Good Seed, Gone Bad

By Nat Coverdale

Professor Emmerich and Dr Michaela Deichmann died, Craig; their beloved young son was a witness to that. At first he mourns their passing. But something serves as a trigger for all that pent up rage. 

The police are still trying to solve Quint Barker's crime spree and aren't equipped t

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maple Publishers
• Release date: May 10, 2024
• ISBN: 9781835381441

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Good_Seed,_Gone_Bad_Nat_Front_Cover.jpg

Good Seed, Gone Bad

Author: Nat Coverdale

Copyright © Nat Coverdale (2024)

The right of Nat Coverdale to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

First Published in 2024

ISBN 978-1-83538-143-4 (Paperback)

978-1-83538-144-1 (E-book)

Book Cover Design and Layout by:

White Magic Studios

www.whitemagicstudios.co.uk

Published by:

Maple Publishers

Fairbourne Drive, Atterbury,

Milton Keynes,

MK10 9RG, UK

www.maplepublishers.com

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

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

The book is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual people living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental, and the Publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

This book is dedicated to Mr John Coverdale and Mr Nigel Rowland, sadly no longer with us. Both men were great fathers, so thank you for your guidance and wisdom other the years. It’s turned me into the man I am today.

Index

Six months on 6

What’s your story? 18

Body in the woods 34

Irrationality of angry men 45

Aaron, Cathy and Quint 59

Memory Restored 71

Do lobsters feel pain? 83

Triangular attraction 95

Carmellen High invites 110

Gathering the dead wood 123

Meet the new Head Teacher 136

Turned a corner 148

High School Silver Gala 162

Fools rush in; Rebecca plots her revenge 174

Hostage situation 184

The Mortal Dean legacy 195

Synopsis

Professor Emmerich and Dr Michaela Deichmann died, Craig; their beloved young son was a witness to that. At first he mourns their passing, but then something serves as a trigger for all that pent up rage. The police are still trying to solve Quint Barker’s crime spree, and aren’t equipped to deal with yet another serial killer, the third in a year would be unthinkable.

This is Craig’s story; he systematically seeks revenge for his parent’s killings. He wants to restore honour to the name of Deichmann, on a journey of redemption. Making sure it will never be forgotten, taking the story back to the beginning and first targeting the parents of Gerard’s bullies and his school teachers who taught him. He does this while taunting the Mortal Dean police, he believes they’re responsible for his Mother’s death. See them come undone with every move he makes.

Set over the month of June, where the heat of the sun affects the mind, this is the third and final story of ‘A very bad year in Mortal Dean’ trilogy. Follow Craig on his mission as it storms along to an explosive finale. The apple never falls far from the tree, does it?

Chapter 1

Six months on

It is June; this past year has been the busiest that the Mortal Dean residents can ever remember. Between Gerard Swales and Quint Barker who have decimated the families of Helen Stanley and Aaron Joiner, along with Gerard’s father, mother and brother, who have also been killed. That is the grand total of twenty-seven victims. Only twenty-six bodies have been recovered though, and the police were grateful the tally wasn’t far worse.

Inspector Paul Collison and Sergeant Cheryl Cleats were still trying to find a missing tape. The tape that Michaela Deichmann recorded; which involved removing Gerard Swales from his conditioning somehow. DCI Kenny Purchase ordered that it must be found quickly…

Well I’ve searched the whole station from back to front and top to bottom, huffed Cheryl.

If it isn’t here, then Dr Deichmann must have given it to somebody else, reasoned Paul.

Yeah, but who? I just don’t recall her giving that tape to anyone else Sir.

We’ve questioned everyone in this station for the last six damned months Sergeant, it must be outside in the village somewhere by now.

Then we must go around and retrace the steps taken on that day of the fair, that’s what I reckon Sir.

I’ll start with Jordanna Stanley again, she’s the closest to Gerard and Michaela. Paul brought up the subject. Another excuse to visit Helen, thought Cheryl.

I will go and see Craig Deichmann, maybe the Doctor gave it to him, added Cheryl.

He doesn’t live in the village, and we only have the one pool car today, moaned Paul.

You are wrong Sir, he’s working on that old windmill, as part of his final years assignment. She had been interested in Craig Deichmann, ever since their first meeting back in December.

Then I’ll drop you there and you can ask him, I will check out the Stanleys, concluded Paul.

They put their jackets on and left the station for the Carmellen Estate. On their way over, Paul dropped Cheryl at the windmill while Paul continued to Helens place.

Craig Deichmann had just turned twenty; his birthday was on the 1st of June. He’s had a very tough time over the past six months; he saw his mother die horribly, right in front of him and his father from meningitis. For most normal people that would have crushed them, but somehow Craig was able to deal with it. He blocked it out of his mind, with the help of Derek Franks, the Deichmann’s close friend, steered Craig down the correct path. He even managed to finish his second year of studies without any stress, and an Architectural Agency agreed to sponsor him for his final year of studies. When his University studies are over, Craig will be made a junior partner, before working his way up to full partner. With his clever mind he could achieve this in five years, this is his goal he set for himself. He volunteered his services with a building contractor, to redesign the derelict windmill that sat on the west side of Mortal Dean. Craig had the whole summer of work ahead of him. His agency allowed him free licence to express his talent and come up with a workable project. A senior partner would supervise him, his name is Fred Corby. He’s been at the firm for forty years; this will be his retirement year. Fred is a large man, he looked comfortable being this size, he smokes panatelas; his fingertips are all brownie-yellow because of it. Fred is sixty-nine, he’s a very joyful fellow. He treats Craig like a grandson, guiding him through every aspect of architecture. Very much like Craig’s own Grandfather would have done. This is why Craig respects Fred; it’s also the reason why he was able to recover from his tragic ordeal so quickly. Craig used some of his inheritance to rent a place in Mortal Dean, not far from the windmill. He passed his driving test and drives a stylish black Alfa Romeo Spider, courtesy of Doctor Michaela Deichmann. The rest he placed in trusts and secured savings accounts for his young sisters Sharon and Chevron. His half brother Gerard though, got nothing.

Craig rose early for work, as he wandered downstairs to have his breakfast, the sun was shining through into the kitchen, so he decided to have his breakfast here. Half an hour later he was dressed and on his way to the windmill, where Fred was waiting. Cheryl crossed over the road to meet Fred.

Good morning, I’m Sergeant Cheryl Cleats and wandered if Craig Deichmann is at work today? She asked.

He does work here but he hasn’t arrived yet, come and have a cuppa, you can wait over here, invited Fred.

Thank you.

Fred walked with Cheryl to the windmill; they had to duck down under the door lintel, as they entered.

Here, you can sit down now, Craig won’t be long, always punctual that one, beamed Fred. Cheryl obeyed his request and sat on an old wooden bar stool.

Fred lit a tiny gas stove and placed a small, metal whistle kettle on top of the flame, then lit one of his customary panatelas.

I hope he isn’t in trouble Sergeant? Queried Fred, puffing out the smoke.

No nothing like that, we want to clear something up with him that’s all.

What’s that then? Asked Craig, shocking the hell out of them. Cheryl held her chest and Fred coughed in surprise.

I should fit a bell on you, Creeping Jesus! Fred remarked. Craig grinned; Cheryl noted the affection that Fred had for Craig.

Cheryl says, "Mr Deichmann hello, I’m Cheryl Cleats, remember me from...

Craig interrupts by saying, Can’t really forget that time can I? What can I help you with Sergeant?

The tape that your mother recorded for Gerard, do you know who she gave it to? Or can you remember where she put it? Reminded Cheryl.

Sergeant, she never gave it to me, I’d remember, have you tried my uncle? Lied Craig. Cheryl shook her head and stood up again, she drank half of the tea that Fred had made, then headed for the door.

Are you sure you don’t have it Craig? She asked one more time.

Mother never handed it to me, I would remember, try my uncle, he reiterated. Cheryl nodded then left.

Thanks for the tea, Fred, she added. Cheryl walked across the road, took out her mobile phone; which she called Paul with. He doesn’t have it Sir, any luck your end? She asked when Paul picked up.

I’m just finding out now, I’ll be over to pick you up shortly.

Great, Cheryl had to wait for Paul to pick her up; he’d be ages at Helen’s. She started to walk along the main road in the direction of the estate. Inside the windmill Fred and Craig began to mark out plans for the building contractor. Fred was curious to hear about this tape that the Sergeant mentioned.

Why is this tape so important to the police? He asked. Craig stopped drawing to answer.

My half brother Gerard is a killer; he murdered eleven people, and injured another, but he never knew about it, because my father had hypnotized him and conditioned his mind to attack them. He got away thanks to the police, my father ended up in jail. He met another mad man called Quint Barker in there and he told Barker about the story of Gerard. But father didn’t realize that he’d killed Barker’s son Philip. That maniac went on the rampage and killed fifteen people, trying to track down Gerard. That included my mother. father, Gerard’s mother and brother too. My Mother had made Gerard a tape recording to listen to, which made Gerard crazy again, just as father did before. The police asked Mother to record another passage, in case she wasn’t able to talk Gerard out of this episode. You know she was killed of course, the police need that tape to bring Gerard out of his aggressive state. Without this tape they cannot calm him down again. I don’t think Gerard deserves to be treated kindly after what he’s done, after all he started this and needs to be kept locked up.

Fred sensed an underlying bitterness in Craig towards his half brother.

You know where this tape is don’t you? Why don’t you hand it over and help your brother? Fred suggested.

I know exactly where it is,but nobody else does, at least not yet. It should stay that way, Gerard is somewhere he can’t hurt anyone, why should he be released? Replied Craig stubbornly. Fred realized that Craig was getting upset about this.

Very well then Craig, let’s not discuss it anymore, come on there’s work to do. They both returned to the drawings and said nothing else to each other the remainder of the morning.

Paul was inside Helen’s house; she and Jordanna were assembled in the sitting room. Helen was pleased for the company, but her daughter felt uncomfortable being there.

Could you get the questioning over with, so I can get some fresh air? Grumbled Jordanna.

Yes sorry Miss Stanley of course, I have come to ask if you were given anything by Jack Stores at the Christmas fair? Paul asked.

That was bloody months ago, how am I supposed to remember back then? She snapped.

Jordie, mind your tone with the Inspector please? Helen made Jordanna sulk as she frowned at her.

I take it he didn’t then, Jordanna? Said Paul. He knew she wouldn’t have it, but he needed to be close to Helen anyway.

Alright darling you can go now. Helen sent her daughter out. Jordanna slapped her thigh and Zane; the family dog followed her out, ever faithful in his protection of her.

I’ll be an hour Mum, said Jordanna, as she popped her head back in briefly.

Well she can’t run off to that Swales boy, now that he’s inside, sighed Helen, happy to be alone with Paul.

Paul was still in uniform and on duty, so he couldn’t relax properly, when Helen leaned in to kiss him he had to hold her off.

Listen, we can do all this later, when I’m off duty you can slip by my place, right now I have work to do, sorry, he insisted. Helen understood and she stood up away from him, she led him to the door.

As he walked down the driveway, he glanced over to the house once belonging to the Speeds. In the front garden stands a sold sign and now there isn’t the familiar silver Mercedes sitting in the driveway. The Speeds have finally moved away from this nightmare village. They are the lucky ones; Paul has a duty to the residents and vowed to get justice for them, whatever it took. He got into the squad car and left to pick up Cheryl. He tooted his horn at Jordanna and Zane as he passed them. She waved quickly but kept her head down.

With Quint under hospital arrest, still recovering from his fall, during the Christmas fair siege and Gerard on remand, after being zapped in the chest by Detective Sergeant Lana Scannell and still under condition to kill by Doctor Michaela Deichmann.

Gerard was placed in isolated confinement, he has prison guards on stand by with a taser, in case he gets very aggressive again. The victims of Gerard Swales were released from the mortuary and because of Emmerich Deichmann’s death from meningitis, they were finally put to rest. There wasn’t any evidence to press against Gerard, so justice wasn’t forthcoming and the families felt a little hard done by. Quint’s victims on the other hand weren’t released; his killing spree was a brutal campaign of self-proclaimed vengeance. If only Quint could remember doing all that, then the police would be able to process his arrest and he’d be tried in a court of law, just as they planned to with Emmerich, but that all went belly up too. Aaron Joiner and Cathy French finally bit the bullet, began dating. Over the last few months Aaron has made three fruitless attempts to abduct Quint from the hospital. Aaron’s father Raymond; was discharged reasonably fit and well three months ago, although he has to get around with the aid of a walking stick from now on. His pub, The Tug Boat Inn is under restoration, following Quint’s attack on it. Aaron was ordered back to his Naval Unit, but planned another attempt at Quint on his next shore leave and promised Cathy: ‘I will do it this time’. Jordanna must wait patiently while the police solve Gerard’s case, however her mother was a very relieved woman to have at least three family members alive and in one piece.

Detective Inspector Darren Lane was reassigned to Mortal Dean police, until such a time as Quint Barker is fit enough to be tried by a jury of his peers. If he wasn’t at the City hospital, then he was here at the station supervising Simon Hixson and a new replacement in the wake of Lenny Fish’s death. This new man is DC Duncan Satlock, he is of medium height and build, aged thirty and he’s been in the police for six years. He is a promising detective, Sergeant potential, so at times he may appear too eager at lording it over lesser officers. Duncan has been at the station for about four months; and the others seem to like him. Simon had three weeks leave of absence because of Lenny’s death, following that he returned and DI Lane took him under his wing, the two detectives work well together, Darren seems to bring the best out of Simon. During this time Darren found Rebecca Barker too difficult to pass up, so he and the latter mentioned person dated secretly. The fact that she is Quint Barker’s daughter, wouldn’t sit pretty with DCI Purchase or Rebecca’s father for that matter. It seemed inevitable that they would become close, given the time they spend at the hospital together. Every day Darren would relieve the officers charged with guarding Quint and Rebecca would arrive right on cue, sit beside Darren and her father. The hospital was told not to reveal Darren’s real identity to Quint and because Darren was casually dressed this didn’t ring any alarm bells for the killer. The trauma to Quint Barker’s head had robbed him temporarily of all his memories. The fall left him in a four-week coma to start with, when he woke, Quint didn’t know where he was, or how he got there. With the police swarming around the place, Quint could only assume he’d been involved in something terrible. This he knows from information told to him by the police and the papers reporting what he did. Quint wasn’t able to walk either; he had developed swelling on the right side of his brain, quite close to the pre motor lobe, this is where the impact of his fall affected him the most. His two months in physiotherapy were wasted, trying to get him to stand let alone walk. Consultants said that once the swelling in his brain abated, then they should try again. The police would just have to sit tight and wait for his memory to return, and that he regains his ability to walk. This is a very frustrating time for all involved.

Gerard wasn’t allowed out of his cell unaccompanied, because he was just too aggressive towards anyone. He’d already beaten two of the Officers black and blue. He kept on with this mantra. Quint Barker I’ll kill you, you’ll pay for your actions!

This happens every time he gets physical. Henceforth a need for taser-carrying Remand Officers. With this in mind the Judge ordered the prison to retain Gerard until the tape is found. He couldn’t possibly be released back into the general public, another frustrating obstacle for the police.

Over at Brown Gale Farm, Georgina Swales now has the place up and running again. Monica Connachy, Georgina’s aunt has moved into the cottage from the City, to help with the day to day running of the farm. Shamus, Georgina’s thirteen-year-old cousin and her one-hundred-year-old Grandmother Edith, now live there too. Gordon Alexander has returned to his own business, he still keeps in touch with Monica often. A few more members of the Swales/Connachy families were drafted in to help Georgina. Here is where we meet them. Firstly there is Patrick Swales, George’s older brother and Brendan the youngest. Brendan is fifty-five, and unlike Patrick still has his brown hair. He is extremely tall and wide; he always maintains his fitness. Unlike his drunken dead brother George, he is a very humane individual. Brendan is Georgina’s favourite uncle, he found out that George had been abusing her, he managed to persuade her to leave the home, then to her relief it all stopped. Brendan thrashed George with a savage beating; then disowned him and until now never visited the farm. Then there are Monica’s brothers, Mathew and Ryan Connachy. They were born between Geraldine and Monica. Mathew is sixty and Ryan is fifty-seven. Both men are very protective of their younger sister, even at the age they are now. She has to keep her affair with Gordon quiet, or they would chase him off. All four brothers arrived just after the New Year, having flown over from Northern Ireland. Under the insistence of Georgina’s fiancé, Jack Stores, always known to his colleagues as ‘Shabby’. He felt that Georgina needed better protection following her abduction by Quint. Shabby still lives in Mortal Dean and in the same flat as before. During the past six months he’s been analyzing every piece of evidence, helping to nail Quint Barker to the wall. This has been an arduous task, remembering how manipulative Quint was throughout his campaign, he was very cautious. Shabby didn’t fully believe the hospitals claims he’s an amnesiac who can barely walk. The one good thing that Shabby did do was record the confrontation between Gerard and Quint, the first time the two killers met. He has Quint’s confession, as soon as Gerard is removed from his aggressive state, Shabby will sit down and tell him that his sister is alive and well. He simply won’t believe it under his current condition. As far as Gerard is concerned Georgina is dead and missing her face.

Shabby was in his labs working with Sara Weaver, his able assistant. They grudgingly forgave one another and have made good progress with the clues from Quint Barker’s case. Everything is catalogued and ready for Quint’s court appearance, whenever that could be. Cheryl and Paul entered the labs, approached Shabby; who was staring down a microscope to view a slide.

Ahh! Chanel No5, been to see Helen Stanley for the umpteenth time, have we Paul? Quipped Shabby. Paul sniffed his collar and shrugged his shoulders.

Only to ask if she or Jordanna knows about that bloody tape your sister made, replied Paul. Shabby stood up from his microscope and faced the two officers.

That tape, as far as I know never left the police station, who on earth would need it? He asked.

"You were standing right there with Michaela after she’d finished, you would have seen who it was she