Hidden Steel

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Book excerpt

Prologue 

A colossal blood moon hung in the midnight sky and shone as brightly as a winter’s early morning sun. Below, the ocean reflected the Luna giant causing each wave to sparkle, like the lights of a big city. There was a whoosh of spray, and a mighty steel leviathan cut through the tranquil waters. A cruise ship of immense size – a city of the ocean, cruised by, its destination set, but it ran silent and dark, no music or signs of life. Aboard, it was as still and as dark as the grave.

Below, in the bowls of the floating city, a group of passengers stood huddled together in fear in the darkened depths of the ship. Sparks flew down from broken power cables like bright orange raindrops. Intermittent flashes from bursts of electricity lit up the darkened lower sections and the faces of the scared passengers. Their wide-unblinking eyes were glued to the electronic counter as it flickered with every change of the countdown. A man knelt in front of them. Even though he was dressed all in black, his broad-shouldered back was made visible by the emergency lighting above the doorway and the internment flash of blue light from the broken power cables. The man as he used his hands to search for a way to switch off the timer, in case there was another way other to switch off the device.

“Can you stop it?” Asked a tall blonde woman. The man remained silent, lost in his task, the rest of the world was oblivious to him, as though he were the only one in the room.

“Hey, the lady asked you a question,” barked a large American, but the man knew it wasn't personal, the American was scared but acting bravely, mostly for the sake of the ladies – or himself.

“Please, Mr Black – can you stop it?” The women asked again, the man they all knew as Mr Black stood up and walked towards them. Mr Black was tall, and his rugged features seemed more handsome as the flashes of light illuminated one side of his chiselled face. He wore all black, and he wore it well.

“I need the code, but we have time” he lied – hoping it would reassure the people. He turned and looked at the timer that read 04:45:36. “I have to find the actual device and hope to stop it from there.” He turned and started to walk away but stopped. He half turned towards them and waited for a moment, as if pondering his next move. “Oh, and by the way, the name isn’t Black its Steel, Detective John Steel.” There was a large burst of sparks from the cables, making them shield their eyes. As they looked back to where Steel had stood, they saw only the empty passageway.

Chapter One

Fourteen days earlier.

The rain came down heavy and hard, with raindrops the size of peas hammering  against every surface, making dull thuds with each impact. The streets became like lakes, drains bubbled, and fountains of water spewed from the draining systems, as they were unable to cope with the watery onslaught. The sky above the Southampton port loomed with grey mountainous clouds that crackled and flashed as a storm brewed within. It had been several weeks since John Steel had arrived back home in Britain. The trip he had considered to have been most productive and fruitful in many ways. He had spent some time at the office of the company his family had founded some many years ago, to speak with the chairman of the board, to ensure everything was running smoothly, but mostly to make sure he wasn’t needed to be there. Steel wasn’t a businessman, that had been his father’s domain. Steel was a soldier – a detective, not someone who was meant for a desk job.

He stood in the departure lounge and gazed out through the waterfall that was cascading down the thick glass of the waiting lounge window. A huge plate-glass screen was as big as the wall itself. He watched the ships in the harbour as they were rocked about like toy boats in a bathtub. There was a flash of lightning that lit up the sky, followed instantly by a crack of thunder. As the light show faded, the outside grew darker once more, and John Steel caught a glimpse of his reflection. He's tall broad-shouldered frame was clad in a black suit, a black shirt and maroon tie. A pair of mask-like sunglasses hugged the contours of his rugged good looks. John Steel looked like a million bucks, though, he was going for the two million look. The joys of undercover.

As he lifted the cup to his lips, his face winced at the smell and taste of the strong brew. He smiled as thoughts of the Homicide Department back in New York came flooding back to him. A couple of weeks before, Steel was attached to the NYPD on a case. It had been a triple homicide, which had been masking a massive arms deal, set up by a criminal organisation. It was meant to be for just for one case, but he had the feeling things were not over - not yet, so he would remain there for a little while longer. Besides, he was having too much fun getting under their skin, especially the lead detective – Detective Samantha McCall.

The lounge was full of families, tour groups, and people who just had to get away from it all. He did not fit into any of those categories. They were there for relaxation; he was there for answers. As he looked around at the happy couples who were laughing, and the children were running about with excitement. Everything seemed to slow down. His mind drifted to images of his wife. The memories rolled like an old film, real into his mind: her smile, her beautiful face. The locations appeared blurred in the background, but it didn't matter. As he watched memories unfold, the image was of his wife laughing and smiling, and they were running on a beach somewhere, their time together reeling off like he was watching a home movie in his mind. The image changed, she lying in their bed and rolling over to face him, she smiled as he touched her face, his heart froze as the image distorted, and her eyes became cold and empty. Steel went to cry out her name, but a sensation stopped him, something was yanking at his leg. Reality crashed through the daymare like a brick through a windowpane. Steel looked down with a startled and confused look on his face at first, but a warming smile replaced it. A little girl, who was no more than six years old, was tugging on his trouser leg, with not much force, but enough to get Steel’s attention. The girl had a look of that tender innocence and inquisitiveness most have at that age. For some sweet and amusing, and others found it annoying after a while.

“Hey Mr, why are you so sad, are you scared of boats?” she asked, in a squeaky voice. Her rosy cheeks masked her freckled face, and her mousey-coloured hair was tied up into pigtails held together by bright pink hairbands with bobbles that looked like fat ladybirds. As Steel smiled at her, he looked up in time to see a woman rushing towards them; she knelt and grabbed her daughter, embarrassed at her daughter's intrusion.

She was tall, blonde and beautiful. A black dress hugged her body, revealing every fake curve she had – but she made both work  well for her.

“I am so sorry; I hope she didn’t disturb you?” Her voice was soft, with a hint of an East London accent.

“Not at all.” Steel replied, smiling back at the woman. Steel noticed her ring finger had a white band, which indicated a divorce and, judging by the whiteness of the band, a recent one at that. Steel smiled and thought if she was on this cruise, the whole thing must have ended with her on top.

“It’s fine; really, I was just daydreaming, that’s all.” Steel said, readjusting his sunglasses. Eyewear that he had found to be perfect to look at people without them noticing him, as well as having other unique benefits. As Steel gave the woman and the rest of the room a once over, as he did, he caught her gaze. A full, wide-eyed look, like the cat who was staring at the fishbowl look. It was obvious she liked what she saw – especially the lack of jewellery on the wedding finger, or the hint that there had been any for that matter. As she stood from the kneeling position by her daughter's side, the woman straightened out her dress, ensuring to push out her chest and flicked her long blonde locks.

“Are you travelling alone Mr…?” She reached out a hand to start the formal introductions and inenviable friendly interrogation. Steel smiled and, taking her hand, laid a gentle kiss on the knuckles of her trembling hand.

“Black, Antony Black, and yes I am travelling alone, a bit of a business trip mixed with pleasure,” he smiled; as he watched the woman became flushed, “And you are…?” The woman slapped back to reality by her daughter pulling at her mother’s dress and giggling.

“What – sorry, I am Miss Wade, but you can call me Julie and this little madam is Trish.” She dug her fingers into the top of the child’s shoulders, causing her to giggle and struggle out of the tickle grip.

“Would all passengers please make their way to the promenade ready for boarding, thank you,” came a voice over the Tannoy. A tall, thin, grey-haired steward placed back the handset and stood next to his female colleague as the preparation for the mass of people began.

“I hope we run into each other again, Mr Black” Steel smiled, broadly.

“Oh, something tells me that will be inevitable,” he bowed slightly with his right hand over his chest. “Madam” Trish giggled and returned the bow, “Madam” Julie smiled, and her tanned cheeks blushed as she made for the desk, entirely dazzled by the display.

Steel stood back and watched in wonderment at the cascade of people pushing through the reception in an almost manic need to be first, and he knew it would be the same for disembarkation, the same people would be first off, and he smiled to himself and shook his head as he finished his coffee.

As John Steel made his way outside and towards one of the three gantries, he caught the full view of the massive floating city, the whole walkway had been covered by what appeared to be a long marquee to ensure the seven thousand five hundred passengers wouldn’t get wet before they started.

The massive wonder held twenty-three decks and lay 3,800 ft long; the floating  colossus was a remarkable sight; its white gloss walls gave way to the glass balconies of the apartments and the yellow lifeboats housed below the living quarters. As Steel entered the vessel, he saw a long-carpeted corridor which then opened out to the main floor. Large open brass-coloured elevators with seating carried the passengers to the upper floors, as well as grand staircases that led to the next deck. There were potted plants, a fountain in the centre of the room which held a large bronze statue of the ocean god himself. Steel took the stairwell – choosing to take in the breath-taking view of the open-plan floors. Reaching the next level, he noticed it opened out into a massive auditorium. Red and gold marble tiles lined the floors while grand stone pillars held up the next floor, which gave it a grand appearance – with its maroon wallpapered walls and paintings in gold frames. Chesterfield furnishings were arranged in groups across the marble floor. Steel was impressed at its mixture of old grand and modern, bright lights and entertainment. The white marble information desk, crowned with brass fittings that curved around the sides, and a polished oak top was placed against the right-hand wall.

The ceiling rose up to around eight feet, the room itself had an abundance of touch screen information boards, large potted plants, and palm trees. Steel looked at the information pack he had received at check-in, which was more like a flight check-in than that of a cruise.

He was in one of the suites on deck seventeen; he stood for a moment to get his bearings. Steel watched the masses rush here and there, as though the whole ship was about to close in five minutes. He chuckled to himself at the fact that these people had fourteen days to explore but felt the need to see everything now.

“Can I help you, Sir?” Asked a steward in a white uniform. Steel turned and showed his key card, displaying his room number. “You’re on deck seventeen Mr – Black; elevators are just over there.” Steel thanked the man and made his way through the chaos towards the safety of the glass elevator. As Steel headed passed a brass post, he caught the reflection behind him, the steward was on his cell and watching Steel as he headed away. He thought nothing of it and just put it down to his soldier paranoia.

Standing in front of his door, he drew out the key card and slipped it into the slot, a green LED flicked on, and a click signalled he could enter. The room was large with a king-sized bed and furnishings fit for a five-star hotel, at the far end of the room, a blaze of sunshine showed the sliding glass doors to his balcony. Throwing his suitcase onto the bed, he approached the two sliding doors and pushed the blue and white curtains to the side. Outside looked cold and miserable but the warm climate inside made it feel very much snugger. He turned and crashed onto the bed; he bounced slightly, meaning it was a good mattress – for him anyway. The bed was comfortable and inviting possibly too inviting. He shot up off the bed, “No” he thought, “I got to unpack.” He opened the suitcase and blew out a large breath to wake himself, “First unpack, and then check out the ship.”

John Steel awoke with a start. There was a blast from the horn of the ship, followed by another as the ships bid its farewell to the port. Steel scowled, annoyed at the interruption to his nap.

“Cheers for that you bastards,” he yelled, as though anyone could hear him, he looked at his watch – it was half-past two in the afternoon, he’d only been asleep for half an hour, but it had been a nice half-hour. Sliding himself off the bed, he silently cursed himself for giving in to the comfort of the mattress, but as he finally unpacked, he gave a self-indulging smile.

At Herbert Walker Avenue, two large, long buildings lay next to the River Test. Their white walls housed the arrival and departures of the large cruise liners. Surrounding the buildings were a series of long-stay car parks and container storage for the large cargo ships. The clouds above gave a menacing bon voyage to the floating city with crackles, low rumbles of the electrical storm within.

With a roar of power, a blacked-out Land Rover raced into the parking lot next to the cruise terminal and, with a screech, came to a halt, the vehicle was parked side on to the water. Slowly the back window wound down, the sound of electrical gears assisting its decent. A pair of binoculars crept out and scanned the vessel, only the sound of the hum from the engine, and the raindrops impacting with the metal of the vehicle, broke  the silence of the moment. As the ship pulled away down the river towards the mouth of the ocean, the car remained until it was no longer visible by naked eye or binoculars. As the massive ship became a dot on the landscape, the window wound up, and with a spit of gravel, the car sped away.