, her frustration nearing bursting point, her foot tapping incessantly against the table leg as she chewed the inside of her lip.

The first sprinkles of rain drifted down from the clouds, splattering against her cheeks and atop her head. Flicking up the collar of her long jacket she took another sip of her drink before finishing the remaining amount and standing up irritably. Grabbing her phone she walked away from the benches and head towards the car dock. Passing by a bin she forcefully threw the empty coffee cup into the collection tube and clenching her jaw she walked over to her car.

He didn’t show up, the car computer remarked as she climbed in and sat down, slamming the door behind her. That’s not like Vhindr.

Isn’t it? Kusan asked back, her annoyance obvious.

Why didn’t you call him?

I’m not going to call him, Tarna, Kusan was quick to reply, I’m not some teenager with a crush. We arrange to meet here at a specific time, and he did not come.

He was probably held up by traffic, Tarna suggested thoughtfully, Or something else came up. I’m sure he did not stand you up on purpose.

If something had come up, or fi he was going to be late, he could have sent me a message, Kusan shook her head and let out another deep breath.

You think something is wrong? Tarna asked with concern.

No, Kusan grumbled, I think Vhindr is just being his annoying usual self. Track his phone for me.

I can’t.

What?

I can’t track his phone, Tarna said again.

Why not?

I don’t know why, Tarna replied simply. It’s like he doesn’t even have a phone.

Kusan rubbed her eyebrow, Probably thanks to his friend Euion.

She gritted her teeth irritably and looked out the side window. The rain had started to fall heavier now, turning the droplets into streak of dirty water running down the glass and turning the view of the buildings into an obscure impressionist painting.

Whatever, she sighed heavily, Let’s head to work.

Okay, Tarna said cheerfully and drove the car away from the floating platform between the buildings and into the flight lanes.

Hey, Tarna, Kusan said, a thought coming to her mind, Remember when I asked you trace all the video surveillance of Vhindr right back to the time he first appeared in Me’tra?

You bet I do, replied Tarna, her tone still overly chipper for Kusan’s liking.

Well?

What?

Tell me what you found, Kusan said, her annoyance continuing to grow.

He first appeared at the north of the city, Tarna reported, Travelling on a train eighteen months ago.

A train? Kusan repeated throughfully, Where from?

The city of Malen’bar.

What was he doing there? she wondered aloud.

No idea, Tarna replied.

Kusan rolled her eyes.

I’ve got a new assignment for you Tarna, Kusan said suddenly, Get the feeds from Malen’bar and continue tracking his movement.

How far?

As far back as you can.

Okay, said the computer, But, why am I doing this?

Because I’m instructing you to do so, she narrowed her eyes towards the manual computer interface. Is that a problem?

It just feels wrong is all, Tarna replied hesitantly.

Feels? Kusan echoed curiously.

He’s a friend, Tarna explained. It seems morally wrong to pry into his life.

We’re not prying, Kusan was quick to say. We’re tracing his movements back to where he came from.

I suppose you’re right, Tarna conceded reluctantly.

And this time let me know once you have finished the task, Kusan added as a second thought.

Roger, replied Tarna, her voice filled with optimistic joy once again.

Filled with thought Kusan looked back out the window to the passing city and cars that flew through the flight lanes alongside. Water streamed across the glass making the advertisement signs and building lights to be blurred, seeming as if a dream or illusion.

If only it were just an illusion, she mumbled to herself tiredly.

What was that detective? Tarna asked curiously.

Nothing.

Okay then. Do you want the radio on?

Whatever. Kusan dismissed the question and the speakers began playing some pleasant music.

As she listened her mind drifted on the notes as her eyes followed the flight lane before the car. She could feel her annoyance and irritation from the mornings disappointment subsiding and being washed away by the fall of the rain.

But then the music stopped and a harsh voice pierced the air as a woman android began to read the news.

Clenching her jaw Kusan rubbed her eye, feeling her bad mood rise to the fore once again.

The rebels have struck once again, the reporter said with an irritating voice. "This time causing chaos in the streets of Bel’tar’en as hundreds flee for their lives from a massive explosion that destroyed half of the Wynar embassy.

"This is what steward Ly’kin, of the Wynar, had to say in response to this attack: ‘This kind of calculated attack is repulsive and unforgivable. Not only have the rebels destroyed the lives of many Wynar, they have also killed dozens of people they claim to be fighting for. Rest assured we will find those responsible for this act of terrorism and see that they are duly punished for this crime against humanity.

"The rebels posted a video on the web claiming that this attack was in response to the current plans for the Wynar to take control of all the surveillance feeds throughout Kor’vir, including those which are privately owned by the big corporations and the police force. Along with the feeds there is also speculation that they are gathering and processing everyone’s personal information of the web to better predict criminal behaviour.

Now to the weather, concluded the reporter. "Rain again today in Me’tra and the surrounding wastelands. This depression will continue for the remainder of the week. Already the city has had twice as much rain in the passing weeks than it has in its entire history. Experts say that this is just an unprecedented event and for people not to be worried, but others claim it is evidence of greater climate change in the region due to pollution.

"The hundreds of blazes raging in the Hell Fire Pass continue, causing officials to evacuate troops and citizen from Korin’s Gate for their own safety. As of yet it is unclear how long the fires will last. Yet another peculiarity in the weather for this time of the year.

And that concludes the news for this hour, said the reporter, her tone devoid of feeling. Have a pleasant day.

The relaxing music once again played from the speakers, but it did little to easy her foul mood for they had arrived at the Central Precinct. Kusan turned off the radio as Tarna turned into the garage and parked in her allotted spot.

Have a good d- Tarna said cheerfully, but her words were cut off as Kusan roughly closed the car door behind her and headed for the lifts.

It was pleasantly quiet as she walked through the parking lot and into the lift. Only the dull hum of the elevator engine and gears drifted through the cold metal walls. But that silence was broken as the doors chimed open and a flood of voices and office noise crashed into her as she headed into the main office space of the precinct’s detectives.

Someone looks grumpy today, Jenth baited her with a laugh. Which side of who’s bed did you wake up on?

His question brought a snicker from his friends, but she did not reply, her glare spoke volumes and Jenth was quick to stop trying to get a rise out of her.

Quickly she walked through the tables towards and archive room where she knew she would find Vhindr flicking through case files as he so regularly did. But her brow furrowed slightly as she noticed the door open and the room empty.

Hey, Elyrin, Kusna called to her friend nearby, Have you seen Vhindr around?

No, I haven’t seen him today, her friend shrugged and shook her head before turning her attention back to her work.

Kusan’s frown deepened as she moved away from the archive room and to her work desk. With a grumbled under her breath she slumped down in the chair and turned her computer on, at the same time placing her phone on the reading pad so that her files could be updated between the two devices.

Pushing her annoyance towards Vhindr aside she turned her attention to her work, going through her files to make sure everything was in order and all her paperwork was up to date.

She sighed as she browsed all the current files that she had completed previously for there was nothing for her to do.

Running her hands over her face she slumped back in her chair, cupping her hands behind her head as she stared at the computer screen.

Nothing to do for last week, she mumbled to herself, turning her gaze towards the ceiling.

You look bored, a friendly voice remarked, catching her attention. No paperwork to do?

All finished, Kusan replied.

You’re lucky, Esdin said with a slight laugh. I’m glad it’s been so quiet in Central recently, it has allowed me to catch up on my own paperwork.

A notification of a new message popped up on Kusan’s computer screen, but she ignored it as Esdin continued to talk.

You could always head to the pistol range, her co-worker suggested thoughtfully. Not that you need the practice though.

Already did that, Kusan mumbled.

Some time off then?

So I can be bored sitting around at home? Kusan scoffed at the notion.

Perhaps you should go on a holiday?

Kusan did not reply, glancing back to the message notification.

She’s got no time for that, the Chief butted in gruffly, as he slapped a file onto Kusan’s desk. "This should