Korruption Kills E-Book

Mike Scantebury

• Herausgeber: First E-Book
• Kategorie: Krimi
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Beschreibung

Adventurer Mickey has been shot and is now confined to a wheelchair. Luckily he has taken up a new role as CEO of a major property developer in the North West of England. Still, as a former crime fighter he is staggered by the bribery and corruption that seems everywhere in his business. He struggles to cope with the finances, let alone the underhand dabbling and backstabbing that make up his day. When he hears that someone has been commissioned to kill him, it is almost a relief. At last, something he easily understands! What follows are a series of attempts on his life, and Mickey is concerned that he is too easy a target. If only he could get out of the chair!

Leseprobe

"Something's happening," she announced, and hurriedly moved to the door and opened it.

The noise of shouting assaulted them all. People were running to the right, towards the trouble.

Mr Caulfield was less surprised there might be a riot going on than the fact that the Shadow had spoken.

It must be serious to get words out of her, he was thinking.

By the time he got to the door and was standing behind her, people were running to the left, away from the trouble.

One man, in a hurry, fat and struggling, was familiar.

It was the Border Guard that Caulfield had interacted with previously.

He needed to get away? From what? What had he done?

Although the cafe was inside the main airport building, it had windows and a door, as if it was a separate building in itself. The action, for what it was, was all happening on the concourse, under the massive, architect-designed roof.

Shouts and screams echoed in the space.

Also, since most people already there simply wanted to get processed and jump aboard an airplane and leave, it would have be serious to get them to panic, running away from their main concern - leaving by air.

The Shadow, surprising again, seized on somebody trying to flee and grabbed them. She asked questions, then let them go abruptly. Turning to Caulfield, she was baffled and surprised, but was willing to share the information.

"The Detention Centre has exploded," she said seriously. "The Asylum Seekers are rioting."

Caulfield himself was surprised. The airport had a 'Detention Centre'? He imagined that once people had been questioned, like Katuzov, if there was a problem they would be put on a bus to somewhere else. Somewhere far away.

The German was behind him now, looking disparaging.

"You people," he grunted, "you can't manage your new arrivals?"

His new employee, the young waiter, turned his back on the action. He went into the kitchen to discuss his new status with the Manager. Perhaps he needed to negotiate changes in the roster, previous to his resignation.

There were more shouts.

Most of the people hurrying left were confused and scared travellers, Caulfield could see. They had luggage, briefcases or bags from the Duty Free shop. Others were in uniform, but they were obviously flight staff, pilots or stewards. There were no police, no Guards. Where were they? Where were all the Security personnel?

"Look out!" a voice called out, desperately. "He's got a gun!"

Caulfield took a step forward.

The crowd, the mass of people, mysteriously parted and seemed to be choosing to hug the walls, as if that would protect them from a gunman. There was a huge gap in the centre, which meant Caulfield could look down the entire length of the concourse and see what the problem was. Yes, there was a man in the distance, solitary, looking like he was waving a gun.

"Your Border Guards aren't armed?" Katuzov said dismissively. "Leave him to me. I will talk with the man."

It was either the bravest or the stupidest thing that Caulfield had heard all day.

He felt compelled to follow on.

Katuzov walked forward but turned and said over his shoulder: "Where on Earth would an Asylum Seeker get a firearm in this complex? You think he smuggled it in? You British - you're incredibly lax!"

Maybe the German thinks it's one of his weapons, Caulfield was thinking. Maybe if it's a Korrups pistol he thinks he could claim it back from the threatener. This is so stupid, Caulfield thought, but didn't say. Why am I here? Me!

"Now then, Friend," the German started, while still a long way away. "Let's see what the problem is, shall we? I'm just like you, a visitor to these shores. We have a lot in common, you and me. Let's not be hasty about what may be done."

The foreigner - as everyone presumed - did look Middle Eastern, Caulfield thought. Maybe he was from Syria.

"Back!" he shouted, waving his gun. "I am not afraid. God is my witness!"

Let's not bring Him into it, please, Caulfield was thinking. Oh no, please don't