Maltese Steel

Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

Dwejra sea birds hovered overhead. Their baby-like calls hung carried on a refreshing sea breeze which hurried across the coastline. The sun began to gather warmth over the Maltese Islands though it was still early morning.

The surrounding landscape had a dangerous beauty, like something from another time or planet. Yet, the image was broken by the parking spaces and shops.

Special Agent Marcus Foster stood near the rocky ground where the Azure Window had stretched out into the ocean. An enormous craggy arch that had been created by weather and stormy waters. Now, just a strange rock formation remained to mark where the arch had stood.

Some people would swear that there was a face in the rock if looked at from a certain angle. Set in the San Lawrenz district of the Island of Gozo. The window had been a magnificent natural structure that Foster had in years gone by brought his family to see.

Now, he was there for a very different reason.

He had received the call around six that morning. Pat and Michael Fabri, who owned the ice cream store close by, had found a young woman's body while walking their dog at the Blue Hole, a tourist trap and diving ground. They always walked their little terrier, Skippy, there before getting ready for the tourists. Skippy had alerted them to the woman in the water. She had been too far for either of them to swim out, so Pat had called the police on her cell phone. The police boat had found only the body, no purse or form of ID. However, the sergeant in charge had recognised her as Foster's daughter. Despite her broken body, her face was somehow mostly undamaged – enough for her to be identified at least.

Foster was a tall man with massive shoulders. Six-foot three and a haircut any Marine would be proud of. The fresh sea air brushed across his face as he looked out across the ocean. Trying to think of why his little girl would take her own life. For him, there was only one answer: She wouldn't.

'Marcus, the medical examiner, is about to take her away,' said Sergeant Gann Burlo. Burlo was a friend of the family since Foster's arrival five years ago.

Foster starred out at the serene beauty of the ocean and nodded silently. Burlo moved to speak – but felt awkward breaking the silence.

He turned to head back to the police Land Rover that waited for him.

'Gann, are you putting this down to suicide?' Foster asked without turning to look at his friend.

'I will wait to see what the medical examiner finds, but everything points to that, or just an accident. Why? Something we should know?' Burlo asked curiously.

Foster turned slowly and shook his head.

'Just so I can tell Martha. An accident would be better, knowing her little girl took her life would destroy her,' Foster said.

Burlo gave a sympathetic smile and nodded slowly. 'I'll let you know. But I think it was more likely to be an accident, but it's not for me to say I'm afraid. That's down to the medical examiner. But, out here late at night, and last night was pretty dark,' Burlo said.

Foster turned back to the view and sighed while Burlo returned to his car. Foster pulled out his cell phone and pressed a speed-dial number.

'Hi Janis, it's Marcus Foster. Can you find me John Steel's number in New York?'