CHILDHUNT: A Mystery & Suspense Thriller in the Bestselling Diana Rivers Series (The Diana Rivers Mysteries Book 5)

by Faith Mortimer

  *******

  Sometime later, Richard struggled to clear the mistiness from his brain. Every time he reached out and clawed at the blackness engulfing him, he was drawn back down again into his own violent hell. He tossed and turned in delirium on the sweat-drenched bunk where the crew had placed him after he had collapsed on the outside deck.

  The ship’s medic had swiftly examined Richard’s head wound, soon dismissing it as a minor laceration. The medic was more worried about the state of his patient’s mind once he regained consciousness. As he observed Richard and listened to his feverish cries of anguish, he could only guess at the nightmares which coursed around his brain. The medic knew from what Toby had told him a little of what had happened on the yacht’s fated voyage, and he shook his head in pity as he wondered how Richard was going to cope. Richard had everything going for him, he had been told, and now this. How the hell had it all gone wrong?

  Chapter 2

  Richard William Barker couldn’t get the idea out of his head that something was up. Nothing had been said, but he was now feeling edgy once he had finished talking to his friend, Toby Ellis. Richard thought over what Toby had told him.

  “Guess what? I knew you were waiting for that new piece of navigational software to come out, and I’ve pulled a few strings with some pals of mine at Oceantech. I’ve been given a sample which they’d like you to sea-trial for them. I was thinking – I have a bit of leave to take, and I thought I’d bring it out to Tenerife instead of trusting it to the post. The piece probably wouldn’t reach you in time before you leave to cross the Atlantic anyway. So I’ll see you both tomorrow. The flight gets in mid-afternoon, and I’ll get a taxi to the marina. I must say I’m looking forward to seeing you and Connie and catching some rays. The weather here is bloody awful at the moment.”

  Although Richard liked Toby, he knew his friend was often selfish and usually worked off his own agenda, so Richard had every right to feel suspicious. He paused on the foredeck of his yacht and shook his head. What the hell! There was probably nothing in it at all, and he was being paranoid. Toby was simply doing him a favour in delivering the piece of software and using Tenerife as an excuse to see some winter sun. Once Richard and Connie set sail, he would no doubt move into the swankiest hotel on the island and cast his roving eye around for some beautiful woman to pass the time. Richard laughed. Toby was the devil when it came to women, and no female under the age of fifty was safe as far as he was concerned. Richard didn’t know how he managed it. He decided he needed a cold beer before Connie got back from her shopping and rummaged around in the cool box until he found what he was looking for. He deserved a ten-minute break anyway.

  Richard reached the cockpit of his beautiful sloop-rigged yacht, Ellentari, and looked along her deck. He still felt a shiver of pleasure as he ran a hand over the smooth varnished mahogany trim. This trip was going to be the adventure of a lifetime, and it was something Richard had planned down to the tiniest detail. As far as he could tell, nothing was left unorganised or forgotten, and he was as coiled as a spring with anticipation.

  Richard’s long-term plans had come together nicely. They had all the necessary ingredients: the time, the money, and a successful partnership in which they complimented each other for the majority of the time they spent together. After a heady, passionate early marriage, Richard and Connie Barker had settled down with only the occasional stormy row to punctuate their steady relationship. Richard loved Connie – there was no doubt about his feelings towards her, but being fairly undemonstrative, Richard usually kept his inner feelings to himself.

  Richard had placed his business interests in the trustworthy hands of his manager, while also knowing that with today’s technology he could stay in daily contact if necessary by satellite telephone and email. His wariness was caused by their almost imminent departure from Tenerife. In a day or so – all being well – they would have completed all the necessary tasks and boat preparations. Getting ready for a long, extended cruise had taken over a year. They planned on leaving the comparative safety of the Canary Island waters and on sailing across The Pond. In other words, they had 2,800 miles of the Atlantic to cross in a small boat. It was well known to be a vast, lonely, sometimes inhospitable sea, but it was an adventure that many an amateur sailor had undertaken without mishap, thoroughly enjoying the challenge and eventual achievement.

  With almost everything in place, Richard was eager to be off to fulfil his lifelong dream of skippering his own yacht across one of the great oceans of the world and facing all the personal challenges that would be thrown at him. He didn’t know where this deep-seated yearning had come from, but for most of his life he had felt an almost overwhelming urge to go out, buy a boat, and explore. Now the dream was just beginning and coming to fruition, as Richard and Connie finalised their preparations for their planned adventure.

  Richard sat contemplating the condensation on his beer can as it slowly ran down the outside, forming a small wet ring on the coaster. Wiping it away with his hand, he thought about Toby as another uncomfortable wave of doubt passed through him. He sighed and took a gulp of beer.

  Richard knew Connie was not as passionate about sailing as he was. She much preferred to be within sight of land. However, she had jumped at the chance of leaving her position as a surgical ward sister, and she was thoroughly enjoying the newfound luxury of being her own boss. Connie discovered she actually had time for herself. Having enrolled in a diving class before leaving England, she was looking forward to exploring the fabulous coral reefs around the British Virgin Islands. Connie had also rediscovered her teenage talent for painting and looked forward to catching the colourful Caribbean on canvas. Aboard Ellentari, their comfortable furnished aft cabin, with its scandalously large double bunk, had a whole locker dedicated to her artistic talents. She meant to enjoy herself. The sailing would be mainly Richard’s interest with Connie doing her bit.

  As soon as he finished his beer, Richard took a look at his watch, thinking it was about time she was home and was rewarded by the sight of Connie walking along the wooden pontoon.

  “Hi, darling. You look a bit hot. Fancy a cold drink?”

  Connie took off her sandals and handed a couple of plastic grocery bags up to Richard. “Yes please. Can you put these vegetables below for me? What are you having? Beer?”

  “Yes. Want one?”

  “Um. Actually I’d prefer a Campari and fresh orange, please.”

  “Campari and orange coming up.”

  Richard went below taking the fresh produce with him, while Connie sat down on a plump deck cushion and sighed in relief.

  “Did you get everything we need?” he asked after joining her on deck.

  “Yep. I think we have enough food to last a siege now, and there’s definitely more than we can manage. I think I’ve panicked a bit.”

  Richard laughed. “I’m sure we’ll eat it all. Sea air gives you a great appetite.”

  Richard studied his wife with a familiar deep affection. Small, dark-haired, and neat, described her outward appearance. She was about five feet four inches in her bare feet and possessed a nice slim body. Her legs were well shaped, rising to a firm little bottom, nipped in waist, and pert breasts. Handful-sized, Richard would say. Anything bigger would be a waste. She had recently had her hair cut short, as she complained long hair would be too hot in a tropical climate. Her newly shorn hair was slightly curly from the salty air and attractively framed her violet-blue eyes. Connie enjoyed her refreshing Campari and orange juice. The ice cubes tinkled against the glass when she lifted it for a sip, and she relished the slight bitterness of the fortified spirit that contrasted with the sweetness of the fruit. She caught Richard appraising her and raised her eyebrows.

  “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  It was her turn to laugh. “Something’s on your mind. I know you so well. What’s wrong?”

  “No truly, nothing’s wrong.” He took a pull of beer from his can.

&nbs
p; “Then why look so pensive?”

  “Toby rang today.”

  “Oh? What did he want?”

  “Nothing. He rang to say he’d managed to get that piece of software for the radar.”

  “That’s good. What’s he going to do? Post it to Antigua?”

  “Actually, no. He says, as he has some leave owing, he’s flying out tomorrow with it. He plans to—” Richard paused. What did Toby plan to do?

  “Go on.”

  “Well, that was it really. I presume as he mentioned getting some sun, he’ll stay on here. You know Toby. He can afford a decent hotel and will love being surrounded by women.”

  Connie grinned and shook her head. “It’s about time he settled down. Even he must be tired of playing the field.”

  Richard thought about his friend before replying. “You’re right, he should, but I’m not sure he’d agree. He’s probably too stuck in his ways to get a steady partner. He usually tires of them before they become anywhere near steady.”

  “Well, he’s not our problem.”

  “Not likely! We’ll be off in two days, exploring the world! Now where shall we eat tonight?”

  *******

  They decided to eat dinner in the square in Santa Cruz. Connie was a seafood lover and adored sampling the local tapas and oysters. This was followed by delicious sea bream, grilled with just olive oil and herbs, washed down with a crisp white Marques de Caceres, one of their favourite wines. Richard fancied a steak and was well rewarded with his choice of tender, melt-in-the-mouth piece of fillet. They decided to forgo coffee, preferring to stroll hand in hand across the cobbled square back to the yacht, taking in the balmy, cooling night breeze. On reaching their pontoon, Ellentari shone in the silvery moonlight, her tall mast and spreaders thrusting loftily up into the blue-black sky. Turning to Connie, Richard put his arms around her and planted a soft kiss upon her lips.

  The huge golden orb of the sun was long gone having cast long deep-mauve shadows on the surrounding hills. It had been “another perfect day in paradise” using the yachties’ much hackneyed, but true, cliché. Richard decided everything was perfect.

  *******

  Meanwhile back in England, Toby Ellis had already picked out his sailing gear and was methodically sorting through what was appropriate for tropical climates and what was not. Definitely not, was his set of sea-stained, heavy-duty waterproofs, better known in sailing circles as oilies. The expensive leather sailing boots could stay home too. He would take his own lifejacket and harness as they fitted him well, and he felt comfortable in them. Deck shoes were needed only for when they cast off, then bare feet would be the order of the day. He chose lots of short-sleeved shirts and swimming shorts. Where was his passport? In his bathroom cupboard, he found suntan lotion of factor thirty and another lighter one for use once he was more acclimatised to the tropical sun. He would need plenty of credit cards of course and some dollars for cash. Those he could pick up at the airport. Easy!

  Toby knew they would agree in him accompanying them on their sailing adventure, especially Richard, once Toby cornered him and explained how much easier three crew would be instead of two. He planned on using the “Connie would be much happier knowing there were two strong men on board all that way” theme. Connie would be easy to persuade. She had a soft spot for him, and he found her pretty cute himself; but then he usually found most women pretty cute. They were one of his weaknesses. This thought led him to recall what had happened earlier that day at work and how he had found himself in this position, much to his satisfaction.

  *******

  That grey, grim London morning, Toby was reeling under the acid lash from his senior partner’s tongue.

  “For Christ’s sake, what the hell did you think you were doing?” he had stormed. “Michael’s got enough trouble being married to a younger woman and trying to keep her satisfied without you rubbing his nose in it.” He jabbed a finger angrily at Toby. “What’s more, she means everything to him and absolutely nothing to you. You only pursued her because you could, and frankly, I find your behaviour disgusting!” he thundered.

  Thomas leaned back heavily in his leather swivel chair and regarded Toby with open contempt. This time, Toby had gone too far. As senior partner in Holmes and Benton, Chartered Accountants, Thomas had to ensure that Toby grasped the significance of his misconduct. He couldn’t actually force him to stop his affair with the unlucky Michael’s young wife, but he could remove Toby from the day-to-day exposure to Michael.

  “Michael’s only got six months before he retires, and I want him to enjoy his last few months with us. Furthermore, I want him to appreciate his well-earned retirement. It’s not been easy for him losing his first wife to a brain tumour, and I think he deserves better than this. You, as far as I know, have never suffered a serious heartache in your entire life. You go through women at a distasteful rate and never consider the consequences. Call me old-fashioned if you like, but I have built this company up from nothing, and my long-standing partner deserves more respect than this. I place Michael in high esteem.” He paused, breathing heavily. Thomas was clearly irate.

  Toby tried to remonstrate with Thomas, but the senior partner held up a heavy hand to stop his voice. “No, I don’t want to hear any of your protests. Michael is entirely blameless in this and has been caused enough pain already. This is what I am proposing, and you have one of two choices. You either accept, or you decline and leave this company’s payroll. Your work is good, but as associate partner, you are expendable. However, I hope you do accept, as normally, we have a good working relationship, and you have talent and work well under pressure. Also, unlike Michael, you have a good few years before you retire. So, my suggestion is that while Michael works out his six months you take extended leave during this time. A sabbatical if you like. Once everything has cooled down and Michael has retired, you can return and resume your career. Well? What do you say?” He put his elbows onto his mahogany desk and continued to glare at him.

  Toby was at first momentarily shocked at this proposal and wanted to argue his case, but something in Thomas’s steely look stopped him. He was an old windbag, and Toby considered it was nothing but a lot of fuss over some little bint. He didn’t considered himself entirely to blame. She was no delicate young virgin and, although someone else’s wife, had given him plenty of encouragement. But he did like working for the firm and knew that Thomas had a full partnership in mind for him later on. So, he held his tongue in check, managed to look contrite, and nodded an acceptance.

  Besides, Toby much preferred the chase, and she had given in far too quickly. It had been all a piece of cake, really. He thought fleetingly of how many other bored young wives there were – wealthy, spoilt, and sitting at home alone. All in all, he considered he had got off lightly. What’s more, he could enjoy six fantastic months all to himself. Excellent! What a bonus, and what fun there was to be had. On leaving his offices, Toby already had a plan formulating in his quick and devious mind.

  His friend, Richard, was in Tenerife, busily preparing his yacht for his forthcoming transatlantic voyage. Toby had spent and enjoyed many a weekend sailing with Richard and his sexy, beautiful wife, Connie. What if he could inveigle Richard into letting him go along as the third crew member? Winter in the Caribbean would be tremendous!.........................................

  The Seeds of Time- Book One of “The Crossing” is now available as eBook boxed set, together with Book Two -HARVEST .

  Find out more about Faith Mortimer and her books at:

  www.faithmortimerauthor.com

  www.facebook.com/FaithMortimer.Author

  http://twitter.com/FaithMortimer

  Finally, if you enjoyed ‘Childhunt’, I’d be most grateful if you’d consider posting a review on your eBook store website. Just a few lines would be much appreciated. Reviews are the lifeblood of an author’s trade and have more influence than you might realise!

  Many Thanks.

  sp;

  Faith Mortimer, CHILDHUNT: A Mystery & Suspense Thriller in the Bestselling Diana Rivers Series (The Diana Rivers Mysteries Book 5)