Contagion - Plans of Deception - Book One.

Brien’s recovery had been aided by his release from prison; it was still a slow and painful progress. His wife had visited him with the children and sought his forgiveness in not standing by him, she had cried when she realised just how much he had loved her, after she had found and read his diary. He had always kept a diary, but never in such detail, and it was therefore a surprise to her to discover that he had kept a detailed diary of every day, from his arrest onwards. The horror that he himself had endured dawned on her, he had written in one of the pages that he was amazed at how she had stood by him, and that he would prefer for her and the children’s safety that she moved away and started a new life.

As it was she had not been aware of those thoughts and in time that was exactly what she had done. He had been prepared to sacrifice his own feelings for the safety of her and the children. She had come to one section of the diary that was badly stained and had torn pages some even missing. Brien had written that he had been violently raped and that a prison warden had stood by while he watched it happen. And that one of the prisoners who had buggered him, then pissed, and then used his face as a toilet, after that he had used some of the pages from his diary to wipe his backside.

She had shuddered at the thought of what he had been forced to go through. The diary had been removed and thrown away by the offending warden, but then unknown to him another warden had retrieved, it and tried to clean it as best as he could, and then had returned it to Brien, with instructions to hide it in future.

The revelation that the diary revealed put her to shame; she really had loved her husband, but had been unable to stand by him. Yet even after all he had been through, he was not embittered towards her. Yes, certainly towards the system that had put him and his family through this living hell, he had actually used those words in one of his entries. For now, she and the children were pleased the worst was over, and prayed daily for his recovery, knowing it would take only a miracle for her husband to be restored to his former self.

Peter and Christine had done everything in their power to ensure the family were well cared for, and that Brien received the very best possible medical help, it was not as a direct result of a feeling of guilt. Far from it, as the facts had shown at that time, that Brien was guilty, and if so, then deserved a custodial sentence. It was the very fact that Peter had himself been forced to endure a similar tragic miscarriage of justice, and he knew in his gut that Brien was innocent. Proving it had been something else, as what could any parent do, when their child had been forced to endure such pain and humiliation. There was however one ray of light that in part calmed Brien’s desire for revenge. The authorities on learning about the diary, had crossed referenced the dated entries and interviewed the warden in whom had retrieved the diary, cleaned it and given it back to Brien.

On learning that the warden had himself made an official written complaint against his senior supervisors, for permitting the said offence and that the prison deputy governor had over looked the action and punished the warden who had made the complaint by having him demoted and transferred to another unit. The police waited until it was early hours of the morning, and then tipping off the media, they had in full battle gear raided the homes of the deputy governor, and two prison wardens, in whom were involved in the said incident. Later they were charged held in custody and eventually themselves imprisoned in the worst possible prison which the authorities could find.

As for Elaine, they had guided her with gentle love through the nightmares trying to ensure that she could keep her sanity, yet Peter knew that unless she faced the demon directly in the eye, that her fear would never allow her freedom, nor at that for Brien. Freedom for her was release from the emotional and mental torment, that Adam had inflicted on her, for Brien, it had incorporated that and Physical freedom from incarceration.

Yet who could really measure which was the greater miscarriage of justice, it could be said that each in their own way had suffered. For Brien, it was the destruction of his dignity, the pain and humiliation of the violence and eventual incarnation. Yet for the child the emotional and physical pain went far deeper. Physical pain and abuse can be overcome, but it’s the mental and emotional pain that leaves its eternal mark on ones’ soul. For a child to have endured such demonic violence, to have robbed her of her childhood, then leaving her beaten, broken boned and bleeding for dead, is beyond thought. How can a child be expected to have the maturity and emotional stability, which only is obtained in ones’ adult life, to deal with such an injustice, in the end there is no one, other than God himself, to make that distinction?

For now, it was time that was needed, time to come to terms and time to rebuild. Peter also realised that unless Adam was found, and quickly, that time was against them, like any loving parent he needed to protect his family and if it meant breaking the law and killing Adam, then that is what he would have to do. He just prayed it would not come to that, yet he was realistic enough to realise that he needed to plan and take every thought into consideration.

It was his solicitor who came up with an idea, which involved using the media to their advantage. After some careful thought a statement had been prepared, with the intention for it to be read out by the solicitor informing the media that the family would be staying at their home and wanted to be left alone, to give the family the time it needed to recover. This way if Adam was to hear the broadcast he would know where the family were and tempt him onto their battle ground, where they stood the greatest chance of controlling events that were likely to happen.

In addition to this Peter had spoken to his publishers, and informed them of Brien’s diary, and that it would make an incredible book and give an insight in just how an innocent person suffered, and what was allowed to happen from those who were paid and supposed to be protecting those in their charge.

Adam knew time was for once on his side, as far the police were aware, he was dead, and as such would not be looking for him, what he did not want, was any further surprises. He needed to take his time and plan through whatever it was that had needed to be done in silencing that child, but this time permanently. His new look with the blond hair had pleased him and if anyone stopped him, then as far as they were concerned he was James Fisher. The passport verified that obtaining other items of identification had been relatively simple, he booked himself into a hotel in Weymouth and gave every outward appearance as been on holiday.

Portland has only one road connecting it to the mainland. The Island if that’s what you could call it, was really a peninsular, and it is no more than four miles wide by five-mile-long; it houses two vast Victorian Prisons. One been the Vern usually for the long term and the lifers, the other been the young offender’s unit. Neither were that pleasant, yet it did offer employment to the islanders, finding the Lighthouse was simply a matter of taking the cliff path and walking one’s self as far round the island as one could go. At the furthest Southerly point stood proud the Newer of the two Lighthouses, Peter’s family therefore had to be by definition close by.

Adam spent several days walking the island, and talking to the locals, never once mentioning the family or the Lighthouse, unless others brought about the subject, and even then, it was more one of listening, and only on occasions guiding them gently to the subject, if he felt something needed clarifying. Many Ornithologists visited the island; it was therefore not unusual to see people walking around with powerful binoculars. Adam enjoyed the deception, it had become a game with him, where there could only be one winner, and the cost of failure was death.

He felt he looked the part and even purchased a camera to enable him to photograph the wild life. He was fully aware his sister lived in Weymouth but felt comfortable in his disguise, he knew as long as he avoided the area’s that she usually frequented, then the chances of her bumping into him were slim, and even then, he felt sure if she did, that in no way would she recognise him, his room was only booked for seven days, even then he had been informed it was only to a last minute cancellation that the room had at all, of come available.

The hotel management had phoned around for him and to his pleasant surprise a room was available at Portland Height’s hotel, a magnificent building, perched on one of Portland’s highest points, and overlooking a breath taking eighteen miles of coastline. He initially made a booking for three weeks with an agreement to provisionally keep a room available if at all possible for a further month. The building had recently been extended and now offered a staggering sixty-two rooms, Sauna’s, Heated Swimming Pool and a keep fit Gym with daily aerobic classes. He was in no particular rush to carry out his plan, rather waiting for the right moment; to him it was only a matter of time before they dropped their guard. Then he would be there ready to take advantage of their lapse in security, and until then it was a matter of gathering intelligence, and to bide his time.

Brien was now off the danger list, and thanks to the quality of care, that he was recovering, his progress was slow but improving; but then that in truth was to be expected. The stress that had brought about this illness was no longer the governing factor; and it had also helped him in every way, to once again be reunited to his family. Their solicitor had won an interim payment of a quarter of a million pounds; this was to cover the ongoing private medical treatment, and to cover the costs of twenty-four-hour nursing care.

The family had purchased a new home in Brean Down in Somerset, that over looked the Sea, only some twenty yards away were the famous sand dunes, with miles upon miles of open beach. Peter had with the parent’s consent purchased two horses for their boys, he had learnt purely by accident one day, when he had mentioned how much Elaine loved horse riding, Brien indicated how much his sons had wanted him to purchase them a horse. There were the usual assurances like all children of not worrying of the various chores of cleaning and feeding, it was that simple statement that led him into introducing Brien’s sons to two beautiful horses.

As there was a riding stables only a few miles away in the village of Berrow, the boys could keep their horses there and ride them whenever the opportunity arose. As it happened it was a good arrangement, as the stables were able to give whatever tuition was required on riding and animal care. Christine had taken to horse riding with Elaine, as she had felt a little left out, what with Peter taking their child sea fishing and fossil collecting.

This had enabled her to acquire a more levelled balance and to give Peter some much-needed rest. His recovery from the TB was at the least for now fully under control, and as for his business, it was growing. Quite unintentionally he had become one of the most recognised and prominent dealers in Europe. Such fame had also brought about some unwanted interest from disgruntled collectors and dealers, his sudden prominent fame had taken away some of their business and as such a resulting loss in income. There had been more than one attempt on the cavern, and in truth, if it had not been for the security measures in place, the site would have been robbed and the nation would have without question have lost some unreplaceable treasures.

Peter looked across from his desk as he heard the ’phone summoning someone to receive its call, “Hallo Peter here,” there was a moment’s silence, “Hallo…” He could feel it meant either trouble or something of great importance. “Peter is that you?” came the reply, “Its Alex, I’m having a bit of difficulty in hearing you its this bloody cliff I think its blocking out my signal…Hallo did you hear that?” Peter took in a deep breath before he spoke, “Alex I can Just about hear you, its very faint, is there anything wrong?” There was silence, for some seconds, “Peter is that any better?” Alex’s voice was now coming through clearly. “That’s much better, now what were you trying to tell me?”

Alex was the head of security; he had been in military intelligence, for twenty years, then for the last five serving as an officer in the SIB. “We have found what looks like a body, and a motor bike, I would say from the condition they are in, that they have been here for some years.” There was silence, Peter knew already it was without question going to be Amander’s old boyfriend, he had in truth wondered when it was to be found. There had been several days of very high winds, and the resulting waves had exposed many hidden treasures buried for countless years under the sand.

“Have you informed the authorities yet?” “No, once it was reported in to me, I came with it straight to you.” Peter knew he had no other choice than to inform the police, he was at least grateful Alex had pre-warned him. “Alex listen, I will leave that with you, will you ensure all relevant authorities are informed, and could you keep me up-to-date, Oh Alex, you did a good job in informing me first, thank you.” He always had a good way with people it was almost as if he inspired confidence into them. At that he put the phone down, it was some minutes before he made his way through from his office, making his way up the stairs and into the glassed domed studio.

It was there that his wife spent a large percentage of her time; she had once again taken up watercolour painting. The glassed domed room offered ideal condition of natural light, along with breath taking views across the island, and towards the West Coastline, stretching as far as the Golden Cap in Charmouth in Dorset. Another area renown for the vast quantity of fossils found there during the late Victorian era; from the East, one could see the Coastline that stretched for miles. It was this very Coastal area that was now responsible for there vast financial fortune.

Peter looked on as he watched his wife painting; by her side was Elaine she had readily taken to copying her mother’s activity. Both parents had actively encouraged her interest knowing the importance of the therapeutic healing that can come from such an activity, which assisted one’s body to relax and take away the damaging actions of stress. Seeing her husband had wanted to talk, Christine put down her brush and walked over to the far end of the room, after some minutes they both walked over to Elaine and included her in their conversation. Asking if she could remember Amander telling her about how her boyfriend had had an accident, and to have fallen down into one of the gullies by the Coastline.

They went on to explain that his body had been found, along with his motorcycle, in a very adult way she took in the information. And in some ways startled them by asking if it was the sand that had covered up the body for so long, and was that the reason because of the storms, that it has only now been found. Looking at her in amazement Peter asked her why she thought that was the case. “Oh, silly daddy’” came the reply “that’s how we find most of your fossils, its only after the storms have washed away the sand, or parts of the cliff face, that we are able to see them.”

Both parents smiled at the logic of the child, she had taken in the information and had in no way of been stressed or troubled by the fact that a body had been found. Both Peter and Christine were not so sure how Amander would take to the News of her boy friends body been uncovered. It was a further two days before Amander had reappeared, Elaine awoke to a sunny morning, the first in days, as been in such an exposed position, the Lighthouse felt the force of the storms that had been battering the Coastline. As Elaine sat up she could see the ray of sun light, lighting up her room, with dust particles looking like tiny fairy’s flying around in the air.

There sitting in one of the armchairs was Amander, “Oh there you are” cried out Elaine in delight in seeing her friend. “Why haven’t you been to see me, I really missed you?” As she sat up she could see her friend, was looking a little sad. “Is it because of your old boyfriend, you know they have found his body with his motor cycle.” Amander looked up with a sort of half smile on her face, “I know I have been watching them, his body was found under his bike, and I heard one of the police men say he must have fallen, and of become trapped there.”

Elaine had got out of her bed and walked over to her friend, “Did it upset you?” “Just a little, it felt so strange, as if there was a part of me that was been forcibly drawn to him. I had to leave the area and watch from a distance, it took them nearly all day before they were able to remove him and his bike, and the tide had started to come in just after they had taken him away.” There was some moments pause before she continued, “I thought for a while, that they were to become trapped themselves, the water was actually around their angles before the last person was air lifted away.” Just then Christine walked into the room she was startled when they’re before her sat Amander. “Mummy, Amander was just telling me about Daniel and how they just got themselves off the beach before the water trapped them.” It took her some seconds to take everything in, this was the first time she had ever been this close to Amander, let alone speak with her. “Oh, Amander my love, did it upset you?” asked Christine, Amander did not appear startled and just simply shrugged her shoulders, “Not as such, it was just sort of strange watching it, I felt as if I should be there and for some reason drawn towards the area. I needed to move away as it had later kind of started to scare me.”

Before Christine had realised what, she was doing she had walked over to the child and like any loving parent, she put her arm around her, drawing her to her side. “Don’t let it upset you my love, you know we love you, and will always look after you.” It was not until later that day, when she realised exactly what she had done, and have said to Amander. She shuddered a little at the thought, and the weirdness of talking to a ghost, yet at the time she was as real, and even solid to the touch.

Elaine had her morning shower, and then came into the kitchen for breakfast. After a quick meal of Weatabix and a glass of milk, she asks her mother if it would be ok if she and Amander went outside to fly their Kite. There was still some concern over Adam, up till now they had been unsuccessful in drawing him out, unknown to them he was already there and had been observing the family, and gathering information on their habits. It was with delight when taking his daily walk along the Coastal path that he could see two children playing in an adjoining field along side the Lighthouse. After some minutes of watching the children with his binoculars, he took several Photographs of the area that included the Lighthouse and the children.

He had decided to keep his distance, as there were two security guards in view, he had hoped after having taken the photos with is digital camera, he hoped that it might show some indication as to other security measures in place, that were not so readily noticeable to the human eye. Unknown to Adam he had himself been under observation; there were remote sensors across an area of two square miles from the Lighthouse.

Even boats that drifted across that section of Coastline were automatically observed by hidden surveillance equipment and the data converted into a pre-programmed software package. It was able to distinguish movement or objects, and automatically alerted security sections, of an intruder or of a boat or vessel passing their location. This software package was originally developed by the military and had only recently been made available to the public sector. On Peter’s payroll were ex military personnel whose knowledge of such surveillance equipment was of great benefit to his company. It was Alex who brought the information to Peter explaining that the computer had thrown up this man as having been in the area on more occasions than could be classed as usual.

Peter looked over the surveillance photos, but failed to recognise him as been Adam. “Have him checked out.” Alex could be visibly seen to be pleased with himself, as he handed Peter another sheet of information. “I already have, I’m sorry if you feel it was out of order, its just old habits die hard.” Peter reached across and took the sheet of paper, “Alex I knew from the moment I spoke with you, that you were to become a good investment, and do me a favour and never let those old habits die.”

He could see Peter actually meant what he was saying, Peter continued talking, “there’s an expression from where I come from, You’re the best thing since sliced bread, this is an excellent bit of work, if possible keep this man under observation, and let me know if at any time, he or anyone he meets, comes anywhere near Elaine.” Alex smiled agreeing with Peter, “Oh there is just one thing that is troubling me, I can only put it down to some sort of fault,” Peter looked up in interest, “I noticed the other day that Elaine was playing with a friend, another girl not that much older than her, anyway I was setting up some new equipment and used them as a test shot.”

Peter knew what was about to be said. “Incredibly Elaine came up as clear as a whistle on the surveillance monitor, but for some reason It was not able to pick up her friend.” Peter knew it would be unwise, and most possibly impossible to explain, “Strange one, keep an eye on the equipment and let me know if it happens again.”

On Adam’s return to the hotel, two plain clothed men from Dorset CID met him; it was just a formal enquiry. After checking his passport and looking over his splendid ’Photos of birds, and wild life they came across some hand drawing in charcoal and pencil. Most were copied from his ’Photos of birds; one or two were of the old Lighthouse and one even of two girls playing next to the Lighthouse.

They were far from any masterpieces yet certainly passable for a modest amateur; the check carried out from his passport came back confirming he was who he claimed to be. Fortunately for Adam he had been dropped off at Harrige, and had gone through customs on the false passport, it showed he was back in the country and as there was nothing to hold him on, he was allowed to go.

Having politely enquired as to why he had been signalled out, he was informed that he had been seen on a few occasions near the old Lighthouse and that there was a child there who is under protection and trying to avoid media attention. Adam actually thanked the officers and assured them he was only to happy to have been stopped, as he felt from reading the papers and the stories on the news, that the child should be protected from any further abuse.

Peter was a powerful man, he had brought considerable interest to the town and they benefited directly from employment and from the revenue brought in by tourism. Weymouth was more than pleased to house the most important Palaeontology site in the world, they were also acutely aware of the Childs suffering and was prepared to assist in any way possible in aiding her recovery.

Adam realised his presence had been noted, that must have meant there were additional security measures in place, unseen to the human eye. He realised that been the case, it would be better to wait until such an opportunity arose outside the security circle of the Lighthouse. It was not until his third week at Portland heights that the perfect opportunity arose. Peter had gone to the USA for one of the Fossil fairs, he had taken some reasonably valuable stock and as a result took two additional guards with him to assist in the man handling and with the site security.

Alex had received strict instructions to ensure Peter’s family was safe, Adam had seen from a distance, using his binoculars, Peter loading the transit van, and taking with him a suitcase, it did not take much to find out that he was to be away for the next four days. After some careful thought Adam made a few phone calls and arranged with Paul a trusted old friend to make an attempted raid on the cavern. Like anything else Adam knew it would come at a price, but felt the scheme was worth the financial outlay. Paul in turn put together a team of six, himself included.

He was aware there was a very limited time frame and made the strike on the third day, as expected before they managed to make it into the cavern the security alarms had notified Alex and his security team. What they were not prepared for was the shock they received when an explosion sealed off the under-water entrance. While this diversion was in place Adam made his move, Elaine was out horse riding with her mother and two security guards, they were not in uniform, not wanting to draw attention to themselves.

Alex radioed through, ordering his men to bring back their charges then to make there way to the cavern site. From an observation post hidden among a cluster of boulders Adam waited until the men had led the women to the Lighthouse. Christine ordered them to go as she felt they were needed there, and that now they were back home, that they would be safe.

As Christine and Elaine put the horses back in their stables, they wiped them down ensured they were secure then made their way back into the house. They both quickly took the lift up to the glass room, as from there they could view with binoculars or with the security consoles the events that were taking place by the cavern.

Unknown to them Adam had quietly made his way into the stables and untied one of the horses and leading it outside, into the field adjoining the Lighthouse and cliff top. Then keeping himself out of view he waited until the horse was seen. It was Christine who saw the horse first, she was sure she had checked the stall door had been bolted. After calling out to Elaine she informed her that she was just going back outside to put the horse away, as it was not safe to let it wonder by itself.

Adam waited until he could see her just some yards from the horse before he entered the Lighthouse and took the stairs two steps at a time, until he came to Elaine’s room. Realising she was not there he continued upwards until he reached the glass room, there still looking through the binoculars was Elaine. Within seconds he had reached her, as his hand went around her mouth she instantly smelled that sickly rich perfume from the day of the attack. Like before no amount of struggling did her any good.

Hitting her hard across the head she momentarily went limp, then as he turned to his surprise he could hear the lift, as it was about to come to the glass room. As the doors opened he lunged forward hitting Christine full on in the face, the force of the blow knocked her backwards. As she tried to recover she could see her child lying limp on the floor, as Adam came forward again, her maternal instincts filled with rage.

Ignoring the repeated pain of Adam hitting her, she threw herself at him in a wild frenzy and lashing out with her feet and hands. At one time, she sank her teeth deeply into his arm as he had tried fending her off him. Then with a sudden blow across the head Christine staggered and fell, Adam was furious, as it was not in his nature to control these emotional outbursts of rage, he knew whenever anyone caused such feelings within him they always got hurt, as if some demon had taken control of his body and mind.

Blocking out his feelings of guilt or compassion, in its place was pure evil. Elaine was starting to come around too been conscious, as she looked up from the floor she could see this man ripping off her mothers clothing. Just then at the same moment Amander appeared on the scene, when she saw what was happening she automatically picked up the first object to hand. It was a china vase that Christine used for her paintings, before Adam realised what was happening, she had hit it across his head. As he staggered forward from the force of the blow he could hear her saying “Leave them alone they’re my friends.”

Shaking his head, he could see this figure of an older child in front of him, as he stood up Amada lashed out again this time hitting him firmly in the face. To his amazement the child had incredible strength for one so young, the next time she lunged towards him he sidestepped and lifted his leg hitting it hard into her stomach. Amander doubled as if in pain, and then to his surprise she stood back up smiling. “It will take more than that to hurt me.”

Adam was stunned, everything had gone badly wrong, he knew he could not afford to take any more time, as the security within the house would have been activated, and it was just possible there would be police or security on its way. Elaine could see her mother lying on the floor; blood was dripping from her mouth, in fear she called out to her mother. This distracted Amander enough to allow Adam the chance to race down the stairs and from the building.

He had planned his escape route with great care and was aware of the various caves and potholes jotted about across the Island. One in particular led to a maze of underground corridors, unless one was familiar with the area it was possible in the pitch darkness to fall down the numerous potholes leading into the sea. Adam had used his time getting to know the Island and had spent several days exploring the various caves. Having left torches, food and a change of clothing plus wigs hidden in one of the caves, he was able to go underground and keep out of view for a few days.

He knew within a couple of days the police would stop searching the Island for him, he had made a point of checking out of the hotel, two days before the attempt was made on Elaine’s life. While at Weymouth train station he had drawn attention to himself by asking various questions and ensuring the station CCTV had picked him up boarding the train. He got off at Bristol and again asked various questions about timetables and routes, before he boarded another train to London. After repeating the process, he made his way to a car that he had brought from an auction some weeks earlier, having paid cash and given false identity, he knew it would be untraceable back to him.

He arrived back on Portland by taxi after parking his car in the pavilion car park in Weymouth. Two days later during the early hours of the morning he timed his return back to his car to coincide with the Hydrofoil that arrived from the Channel Islands. It was relatively easy to mingle with the passengers after they had disembarked and made their way to the long-term car park. From there he drove back to his apartment in Bray, knowing the police nor did anyone else at that have any idea who it had truly been.

Paul had been paid with cash, and his team had escaped before the police or security had a chance in apprehending any of them. The next morning while Paul opened his morning mail, he came to a slightly bulky package, as he opened the letter there was a blinding flash followed by a deafening explosion, by the time the police and fire services arrived his apartment was well ablaze. There was nothing other than his charred remains; if it had not been for his dental records the police would not have been able to identify the body. Even then due to the force of the explosion it was not easy to piece parts of the upper body and face together.

Adam listened with interest to the evening news as it informed the nation of the tragic incident, smiling he thought to himself, “One down One to go.”