Ep 1

On the south side of town, within an old warehouse located on Strand Road, three individuals stood together. Two of them, a lady of thirty and her partner of forty held lit torches, whilst their companion stood in the darkness.

“What can you feel Kenneth?”

The medium turned to face Nicola, noting the shorn dark locks and jeans.

“There is definitely some kind of presence here.”

“Is it who we are looking for?” Bert asked.

“Just give me a moment will you.”

Kenneth closed his eyes and opened himself to the world of spirit. As he did this, a cold breeze blew across his face.

“I am here,” the medium said.

Nicola shone the torch toward him, noting the calm face.

“Are you Edmondo?”

“Edmondo, yes.”

“We seem to have succeeded,” Bert commented.

“Edmondo,” Nicola said softly. “Is the story of the gold true?”

The medium’s placid face suddenly hardened.

“You know of this?”

“It’s only local gossip,” Bert said.

“Would you shut up?” Nicola said.

The medium turned very slowly.

“You should not be here.”

Nicola swallowed hard.

“Where is the gold Edmondo?”

The medium raised his arms high, a strong breeze swept from the dark void, and his voice rose in volume.

“I hear you, I hear you, I hear you.”

“Who’s he talking to?” Bert asked.

“Edmondo,” Nicola coaxed. “You are talking to us.”

“Never!” the medium roared. “I serve a lower power!”

“A lower power?” Bert asked.

Nicola flashed a warning glance.

“Come forward Kenneth,” she said. “Come out from the darkness.”

A second breeze blew up, surrounding the companions. Dust rose around them as cold hands suddenly gripped their fragile throats.

“What the hell is happening?” Bert asked as he began coughing.

“Kill the non-believers,” the medium commanded.

Nicola tried to scream, but the words were choked off. Bert fell to his knees as his now bloated face turned a livid blue. As life began to ebb, Nicola keeled over and saw the medium smiling.

Ep 2

The panda car drew up outside the crime scene that morning and the two familiar officers climbed out. Strolling inside they noted the doctor’s presence.

“What have you got for us?” DI Nixon asked.

The medic glanced up.

“They were both manually strangled. You can still see the compression marks.”

“Are we looking for a woman?” sergeant Percy asked.

As the doctor stood, he shook his head.

“A tall, but strong bloke did this sergeant. It’s strange though.”

“Why do you say that?” the DI asked.

“There is no sign of struggle sir. It looks as if they died willingly.”

The CSI team were scouring the warehouse for clues as the medic left. An officer handed the DI a small pink card.

“We found this in the woman’s pocket sir.”

The DI glanced at it.

“Ghost club? Nicola and Bert. Ring any bells sergeant?”

“I have heard of them. Mostly cranks you know sir. Their office is located just off Market Walk.”

“We had better go there then.”

The car sped off as the hearse arrived to collect the bodies.
Market Walk was located near the street of the same name. A rather dank part of town, with boarded up shops and a rundown economy.
Along that street stood a quaint little office and entering quietly, the two officers found themselves staring at a short dumpy woman who doubled as a receptionist.

“Can I help you?”

The DI handed the card over.

“Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but the owners are no longer with us.”

The shocked woman dropped the card upon the simple desk.

“We need to know why they were at the warehouse madam,” Percy added.

The woman trembled for a moment.

“It was an official investigation sir. Crikey. How is Kenneth?”

Nixon glanced at his sidekick.

“Who’s he madam?”

“The medium sir. He went with them.”

“Why go there?” Percy asked.

The woman pulled herself together.

“They were investigating the legend of the gold sir. You know, Edmondo.”

The DI raised his eyebrows.

“Would you know where we can find him?”

The woman opened a drawer and pulled out a small appointment book. Opening it at the correct page, she read the address.
Nixon thanked the receptionist and the officers stepped outside. Reaching the car, Percy said, “I remember that story from school sir. I thought it was just that.”

“We need to speak to this medium my boy. Next stop Bridge Lane. On the way, you can fill me in on this gold story.”

The old legend slowly emerged of course.

In the year 1780, a Spanish vessel had berthed at the town. Edmondo, the ship’s captain, had unloaded a crate of gold doubloons at the wharf. For some unknown reason he had promptly buried it before heading out to sea again.

Edmondo never returned, and as time passed, the river silted up. Today, the town had no exit to the sea, and the warehouse was located where the gold was thought to be.

“I think we are here sir.”

Nixon saw the line of posh homes as they drew up.

“Let us see if this bloke is in shall we?”

As the door opened, Nixon handed over his warrant card.

“What is this about?” Kenneth asked.

“We need to speak inside sir,” Percy said.

After entering a rather posh sitting room, with a plasma television plonked in the far corner, the medium sat quietly upon an ornate chair.

The officers remained standing.

“Can you tell us about your whereabouts last night?” Nixon asked.

“I was here sir. I had felt rather unwell.”

Nixon produced the card and handed it over.

“The receptionist said you were with them.”

The medium smiled and handed it back.

“I phoned the receptionist to cancel sir. When I’m ill I cannot function.”

Percy glanced at the floor, spotting the gleaming black shoes.

“Wear those did you?”

“Of course sir.”

He reached down and picked them up. As the medium watched, he examined the souls.

“These have been cleaned.”

“I do try to be neat sir.”

“I’m not satisfied,” Nixon said grimly.

“Has something happened?” Kenneth asked.

“The team ended up dead sir.”

“Gosh.”

“Take him to the car Percy. I’ll order a search.”

“You need a warrant for that,” the medium protested.

“Don’t you worry,” Nixon hissed. “I’ll have one within the hour.”

The DI was as good as his word. Fifty minutes later, Nixon returned with the search team.

“Open every drawer and check every nook and cranny,” he ordered. “I want proof he was there.”

The officers started rifling through the entire home, hunting for that crucial evidence which would link the suspect to the crime. After a couple of hours, only one had come to light.

“I suppose this book on the legend is a tenuous link,” Percy conceded.

“It proves he knew of the story,” the DI said. “He must have returned here and cleaned everything.”

“The car has been removed for forensics,” Percy reminded him.

“That should turn up something. No car is totally clean.”

“He’s a cool customer sir.”

“Cool or not Percy. His so called career is over.”
 
Ep 3

As the sun went down, Percy walked inside his superior’s office smiling wryly.

“The forensic boys were successful?”

“They certainly were sir. Traces of lipstick that matches Nicola’s, and dust from the warehouse.”

“That is enough to charge him sergeant. I’m going to enjoy this.
Bring him to the interview room please.”

When Kenneth entered the intimidating environment and sat before the simple table, DI Nixon smiled back.

“What do you think is about to happen?”

Kenneth coughed.

“You tell me.”

“You are being charged with double murder sir. Anything you say will be used as evidence in court.”

“You are also entitled to one phone call and a lawyer,” Percy added.

“Are you finished?” the medium asked.

You wish to say something?” Nixon asked.

“I only want to return to my cell.”

The DI nodded.

“Take him away Percy. We can speak to him on the morrow.”

As he was led out, he smiled a cold dark smile.
The cells were quiet now. Midnight had come and gone. The officers had left for bed, but Kenneth was still awake. He sat upon the single bunk, listening to the sound from the front desk. After a moment, he walked to the cell door and banged continuously.

“What’s up?” the desk sergeant shouted.

“I need a drink mate.”

“Hold on then.”

A few minutes later, the door opened and the sergeant appeared with the hot coffee.

“This is your last till the morning.”

The medium took it, throwing it onto the floor.

“What was that for?” the sergeant asked.

The medium raised his arms high, a strong breeze ripped through the air, and the sergeant started chocking violently. As he crashed to the floor, the medium faded from view.
 
Ep 4

Charly was dozing softly as his phone rang from the bedside cabinet. He yawned loudly and picked the mobile up.

“Whoever it is I’m dead.”

A gruff response woke him up at once.

“What time is it? Five?”

He glanced at the clock and groaned.

“Look Nixon. Are you sure you need me?”

He paused to hear the reply.

“Okay. I’ll pop over. Grant is not here so I’ll have to walk.”

Charly paused once more.

“A car would certainly help. I’ll dress now.”

When he arrived at the station, he was met by a flustered DI.

“I hope you woke me up for a damn good reason.”

“Our prisoner escaped after killing the desk sergeant Charly,” Nixon informed him.

“You mean the other officers just watched him leave the building?”

“He seems to have just disappeared,” Percy added. “The CCTV saw everything.”

“Can I have a look at it?”

As he watched the footage in the interview room, the two officers watched his reaction.

“What do you think?” Nixon asked.

“It’s a neat trick sir. Who is he?”

“A medium by the name of Kenneth. He is also implicated in the murder of two people. Happened over on Strand Road.”

“Where that warehouse is?”

“Same place,” Percy added.

Charly thought this over.

“Whatever he is sir, he is extremely powerful. Who were the victims?”

“A couple of ghost hunters,” Nixon replied.

“Then the explanation is simple,” Charly said. “Your medium has become possessed by a dark entity. That sailor chap, eh, Edmondo is the likely candidate.”

“Would that explain the vanishing act?” Percy asked.

“What you see is a perfect fusion of material and spirit. With those powers, he is extremely dangerous.”

“He denied the crime of course,” Nixon chipped in.

“In his state, he would not remember it sir. You can’t really blame him for this. Call him an unwilling accessory.”

“We still need to find him,” Percy said.

Charly smiled and muttered, “Find the gold and you find him.”

The officers glanced at each other.

“Fetch that book Percy. It’s time to do some reading.”

As the book was fetched, the unwilling medium was standing inside the darkened warehouse. The sun started to rise as he surveyed the potted floor.

“Tell me where it is.”

A strong breeze enveloped him and started to ruffle the floor. Slowly but surely, the dust was blown away as a section of the floor began to rupture. From the earth itself, a small box of doubloons rose into full view.

“Ah, my missing gold,” the medium said calmly. “Back in my own hands at last.”

He walked forward as a vehicle drew up outside.

“Who can that be?”

He ignored it and picked the small, but heavy box up.

“Hold it right there mate,” Nixon shouted.

The medium turned slowly, laughing to himself.

“Mr Nixon and his faithful lapdog. Who is the other?”

“I’m Charly, Esmondo. Put the gold down.”

“I am only collecting what is rightly mine.”

“Three people have died already,” Percy said. “You can’t get away with that.”

“They stood in the way.”

“What about Kenneth?” Charly asked. “Let us talk to him.”

“I am afraid that is not possible. You see, he has crossed over.”

“A fourth murder,” Nixon hissed.

“He went willingly,” Esmondo replied. “I assure you of that.”

“In the cold hands of death?” Charly asked.

“Not so cold as you think,” Esmondo said. “Now let me pass.”

“We can’t do that,” Nixon told him. “We will die if necessary.”

Esmondo laughed again.

“If heroism is what you want, who am I to disagree?”

He raised his arms and a strong breeze was quickly summoned.

“Just give it up,” Charly advised.

“Never.”

As the breeze rose rapidly, the human cadaver stood motionless.

“If I were you, I’d run.”

The advice struck a chord in Charly’s mind. Jerrix the cat had said something similar. Such a long time ago now.

“Get him Percy,” Nixon said.

As the officer moved forward, a whirlwind picked him up and tossed him across the floor.

“Are you alright?” Nixon asked.

“I think so sir,” the officer replied.

As he picked himself up, Charly shouted, “Your power seems to be weakening Esmondo. What’s the problem? Don’t like the sun?”

Esmondo glared as Charly ran back to the double doors.

“Have some more then!”

He pushed with every bit of strength he had. As the door slid open, the sunlight swept inside.

“Nooooo!”

The being was suddenly engulfed in vapour as the box of useless gold crashed to the floor. He staggered back, trying to summon his power, but it was far too late now.

Screaming wildly now, the vapour stream intensified until at last, it faded from view.

“Has he escaped again?” Nixon asked.

Charly shook his head and walked over to the box of gold. Picking it up, he carried it back to the officers.

“He died of greed. If died is the correct term.”

“How will I record this little lot?” the DI asked.

Charly smiled.

“It beats me. You’ll think of something.”
 
Ep 5

The sunlight blazed into the pleasant flat as Charly fed the loving cat.

“Have to buy you some more love.”

As the cat purred away, the day’s strange events played through his mind. Especially the bit about running away.

“You know Christine; I tried that during our nightmare.”

The cat started feeding happily, as Charly stepped away. Out of curiosity, he walked to the open window and looked down toward the road. Everything was normal, which was a bonus.

“Something is not quite right,” he muttered.

He saw Grant’s mini draw up and the sixties friend leap out.

“He looks in a hurry.”

He strolled to the front door as his friend arrived.

“What’s the hurry?”

Grant stared at him.

“I think you are in deadly trouble mate.”

Charly stepped aside as Grant ran inside. Within the lounge, his friend paced the floor.

“What do you mean by trouble?”

Grant spun around.

“I am being followed by you. Since I got up this ruddy morning.”

“Not possible mate. Nixon needed my help again.”

Grant lurched forward and gripped his shoulders wildly.

“It was you Charly! Your eh, simulacrum. You know, doppelganger.”

Charly’s face went white. As Grant released him, he gazed toward the feeding cat.

“You understand what that means?” he stammered.

“Damn right I do. You will die shortly. That is why I came.”

Charly ran to the window and looked down once more.

“Oh crikey!”

Grant joined him, and saw his friend gazing up from the centre of the busy road.

“See what I mean?”

Charly nodded as the future ghost vanished.

“Turn on the television will you?”

Grant dashed over and did so. The picture showed the latest building to be opened in town. A tall gleaming skyscraper that locals thought looked ghastly. Indeed, they had attempted to stop its very construction. Charly gazed in utter horror. His cold lips trembled as he pointed at the screen.

“I’m there too.”

Grant looked and saw his friend standing just outside the monstrous creation...

I love this book!!...and im Hooked, :) Thank you!

Thank you..Please have hanky ready..Tower of death is rather weepy..