Free The Angels of Destiny by Haydn Jones Page A

had often looked tired and stressful, often shouted at her, but that was normal for someone running a project of such importance, especially when things were not going to plan. There was no doubt though, she would miss him. Samuel had never expressed his feelings towards her and Vicki would never know just how much he had lusted after her and masturbated watching her making love to McPherson. She would never know that Samuel had decided to kill himself before the call from his wife in London.
     
    Hunter ’ s videophone buzzed and Linda ’ s face appeared on the screen. "Yes, what is it Linda?"
    "Officer Wayne is in the building sir. He needs to see you urgently."
    "Send him up immediately and arrange for some coffee, please Linda."
    “ Yes, sir."
    Soon, both Wayne and the coffee had arrived at Hunter ’ s office.
    "Well, do you have anything for me?" Hunter asked, inquiringly.
    "I believe I do sir. Last night Samuel was served by a girl called Cathy Stranks. She said that he ordered cigarettes and made a call on his cellphone."
    "Have you checked out the call?"
    "The call was made to a number in San Francisco," answered Wayne.
    "Who was it to?"
    "To a Tom Hudson — Editor of the San Francisco Herald. ”
    "Fuck! That probably means he ’ s told him everything."
    "Get your ass down there as fast as you can and don ’ t let him out of your sight. Find out exactly what he knows, and if you have to wipe him out, don ’ t hesitate. We can ’ t afford any leaks; do you understand?"
    "Of course sir," replied Wayne, totally pissed with the idea. His promise of ‘ a session ’ from his girl friend would just have to wait another few days.
    "Take some medicine with you, just in case you need it." said Hunter, in a cold uncaring tone.
    “ Yes, sir." Wayne had never used ‘ medicine ’ in the past, always relying on the more conventional methods of killing. This stuff was a new designer drug, straight out of the establishment ’ s laboratories. The drug left no detectable trace in the blood and its effect was to induce a brain haemorrhage. The victim suffered severe permanent brain damage and became a ‘ vegetable. ’ Death was never instant, but guaranteed within a matter of hours.
     
    Officer Wayne had wasted no time in traveling to San Francisco. As an expert investigator and ex-soldier, he was comfortable with this kind of mission. Having picked up a hire car at the airport he made the short drive to the city. Approaching on the 101, he ’ d decided to stay at the Hyatt Regency near the Ferry Building at Pier 1. The weather was looking good and a round of golf at the Prestidio Course near the Golden Gate Bridge was a definite if he was to relax after killing Hudson.
     
    Because of its elevated position, Tom Hudson ’ s apartment on Laguna had panoramic views of the Bay. To the right was the Bay Bridge and to the left was the famous Golden Gate Bridge, directly ahead in the bay was Alcatraz. Below on the shoreline was the San Francisco Yacht Club where Hudson ’ s thirty-foot cabin cruiser was moored. Today the view across the bay to Alameda and San Leandro was clear and the blue sea looked calm and still, not always the case in this temperamental coastal city climate, so very different to sultry Houston.
    "Nice place," said Wayne, to himself, out loud, admiring the view out of Tom Hudson ’ s lounge window. Looking back into the room he noticed the splendid antiques and original oil paintings that adorned the living room and study. The place stank of opulence. Wayne had stopped for a brief moment to look at a photo of Hudson and his two children that was positioned on the splendid Italian marble fireplace. Next to it he noticed a photo of Hudson and Samuel Black, both holding up a prize fish next to what was, presumably, Hudson ’ s cruiser. A good-looking man with a strong chin and heavy dark moustache, Hudson was a keen fisherman.
    Wayne had easily broken into the apartment leaving no sign of damage. As he