Part One
Ben and Julian lay in bed on Christmas morning, sipping champagne and opening their presents. Ben had received a gold watch from Julian while Ben had given Julian a sports car. Julian jumped up and gazed from the window of the apartment down into the street where the car was wrapped in exclusive tinsel from Harrods. Julian grinned with delight:
‘Ben it is absolutely stunning. Can we go for a drive later?’
Ben laughed:
‘Of course. I’ve booked us into an exclusive hotel on the Cornish coast. Finally I’ve managed to avoid spending Christmas with my tiresome parents and I intend for us to enjoy it. They seemed to accept my story that I was unable to get away due to being involved in a complex case.’
Julian grinned:
‘At this very moment all across the country the plebs are waking up and opening their dreary supermarket presents before preparing for their pathetic family dinners with screaming kids and unbearable geriatric relatives.’
Ben laughed:
‘But we are above all that Julian. Let us dine!’
Ben rang the bell next to his bed and his Italian servant Luigi appeared in the doorway with a silver tray. He served Ben and Julian with Colombian Blue Ridge coffee, quails’ eggs and caviar.
‘Is that all Mr Chatham?’
‘Yes Luigi. Now run along and prepare us a nice hot bath’.
As he spoke the door buzzer of the apartment rang.
‘Answer that first please Luigi’, Ben instructed.
A short time later Luigi returned:
‘You bath is ready Mr Chatham. There was no one at the door but they have left a large wooden crate. It says ‘For the attention of Ben Chatham’ on it. Very strange’.
Ben yawned and smiled:
‘A surprise Christmas present. It must be from my parents. Something boring no doubt. It can’t be worse than the awful jacket that Katie Ryan bought me. Women have no taste when it comes to men’s fashion’. He and Julian laughed. Later, after their bath, Ben and Julian came running downstairs, hugging each other:
‘More champagne Luigi, we are dangerously close to being sober on Christmas Day!’
Ben saw the large wooden crate:
‘Let’s open my surprise present. I suspect it’s a musical instrument. My father cannot seem to accept that I do not share his talent for practical musicality.’
Luigi handed Ben a screwdriver and Ben began to prize open the crate. He pulled out one of the sides and saw a large object covered in silver cloth. Lifting the cloth he saw a large, mechanical dog:
‘What is that strange contraption’, Julian asked , sipping his champagne. Ben laughed:
‘This Julian is a present from my old friend the Doctor. It’s a K9........’
to be continued.
Ok folks, here is part two of this festive adventure which compensated for the lack of a Doctor Who Christmas special:
Part 2
Ben smiled with refined pleasure as K9 lifted its head:
‘Affirmative Master’ it said.
Julian looked puzzled:
‘Ben I’m not getting this. Is this some piece of tat from one of your old uni friends?’
Ben grinned knowingly:
‘Despite appearances Julian, K9 is no piece of tat. He is a piece of advanced technology from a time travelling alien.’
Julian clapped his hands:
‘How wonderfully exclusive’.
Ben gave him a kiss:
‘Exactly. Now let’s get going to Cornwall. Luigi can drive us in your new sports car while we drink more champagne. We’ll take K9 with us’.
A short time later Ben & Julian were being driven at speed through the winter countryside, the sound of Philip Glass’ ‘Low Symphony’ coming from the sports’ car stereo. They were drinking champagne and feeding each other fresh strawberries. Ben tapped Luigi on the shoulder:
‘Come on drive faster. We need speed’.
‘Yes come on, don’t you Italians know how to drive like lightening?’ Julian added, laughing. Luigi shrugged and put his foot down on the accelerator.
Ben whispered to Julian:
‘He’s just annoyed because he wanted to go back to Italy and spend Christmas with his brother Luciano. I said he was staying here or getting sacked. I’m not doing without staff at Christmas, there is too much washing up generated’.
They arrived in Cornwall as the sun was setting. Driving through the grounds of the hotel they arrived outside an ornate Georgian building. The sound of the sea crashing onto rocks could be heard coming from behind the hotel. Ben jumped out of the car and opened the door for Julian:
‘Here we are. I trust it meets your approval young man’, he laughed.
Julian looked at the building:
‘Hmm. It will do I suppose’. Then he laughed and kissed Ben. They ran up to the entrance and to the reception. A middle aged woman with long hair dyed black and a low cut dress approached them:
‘Well hello. You must be Ben and Julian. Welcome to the Grange. I must say you are everything I imagined from the sound of your voices on the telephone. Such nice, smooth boys. I hope everything here will satisfy you’.
She stroked Ben’s face and he went red:
‘Ahem madam, we are here to check in. Double room for us and single room for my manservant Luigi.’
The woman grinned:
‘Oh there is no need to be so uptight. You are here to unwind. Here are your keys. I’ll be happy to give you the very best service later.....’
Ben and Julian went up to their room on the fourth floor while Luigi brought up the luggage and K9. Julian laughed:
‘Hey she was coming on to you, that old trout’. Ben frowned:
‘I have that effect on older women. They want to mother me then rip my clothes off. Can’t help themselves’.
‘I can see why’ Julian added, stroking Ben’s hair. As they entered the room, they were hit by a strange, mouldy smell. Ben was annoyed:
‘Oh God what the hell is this. Smells like someone has died in here’. He ran to the window and opened it wide. As he did so he saw that below the window on the gravel was a twisted corpse, it’s eyes wide open and mouth twisted .......
To be continued
Part 3
Ben and Julian rushed downstairs and ran out of the Grange and round the side. There lay the body of a young man, his face contorted in an expression of pure terror with his dead eyes wide open. Ben frowned:
‘This is very concerning. It is unlikely to have been a suicide as he is lying on his back. He appears also to have been a young man of some wealth. That jacket retails for around £4000 alone. I nearly bought one for you Julian’.
Julian examined the jacket:
‘It does look rather cool. Do you think anyone would notice if we whip
it off him, after all he won’t be needing it now’.
Ben frowned:
‘It May have got blood on it Julian. I’ll buy you one when we get back to Cambridge’.
As Ben spoke there was a piercing scream from within the Grange. They ran back inside to find the woman at reception lying across the desk with her throat freshly cut. Blood had shot out in a fountain all over the floor:
‘What the hell is going on here?’ Julian shouted. As he did so, Luigi came running downstairs in a panic:
‘Mr Chatham, there’s a man in the bathroom upstairs, he looks like he’s been stabbed’.
Ben turned to the others:
‘Right, I suggest that we get out of here and call the police. There seems to be a maniac on the loose in there’.
As Ben turned towards the car, he saw three men approaching, the first of whom was armed with a gun.
‘Ok Chatham, get walking back into the hotel. Now’.
Ben, Julian and Luigi were led back into the Grange and into the downstairs drawing room. The man with the gun went over to the drinks cabinet and poured himself a large glass of scotch. He grinned:
‘It was very fortunate for me that you booked into this hotel. You and your group of investigators have a degree of fame which will lend my little scheme some extra spice. Crime should always be exciting, don’t you think?’
Ben glared at him:
‘What the hell do you mean? Release us immediately. Why are you murdering the guests here? Are you a complete madman or is there some rational criminal purpose behind your actions?’
The man drank the scotch and scowled:
‘Oh I assure you that there is always method behind my actions. Upstairs, along with a whole group of murdered guests, lies the body of Sir Graham Nott, the owner of the Grange. A single man, no kids. Preferred the company of young men, an attribute that I’m sure you will understand Chatham. It was his idea to turn this house into a hotel. Always one with an eye for making money was Graham. He was worth millions.’
Ben stared at him in fury:
‘Just get to the point. Why are you doing this?’
‘Calm down Chatham. No need to get hysterical. Your sort lack the stiff upper lip in a crisis’.
‘You vulgar thug’, Julian shouted. The man laughed:
‘I am Martin Nott, Graham’s younger brother. With him dead, I will inherit his money and this house. What better way to disguise a murder than to hide it within a mass murder. The plan was to hire a couple of East European killers, Ivan and Dmitri here, bump off the guests and my brother and set it up to look like a drugs hit on one of the guests that got out of hand. But when you booked in it dawned on me that a narrative could be constructed where this was the assassination of Ben Chatham by persons unknown, probably aliens. I’m so looking forward to turning this back into a family home again. Now Chatham , prepare to die.’
Ben frowned:
‘Please do not refer to me as Chatham. Use of the last name only is common and uncouth. This is not an episode of Eastenders.’
‘Ok Ben Chatham, prepare to die’.
He raised the gun and pointed it at Ben’s head.........
.........to be continued.
Ok people, here’s the final part of this festive Ben Chatham adventure:
Part 4
Martin Nott pointed the gun at Ben’s head. Ben bravely raised his hand:
‘Not so fast Nott. Do you really want the drawing room of your precious Grange to be covered in our blood. Shoot us in the head and it will spurt out like a fountain.’
Nott was bemused:
‘If you think I care about a bit of gore and grue you misjudge me Chatham.’
Ben was not deterred:
‘I’m not suggesting that you are squeamish Nott, but you do have a knotty problem here. I know that however once blood soaks through the carpet onto the floorboards you’ll never get the stains out. There was a man in Leicester who bludgeoned his wife with a hammer and the blood splashed out all over the walls. Every subsequent resident of the house was plagued with bloodstained walls. Even repapering the walls made no difference, the stains still seeped back through’.
Nott frowned:
‘Ok Ivan , Dmitri, take these tossers outside and full stop them there. Here’s the gun’.
Nott handed the gun to Dmitri who gestured to Ben and the others to walk outside. Ben, Julian and Luigi were led round the side of the house and across the large garden, over a stile and on to a patch of waste ground. Dmitri lifted the gun.......
...... and handed it to Ben.
‘I’m sorry Mr Chatham. Me and Ivan do not want to kill you. We follow your adventures when we were back in Russia. If we had known that Nott was planning to kill you we would never have got involved in this’.
Ben took the gun and grinned.
‘Good man. I was unaware that Operation Delta is known of in Russia.’
‘Oh yes. We follow your adventures on internet. Me and Ivan dreamed of working for you but never thought it possible’.
Ben put his arm round Dmitri’s shoulders:
‘Oh I’m sure we can find you some work. There are manual tasks we need doing at our HQs in London and Cambridge and......’
Ben was cut short by a large explosion which ripped through the Grange. Even at a distance it blew Ben and the others to the ground.
Later Ben, Julian, Luigi, Katie Ryan and Kyle were enjoying Christmas dinner in the Blue Angel Jazz Cafe and discussing the case. Ben was explaining:
‘... so it seems that there was another plot to murder me and unlike Nott’s this one was planned long term. UNIT investigators found forensic evidence that the K9 was a fake and was in fact a bomb. The technology was alien in origin. Whatever was behind it clearly wanted to remove Operation Delta as a potential obstacle to invasion. Thankfully they merely blew up the murderer Nott and his Grange. The land has now been gifted to Operation Delta and I intend to rebuild the house as a research lab.’
Katie Ryan laughed:
‘Onwards and upwards Ben’.
As she spoke Dmitri and Ivan appeared, dressed as waiters, serving the wine and cheese afters. Julian grinned:
‘I’m pleased that those two also got part time jobs here as well as working for us. They scrub up well these Russians’.
Ben laughed:
‘Don’t they just. Anyway, before we move on to the Mermaid Wine Bar, I propose a toast to the new year ahead. Happy New Year team!’
They all raised their glasses:
‘Happy New Year Ben’ they all exclaimed as Julian stroked Ben’s hair.
The end.
Monday, 21 January 2019
Sunday, 23 September 2018
The Ben Chatham Halloween 2018 Special "CURSE OF MONKS WOOD"
Part One
The rain poured down through the trees and soaked the damp, dank ground benieth. The thick mist filled the open spaces in the wood as the sickly smell of rotting leaves hung around like death in a plague. The water ran down the walls of the ruined abbey and seeped down into fox holes and rabbit warrens. The girl ran through the dense foliage, her legs torn and ripped by brambles. She cried out with pain but struggled on as she stumbled through the driving rain. She heard a scream and then a dull, extended cry of pain. Then a gunshot rang out and she fell backwards into the endless night.
Sir Richard Henson sat in the armchair in the library of the Grange and gulped down another glass of brandy. The room was in darkness, apart from the log fire burning fiercely in the grate. The rain poured down like silver on the window and mirrored the tears pouring down Sir Richard's face. He thought of the long and wasted years, of the dullness of routine and the sad monotony of a life lived for others. Suddenly he threw his glass at the fire and the glass splintered in the grate.
Ben Chatham sat back in his chair in his office in the new Operation Delta HQ in Cambridge and stared coldly at the clergyman sitting in front of him. The office was modern and fresh, with an original painting of the standing stones of Callinish on one wall and a painting of some cornish cliffs on the other. There was a state of the art coffee mnachine, offering a range of twelve different coffee beans, and a brand new vinyl record player for when Ben needed to relax between meetings.
"I'm sorry, but I really don't see what I can do to help you, Reverend Ashton. We are an organisation that investigates paranormal or suspected alien activity. Nothing which you have just described really fits that remit. Indeed it seems to me that you'd be better off continuing to address your concerns to the police".
Reverand Maurice Ashton, a cold, sharp-faced man in his early fifties, glared angrily at Ben.
"Have you not listened to a word I've just said? Four of my parishoners have gone missing and all you can do is shrug and try to pass the buck? Look Mr Chatham, if I still had any faith that the police were taking this seriously I would hardly be sitting here talking to the head of some minor investigative quango. However they aren't and furthermore I'd say that the lights in the wood, the evil that lurks within it and the unsolved murders committed to conjure up whatever abomination stalks that place fully count as paranormal activity. Your father assured me that you would provide some assistance. Frankly your manner is disappointing."
Ben gave the Reverand Ashton a look of hurt and anguish, however he could see instantly that his target was not the sort of man whose heart could be melted by human beauty. A feeling of dread had been creeping over him since the Reverand had arrived and stated that he was a friend of Alastair Chatham, Ben's father. Ben knew that he was in the last chance saloon as far as his relationship with his father was concerned and he did not want to take any chances. Yet he had loathed this odious hard-faced clergyman from the moment he strode into the office. Ben sighed:
"I'm sorry Reverand Ashton, please forgive me, it's been a long day. I'll discuss this with my team immediately and we'll come down to Woolton Abbas as soon as is possible to investigate. This is a top priority case."
The Reverand stood up:
"Thankyou Mr Chatham. I'll inform your father that you ave agreed to help me. Myself and my wife Margaret had dinner with Alastair and Giselle only last week. In ordinary circumstances I would not of course take dinner with an unmarried couple however your father is a repentent sinner and has been most generous in his funding of the Church for many years".
Ben felt a pang of nausea at the mention of his father's relationship with his French mistress, Madame Giselle Camboux, however he took a sip of water from the glass on his desk and smiled:
"I'll do my best to help get to the bottom of all this."
After the Reverand Ashton had departed, Ben got up, strode to the record player and put on Mahler's Fifth Symphony. He sat down on the leather sofa at the side of the office and picked up his phone:
"Chiara, could you ask Katie Ryan to come to my office please, if she is still in the building".
A short time later, Chiara Smith, now acting as Ben's Cambridge Secretary, showed Katie Ryan into the office. Katie scowled at Chiara as she passed her and strode past Ben, perching herself on the corner of Ben's desk. She smiled sardonically:
"Ben you really took me by surprise getting a female secretary. Especially that boring little piece. I'd have thought that a lithe young man was more to your taste. There is hope for you yet."
Ben frowned:
"Katie this is a work environment. Also my relationship with Julian really feels like it is going somewhere. I have no intention of damaging it by mixing work with pleasure. I've turned a corner in my life."
Katie laughed:
"Oh come on Ben, I was only joking. I'm pleased that you're happy, especially after your disasterous marriage. I just feel that there's something not right about Julian. He's too good to be true isn't he? Come on Ben you must have had your doubts. I know you."
Ben stood up:
"Look Katie we've already had this conversation and I have no desire to repeat it. You're views on Julian are absurd and spiteful. I suggest you find a love interest yourself instead of worrying about mine."
Katie flicked her hair back and threw her head to one side:
"Ok, Ben but don't come crying to me when it all goes wrong again. That pompous little ponce is either after your money or playing some game and you Ben are wasting your life and heading for another crisis. But you won't listen to me so I'm saying no more on the subject. Why did you want to see me?"
Ben walked behind his desk and sat down:
"I thought that when we expanded the organisation and set up this new office in Cambridge that I'd have been stared dealing with the more mundane or pointless cases. My aim was to devolve all of the peripheral nonsense to London while I concentrate only on the major work. However it seems that the Reverand Ashton is a friend of my father's and therefore I am obliged to at least put on a show of investigating his bonkers theories."
What exactly are those theories? Katie asked.
"It seems that he believes that four of his parishoners, two couples, have gone missing near Monks Wood in Wiltshire. The same place that the little girl was found dismembered around ten years ago. You know, the case that was all over the papers... Lucy something."
Katie frowned:
"Lucy Grainger. Yeah I remember it. A big story because it was rumoured that she was killed in some satanic ritual . They never cought anyone did they?"
"No and it seems that the Reverand believes that not only satanists but ghostly monks and even the devil himself may reside in those woods. In other words he's a nutter and a religious fanatic. Not the kind of case that we should be involved in. However I have no choice as my father is a friend of his."
"Poor Ben. Let me have the file and I'll organise a team for tomorrow."
Katie smiled and flounced out of the office. Ben sat back in his chair and sighed.
............to be continued.
THE CURSE OF MONK'S WOOD: Part 2 The next morning Ben and Julian arrived at the Operation Delta office after having a continental breakfast at the Mermaid Wine Bar. Ben immediately went up to Katie's office, the door of which was ajar.
"Hi Katie, is everything set for the trip? Team in place?"
Katie stopped painting her nails and looked up sharply:
"Yes, I've told Kyle and Adam Wooten to be ready in half an hour. Team of four seems adequate for a small case like this. Especially since it probably won't amount to anything."
Ben looked puzzled:
"So are you not planning to come with us?"
"Er yes Ben, Team of four, you, me Adam and Kyle", Katie replied.
Ben frowned and paced up to Katie:
"No Katie. Julian will be coming with us. I think it best if you drop Adam from the team as well. I find him extremely attractive and Julian will pick up on that."
Katie flicked back her blonde hair and fixed Ben with an icy stare:
"You are really unbelievable sometimes. We are supposed to be a professional organisation yet here you are proposing to bring your male lover along who is not a member of the organisation and drop an experienced team member in case diddums gets jealous. Has he been CRB checked, given that we may encounter vulnerable adult witnesses?"
Ben was bemused:
"Oh get over yourself Katie. Since when did you care about CRB checks or any of that ? You are the least politically correct person I know and are just being awkward for the sake of it. Julian is coming and that's that."
Julian, who had been listening in the doorway, grinned and approached Ben, leaning on his shoulder:
"I think you should remember that Ben is in charge and you are merely an employee, as exchangeable as a lawnmower part."
Katie glared at him:
"In which case I am the blade. I'd remember that if I were you."
Later Ben, Katie, Kyle and Julian arrived in Woolton Abbas, the village near Monk's Wood. They drove to the Vicarage to meet with the Reverend Ashton, however as they approached, they saw Ashton having a violent altercation with another man. Ashton punched him in the face and started kicking him, as several women tried to intervene. Ben and Kyle jumped out of the car and went running over:
"Reverend Ashton stop this now. Look at yourself. You're a man of the cloth not a common street yob", Ben shouted.
Ashton glared at him:
"This man is a fraud and a disciple of Satan. He is corrupting the morals of my parishioners. Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."
The other man stood up:
"You all witnessed this idiot assault me. *turning to Ben* My name is Denholm Jopeson, psychic and white witch."
Ben frowned:
"I'm Ben Chatham and myself and my team are here to investigate the disappearances that have happened here. Before you offer, we have no need for any help from psychics and similar crackpots. However I can only apologise for the appalling behaviour of the Reverend Ashton here."
A woman stepped forward:
"Denholm is not a crackpot young man. I asked him here to help."
"And you are?" Ben asked.
"Lucinda Allcock. I keep the post office. One of the missing people is my sister Alison."
Katie Ryan stepped forward:
"We will probably need to interview you later. Is there a pub or a café near here as I could do with a drink?"
"Yes, there is the Green Man just round the corner."
"Good, then I suggest that we all go there now and discuss things in a calm and rational manner", Ben stated.
Later, in the pub, Ben, Julian and Katie were discussing the case with the Reverend Ashton while Kyle chatted to Denholm Jopeson and Lucinda on another table. Lucinda was explaining the chain of events:
"It was Wednesday morning when the doorbell went. It was Jason, the postman. He said that he'd just been round Alison and Rob's house to deliver a parcel but the door was open and the house was empty. Same with Lisa and Emily next door. All four have just vanished, leaving their front doors wide open."
Kyle sipped his beer:
"So what were they like? The missing people I mean."
"Well Alison and Rob are just an ordinary couple in their early thirties. They've had a difficult patch what with the IVF not working and Alison desperate to have a kid. But they're working through it. Lisa and Emily are just a quiet young couple. We were all surprised when they moved in here, you know them being lesbians and all that, but at least they keep themselves to themselves and don't flaunt it."
"Ere you don't sound very accepting like. Its that how others feel?" Kyle asked.
Lucinda frowned:
"Mr Scott, we are a Christian village. We are not London."
Kyle took another swig of beer:
"Yet you call in a white witch to help. Hardly very Christian if you ask me, no offence like."
Denholm Jopeson interceded:
"Mr Scott, there is no binary conflict between Christianity and a benign interest in magic. Dear me, you sound as ignorant as that bigoted old preacher of hellfire over there."
He shouted the last part of the sentence and the Reverend Ashton stood up:
"Satanist!" he screamed at Jopeson, holding up his gold cross.
Before Jopeson could respond, the landlord, George Morrison, banged a pint glass repeatedly on the bar and called for attention:
"Folks, I've just had the police on the phone. Three bodies have been found buried in the woods. Horribly mutilated."
Lucinda screamed and collapsed over the table sobbing. Ben gestured to Katie to comfort her then stood up:
"My name is Ben Chatham and I head the organisation that is investigating this matter alongside the police. If anyone has any information ........"
Ben's words were cut short by a scream from the kitchen behind the bar area. Ben rushed through with Morrison to see Morrison's wife Glenda sobbing, shaking and staring out of the window. Looking out of the kitchen window Ben saw the wall of the adjacent pub meeting room, illuminated by an outside light. On the whitewashed wall, painted in what looked like blood, was the image of a raven with a spike through its side........
...............to be continued.
Ok, here is part three of this sinister Halloween adventure:
THE CURSE OF MONK'S WOOD: Part 3
A short time later, Ben and his team, along with a crowd of locals, were in Monk's Wood chatting to the police. The area where the three bodies were found was cordoned off and the site was lit by police floodlighting. Ben was ushered to one side by the officer in charge, Detective Inspector Jones:
"Ok Mr Chatham, here are the basics. The three bodies we have found have been shot, that much is obvious. All have serious shotgun wounds. Obviously forensics will need to confirm this but I think we can jump the gun. According to PC Cole, who knows the village well, they are Bob Gannon and his wife Doris, along with Jenny Smith. All worked at the local abattoir and the Gannons owned the business. There is still one missing person, Smith's boyfriend Jake Dearing. My bet is that he killed them all in some kind of jealous rage, but this is pure speculation at this stage."
Ben frowned:
"Thank you Inspector Jones. I assure you that the information you have given me will remain confidential. Myself and my organisation are purely here to help the Reverend Ashton. He believed that you were not taking the disappearances seriously. He also spoke about lights in the wood and abominations being conjured up. Personally I believe him to be a religious crackpot and I don't see this as an Operation Delta case, however he is a friend of my father's."
Inspector Jones laughed and put his arm on Ben's shoulder:
"You are dead right there. He drives us all up the wall with his nonsense about Satanists in Monk's Wood and so forth. The man is a nuisance, however I assure you that we will do everything in our power to catch the person responsible for these deaths, who I'm sure will be Jake Dearing."
Ben left the Inspector with a smile and walked over to where Katie and Kyle were chatting with the Reverend Ashton and Lucinda Allcock:
"I'm really not convinced that there is much to investigate here. The Inspector believes that the three victims were shot by the man still missing, a Jake Dearing. Some kind of domestic. Clearly a police matter and nothing to do with us."
The Reverend Ashton interjected:
"Nonsense. I know Jake Dearing and he wouldn't hurt a fly. Harmless young man and a bit simple, backward. Worked at the abattoir with the others. I tell you this is the work of the devil. The police are in on it. There are dark forces in these woods and they are being conjured up by the purveyors of filth and sacrilege. "
Ben sighed:
"Reverend Ashton, just listen to yourself. Seriously. You sound like someone who is not fully rational. What do you mean by 'dark forces'?"
The Reverend Ashton gripped Ben by the shoulders and recounted a strange, chilling tale.:
"During the middle ages, these woods were part of the grounds of Woolton Abbey, one of the largest Benedictine Abbeys in the country. It was rich with gold objects and expensive books. It is said that Saint Thomas Becket visited the Abbey frequently and gifted it a piece of Christ's cross, one of the most sacred relics in Christendom. However by the time of King Henry VIII, dark forces had taken hold in the Abbey. The monks had turned to pagan beliefs and had burned the holy relic on a huge bonfire. They practiced sodomy and withheld taxes from the king. So Henry VIII's men came to dissolve the Abbey in 1538. They drove the monks out of the Abbey and into the woods, where they massacred them with swords and knives. It is said that the Abbot, just before he died, put a curse on the woods and on anyone who bought the former Abbey or its grounds. It is also said that the ghosts of the monks haunt these woods searching for vengeance."
Katie Ryan laughed sardonically:
"What a load of old nonsense. You mean to say that you believe this crap? Good grief."
Ben cut in:
"Katie please . Reverend, who does now own the former Abbey?"
"The Abbey site is where the Grange now stands, owned by Sir Richard Henson, owner of Hensons, the brewery and distillery firm. Not a lucky family I'm afraid. Both of Sir Richard's parents burned to death in the garage of the house in an unexplained fire. He himself lives up there on his own. Can't say I like or trust the man. He never attends church . Typical irreligious, modern business type."
Ben frowned:
"Ok team. We'll pay this Sir Richard a visit but then, if nothing else surfaces, I say we abandon this case. Sorry reverend but it is a police matter."
As Ben spoke, Inspector Jones came running up:
"I'm sorry Mr Chatham but before you leave there is something you should know. According to the police pathologist, who has just arrived, the three bodies have had their hearts cut out."
The Reverend Ashton stared at Ben:
"The work of the devil. Those hearts have been burned in a cauldron of charcoal, a well known ritual of the black mass."
Later, Ben, Julian, Katie and Kyle were sitting in the drawing room of the Grange, enjoying a glass of fine whisky as the log fire burned in the large fireplace. Sir Richard Henson, a weathered looking man in his late fifties, stared sadly at them:
"Yes I'm sorry to hear about the murders in the woods. This is an unlucky place it really is. But I could never ever leave it. What would be the point?"
Ben sipped the whisky:
"Mr Henson, your single malt is absolutely superb."
"Thank you young man. I tend to do very little with the business these days. I've delegated to others. I just reached a point where I couldn't face going into work anymore. My life is a hollow, empty existence. I feel completely alone, even when in a room full of people."
Julian put his arm around Ben:
"Ben used to feel like that until he met me."
Ben looked embarrassed:
"Julian, please......"
Henson smiled sadly:
"Oh I can see how you would brighten up a chap's life. Sadly I am too old now for love."
Katie knocked back her whisky and stared at Henson:
"Well yes, you're right there you old fruit. Pull yourself together, you have a successful business and lots of money. Now tell us if you know anything about these deaths and if you've seen or heard of any Satanists gathering in the woods."
Henson rose up angrily:
"How dare you use that tone with me, young lady. And in my own home as well...."
Ben interjected:
"I apologise for my colleague Sir Richard *angrily staring at Katie*. But please tell us if you know anything. The police think that the murders were committed by a chap called Jake Dearing".
Sir Richard became suddenly very agitated and emotional. He started to shout hysterically:
"Nonsense , nonsense. He would never hurt anyone. Get out of my house, all of you. Get out, liars, liars......"
Shortly they were all walking back through the woods towards the village.
"Ere that were dead weird behaviour but I don't see him as a killer", Kyle remarked.
"Yeah, stupid old fruit probably fancied this Dearing character", Katie added.
Suddenly they heard the sound of strange chanting noises coming from some distance away. Then a slow, moaning sound.
"What the hell is that?" Katie exclaimed.
As she spoke the moaning sound got louder and they saw a large figure walking towards them from the trees. It had horns, red glowing eyes and a face that resembled the devil......."
..........to be continued.
"THE CURSE OF MONK'S WOOD": PART 4
They stared at the satanic figure as it strode through the trees towards them, its red eyes glowing. Julian grabbed Ben's arm:
"I think this is the point where you shout run," he said softly. Kyle frowned:
"Ere, that's just a fella dressed up. Let 'im get a bit closer and I'll lamp 'im one".
The creature strode closer and approached a young ash tree that was in its way. It knocked down the tree with a karate-like chop of the hand and breathed fire at it.
"Ere, on second thoughts Ben, maybe Julian 'ad the right advice", Kyle exclaimed.
"RUN", ben shouted.
Later, the team were sat in the Green Man pub with the Reverend Ashton.
"You saw the devil himself walking the earth. We are all damned unless we strike it down and all of its disciples with the fiery sword of truth. Smite out its eyes ...." the Reverend Ashton ranted. Ben sipped his brandy:
"Please calm yourself Reverend. Whatever that creature was, it is unlikely to have been the devil. I have encountered much alien life as part of my work and I find that reason rather than blind faith is the best option."
As Ben spoke, Denholm Jopeson walked in, accompanied by Lucinda Allcock from the post office and Detective Inspector Jones. Ashton stood up and pointed at Jopeson:
"Get this disciple of Satan out of here. This blaspheming liar is responsible for all of this. He's conjured up the devil!"
Ben pulled Ashton back down into his seat:
"Try to calm down. You are showing all the signs of religious mania. This is highly negative and is embarrassing frankly."
Julian smiled at Ben:
"Well said Ben. The man is a joke and very tiresome. I may use him as a basis for a character in the novel I am thinking of writing."
Katie laughed:
"You write a novel? Oh come off it. You student types haven't got the work ethic to actually write anything like a novel."
Julian glared at her:
"I have already written two novels while studying for my degree. I have the time as I don't have to work due to my impeccable breeding and extremely wealthy parents."
Ben smiled:
"You have to understand Katie that quality gravitates naturally towards quality".
Meanwhile Denholm Jopeson had walked towards them:
"Can I give you people a piece of advice. Stay out of Monk's Wood. There are restless spirits in there from the time of the Reformation. A grave injustice was done to them and they cannot pass over to the other side. They seek vengeance and justice."
"Satanist", shouted Ashton. Katie glared at Jopeson:
"Look Jopeson, you are as batty as this idiot Ashton here. Both of you talk nothing but religious nonsense. We have no time for this."
Jopeson looked hurt:
"My dear, there are forces of which you know nothing. Please do not close your mind to the energies of the earth and the ancient power of the old gods and the unseen."
"Bollocks", Katie exclaimed, flicking back her golden hair and sipping her dry martini.
Ben interjected:
"Look, I think we need to check out this abattoir where the three dead people worked. Lets get to it."
A short time later Ben drove up to the abattoir gates. They got out of the car and approached the security guard on the entrance:
"Hi, I'm Ben Chatham of Operation Delta. Here is my I.D card. We are here to investigate the recent deaths."
The security guard was young, dark haired and had high cheek bones. He felt immediately attracted to Ben and let the team in without question. They walked into the building and asked at reception to see the manager. They could hear the sound of frightened animals and mechanical saws in the distance. There was a strong smell of offal and faeces. They were led upstairs towards a large office, where an obese man sat behind a desk, smoking a cigar.
"Should you really be smoking inside this building?" Julian asked the man. He looked up bemused.
"I'm the boss and I can do as I like. Who the bloody hell are you?" He spoke with a Yorkshire accent. Ben stood forward:
"I'm Ben Chatham of Operation Delta and these are some of my team. We are here to investigate the recent murders of three of your staff. The man huffed:
"I'm Jim Haddon the manager. You're not the bloody police so who let you in?"
"One of the security guards, the good looking one", Ben stated. Haddon frowned:
"You sound like a bloody poof. I don't know anything and neither do my staff. We run a legitimate business here and our meat goes all over Europe. Now piss off, I've got work to do."
Julian sat on the edge of Haddon's desk:
"You really are a rude, fat and horribly crude little man aren't you", he stated. Haddon puffed his cigar:
"And you're a poof, now piss off."
Ben got up to leave:
"You can rest assured that I will be reporting your homophobic comments as a hate crime....." he stated but as he spoke the lights went out.
"What the bloody hell, get these ****ing lights back on.." Haddon bellowed as a figure appeared in the doorway and could just be discerned in the near darkness:
"Mr Haddon Sir, someone is attacking the abattoir. Men in masks. We are under attack!"
.................to be continued.
The rain poured down through the trees and soaked the damp, dank ground benieth. The thick mist filled the open spaces in the wood as the sickly smell of rotting leaves hung around like death in a plague. The water ran down the walls of the ruined abbey and seeped down into fox holes and rabbit warrens. The girl ran through the dense foliage, her legs torn and ripped by brambles. She cried out with pain but struggled on as she stumbled through the driving rain. She heard a scream and then a dull, extended cry of pain. Then a gunshot rang out and she fell backwards into the endless night.
Sir Richard Henson sat in the armchair in the library of the Grange and gulped down another glass of brandy. The room was in darkness, apart from the log fire burning fiercely in the grate. The rain poured down like silver on the window and mirrored the tears pouring down Sir Richard's face. He thought of the long and wasted years, of the dullness of routine and the sad monotony of a life lived for others. Suddenly he threw his glass at the fire and the glass splintered in the grate.
Ben Chatham sat back in his chair in his office in the new Operation Delta HQ in Cambridge and stared coldly at the clergyman sitting in front of him. The office was modern and fresh, with an original painting of the standing stones of Callinish on one wall and a painting of some cornish cliffs on the other. There was a state of the art coffee mnachine, offering a range of twelve different coffee beans, and a brand new vinyl record player for when Ben needed to relax between meetings.
"I'm sorry, but I really don't see what I can do to help you, Reverend Ashton. We are an organisation that investigates paranormal or suspected alien activity. Nothing which you have just described really fits that remit. Indeed it seems to me that you'd be better off continuing to address your concerns to the police".
Reverand Maurice Ashton, a cold, sharp-faced man in his early fifties, glared angrily at Ben.
"Have you not listened to a word I've just said? Four of my parishoners have gone missing and all you can do is shrug and try to pass the buck? Look Mr Chatham, if I still had any faith that the police were taking this seriously I would hardly be sitting here talking to the head of some minor investigative quango. However they aren't and furthermore I'd say that the lights in the wood, the evil that lurks within it and the unsolved murders committed to conjure up whatever abomination stalks that place fully count as paranormal activity. Your father assured me that you would provide some assistance. Frankly your manner is disappointing."
Ben gave the Reverand Ashton a look of hurt and anguish, however he could see instantly that his target was not the sort of man whose heart could be melted by human beauty. A feeling of dread had been creeping over him since the Reverand had arrived and stated that he was a friend of Alastair Chatham, Ben's father. Ben knew that he was in the last chance saloon as far as his relationship with his father was concerned and he did not want to take any chances. Yet he had loathed this odious hard-faced clergyman from the moment he strode into the office. Ben sighed:
"I'm sorry Reverand Ashton, please forgive me, it's been a long day. I'll discuss this with my team immediately and we'll come down to Woolton Abbas as soon as is possible to investigate. This is a top priority case."
The Reverand stood up:
"Thankyou Mr Chatham. I'll inform your father that you ave agreed to help me. Myself and my wife Margaret had dinner with Alastair and Giselle only last week. In ordinary circumstances I would not of course take dinner with an unmarried couple however your father is a repentent sinner and has been most generous in his funding of the Church for many years".
Ben felt a pang of nausea at the mention of his father's relationship with his French mistress, Madame Giselle Camboux, however he took a sip of water from the glass on his desk and smiled:
"I'll do my best to help get to the bottom of all this."
After the Reverand Ashton had departed, Ben got up, strode to the record player and put on Mahler's Fifth Symphony. He sat down on the leather sofa at the side of the office and picked up his phone:
"Chiara, could you ask Katie Ryan to come to my office please, if she is still in the building".
A short time later, Chiara Smith, now acting as Ben's Cambridge Secretary, showed Katie Ryan into the office. Katie scowled at Chiara as she passed her and strode past Ben, perching herself on the corner of Ben's desk. She smiled sardonically:
"Ben you really took me by surprise getting a female secretary. Especially that boring little piece. I'd have thought that a lithe young man was more to your taste. There is hope for you yet."
Ben frowned:
"Katie this is a work environment. Also my relationship with Julian really feels like it is going somewhere. I have no intention of damaging it by mixing work with pleasure. I've turned a corner in my life."
Katie laughed:
"Oh come on Ben, I was only joking. I'm pleased that you're happy, especially after your disasterous marriage. I just feel that there's something not right about Julian. He's too good to be true isn't he? Come on Ben you must have had your doubts. I know you."
Ben stood up:
"Look Katie we've already had this conversation and I have no desire to repeat it. You're views on Julian are absurd and spiteful. I suggest you find a love interest yourself instead of worrying about mine."
Katie flicked her hair back and threw her head to one side:
"Ok, Ben but don't come crying to me when it all goes wrong again. That pompous little ponce is either after your money or playing some game and you Ben are wasting your life and heading for another crisis. But you won't listen to me so I'm saying no more on the subject. Why did you want to see me?"
Ben walked behind his desk and sat down:
"I thought that when we expanded the organisation and set up this new office in Cambridge that I'd have been stared dealing with the more mundane or pointless cases. My aim was to devolve all of the peripheral nonsense to London while I concentrate only on the major work. However it seems that the Reverand Ashton is a friend of my father's and therefore I am obliged to at least put on a show of investigating his bonkers theories."
What exactly are those theories? Katie asked.
"It seems that he believes that four of his parishoners, two couples, have gone missing near Monks Wood in Wiltshire. The same place that the little girl was found dismembered around ten years ago. You know, the case that was all over the papers... Lucy something."
Katie frowned:
"Lucy Grainger. Yeah I remember it. A big story because it was rumoured that she was killed in some satanic ritual . They never cought anyone did they?"
"No and it seems that the Reverand believes that not only satanists but ghostly monks and even the devil himself may reside in those woods. In other words he's a nutter and a religious fanatic. Not the kind of case that we should be involved in. However I have no choice as my father is a friend of his."
"Poor Ben. Let me have the file and I'll organise a team for tomorrow."
Katie smiled and flounced out of the office. Ben sat back in his chair and sighed.
............to be continued.
THE CURSE OF MONK'S WOOD: Part 2 The next morning Ben and Julian arrived at the Operation Delta office after having a continental breakfast at the Mermaid Wine Bar. Ben immediately went up to Katie's office, the door of which was ajar.
"Hi Katie, is everything set for the trip? Team in place?"
Katie stopped painting her nails and looked up sharply:
"Yes, I've told Kyle and Adam Wooten to be ready in half an hour. Team of four seems adequate for a small case like this. Especially since it probably won't amount to anything."
Ben looked puzzled:
"So are you not planning to come with us?"
"Er yes Ben, Team of four, you, me Adam and Kyle", Katie replied.
Ben frowned and paced up to Katie:
"No Katie. Julian will be coming with us. I think it best if you drop Adam from the team as well. I find him extremely attractive and Julian will pick up on that."
Katie flicked back her blonde hair and fixed Ben with an icy stare:
"You are really unbelievable sometimes. We are supposed to be a professional organisation yet here you are proposing to bring your male lover along who is not a member of the organisation and drop an experienced team member in case diddums gets jealous. Has he been CRB checked, given that we may encounter vulnerable adult witnesses?"
Ben was bemused:
"Oh get over yourself Katie. Since when did you care about CRB checks or any of that ? You are the least politically correct person I know and are just being awkward for the sake of it. Julian is coming and that's that."
Julian, who had been listening in the doorway, grinned and approached Ben, leaning on his shoulder:
"I think you should remember that Ben is in charge and you are merely an employee, as exchangeable as a lawnmower part."
Katie glared at him:
"In which case I am the blade. I'd remember that if I were you."
Later Ben, Katie, Kyle and Julian arrived in Woolton Abbas, the village near Monk's Wood. They drove to the Vicarage to meet with the Reverend Ashton, however as they approached, they saw Ashton having a violent altercation with another man. Ashton punched him in the face and started kicking him, as several women tried to intervene. Ben and Kyle jumped out of the car and went running over:
"Reverend Ashton stop this now. Look at yourself. You're a man of the cloth not a common street yob", Ben shouted.
Ashton glared at him:
"This man is a fraud and a disciple of Satan. He is corrupting the morals of my parishioners. Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."
The other man stood up:
"You all witnessed this idiot assault me. *turning to Ben* My name is Denholm Jopeson, psychic and white witch."
Ben frowned:
"I'm Ben Chatham and myself and my team are here to investigate the disappearances that have happened here. Before you offer, we have no need for any help from psychics and similar crackpots. However I can only apologise for the appalling behaviour of the Reverend Ashton here."
A woman stepped forward:
"Denholm is not a crackpot young man. I asked him here to help."
"And you are?" Ben asked.
"Lucinda Allcock. I keep the post office. One of the missing people is my sister Alison."
Katie Ryan stepped forward:
"We will probably need to interview you later. Is there a pub or a café near here as I could do with a drink?"
"Yes, there is the Green Man just round the corner."
"Good, then I suggest that we all go there now and discuss things in a calm and rational manner", Ben stated.
Later, in the pub, Ben, Julian and Katie were discussing the case with the Reverend Ashton while Kyle chatted to Denholm Jopeson and Lucinda on another table. Lucinda was explaining the chain of events:
"It was Wednesday morning when the doorbell went. It was Jason, the postman. He said that he'd just been round Alison and Rob's house to deliver a parcel but the door was open and the house was empty. Same with Lisa and Emily next door. All four have just vanished, leaving their front doors wide open."
Kyle sipped his beer:
"So what were they like? The missing people I mean."
"Well Alison and Rob are just an ordinary couple in their early thirties. They've had a difficult patch what with the IVF not working and Alison desperate to have a kid. But they're working through it. Lisa and Emily are just a quiet young couple. We were all surprised when they moved in here, you know them being lesbians and all that, but at least they keep themselves to themselves and don't flaunt it."
"Ere you don't sound very accepting like. Its that how others feel?" Kyle asked.
Lucinda frowned:
"Mr Scott, we are a Christian village. We are not London."
Kyle took another swig of beer:
"Yet you call in a white witch to help. Hardly very Christian if you ask me, no offence like."
Denholm Jopeson interceded:
"Mr Scott, there is no binary conflict between Christianity and a benign interest in magic. Dear me, you sound as ignorant as that bigoted old preacher of hellfire over there."
He shouted the last part of the sentence and the Reverend Ashton stood up:
"Satanist!" he screamed at Jopeson, holding up his gold cross.
Before Jopeson could respond, the landlord, George Morrison, banged a pint glass repeatedly on the bar and called for attention:
"Folks, I've just had the police on the phone. Three bodies have been found buried in the woods. Horribly mutilated."
Lucinda screamed and collapsed over the table sobbing. Ben gestured to Katie to comfort her then stood up:
"My name is Ben Chatham and I head the organisation that is investigating this matter alongside the police. If anyone has any information ........"
Ben's words were cut short by a scream from the kitchen behind the bar area. Ben rushed through with Morrison to see Morrison's wife Glenda sobbing, shaking and staring out of the window. Looking out of the kitchen window Ben saw the wall of the adjacent pub meeting room, illuminated by an outside light. On the whitewashed wall, painted in what looked like blood, was the image of a raven with a spike through its side........
...............to be continued.
Ok, here is part three of this sinister Halloween adventure:
THE CURSE OF MONK'S WOOD: Part 3
A short time later, Ben and his team, along with a crowd of locals, were in Monk's Wood chatting to the police. The area where the three bodies were found was cordoned off and the site was lit by police floodlighting. Ben was ushered to one side by the officer in charge, Detective Inspector Jones:
"Ok Mr Chatham, here are the basics. The three bodies we have found have been shot, that much is obvious. All have serious shotgun wounds. Obviously forensics will need to confirm this but I think we can jump the gun. According to PC Cole, who knows the village well, they are Bob Gannon and his wife Doris, along with Jenny Smith. All worked at the local abattoir and the Gannons owned the business. There is still one missing person, Smith's boyfriend Jake Dearing. My bet is that he killed them all in some kind of jealous rage, but this is pure speculation at this stage."
Ben frowned:
"Thank you Inspector Jones. I assure you that the information you have given me will remain confidential. Myself and my organisation are purely here to help the Reverend Ashton. He believed that you were not taking the disappearances seriously. He also spoke about lights in the wood and abominations being conjured up. Personally I believe him to be a religious crackpot and I don't see this as an Operation Delta case, however he is a friend of my father's."
Inspector Jones laughed and put his arm on Ben's shoulder:
"You are dead right there. He drives us all up the wall with his nonsense about Satanists in Monk's Wood and so forth. The man is a nuisance, however I assure you that we will do everything in our power to catch the person responsible for these deaths, who I'm sure will be Jake Dearing."
Ben left the Inspector with a smile and walked over to where Katie and Kyle were chatting with the Reverend Ashton and Lucinda Allcock:
"I'm really not convinced that there is much to investigate here. The Inspector believes that the three victims were shot by the man still missing, a Jake Dearing. Some kind of domestic. Clearly a police matter and nothing to do with us."
The Reverend Ashton interjected:
"Nonsense. I know Jake Dearing and he wouldn't hurt a fly. Harmless young man and a bit simple, backward. Worked at the abattoir with the others. I tell you this is the work of the devil. The police are in on it. There are dark forces in these woods and they are being conjured up by the purveyors of filth and sacrilege. "
Ben sighed:
"Reverend Ashton, just listen to yourself. Seriously. You sound like someone who is not fully rational. What do you mean by 'dark forces'?"
The Reverend Ashton gripped Ben by the shoulders and recounted a strange, chilling tale.:
"During the middle ages, these woods were part of the grounds of Woolton Abbey, one of the largest Benedictine Abbeys in the country. It was rich with gold objects and expensive books. It is said that Saint Thomas Becket visited the Abbey frequently and gifted it a piece of Christ's cross, one of the most sacred relics in Christendom. However by the time of King Henry VIII, dark forces had taken hold in the Abbey. The monks had turned to pagan beliefs and had burned the holy relic on a huge bonfire. They practiced sodomy and withheld taxes from the king. So Henry VIII's men came to dissolve the Abbey in 1538. They drove the monks out of the Abbey and into the woods, where they massacred them with swords and knives. It is said that the Abbot, just before he died, put a curse on the woods and on anyone who bought the former Abbey or its grounds. It is also said that the ghosts of the monks haunt these woods searching for vengeance."
Katie Ryan laughed sardonically:
"What a load of old nonsense. You mean to say that you believe this crap? Good grief."
Ben cut in:
"Katie please . Reverend, who does now own the former Abbey?"
"The Abbey site is where the Grange now stands, owned by Sir Richard Henson, owner of Hensons, the brewery and distillery firm. Not a lucky family I'm afraid. Both of Sir Richard's parents burned to death in the garage of the house in an unexplained fire. He himself lives up there on his own. Can't say I like or trust the man. He never attends church . Typical irreligious, modern business type."
Ben frowned:
"Ok team. We'll pay this Sir Richard a visit but then, if nothing else surfaces, I say we abandon this case. Sorry reverend but it is a police matter."
As Ben spoke, Inspector Jones came running up:
"I'm sorry Mr Chatham but before you leave there is something you should know. According to the police pathologist, who has just arrived, the three bodies have had their hearts cut out."
The Reverend Ashton stared at Ben:
"The work of the devil. Those hearts have been burned in a cauldron of charcoal, a well known ritual of the black mass."
Later, Ben, Julian, Katie and Kyle were sitting in the drawing room of the Grange, enjoying a glass of fine whisky as the log fire burned in the large fireplace. Sir Richard Henson, a weathered looking man in his late fifties, stared sadly at them:
"Yes I'm sorry to hear about the murders in the woods. This is an unlucky place it really is. But I could never ever leave it. What would be the point?"
Ben sipped the whisky:
"Mr Henson, your single malt is absolutely superb."
"Thank you young man. I tend to do very little with the business these days. I've delegated to others. I just reached a point where I couldn't face going into work anymore. My life is a hollow, empty existence. I feel completely alone, even when in a room full of people."
Julian put his arm around Ben:
"Ben used to feel like that until he met me."
Ben looked embarrassed:
"Julian, please......"
Henson smiled sadly:
"Oh I can see how you would brighten up a chap's life. Sadly I am too old now for love."
Katie knocked back her whisky and stared at Henson:
"Well yes, you're right there you old fruit. Pull yourself together, you have a successful business and lots of money. Now tell us if you know anything about these deaths and if you've seen or heard of any Satanists gathering in the woods."
Henson rose up angrily:
"How dare you use that tone with me, young lady. And in my own home as well...."
Ben interjected:
"I apologise for my colleague Sir Richard *angrily staring at Katie*. But please tell us if you know anything. The police think that the murders were committed by a chap called Jake Dearing".
Sir Richard became suddenly very agitated and emotional. He started to shout hysterically:
"Nonsense , nonsense. He would never hurt anyone. Get out of my house, all of you. Get out, liars, liars......"
Shortly they were all walking back through the woods towards the village.
"Ere that were dead weird behaviour but I don't see him as a killer", Kyle remarked.
"Yeah, stupid old fruit probably fancied this Dearing character", Katie added.
Suddenly they heard the sound of strange chanting noises coming from some distance away. Then a slow, moaning sound.
"What the hell is that?" Katie exclaimed.
As she spoke the moaning sound got louder and they saw a large figure walking towards them from the trees. It had horns, red glowing eyes and a face that resembled the devil......."
..........to be continued.
"THE CURSE OF MONK'S WOOD": PART 4
They stared at the satanic figure as it strode through the trees towards them, its red eyes glowing. Julian grabbed Ben's arm:
"I think this is the point where you shout run," he said softly. Kyle frowned:
"Ere, that's just a fella dressed up. Let 'im get a bit closer and I'll lamp 'im one".
The creature strode closer and approached a young ash tree that was in its way. It knocked down the tree with a karate-like chop of the hand and breathed fire at it.
"Ere, on second thoughts Ben, maybe Julian 'ad the right advice", Kyle exclaimed.
"RUN", ben shouted.
Later, the team were sat in the Green Man pub with the Reverend Ashton.
"You saw the devil himself walking the earth. We are all damned unless we strike it down and all of its disciples with the fiery sword of truth. Smite out its eyes ...." the Reverend Ashton ranted. Ben sipped his brandy:
"Please calm yourself Reverend. Whatever that creature was, it is unlikely to have been the devil. I have encountered much alien life as part of my work and I find that reason rather than blind faith is the best option."
As Ben spoke, Denholm Jopeson walked in, accompanied by Lucinda Allcock from the post office and Detective Inspector Jones. Ashton stood up and pointed at Jopeson:
"Get this disciple of Satan out of here. This blaspheming liar is responsible for all of this. He's conjured up the devil!"
Ben pulled Ashton back down into his seat:
"Try to calm down. You are showing all the signs of religious mania. This is highly negative and is embarrassing frankly."
Julian smiled at Ben:
"Well said Ben. The man is a joke and very tiresome. I may use him as a basis for a character in the novel I am thinking of writing."
Katie laughed:
"You write a novel? Oh come off it. You student types haven't got the work ethic to actually write anything like a novel."
Julian glared at her:
"I have already written two novels while studying for my degree. I have the time as I don't have to work due to my impeccable breeding and extremely wealthy parents."
Ben smiled:
"You have to understand Katie that quality gravitates naturally towards quality".
Meanwhile Denholm Jopeson had walked towards them:
"Can I give you people a piece of advice. Stay out of Monk's Wood. There are restless spirits in there from the time of the Reformation. A grave injustice was done to them and they cannot pass over to the other side. They seek vengeance and justice."
"Satanist", shouted Ashton. Katie glared at Jopeson:
"Look Jopeson, you are as batty as this idiot Ashton here. Both of you talk nothing but religious nonsense. We have no time for this."
Jopeson looked hurt:
"My dear, there are forces of which you know nothing. Please do not close your mind to the energies of the earth and the ancient power of the old gods and the unseen."
"Bollocks", Katie exclaimed, flicking back her golden hair and sipping her dry martini.
Ben interjected:
"Look, I think we need to check out this abattoir where the three dead people worked. Lets get to it."
A short time later Ben drove up to the abattoir gates. They got out of the car and approached the security guard on the entrance:
"Hi, I'm Ben Chatham of Operation Delta. Here is my I.D card. We are here to investigate the recent deaths."
The security guard was young, dark haired and had high cheek bones. He felt immediately attracted to Ben and let the team in without question. They walked into the building and asked at reception to see the manager. They could hear the sound of frightened animals and mechanical saws in the distance. There was a strong smell of offal and faeces. They were led upstairs towards a large office, where an obese man sat behind a desk, smoking a cigar.
"Should you really be smoking inside this building?" Julian asked the man. He looked up bemused.
"I'm the boss and I can do as I like. Who the bloody hell are you?" He spoke with a Yorkshire accent. Ben stood forward:
"I'm Ben Chatham of Operation Delta and these are some of my team. We are here to investigate the recent murders of three of your staff. The man huffed:
"I'm Jim Haddon the manager. You're not the bloody police so who let you in?"
"One of the security guards, the good looking one", Ben stated. Haddon frowned:
"You sound like a bloody poof. I don't know anything and neither do my staff. We run a legitimate business here and our meat goes all over Europe. Now piss off, I've got work to do."
Julian sat on the edge of Haddon's desk:
"You really are a rude, fat and horribly crude little man aren't you", he stated. Haddon puffed his cigar:
"And you're a poof, now piss off."
Ben got up to leave:
"You can rest assured that I will be reporting your homophobic comments as a hate crime....." he stated but as he spoke the lights went out.
"What the bloody hell, get these ****ing lights back on.." Haddon bellowed as a figure appeared in the doorway and could just be discerned in the near darkness:
"Mr Haddon Sir, someone is attacking the abattoir. Men in masks. We are under attack!"
.................to be continued.
Tuesday, 18 September 2018
The Ben Chatham Christmas 2017 Special: 'DARK SACRIFICE'
"DARK SACRIFICE"
Ben gazed down at the rows of pupils as they cheered and clapped him with enthusiasm. He picked up his lecture notes and put them into his leather briefcase and held up his hand. The pupils politely stopped clapping. Ben smiled elegantly:
"Thank you very much. Your show of apprecitiation really does express more than words can the superiority of the private school system over the state sector. Had I been delivering this lecture to an audience of state school flotsam and jetsam, they would have been on their phones, talking over me and guffawing after a couple of minutes. I thank you again and thank your school for inviting me to address you.Merry Christmas all of you"
The pupils cheered again as Ben stepped down from the platform. He had accepted the offer to deliver a lecture on archaeological dating techniques to Grandford School for Boys partly as a means of avoiding having to travel down to Wiltshire to see his parents over Christmas. It was Christmas Eve and the school had put on a special program of lectures to occupy the minds of those boarders whose parents were wealthy enough to bung the school an extra wad of cash to keep their boys at school over Christmas and out of their hair. Ben found this rather strange however he admired the school's emphasis on learning as opposed to trivial entertainment pursuits. The headmaster, Mr Metcalfe, approached Ben:
"That was delightful. Truely splendid. Can I offer you a glass of sherry back in my office before you leave us?"
Ben was looking forward to the short drive back to Cambridge and the quiet, romantic Christmas for two which he had planned. However he thought he'd better humour the head, given the size of the fee he was demanding.
A short time later, Ben was sitting in Mr Metcalfe's study enjoying a glass of fine sherry and chatting about Viking artefacts. He admired the oak pannelled room with its extensive book collection and log fire.
"You know I really like your school. It is completely devoid of the kind of course, functional modernism which pervades most educational establishments these days."
Two sixth formers, Stephen and Charles, served them their sherry and offered them cakes. Mr Metcalfe smiled:
"Here at Grandford we pride ourselves on our rejection of the vulgar, the commonplace and the modern. Our boys are schooled to be special, to be an elite. I realise that these values may seem antiquarian to you Mr Chatham, however nonetheless they are my values".
Metcalfe stared up at a painting of an old man on the wall:
"That is a painting of my great grandfather, Josiah Metcalfe. He founded this school with the aim of maintaining the traditional values he saw being eroded away from our society by the vulgarity of popular culture and relativism".
Ben stood up:
"Mr Metcalfe it has been a delight to meet you and I admire your school and its ethos very much. However I must be going".
Metcalfe smiled:
"Oh come now Mr Chatham. Please sit down and have another glass of sherry. I want to offer you a permanent position at this school as a master. I believe that you have the kind of values that we are looking for. My research suggested this. In a year you could be a housemaster."
Ben frowned:
"Please don't be offended Mr Metcalfe however I don't want to be a teacher. It's a loser's job and I generally despise children, although your boys are polite. I hope you understand".
Metcalfe shook his head sadly:
"Oh dear what a pity. You are such an attractive young man. However you can still serve the school on another way".
Metcalfe gestured to Stephen and Charles who grabbed Ben and frogmarched him out of the study.
"Hey take your hands off me, what the hell are you doing", Ben shouted angrily. Stephen smiled sadly:
"Please don't make a fuss sir. We enjoyed your lecture and Charles and I have a bit of a crush on you. However by refusing the job you have chosen to become this year's Yuletide sacrifice."
"What the hell do you mean, sacrifice? Are you two on drugs?" Ben yelled back.
"We do not take drugs here at Grandford. We are a traditional school and we need to ensure that our school continues to prosper and achieve strong success rates. It is our custom to offer up a Yuletide sacrifice every year to empower the gods to bring us that success and ensure that all Grandford alumni find good jobs after leaving."
Ben pulled himself free of them and ran down the oak pannelled corridor. However as he turned a corner he was confronted by a large, menacing dog which growled exposing vicious teeth.
"Good work Aloysious", Stephen said to the dog, before whacking Ben over the head with a copy of the complete works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
"Hope that didn't hurt too much sir", he commented in a tone of genuine affection.
When Ben woke he was outside in the school grounds tied to the trunk of the huge Christmas tree that the school had exclusively purchased from a Norwegian supplier. He saw that the boys were all dressed up as vikings and the masters also. Mr Metcalfe stepped forward:
"Try not to panic Mr Chatham. It will all be over very quickly. The sixth formers from the shooting club are all very good shots and have practiced the art of the clean kill. We are gifting you a great honour. You are following in the footsteps of Odin when he hung upside down from the tree of life in order to gain the runes. You will be in Valhalla tonight."
Ben was concerned:
"You're all raving mad. I suppose it is too late to accept the teaching post instead".
"I'm afraid so Mr Chatham", Metcalfe responded.
"Then please grant me one final request. You are a civilised English school after all. I would like a fox's glacier mint before you shoot me. There is a packet in my leather briefcase unopened."
Metcalfe gestured to a fifth former to fetch the briefcase. The boy soon returned and Metcalfe took out the packet of mints:
"Ok Benjamin, I hope you don't mind me calling you Benjamin. I will open the mints and
Charles here will put it into your mouth."
Metcalfe opened the packet of mints and a strange, blue vapour came out of the packet and enveloped all of the masters and boys. They fell to the floor in a strange stupor and rolled around in a psychedelic state. All except one small fourth former who seemed to have a bad cold and kept coughing and spluttering.
"Hey you boy, what's your name?" Ben shouted.
"Jeremy sir"
"Well Jeremy the gods have clearly spoken and they want you to untie me now".
Jeremy meekly untied Ben , coughing as he did so. Ben grinned:
"Clearly your blocked nose has saved you from the effects of the gas. It was a good idea of mine to keep a fake packet of mints in my briefcase for just such an occasion as this. However I have a real packet here in my pocket. Would you like one?"
"Yes please sir".
Ben handed Jeremy a Fox's Glacier Mint and had one himself. He felt the world
undulate around him and saw strange colours pulsating in his mind. He then phoned the police.
"Jeremy I think you may be the only one left on this school shortly. I therefore name you the new headmaster".
"Thank you sir. Any chance of another mint?"
THE END
Ben gazed down at the rows of pupils as they cheered and clapped him with enthusiasm. He picked up his lecture notes and put them into his leather briefcase and held up his hand. The pupils politely stopped clapping. Ben smiled elegantly:
"Thank you very much. Your show of apprecitiation really does express more than words can the superiority of the private school system over the state sector. Had I been delivering this lecture to an audience of state school flotsam and jetsam, they would have been on their phones, talking over me and guffawing after a couple of minutes. I thank you again and thank your school for inviting me to address you.Merry Christmas all of you"
The pupils cheered again as Ben stepped down from the platform. He had accepted the offer to deliver a lecture on archaeological dating techniques to Grandford School for Boys partly as a means of avoiding having to travel down to Wiltshire to see his parents over Christmas. It was Christmas Eve and the school had put on a special program of lectures to occupy the minds of those boarders whose parents were wealthy enough to bung the school an extra wad of cash to keep their boys at school over Christmas and out of their hair. Ben found this rather strange however he admired the school's emphasis on learning as opposed to trivial entertainment pursuits. The headmaster, Mr Metcalfe, approached Ben:
"That was delightful. Truely splendid. Can I offer you a glass of sherry back in my office before you leave us?"
Ben was looking forward to the short drive back to Cambridge and the quiet, romantic Christmas for two which he had planned. However he thought he'd better humour the head, given the size of the fee he was demanding.
A short time later, Ben was sitting in Mr Metcalfe's study enjoying a glass of fine sherry and chatting about Viking artefacts. He admired the oak pannelled room with its extensive book collection and log fire.
"You know I really like your school. It is completely devoid of the kind of course, functional modernism which pervades most educational establishments these days."
Two sixth formers, Stephen and Charles, served them their sherry and offered them cakes. Mr Metcalfe smiled:
"Here at Grandford we pride ourselves on our rejection of the vulgar, the commonplace and the modern. Our boys are schooled to be special, to be an elite. I realise that these values may seem antiquarian to you Mr Chatham, however nonetheless they are my values".
Metcalfe stared up at a painting of an old man on the wall:
"That is a painting of my great grandfather, Josiah Metcalfe. He founded this school with the aim of maintaining the traditional values he saw being eroded away from our society by the vulgarity of popular culture and relativism".
Ben stood up:
"Mr Metcalfe it has been a delight to meet you and I admire your school and its ethos very much. However I must be going".
Metcalfe smiled:
"Oh come now Mr Chatham. Please sit down and have another glass of sherry. I want to offer you a permanent position at this school as a master. I believe that you have the kind of values that we are looking for. My research suggested this. In a year you could be a housemaster."
Ben frowned:
"Please don't be offended Mr Metcalfe however I don't want to be a teacher. It's a loser's job and I generally despise children, although your boys are polite. I hope you understand".
Metcalfe shook his head sadly:
"Oh dear what a pity. You are such an attractive young man. However you can still serve the school on another way".
Metcalfe gestured to Stephen and Charles who grabbed Ben and frogmarched him out of the study.
"Hey take your hands off me, what the hell are you doing", Ben shouted angrily. Stephen smiled sadly:
"Please don't make a fuss sir. We enjoyed your lecture and Charles and I have a bit of a crush on you. However by refusing the job you have chosen to become this year's Yuletide sacrifice."
"What the hell do you mean, sacrifice? Are you two on drugs?" Ben yelled back.
"We do not take drugs here at Grandford. We are a traditional school and we need to ensure that our school continues to prosper and achieve strong success rates. It is our custom to offer up a Yuletide sacrifice every year to empower the gods to bring us that success and ensure that all Grandford alumni find good jobs after leaving."
Ben pulled himself free of them and ran down the oak pannelled corridor. However as he turned a corner he was confronted by a large, menacing dog which growled exposing vicious teeth.
"Good work Aloysious", Stephen said to the dog, before whacking Ben over the head with a copy of the complete works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
"Hope that didn't hurt too much sir", he commented in a tone of genuine affection.
When Ben woke he was outside in the school grounds tied to the trunk of the huge Christmas tree that the school had exclusively purchased from a Norwegian supplier. He saw that the boys were all dressed up as vikings and the masters also. Mr Metcalfe stepped forward:
"Try not to panic Mr Chatham. It will all be over very quickly. The sixth formers from the shooting club are all very good shots and have practiced the art of the clean kill. We are gifting you a great honour. You are following in the footsteps of Odin when he hung upside down from the tree of life in order to gain the runes. You will be in Valhalla tonight."
Ben was concerned:
"You're all raving mad. I suppose it is too late to accept the teaching post instead".
"I'm afraid so Mr Chatham", Metcalfe responded.
"Then please grant me one final request. You are a civilised English school after all. I would like a fox's glacier mint before you shoot me. There is a packet in my leather briefcase unopened."
Metcalfe gestured to a fifth former to fetch the briefcase. The boy soon returned and Metcalfe took out the packet of mints:
"Ok Benjamin, I hope you don't mind me calling you Benjamin. I will open the mints and
Charles here will put it into your mouth."
Metcalfe opened the packet of mints and a strange, blue vapour came out of the packet and enveloped all of the masters and boys. They fell to the floor in a strange stupor and rolled around in a psychedelic state. All except one small fourth former who seemed to have a bad cold and kept coughing and spluttering.
"Hey you boy, what's your name?" Ben shouted.
"Jeremy sir"
"Well Jeremy the gods have clearly spoken and they want you to untie me now".
Jeremy meekly untied Ben , coughing as he did so. Ben grinned:
"Clearly your blocked nose has saved you from the effects of the gas. It was a good idea of mine to keep a fake packet of mints in my briefcase for just such an occasion as this. However I have a real packet here in my pocket. Would you like one?"
"Yes please sir".
Ben handed Jeremy a Fox's Glacier Mint and had one himself. He felt the world
undulate around him and saw strange colours pulsating in his mind. He then phoned the police.
"Jeremy I think you may be the only one left on this school shortly. I therefore name you the new headmaster".
"Thank you sir. Any chance of another mint?"
THE END
Sunday, 22 October 2017
The Ben Chatham Halloween 2017 Special: "A GHOST FOR EMILY"
Ok people, here is the 2017 Ben Chatham Halloween story:
[B]"A Ghost For Emily" Part One[/B]
Ben laughed uncontrollably as the cool autumn air blew through his golden hair. He was driving at speed through the narrow country lanes with Julian by his side. The sky was blue, the sun was blazing down and Ben was happy.
"This will be our first proper break together Julian, away from Operation Delta and anyone associated with work. God I need it."
Julian smiled and stroked Ben's leg:
"You work too hard Ben. You have a team so let them deal with the hassle. "
Ben reached down to the stereo and turned up the music, which was David Bowie's 'The Next Day' CD. It was two months since he had belatedly found out about Bowie's death and he had been devastated by the news. However Julian had helped him through the pain by being close and making him nutri-bullets. Ben laughed again as the car sped on towards the isolated cottage that they had rented for the Halloween week:
"Hopefully we will see no one else for the whole week. I've had all of our food exclusively delivered by Feltham & Porter, the finest delicatessen I know, and the owner of the cottage has ensured me that we won't be disturbed. I need to be away from people", Ben stated emphatically. Julian smiled and replied:
"It is dreadful how the more people are around you the more lonely you can feel. They intrude on your life with their petty demands, their pointless concerns and their incessant talking about trivial things. And that is the relatively well educated ones."
Ben gave Julian a hug:
"We are saving each other from mediocrity Julian".
They laughed.
The car sped round a corner and into the driveway of a large six bedroom 17th century cottage called 'Courtsworth Cottage" Ben slammed on the brakes and the car skidded to a halt on the gravel. knocking over several plant pots. Ben laughed:
"I've always wanted to do that. If anyone complains about the damaged pots I'll just toss them a wad of notes. I feel like being free and irresponsible for once."
They leapt of the car and up to the door, Ben opening it with the keys that he had been sent. The cottage was clean but cold, however there was a large fireplace with plenty of logs. Going into the kitchen they found it well stocked with food, six bottles of wine , exclusive Welsh gin and a bottle of imported Slovenian absinthe.
Later when the fire was roaring and darkness had fallen outside, Ben and Julian lay on the soft rug by the fireplace feeding each other strawberries and sipping white wine.
"Do you think you will stay running Operation Delta forever Ben?" Julian asked.
"I don't think so. I'm tired of the same old routine and same old people. But they need me to function and......"
Ben was interrupted by the sound of movement upstairs.
"What the hell was that?" he exclaimed.
"Didn't the owner expressly state that we would be the only tenants in the cottage?" Julian replied.
"Yes. If they've let one of the rooms to someone else they have broken the agreement and I will raise hell".
Ben got up to go upstairs as the wind howled outside. They heard more creaking floorboards from upstairs.
"I don't like this Ben. I've gone cold suddenly" Julian exclaimed.
"It's okay Julian. We'll go up together."
Slowly they ascended the stairs until they came to the landing. As they did so a young girl of about 12 years old came out of one of the rooms:
"Did mummy send you? I'm frightened" the girl exclaimed, tears flowing down her face. Ben was bemused:
"No, your mother did not send us. Why are you staying in this cottage? Where are the adults, I want a word with them?"
"Mummy and Daddy have gone away. They said they'd send someone but it has been days. I'm frightened. Don't like it here. I've seen things."
Ben frowned:
"It is a damned disgrace that your parents have left you alone here. Are you from an estate? And didn't the owner of the cottage see you when he sorted out our food delivery? What it your name?"
The girl was sobbing now:
"I'm Emily ....don't understand.... frightened of this place. Not alone here......"
Julian went up to the girl:
"It will be all right we will sort this out. What do you mean though that we are not alone here?
"The ghosts. The ghosts come at night....."
Suddenly the lights went out and the house was in darkness...........
..............to be continued.
OK folks, here is part 2 of this spooky Halloween tale:
[B]"A Ghost For Emily" Part 2[/B]
The house was plunged into darkness and Ben could hear Emily screaming with fear. Suddenly there was another voice, a male voice, deep and animalistic:
"We will be avenged... we have come...."
Ben grabbed hold of Julian:
"It's ok Julian, lets get downstairs slowly, the front room should still have some light from the fire".
Julian was shaking:
"What was that voice?" he said in a panicked state.
"Try not to think about it. Come on, one step at a time."
They slowly descended the stairs in total darkness. Suddenly Ben thought he felt an icy hand sweep across his face and he lost his footing sending himself and Julian tumbling down the stairs. They both stumbled to their feet, bruised and in pain. However as they did so the lights flickered back on.
"Ahh, I think I've twisted my ankle. I can hardly walk", Julian shouted.
"Come on, I'll help you to the sofa and then we'll crack open a bottle of red wine. That will dull the pain a little. " Ben replied.
"I'd rather you just drove me home Ben. I'm not staying in this house. There is something from beyond the grave here" Julian shouted as Ben helped him to the sofa.
"Ok Julian, I'll get the car ready and we can leave if you want. However if this house really is haunted and we can evidence that fact by recording phenomena on our phones then at the very least there could be a bestselling book in this. There is a very large market for true life ghost stories".
Julian looked up and his expression changed into a grin:
"Oh well if you put it like that. Of course I'm filthy rich already but I wouldn't say no to more. You were saying something about cracking open the wine?"
Ben laughed, kissed Julian and then went to fetch the wine from the kitchen. As he returned with the bottle and two glasses, Julian flicked back his hair languidly:
"I was just thinking, shouldn't we check that the girl is all right?"
Ben frowned:
"Oh god, I'd forgotten her. You stay here, I'll go and bring her down. I'm really annoyed about this. Some irresponsible people have left their child here alone and unless they come back for her it could ruin out first night here."
Slowly Ben ascended the stairs again. He had taken the precaution of lighting a candle from one of the kitchen cupboards in case the lights went out again.
"Emily, come here. It's ok, it is only me, Ben. Come on, I need to find out about your parents so we can get rid of you and have the place to ourselves."
Ben searched the first few rooms however there was nothing. Then he heard the faint sound of a girl or woman whimpering.
"Emily, come on, it's ok. Don't cry, come out and we'll sort all of this out".
Emily didn't appear however the crying got louder and it was coming from the furthest room down the landing. Ben suddenly felt very cold, chilled to the bone and there was a strange smell, like that of rotten fish. He reached the furthest room then turned the door handle. As he looked into the room he was horrified to see a woman standing before him with empty eye sockets save for gouging wounds. Her skin was grey and putrefied and she lunged towards Ben who ran down the corridor, clutching the candle. Ben bolted downstairs to find Julian sitting by the fire playing draughts with Emily:
"There was this thing... upstairs.. with no eyes."
Julian looked up and grinned:
"I suppose you've no eye-dea what it was".
They laughed and Ben slumped down on the sofa:
"You know we'll have to go up there with our phone cameras on the ready as soon as your foot it a bit better. *To Emily* All that hassle just looking for you and you were down her badgering Julian to play draughts with you."
Emily looked up:
"I'm winning. Julian is rubbish."
Ben stuck his tongue out at her:
"I don't care. What I want to know is why your parents left you here on your own. Then I'm going to phone the police. Unless you call your parents sharpish on your phone and tell them to come and get you immediately. "
Emily went on playing draughts:
"I don't know what you mean. I'm happy playing games with you. I have a chess set as well. I like Julian, he's nicer than you are."
Ben sighed:
"Yes well I like Julian as well and three's a crowd, especially if the third person happens to be a rude child."
As Ben spoke there was a strange tapping on the front window.
"What the hell was that?" Julian exclaimed. The tapping came again.
"Sounds like someone knocking. Why don't they use the door?" Ben angrily stated, getting up and going to the window.
"Don't go, it's them" Emily shouted.
"What do you mean...them?" Ben asked.
"Them. The ghosts" Emily replied.
Ben went to the window and pulled back the curtain. To his horror he saw a figure standing before him with half of its face eaten away by maggots leaving the skull showing........
.............. to be continued.
OK folks it's HALLOWEEN. As the witching hour approaches, here is the chilling final part of this classic Ben Chatham adventure:
[B]"A Ghost For Emily" Part 3[/B]
Ben pulled the curtain back over the window and turned to the others:
"Something is not right here. It is completely irrational to accept that ghosts and zombies could possibly exist. Yet this is what my senses are telling me. I do not like the fact that the irrational is encroaching on my empirical approach to these cases."
Julian gazed at Ben sympathetically:
"I understand Ben. Come and have a glass of wine."
Ben sat down next to Julian who hugged Ben and handed him the wine. Emily stared at them:
"Can I have a glass of wine too?"
Julian laughed:
"No. This is extremely expensive wine because I am an extremely rich Cambridge student and I have the best of taste. We do not have any bottles of cheap plonk suitable for letting children have a swig."
Emily pulled a face at him and he and Ben laughed. Ben sipped his wine:
"Look I really think we need to leave. Let's take Emily to the nearest police station and then go and book into a nice hotel."
As he spoke there was a scream from upstairs. Ben and Julian stared at each other.
"We'd better take a look I suppose", Ben stated.
He slowly ascended the stairs, followed by Julian, and as they got to the landing they saw a flickering light coming from one of the bedrooms. They nervously walked along the landing towards the bedroom door, which was ajar, and pushed it open. To their horror they saw a woman in 1920s clothes sprawled across the bed with her eyes gouged out. On the bed next to her was a blood-soaked screwdriver.
"Oh my God! "Julian exclaimed. They ran out of the room but as they ran back across the landing, Emily appeared at the top of the stairs and in her hands was a blood soaked axe. There was a strange, unnatural grin on her face.
"What the hell are you doing with that?" Ben shouted at her. Emily laughed:
"Ha, ha, fooled you. You two are so silly. You thought that they were the only ghosts in this house. Don't you see? This is my house. I hated my mummy and daddy. All they cared about was their stupid rows. So I killed them both. I gouged mummy's eyes out with a screwdriver, it was so funny the squelching noises that it made. They put me in a madhouse so I hanged myself so that I could come back here and haunt it forever. Please let me kill you now, it will be fun."
Ben and Julian gazed at her in horror:
"You vicious little tatar", Julian exclaimed.
"What a vile, nastly little girl you must have been" Ben shouted.
Emily raised the axe and took a swing, just missing Ben and Julian who ran up the landing and into the far bedroom. They ran to the window and pushed it open. It was a 20ft drop to the ground put they could hear the ghostly footsteps of Emily approaching:
"We'll have to jump. Better a broken ankle than being killed by that spectral abomination", Ben shouted. He and Julian stood on the window ledge and then they jumped.......................
Slowly Ben awoke. He was lying on the grass outside of the cottage. It was a cold, autumn morning and he felt cold and bruised. The sun was shining brightly in the clear, blue sky. Nearby Julian was also waking up, cold and moaning. Surrounding them on the grass were six empty wine bottles, an empty bottle of welsh gin and an empty bottle of Slovenian absinthe.........
THE END
HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO ALL MY READERS!
[B]"A Ghost For Emily" Part One[/B]
Ben laughed uncontrollably as the cool autumn air blew through his golden hair. He was driving at speed through the narrow country lanes with Julian by his side. The sky was blue, the sun was blazing down and Ben was happy.
"This will be our first proper break together Julian, away from Operation Delta and anyone associated with work. God I need it."
Julian smiled and stroked Ben's leg:
"You work too hard Ben. You have a team so let them deal with the hassle. "
Ben reached down to the stereo and turned up the music, which was David Bowie's 'The Next Day' CD. It was two months since he had belatedly found out about Bowie's death and he had been devastated by the news. However Julian had helped him through the pain by being close and making him nutri-bullets. Ben laughed again as the car sped on towards the isolated cottage that they had rented for the Halloween week:
"Hopefully we will see no one else for the whole week. I've had all of our food exclusively delivered by Feltham & Porter, the finest delicatessen I know, and the owner of the cottage has ensured me that we won't be disturbed. I need to be away from people", Ben stated emphatically. Julian smiled and replied:
"It is dreadful how the more people are around you the more lonely you can feel. They intrude on your life with their petty demands, their pointless concerns and their incessant talking about trivial things. And that is the relatively well educated ones."
Ben gave Julian a hug:
"We are saving each other from mediocrity Julian".
They laughed.
The car sped round a corner and into the driveway of a large six bedroom 17th century cottage called 'Courtsworth Cottage" Ben slammed on the brakes and the car skidded to a halt on the gravel. knocking over several plant pots. Ben laughed:
"I've always wanted to do that. If anyone complains about the damaged pots I'll just toss them a wad of notes. I feel like being free and irresponsible for once."
They leapt of the car and up to the door, Ben opening it with the keys that he had been sent. The cottage was clean but cold, however there was a large fireplace with plenty of logs. Going into the kitchen they found it well stocked with food, six bottles of wine , exclusive Welsh gin and a bottle of imported Slovenian absinthe.
Later when the fire was roaring and darkness had fallen outside, Ben and Julian lay on the soft rug by the fireplace feeding each other strawberries and sipping white wine.
"Do you think you will stay running Operation Delta forever Ben?" Julian asked.
"I don't think so. I'm tired of the same old routine and same old people. But they need me to function and......"
Ben was interrupted by the sound of movement upstairs.
"What the hell was that?" he exclaimed.
"Didn't the owner expressly state that we would be the only tenants in the cottage?" Julian replied.
"Yes. If they've let one of the rooms to someone else they have broken the agreement and I will raise hell".
Ben got up to go upstairs as the wind howled outside. They heard more creaking floorboards from upstairs.
"I don't like this Ben. I've gone cold suddenly" Julian exclaimed.
"It's okay Julian. We'll go up together."
Slowly they ascended the stairs until they came to the landing. As they did so a young girl of about 12 years old came out of one of the rooms:
"Did mummy send you? I'm frightened" the girl exclaimed, tears flowing down her face. Ben was bemused:
"No, your mother did not send us. Why are you staying in this cottage? Where are the adults, I want a word with them?"
"Mummy and Daddy have gone away. They said they'd send someone but it has been days. I'm frightened. Don't like it here. I've seen things."
Ben frowned:
"It is a damned disgrace that your parents have left you alone here. Are you from an estate? And didn't the owner of the cottage see you when he sorted out our food delivery? What it your name?"
The girl was sobbing now:
"I'm Emily ....don't understand.... frightened of this place. Not alone here......"
Julian went up to the girl:
"It will be all right we will sort this out. What do you mean though that we are not alone here?
"The ghosts. The ghosts come at night....."
Suddenly the lights went out and the house was in darkness...........
..............to be continued.
OK folks, here is part 2 of this spooky Halloween tale:
[B]"A Ghost For Emily" Part 2[/B]
The house was plunged into darkness and Ben could hear Emily screaming with fear. Suddenly there was another voice, a male voice, deep and animalistic:
"We will be avenged... we have come...."
Ben grabbed hold of Julian:
"It's ok Julian, lets get downstairs slowly, the front room should still have some light from the fire".
Julian was shaking:
"What was that voice?" he said in a panicked state.
"Try not to think about it. Come on, one step at a time."
They slowly descended the stairs in total darkness. Suddenly Ben thought he felt an icy hand sweep across his face and he lost his footing sending himself and Julian tumbling down the stairs. They both stumbled to their feet, bruised and in pain. However as they did so the lights flickered back on.
"Ahh, I think I've twisted my ankle. I can hardly walk", Julian shouted.
"Come on, I'll help you to the sofa and then we'll crack open a bottle of red wine. That will dull the pain a little. " Ben replied.
"I'd rather you just drove me home Ben. I'm not staying in this house. There is something from beyond the grave here" Julian shouted as Ben helped him to the sofa.
"Ok Julian, I'll get the car ready and we can leave if you want. However if this house really is haunted and we can evidence that fact by recording phenomena on our phones then at the very least there could be a bestselling book in this. There is a very large market for true life ghost stories".
Julian looked up and his expression changed into a grin:
"Oh well if you put it like that. Of course I'm filthy rich already but I wouldn't say no to more. You were saying something about cracking open the wine?"
Ben laughed, kissed Julian and then went to fetch the wine from the kitchen. As he returned with the bottle and two glasses, Julian flicked back his hair languidly:
"I was just thinking, shouldn't we check that the girl is all right?"
Ben frowned:
"Oh god, I'd forgotten her. You stay here, I'll go and bring her down. I'm really annoyed about this. Some irresponsible people have left their child here alone and unless they come back for her it could ruin out first night here."
Slowly Ben ascended the stairs again. He had taken the precaution of lighting a candle from one of the kitchen cupboards in case the lights went out again.
"Emily, come here. It's ok, it is only me, Ben. Come on, I need to find out about your parents so we can get rid of you and have the place to ourselves."
Ben searched the first few rooms however there was nothing. Then he heard the faint sound of a girl or woman whimpering.
"Emily, come on, it's ok. Don't cry, come out and we'll sort all of this out".
Emily didn't appear however the crying got louder and it was coming from the furthest room down the landing. Ben suddenly felt very cold, chilled to the bone and there was a strange smell, like that of rotten fish. He reached the furthest room then turned the door handle. As he looked into the room he was horrified to see a woman standing before him with empty eye sockets save for gouging wounds. Her skin was grey and putrefied and she lunged towards Ben who ran down the corridor, clutching the candle. Ben bolted downstairs to find Julian sitting by the fire playing draughts with Emily:
"There was this thing... upstairs.. with no eyes."
Julian looked up and grinned:
"I suppose you've no eye-dea what it was".
They laughed and Ben slumped down on the sofa:
"You know we'll have to go up there with our phone cameras on the ready as soon as your foot it a bit better. *To Emily* All that hassle just looking for you and you were down her badgering Julian to play draughts with you."
Emily looked up:
"I'm winning. Julian is rubbish."
Ben stuck his tongue out at her:
"I don't care. What I want to know is why your parents left you here on your own. Then I'm going to phone the police. Unless you call your parents sharpish on your phone and tell them to come and get you immediately. "
Emily went on playing draughts:
"I don't know what you mean. I'm happy playing games with you. I have a chess set as well. I like Julian, he's nicer than you are."
Ben sighed:
"Yes well I like Julian as well and three's a crowd, especially if the third person happens to be a rude child."
As Ben spoke there was a strange tapping on the front window.
"What the hell was that?" Julian exclaimed. The tapping came again.
"Sounds like someone knocking. Why don't they use the door?" Ben angrily stated, getting up and going to the window.
"Don't go, it's them" Emily shouted.
"What do you mean...them?" Ben asked.
"Them. The ghosts" Emily replied.
Ben went to the window and pulled back the curtain. To his horror he saw a figure standing before him with half of its face eaten away by maggots leaving the skull showing........
.............. to be continued.
OK folks it's HALLOWEEN. As the witching hour approaches, here is the chilling final part of this classic Ben Chatham adventure:
[B]"A Ghost For Emily" Part 3[/B]
Ben pulled the curtain back over the window and turned to the others:
"Something is not right here. It is completely irrational to accept that ghosts and zombies could possibly exist. Yet this is what my senses are telling me. I do not like the fact that the irrational is encroaching on my empirical approach to these cases."
Julian gazed at Ben sympathetically:
"I understand Ben. Come and have a glass of wine."
Ben sat down next to Julian who hugged Ben and handed him the wine. Emily stared at them:
"Can I have a glass of wine too?"
Julian laughed:
"No. This is extremely expensive wine because I am an extremely rich Cambridge student and I have the best of taste. We do not have any bottles of cheap plonk suitable for letting children have a swig."
Emily pulled a face at him and he and Ben laughed. Ben sipped his wine:
"Look I really think we need to leave. Let's take Emily to the nearest police station and then go and book into a nice hotel."
As he spoke there was a scream from upstairs. Ben and Julian stared at each other.
"We'd better take a look I suppose", Ben stated.
He slowly ascended the stairs, followed by Julian, and as they got to the landing they saw a flickering light coming from one of the bedrooms. They nervously walked along the landing towards the bedroom door, which was ajar, and pushed it open. To their horror they saw a woman in 1920s clothes sprawled across the bed with her eyes gouged out. On the bed next to her was a blood-soaked screwdriver.
"Oh my God! "Julian exclaimed. They ran out of the room but as they ran back across the landing, Emily appeared at the top of the stairs and in her hands was a blood soaked axe. There was a strange, unnatural grin on her face.
"What the hell are you doing with that?" Ben shouted at her. Emily laughed:
"Ha, ha, fooled you. You two are so silly. You thought that they were the only ghosts in this house. Don't you see? This is my house. I hated my mummy and daddy. All they cared about was their stupid rows. So I killed them both. I gouged mummy's eyes out with a screwdriver, it was so funny the squelching noises that it made. They put me in a madhouse so I hanged myself so that I could come back here and haunt it forever. Please let me kill you now, it will be fun."
Ben and Julian gazed at her in horror:
"You vicious little tatar", Julian exclaimed.
"What a vile, nastly little girl you must have been" Ben shouted.
Emily raised the axe and took a swing, just missing Ben and Julian who ran up the landing and into the far bedroom. They ran to the window and pushed it open. It was a 20ft drop to the ground put they could hear the ghostly footsteps of Emily approaching:
"We'll have to jump. Better a broken ankle than being killed by that spectral abomination", Ben shouted. He and Julian stood on the window ledge and then they jumped.......................
Slowly Ben awoke. He was lying on the grass outside of the cottage. It was a cold, autumn morning and he felt cold and bruised. The sun was shining brightly in the clear, blue sky. Nearby Julian was also waking up, cold and moaning. Surrounding them on the grass were six empty wine bottles, an empty bottle of welsh gin and an empty bottle of Slovenian absinthe.........
THE END
HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO ALL MY READERS!
Sunday, 16 July 2017
The New Ben Chatham Series: TRILOGY
[B]TRILOGY Prequel: THE DISEMBODIED ARM[/B]
Ben Chatham woke up in his Cambridge apartment to the sound of starlings chirping outside the open window of his bedroom. A warm, sultry morning breeze blew through the window and the sun blazed through like a welcoming hand. Ben smiled as he gazed down at Julian, asleep beside him whose arm rested on Ben's smooth chest. Ben was happy. He and Julian Le Farge had been together for two weeks now and life was good. He had taken indefinite leave from his role as head of Operation Delta, telling Katie Ryan, Kyle Scott and the team that he had to put his new relationship first for the sake of his sanity.
Julian woke up and kissed Ben slowly on the lips:
"Morning Ben. You know I can't believe how perfect it is to wake up next to you." Ben smiled:
"Same here Julian. Two weeks ago I thought my life was in an inescapable rut. But now that endless night has turned into bright morning. Let's have some Vivaldi".
Ben reached over for the stereo handset on the side table and switched on the CD player. Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons" started playing.
A short time later, after a shower, Ben and Julian were enjoying a continental breakfast while lounged across Ben's expensive sofa. Kyle had moved out to give them some space and Ben had set him up in his own apartment, paid for out of Operation Delta funds before handing over the running of the organisation to him and Katie jointly. Ben sipped his glass of chilled white wine and smiled:
"I think we should visit the Fitzwilliam this morning followed by lunch at the Mermaid....."
He was interrupted by the door buzzer and Luigi, Ben's house servant, went to answer. Katie Ryan flounced in angrily and slapped a wad of papers down on Ben's exclusive glass coffee table:
"Ben, I really need you to go through this stuff with me. It is all cases that you were working on yourself and we really need to complete the reports for funding purposes. Corinne is tearing her hair out as she needs to submit them to the Ministry."
Ben gazed at her languidly:
"Katie I asked you not to bother me with any of this. I'm on indefinite leave."
"To be with me", Julian added, smiling.
Katie scowled:
"This is none of your business, twink boy, I was talking to Ben."
Katie placed her hands on her shapely hips and fixed Ben with an icy stare:
"You have responsibilities to the organisation Ben. And exactly why did Kyle get given a new apartment and not me?"
Ben sighed :
"Look doll there is no need for irrational female jealousy. Kyle has never had his own apartment before, however you have. Furthermore I am no longer in charge of Operation Delta, you are. If you feel that you are not up to it then say so and hand the role over to Corinne or Paul Farraday. I will however take a brief glance at these papers if I must. Meet us in the Mermaid at 1.30."
Julian glared at Katie:
"I think that Ben would like you to leave now. And I think you might find that calling me twink boy does not endear yourself to him. Oh and I'd like to emphasise that I am richer than you."
Ben and Julian broke out into spontaneous laughter. Katie flounced out, slamming the door.
Later, Katie was sat in the Mermaid wine bar sipping a cappuccino when Ben and Julian walked in laughing. She looked up at them icily:
"I see that you two have been enjoying yourselves. I give it another two weeks before it all goes wrong as usual."
Ben went up to the bar to order food and drinks. Julian sat down opposite Katie and grinned:
"I'm young, I'm beautiful, I'm cultured and I'm rich. But most of all I am male. Ben prefers me to you. "
Katie gave him a knowing look:
"You are very young and very foolish. I will still be here for Ben when you have gone the same way as all of Ben's previous follies. You will let him down."
Ben arrived and sat down next to Julian, laughing.
"I haven't looked at your paperwork Katie. I couldn't be bothered. Please don't be angry." As he spoke, Barry Tuck, the waiter arrived with the drinks:
"Hey up , here's yer booze. And another borin' coffee for Miss Ryan, she of the gorgeous jugs. One day you'll let me have a squeeze won't yer love."
"Just serve the drinks and go Tuck or you get my stiletto in your eye" Katie snapped.
"Ok love, only banter, only banter", Tuck replied, sloping off.
After a tense meal, Ben, Katie and Julian left the bar however as they stepped outside they were shocked to see that it had gone dark:
"What the hell? It's only 3pm and it's pitch dark. What the fuck is going on?" Katie shouted. They turned to go back into the Mermaid however they found that the place was deserted. Only a candle flickered in the corner for light and there were cobwebs hanging down from the ceiling. Ben was concerned:
"This is disconcerting. We seem to have gone through some kind of time shift".
Suddenly a strange, translucent, disembodied arm floated through a wall. It glowed with an unnatural silvery-white light and moved slowly towards them. They rushed to go out of the door but it slammed in their faces and Ben turned in horror as the arm flow down and touched him........
Ben awoke lying on the ground, cold and damp and in pain. He saw Katie and Julian waking up beside him and groaning. They were lying in a filth-strewn alleyway, littered with assorted rubbish and wooden barrels.....
TO BE CONTINUED
Ben Chatham woke up in his Cambridge apartment to the sound of starlings chirping outside the open window of his bedroom. A warm, sultry morning breeze blew through the window and the sun blazed through like a welcoming hand. Ben smiled as he gazed down at Julian, asleep beside him whose arm rested on Ben's smooth chest. Ben was happy. He and Julian Le Farge had been together for two weeks now and life was good. He had taken indefinite leave from his role as head of Operation Delta, telling Katie Ryan, Kyle Scott and the team that he had to put his new relationship first for the sake of his sanity.
Julian woke up and kissed Ben slowly on the lips:
"Morning Ben. You know I can't believe how perfect it is to wake up next to you." Ben smiled:
"Same here Julian. Two weeks ago I thought my life was in an inescapable rut. But now that endless night has turned into bright morning. Let's have some Vivaldi".
Ben reached over for the stereo handset on the side table and switched on the CD player. Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons" started playing.
A short time later, after a shower, Ben and Julian were enjoying a continental breakfast while lounged across Ben's expensive sofa. Kyle had moved out to give them some space and Ben had set him up in his own apartment, paid for out of Operation Delta funds before handing over the running of the organisation to him and Katie jointly. Ben sipped his glass of chilled white wine and smiled:
"I think we should visit the Fitzwilliam this morning followed by lunch at the Mermaid....."
He was interrupted by the door buzzer and Luigi, Ben's house servant, went to answer. Katie Ryan flounced in angrily and slapped a wad of papers down on Ben's exclusive glass coffee table:
"Ben, I really need you to go through this stuff with me. It is all cases that you were working on yourself and we really need to complete the reports for funding purposes. Corinne is tearing her hair out as she needs to submit them to the Ministry."
Ben gazed at her languidly:
"Katie I asked you not to bother me with any of this. I'm on indefinite leave."
"To be with me", Julian added, smiling.
Katie scowled:
"This is none of your business, twink boy, I was talking to Ben."
Katie placed her hands on her shapely hips and fixed Ben with an icy stare:
"You have responsibilities to the organisation Ben. And exactly why did Kyle get given a new apartment and not me?"
Ben sighed :
"Look doll there is no need for irrational female jealousy. Kyle has never had his own apartment before, however you have. Furthermore I am no longer in charge of Operation Delta, you are. If you feel that you are not up to it then say so and hand the role over to Corinne or Paul Farraday. I will however take a brief glance at these papers if I must. Meet us in the Mermaid at 1.30."
Julian glared at Katie:
"I think that Ben would like you to leave now. And I think you might find that calling me twink boy does not endear yourself to him. Oh and I'd like to emphasise that I am richer than you."
Ben and Julian broke out into spontaneous laughter. Katie flounced out, slamming the door.
Later, Katie was sat in the Mermaid wine bar sipping a cappuccino when Ben and Julian walked in laughing. She looked up at them icily:
"I see that you two have been enjoying yourselves. I give it another two weeks before it all goes wrong as usual."
Ben went up to the bar to order food and drinks. Julian sat down opposite Katie and grinned:
"I'm young, I'm beautiful, I'm cultured and I'm rich. But most of all I am male. Ben prefers me to you. "
Katie gave him a knowing look:
"You are very young and very foolish. I will still be here for Ben when you have gone the same way as all of Ben's previous follies. You will let him down."
Ben arrived and sat down next to Julian, laughing.
"I haven't looked at your paperwork Katie. I couldn't be bothered. Please don't be angry." As he spoke, Barry Tuck, the waiter arrived with the drinks:
"Hey up , here's yer booze. And another borin' coffee for Miss Ryan, she of the gorgeous jugs. One day you'll let me have a squeeze won't yer love."
"Just serve the drinks and go Tuck or you get my stiletto in your eye" Katie snapped.
"Ok love, only banter, only banter", Tuck replied, sloping off.
After a tense meal, Ben, Katie and Julian left the bar however as they stepped outside they were shocked to see that it had gone dark:
"What the hell? It's only 3pm and it's pitch dark. What the fuck is going on?" Katie shouted. They turned to go back into the Mermaid however they found that the place was deserted. Only a candle flickered in the corner for light and there were cobwebs hanging down from the ceiling. Ben was concerned:
"This is disconcerting. We seem to have gone through some kind of time shift".
Suddenly a strange, translucent, disembodied arm floated through a wall. It glowed with an unnatural silvery-white light and moved slowly towards them. They rushed to go out of the door but it slammed in their faces and Ben turned in horror as the arm flow down and touched him........
Ben awoke lying on the ground, cold and damp and in pain. He saw Katie and Julian waking up beside him and groaning. They were lying in a filth-strewn alleyway, littered with assorted rubbish and wooden barrels.....
TO BE CONTINUED
Sunday, 1 January 2017
The Ben Chatham 2017 New Year Special: "DEATH AND ROMANCE"
OK folks, here is the New Year
special:
DEATH AND ROMANCE
It was New Years Day in Cambridge and the fog hang heavy like a dulling wine. Ben Chatham gazed languidly out of the window of the Blue Angel Jazz Café at the distant spires of King's College chapel. He sipped his absinthe and sighed:
"Another year gone, another year closer to death". He gave a sad smile as the small jazz ensemble in the corner played 'Melancholy Mood'. Kian, the waiter, approached Ben's table:
"Happy New Year Mr Chatham. Can I get you anything else?"
"No. I don't feel like eating today and please don't wish me a happy new year. How can it be a happy new year when A level Archaeology has been dropped by the examination board," Ben replied sadly. Kian stroked Ben's shoulder:
"I'm sorry to hear that Mr Chatham...." His reply was cut short by the sound of screaming coming from outside in the street. Ben looked out of the window and saw a young woman covered in blood running down the cobbled street waving her arms and screaming. She ran into a student who was carrying a large pile of books, which went flying as both of them fell to the ground. Ben rushed out of the café and went over, comforting the student and helping him to his feet:
"Hi, I'm Ben Chatham. Are you ok?"
" Well I was until this person just knocked me off of my feet. Just look at my books, they've got mud off the street on them now. This is a first edition of E.M Forster's 'A Passage To India'. Thanks anyway, my name is Julian. Julian LeFarge." The student held out his hand and Ben shook it.
"Pleased to meet you Julian, although this is hardly an auspicious start to our acquaintance", Ben replied and they laughed. The young woman meanwhile had staggered to her feet, a middle aged lady having gone over to assist her. Suddenly the young woman launched herself at the other woman, biting deep into her face. The crazed woman then started laughing in an hysterical way before collapsing onto the ground. Ben rushed over and examined her closely as other passers by tended to the injured older lady. Julian went over to Ben:
"What on earth is wrong with that person? he asked.
"I'm afraid that she's dead Julian. And I have a good idea why as well. I need to act quickly. I run an Organisation called Operation Delta which investigates all kinds of paranormal and alien activity. I am the head of the organisation, I emphasise. You are a very attractive young man, how would you like to join this investigation?"
Julian smiled:
"I'd love to, it should be a hoot. Oh and I'm also a highly intelligent and wealthy scholar of literature Ben. I may as well emphasise my range of positive qualities."
They laughed as Ben flagged down a taxi:
"Take me to number 18, Rygate Street. There is a man there whom I need to see about a fish."
The obese taxi driver looked puzzled and huffed:
"...mumble mumble.. get all ¤¤¤¤ing sorts on New Years Day... mumble mumble..."
The taxi arrived at number 18 and Ben and Julian leapt out, Julian tossing the driver a wad of notes:
"Keep the change, I'm rich" he shouted.
"Like the style" Ben stated, laughing. They hammered on the door of the house and an elderly man answered it:
"Who's that I say. I'm busy.... Oh It's you Ben. How jolly nice to see you, come in."
"Hello Professor Briggs. This is Julian by the way, he's clever, rich and gorgeous. There's no time to lose Professor. The fish, do you still have the fish?"
"The fish? Of course I still have it. As if I'd ever part with such a present Ben. Come and see?"
They went into the Professor's study, where a large aquarium took pride of place at the far end of the room. The Professor suddenly gasped:
"I say it's gone! Oh my. Oh by golly. And there's water all down here as well and on the carpet."
Ben helped the Professor to a chair and gazed at the puzzled Julian:
"Some time ago Professor Briggs helped me on a very difficult case. He is the UK's leading zoologist. As a present I let him keep on loan an Osiarian Zanterfish which had been brought to earth in a crashed Osiarian craft. The fish have certain curious properties, they can live forever, barring physical injury, and their skin if eaten produces bleeding from every orifice followed by a frenzied desire to kill and eat anything in sight. I am well aware how bizarre all of this sounds Julian," Ben explained.
Julian laughed:
"One should never fear the weird, just the mundane". The Professor nudged Ben:
"I say, he's a philosopher this one".
"Professor, what could have done this? Do you have a cat or a dog?" Ben asked.
"No, but I've been looking after a stray cat for the past few weeks. Tom I call him. Big grey thing. He just comes in, has a nibble of food and then goes out again. Quite the vagabond. He was here earlier..... Oh dear, Come to think of it, I did leave him alone in here while I made a pot of tea..."
Ben sighed:
"That was very stupid. However I like you and you are an eminent Professor so I'll refrain from making further truthful observations on your failings."
"Thank you Ben, would you and your friend like some tea and lemon cake?"
"No, sorry Professor, we must fly like the wind. I suspect that the cat ate the fish and then went to some other house in the street where it scratched or bit a woman who was infected. We must find that cat before it infects anyone else."
Ben and Julian ran down the street banging on doors and fetching out the neighbours:
"Have you seen a stray grey cat? It's dangerous and infected with a deadly disease", Ben shouted. Suddenly there was a crazed scream coming from one of the back gardens. Ben and Julian ran down the side passage and saw a crazed man covered in blood hacking a woman's corpse with an axe. His children were screaming as the axe came down on their mother's neck. In the corner of the back garden a savage looking cat sat drooling at the mouth. Ben ran from the garden and back out into the street, followed by Julian. He pulled out his mobile and phoned for back up.
Some time later, the Operation Delta team were loading the man's corpse into a van and Paul Farraday and Corinne Shaw had managed to trap the crazed cat using a neck grabber and an RSPCA animal cage. They loaded it into the van also.
"This will do our image with the police no favours at all", Paul tersely stated as several police cars started arriving.
"You had best let me deal with the police Ben. I have built up some good networking connections with senior officers", Corinne stated.
Ben sighed:
"Do your best Corinne. I can't face them myself right now, I find officialdom so tiresome. Please try your best to save the cat and to avoid having to put it down."
Later Ben and Julian were enjoying a drink in the Blue Angel. Ben was telling Julian about his life:
... and so my family now view me as an embarrassment and I have an ex-wife who still thinks that I owe her something even though she gained a property at my expense. I'm entombed in my life. Look I'm sorry for unloading this baggage and boring you Julian. Julian laughed and grabbed Ben's hand:
"You don't need to apologise to me Ben. I think that everyone has a dark basement where they keep all of their demons. One wants to share them, but one is afraid of rejection if one does. I want to let you into mine but I'm afraid".
Ben stroked Julian's chin:
"You are strangely deep for such a young man. Let's go back to my apartment and start 2017 properly......"
THE END
DEATH AND ROMANCE
It was New Years Day in Cambridge and the fog hang heavy like a dulling wine. Ben Chatham gazed languidly out of the window of the Blue Angel Jazz Café at the distant spires of King's College chapel. He sipped his absinthe and sighed:
"Another year gone, another year closer to death". He gave a sad smile as the small jazz ensemble in the corner played 'Melancholy Mood'. Kian, the waiter, approached Ben's table:
"Happy New Year Mr Chatham. Can I get you anything else?"
"No. I don't feel like eating today and please don't wish me a happy new year. How can it be a happy new year when A level Archaeology has been dropped by the examination board," Ben replied sadly. Kian stroked Ben's shoulder:
"I'm sorry to hear that Mr Chatham...." His reply was cut short by the sound of screaming coming from outside in the street. Ben looked out of the window and saw a young woman covered in blood running down the cobbled street waving her arms and screaming. She ran into a student who was carrying a large pile of books, which went flying as both of them fell to the ground. Ben rushed out of the café and went over, comforting the student and helping him to his feet:
"Hi, I'm Ben Chatham. Are you ok?"
" Well I was until this person just knocked me off of my feet. Just look at my books, they've got mud off the street on them now. This is a first edition of E.M Forster's 'A Passage To India'. Thanks anyway, my name is Julian. Julian LeFarge." The student held out his hand and Ben shook it.
"Pleased to meet you Julian, although this is hardly an auspicious start to our acquaintance", Ben replied and they laughed. The young woman meanwhile had staggered to her feet, a middle aged lady having gone over to assist her. Suddenly the young woman launched herself at the other woman, biting deep into her face. The crazed woman then started laughing in an hysterical way before collapsing onto the ground. Ben rushed over and examined her closely as other passers by tended to the injured older lady. Julian went over to Ben:
"What on earth is wrong with that person? he asked.
"I'm afraid that she's dead Julian. And I have a good idea why as well. I need to act quickly. I run an Organisation called Operation Delta which investigates all kinds of paranormal and alien activity. I am the head of the organisation, I emphasise. You are a very attractive young man, how would you like to join this investigation?"
Julian smiled:
"I'd love to, it should be a hoot. Oh and I'm also a highly intelligent and wealthy scholar of literature Ben. I may as well emphasise my range of positive qualities."
They laughed as Ben flagged down a taxi:
"Take me to number 18, Rygate Street. There is a man there whom I need to see about a fish."
The obese taxi driver looked puzzled and huffed:
"...mumble mumble.. get all ¤¤¤¤ing sorts on New Years Day... mumble mumble..."
The taxi arrived at number 18 and Ben and Julian leapt out, Julian tossing the driver a wad of notes:
"Keep the change, I'm rich" he shouted.
"Like the style" Ben stated, laughing. They hammered on the door of the house and an elderly man answered it:
"Who's that I say. I'm busy.... Oh It's you Ben. How jolly nice to see you, come in."
"Hello Professor Briggs. This is Julian by the way, he's clever, rich and gorgeous. There's no time to lose Professor. The fish, do you still have the fish?"
"The fish? Of course I still have it. As if I'd ever part with such a present Ben. Come and see?"
They went into the Professor's study, where a large aquarium took pride of place at the far end of the room. The Professor suddenly gasped:
"I say it's gone! Oh my. Oh by golly. And there's water all down here as well and on the carpet."
Ben helped the Professor to a chair and gazed at the puzzled Julian:
"Some time ago Professor Briggs helped me on a very difficult case. He is the UK's leading zoologist. As a present I let him keep on loan an Osiarian Zanterfish which had been brought to earth in a crashed Osiarian craft. The fish have certain curious properties, they can live forever, barring physical injury, and their skin if eaten produces bleeding from every orifice followed by a frenzied desire to kill and eat anything in sight. I am well aware how bizarre all of this sounds Julian," Ben explained.
Julian laughed:
"One should never fear the weird, just the mundane". The Professor nudged Ben:
"I say, he's a philosopher this one".
"Professor, what could have done this? Do you have a cat or a dog?" Ben asked.
"No, but I've been looking after a stray cat for the past few weeks. Tom I call him. Big grey thing. He just comes in, has a nibble of food and then goes out again. Quite the vagabond. He was here earlier..... Oh dear, Come to think of it, I did leave him alone in here while I made a pot of tea..."
Ben sighed:
"That was very stupid. However I like you and you are an eminent Professor so I'll refrain from making further truthful observations on your failings."
"Thank you Ben, would you and your friend like some tea and lemon cake?"
"No, sorry Professor, we must fly like the wind. I suspect that the cat ate the fish and then went to some other house in the street where it scratched or bit a woman who was infected. We must find that cat before it infects anyone else."
Ben and Julian ran down the street banging on doors and fetching out the neighbours:
"Have you seen a stray grey cat? It's dangerous and infected with a deadly disease", Ben shouted. Suddenly there was a crazed scream coming from one of the back gardens. Ben and Julian ran down the side passage and saw a crazed man covered in blood hacking a woman's corpse with an axe. His children were screaming as the axe came down on their mother's neck. In the corner of the back garden a savage looking cat sat drooling at the mouth. Ben ran from the garden and back out into the street, followed by Julian. He pulled out his mobile and phoned for back up.
Some time later, the Operation Delta team were loading the man's corpse into a van and Paul Farraday and Corinne Shaw had managed to trap the crazed cat using a neck grabber and an RSPCA animal cage. They loaded it into the van also.
"This will do our image with the police no favours at all", Paul tersely stated as several police cars started arriving.
"You had best let me deal with the police Ben. I have built up some good networking connections with senior officers", Corinne stated.
Ben sighed:
"Do your best Corinne. I can't face them myself right now, I find officialdom so tiresome. Please try your best to save the cat and to avoid having to put it down."
Later Ben and Julian were enjoying a drink in the Blue Angel. Ben was telling Julian about his life:
... and so my family now view me as an embarrassment and I have an ex-wife who still thinks that I owe her something even though she gained a property at my expense. I'm entombed in my life. Look I'm sorry for unloading this baggage and boring you Julian. Julian laughed and grabbed Ben's hand:
"You don't need to apologise to me Ben. I think that everyone has a dark basement where they keep all of their demons. One wants to share them, but one is afraid of rejection if one does. I want to let you into mine but I'm afraid".
Ben stroked Julian's chin:
"You are strangely deep for such a young man. Let's go back to my apartment and start 2017 properly......"
THE END
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