Scorned and Abandoned (An Aaron Jaycynth Mystery) Read online

  Scorned and Abandoned

  By:

  John Charles

  Copyright and Legal Notice:

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2014 John Charles. Published by Manifest Vision Publishing. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical without the express written permission of the author. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.

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  ISBN 978-1-882598-09-0

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  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. Please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

  Table of Contents

  Copyright and Legal Notice

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  A personal message from the author

  Chapter 1

  "Are those my trainers?" asked Kristoff as he spotted Aaron holding one close to his face. "New fetish?"

  "No you jerk," responded Aaron throwing Kristoff's sneaker at him. "Hank asked me to put GPS tracking chips into the lining of your sneakers and gym bag," laughed Aaron as he caught the sneaker being thrown back.

  "Why the fuck does Hank want to track me? That's bullshit," yelled Kristoff as he grabbed his bag and trainers.

  "No, it's not bullshit Kristoff," said the man who walked into the locker room. "I heard your ranting in my office. Now sit down and listen."

  Aaron smiled knowing that Hank would calm things down in a professional manner, but he couldn't help laughing at the childish look on the face of his chastised co-worker.

  "Why are you tracking me?" said Kristoff as he stuffed his trainers back into his bag.

  "Because you are escorting the son of a well known business executive on his first outing since arriving in this country. And because both of your lives could depend on it, That's why. Any more stupid questions?" Hank stood with his arms crossed over his solid muscular chest, looking intimidatingly at the man in his sights. "Listen, Kristoff, this is important. Robert Tameron wants his son protected from whatever nuts out there, that might want to use him to get to Robert and his company. That's why you were assigned to Ethan in the first place - remember?"

  The three men settled down to discuss the details of the short trip. Kristoff was to escort Ethan Tameron to a highly respected soccer camp. Coming from the states, Ethan was not up to the British standards of the sport and wanted to gain some knowledge before going to university. Once at the camp, Kristoff would room with another security guard protecting a different boy while the boys received their specialized training. The Tamerons were part of an elite class of diplomats, business executives, and dignitaries whose families received security coverage.

  Ethan Tameron chose to stay with his aunt in Colorado to finish his senior year at high school when his father moved to London as part of a corporate buyout. He arrived a month prior and was enjoying the process of acclimating himself to a new country with all of its quirky customs. Most difficult for Ethan was the security detail that kept him under constant surveillance. At times, he felt as if he were in prison. Soccer camp was also part of that learning curve and would be a good way for him to meet some boys his age.

  "I have a list of items that Hank wants chipped," said Aaron. "Can you help me with Ethan's stuff? I don't want to walk into their house and just start putting chips in his things."

  "Yeah, sure I have to go over there after our workout anyway, so we can bring Ethan up to date and get his stuff chipped," replied Kristoff as he changed into his workout clothing. "Sorry I blew up before. I just don't like anyone touching my stuff without my knowledge."

  "Hiding something kinky in there, are we?" asked Aaron as he pointed to Kristoff's gym bag.

  "You know Aaron; you take the word geek to the extreme. You really are weird," said Kristoff as he punched his coworker in the arm. "Damn! I keep forgetting that you are built of solid brick. That hurt." At six foot even, Aaron prided himself on the muscular body he had built. He had a solid six-pack, strong arms and a broad chest. His legs looked like steel pipes emerging from his workout shorts. Kristoff was no slouch though. He maintained a solid physique but didn't have the six-pack or the steel pipe legs that Aaron had.

  Aaron and Kristoff continued to banter with each other throughout their required workout session. When Hank was hired by the newly formed British division of Andrews Security, he instituted a regimen of required training for all his employees. It didn't matter that Aaron was an I.T. specialist, he had to follow the same rules as the field operatives. He already had a solid muscular body on his six-foot frame and enjoyed the additional training he received. He learned to shoot different guns from pistols to rapid-fire military assault weapons. He became quite good at martial arts, and could easily protect himself against most of his training opponents.

  None of the required training, however, could change his inherently shy personality. He was smart, strong, managed his muscular body with the expertise of a gymnast, yet he was so shy he felt awkward when in the company of anyone outside of his co-workers or close friends.

  Kristoff, in contrast, was self confident, and felt at ease in almost any situation. He worked out with Aaron four mornings each week. Their routine was both stressing as well as rewarding. While Kristoff was confident of his abilities, Aaron pushed him to perform better. That was one way Aaron could manage his shyness. He loved to work his body and his mind. It became an obsession to become stronger and to learn something new every day. Kristoff was a good partner and helped him succeed in both arenas.

  "Let's meet after lunch. I'll take you over to the Tameron's house so you can chip Ethan's things," said Kristoff, as he got dressed. "By the way, were you trying to kill me in there," he jokingly asked pointing to the gym." That was the hardest workout I've had since you joined the company."

  They parted and continued their respective day's assignments. Aaron went to the I.T. lab to work on a new project. He was developing a system that would allow him to quickly track the sender of email messages that were suppo
sed to be anonymous. He had already developed a system for identifying the server and general location of the sender, but wanted to figure out how to accurately pinpoint the sender's location. He felt it would become necessary as the company added new clients. Never know when someone will try to harass one of our clients, he thought as he worked.

  Kristoff knocked on the open door to Hank's office. "May I come in," he asked as he stood in the hall.

  Hank looked up from his work and waved him to the chair in front of his desk. "What's on your mind?" he said as he closed the folder and put it into a drawer. "You came to apologize for your outburst?"

  Kristoff knew the man was only partly joking. Hank was an authority figure even if he didn't head Andrews. He was intimidating, and could back up his words with actions if necessary. When Andrews began the hunt for an operational officer, they narrowed down their search to Hank Bellingham and one other person. Both had great credentials, worked security in prior jobs, and had no skeletons in their closets. Hank had one advantage. He had retired from MI5 with outstanding reviews. He was well liked by everyone when interviewed and had the air of authority a personal security company like Andrews required.

  Kristoff sat and waited for Hank to close the drawer. "I do want to apologize for my outburst, but that is not why I came to see you. It's Aaron," he said quietly. "I'm concerned that he is not enjoying himself and that he is putting way too much time into his work rather than getting out and seeing our great country."

  Hank looked at Kristoff with a level of concern then asked, "Has he done something to make you feel uncomfortable?" The question had an underlying tone that Kristoff picked up immediately.

  "No! He would never do that. I'm merely suggesting that he is so shy that he is afraid to go out and experience what London has to offer. Geez, I shouldn't have come in here. I guess it's none of my business."

  As Kristoff started to get up, Hank said, "I have felt the same way. I know what it must be like for him. Remember he was offered this position when Andrews first decided to open an office in the UK. He jumped at the idea and has been a godsend to this office since he arrived. I also understand how his shyness and his other interests might make it difficult for him. So give him a break. You two are good friends from what I can see. Take him out once in a while and show him what he is missing."

  "Maybe I should do that considering what his workout was like this morning. He needs another way to blow off steam. I'm going to hurt for days," said Kristoff leaving Hank's office. "By the way, I'm taking Aaron to the Tameron's house after lunch to help him chip Ethan's things."

  "Good, Ethan really admires him. That kid wants to be an electrical engineer and from what Robert tells me, he has the smarts. Unlike Aaron, Ethan is outgoing and will make friends easily. Remember we have a meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning to run through the trip details. You, Aaron, Natalie, and I will be meeting Robert and Ethan so be prepared for a cross examination from Robert."

  Kristoff nodded his understanding and left Hank's office.

  Chapter 2

  "Every time I get into a car I cringe," said Aaron as he remembered to open the door on the wrong side of the car. "You Brits seem to do everything on the opposite side of the road."

  Kristoff laughed as he eased his shiny new Cooper from the curb. He was proud of the car, having saved for several years to buy it outright. His father instilled the understanding of debt in him from a little kid. He said if he didn't have the money to pay for something, then he didn't need it. Kristoff learned that lesson well. He worked his way through college making sure he graduated with no student loans. A significant portion of his paycheck was automatically deposited into his savings account, and he lived on a budget. Now he drove a new convertible with most of the options he wanted.

  Aaron admired the car and said, "I'd like to get my driver's license, but driving on the wrong side of the road scares the shit out of me."

  "I'd be willing to let you practice on some side streets until you get comfortable. Then you can go out on the main roads near the office where the traffic is relatively light. You up for that?" said Kristoff as he smoothly shifted through the gears.

  Aaron looked at his co-worker and friend as if he were crazy. "You'd let me drive your fancy new car? Not afraid I'll wreck it?"

  Again Kristoff laughed. "No, I won't let you wreck it. Besides you'll be going about 5 kilometers per hour, at first, like a toddler learning how to use his new tricycle. Your other choice is to enroll in a driving course with all those teens from the state school." Looking over at Aaron, he said, "You might actually enjoy that, wouldn't you?" He laughed at Aarons stare.

  Thirty minutes later, they arrived at the Tameron home. Robert wanted a nice home for his family but not one of the ostentatious houses he saw in many North London towns. He settled for a manor house that had gone on the market when the last owner was no longer able to care for it. To Aaron, it was a mansion, as he grew up in a modest blue-collar neighborhood of tract homes. His parents struggled to pay the bills, put food on the table for four kids, and pay what they could for sports and music programs.

  Kristoff drove his Cooper along the circular path leading from the entry gates to the front door, and then veered off to drive along the side of the house. A small parking pad lay near the back entrance for service help and deliveries. He found a spot near the end of the pad and parked. "You know Ethan has been talking non-stop about you allowing him to work with you in the I.T. lab last week. He thinks you are a genius, especially after you set up all of the electronics in this house."

  "Yeah, I do know that. He's like a kid in a candy store. He wants to go to college - I mean university for electrical engineering and I think he'll do quite well. I kinda got in trouble with him the other day, though."

  "Let me guess, you messed up his hair, didn't you? His mom pulled me aside quite some time ago and warned me that Ethan was a neat freak, insisted on tailored clothing, and had his hair styled monthly. Gabi said he spends an inordinate amount of time making sure his appearance is perfect."

  "If I didn't know better, Kriss, I'd think he was gay."

  "Yeah, well we both know he's not. He is so straight that he wouldn't even look at another guy; even in the changing rooms."

  As they exited the car, they saw Ethan at the door. "Hi, dad said you'd be coming over today. What's all this about chipping my stuff? Aaron how does it work? Will you be able to hear me or just track me? And why do it in the first place?" Ethan was rattling off questions faster than either Kristoff or Aaron could answer.

  Kristoff put his hands in the air, smiled, and said, "Slow down Ethan, one question at a time please."

  Ethan laughed, bowed from the waist and said, "As you wish, my honored protector." Then he burst out laughing and said, "Dad and I are going to Andrews tomorrow morning for a briefing. What's that all about, anyway. I'm just going to soccer camp."

  Aaron, Kristoff and Ethan put tracking chips into Ethan's trainers, his travel bag and his wallet. "Did you enable the GPS function on your phone like I asked you to do?" asked Kristoff. Ethan had the latest iPhone with all the bells and whistles. He asked his father for a new phone when he arrived in London since his older phone would need a new sim card and other modifications to work properly on the UK networks. Robert took him to the Apple store and told him to pick out the phone he wanted.

  "Yes, I did," said Ethan as he handed his phone to Kristoff. After checking the apps to find tracking was indeed turned on, he handed the phone to Aaron. "You have anything else you need to do with the phone?" Aaron walked through several of the screens, checking which apps were turned on. When satisfied, he handed the phone back to Ethan.

  Ethan was excited about the soccer camp. He felt he needed to get up to British standards if he was going to play while at university. "I am going to have so much fun at camp, Kristoff. I understand that you will be staying in the dorms with other guards so you won't be totally bored," he said looking at Kristoff as if wanting reassuran
ce that it was okay with him.

  Kristoff looked from Aaron to Ethan, and said with a serious face, "I'll be just fine. In fact, I'll be on the sidelines watching to make sure you learn your lessons well. Your dad gave me permission to discipline you if you don't." He maintained his serious face as Ethan heard what he said.

  "You wouldn't," whispered Ethan as a blush rose to his face.

  "That's totally up to you, Ethan. Your dad is paying a lot of money for this camp and wants to see results," responded Kristoff. Then both he and Aaron burst out laughing. "Wow, did you see his face when I said I might punish him, Aaron? I wonder if he wanted it the way he blushed."

  Ethan not giving in to the teasing said, "I bet Aaron would be the one enjoying it if it were him doing the punishing." Now it was Aaron's turn to turn bright red. All three laughed at the other's embarrassment and moved to the kitchen where the housekeeper had an afternoon snack prepared.

  "I'm not used to the meal schedule over here," said Ethan. "It seems every time I turn around there is some food thing going on. And what's with this afternoon tea?"

  Aaron agreed saying he had to adjust his eating habits as well as his workout routines to compensate. "I finally decided to go with the flow, but to eat very small portions. Now after almost a year, I kinda enjoy it."

  As they walked to Kristoff's car, Ethan said he would be packed and ready to leave from the Andrews facility tomorrow morning. "Dad said our meeting is at 7:30, not a time when my eyes are normally open, never mind being dressed and on the road."

  Aaron made a motion to ruffle Ethan's hair. "Don't you dare," said Ethan as he caught Aaron's arm, with a smiling face. Ethan stood five foot nine and had the slim solid body of a gymnast. "You may be big and strong, Aaron, but I bet I could take you down if push came to shove."

  "Alright children, let's stop the playing. We have to get a move on," said Kristoff as he got into his car. "See you in the morning Ethan."