Getaway Island: Trust Casefiles, #9

By Lee Cushing

They were promised a peaceful vacation. Now they're fighting for their lives.

Determined to put her past behind her, werewolf and former supernatural operative Catherine McBride is eager to enjoy a much-needed vacation with the woman she loves. But when a pair of resort guests is found brutally murdered, they're quickly catapulted into a sinister mystery with terrifying consequences.
Daphne is dead-set on unravelling the truth behind the murders... despite her wife Catherine's protests. Teaming up with her charming – and magnetically attractive – fellow field operative Rachel, Daphne plunges headlong into a puzzling investigation that unearths rumors of missing hearts and secretive cults. 
But as tensions rise, accusations run wild and her relationship with Catherine is stretched to the breaking point. Daphne is forced into an impossible situation: continue searching for the truth, or repair her bond with Catherine while she still can. But before she's able to make a choice, Daphne stumbles into a horrifying reality that changes everything...
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lee Cushing
• Release date: Mar 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215191965

Lee Cushing

Lee Cushing is a paranormal thriller author and a lifelong fan of the occult. Having become obsessed with supernatural folklore and the world of horror from an early age, Lee has spent years studying tales of the occult and immersing himself in stories of otherworldly phenomenon. He’s also the owner of a number of vampire and horror-related groups in Facebook, where fellow fans of the supernatural come together to celebrate and discuss all things paranormal.  His debut novel, Voodoo Mambo, blends high-stakes action and shadowy agencies with a dark underworld of demonic creatures and their insidious plots to attack humanity. Lee draws his inspiration from classic horror movies – including Hammer and Universal – as well as beloved TV shows including Doctor Who, Supernatural, The Avengers, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer. 

Book preview

Getaway Island

Trust Casefiles, Volume 9

Lee Cushing

Published by Lee Cushing, 2023.

Getaway Island

Trust Casefiles, Volume 9

Lee Cushing

Published by Lee Cushing, 2023.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

GETAWAY ISLAND

First edition. March 1, 2023.

Copyright © 2023 Lee Cushing.

ISBN: 979-8215191965

Written by Lee Cushing.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

GETAWAY ISLAND

First edition. March 1, 2023.

Copyright © 2023 Lee Cushing.

ISBN: 979-8215191965

Written by Lee Cushing.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Getaway Island (Trust Casefiles, #9)

Further Reading: Night Tales

Also By Lee Cushing

About the Author

This book is dedicated to every reader who takes the time to leave a review

Chapter 1

Nikolov collapsed over the body in front of him, scrambling back from the torn throat of the man he used to know. The sound of more screams from behind him made his grip tighten on the shotgun he was carrying.

He glimpsed two men still on their feet, the howling of the creature from within the surrounding mist making all of them stop in their tracks.

Starting to turn away from the others, he caught a glimpse of one of them disappear from sight and swung back round, the barrel of the shotgun aiming where the man had just been standing.

Where is it?

Another scream and a glimpse of another man being dragged away by something with its jaws around his thighs left Nikolov staring once more at nothing remaining in the mist.

Beginning to back along the wall of a building behind him, he heard the panicked voice of the the only other man left, the terrified tone falling silent when a deep growl sounded close to them.

The other man focused on the mist, There.

Nikolov saw the man’s weapon rise in his direction and fired, the blast narrowly missing his shoulder by inches. Turning, he began firing his shotgun.

He peered into the mist when the shotgun stopped firing, Did we get it?

There was no answer.

Looking around the campsite, he saw no one else left standing. Alexei, Dimitri. Answer me.

The creature’s growl sounded like it was coming from right next to him.

Chapter 2

Any survivors?

The man in the military combat uniform shook his head as he scanned the scattered mutilated bodies. No trace so far, Major.

The team leader continued looking around the bloodshed, And this is the location Agent Smith indicated in his report? He looked at the woman standing alone amidst the carnage, How long has her wife been here?

Ten, twenty minutes. Her co-ordinator gave special clearance for her to be involved in the search.

Approaching the dark skinned woman, the team leader watched her turn when he reached her. I’m sorry, Mrs McBride, but my team have been here for hours. There seems to be no trace of Agent McBride. We will continue searching but so far we’ve only found bodies.

I won’t leave without her. Daphne remained standing motionless as the snow continued falling all around her, I’ll stay as long as it takes.

The team leader nodded, That doesn’t mean you have to wait out here in the cold until there’s news. He pointed to a small tent that had been set up, I’ll come and get you as soon as we find something. He started leading her towards it, I’ll get someone to get you a hot drink while you’re waiting.

Thank you, it’s appreciated but I want to be out here looking for my wife with the rest of you.

Catching hold of Daphne’s shoulder, the team leader focused on her. You should be prepared for what we find. He glanced at the scattered corpses, This was quite the slaughter, Agent McBride might not be the same person any more, not after doing all of this.

I can’t listen to that, I won’t. Daphne reached the entrance to the tent, She will come back to me.

We’ve found something.

A shout from the distance set Daphne running in the direction of the voice, the team leader close behind her. Running between several of the trees, she stopped when she reached members of the search party.

Her gaze fell on the patch of blood covered snow that everyone was gathered around.

The team leader stopped Daphne from starting to follow the trail of blood, Let my people go first, but I still think you should wait back in the tent until we know what we’re going to find.

I’m coming with you.

Following the bloodied tracks in the snow, Daphne remained the searchers, trampling between the trees until the trail of began to fade from the whiteness. Keep looking, my wife has to be around here somewhere.

Daphne took a sip of the hot coffee in her hand and began pacing within the tent again, glancing at the woman manning the communications every time she stopped moving,

Lowering the plastic cup onto the table in the centre of the tent, she turned when voices in Russian came over the equipment, and listened to what was being said. That could be about Cat. She took note of the address mentioned, Can you get me transport, I want to go and check that out.

Daphne waited for the operator to comply and hurried from the tent. Standing in the snow for a few minutes, she watched as a car parked nearby and hurried for the passenger side of the vehicle. Getting next to the driver, she pulled the door shut. You know where we’re going?

She watched the driver nod and reached back to grasp the seltbelt. Hooking it into place, she focused on the car as it began moving.

Staring through the window during the journey, Daphne focused on the old building as it came into view ahead, the car turning onto the driveway of the large grounds.

Wait for me here.

Getting out of the car, Daphne approached the entrance and pushed her way through the double doors. She looked along the short passage and proceeded forward, her attention remaining on the nurses’ station ahead.

She stopped when the nurse on duty looked at her, speaking in Russian. Yes?

I’m following up on the report of the naked woman being found in the woods a few hours ago, an American. Daphne noted the nurse’s interest seemed to be elsewhere, I was hoping it might be my wife, she’s been missing for the last day. I was hoping you would permit me to see her.

The nurse picked up a phone on the reception desk, I’ll see if Doctor Ivanova will authorise it.

Pacing up and down the passage, Daphne stopped when the nurse hung up the phone and looked at her, Can I see her?

The doctor is on the way to escort you to her room.

Daphne waited until she footsteps on the nearby stairs and focused on the woman reach her.

Are you the woman asking about the patient?

Can I see her? Daphne waited for the doctor to nod. Following the woman to the stairs, she continued behind her until getting to the next floor and along the passage until coming to a closed door. She’s in here?

Again the doctor nodded, You can have five minutes and I’ll be right out here.

Thank you. Daphne entered the room.

The opening of the door allowed the light from the passage into the small room enough for a woman in