Strange Beginnings
(The thirteenth case from ‘The Freeman Files’ series)
By
Ted Tayler
Copyright © 2021 by Ted Tayler
This ebook is licensed for your enjoyment only. If you would like to share this book with another person, please buy an additional copy for each recipient.
All rights are reserved. You may not reproduce this work, in part or its entirety, without the author's express written permission.
All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real people, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Cover design: - www.thecovercollection.com
A Harmsworth House publication 2021
Other books by Ted Tayler
We’d Like To Do A Number Now (2011)
The Final Straw (2013)
A Sting In The Tale (2013)
Unfinished Business (2014)
The Olympus Project (2014)
Gold, Silver, and Bombs (2015)
Conception (2015)
Nothing Is Ever Forever (2015)
In The Lap of The Gods (2016)
The Price of Treachery (2016)
A New Dawn (2017)
Something Wicked Draws Near (2017)
Evil Always Finds A Way (2017)
Revenge Comes in Many Colours (2017)
Three Weeks in September (2018)
A Frequent Peal Of Bells (2018)
Larcombe Manor (2018)
Fatal Decision (2019)
Last Orders (2020)
Pressure Point (2020)
Deadly Formula (2020)
Final Deal (2020)
Barking Mad (2020)
Creature Discomforts (2020)
Silent Terror (2020)
Night Train (2020)
All Things Bright (2021)
Buried Secrets (2021)
A Genuine Mistake (2021)
The Long Hard Road – Collection (2021)
Where to find him
Website & Blog: – http://tedtayler.co.uk
Facebook Author Page: – https://facebook.com/AuthorTedTayler
Twitter: – https://twitter.com/ted_tayler
Instagram: - https://instagram.com/tedtayler1775
Ted Tayler’s Email Sign-up
Want to keep up to date with all the latest news?
Sign up here – http://tedtayler.co.uk
I promise never to share your email with anyone else.
I’ll only contact you when I have something new to share.
I never send more than twelve newsletters a year.
Table Of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Epilogue
About The Author
CHAPTER 1
Monday, 20th August 2018
“This must be the first time we’ve all been here by a quarter to nine,” said Neil. “Except the guv, of course. Thanks for a splendid night Friday, by the way. Melody enjoyed meeting up with everyone.”
“Did you all have a relaxing weekend?” asked Luke.
“Hardly,” said Alex. “Gus and I didn’t get back from Malaga until late on Saturday. Although, I suppose half a weekend is better than none.”
“Or it would have been,” said Lydia. “I heard from my mother on Saturday lunchtime. My father and his partner flew into Edinburgh later that afternoon. There was no way we could get up there and back before this morning to be with them, especially as Alex slept until noon on Sunday.”
“Eleanor decided to allow Chidozie to contact her then?” asked Blessing.
Neil heard the lift descend to the ground floor. Gus Freeman was on his way.
“We need to catch up on your news later,” he said. “I don’t know about Luke, but I’ve got no juicy gossip to offer. Melody and I spent a quiet two days with our feet up in the garden.”
“I drove to Englishcombe village for Sunday lunch with my parents,” sighed Blessing.
“That sounds as if it went well,” said Luke. “We want to hear your story later.”
Blessing gave a more profound sigh.
Gus entered the office at one minute to nine and was pleasantly surprised to see a full house. He wondered why the conversation had faltered.
“Has Alex filled you in on the finer details of Saturday’s events yet?” he asked.
“Not yet, guv,” said Alex. “We were just asking one another what we’d been up to since Friday night at the Waggon & Horses.”
“Well, I need the loose ends on the Hogan case tied in a neat bow as soon as possible. I want the files ready to deliver to Kenneth Truelove. I’ll get my report on Saturday’s events into the Freeman Files and then call London Road for a meeting with the big man.”
“Have they finally confirmed him as Chief Constable, guv?” asked Neil.
“I called Geoff Mercer yesterday evening, and he updated me on a couple of matters,” said Gus. “Yes, the appointment will be effective from the first of next month.”
“Is that a permanent appointment, guv?” asked Luke. “You know what I mean. Will he be in post until his scheduled retirement, or will this just be until they find another candidate from around the country?”
“Good question, Luke,” said Gus. “No doubt, they have a bright, young thing destined for stardom. Someone who ticks the politically correct boxes.”
“They tried that with Sandra Plunkett. guv,” said Neil. “Wouldn’t it be better to stick with a copper’s copper rather than try to appease the minority groups with somebody who isn’t up to the task?”
“You’d better not let the top brass at London Road hear you say that DS Davis,” said Gus. “Your career will come to an abrupt halt. I imagine we’ll get a new face in eighteen months to two years. Kenneth’s wife agreed to postpone her cruises, not cancel them altogether. Eighteen months is a decent time for this team to build on its successful start. My position was always temporary. Once I’ve knocked you into shape and can let you get on with things without me holding your hand, I’ll step aside.”
“We’ll miss you, guv,” said Lydia.
Truth be told, Gus would miss the banter and the thrill of the chase.
Gus sat at his desk reviewing the details of Saturday’s journey to the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean. He and Alex hadn’t seen the sea except as they came into land at the airport. The Playa Malagueta was a mere name on a road sign he’d spotted as they headed towards the police station.
When they left Bristol International, Gus believed they were
