Emma Frost Mystery Series Vol 7-9

by Willow Rose

  “How am I supposed to work? I’ve already passed the deadline for my next book. What do I do?”

  “Call your editor and tell her everything, then call your lawyer and find out your options. Now, I have to run. Busy day around here. We have a missing person’s report this morning. A Laiyla Ejlersen is missing. Her mother was here to tell us. We have to go and talk to her husband later. Her mother thinks he killed her. Probably nothing, but we have to check it out.”

  “Did you ever find the owner of that bike in the bushes at Mayor Bang’s house?” I asked.

  “Sure. It belonged to some kid named William Korsvig. He’s some high-school kid. We gave it back to him. He told us it had been stolen the other night.”

  “I know him. He’s in Maya’s school too. He was in her class last year, but was held back a year because he was absent too much. His mom remarried two years ago, Maya told me. She liked him, but he turned so angry when the step-dad moved in, and he cut off all of his friends. She told me she felt so sorry for him because the step-dad didn’t care much about him, nor did his mother since his step-dad had moved in. Do you think he had something to do with the fire?”

  “No. That’s ridiculous,” Morten said.

  Thoughts flickered through my mind. I couldn’t wrap my head around them, but something was wrong here, my gut told me. “It’s just a little strange that two teenage boys would turn up in this investigation, don’t you think?”

  Morten sighed. I knew he was closing his eyes and rubbing his forehead, like he always did when he was tired and annoyed. “No, Emma. I don’t think so. We don’t even know if the two deaths are in any way related. After all, the mayor had his share of enemies, people that wanted him removed from his post. Kind of comes with the territory. Not everything he’s done has been popular around here. No, there’s nothing that indicates that the two deaths are related. They are two very different methods of killing. I think you’re seeing ghosts, Emma.”

  “That might be…but…”

  Morten interrupted me. “Focus on getting your own stuff in order now, Emma. I’ll focus on the police work. Please, just promise me you’ll stay out of trouble.”

  “I’ll try,” I said and hung up, knowing very well that there was no way I could keep that promise.

  28

  November 2014

  THEY MET AT THE old lighthouse on the tip of the island. No one would see them this time of year when there were almost no tourists. The wind blew hard from the North Sea and made the tips of their noses red. They didn’t hug or shake hands when they met. All they did was exchange looks, then turn to stare at the raging ocean beneath them.

  “I was surprised you called,” Peter Larsen said.

  He had changed a lot since back then, Jonna Frederiksen thought. He looked like an old man now. He was wearing a leather jacket with a big eagle on the back and the letters HA on it. Jonna knew what it meant. Peter had been in the Hell’s Angels for many years now. It was his choice. He had made a lot of strange choices in his life since their ways parted many years ago.

  “I thought it was important,” she said.

  “I guess,” Peter said. His long silver hair was caught by the strong wind. Jonna observed him closely. He was still quite handsome. Always had been. But it hadn’t been him she had loved. It had been his brother. Her first great love.

  “I guess you heard he’s gone,” Peter said.

  Jonna pulled up the hood of her long coat. She thought about how wonderful her life had been back then. How beautiful everything had been. The sky, the clouds, even the trees seemed to have been more colorful back then.

  “I did. I’m so sorry…”

  Peter shook his head. “Don’t be. It won’t change anything.”

  “No, I’m sorry he died before you made up with him. He did what he did for you, you know.” Jonna said, insisting. She was looking at Peter now. He seemed just like the spoiled kid he had been back then…not understanding his brother’s love, how far it went and how deep it was.

  “I know,” Peter said. “I know he did what he felt like he had to do. But that doesn’t make it right.”

  “What he protected you from wasn’t right, Peter. You must know that.” Jonna said. She sighed. This wasn’t why they were supposed to meet. They hadn’t spoken in almost half a century. It wasn’t a time to be arguing about the past.

  “What he did was wrong. He made many bad choices that I can’t forgive,” Peter said.

  “Let’s not argue,” Jonna said. “We’re the only two left.”

  “I know. Erling died in that fire.” Peter shook his head. “He was a good mayor for many years.”

  “Do you think there’s a connection?” Jonna asked.

  Peter sucked in air through his teeth. “I’d be lying if I said I haven’t thought about it.”

  “Me too. But who? Who would know?” she asked.

  Peter shrugged. “I have no idea. But it is strange.”

  They both went very quiet. The silence was tough on both of them, since they knew what the other was thinking.

  Could I be next?

  “So, what should we do?” Jonna asked. “Do you have any suggestions?”

  “I’m getting out of here,” Peter said. “Taking the ferry first thing in the morning. Should have done it many years ago. This island has too many bad memories.”

  “Where will you go?” Jonna asked.

  He shrugged again. “Anywhere and everywhere. Ride my motorcycle into the unknown. Ride till I can’t anymore. I’ve always dreamt of touring around Europe. Just keep going till I run out of cash.”

  Jonna looked out at the ocean. The waves were crashing the shore. The ocean looked almost black. She could have sworn it hissed at her and reminded her of what she had done.

  She nodded calmly. There was no way she could do the same. She was strong and agile, but she could never leave this island. No matter how bad things got, she simply had to live with it. She had to manage. And if someone came for her, then well…she’d simply have to defend herself, even if it meant she’d lose. Besides, there was something else she wanted to do before she left this earth, something she had always dreamt of. And that involved staying on the island.

  She thought about shaking his hand, but knew he hated her as much as he had hated his brother for their actions back then.

  “Well, God’s speed then. Travel safe,” she said, and took one last glance at his beautiful face, remembering those joyful times back then with his brother.

  “Thanks.”

  29

  November 2014

  “THEY TOOK MY COMPUTER?”

  Maya looked like it was something I had decided, like it was all my fault. She had just come home from school and thrown her bag in the hallway when I told her.

  “I’m sorry, sweetie. I couldn’t help it. It was the Police Intelligence Force. Do you have any idea how serious that is?”

  Maya scoffed. “But…but…couldn’t you just have said no?”

  “You don’t say no to these people, believe me,” I said, trying to sound like it was no big deal. “You’ll get it back as soon as they’re done with it.”

  “But…” Maya’s cheeks had turned red. I could tell she wanted to yell at me.

  “It’s not my fault,” I said.

  “But they took it because of what you’ve done, right?” she asked. “Because they think you’ve been hacking. Don’t you think I know that? Don’t you think everyone is talking about you in school? It is so embarrassing, Mom!”

  “I’m sorry, Maya, but there isn’t much I can do about it.” I looked at the kitchen table. I had set it all up for when the kids got home. Being without a computer gave me a lot of extra time. I had even cleaned all the bathrooms upstairs.

  “I made hot chocolate. Come and sit. I even baked a cake. Carrot cake. Your favorite.”

  “That’s not my favorite,” she snarled.

  “Is it Victor’s then? I can’t remember. But I’m sure you’ll like it. Come, have
a piece. Everything will look much brighter after a piece of cake and hot chocolate. Victor should be home in a few seconds as well.”

  Maya looked like she was about to explode. “I need that computer!”

  “And I would gladly buy you a new one if I was allowed to. But I can’t go anywhere near a computer until they’re done with the investigation.”

  Maya stomped her feet on the kitchen floor, then ran up the stairs and slammed her door. I heard music thumping seconds later.

  I felt agitated and upset, so I sat down and had just cut myself a piece of the cake when Victor came in.

  “Hi, buddy. Just in time. I made your favorite cake,” I said.

  “Where’s Brutus?” he said. Ever since we got that dog, it was all he ever talked about or even looked at. I was air to him.

  “Probably sitting in the living room, as usual,” I said, and took a bite of my cake.

  “I need to take him for a walk.”

  I shrugged while giving up being able to eat together as a family. “Knock yourself out,” I said. “Cake will still be here when you return.”

  Victor left to take care of Brutus, while Kenneth was gnawing on one of the legs of my chair. He was growling as he tore the wood into pieces. I didn’t even bother trying to stop him. I sighed and drank my coffee, feeling a little lost. Without being able to write, I was bored, to put it mildly. I loved my job. I loved snooping around on the Internet. Heck, I loved going on Facebook and reading all the crap people posted.

  They didn’t say anything about my iPad, did they?

  I ate another piece of my cake while shaking my head. No, they had only said computer. They had only taken our computers, not our phones or my iPad. Well, I didn’t actually tell them I had one. They hadn’t asked either. So, did that mean I was allowed to access the Internet on them? I decided it did. I walked to the living room, grabbed my iPad from the drawer and went back to the kitchen, just as Sophia stormed in. I knew something was wrong just by the look on her face.

  “Have you seen it?”

  I shrugged. “I guess not. I mean I’ve seen a lot lately, but try me,” I said and sat down.

  “Where’s your computer?” she asked and looked at where my laptop used to be.

  “Taken, burned, whichever you prefer.”

  She shook her head, looking baffled. “What?”

  “Long story. PE was here. The computer caught on fire. Not in that order, but to get to the point, it’s gone. The computer is gone. PE took Maya’s as well.”

  Sophia looked at the iPad in my hands. “But you still have your iPad; that’s good. Log onto Facebook. I need to show you something.”

  I tapped on the iPad, when I heard a noise by the door. It opened and Morten stepped in. I looked at the clock on the wall.

  “What are you doing here this early? Has something happened?”

  Sophia looked shocked. “I was too late,” she said.

  Morten hung his head. Then he nodded.

  I looked from one to the other. “Would anyone mind letting me know what the hell is going on here?”

  30

  November 2014

  “THEY SUSPENDED ME FROM the force.”

  Morten sat down at the table; Sophia had poured him a cup of coffee that he didn’t touch. I hadn’t seen him in this much distress before. It scared me like crazy.

  “But why?” I asked. “What happened?”

  “I…I…” Morten looked at me. His voice was breaking. “I’m not sure I even understand it myself.”

  “It was that page again, Emma,” Sophia said. “That Facebook page. I was trying to tell you. I came over as soon as I read it.”

  I felt the blood boiling inside of me. “They wrote something that hurt Morten and got him suspended?” I asked.

  “Yes.” Sophia turned the iPad and showed me. A picture of Morten was on the wall, the text underneath saying:

  EMMA FROST’S BOYFRIEND A SICK PERVERT?

  I looked at Sophia. “Do I even want to read this?”

  Morten shook his head. “Don’t. I don’t want you to read it.”

  “Just tell me what it says,” I said and sipped my coffee.

  “We need something stronger for this,” Sophia said and got to her feet. She pulled out the old whiskey that we only drank when she was around. She put some in all of our coffees. I sipped mine again and felt the alcohol burn my throat. Morten drank all of his and asked for more.

  “Okay. Break it to me gently,” I said. “What have the bastards written about you? All lies, I suppose.”

  Morten tilted his head. “Well…not exactly.”

  “What?”

  “I opened an email,” he said. “It contained a link. I thought it was harmless, but there were animals in it. They were being…well they were…”

  “Raped by humans,” Sophia said. “It was porn. At least according to the article on Facebook.”

  I almost choked on the coffee. “What? Why would you be looking at that kind of stuff?”

  “I had no idea what it was. But apparently, the video was downloaded to my work computer and I didn’t know. It’s illegal to download that kind of movie, so now I might be charged with possession of illegal porn. And I was suspended until they can look into the matter.”

  I leaned back in the chair. “I…I don’t know what to say to this. I’m completely baffled. It’s so surreal that all of this is happening to us. Someone is out to ruin us, to destroy us. And he’s succeeding, isn’t he?”

  “It looks like it,” Sophia said. “People are writing some ugly stuff about you online. I won’t go into the details, but it’s not very nice.”

  “And it’s hurting my book sales. My publisher called earlier and told me several of the bookstores have sent my books back, since they can’t sell them anymore or won’t because of the ethical stuff, the way they were created. Can you believe this?” I asked looking at them both. “Who the hell is behind this?”

  “I don’t know,” Sophia said. “It’s so easy to be anonymous these days. Online, you can say anything you like without having to answer to anyone. It’s really ugly.”

  I looked at Morten, who looked so incredibly ashamed. “And you. Why on earth would you open a link like that? Why would you click on it?”

  “I…the email came from you,” he said. “It said in the email that it was something cute I had to see, so I clicked on it.”

  “I never send emails like that, and I’d certainly never send that one.”

  “It came from EmmaFrost12@hotmail.com, so I assumed you had stumbled onto something that you wanted me to see.”

  “First of all, I’ve had no computer all day…”

  “It was this morning. The email was sent last night,” Morten argued.

  “Okay. But that’s not my email address. I use Gmail. You know that.”

  Morten shrugged. “Well, I do now. To be honest, I didn’t notice it was a Hotmail address till afterwards. I just saw your name.”

  “And by then, it was too late,” I said.

  31

  April 1964

  DEAR SISTER,

  I am sorry that it has been so long since my last letter. Things have been busy here at the farm. You wouldn’t believe how big the boys are now. Ulrik is turning eighteen this fall, Peter just turned sixteen, and Per is five years old now. Oh, how time flies. You wouldn’t believe it.

  Ulrik is working full time on the farm with Claes now, and has been since he finished ninth grade two years ago. He wanted to go to high school like the other children, he said, but Claes wouldn’t hear of it. The boy is going to be a farmer and doesn’t need to read books, he said. I guess he’s right. It is just difficult when you know your son really likes to read books and actually enjoys school. I thought about talking to Claes about letting Ulrik go to high school and let Peter take over the farm instead, since Peter loves working with his hands and can’t wait to get out of school. But that’s not the way Claes wants it to be. The oldest takes over the farm, just like h
e himself took over from his father. He is very firm on that, and I can’t argue with him.

  But it is difficult as a mother to see your son look at his brother with longing jealous eyes as he takes his bike and rides it to school every morning. Per will start school next year as well, and then Ulrik will be the only kid left at the farm all day. It’s going to be tough on him. He doesn’t seem to enjoy this work much, nor does he seem to look forward to his future here on the farm. I worry about him a lot, but you probably know how that is, having a son of your own.

  Since Ulrik is working full time here now, there isn’t much work for Peter to do once he gets out of school, so our neighbor, old Hansen, is paying him to work on his farm every weekend. I do think Peter will be the one using his hands for a living. He is very skilled in almost all areas of handiwork, especially when it comes to carpentry. That is where his real skills lie. He has built an entire new barn for Old Mr. Hansen and helped put a new roof on his house. Peter certainly will do well in this life, I am sure.

  Our youngest, Per, is still the one bringing me the most joy. He is such a happy child. Oh, sister, I wish you could come and visit again soon and see how big he is now and experience how wonderful a boy he has turned out to be. Everyone loves being in his company and he always makes me laugh. He has a way with animals. You should see him with the dogs. He plays with them and trains them to do all kinds of tricks. He likes the outdoor life and spends most of his time with the animals. He rides our horses and they seem to obey his every command. It’s truly amazing. He even adores the pigs and has named all of them, even though I’ve told him that he really shouldn’t, since they’re meant to be slaughtered eventually. He doesn’t seem to care. I’m curious how he will take it once he has to start school in the fall. He’ll be devastated to not be able to spend time with the animals all day. Well, it’s the way it must go, I guess. He’ll grow up and be a blessing to this world. I’m sure of it. He’s such a beautiful boy. Such a delight to be around. Never gets himself in trouble. Nothing like his older brothers. I still consider him my baby, but I guess it will always be like that with your youngest.