Dead Agent: A DETECTIVE JACK CREED THRILLER (Detective Jack Creed Murder Mystery Books Series Book 9)

by C T Mitchell

  DEAD AGENT

  By

  C T Mitchell

  Copyright

  Copyright © 2020 by C T Mitchell

  Cover and internal design © C T Mitchell

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems – except in the case of brief quotations in articles or reviews – without the permission in writing from its publisher, C T Mitchell

  All brand names and product names used in this book are trademarks, registered trademarks, or trade names of their respective holders. We are not associated with any product or vendor in this book.

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  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  About the Author

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  CHAPTER 1

  Kathleen spoke to her sister Sarah in a raised voice, struggling to be heard above the chatter of the crowd. “It’s nice to have so many people here. I didn’t realise we’d have such a crowd coming for Daniel’s Bar Mitzvah.”

  “I’m not surprised. You – and Samuel of course, even though you’re not together now –are well-known and popular. ” Kathleen gazed down at her four-year-old daughter, who was getting heavy in her arms.

  The young child’s innocent and clear eyes met hers and the two smiled at each other. Sarah was impatient, resenting her sister’s preoccupation with her daughter. And maybe a little jealous for their son, Daniel.

  After all, he was the center of attention. The son she, herself, would have welcomed, if only…

  She turned to her companion, Dr Laurent Friedens.

  “You know my sister Kathleen, don’t you? And her daughter, Ruth? Would you like to talk to Ruth for a while?” Seeing Sarah’s puzzled frown, she explained. “Dr Friedens is an eminent psychiatrist. He has a practice in Bangalow.”

  “Of course, if you wish.” Dr Friedens smiled at the little girl as her mother set her down. The little girl’s answering smile was tentative, but when he put out his hand, she took it willingly.

  “Uh, oh. Here comes trouble!” Kathleen turned to see what her sister meant. Samuel. No smiles there. He glared at her and Sarah, and swept Ruth up into his arms.

  “Kathleen.” His voice was icy cold. “I think I told you I don’t want my daughter to talk to anyone I don’t know.”

  “It was my suggestion, Samuel.” Sarah stood between the irate father and her own companion.

  “Dr Friedens is a psychiatrist, and he might be able to explain why little Ruth is so frightened every time she goes to your place for her weekly visit.”

  “I don’t care if he is a brain doctor. Our divorce–” he glared at his sister-in-law “–and the way we bring up our children has nothing to do with you. I want you to stay away from my family!”

  Sarah shrugged and joined Dr Laurent Friedens.

  “I can’t imagine why Samuel has such a strange notion. But let’s not worry about that.” She smiled at her sister Kathleen as she turned from the angry father who was clutching his daughter to him as though her life had been at risk.

  It never occurred to her that perhaps it had been. Slipping her arm through the doctor’s, she suggested they go for a walk.

  “I don’t think anyone will miss us, do you?” She smiled provocatively. His eyes took all of her in, and he didn’t protest when she began to push through the crowd and then through the sliding doors to the patio.

  “It’s certainly a nice view from here,” he said. Sarah met his eyes as he studied her face. Then she laughed as she realised he was teasing.

  “Of course, the view out to Bangalow from this plateau is amazing – if that’s what you’re referring to!” She squeezed his waist, smiling up at him. What a pleasure it was to flirt with this eligible man even if they were effectively escaping from her family. Her face flushed, emphasising her bright eyes.

  “Let’s walk along the path here, Laurent. There’s a lot to see. The Rosenthal’s even have a maze to get lost in.” She flushed as she realised he might take it literally.

  He took her hand as they wandered through a shady wooded area. “So, do you get along well with your family, Sarah?”

  “My sister Kathleen and I are very close, and the children are great. But I’m afraid my ex-brother-in-law is a real pain.”

  “I noticed.” Laurent Friedens smothered a grim smile.

  “Shall we head to my place, Laurent? There’s no need to go back to the house just now.”

  “It will be good to get a closer look at your place, Sarah.” His voice was calm. She took a sideways look at him. Was there anything behind that choice of words, she wondered? They strolled back the way they had come and further onto the field where car parking had been made available.

  “It’s not always this dry, of course. Here in northern NSW, we can get a lot of rain.” The land was arid and brown. “Of course, you know that. You’re not a newcomer, are you?”

  “I’ve been here for a while now. All my life. Only my name is foreign…” She saw the glint of laughter in his eyes as she unlocked her car and they slid into the luxurious interior.

  “Yes. Kingscliff is great. I love living there. Your practice is on the main street, isn’t it?”

  The drive away from the Rosenthal’s’ estate was scenic – a pleasure to the eye.

  They chatted of mundane matters, ignoring the underlying tension until a scream of sirens tore towards them. Police cars. Not just one, but a whole cohort. An ambulance, too. All rushing to where they had just left. The Rosenthal Estate!

  Sarah set her teeth and gripped the steering wheel, not even hearing the sound of the tires squealing as she wheeled the car to the opposite side of the road.

  “I hope none of the kids are hurt!”

  There had been plenty of children at the Bar Mitzvah, but she was thinking mainly of Daniel and Ruth. Her own special family. Of course, she told herself, the crisis could be anything. Anything at all…

  The man beside her was quiet.

  CHAPTER 2

  They arrived back at the Rosenthal’s residence even more quickly than they’d left. Sarah yanked the car on to the grass at the edge of the driveway behind the posse of emergency vehicles.

  “God, I’m so glad you came back!” Kathleen stumbled against her sister, her arms again around little Ruth. Tears were pearling the rims of her eyes as she uttered words so unexpected, so unbelievable that Sarah stared at her blankly.

  “He’s dead,” Kathleen wailed, her voice rising.

  “Dead? Who is it? Not one of ours, surely?” Her heart was pounding. Not Daniel. Please, not Daniel.

  “Samuel. Samuel’s dead. In the guest bathroom. Killed.” She was struggling to control herself, aware of the child in her arms. Ruth’s father. Dead. It was hard to believe.

  “Dr Friedens, would you mind looking after Ruth, just for a while?” Kathleen asked. Who could possibly refuse?

  “I-I need my sister to come with me to-to see my husband. Find out what happened…” Trying not to sob, Kathleen surrendered Ruth to his arms. The poor child was shaking and held on to the doctor’s jacket tightly.

  “Of course.” He hugged the girl to him and turned towards
the garden as Sarah put her arms around her sister. Ruth responded to the doctor’s calm manner and snuggled into his shoulder.

  “There-there must be a mistake.” Kathleen sobbed. “Come on, Sarah. The police are there just now. I’m sure there’s been a mistaken identity. Or-or something.”

  The sisters wobbled through the door, not taking any notice of the subdued crowd of guests huddled at the far end of the large room, who had not been allowed to leave.

  “I’m sorry, ladies. It would be better if you stayed here.” Detective Inspector Jack Creed was the officer in charge, and his six feet of hard muscle was an impervious barrier to the hallway exit. The sisters looked at one another, shocked.

  “But-but it might be my husband!”

  “So, you are Mrs. Rosenthal?”

  “Yes, of course. And that’s my son Daniel over there. Why are you holding him back? Surely he can be with his mother and aunt?”

  Jack nodded to the officer who’d been holding the boy at arm’s length.

  “Let’s get you out of here for now, please.”

  Jack knew they were distraught. It was best to get them away before hysterics set in. Like most people, he did not want to cope with screaming women. The situation was bad enough. Stumbling into the police car, Kathleen held Daniel to her. She could feel his tension.

  “Wh-what’s going on, Mum? Where’s Dad?” Sarah joined them in the roomy Commodore’s rear seat, her eyes meeting Kathleen’s. It was a good question. Surely he wasn’t dead. He couldn’t be. Could he?

  The female police officer glanced at her boss in the front seat beside her.

  “Get going, Sergeant.” Jack directed her quietly. “Best we get them away for now.”

  Detective Sergeant Jo Boston-Wright started the car, steering carefully around the other vehicles and swerving past the open doors of the ambulance.

  “It’s a good thing they haven’t brought him out yet” she said quietly, and Creed nodded.

  This was one of those times when he wished he wasn’t a police officer at all, let alone in charge of a murder scene. Jo glanced at him sympathetically, knowing how he felt about murders. Just the sort of thing he would have majored in previously in Brisbane. Who would have thought this quiet backwater of scenic wonders would harbour murderers?

  “Where is Dad?” Daniel persisted. Kathleen tightened her arms around him.

  “He’s gone, Daniel.”

  “Gone? Gone where?” the boy insisted, incredulous.

  “He-he’s on his way to Elijah, son.” A tear formed in her eye and found its way down her cheek, splashing onto Daniel’s hand.

  “B-but he was just…he was talking to Rabbi Joshua. Just now.” Kathleen buried her face in Daniel’s soft hair, beginning to really sob as he clung to her.

  “I’m sorry, Daniel. I-I’m afraid it’s the truth.” Jack Creed spoke over his shoulder, regretting having to put the family through this.

  “When did you last see your father, Daniel?” The child – a boy who had just received a blessing as a man – gazed at Jack speechlessly.

  Jack slowed the car and guided it into a roadside parking area. It gave a magnificent view of the countryside, but no one in the car noticed.

  “I’m sorry. I should have introduced myself. I’m Detective Inspector Creed. And this–“a wave of his hand indicated the woman beside him “–is Detective Sergeant Boston-Wright.”

  A blank silence met his introduction. He should have known the three people behind him were too shocked to take anything in. Nevertheless, he had a job to do.

  “Daniel? I know it’s hard, but the facts need to be sorted out. When did you last see your dad?”

  He could tell Daniel was trying to man up. He felt a fresh wave of sympathy for the boy.

  “He-he was talking to Rabbi Joshua when I saw him. Then he went up the stairs. I don’t know where he went after that. He didn’t come back.” His voice weakened, and he sniffed, dropping his head to his mother’s shoulder. Sarah stroked his back, glaring at the officers in the front.

  “And – excuse me, ma’am – you are…?”

  Sarah stiffened, wondering if she had to answer. She decided she had better.

  “I’m Sarah Bartholomew – Kathleen’s sister. Daniel is my nephew. I came for his Bar Mitzvah with my-my friend, Dr Friedens.”

  She suddenly remembered that she had asked Laurent to stay in his car and mind Ruth.

  “And where is Dr Friedens now?” the policewoman’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

  “In his car. Minding Ruth, my sister’s little girl.” She placed her hand on Kathleen’s arm.

  “We had better go back to the house then.” Jack was terse. His phone vibrated in his pocket, and he risked a quick look as he turned the car around on the grassy verge. It was his wife. Sandra could wait. He pressed the message off. He’d think about her later…Guiltily, he realised this was just another example of him putting the job first. She didn’t deserve that. But he had a job to do.

  CHAPTER 3

  Pulling into the driveway, Detective Inspector Jack Creed shook his head at the scene. Cars filled the entrance, and uniforms and scene-of-crime people were striding purposefully about their business. Through the sliding doors, he could see his team interviewing the guests, taking notes as they went. Good.

  “Well now, Ms. Bartholomew, could you point out your sister’s car and we’ll have a chat with Dr Friedens? Ruth’s mother will want her daughter with her no doubt.”

  “Ah, it was over there.” She pointed to a spot near the farm gate leading into the impromptu parking area for the guests.

  “But I can’t see it now.” A frown line appeared between her eyes.

  “I’ll get out and have a better look. Sergeant Boston-Wright, could you look after the ladies and Daniel – do the initial interview?”

  “Sure.” With a smile, Jo faced the passengers, hoping she looked reassuring.

  “He can’t have gone far. He was minding Ruth while we…” Sarah’s voice faded. Where could he be?

  “Hey, Jack. Ah – Detective Inspector – the Doc wants to move along.” The officer fronted the Detective. “She wondered if you could come ASAP.”

  Jack grimaced. It would be nice if he could avoid viewing the victim, but–

  “Okay. Coming.”

  “I’ll need to speak to Dr Friedens as soon as I get back.” He spoke through the car window.

  The guest bathroom was awash with scene-of-crime personnel, including Medical Examiner Dr Jane Russell.

  “Do we have the cause of death, Doctor?” Jack stooped to inspect the body.

  “It’s pretty obvious, Jack. A gunshot through the skull. He’d have been dead before he hit the floor.” She shrugged and stood beside him. They both observed the open window.

  “I think you’ll find the bullet came through that window. You can see those trees just beyond the open field – a good place to keep out of sight while taking aim.”

  “A pretty good shot. The perp could have been a professional using a long-range rifle.”

  “Mm. That’s about all I can tell you at this stage. We’ll do the usual checks at the post-mortem. I’ll have my guys take him out now if you like.”

  “Don’t do that, Jane. Let’s wait until the guests are allowed to go. And the family are out of the way.”

  “Okay, you’re the boss!”

  Jack caught himself eyeing her departing figure appreciatively and hurriedly turned his eyes to the victim on the floor. He studied the remains of the head, noticing the angle of the wound the bullet had made and the position of the man. He had no doubt that Samuel Rosenthal had entered the room to use the facilities – but why the open window?

  “Check out the wall opposite that window,” he directed Mike the SOC officer, “as soon as the room is free. I wouldn’t be surprised if you find the bullet – if we’re lucky.” He turned to his sergeant.

  “Jo, get the interviewing lot to ask if they saw anyone go upstairs before Mr. Rosenthal.
We need to know who might have opened that window in the bathroom.”

  She nodded and went to inform the officers interviewing the shocked guests. Some of them were beginning to complain about the delay in allowing them to leave.

  “They’ll be lucky to get out of here before night-time,” Jo told the interviewing team, her blue eyes narrowing. “Just as well it’s you lot dealing with them and not me.

  ” She shook her head from side to side. They knew what she meant. She had an implacable streak which did not give much leeway to those who complained.

  Creed found Kathleen’s car from the description Sarah had given him. But there was no one inside it.

  “Where the hell—?” Looking around, he noticed a well-covered leafy tree around the corner of the garden. Sure enough, there was a little girl sitting next to a distinguished man with a steel-grey goatee. It must be Ruth, which made the man Dr Friedens.

  “I always liked sitting under a tree,” the man said. “And now I have some company!” He smiled down at the girl tucked in close next to him.

  “Dr Friedens?” Jack folded his large form and perched in a stockman’s crouch, eye-to-eye with the man.

  “Yes. And this is Ruth, Samuel’s daughter.” He gave a meaningful look, warning Jack to be careful of the child.

  “Good to find you, Doctor. Detective Inspector Creed. I’m in charge here. I will need to interview you. If you don’t mind, Dr Friedens, I’d like to speak to you as soon as your schedule allows – say, tomorrow morning at Kingscliff Police Station?”

  The Doctor nodded. He smiled but no warmth reached his eyes. They all stood.

  “Say hello to the detective, Ruth.” Jack was surprised when the girl obeyed straight away. How long had the family known Dr Friedens? What was their connection?

  “Hello, Mr. Detective” Ruth held out her hand and Jack shook it, smiling.

  “Nice to meet you, young lady! Shall we go and find your mum now?” As she smiled at him shyly, Jack felt conflicted. How would this child cope with the loss of her father? Would Kathleen be able to keep reasonably calm for the children? He knew it wasn’t always easy to keep tensions from affecting children.