Lance Morcan's Blog, page 39
September 7, 2017
Attn. book bloggers: ARCs of new release thriller available now for your followers
Advance review copies of our new crime-thriller SILENT FEAR (A novel inspired by true crimes) are available now for interested book bloggers courtesy of publisher Sterling Gate Books.
ARCs available now.
Scheduled for publication as a Kindle ebook early November, SILENT FEAR is the latest novel by New Zealand father-and-son writing team Lance & James Morcan, authors of seven other published novels including THE NINTH ORPHAN, WHITE SPIRIT and INTO THE AMERICAS.
The SILENT FEAR storyline is:
Detective Valerie Crowther is assigned to investigate the murder of a student at a university for the deaf in London. The murder investigation coincides with a deadly flu virus outbreak, resulting in the university being quarantined from the outside world. When more deaf students are murdered, it’s clearly the work of a serial killer. The stakes rise when Valerie becomes the killer’s next target and the deadly virus claims more lives.
Although a crime-thriller, this novel also has shades of horror and sci-fi as well as romance.
As you can see on the book’s Goodreads page, early advance reviews are excellent: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33590532-silent-fear
Bloggers: We would be happy to email an ARC pdf of SILENT FEAR to your followers for advance reviews or simply for their reading pleasure. No-obligation to review!
Better still, you may prefer to do this or to set it up so that followers can download the manuscript themselves direct from your site. Over to you.
Our offer is open for a limited period only – from now until September 24. The reason for the short timeframe is the Kindle ebook will be enrolled with KDP Select, which precludes authors making their books accessible from other outlets. Incidentally, the paperback version is likely to be available via Amazon late September/early October.
We have also set up a new discussion group on Goodreads to promote the book at: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/237556-silent-world-a-discussion-group
And here’s a YouTube video promoting the book and planned feature film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8bv1vbQxYo
If this ARC offer appeals, contact the authors direct via Morcan Books & Films blog or email sterlinggatebooks@gmail.com
All enquiries welcome!
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September 5, 2017
Know any underrated scientists? Add ‘em to the list!
The intriguing topic of underrated scientists has arisen in our Underground Knowledge group’s Fringe science discussion thread, on Goodreads, and members are pulling some interesting names out of the hat.
It started when the group’s co-founder James posted this:
Besides the great Nikola Tesla, here are some other scientists I think deserve more recognition…Please add any more names you feel have influenced our world, or who were ahead of their time and whose scientific ideas are now influencing our future.
Viktor Schauberger (30 June 1885 in Holzschlag, Upper Austria[1] – 25 September 1958 in Linz, Austria[1]) was an Austrian forest caretaker, naturalist, philosopher, inventor and biomimicry experimenter. Schauberger developed his own ideas based on what he observed in nature. In Implosion magazine, a magazine released by Schauberger’s family, he said that aeronautical and marine engineers had incorrectly designed the propeller.
Here’s a snapshot of members’ “underrated scientists” picks (abridged):
Buckminster Fuller (aka Richard Buckminster “Bucky” Fuller; July 12, 1895 – July 1, 1983)was an American architect, systems theorist, author, designer and inventor. Fuller published more than 30 books, coining or popularizing terms such as “Spaceship Earth”, ephemeralization, and synergetic. He also developed numerous inventions, mainly architectural designs, and popularized the widely known geodesic dome.
For the best scientist that hardly anyone has ever heard of (I would be extraordinarily surprised if anyone here has): F. E. Volochine. Now, confess – have you heard of him? Why? In 1925 he developed a theory to account for nuclear binding energies, based on magnetism. He predicted the neutron would have a spin of 1/2, and he predicted its magnetic moment quite accurately, and his bonding energies were extremely good, including the excited states.
Beyond Tesla: History’s Most Overlooked Scientists https://www.livescience.com/46723-mos…
Top 7 Most Underrated Scientists Ever http://www.debate.org/opinions/polls/…
Interesting that they have Maxwell as highly underrated. I always thought physicists everywhere really rate Maxwell, and Faraday got himself on an English banknote.
How about Benoit Mandelbrot, the creator of fractal geometry? The Fractalist: Memoir of a Scientific Maverick
I would add Kristian Birkeland. He was the first to recognize auroras as electrical currents in plasma.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristia…
To view all comments in full, or better still to have YOUR say, go to: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
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Underground Knowledge — A discussion group
This global discussion group has been designed to encourage debates about important and underreported issues of our era. All you need is an enquiring mind and a desire to gain or share “underground knowledge”. Our members come from all walks of life and include award-winning writers, scientists, teachers, students, housewives, blue and white-collar workers, social activists, conspiracy theorists, journalists, ex-intelligence agents, former members of the military and, of course, everyday readers and authors.
Come visit! New members welcome… https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/142309-underground-knowledge-a-discussion-group
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August 30, 2017
Introducing The Underground Knowledge Podcast – hosted by James Morcan
This week, The Underground Knowledge Podcast was launched on YouTube with an in depth discussion with someone podcast host James Morcan describes as “a forty-one-year old Englishman who hopes to see world peace in his lifetime – and yes, he believes miracles are possible.”
The Englishman is Harry Whitewolf, author of two raffish true traveling tales that read like fiction (Route Number 11 and The Road To Purification), and six collections of contemporary poetry, including New Beat Newbie, Two Beat Newbie, and Rhyme and Rebellion, which was one of Readfree.ly’s 50 Best Indie Books of 2016.
Subjects discussed in this The Underground Knowledge Podcast #1 include Brexit, Ancient Egypt and our Matrix reality.
For the full discussion go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pdvIk2CLOI
Harry Whitewolf’s website: https://www.harrywhitewolf.com/
Goodreads author profile: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/…
Amazon book listings: https://www.amazon.com/Harry-Whitewol…
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeOu…
The Underground Knowledge Podcast, an extension of the Underground Knowledge discussion group on Goodreads, covers important and underreported issues of our era.
Subscribe to the Underground Knowledge YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX8s…
The Underground Knowledge discussion group on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/…
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August 22, 2017
What’s HOT this week in our Underground Knowledge global discussion group
For immediate release 23 August, 2017: Hot topics being aired this week in our Underground Knowledge group on Goodreads include the (unbelievable) declassification of Operation Northwoods — The U.S. Military’s official proposal to kill American civilians, bomb U.S. cities and fly planes into buildings in staged terrorist attacks (Operation Northwoods declassified)
Operation Northwoods is just one of the contentious, alarming, educational, outside-left-field topics currently being aired in our Underground Knowledge group. Here’s some of the others.
But first… In case you are wondering what our definition of underground knowledge is, here it is: What is “underground knowledge” and why is it important?
Hot topics:
Evidence for scientifically advanced Ancient civilizations? / MK-Ultra (the CIA’s declassified mind control program) / Modern fascism (in our governments!) / Finding (hiding) a cure for cancer / Ambidexterity / Is North Korea a genuine threat to world peace? Undergrounders say no! / Earlier historical versions of Jesus Christ? / (Profiting from) The War on Drugs / What’s up with Denver International Airport? / “Imagine there’s no countries” – the case for global citizenship / Hurricane Katrina and African-American communities / The First World versus the Third World / Can we trust news media outlets? / The case for restructuring Capitalism / Amazing UFO quotes from world leaders, NASA astronauts and other prominent figures / Is President Trump for the common people? Or has he secretly been installed by the 1% elite? / 6,000+ Group Members (aka 6,000+ Undergrounders)!!
To view all Undergrounders’ comments, or better still to have YOUR say, go to: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18630809-is-zero-a-number?page=1
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The Underground Knowledge discussion group has been designed to encourage debates about important and underreported issues of our era. All you need is an enquiring mind, an interest in the world we live in and a desire to learn or share ‘underground knowledge’.
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August 17, 2017
Reports of rising anti-Semitism in Europe no surprise to New Zealand author
For immediate release – 18 August, 2017: Reports this week of rising anti-Semitism in Europe come as no surprise to New Zealand author James Morcan, co-writer of a book that has drawn attention to the alarming global rise of the ugly phenomenon and which has raised the ire of Holocaust deniers and revisionists.
Morcan, who, with his father Lance co-authored Debunking Holocaust Denial Theories, responded to media reports which draw attention to the increasing anti-Jewish rhetoric and violent acts against Jews in Poland, saying, “We devoted considerable space in our book highlighting the fact that, where the Jews are concerned, history seems to be repeating itself.”
Author James Morcan
Referring to the Holocaust, he says, “Clearly the lessons of the past have not been learned.” He was responding to a Jerusalem Post report of August 12, which quotes a Polish Jewish leader as stating ‘the current reality (in Poland) is a low point for Polish Jews and there is a security problem going on’.
“This follows a report that Jewish community leaders have asked the leader of Poland’s nationalist ruling party to denounce increasing levels of anti-Semitism in the country,” says Morcan.
He says it’s ironic that Poland is considered safer for Jews than many other places in Europe.
“We are aware that Jews in many countries in Europe, and elsewhere, feel insecure as a result of mounting anti-Semitic actions and rhetoric. In our book, we endeavour to show readers that anti-Semitism is not only the root cause of every form of Holocaust denial, but also the reason for the relentless persecution of the Jews since Biblical times.”
Debunking Holocaust Denial Theories, which was written in close consultation with Holocaust survivors, is available via Amazon as a paperback and Kindle ebook. It has been targeted by high profile Holocaust deniers who have even gone to the extent of publishing a book debunking the Morcans’ book. The deniers’ book has recently been removed from Amazon as it is considered anti-Semitic.
To view the book Debunking Holocaust Denial Theories go to: http://www.amazon.com/DEBUNKING-HOLOCAUST-DENIAL-THEORIES-Historicity-ebook/dp/B01EYY7T7Y/
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August 13, 2017
What’s HOT this week in our Underground Knowledge global discussion group
For immediate release 14 August, 2017: Hot topics being aired this week in our Underground Knowledge group on Goodreads include Princess Diana: Accidental death or murder? (POLL: 58% of you say MURDER)
Princess Diana…murdered?
Other popular topics include: Is North Korea a genuine threat to world peace? Undergrounders say no! / Earlier historical versions of Jesus Christ? / (Profiting from) The War on Drugs / What’s up with Denver International Airport? / “Imagine there’s no countries” – the case for global citizenship / Hurricane Katrina and African-American communities / The First World versus the Third World / Can we trust news media outlets? / The case for restructuring Capitalism / Amazing UFO quotes from world leaders, NASA astronauts and other prominent figures / Is President Trump for the common people? Or has he secretly been installed by the 1% elite? / Evidence for scientifically advanced Ancient civilizations? / MK-Ultra (the CIA’s declassified mind control program) / Modern fascism (in our governments!) / Finding (hiding) a cure for cancer / Ambidexterity / The U.S. Military’s official proposal to kill American civilians, bomb U.S. cities and fly planes into buildings in staged terrorist attacks (Operation Northwoods declassified) / What is “underground knowledge” and why is it important? / 6,000+ Group Members (aka 6,000+ Undergrounders)!!
To view all Undergrounders’ comments, or better still to have YOUR say, go to: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18630809-is-zero-a-number?page=1
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The Underground Knowledge discussion group has been designed to encourage debates about important and underreported issues of our era. All you need is an enquiring mind, an interest in the world we live in and a desire to learn or share ‘underground knowledge’.
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August 11, 2017
Is North Korea a genuine threat to world peace? Undergrounders say no!
In the latest poll in our Underground Knowledge discussion group on Goodreads, we are asking members: Is North Korea a genuine threat to world peace? Or is it an exaggerated threat? Interim results resoundingly show that most Undergrounders believe the threat is exaggerated.
The protagonists…self centred man babies?
Interim results show that 49% believe the North Korea threat’s exaggerated, 31% believe it’s genuine, and 20% are unsure.
Poll respondents’ comments make for interesting reading. Here’s one that caught our eye: “We have two self-centered man babies throwing tantrums and both with mental issues. Not a good combo for the world! It would not surprise me that our Grabber-In-Chief would use a war to try to use it as a diversion from the Russian scandal.”
Here’s a random sample of respondents’ comments from both sides:
Totally exaggerated…if not completely illusory. / NEWSWEEK: WHY THE NORTH KOREA THREAT IS GREATLY EXAGGERATED http://www.newsweek.com/2016/12/30/no… / POLITICAL VETERAN FEARS PROPAGANDA & FALSE FLAG ATTACKS COULD LEAD TO WAR WITH N. KOREA http://www.collective-evolution.com/2… / North Korea’s Exaggerated Threat https://chargedaffairs.org/north-kore…
Not really sure but from what I have read on North Korea, it is one crazy dictatorship that has the entire Nation under threat all of the time. Very cruel. And this has been going on for many years under that weird family. I would not be in the least surprised if it was true that they were hoping to fire upon the Western Nations. Regardless of what you think of Trump, it is no excuse to pardon North Korea.
I think both genuine and exaggerated threat.
This threat is very, very real as the result of Obama’s purposeful emasculation of our military and defensive capabilities and the ineptitude of the current Washington Swamp. Americans will not “get it” until Los Angeles or other similar-sized cities have lost several million people in a nuclear attack.
I think Trump is the real threat!!!
They have the right to do as they please in their own country (and it’s totally understandable to want to be stronger and more independent instead of staying under someone else’s mercy). USA needs to f……. chill instead of being such a control freak, who named them gods anyway?? all the problems come from them in the first place…
I would say our (and by our I mean the President’s) over-reactions and lack of diplomacy are a greater threat to world peace. I’m not saying North Korea wouldn’t do anything, but our escalating the situation with rhetoric is ridiculous and not helpful in any way.
…I found multiple ways that devices can be imported by sea. North Korea has demonstrated nuclear bombs that work, and frankly, they don’t need a missile to deliver them… If they sent ten, one would most certainly get through. To me, that is a legitimate threat because it is about attitude, not ability.
Seems like there’s a big financial incentive to invade North Korea then…ala other invasions of mineral-rich foreign lands such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, etc, etc.
A genuine threat but to only some regions of the world. However, I do believe much of their threats are just propaganda and rhetoric. But, it only takes one crazy day for the despotic leadership to say, “You know what? Let’s do this.” And, push the button.
Genuine, and the USA continues to make it worse. Constantly claiming you’re number one at everything makes those not number one gun for you. Sadly, South Korea is in the most danger because of Trumps moronic posturing.
To view more comments, or better still to have YOUR say, go to: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/142309-underground-knowledge-a-discussion-group?type=group
Poll ends August 31.
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August 10, 2017
Underground Knowledge group membership tops 6,000 on Goodreads
Membership of our global Underground Knowledge discussion group on Goodreads.com has topped 6,000, making it one of the biggest and fastest-growing groups on the giant Amazon-owned literary site for authors and readers.
The group’s impressive growth reflects the popularity of its below-the-radar and often contentious subject matter, its active discussion threads and its advertised willingness to accommodate all viewpoints. No topic is off limits for our Undergrounders (members).
The Underground Knowledge group’s most active discussion threads include:
Is President Trump for the common people? Or has he secretly been installed by the 1% elite? https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18333157-is-president-trump-for-the-common-people-or-has-he-secretly-been-instal / A glimpse of the future? (star towers, free energy, revolutionary medicine, Space colonization, technology to reverse global warming & other scientific inventions to come?) https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18477864-a-glimpse-of-the-future-star-towers-free-energy-revolutionary-medici / Was 9/11 a false flag attack and ‘Inside Job’? https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2071995-was-9-11-a-false-flag-attack-and-inside-job-poll-50-of-you-say-yes / Meditation, Yoga and intelligence https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2084575-meditation-yoga-and-intelligence / Are vaccines for kids as safe as Big Pharma claims? https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2270994-childhood-immunizations—-are-vaccines-for-kids-as-safe-as-big-pharma / Operation Paperclip / Project Paperclip declassified (The US/Nazi post-WW2 collaboration) https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... / Are aliens visiting Earth or not???? https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1966591-are-aliens-visiting-earth-or-not / Universal income https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/17903916-universal-income / Where do you guys get your daily news from? https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/12074389-where-do-you-guys-get-your-daily-news-from
Our polls are popular, too. Our current poll asks members: Is North Korea a genuine threat to world peace? Or is it an exaggerated threat? Interim results show 51% believe it’s exaggerated, 30% say it’s genuine and 19% aren’t sure.
Poll respondents’ comments are worth viewing. To view them, or better still to have your say, go to: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/142309-underground-knowledge-a-discussion-group?type=group
Alternative books are featured as well. They include:
Check these and others out at: https://www.goodreads.com/group/bookshelf/142309-underground-knowledge-a-discussion-group?shelf=read
And then there’s our alternative videos covering everything from 9/11 to unsolved mysteries, mysterious deaths, aliens and genius intelligence. View these at: https://www.goodreads.com/group/142309-underground-knowledge-a-discussion-group/videos/list
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What’s our definition of underground knowledge? Essentially the term covers details, concepts and little-known events usually not reported in mainstream media, or, if they are, they’re underreported for various reasons.
The Underground Knowledge group has been designed to encourage debates about important and underreported issues of our era. All you need is an enquiring mind and a desire to gain or share underground knowledge.
Our Undergrounders include award-winning authors and journalists, teachers and students, serving and former members of the armed forces, housewives and house husbands, former intelligence operatives, doctors, surgeons, lawyers and other professionals, globetrotters and backpackers, scientists and unemployed people.
Everyone’s welcome! Come visit us at: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/142309-underground-knowledge-a-discussion-group
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August 8, 2017
Cover reveal for paperback version of next Morcan novel — Silent Fear
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35961512-silent-fear
Coming soon!
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August 7, 2017
Sneak preview: Chapter 6 from our soon-to-be-released Silent Fear (A novel inspired by true crimes)
For lovers of crime-thriller-horror novels with a touch of sci-fi here’s Chapter 6 from the upcoming novel Silent Fear — co-authored by the writers of The Orphan Trilogy, Into the Americas and White Spirit.
First, here’s the storyline in brief:
Detective Valerie Crowther is assigned to investigate the murder of a student at a university for the deaf in London. The murder investigation coincides with a deadly flu virus outbreak, resulting in the university being quarantined from the outside world. When more deaf students are murdered, it’s clearly the work of a serial killer. The stakes rise when Valerie becomes the killer’s next target and the deadly virus claims more lives.
Silent Fear – Chapter 6
The two law enforcement officers looked on as Wandsworth University’s chancellor adjusted his hearing aid. It was one of several little idiosyncrasies Valerie had noticed Ron Fairbrother indulge in every so often on the other side of the large desk he occupied. Another was removing and polishing his fashionable glasses, which he had just finished doing before attacking his hearing aid for the second time in the last five minutes.
Sitting alongside Bennett, Valerie sensed the chief was growing impatient, but he hid it well. She knew him better than most so picked up signs others may miss.
On the desktop between the two parties lay a copy of today’s Daily Mirror newspaper. Its centre spread was devoted to the global flu pandemic, and the main headline screamed “Global death toll soars as Monkey Flu claims more victims!”
Neither Fairbrother nor his two visitors mentioned the H7N7 pandemic, but they didn’t have to: it was always there, in the background, whenever they opened a newspaper, turned on the television, checked social media sites or listened to the radio.
Valerie turned her attention to a spiral-bound set of profiles of all Wandsworth’s students and staff. It was one of three sets Fairbrother had ready and waiting for them upon arrival – Bennett now had the other two – and it was in addition to an electronic copy he’d emailed to the chief thirty minutes earlier. The glossy printouts included head-and-shoulder photographs of everyone involved with the uni – even cleaners, security guards and part-time teachers on call – together with personal details for each.
Fairbrother finished fiddling with his hearing aid, and eyeballed his visitors. “Nothing like this has ever happened here before,” he lamented. “I’m still reeling. I can’t believe such a horrific… thing” – he couldn’t bring himself to use the word murder – “happened right under our noses.”
“We are sparing no resources to solve this crime,” Bennett assured him. “As you know, Detective Superintendent Crowther is spearheading the investigation.”
Valerie noticed the dapper West Indian cocked his head slightly to one side whenever someone spoke, a sign he favoured one ear when listening.
Fairbrother looked at Valerie. “The Chief informs me you are proficient in sign, Detective Crowther,” he said.
Valerie confirmed that by answering in sign language. “Yes, that’s why I’ve been brought in to head this investigation,” she signed.
Responding in like fashion, the chancellor signed, “It’s a relief you’re here. Police efforts to date have been hopeless.” Fairbrother remembered Bennett and reverted to the spoken word. “Sorry, Chief Superintendent. We use sign all day here and it’s easy to forget our manners.”
If he was annoyed, Bennett hid it well. “Are you aware of friction between any of the students?” he asked. “Especially the international students?”
“You must understand, Wandsworth is more than a university,” the chancellor said. “It’s a minority community.” He swivelled ninety degrees in his chair and looked up at the large, framed photograph of Wandsworth’s four hundred and fifty students hanging on the near wall. “There’s a common bond inside the deaf community… it seems to cancel out other differences. They’re accepted for who they are here in Wandsworth. Within this institution, they have a sense of belonging. Outside, beyond these walls, only the strongest of them will cut it.”
Valerie stood and walked over to study the photo up close. She noticed Jamie Lewis. The nuggetty student was hard to miss given he was near the middle of the front row of students. He was smiling directly at the camera. His was an endearing smile. Valerie’s heart went out to his family as she replayed his ghastly death in her mind.
Fairbrother continued, “These students become like family during their time here. You would not believe how tight-knit they are. It’s just such a shame that some outside influence has breached the walls of this sanctuary under cover of darkness and committed the ultimate evil.”
Dismissing the chancellor’s comments as highly speculative, Valerie tapped the glass covering the photo. “That’s a lot of students to keep track of.”
“Yes, and I know every one of them personally. None would ever harm a fellow student. Whoever killed Jamie was an outsider, trust me.”
“We’ll see. For now, every single student, staff member and associate of Wandsworth will be treated as a potential suspect.”
Fairbrother looked at the chief to ascertain whether he agreed with the high-flier female detective who, if he wasn’t mistaken, seemed to be Bennett’s equal in every way except rank.
“Detective Crowther will tread carefully, Chancellor,” the chief said a little too quickly for Valerie’s liking.
The chancellor took that on board and wondered if in fact the career woman standing close by was the subordinate in this relationship. Not for the first time since meeting them he sensed the pair shared some kind of personal history. Looking at Valerie, he asked, “Where do you want to start, Detective Crowther?”
Valerie returned to her chair. “I’d like to start by addressing the students and staff as soon as possible… together.”
Humming to himself, Fairbrother casually referred to a diary planner on the laptop screen in front of him.
Valerie bridled at the lack of urgency the chancellor showed. She felt it was as if she was some trainee teacher who had just requested a meeting concerning the amount of calories being served up in students’ lunches in the cafeteria. “Like now, Chancellor,” she prompted, “as in this morning.” She ignored the sideways glance Bennett flashed her way.
A perturbed Fairbrother looked up from his electronic diary. Shaking his head, he said, “I have a meeting soon with the family of the deceased, and then I have an urgent meeting with the board about the state–”
“The board members will have to wait,” Valerie said in a tone that signalled she’d brook no argument.
The chancellor immediately backed down and nodded. “I could arrange for students and staff to assemble in the assembly hall on the first floor in, say,” – he glanced at his watch – “forty-five minutes.”
“Thank you,” Valerie said. “I also need to requisition a roomy office to serve as my site headquarters whilst I’m here.” She wasn’t asking. She was demanding.
“There is a spare office on the first floor.”
Valerie shook her head. “It needs to be here on the ground floor. I want to be close to your office and to the main exit so I can come and go easily.”
Fairbrother thought for a moment. He glanced at a closed door behind his chair. “There is an office through there I often use as a meeting room. I guess you could have that.”
“Can I see it?” Valerie was already standing.
The chancellor stood and opened the door.
Valerie marched through, took one look around and saw immediately that it would meet her needs. It had lockable filing cabinets and a large desk complete with a high quality printer-scanner and desktop computer. There was a comfy couch, which she could see pulled out into a bed, a well-stocked bookcase, glass coffee table, wall-mounted television set and an expensive fish tank complete with rare and even more expensive-looking tropical fish. There was even a bench and sink with tea and coffee-making facilities, and there was an outer door leading to the corridor. “This will do fine,” she said. “Can this door be locked?” she asked, referring to the connecting door Fairbrother had opened.
“Yes I’ll have my PA provide a key for you.”
Valerie took a final look at the room then resumed sitting next to Bennett who was now studying the framed photo on the wall.
“Four hundred and fifty students actually doesn’t seem that many for a university this size,” the chief observed.
“It’s all about maintaining efficient student-teacher ratios,” Fairbrother explained as he sat down. “That and future-proofing the university.” When he saw Bennett wasn’t following him, he said, “For optimum academic results we have found a ratio of one staff member per ten students works best. Hence the forty-five educators we have on staff.” The chancellor added, “And they’re the best available.”
“Sounds costly,” Valerie said.
“It is,” Fairbrother admitted. “Hence our high fees. Wandsworth is one of the most expensive universities in Britain to attend.” Returning to Bennett’s question, he said, “As for future-proofing the university, our founder Lord Wandsworth wanted to establish a learning institution that would last a hundred years. The only way to do that was to attain and maintain high standards of academic excellence, which I believe we are doing, and to ensure we have the space to accommodate future growth, which we obviously have.”
“I understand,” Bennett said, glancing at the wall clock behind the chancellor’s desk. He saw the morning was already half over. Standing, he said, “Well, I will leave you in Detective Crowther’s good hands. Thank you for your time.”
The two men shook hands. Fairbrother didn’t immediately relinquish his grip. Holding on to the other’s hand firmly, he said, “We are relying on the police to solve this terrible crime quickly, Chief Superintendent.”
Bennett nodded and only then did the chancellor release his grip.
On the way out, Valerie paused in the doorway and looked back at Fairbrother. “What are the board members discussing, by the way?” she asked.
“Whether to cancel this afternoon’s lectures, and tomorrow’s, too… Out of respect for Jamie Lewis and his family,” the chancellor said.
“We’d prefer they don’t,” Valerie said quickly before Bennett could comment. “It will make my job easier if all students and staff are here and accessible.” She turned and strode off down the corridor.
Behind his subordinate’s back, Bennett flashed a look Fairbrother’s way that signalled the board would be well advised to do as suggested. He hurried to catch up to Valerie.
Fairbrother observed the two law enforcement officers with some trepidation as they left his office.
Here endeth sample chapters from Silent Fear. (See recent blogs for earlier chapters). If you want to read more, the novel will be published soon… Watch this space!
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https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35626239-silent-fear
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