Legacy of Evil

By Steven M. Moore

Former Scotland Yard Inspector Steve Morgan receives his first murder case after a transfer to Bristol PD and a stressful secondment to MI5. An old man's murder is soon followed by three related ones. Their investigations lead the DI and his team to probe the operations of a national crime syndicate as well as uncover a Russian oligarch's plans to destabilize the UK. Eventually, both MI5 and NCA become involved.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steven M. Moore
• Release date: Jul 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201939885

Steven M. Moore

If you’re reading this, thank you. Not many people find me...or recognize me as an author of many genre fiction novels. Maybe it’s because my name is too common—I thought once about using a pen name...and probably should have. Maybe it’s because I don’t get many reviews. (It's not hard to write one once you've read one of my books: just say what you like and dislike in a few lines, and why.) I know you have many good books and good authors to choose from, so I’m honored and humbled that you are considering or have read some of mine.You’re here on Smashwords because you love to read. Me too. Okay, maybe you’re here to give someone the gift of an entertaining book—that’s fine too. I love to tell stories, so either way, you’ll be purchasing some exciting fiction, each book unique and full of action and interesting characters, scenes, and themes. Some are national, others international, and some are mixed; some are in the mystery/suspense/thriller category, others sci-fi, and some are mixed-genre. There are new ones and there are evergreen ones, books that are as fresh and current as the day I wrote them. (You should always peruse an author's entire oeuvre. I find many interesting books to read that way.)I started telling stories at an early age, making my own comic books before I started school and writing my first novel the summer I turned thirteen—little of those early efforts remain (did I hear a collective sigh of relief?). I collected what-ifs and plots, character descriptions, possible settings, and snippets of dialogue for years while living in Colombia and different parts of the U.S. (I was born in California and eventually settled on the East Coast after that sojourn in South America). I also saw a bit of the world and experienced other cultures at scientific events and conferences and with travel in general, always mindful of what should be important to every fiction writer—the human condition. Fiction can’t come alive—not even sci-fi—without people (they might be ET people in the case of sci-fi, of course).I started publishing what I'd written in 2006—short stories, novellas, and novels—we’d become empty-nesters and I was still in my old day-job at the time. Now I’m a full-time writer. My wife and I moved from Boston to the NYC area a while back, so both cities can be found in some novels, along with many others in the U.S. and abroad.You can find more information about me at my website: https://stevenmmoore.com. I’m also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorStevenMMoore; and Twitter @StevenMMoore4.I give away my short fiction; so does my collaborator A. B. Carolan who writes sci-fi mysteries for young adults. See my blog categories "Steve's Shorts," "ABC Shorts," and the list of free PDF downloads on my web page "Free Stuff & Contests" at my website (that list includes my free course "Writing Fiction" that will be of interest mainly to writers).I don't give away my novels. All my ebooks are reasonably priced and can be found here at Smashwords, including those I've published with Black Opal Books (The Last Humans) and Penmore Press (Rembrandt's Angel and Son of Thunder). I don't control either prices or sales on those books, so you can thank those traditional publishers for also providing quality entertainment for a reasonable price. That's why you won't find many sales of my books either. They're now reserved for my email newsletter subscribers. (If you want to subscribe, query me using [e-mail].)My mantra has always been the following: If I can entertain at least one reader with each story, that story is a success. But maybe I can do better than that? After all, you found me!Around the world and to the stars! In libris libertas!

Book preview

Summary

Former Scotland Yard Inspector Steve Morgan receives his first murder case after a transfer to Bristol PD and a stressful secondment to MI5. An old man’s murder is soon followed by three related ones. Their investigations lead the DI and his team to probe the operations of a national crime syndicate as well as uncover a Russian oligarch’s plans to destabilize the UK. Eventually, both MI5 and NCA become involved.

Related Novels

This Inspector Steve Morgan novel is related to The Klimt Connection, Book Eight in the Esther Brookstone Art Detective series, where the inspector arrives from London to begin his duties in Bristol and is forced into the secondment with MI5 before hardly getting started. Other characters from those novels also appear here, but the following story can be read and enjoyed independently.

If you’d like to peruse the Esther Brookstone novels, here is the full list:

Rembrandt’s Angel—Esther becomes obsessed with recovering a painting stolen by the Nazis in WWII.

Son of Thunder—Esther is out to prove either the famous Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli didn’t go to Ephesus (now in modern-day Turkey), or the tomb of St. John the Divine is located there.

Death on the Danube—Bastiann van Coevorden and Esther finally tie the knot, but their honeymoon tour down the famous river becomes a murder investigation.

Palettes, Patriots, and Prats—Esther defends an American artist and discovers a vast network of stolen art and sex traffickers.

Leonardo and the Quantum Code—A friend from Esther’s days at Oxford is developing new algorithms for secure quantum messaging, and three different countries and a lone wolf want them.

Defanging the Red Dragon*—China wants the plans for software and hardware upgrades for nuclear submarines; Esther, Bastiann, and friends endeavor to stop them.

Intolerance*—Three cases of evil intolerance keep the art detective busy, including evil actions perpetrated by a group of domestic terrorists.

The Klimt Connection—Esther and Bastiann’s visit to New York City is abruptly ended when their flat in London is bombed by the new leader of the group of domestic terrorists.

Celtic Chronicles—Esther and Bastiann are volunteers at an archaeological dig in Scotland when a student’s murder has international repercussions.

*Free PDF download available at https://stevenmmoore.com.

The other novels have ebook versions available wherever quality ebooks are sold. The first three novels also have print versions.    

British, Scotch, and Irish Words and Phrases

Note from Steve: Just like the US has Bostonian and Texan dialects, the UK and the Republic of Ireland also have regional dialects. I tried to include here all the expressions appearing in the novel, but I might have missed a few...or included a few extras from previous novels in the series? And English and Irish readers, please don’t hold it against this Yank if my definitions aren’t one hundred percent correct. While I might be responsible for some errors, Google and Microsoft Word were willing accomplices!

A

aggro—aggravation, discomfort

ANPR—Automatic Number Plate Recognition (cameras on major UK roads used to read license plates)

ARO—Armed Response Officer (like a SCO19 member)

ARU—Armed Response Unit (also often called SCO19)

ARV—Armed Response Vehicle (a van carrying an ARU or SCO19)

Auld Reekie—Edinburgh, Scotland

B

barney—intense argument or verbal skirmish

barrister—lawyer who can participate in a trial

beck—creek, small river

biro—ballpoint pen (named after its inventor)

blaggard—scoundrel

blather—talk, often without rhyme or reason

bloke—fellow, guy

blues and twos—emergency vehicles, or patrol cars in general (for blue lights and two officers)

bollix—bungle

bollocks—general swear word (literally, testicles)

boot—car trunk

brae—a steep bank or hillside

brief—a barrister or solicitor (or the usual meaning)

C

car park—parking lot (usually seen as two words, but sometimes as one, or hyphenated)

ceilidh—gathering with Gaelic folk music, singing, dancing, and/or storytelling

chap—fellow, guy

chappie—fellow, guy

chat up—flirt

chinwag—conversation, discussion

CID—Criminal Investigative Department within a police station

chuffed—pleased

cockup—disaster, fiasco

copper—policeman or policewoman

crisps—potato chips

D

DS—Detective Sergeant

DC—Detective Constable

DI—Detective Inspector

DCI—Detective Chief Inspector

do an early dart—leave business early

do a runner—flee, disappear

donkey’s years—a long time

dosh—money (wad)

droll—boring, irrelevant

duty solicitor—legal representation provided to a suspect by the police or court

E

eejit—fool

F

fag—cigarette

feckin’—not as strong as the American version, but also used to emphasize

fiver—five-pound note

FLO—family liaison officer

fuggy—warm, stuffy, smoky (of a room, atmosphere, or mind)

G

give stick—beat up, verbally or physically

gobshite—mean or contemptible person

gobsmacked—astonished, astounded (a gob was a wad of tobacco)

goolies—testicles

GP—General Physician

grass on—rat on, tattle

H

hire-car—rental car

HOLMES—Home Office Large Major Enquiry System, the UK-wide police database

I

Iron Lady—Margaret Thatcher

K

kerb-crawler—prostitute (kerb is curb in the US)

knackered—exhausted

L

do or have a lie-in—sleep late

loo—bathroom, WC

lorry—truck

lose his rag—get furious

M

marra—mate, friend (Cumbrian dialect)

mash—tea brewed from tea leaves, not tea bags

mobile—cellphone or smart phone

monkeys—500-pound notes

MP—member of parliament

N

nappies—diapers

nick—steal, arrest (verbs); police station, jail (nouns)

niggling—trifling, annoying

nippers—children

numpty—stupid or foolish person

nutter—crazy person

O

old chestnut—adage or saying

P

peckish—hungry

Peel Centre—training institution for the Metropolitan Police (originally only for higher-ranked officers, and also called Hendon Police College or Hendon Training College)

pillock—fool

pish-tosh—only a trifle

plonker—fool

plod—copper

PM—prime minister

prat—a stupid or foolish person

publican—manager or owner of a pub

punter—bookie, gambler (more British); customer (more Irish)

R

rozzer—copper

rugger—rugby player

S

SCO19—Specialist Crime and Operations group (SWAT group in the US); see ARO, etc. (This term tends to be used more in standard policing, while MI5 and NCA tend to use more the ARO terminology.)

scarper—flee

scrote—lowlife

scrum—disorderly crowd

shite—what you expect, but not considered swearing as such

shop (out)—betray

skelping—unusually large or outstanding

SIO—Senior Investigating Officer

SOCO—Scene of Crime Officer (US CSI)

sod—annoying person (noun); deprecate or disparage (verb)

solicitor—a lawyer who provides legal representation but can't necessarily appear in a trial

stunner—pretty woman

T

takeaway—fast food the buyer picks up

taking the Mickey—taunting, wisecracking, or being otherwise unreasonable

taking the piss—(see immediately above)

tam—a Scottish hat

tearaway—urchin

telly—television

tipple—imbibe an alcoholic beverage, or the beverage itself

tippler—habitual drinker

toe-rag—urchin

toff—aristocrat, or member of the privileged elites

tops—bobbies (for the helmets)

trainers—sneakers (US East Coast) or tennis shoes (US West Coast)

trawl—search

tuck in—more for eating than for going to bed

twaddle—nonsense

twit—foolish or stupid person

twitcher—birdwatcher

W

wag—a person given to droll, roguish, or mischievous humor

wanker—a contemptible person, scoundrel, villain

wellies—overshoes

wing mirror—side mirror of car (as opposed to rearview mirror)

wrinklies—elderly or older people

Y

yob—rude or aggressive person

Security Agencies

British national police—the Metropolitan Police System (the Met aka Scotland Yard) and its regional affiliates

British national crime agency—National Crime Agency (NCA)

British internal security—MI5

British external security—MI6

French internal security—DGSI

French external security—DGSE

Irish Republic's national police—An Garda Siochana (Gardai or the Guards)

Russian internal security—FSB

Russian external security—SVR

US internal security—ATF, DEA, DHS, FBI

US external security—CIA, sometimes FBI

Notes:

The Metropolitan Police System, also called the Met or the Yard (for Scotland Yard, which is often used for both the Met and the City of London Police), and their regional affiliates represent the general policing organization for England and Wales; it covers general crime throughout the region with its many divisions, but it also covers background checks and crimes associated with the Official Secrets Act and railroad terminals and some local airports. Individual cities' police departments are now considered part of the overall system (e.g., Bristol or Reading PD).

Police Scotland was created in 2013 to unify policing in all of Scotland, and it's basically a copy of the Metropolitan Police system with all its own divisions and bureaucracy.

MI5 and MI6 were created during World War II. (The MI stands for Military Intelligence, and Section Five and Section Six are just reduced to the numbers in general parlance.)

The National Crime Agency was also created in 2013 to lead efforts against organized crime, including sex- and drugs-trafficking.

FSB and SVR are the remnants of the old KGB, Putin's old employer.

Cast of Principal Characters

Margaret Maggie Bent—former Scotland Yard DI and new MI5 agent

Harry Bond = Bristol PD DCI

Jeremy Brand—head of MI5's Counterterrorism Division

Sara Brooks (aka Molly Driscoll)—the second murder victim

Esther Brookstone—former MI6 spy and former Scotland Yard inspector

Frank Burns—the third murder victim

Bruce Campbell—former Edinburgh PD DI (Police Scotland)

Sean Cassidy (aka Robert Greene aka Arthur Collins)—former IRA bomber

Bastiann van Coevorden—former Interpol agent, current MI5 consultant, and Brookstone's Dutch husband

Virginia Ginny Graham = Bristol PD forensic pathologist

George Henderson = Susan Hill's husband

Andrew Hill (aka Yuri Andropov) = the first murder victim and Susan and Zach’s father

Susan Hill = the first victim's daughter and Reading University political science professor

Zachary Hill—the first victim’s son and Edinburgh University archaeology student

Vladimir Kalinin (aka Robert Greene)—Russian ex-pat and international businessman

Akina Kimachu = Kanzi's older sister and estate agent

Kanzi Kimachu = Akina’s younger sister and Bristol PD SOCO team leader

Harold Hal Leonard—former Interpol agent, current MI5 consultant, and head of the task force fighting domestic terrorists

Michael McCarthy—Daniel Prince’s #2

Frederic "Freddie'’ March—MI5's liaison with the Home Office

Steve Morgan = former Scotland Yard and new Bristol PD DI

Sir Basil Morton-Jennings—British Conservative MP

Declan O’Hara—Maggie Bent’s husband

Boris Orlovskyy = son of a Russian oligarch

Olga Orlovskaya = Boris’s wife

Vassily Orlovskyy = Russian oligarch and Boris’s father

Betsy O'Toole = Bristol PD DS

Sir John Pembroke—British Conservative PM

David Peterson = Reading PD DI

Daniel Prince—head of the Prince Boys, a national crime syndicate

Arnulfo Rodriguez = Bristol PD SCO19 member

Nancy Sinclair = drugs rehab patient

Ambreesh Singh—MI5 technical staff and IT specialist

Joseph Stephens—MI5 field agent

Rada Stoyanova—the fourth murder victim

Shirley Temple—NCA technical staff and IT specialist

Mark Wells = Susan Hill’s PI

Owen Wilson = Bristol PD DS

Gretchen Williams = head of NCA’s Narcotics Interdiction Program

Prologue

Helsinki, 2003

Papa, what will England be like?

The traveler glanced at his daughter and then resumed watching the receding Finnish harbor.

South Harbor was both a bay and dock area immediately next to city center. They’d just departed from the Katajanokka Quay’s farthest part but nearest to the sea where the cruse ship had docked. They had just passed the most critical point on the waterway, the Kustaanmiekka Strait, ocean bound.

Are you afraid, little one? You speak their language perfectly. So do I. We'll blend in well in our new country, thanks to our benefactor.

Who is he, Papa? This benefactor?

He's a man who empathized with our plight because he suffered from a similar one. That's all you need to know.

But I'll want to thank him when I'm older. He even gave us new papers, right?

He's had time to develop some connections, time I didn't have.

Will I see him again?

I hope not. I prefer to forget all our past and focus on the future.

I wouldn't mind seeing him again. Mr. Putin...I won't miss him at all.

He's as good as dead as far as we're concerned. You don't have to worry about him any longer. Hopefully, neither do I, thought the traveler. He watched a seabird swoop down and snatch a fish from the water. We were lucky. Many who criticize that insignificant little ex-KGB agent will die. He kills men, women, and children indiscriminately without any hesitation.

The ten-year-old girl thought a moment. But what will we live on now, Papa? England must be an expensive place to live.

Thanks to our benefactor, I'll be able to start some sort of business. Don't worry about money, little one. We will be fine. He now noticed larger waves crashing against the ship's hull as it moved farther from shore. Let's go into lunch. It will soon be too cold to be on deck as we enter into the North Sea. Before you know it, we'll be in Edinburgh.

***

His daughter seemed to enjoy her lunch while listening to her new iPod with its earbuds, so the traveler was left alone with his thoughts.

Of course, he knew more about their mysterious benefactor than she did. That man had visited the traveler at their home late one night to warn them...

Yuri, you must flee for your life. Vladimir Putin will kill you and your daughter if you don't.

Bah! He's in Moscow. I am here in St. Petersburg.

You spoke against his plans, so you must do what I did: Leave Russia and regroup abroad. It's the only way.

So...the rumors are true? Yevgeny was murdered?

The visitor nodded. Probably by FSB agents, but Putin ordered the hit, you can be sure. I am. Nothing evil goes on in Russia now that's not ultimately attributable to him. He makes Yeltsin seem like a purring old tomcat. If you're not willing to swear fidelity to that madman and support his every whim, he will kill you like Yevgeny. You should follow my example.

Aren't you always looking over your shoulder even outside the Rodina? There are hired SVR assassins everywhere.

Of course I am. For other reasons as well. But I'm always on the outlook for chances to take my revenge too, now that I am also becoming rich and powerful outside Russia despite the Kremlin’s hating me. That is the key. I work harder than any of Putin's lackeys, the oligarchs who Yeltsin helped create, and, unlike them, I won't flaunt my wealth and power.

Yuri flashed a wry smile. Does that desire for revenge mean that you desire to kill me for being an oligarch?

You are nothing but a dead man walking, Yuri, if you stay here. And you probably had no idea of my history, so how could you have done anything to me in the past that would necessitate my revenge? That will be taken against the others, little by little. I might be a man without a country, but I have ambitious plans that will affect many nations. A man must have patience, though.

A man can have patience only if he and his family are secure.

Agreed. The secret to a long and secure life for you and your daughter is simple: Leave St. Petersburg and become successful elsewhere.

How?

I will arrange everything.

Yuri was suspicious. And why would you help us?

Because, at the very least, it will make Putin and his inner circle furious that you've escaped. That's a positive contribution to continue to motivate my patient and general plans for revenge.

But what can I do without funds? I have none outside Russia, and you can be sure that Putin will confiscate what I have here.

We already discussed that. I can’t provide explicit figures, but I will provide more than enough funds to get you started. Not a loan, but a gift. The rest is up to you. Perhaps you will be able to one day return the favor. Maybe joining me in some action that will avenge the evil that Putin and his mafioso-like lieutenants have unleashed upon our country and the world.

Then I can only thank you. I'll always regret that I was a willing participant in Putin's mafia at one time.

You spoke out against them. If I were at all religious, I'd say that's quite enough to atone for your sins.

Yuri sighed but smiled. Okay. What do I have to do?

The visitor had already outlined what general actions the traveler should take as well. Overall, it was a good plan. He looked at his daughter who seemed equally concentrated on her lunch and playlist. Soon they would begin a new life in the UK as English citizens. How would that turn out?

Chapter One

Bristol Suburbs, 2029

DI Steve Morgan studied the crime scene. Something personal? he thought. A lot of rage unleashed here.

Not long after joining the Met after his sojourn at the Peel Centre, he’d seen a similar scene where the victim was a woman—rather, what was left of a female body. An abusive husband in a drugs-induced psychotic rage had taken a meat cleaver to her. He’d later died from the overdose, so he couldn’t stand trial. Steve hadn’t seen anything so bad since he’d returned from overseas, or after that, until now. It looked like the weapon here had been a knife, though.

Kanzi Kimachu and her SOCOs were already hard at work. He decided to approach the irascible Dr. Graham first, even knowing he would probably regret it.

Don't even ask, Ginny said. I have quite the mess here. So does your girlfriend.

Doc Graham was a heavyset woman named Virginia, Ginny for short, who enjoyed hearing herself talk, her conversation often evidence for her disdain of plods, male officers in particular.

For now, just a confirmation, please. Was the murder victim killed here?

The pathologist waved a hand to indicate the large bedroom used as a study and its blood-spattered walls. Confirmed. Let us get on with our work.

He nodded. And I'm sure you'll do a wonderful job, doctor, Steve said to her. Better you than me. If you don't mind, I'll take a little tour.

Be my guest. Just don't get in our way.

She knew him well by now, and she treated every plod at Bristol PD the same the same way, sourly and with disrespect  It didn't really matter if the copper was male or female, but she treated Kanzi and her forensic experts somewhat better. It also didn't matter what the plod's rank might be; Steve had seen her even give stick to the Chief Superintendent. But she was excellent at doing her job.

He walked around the room, noting details. He stopped in front of the packed bookcase. Its books, all classics, covered a wide variety of subjects and were wedged together as tightly as possible to make the best use of the space, but that made it obvious that one title was missing. He waved at Kanzi and then pointed. She came and stood beside him.

A bit too close, he thought, a somewhat controlled tingle passing through his body because of his budding relationship with the black woman. She was nearly his height and always reminded him of one of the Black Panther's noble female warriors—he couldn’t remember which one. She was third-generation Kenyan but was born in Newcastle-on-Tyne. He knew by then that Kanzi meant treasure in Swahili. She’d once told him that was appropriate because she came as a surprise for her parents. All her brothers and sisters were much older.

Be sure to look for traces here. A book has been stolen.

Good eyes, but not good enough. I see some blood traces on each side of that empty space.

Undoubtedly, the victim's but accidentally placed there by the murderer. A neighboring book might have at least a partial print if the murderer was searching for a particular one. He gave her a wink and a smile. See you tonight. I'll go downstairs and look for Betsy and Owen.

***

Betsy O'Toole and Owen Wilson were Steve's two detective sergeants. They were searching the remainder of the house and its grounds. Owen was downstairs. He was sitting at the kitchen table sorting some papers.

Owen had arrived to work at the Bristol PD substation just before Steve. He knew the area well, though, and was an intense man who drove fast. He was Welsh but had no accent unless he was excited. He seemed to be relaxed now, just doing his job.

Andrew Hill, the victim, was paying for a nurse who came every morning to help bathe and dress him, Owen said, and then leave him lunch. Probably his main meal of the day.

It took all those papers to learn that?

Just one, the contract between him and the nurse. A cleaning lady and a landscaper also come twice per week. That’s from an agenda that contains all three.

And we'll have to speak with all three. I suspect the murder occurred after the nurse left. Who discovered the body?

"One of our uniformed constables. The old man was on the phone with his daughter. She heard