Håkon Berg had called Anders Sand just after midnight. This far north Sand was in the Arctic Circle. The moon, even in April, was almost a permanent fixture in the sky, the sun only breaking the horizon for a few hours each day. Only by the clock face on his ‘phone could Sand tell the time of day or night.
‘Sorry to wake you,’ Berg started.
Sand had been lying awake trying to forget the images of the charred remains of Dahlia Solberg in the igloo hotel. He was instantly alert. ‘I wasn’t sleeping. What is it?’
‘Could be nothing. I’m at Gabi Henriksen’s apartment. We agreed to meet here a couple of hours ago. She hasn’t turned up yet.’
‘Have you called her?’
‘No answer. Mobile is switched off. Not picking up at the office, but no one has seen her leave.’
‘Shit,’ Sand said. Too much of a coincidence. ‘I’m stuck here until my flight first thing in the morning. Get round to the station. I’ll get Captain Pedersen up.’
Sand hung up and called his boss straight away. Pedersen took a moment to come round. Sand could hear his wife grumbling in the background.
‘This better be good, Sand.’
‘Gabi’s gone missing. I think Dag Moen might have her.’
‘What makes you think that?’
‘Because she’s my partner and he’s trying to get to me. She hasn’t answered her ‘phone for a couple of hours.’
Pedersen looked out his bedroom window at the full moon in the black sky. ‘She might just be asleep, like most normal people.’
‘Not Gabi, you know her better than that.’
Pedersen sighed. He knew Sand was right and had learned it was usually best to follow Sand’s instincts.
‘Okay, I’ll get everyone in,’ Pedersen said. ‘When do you get back?’
‘Due in at midday. I’m going to the airport now. See if you can convince them to get me back sooner.’
‘I’ll see what strings I can pull. Keep your ‘phone on.’
Sand hung up and got out of the bed. He started throwing his things into his travel bag. In five minutes he was at the reception of the hotel and checked out with the bewildered night porter. A taxi driver was sitting outside. The hotel always paid to keep one driver on standby overnight.
‘The airport,’ Sand instructed him, throwing his bags into the backseat. The driver mumbled something that Sand couldn’t hear over the car radio and the constant drone of the heater. As they slid and crawled along the icy road to the airport he looked at the black night sky outside. The full moon shone brightly, it’s light reflected off the snow that covered everything on the ground. His only hope was that Moen was only using Gabi as bait to get to him. His worst fear was that she was already dead.
![A2Z-BADGE-100 [2017]](https://iainkellywriting.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/a2z-badge-100-2017.jpg?w=656){kind=icon}
This is part thirteen of my A to Z Challenge 2017. More information on the challenge, and other stories and blogs taking part in it, can be found HERE.
Throughout April I hope to publish a section a day, relating to a letter of the alphabet, which in the end will make up a continuous story, all based round the objects found in this children’s jigsaw:
Other entries in the challenge, and a version of the final complete, joined up story can be found here: A TO Z CHALLENGE 2017.
Phew, at least there’s no other bodies or cliffs to hang from while we wait till Monday. Gabi will be back asleep in her bed and Dag Moen in jail by then no?
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But then what I write about for the next 13 days? I’ll have to drag it out for a bit longer 🙂
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What a good week, I’m really interested to see how next weeks words all fit in, and of course to find out if Gabi manages to get away from Dag 🙂
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Thank you. Nest, Octopus, Panda, Queen – it’s going to be a challenging week for sure to fit them in!
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I was thinking that ☺
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At least they are all getting a day off tomorrow! This just gets better and better.
Amble Bay’s May Fair
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Thank you Keith. Only halfway as well, I’m exhausted just writing it!
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Wonderful job, Iain. I can’t wait to see you weave in some of the upcoming letters 😊
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Thank you, next week shaping up to be a good one I think (if I do say so myself!)
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At least we know it’s the former of your closing lines…Gabi’s bait.
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A bit of hope to keep you going over the rest day 🙂
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In my few encounters with taxi drivers, they all try to be quite friendly to their passengers. Of course, I’ve never taken one in the middle of the night in the Arctic Circle before.
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Probably depends on the part of the world, over here (Glasgow) it’s 50/50 between talkative or silent. I tend to prefer the ones who leave you alone!
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Phew. I can sleep peacefully knowing she survives (hopefully will continue to do so). But Iain, I have to tell you, you are doing an amazing job with the story. It’s incredible how you’re working in all the words in your posts. Kudos to you and I hope you get a well deserved break tomorrow.
Happy Easter to you and your family 🙂🙂
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Aww, thank you, you are very kind and your compliment is much appreciated. I’m enjoying writing it and having a few loyal readers each day makes it worthwhile. Happy Easter to you as well 🙂
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Just being honest. If you ever do write a book using this, do let me know. I’d love to have a copy of it 😊
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So I found myself wanting to shout to Sands, “Its Okay, she is still alive!: 🙂 The suspense grows! Good job in how you used the Moon in this part!
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Thanks Joy. A day off tomorrow, afraid you have to wait until Monday to if Sand can find her in time!
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Ohhh, “If”?? Not good! Who said that you could have a day off? LOL!
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Hope Sand reaches Oslo sooner. And really hope Gabi is safe. It would be devastating for Sand to lose Gabi. Hope he is in Oslo talking to Gabi when we are back on Monday 🙂
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Thanks for reading, not too long until the next part 🙂
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I have a feeling that action is going to get thiker 😉
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter – 1940s Film Noir
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I think next week will be good for those following the story so far 🙂
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Hurry, Sand! Hurry before it’s too late!
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Have to wait until Monday at least!
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“Maybe she’s asleep”…sigh…Pedersen may need a smack upside the head. There’s a killer on the loose, man!
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Pedersen isn’t reading the same story as everyone else obviously 🙂
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Great job at anticipation and making the reader fear and wonder about Gabi’s life here. This guy is sick and I hope Sanders can find her before Moen kills her. Happy Easter 🐣
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Thanks Mandi, glad you are enjoying it, Happy Easter 🙂
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Wow, a story like this a day? Quite something. Good for you!
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Thanks Dawn, it’s an ongoing story that started with A is for Ant, so if you enjoyed you can start at the beginning 🙂
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Your finer details like, “the taxi driver mumbled something that got clouded by the surrounding noise .. ” paints a picture in front of my eyes. The over curious cat wonders if these are details I should worry at all. SIGH super hooked!
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Waiting for that plane ride will be excruciating for Sand.
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