Stonehaven for Hire

A Mitchell and Gilmore Series

Book 2

Stonehaven

for Hire

by Doug Paton

Copyright © 2016, by Doug Paton.

All rights reserved.

Proofreading by Gordon Scott Brown

eBook Formatting by Erika Q. Stokes

This book is the work of fiction however the town of Stonehaven is very much real. It’s part of a lovely stretch of coastline on the North East of Scotland between Aberdeen and Dundee.

If you have not yet visited this part of the world please write it in your to do list. You will most definitely enjoy the experience. The beautiful bay of Stonehaven holds a picturesque harbour, an outdoor Olympic size swimming pool, a stunning clifftop golf course and one of the most iconic castles in the world. All within walking distance of the town centre.

It’s been a privilege to live and work in such a lovely town.

Other Titles by Doug Paton

Stonehaven Undermined, Book 1 in the Mitchell and Gilmore series

Contents

1. No Remorse

2. A New Venture

3. The Phone Call

4. Let’s Walk

5. Ladies and Gentlemen

6. The Apartment

7. Airport Hotel

8. Prison

9. Change of Plan

10. Sorross in Paris

11. Together Again

12. The Search

13. The Spanish Open

14. Operation Paris

15. We’re Not Flying?

16. Mr President

17. Look of Shock

18. Joey’s Amazement

19. Denver

20. Elbert

21. The Climb

22. Castle Pines

23. Unfinished Business

1. No Remorse

It was a dark night in Kaliningrad. Mist was drifting in from the Sea and the air was distinctly chilly. It would be unwise on such a night to venture out without a coat. Stephan Sorross had his collar up and his hat pulled down over his face, trying to protect himself from the cold wind. He knew this town very well. He had travelled here on vacation many times, when he called Lithuania home. This occasion however was not a social visit.

Walking past the Monument built to commemorate Russian Cosmonauts, and taking a left turn into Chaikovskogo, he arrived at his destination. The Tchaikovsky Hotel. He looked up to see an ageing building that to be honest, had seen better days.

A doorman opened the large glass doors with a slight tip of his hat. Sorross thanked him, walked past reception and approached the elevators. He chose the sixth floor and travelled upwards alone. A young couple smiled politely as he made his exit. Opening his wallet, he removed a key card and waited patiently for them to enter, and for the sliding doors to close.

Walking down the hallway he came to room 611. The 9 millimetre Beretta inside his coat pocket had a silencer already attached. Calmly he entered the key card, opened the door then closed it behind him.

A shout of What the hell came from a well-dressed man holding a glass in the middle of the room. Two pops rang out. A bullet hit the man in the chest, the other between the eyes causing him to drop the glass, fall back on the table then roll onto the floor. There was no need to check the man’s pulse, this contract was now complete.

Stephan Sorross is a cold blooded killer. A hit man. Working exclusively for the Odessa Mafia. The most prominent and dominant criminal group in the U.S.A. They are well known for drug running and a major player in people smuggling and prostitution. Russia had no problem with this organisation using Kaliningrad as a base. They were a thorn in the Americans side, not theirs.

Poland immediately to the south and Lithuania north and east had both tried to eradicate this former Russian black market organisation but to no avail. Kaliningrad is an exclave, it has no land connecting it to the mother country. The small population must travel by air or sea to avoid passport control. Most importantly, Kaliningrad has the Baltic Sea to the west. This makes it a vital strategically placed naval base for Russia and as such the military has a massive presence. No country dared mess with such a stronghold. Odessa felt safe and secure carrying out their many illegal operations.

Sorross opened the door carefully and look down the hallway, it was clear. This time, he walked straight past the elevator and used the stairs to reach the ground floor. He removed his gloves, hat, glasses and fake moustache. He placed them along with the hand gun in one of the large bins that lined the back entrance of the hotel.

He had no thought or remorse for the man he had just removed from this earth. The only regret he had was the disposal of the hat. The cold wind tore through a discarded newspaper a few yards in front of him and sent it spinning upwards between the rusting fire escapes. He shivered, raised the collar on his coat, and lowered his head into the breeze. Calm and calculated, he followed his pre-planned route through the narrow cobbled backstreets of Kaliningrad. The sounds of police sirens could be heard in the distance as Sorross sent a text from his phone. D O N E.

Reaching the train station he took a key from his pocket. In locker 127 he found a briefcase. Removing it he looked at his watch, it was time to go. The train leaves in 5 minutes. He would be in Lithuania in a couple of hours. Once the train departed he opened the briefcase to find he was booked on a flight from Vilnius, Lithuania’s International Airport. Schiphol in the Netherlands was the destination. There was also a reservation at the Airport hotel, a passport and a typed note that read, Text will follow.

The train attendant punched his ticket and wished him a pleasant journey. Sorross thanked him, sat back in the seat and closed his eyes. This was a bad time, he became extremely tired after a kill and this worried him. He was mid-40 now, his work for many years had been one of secrecy, travel, and long missions. All of which precluded any real outside life or relationship. The solitude was starting to take its toll. What next he thought to himself, hoping for news of a flight back to his new home in America, and a few months break.

2. A New Venture

Susan and Duncan were making last minute touches to their new premises. The former bookstore had fallen into disrepair; their efforts had turned it into a modern office. They stood back to admire their hard work. Susan turned to Duncan. Well, what do you think of our new venture?

Looking at the back wall there was a massive mirror, it read, Mitchell and Gilmore, Private and Corporate Investigations. The corporate side was Susan’s speciality, if it was on a computer somewhere in the world, Susan could find it. You sure the mirror is big enough, Duncan laughed. Susan nudged Duncan in the ribs for making fun of the size.

Duncan kissed her, if this is what you want, I’m delighted! Well I need something to do while you tour the world enjoying yourself, she laughed. You know I want you with me Susan.

I know, I don’t mind a few jollies but I would quickly get bored being a Golfers Wag. I just hope there is enough to keep you busy. Stonehaven is not the Ideal place to set this kind of thing up. Oh Duncan, it’s a worldwide business with the internet. It doesn’t matter where the office is. I bow to your knowledge Oh great one, he said bowing and laughing. Susan squeezed his left nipple, ouch!

The door opened behind them and the little bell they had kept above the door rang out. They turned to see who it was.

Jenny!

Both had said her name at the same time. What a surprise, what brings you back so soon? asked Duncan it’s great to see you whatever the reason. Jenny had stayed with Susan and Duncan while her father sorted out the Global Tracing mess her ex-husband Philip Draco had left. It had taken quite a while and the emotional mess of losing her young lover took even longer. But Jenny handled it well and thankfully her dark days were over. She was now Jenny Brentworth again and had an executive position in her father’s company.

After the hugs and kisses she looked at them both, well guys, I really didn’t expect to be back so soon myself, but after your last email explaining your new venture it just seems a natural thing to do. You got me, Jenny? Duncan looked puzzled.

Ok let’s have a seat; this is going to take a little explaining. She took a deep breath, I want you to look for John Dawson.

Susan and Duncan looked at each other. Oh I know what you’re thinking, here she goes again, she’s lost it up there, Jenny was pointing to her head and laughed a little. Placing her bag on the desk she removed her phone and asked them to listen to a recording. She switched the volume to loud speaker and set it to play.

John’s phone number came up then…….. Jenny, it’s me John…. And then nothing! A minute after that call a text. It simply said HELP. I had the phone call and text traced to Colorado and that is where Draco’s men were supposed to have killed him.

Susan had met John a few times and turned to Jenny, well, it sounded a little like him but……. Yes, I know, replied Jenny, you can’t be sure. To be truthful I’m not sure myself. I’m too scared I’m letting my heart rule my head. I trust you both with my life, you know that. If he is out there you will find him. She wrote a cheque and placed it on the desk. I need to show my father I’m taking my position in the company seriously. I have a private jet waiting at Dyce Airport, I can’t just disappear anymore. If you decide to do this you can be my eyes and ears. Please?

Susan looked at Duncan, and by the way Susan was smiling, Duncan knew she wanted to do it. Duncan turned to Jenny. It looks like you’ve hired a couple of private detectives.

Jenny hugged and kissed both and gave them a card from her bag. This is my new work number. I know you will need my old one to validate the call. Susan, you are well known for finding out company secrets. If someone has posted anything strange from that area you will find it I’m sure.

Susan put her hand on Jenny’s shoulder, "please, don’t build your hopes up,