Trail Of Terror (The Clayton Boys Mystery Adventure Series #1) Chapter 1

TRAIL OF TERROR

(CLAYTON BOYS #1)

CHAPTER 1 

Josh

I looked out over the instrument panel—lights flashing red and my heart lurched into my throat. We were going to crash! Keep it together, I muttered to myself.

Quick, put the landing gear down, my brother Cody cried out. He was seated in the co-pilot seat but didn’t know anything about being a pilot.

My hands flew to the controls and lowered the landing gear. I could hear Cody breathing out short bursts of breath to calm himself. My other brother Ben was in the back seat, calm and collected.

We levelled off as the island came into view and the landing strip, lights just winking on in the dusk. A storm cloud was directly ahead, right over the island. I would have to land before the cloud hit or we’d run out of fuel.

Storm Island to Clayton 1, do you read?

A voice crackled over the radio. Yes, I said, clicking on the hand held radio.

Are you OK, boys, the man said.

Yes, we’re good, George, I answered. I heard Cody grunt. That’s what you think, he muttered under his breath, but I heard him.

OK, airstrip A is open. You’re good to proceed.

Just then a flash of lightning burst across right in front of the plane. Ack! Cody blurted.

Be quiet, dude! I exclaimed, grabbing the wheel tighter.

Just—get us down in one piece, Cody said between gritted teeth.

Cody, calm down, Ben remarked from the back seat. Josh’s got this, don’t you, bro?

I nodded and gritted my teeth, happy for Ben’s confidence in me, but wondering if I really could do it.

Of course I could do it. I’ve landed this plane hundreds of times.

But never in the middle of a storm.

I banked to the right and levelled the plane and lowered towards the airstrip. Another flash filled the sky, but this was different. It wasn’t lightning.

What—was that? Cody said with a gulp, gripping the front dashboard.

Lightning, Ben remarked. What else would it be?

I don’t think—so, I muttered, agreeing with my youngest sibling. It came from the far side of the island.

There’s nothing over there, Ben said matter of factly, peering out from between the seats and staring into the darkness.

The plane lowered and a few seconds later the landing gear hit the pavement of the runway. We slowed but suddenly the end of the airstrip was ahead of us.

I had misjudged the distance in the semi darkness. We were going to crash.

Ack! Cody blurted again and Ben grunted. I gripped the steering wheel as we careened down the strip and approached the trees just ahead.

Crash!

The plane flew through the wall of trees and foliage at the end of the airstrip. Suddenly we were sliding down an embankment towards a rushing stream, about a hundred meters dead ahead.

The plane slowed as it slid down the rocky hill and turned to the left as it slid. I held on to the steering wheel trying desperately to gain some control over the plane, but it continued to slide down the embankment.

A flash of light lit up the sky along the river to our left. The plane slid a little further then came to a stop against a large rock sticking out into the water.

What—was that?

It’s a rock, Ben muttered from the backseat.

Not that, you bonehead, Cody said, turning in his seat. That flash of light. Didn’t you see it.

Oh, that, Ben said. I have no idea.

Come on, let’s get out of here. Anyone hurt, I asked as I turned to first Cody then Ben. Both shook their heads.

I tried to open the door but it was butted up against the rock. Try your door, I said to Cody who nodded then opened his door. A weird noise met our ears as Cody climbed out of the door and jumped to the ground. A loud mechanical noise filled the forest, drowning out the rushing river just behind us.

What in the—? Cody said, staring at me, eyes wide. I shrugged and climbed out followed by Ben.

The noise stopped and a moment later it started to rain, drops coming off the leaves overhead.

My cell phone buzzed and I answered it. George?

Are you guys OK, his usually steady voice said, now touched with concern. Where are you?

By the river, I said, looking around but the trees all looked the same. At the top of the hill I could barely see the hole in the foliage where the plane had crashed through.

I’m coming out in the van to get you guys. Stay tight.

I could hear the rumbling of the van’s engine.

I can see the end of the runway, he said through the phone. I see where you crashed through.

Suddenly a bright flash of light lit up the area. Then the loud machinery noise filled the air.

What’s that, George said through the phone.

Did you see the bright light?

Yes, George said. What is it?

We don’t know, I said. The rain started to come more heavily now.  It’s over a crest of a hill on the other side of the river. We can’t seen anything from our position.

I’m almost to the end of the runway, George said. I’ll get you guys then we’ll investigate the light.

The noise stopped again and the woods were quiet, except for the rain and the rushing river.

Headlights appeared at the top of the hill, lights blaring through the break in the foliage. George appeared a moment later, a flashlight in his hand. A moment later the beam of his light landed on us and he moved down the hill, light bobbing in the darkness.

We moved to meet him. The hill wasn’t very steep and since I was wearing hiking boots so the climb was easy—for me. It was a little more difficult for Cody who had high tops.

We’re OK, I said as we met and George nodded. He was an older man, mid 50s with short dark hair and grey eyes. He had on a light jacket and jeans.

Let’s head back and we’ll get this plane out in the morning. You guys need to get back to the house. Your parents have been notified and will meet us in the infirmary

We don’t need a doctor, Cody grunted as we headed up the hill. I want to find out what that noise was and—what the light was.

Really, dude, Ben muttered. We’ll figure it out tomorrow. We were just in a plane crash—remember? The rain started to come down in torrents, so any investigation would have to wait.

Come on, I growled and followed George to the top of the hill. No more lights and no more machinery noise as we reached the van. It was a late model square van of some nondescript colour. It was George’s van and though we teased him about it, it got us from point A to point B on the island.

I climbed in the back followed by Ben then Cody. George got in the front and started it up. The engine roared to life, and we moved back to the runway. Rain continued to come down in buckets. A moment later George’s cell phone rang. He clicked the Bluetooth attached to the radio, and a voice came over the speakers.

George? Is that you?

Yes, George said, looking at us. What is it Roscoe?

It’s Tyson. He’s missing. You’re out in the van?

Yes, George remarked.

Can you see if you can find him? He was out in the forest at the end of the island but I can’t reach him on his cell. I saw a lightning flash just a bit ago. He might have been hit.

I’ll go and look, George said. I’ll let you know what I find.

Thanks, Roscoe remarked with a sigh.

George hung up.

What would Tyson be doing out in a storm? I grunted. Tyson Brady was the son of Roscoe Brady who worked with our parents in the government lab on Storm Island—the secret government lab. He was a year younger than me and was a royal pain in the—

Watch out! Cody cried out as a figure loomed up in front of us in the darkness.

George slammed on the brakes and swerved to miss the figure standing in the middle of the rain soaked dirt trail.

The figure came up to the passenger door and wrenched it open. You almost killed me, George! The person cried out.

Tyson Brady. His usual spiky blond hair was now plastered to his head and his dark shirt was drenched as were his jeans.

He noticed the three of us sitting in the back. What are you guys doing out here, he muttered, climbing into the front seat? I thought you were back on the mainland; he added with a sneer.

A better question, what are you doing out here, in the rain, I retorted. Just taking a stroll?

Yeah, something like that, Tyson muttered, turning to look out the window.

Your dad just called and asked me to look for you, George said, evenly. He couldn’t reach you on your phone.

Pfft, Tyson said shaking his head. Dad’s a worry wart. I turned off my phone, the battery was dead anyway.

You’d better call him, George said reaching to turn on the Bluetooth.

Don’t bother, Tyson said turning to face George. Just take me back to Dad’s lab. I’ll talk to him.

Very well, Tyson. George said. He knew it was useless to argue with Tyson, who could be a little stubborn.

We rode in silence for a few minutes, heading back down the dirt trail towards the main complex. A large building came up ahead, the van’s headlights glinting off the windows. It was a two story structure, brick with windows along the ground floor. This was the main lab of Clayton Corporation, owned by my parents, world renowned scientists Thomas Clayton and Cordelia Biedermann-Clayton. The “secret” government lab was located on a lower level of the lab building and not many people were aware of this section of the “Clayton Corporation”.

We lived just beyond the lab building in a large ranch style house that backed on the Pacific Ocean, which was dark now. Over the sound of the rain I could hear the waves crashing on the surf below.

Down the rutted lane, another building, smaller than our house, was where Tyson lived with his dad, Roscoe. Roscoe Brady was my parents assistant in the lab. He was a good scientist and a fairly decent, if quiet and reserved guy. Tyson figured his dad should run the lab, not my own dad. Ever since Tyson and his father came to live on the island with us—three months ago now, he had it in for me and my brothers—and my parents for that matter.

Just drop me off in front of the house, Tyson muttered and George complied without a word. A minute later Tyson was out of the van and without a word of thanks, bounded up the front steps of his house and went inside.

You should talk to Dad about him, Cody said. He’s a rude jerk. He shouldn’t talk to you the way he does.

It’s OK, George said quietly. He’s got—a lot on his mind, he added as he pulled the van around and headed to our house, half a kilometer back down the lane.

The lab was dark but our house was lighted up, so Mom and Dad were home and likely had guests. Probably some government official.

Landers is here, George muttered as he pulled into a parking spot next to a new black sedan.

Great, what does he want, I said as we got out and headed around the back to the rear entrance. I could really hear the surf now, the wind and rain still coming down in sheets.

Dunno, George said as he followed us into the house. We could hear voices coming from the living room, just off the kitchen.

We had not choice but to bring him in, a voice said.

Wait, the boys are back, Mom said and a moment later she came into the kitchen. She was tall and slim with long reddish blond curly hair. She was still dressed in her lab coat. A look of worry lined her features.

Oh, good you’re back safe, she said, letting  out a breath. She hugged me, then Ben, then Cody. Are you OK, she said. We were going to meet you at the infirmary, but-well we have a visitor.

I told your parents what happened, George said and Mom nodded. A moment later Dad appeared in the doorway. He was tall and slim and had dark hair and a light beard. He flashed a quick smile.

Boys, it’s good to see you’re OK. He strode into the room and stood next to mom. They looked like something was wrong. Something other than their sons just surviving a plane crash.

What’s up? I asked looking between Mom, Dad and my brothers.

It’s your friend Vik, Mom said, looking at Ben.

Vik, from school? Ben asked.

Yes, Mom said. He’s been arrested.

Enemy Match Chapter 12 FINAL CHAPTER

Enemy Match

Chapter 12

Luckily Evan was still awake. I explained to him what I needed and within the hour he was back with the information. It confirmed my suspicions.

Thanks Evan, I said. I really owe you one.

You’re right about that, he said in his usual gruff tone that I knew to be an act. I expect payment in full by the end of the week.

“Payment” usually meant a bacon cheeseburger meal at Billy Burger, something I was only too happy to oblige.

I hung up then called Matt back.

Yes, Justin, he said. You’re still not asleep? I could hear the grin in his voice.

Nothing gets past you, I quipped. No I’m not,  but I need to ask you about the case you’re working on with Dad. About DeVries in particular.

Carlton DeVries, yes, like I said, we investigated him and found he was not involved in the hacking at Eminotech.

You had Toby testing something in the lab?

Yes, Matt said with a sigh. Whoever hacked into the Eminotech system apparently visited the lab within the last few weeks. The person had been in the server room and had done something to the actual system itself. It enabled them to access the system remotely at a later time. We were testing for DNA but didn’t come up with a match for DeVries. It only showed that IT people at the company had been in the room.

So you feel DeVries is innocent? I asked. Of the hacking at Eminotech?

Seems that way, why do you ask?

Because I think he is guilty of hacking into the Eminotech servers as well as my Facebook account.

How did you come to that conclusion? Matt asked.

Professional secret, I said half in jest. No, I’ll tell you. My friend Evan McIntyre just accessed my computer at home—don’t worry, I let him do it. He was able to and was able to access my Facebook account with a new—and I mean ultra new technology that allows remote access but leaving traces that an actual device was needed in order to do the hacking.

Like at Eminotech, Matt said after a moment.

Exactly, I said. We already know about Marcus and Jori trying to take Daryl Peters out of the picture and Jori’s own brother Jake to get kicked off the basketball team so that Marcus would get the contract. But I didn’t know how they hacked into my account. Evan was able to confirm that someone using this new program did do it to my system. It sounded awful familiar when Evan explained it to me. Just like the Eminotech problem. The common denominator is Carlton DeVries.

How can he be caught? We found nothing in our investigation tying him to the hacking.

Only the program on their own computer. And without a name no one would know where to look—like a needle in a haystack scenario. Now DeVries lives alone in an apartment downtown. I had Evan trace my hack to the same apartment. I’m calling Canning right now with this information.

Do that, Matt said. I’ll call him as well as your Dad. We’d like to be there when they confront DeVries.

I called Canning on his cell and he was at home. I related my experiences since leaving the hospital and my theory regarding Carlton DeVries. He listened with rapt attention and didn’t interrupt.

OK, Justin, he said. But we confiscated DeVries’ computer earlier.

That’s right, I said. Hopefully he has another one at his apartment.

Canning agreed. I’m calling Denton to meet me at the DeVries apartment.

I’d like to be there, I said.

You should rest, Justin, he replied.

I know, I said. But I can’t miss this—not after what I’ve been through.

Very well, he said with a sigh. We’ll be there in 10 minutes. You know the address?

Yes, I said. I’ll be there in 10

Mom was not so easy to persuade to let me go, but she saw how important this was—and that Canning and Denton would be there as well as Matt.

Matt ended up driving us only after he ensured Mom that he would keep an eye on me.

We met at the apartment building in downtown Port Salser about a block from Dad’s lab. Canning was in civvies but Denton was in uniform.

It was dark out now as it was past 10 pm. We approached the front of the building where the entrance was lit up. Someone appeared at the other side of the doors and had something tucked under their arm.

DeVries! I shouted and at the same instant, the man darted down the corridor of the building and out of sight.

Denton took off around the building to the rear exit while Canning went in the lobby and called the superintendent.

The door buzzed and Matt and I followed Canning inside. Stay back fellows, Canning admonished so Matt and I took seats in the lobby where two couches lined the walls.

Soon Denton and Canning returned with DeVries in handcuffs. He scowled at me as he was led to Denton’s cruiser. Denton returned to headquarters while Canning headed up to DeVries’s apartment.

A surprise awaited us inside.

Is that you Uncle Carl? Are you OK, I think the cops are here, a female voice called out when we went inside.

She came out to meet us and her face fell. Jori Prestwick!

Come on, Jori, Canning said, snapping handcuffs on her. She glared at me as she was led out into the corridor and down to the elevator.

You two stay here, Canning said to Matt and me. I’ll be back.

We went back inside the apartment but were careful not to touch anything.

Take a look at this, I said, pointing to a plastic bottle on the kitchen counter. It was a pesticide “malathion”, the same one used in Courtney Clubine’s water bottle. Courtney and Jori were friends and Courtney even admitted that Jori offered to fill up her water bottle.

Matt nodded. That’s seriously messed up, he muttered.

Suddenly we heard a noise coming from one of the other rooms. One of the bedrooms. It sounded like thumping.

Matt and I raced to the room and opened the door. Inside was Lyle Detmar—bound and gagged on the small cot. He was thumping the wall with his foot.

Matt pulled the gag from his mouth. Oh, Justin, I’m glad to see you. It was DeVries and that Prestwick girl, Jake’s sister. Hurry you can catch them, they left not long ago.

Yeah, we know, I said ruefully. They’ve been taken into custody. We know about the computer hacking device on DeVries’ computer.

You do? He said, trying to get to his feet. How would you—oh, your father is a PI, right.

This is Matt Logan, my dad’s assistant, I said motioning to Matt.

Matt nodded. The police have taken DeVries and Jori into custody. Marcus Bricker was already being held for questioning.

He doesn’t know everything, Detmar said sitting on the edge of the bed. You know about his contract with Lambert Sports?

Yes, I said. We do. Can you stand up?

He tried again and this time was successful. My feet were asleep, DeVries cornered me and brought me here yesterday. I stumbled on their scheme—he and I are old friends from way back.

We know that too, I said as we headed to the front door of the apartment where we met Canning. He was surprised to see Detmar.

Let’s go to headquarters where we’ll sort out this mess, Canning remarked. The forensic team will be here in a few minutes. You two didn’t touch anything did you?

I just looked at Canning. I’m a professional, I quipped. What do you think?

Twenty minutes later we were back at Police Headquarters. On the way Detmar explained to Canning what had happened and how he came to be in DeVries’ apartment.

We were seated around a table in the conference room and Detmar started with what he knew.

I had overheard DeVries talking about Eminotech and how he had hacked into their system remotely to cause havoc the same as he had done years ago. I knew about the trouble Carl was in years ago, Detmar continued. I vouched for him when he applied at PSC and he vouched for me.

And didn’t mention the doping scandal you were involved in years ago, I remarked.

Detmar glanced at me. Right, he said. I was innocent of that, and DeVries was instrumental in getting my conviction overturned. I’m clean—always have been.

Except when you lied on the application to PSC, Canning said pulling a file from the pile in front of him. Principal Anderson has been notified and will discuss this with you further at a later date. For now you have been suspended from teaching, pending the outcome of this discussion.

Detmar nodded.

Surely Anderson will overlook something like that, I remarked. The real criminals here are DeVries and his niece Jori and Marcus Bricker.

Canning nodded. You’re right, Justin. We have the laptop that DeVries had on him when he was trying to flee. Our tech guys are looking through it now. With your friend Evan’s information we now know what to look for. It will prove his involvement in the Eminotech hacking and also hacking into your home computer.

To help his niece set me up real nice. They hacked in to make the challenge to Peters. It wasn’t really necessary but it set up a situation where they could blame me for the poisoning and set the team against me—to throw Jake off his game and get cut from the team.

Detmar just shook his head. I had no idea Marcus could do something like this.

I think he only wanted Peters out of the way and wanted to taint his water bottle. It was Jori’s idea to use the pesticide malathion. I don’t think Marcus knew what it was. He seemed surprised that day at the hospital parking lot when I said it was a pesticide that was used on Daryl.

Jori was the only one besides you who aced the science test, by the way, Canning added.

She was the real brains behind this whole operation, I continued. When Marcus showed her the letter, he just wanted to eliminate the competition but Jori went all out—with the pesticide and involving me by getting her uncle—who was her uncle, not Jake’s. I guess her and Jake are only half siblings. Her mother was a DeVries and it was her mother’s brother, Carlton who she contacted to help her. It was him who called my cell phone with the warning.

She saw the money and got greedy, Canning went on. She admitted as much earlier. Her prints were also found in her brothers’ car. She had stolen it from the school—also with the help of DeVries and had seen Raj riding his bike and had knocked him off. She was going to hit someone randomly and take off but when she saw Raj, she decided he would make a good candidate as Jake was at odds with any friend of Justin’s.

I nodded ruefully. I hoped Raj would not hold it against me. It was clearly because he was friends with me that he had been targeted.

This was done to frame her brother, Canning remarked. Hoping he would be arrested and finally tossed off the team, Canning continued. With both Daryl and Jake off the team, Marcus would be number one player and when the scout came later this week, he would sign his contract. Jori would quietly slip away when Marcus left town and no one would be the wiser. Eventually Daryl would get better and Jake may get back on the team, or maybe not. Either way she didn’t really care.

Whoa! What a story, Detmar said with a sigh. I’m sorry Justin for not seeing this earlier. I had seen Jori taking pictures at the match but didn’t think anything of it.

It’s all good, Mr. Detmar, I said.

How is your nose? He asked and I touched it gingerly. It still hurts. I think I’m going to have to sit out of gym tomorrow, I said, glancing at the coach. Will that be OK?

What you’ve been through, Justin, you can sit out the rest of the week. But now that my star basketball player is still in the hospital, how would you like to take his place on the team—temporarily of course. I saw how you played against Daryl at the match. You’re not a bad player.

I don’t know, Coach Detmar. When Daryl finds out that I’ve taken his place on the team he might hate me even more than he does now.

I don’t think so, Canning replied. I don’t think he could possibly hate you any more than he does now!

That’s true, I said and everyone laughed.

Ok, I said to Detmar. I’ll do it. But I think I’ll go to the hospital and tell Daryl in person. While he’s still a patient.

Why is that? Canning said.

So when he tries to punch me from his hospital bed I’ll have time to get out of the way!

THE END