Secret in the Grave (eBook)

An Obed de Swardt Thriller, Book 7

Gerrie Radlof, Pieter Haasbroek (Autoren)

Pieter Haasbroek (Herausgeber)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
112 Seiten
Pieter Haasbroek (Verlag)
9780001021471 (ISBN)

Infos

'My father was murdered!'

With those desperate words, a beautiful heiress drags the legendary Obed de Swardt from his sickbed into a deadly conspiracy.

The doctors ruled it a heart attack, but she knows the truth is buried with him.

In the lavish suburbs of Johannesburg, the Wandering Detective is supposed to be resting. But when the mysterious Hermigne Desroux appears, claiming her stepmother and a trusted doctor are behind her millionaire father's sudden death, Obed is pulled into a web of deceit where every ally could be an enemy.

To uncover the truth, Obed must infiltrate the grand Desroux estate, facing down ruthless thugs and a conspiracy that will stop at nothing to silence him. The deeper he digs, the more dangerous the game becomes, and the stakes are higher than just a fortune. Hermigne's life is on the line, and a single misstep could mean she's next.

A classic, hard-hitting thriller packed with action, mystery, and shocking twists. Perfect for fans of timeless pulp detective stories and modern, relentless action fiction.

Everything has led to this. The secret that has haunted the Wanderer's past is finally unearthed in this stunning seventh book. Fans of the series will be shocked by the revelations in Secret in the Grave. Witness the chapter that changes it all.

Textauszug

Chapter 2

THE WARNING

Obed inserted a clean sheet of paper into the typewriter on his desk. He typed quickly, and for a moment the heading of the case stared back at him.

“Murder of Mr. Bertrand Desroux.”

In any case, this was the main point from which he would begin his investigation. It had always been his habit to type out all the data, all the clues, every piece of information, however indirect, and then his own conclusions, clearly point by point, and to review them systematically and repeatedly during the investigation, so that he would not lose sight of certain definite leads for a single moment.

Beside him stood a steaming cup of coffee. Jagter lay on the rug in front of the desk. The fur was about to fly. He was content because he knew his master’s ways.

Obed pulled the telephone closer. First, he dialled a well-known daily newspaper where one of his closest friends was a senior reporter.

“Mr. Jan Wiese, please.”

“Hello, Obed,” came Jan’s voice a moment later. “I’m glad to see you’ve returned to earth and decided to abandon your hermit’s existence.”

“Yes,” Obed sighed. “My reputation follows me.”

“What case are you on now?”

“Mr. Bertrand Desroux.”

There was a dead silence on the other end. Obed smiled. He knew what effect his words would have on Jan. Desroux was a prominent businessman, and Jan would know everything about his passing.

“Are you alone there?” Obed resumed hastily.

“Yes, but are you mad?” Jan then burst out. “That’s ridiculous, man.”

“What’s ridiculous?” Obed asked in a low voice. “What might you be suspecting?”

“Don’t be a fool,” Jan snapped at him.

“I…”

“Listen, Jan,” Obed cut him off seriously. “Be a good friend now and gather all the information about the deceased. We can talk later. Call me as soon as you have a chance.”

“Look here, man,” Jan began again. “I’d really like to know…”

“Call me later.”

Obed dialled a second number. Jan could give him a complete report on Mr. Desroux’s background, business dealings, and anything else of news value, but he also wanted specific information about Mr. Desroux’s illness and the cause of his death. In this regard, Dr. Albert Uys, just as good a friend as Jan, could help him.

“Doctor Uys’s consulting rooms.”

“Is he there?”

“Just a moment.”

It clicked in Obed’s ear. A moment later, Albert answered.

“Doctor Uys.”

“Is that you, Obed?” Albert exclaimed. “Yes, what is it this time?”

“Don’t act as if I’m always bothering you,” Obed joked, but then he continued seriously. “I understand there are certain codes among you medical folk, Albert, but I was wondering if you could find out from Mr. Bertrand Desroux’s doctor how his illness progressed, and ultimately his death.”

“Why do you want to know?”

“Why do I usually want to know?” Obed parried.

“I’ll find out,” Albert assured him, and Obed thanked him for offering his willingness to cooperate without any further explanation. Albert promised to call him as soon as possible, and Obed requested that he under no circumstances let it be known that he was making enquiries for a specific purpose.

Obed adjusted himself to start typing. His fingers hesitated over the keys when the telephone suddenly rang again.

“De Swardt here.”

“Ah, Mister De Swardt,” a hoarse voice came through to him. “You’re a busy man.”

“Who is speaking, please,” Obed enquired sharply, for from experience he knew this slow-talking type of joker.

“I don’t think that’s relevant,” the man on the other end answered, and Obed imagined it sounded like the voice of a young man who was too big for his boots and who was trying to act like a grown-up. One of those types who acts as if he knows everything about everything and no one can teach him a thing.

“What is relevant then?” Obed enquired.

“Just that you remain so long on the telephone after receiving a visit from a certain young lady.”

“I’d be glad if you’d say what you want.” Obed persisted with his semi-impatient attitude, but the frown on his forehead indicated a sudden concentration. Something warned him to tread carefully with this customer.

“I’d like to have a little chat with you,” the other answered nonchalantly. “Where and when would be convenient for you?”

“State the purpose.”

“I’ll do that then.”

“I’m afraid I don’t have time. I’m not interested in keeping such unsatisfactory appointments.”

“It is in your interest, you fool,” the other said coolly. “You wouldn’t want your clients to get hurt, would you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Miss Desroux is the one who will suffer.” He hesitated for just a fraction of a second. “Where and when, De Swardt.”

“I’m at my house. I’ll be here for some time yet.”

“Oh, I see.” Now the man hesitated much longer, and Obed could have immediately bitten his tongue in reproach for what he had just done. He realised all too clearly that this man had called him to find out if Hermigne Desroux had indeed been with him. The mere fact that the mention of her name had made Obed change his mind was indication enough that she had come to him with her problem, and this man knew about that problem. This man knew she had come to Obed for help, and he also knew why she had done it.

“It would be inconvenient to come to your house,” the man then said in the same slow manner. “I would prefer that we meet elsewhere.”

“Where then?” Obed asked curtly, for he realised that since he had now made the mistake, he might as well use the appointment to learn as much as possible about this whole affair. If there had been the slightest doubt in his mind as to whether Hermigne Desroux’s impressions were wrong, it was now dispelled. This call confirmed her worst suspicions.

“There’s a café, Groen Oase, in Greystraat. Just ask for the manager, Willie Benz, and come alone, De Swardt, come immediately and alone.”

The last words were soft and almost bored, yet ominous. On the other end, the receiver was immediately put down.

Obed felt like laughing. The audacity of the fellow took his breath away. If it weren’t for that threat against Hermigne Desroux, Obed would have made it quite clear to the man what he thought of him.

He typed quickly. He first left out any facts he already had about the Desroux family. He typed what had happened so far. Jan and Albert would come forward with complete information later.

He dressed at his leisure. The sports jacket was tight across his broad shoulders, but it fitted perfectly so that his movements could in no way ever be restricted. He glanced in the mirror and ran a comb through his crew cut.

He called Amos to the study while he made a call. He was already talking to Jan when the faithful old cook came in.

“But what do you think?” Jan roared on the other end. “Am I some kind of public information service?”

“You can imagine what you like,” Obed answered. “Just let me know who and what Willie Benz of the Groen Oase is.”

He pressed down the cradle,” and looked at Amos.

“From tonight,” he said soberly, “we’re switching on the burglar alarm again.” He smiled at Amos’s worried expression. “We just have to be on our guard,” he explained. “I don’t think anyone will try to attack us here.” He shrugged his shoulders. “But you never know.”

Then he dialled detective headquarters. After a moment, he heard Detective Sergeant Eksteen’s voice.

“Eksteen here.”

“Ekkie,” Obed said concisely. “You have to do me a favour, please.”

“Aha!” Ekkie exclaimed. “The Wandering Detective is on his feet again. When are you coming to practice?” he enquired sharply of his teammate, for he was the hooker for Diggers. “If you can start snooping around in your illegal way, you might as well come and play rugby.”

“I’ll be there next week,” Obed assured him. “In the meantime, you have to help me, please. I want to know if you have anything on record about a certain Mister Willie Benz who is the manager or owner of the Groen Oase.”

“Willie Benz?” Ekkie thought hard. “I can’t remember ever hearing of him. I’ll check.”

“Thanks.”

A few moments later, the large black car glided out of the gate and down the tarred street in the direction of Johannesburg. Jagter stood disappointed on the pavement. But then he pricked up his ears and returned to the front veranda. He knew he was staying behind because he had to guard the house and look after old Amos.

Obed stopped a block away from the Groen Oase. He locked the car, except for the driver’s door, you never know how quickly you might have to jump back in and pull away.

It was already past six, and the restaurant was full. At first glance, Obed determined that it was one of those places that, for one reason or another, had been singled out and taken over by teenagers. Most of the girls were wearing slacks and tight-fitting sweaters. The boys with their leather jackets and ducktail hairstyles leaned over the chairs and tables while they talked to the girls, and there was hardly one of them who was sitting properly on a chair.

The front part of the restaurant was rather narrow, but it widened into a large room deeper inside. Along the walls were benches between partitions, and on...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 18.9.2025
• Übersetzer: Pieter Haasbroek, Ai
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Krimi / Thriller / Horror
• ISBN-13: 9780001021471 / 9780001021471