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    Disorganised Crime
    Disorganised Crime
    Disorganised Crime
    Ebook299 pages3 hours

    Disorganised Crime

    By Drew Lindsay

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    About this ebook

    Ex Police Detective Ben Hood was trained and experienced in the deadly art of Ninjutsu. His teacher often pitted his skills against other students of the fighting art. The beautiful and strangely complicated Italian woman gave little away during their training sessions. When she later went missing, Ben was hired through the VIP protection agency that employed him, to find her. It should have been a fairly easy job. What Ben didn’t initially know, was that this woman was the wife of a senior member of the Australian mafia, operating in a large NSW country town. Ben’s attempts to locate her would bring him on a collision course with men who kill when strangers poke their noses into activities of the mafia, either personal or business. What the mafia boss doesn’t understand however is that he is not dealing with just another law abiding VIP protection agent. He is dealing with Ben Hood. Ben rarely follows the rules, making him unpredictable and dangerous.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDrew Lindsay
    Release dateSep 25, 2013
    ISBN9781301235186
    Disorganised Crime
    Author

    Drew Lindsay

    Drew Lindsay is a dynamic Australian Novelist and Writer. He has travelled extensively throughout Australia and the world. His background includes working as a Policeman and detective, then managing his own private investigation business as well as working in Fraud Investigation Management positions within the insurance industry.Drew is a PADI Divemaster and holds a private pilot's license. He has a great love of entertaining others with his vivid imagination. His novels allow the reader to escape into worlds of romance, excitement, humour and fast paced adventure. Drew lives in northern New South Wales with his wife.

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      Book preview

      Disorganised Crime - Drew Lindsay

      CHAPTER ONE

      Ex New South Wales Australian Police Detective Sergeant Ben Hood, would have been in a relatively foul mood had it not been for the cricket hiding somewhere in his tiny kitchen and making the high pitch singing noise that crickets do. The sound would have driven most others to distraction, but to Ben it was soothing amid the noise of Sydney traffic and small children screaming in nearby apartments and that obviously crazy Italian man in the flat beneath him who had the propensity of bursting into song at any time of the day or night.

      Ben was angry over a number of issues, the least of which was his inability to move two Baoding balls through his large fingers. His mentor and martial arts teacher had instructed him to persevere with the heavy, chiming balls, moving them around and around in one hand by only the movement of his fingers. He had eventually got them to move clockwise without dropping them, but moving them back the other way was proving impossible and adding to his frustration. He knew the balls were supposed to assist with relaxation but to the contrary, he felt like pitching them out the window into the street below.

      Ben was a big man, 52 years old and over 6 feet tall. He was muscular and very fit considering his age. This was due in the main, to regular and often brutal workouts with Akira Misaki, his fighting teacher, and various opponents who Akira also trained and brought against Ben from time to time in order to test the skills of both. Ben had spent years learning the lifestyle and fighting ways of the Shin Obi Ninjutsu. He was extremely good at this ancient form of Japanese soldier fighting, notwithstanding the slowing of reflexes that comes with age and a very demanding work schedule.

      Ben now worked as a VIP operative for a company named ‘Security for Important People’, owned and operated by Rodney Reid, a man who had become his friend. Most of Ben’s assignments had almost claimed his life and tested his fighting skills to the absolute limit. He had a number of scars on his body to prove this. Ben had wanted a break from work and Rodney was reluctantly giving him that. Now Ben was bored and a woman he had been seeing had gone off to the USA for an extended holiday. He was alone and absorbed in self pity. The Baoding balls wouldn’t work and deliver the tranquillity Akira had promised. It was only 4 pm and he had promised himself that he wouldn’t have a scotch until after 5. He had lots of money so he could go out to a club and have a great time but he didn’t want to go out and he knew even if he did, he would feel miserable. Perhaps he could hire a helicopter and take a joy ride around the Sydney beaches and out to the Blue Mountains. He knew that was a dumb thought. He could always ring his ex wife Fay and annoy the hell out of her. Just ringing Fay would set her off, which was fun when he had nothing better to do. He had only phoned her twice since the divorce and both times he was drunk and both times she threatened to call the police. Bad idea to even contemplate ringing Fay and he didn’t know why the thought had even crossed his mind.

      The cricket continued to sing. It didn’t have a worry in the world. Then his mobile phone rang. He put down the Baoding balls and picked up the phone. The display told him it was Akira so he accepted the call. What he didn’t know was that by answering Akira’s call, his life would once again be plunged into a very dark, dangerous hole from which on this particular occasion, his likelihood of escape would be either very slim, or none.

      ‘What are you doing Ben?’

      ‘Trying to work these damn Baoding balls. They won’t rotate. They’re going out the bloody window!’

      ‘You must have some patience. Start slowly and keep at it. It’s just like a child learning to walk.’

      ‘The hell it is! I hate these things.’

      ‘Then I have something more interesting for you.’

      ‘Not another 10 kilometre run through the suburbs. I swear those runs are doing my knees in.’

      ‘You are probably right Ben. We might have to cut down your distances. I only walk these days but I am ten years older than you.’

      ‘Eleven.’

      ‘Whatever,’ said Akira. ‘I am still Hachidan 8th Dan, my boy.’

      ‘I don’t know how you maintain your fitness,’ said Ben.

      ‘I’ll share my secret with you one day. More secrets for you to come to grips with including the constant use of Baoding balls.’

      ‘You didn’t ring me to discuss balls.’

      ‘No. I have a very interesting opponent for you. Are you free to visit this evening?’

      ‘I don’t work out on Thursdays.’

      ‘Any day can be a good day. Quite obviously you’re not having success with the Baoding balls so you might as well come here and assist me with a somewhat difficult client. It will be good for you both.’

      ‘What’s his problem?’

      ‘It’s a she.’

      ‘No, unless she’s 60.’

      ‘She is way off 60 but I think she may need your special skills.’

      ‘No,’ said Ben.

      ‘This woman simply takes one’s breath away, and you know how devoted I am to Bell.’

      ‘No.’

      ‘I think she comes from Italian parentage, and you know what Italian women are like.’

      ‘No I don’t know what Italian women are like and I don’t intend to start finding out now. I’m sort of involved.’

      ‘So where is Ms. Involved?’

      ‘America, but she’ll be back,’ said Ben.

      ‘I’m asking you to let this woman test out her newly learned skills against you. You don’t have to marry her!’

      ‘How long have you been training her?’ asked Ben.

      ‘Three months.’

      ‘Why put her up against me now?’

      ‘Because I’ve learned bit by bit that something is dreadfully wrong in her life and you might be able to get to that area. She won’t share it with me.’

      ‘Why did she want to learn to fight?’

      ‘She already knew how to fight,’ said Akira. ‘I’ve now discovered that she came to me because she wanted to learn how to inflict serious injury and even to kill. She is just like you and the both of you are of concern. I want you to meet with her and fight with her under my guidance.’

      Ben was quiet for a moment. ‘Is she good?’

      ‘Now she is but I’m pitting her against opponents who are not like you.’

      ‘How old is she?’

      ’30 or so.’

      ‘I don’t like it Aka. What’s her problem?’

      ‘That is what I’d like you to find out. That is what you are good at doing. I turned you out on the street like a damn loose cannon but at least I knew what you were about. This girl worries me. It’s a bit like leaving a loaded gun on a bus stop seat. I don’t know why I ever trained her in Shin Obi Ninjutsu. I made an error in judgement because of her….’ Akira was silent.

      ‘Her what?’

      ‘Her desperation, determination and charms.’

      ‘She charmed you?’

      ‘She has a way of looking right through you. Bell and I have had words about it.’

      ‘I bet you have,’ said Ben.

      ‘So I need your help with this woman my friend. I’ve told her of a challenge I’m setting for her this evening. The challenge is you my friend. I need you to pick her brains somehow. You’re supposed to be good at that.’

      ‘I’ll train with her but I have no idea how to get information from her.’

      ‘Take her out somewhere.’

      Ben stood up and walked to the window. He could see just a tiny bit of Sydney harbour from that vantage point in a very expensive and very tiny Mosman flat. ‘I’m not about to try and socialise with a girl who has mental issues. I’ve got enough problems of my own.’

      ‘She’s in deep trouble Ben. I think she needs your help more than anything I can teach her, and I say that with fear in my heart because you both lack other necessary components that come with these particular fighting skills.’

      ‘Then why did you teach us?’ asked Ben.

      ‘Perhaps I’m too old to judge anymore,’ said Akira.

      ‘If you hadn’t taught me the ways of the Ninjutsu, I’d have been dead a long time ago,’ said Ben.

      ‘Will you come and train with her?’

      ‘Only because I’m bored and I can’t work these damn balls,’ said Ben.

      ‘She is due here in one hour.’

      ‘I’ll be there,’ said Ben.

      ****

      CHAPTER TWO

      Ben climbed the familiar old wooden stairs onto the verandah of Akira’s 1940’s colonial style home in the suburb of Eastwood, near Sydney. Wind chimes tinkled softly in the evening breeze. He had always seen a white cat stretched out somewhere near the front door on previous visits. The cat was not there on this occasion. He was about to press the doorbell when the door was opened suddenly and a stunningly beautiful and very petite Japanese girl stood before him and bowed. Ben bowed in return.

      ‘I prayed you would come,’ she said.’

      ‘You look troubled Bell,’ said Ben.

      ‘I have been troubled, but I should not talk about such things.’

      ‘I’m his friend,’ said Ben. ‘I’ll sort it out.’

      Bell touched his arm. ‘This woman has a spirit that burns. It’s a troubled spirit and it troubles Akira.’

      ‘That’s why I’m here,’ said Ben.

      Bell nodded and led him into the hallway. Ben was again aware of the incense aromas bringing back many memories of this place. He took off his shoes and pulled on the slippers provided by Bell. They walked together down the familiar darkened hallway into the huge open kitchen, tiled in white porcelain from ceiling to floor and including the floor. The cupboards and benches were dark walnut and the kitchen accessories, stainless steel. Bell remained in the kitchen while Ben walked through to an opulently furnished sunroom at the rear of the house. The woman sitting with her back to Ben had straight, shoulder length bottle blond hair. Akira sat opposite her but he made no attempt to rise. He held out a huge calloused hand. Akira is a 64 year old Korean born man of solid build and extremely fit. He holds world recognition in many forms of Karate in Japan and the USA. He is rated 8th Dan Hachidan Japanese and Pal Dan Korean. Ben walked to Akira without looking at the woman, and shook his outstretched hand. ‘Uh suh oh seh yoh,’ said Akira (welcome)

      ‘Ahn nyoung ha seh yoh,’ said Ben (formal greeting)

      ‘You still look like shit,’ said Akira. ‘Why don’t you retire and get married?’

      ‘Then I’d end up looking as contented as you. It’s not normal.’

      ‘Bell and I aren’t married.’

      ‘So that’s the secret to your healthy looks.’

      ‘May I introduce you to Ms. Monique Angilletta.’

      Ben turned to face the blond woman. Wow! was all he could think as he forced his eyes away from her amazing body and back to her hypnotic hazel eyes. Ben held out his hand. ‘Hello.’

      She didn’t attempt to rise from her chair. She gripped his hand firmly and smiled. ‘Hello yourself. Akira didn’t tell me that I was to be fighting someone….someone….’

      ‘Older than you?’

      ‘Much older than me.’

      ‘Never judge a book by its cover,’ said Akira softly.

      ‘I always judge a book by its cover,’ said Monique. ‘If the cover is a dud, I won’t touch it.’

      ‘I guess you didn’t do well at school with the Math books,’ said Ben.

      ‘I hate Math.’

      ‘But you like to fight.’

      She looked up into his deep blue eyes. ‘As long as I can win.’

      ‘I’m here to train with you.’

      ‘Akira tells me the stakes are higher today. He is going to rate our fighting skills and he says you are very good.’ She looked at Akira. ‘Now that I’ve seen my opponent, I can only be amazed at where you are coming from. Is this a joke? Is this part of the deception of Ninja fighting? Take down the enemy, even if he is twice your age?’

      ‘I’m not twice your age,’ said Ben.

      ‘Touchy as well,’ said Monique.

      ‘Seeing that you pair have hit it off so well from the start, we might get started,’ said Akira, springing to his feet far quicker than a man of his age would normally accomplish. ‘Get changed and I’ll see you on the mats in 10 minutes.’

      Monique rose. She was almost 6 feet tall and athletically built with a body men would kill to get close to. Her skin was snow white with just a hint of pink lipstick on her full lips. Her white blond hair contrasted with perfectly formed dark brown eyebrows. Ben could see that she hadn’t touched up the hair colour in recent weeks as the dark brown roots were starting to show. Her hands were small and delicate. He speculated that there was no way in heaven that she could inflict any kind of physical pain on him. She had no bulk or scars. She looked like a very tall, voluptuous angel dressed in white designer jeans, matching silk shirt and pearl white, low heeled shoes. In high heels, she would have towered over him. The image crossed his mind and Ben dismissed it instantly.

      ‘Are you Italian?’ asked Ben.

      ‘My grandmother was Italian, so there is Italian blood in my veins. I married an Italian, not that it is your business.’

      ‘Why are you learning this fighting style?’ asked Ben.

      ‘Akira tells me you learned this art to stay alive.’

      Ben nodded.

      ‘Perhaps I’m training for the same reason. See you in 10 minutes, unless you want to call it off.’

      ‘You’re very confident that you can beat me at this game,’ said Ben.

      ‘It’s not a game to me.’

      ‘Do you have any bruises on your body from fighting?’

      ‘You’ll never know,’ she said, turning her back and walking away.

      ‘Dumb question,’ said Akira as Ben glanced at him.

      ‘I couldn’t think of anything else to say.’

      ‘She’s never actually told me the exact reason she wanted to train in this particular art. You’ve already given me an insight.’

      ‘She was probably joking,’ said Ben. ‘Who would want to kill her? She’s a damn socialite.’

      ‘Watch her,’ said Akira. ‘Looks can be deceiving.’

      ‘She’s already made that mistake with me,’ said Ben.

      ‘I note every weakness,’ said Akira. ‘Go change.’

      ‘You have a white belt,’ said Monique. ‘What is your rating?’

      ‘I don’t have or need a rating,’ said Ben.

      ‘Akira rates me. That’s why I have a black belt and a special rating in Taijutsu.’

      ‘Unarmed combat is just one of the 18 Ninjutsu fighting skills. You’ve got a long way to go,’ said Ben.

      ‘It will do for now,’ said Monique.

      Ben bowed as he faced her. Monique returned the bow.

      ‘Punches and kicks of any kind are to be strictly non lethal and will not cause serious injury,’ said Akira. ‘This is a training exercise as well as a contest of skills and experience. Being off balance will count against you. Falling as a result of a move by your opponent will automatically signal the contest is over. In a fight to the death, once you are down, it is unlikely you would ever stand again. There are exceptions of course.’ Akira looked at each of them in turn. ‘Maintain respect for your opponent. You may now begin.’

      Ben was suddenly overwhelmed with the memory of facing up to another beautiful woman in Canberra in a similar fighting bout. He fell in love with that police detective and then she was taken away from him by a ruthless killer. Monique instantly saw that Ben was distracted and she launched at him like an uncoiled spring, landing a heavy blow to the side of his head. Ben attempted to block it but the sweep of his hand did little to soften the blow. It hurt but he was not off balance and he countered with a sweeping chop of his hand to the inside of her right arm. He saw her wince in pain as she moved back out of his striking range. The look of surprise on her face revealed that she had definitely underestimated the speed at which Ben was capable of moving. Ben moved towards her, sweeping away her leg as she kicked towards his groin. He lifted his right fist and as her eyes glanced at it, he jabbed his fingers into her chest bone just above her breasts. If he had aimed this blow at her throat, the contest would have been over. Monique countered with a flurry of punches towards Ben’s chest. He effortlessly blocked each one. Her face was now red from exertion and frustration. She stepped sideways in an attempt to have Ben follow her into an unexpected roundhouse kick with the heel of her right foot. Ben remained still, keeping his breathing under control and watching every move she made. She began to circle him with a slow cat like walk, waiting for just the right time to lash out at him. Ben didn’t move. She was now behind him and he didn’t even turn his head to see what she was doing.

      Monique put her hands on her hips. ‘What the hell is this? This isn’t the way to fight!’

      ‘Continue,’ said Akira.

      ‘He won’t face me!’

      ‘Continue,’ repeated Akira.

      Monique stepped in to deliver a savage kidney punch to Ben. She had only taken one step when he suddenly dropped face forward onto the mat and kicked back at her stomach with his right foot. She cried out in pain as the breath was literarily knocked out of her and she fell back heavily onto the mats. Ben was on his feet in seconds and obviously ready to deliver more punishment if she was stupid enough to get up.

      ‘Enough!’ said Akira.

      ‘You always taught me to keep my opponent in eye range,’ said Monique, sitting up and holding her stomach with both hands.

      ‘Generally speaking, that is right,’ said Akira. ‘The thing is that Ben doesn’t follow the usual rules. He took a decidedly dangerous risk, which is the prerogative of the Ninja. The same risk would have been forced upon the Ninja if surrounded by a number of opponents. When you cannot watch all of them, you must listen for the movements of the one out of eye sight. That is what Ben did and you walked into his danger zone.’

      ‘Behind his back?’

      ‘Every part of the Ninjutsu fighter can be lethal, especially when he has tricked the opponent into thinking that he doesn’t know what is happening.’

      Ben held out his hand to Monique. She ignored it and got to her feet unaided. ‘He tricked me,’ she said.

      ‘Boryaku,’ said Akira. ‘The 14th discipline of the Ninjutsu school.’

      ‘I don’t know that one,’ said Monique.

      ‘Tactics,’ said Akira. ‘We will begin that training very soon. I have rated this contest a draw. Your first blow to the side of Ben’s head could have been fatal if you had intended it to be. He was distracted at the time for whatever reason and you took advantage of it.’

      ‘I was reminded of someone very dear to me as we prepared to fight,’ said Ben.

      ‘Ridding your mind of all unnecessary thoughts is vital before you fight,’ said Akira. ‘You of all people know that.’

      ‘I know,’ said Ben, looking at Monique. ‘You are very fast.’

      ‘So are you,’ she said. ‘I’m impressed.’

      ‘Good,’ said Akira. ‘Now you two get comfortable in the sunroom while I have Bell make us some nice green tea and we’ll have a talk about training sessions.’

      ‘Can I have coffee?’ asked Ben.

      ‘That stuff will kill you. The tea will clear your mind.’

      ‘Crap,’ said Ben.

      ‘It will clear that also.’

      ****

      CHAPTER THREE

      Monique and Ben trained together, fought together, jogged together and little by little, got to know each other. Both held back much of their private lives from the other. He told her that he owned an Aston Martin which he hardly ever used and never parked in a public street. He told her that he lived in a

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