John Steel Collection - Books 1-3

Excerpt from John Steel Collection - Books 1-3

Fourteen days earlier.

The rain came down heavy and hard, with raindrops the size of peas hammering against every surface, making dull thuds with each impact. The streets became like lakes, drains bubbled, and fountains of water spewed from the draining systems, as they were unable to cope with the watery onslaught. The sky above the Southampton port loomed with grey mountainous clouds that crackled and flashed as a storm brewed within. It had been several weeks since John Steel had arrived back home in Britain. The trip he had considered to have been most productive and fruitful in many ways. He had spent some time at the office of the company his family had founded some many years ago, to speak with the chairman of the board, to ensure everything was running smoothly, but mostly to make sure he wasn’t needed to be there. Steel wasn’t a businessman, that had been his father’s domain. Steel was a soldier – a detective, not someone who was meant for a desk job.

He stood in the departure lounge and gazed out through the waterfall that was cascading down the thick glass of the waiting lounge window. A huge plate-glass screen was as big as the wall itself. He watched the ships in the harbour as they were rocked about like toy boats in a bathtub. There was a flash of lightning that lit up the sky, followed instantly by a crack of thunder. As the light show faded, the outside grew darker once more, and John Steel caught a glimpse of his reflection. He's tall broad-shouldered frame was clad in a black suit, a black shirt and maroon tie. A pair of mask-like sunglasses hugged the contours of his rugged good looks. John Steel looked like a million bucks, though, he was going for the two million look. The joys of undercover.

As he lifted the cup to his lips, his face winced at the smell and taste of the strong brew. He smiled as thoughts of the Homicide Department back in New York came flooding back to him. A couple of weeks before, Steel was attached to the NYPD on a case. It had been a triple homicide, which had been masking a massive arms deal, set up by a criminal organisation. It was meant to be for just for one case, but he had the feeling things were not over - not yet, so he would remain there for a little while longer. Besides, he was having too much fun getting under their skin, especially the lead detective – Detective Samantha McCall.

The lounge was full of families, tour groups, and people who just had to get away from it all. He did not fit into any of those categories. They were there for relaxation; he was there for answers. As he looked around at the happy couples who were laughing, and the children were running about with excitement. Everything seemed to slow down. His mind drifted to images of his wife. The memories rolled like an old film, real into his mind: her smile, her beautiful face. The locations appeared blurred in the background, but it didn't matter. As he watched memories unfold, the image was of his wife laughing and smiling, and they were running on a beach somewhere, their time together reeling off like he was watching a home movie in his mind. The image changed, she lying in their bed and rolling over to face him, she smiled as he touched her face, his heart froze as the image distorted, and her eyes became cold and empty. Steel went to cry out her name, but a sensation stopped him, something was yanking at his leg. Reality crashed through the daymare like a brick through a windowpane. Steel looked down with a startled and confused look on his face at first, but a warming smile replaced it. A little girl, who was no more than six years old, was tugging on his trouser leg, with not much force, but enough to get Steel’s attention. The girl had a look of that tender innocence and inquisitiveness most have at that age. For some sweet and amusing, and others found it annoying after a while.

“Hey Mr, why are you so sad, are you scared of boats?” she asked, in a squeaky voice. Her rosy cheeks masked her freckled face, and her mousey-coloured hair was tied up into pigtails held together by bright pink hairbands with bobbles that looked like fat ladybirds. As Steel smiled at her, he looked up in time to see a woman rushing towards them; she knelt and grabbed her daughter, embarrassed at her daughter's intrusion.

She was tall, blonde and beautiful. A black dress hugged her body, revealing every fake curve she had – but she made both work well for her.

“I am so sorry; I hope she didn’t disturb you?” Her voice was soft, with a hint of an East London accent.

“Not at all.” Steel replied, smiling back at the woman. Steel noticed her ring finger had a white band, which indicated a divorce and, judging by the whiteness of the band, a recent one at that. Steel smiled and thought if she was on this cruise, the whole thing must have ended with her on top.

“It’s fine; really, I was just daydreaming, that’s all.” Steel said, readjusting his sunglasses. Eyewear that he had found to be perfect to look at people without them noticing him, as well as having other unique benefits. As Steel gave the woman and the rest of the room a once over, as he did, he caught her gaze. A full, wide-eyed look, like the cat who was staring at the fishbowl look. It was obvious she liked what she saw – especially the lack of jewellery on the wedding finger, or the hint that there had been any for that matter. As she stood from the kneeling position by her daughter's side, the woman straightened out her dress, ensuring to push out her chest and flicked her long blonde locks.

“Are you travelling alone Mr…?” She reached out a hand to start the formal introductions and inenviable friendly interrogation. Steel smiled and, taking her hand, laid a gentle kiss on the knuckles of her trembling hand.

“Black, Antony Black, and yes I am travelling alone, a bit of a business trip mixed with pleasure,” he smiled; as he watched the woman became flushed, “And you are…?” The woman slapped back to reality by her daughter pulling at her mother’s dress and giggling.

“What – sorry, I am Miss Wade, but you can call me Julie and this little madam is Trish.” She dug her fingers into the top of the child’s shoulders, causing her to giggle and struggle out of the tickle grip.

“Would all passengers please make their way to the promenade ready for boarding, thank you,” came a voice over the Tannoy. A tall, thin, grey-haired steward placed back the handset and stood next to his female colleague as the preparation for the mass of people began.

“I hope we run into each other again, Mr Black” Steel smiled, broadly.

“Oh, something tells me that will be inevitable,” he bowed slightly with his right hand over his chest. “Madam” Trish giggled and returned the bow, “Madam” Julie smiled, and her tanned cheeks blushed as she made for the desk, entirely dazzled by the display.