Satan's Game: The Van Helsen Series, #5

Satan's Game

The Van Helsen Series, Volume 5

L Tait

Published by L Tait, 2015.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

SATAN'S GAME

First edition. November 15, 2015.

Copyright © 2015 L Tait.

ISBN: 978-1519965684

Written by L Tait.

Also by L Tait

The Van Helsen Series

Frenemies

Home Truths

The Reunion

Loose Cannon

Satan's Game

Artistic Differences

Keeping Secrets

Identity Crisis

Undecided...

Standalone

If Only!

School Daze!

Random Quest

I'm Not As Green As I'm Cabbage Looking!

The Work Experience

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Also By L Tait

Satan's Game (The Van Helsen Series, #5)

When I, Hazel Woodford, was a little girl, growing up in the suburbs of Glasgow, in a mid terraced house, in a respectable, but often affected, neighbourhood, I thought that life just revolved around school, family, homework, and living for the weekends. In other words, it was a fairly simple existence that I understood, and adapted to without question.

However, when I hit my teenage years, all that began to change.

Life was no longer the simple, uncomplicated ideal I was led to believe it was, and, when I turned sixteen, the course of my life was altered forever.

When I was sixteen, I met a man almost double my age, and I fell for him big time.

It was only after I'd fallen in love with Kris Van Helsen, that all of my troubles, our troubles, truly began, and, over the past year, I'd been made to handle more life threatening situations than any long term member of the SAS.

But, despite the trauma we'd recently experienced, it all had a happy ending.

We already had a five month old daughter, Jana, who was irrefutable proof of just how strong the bond between Kris and I actually was, and, on the same day that every known enemy we'd encountered had finally been dealt with, as the result of a spontaneous decision made by both of us, we got married, and I became Hazel Van Helsen.

Even though I was only seventeen years old, and a relative newcomer to the marriage scene, Kris, on the other hand, had been married once before, to a woman who was so bitter and twisted that she actually tried, on more than one occasion, to destroy our relationship, what we had together, with almost devastating consequences.

But, it's all too complicated to explain.

What mattered now was that everybody whod disapproved of our relationship no longer posed a threat to us, and Kris, Jana, and myself could look forward to a bright, promising future.

On the day we were married, we opted for a civil ceremony, conducted in the town hall, in Oslo, with our immediate family and a registrar present, Kris had also accepted a new job, as Commissioner of Norway's Police Federation, based in the criminal investigations section.

Hed been a federal agent before the extraordinary events that had led to our marriage, and it was through his very first post qualifying assignment, that I met him.

But, back then, I knew him as Miles Hayworth.

The courage hed displayed in Holmenkollen, and his obvious passion and zeal for his job, had inspired the decision for the Norwegian government to offer him this high profile position, as, the previous man who'd held the position, Richard Svendson, was currently in jail, awaiting trial for charges of corruption during his term of office as Commissioner.

Even though I'd initially had reservations about his taking the job, I knew that this is what he lived for, what he was devoted to, besides Jana and I, and I wouldn't stand in the way of his dream.

After all the excitement had died down, and the dust had settled, we spent our honeymoon in Bergen, and, during that time, as well as enjoying each other's company, we started making plans for finding a house in Oslo, close to Kris's new workplace, and we also discussed the inauguration party, and potential names for the guest list.

It was one evening, about a week into our honeymoon, while we were having dinner, that I broached the subject of the inauguration party that we'd agreed to, as a celebration of not only our marriage, but to also mark the occasion of Kris being officially sworn in as the country's new Commissioner of Police.

'So, Kris,' I began, reaching across the beechwood kitchen table, and taking his hand, 'Have you given any thought to your forthcoming inauguration party?'

'Ja, Haze, It's all I've been thinking of.  Besides you, and Jana, of course.' he replied, squeezing my hand and regarding me with a fond look in his aquamarine eyes.

'And...what have you decided upon?' I ventured tentatively, curious to know what my husband had in mind.

'I thought we might hold it in the ballroom of the Grand Hotel.  It's the only place I can think of that's large enough to accommodate the number of guests we're going to invite, Haze.'

'That's true, Dearest, but...when will the party take place? Have you set a date?'

'Not for another month at least.  We need to get ourselves set up in Oslo first, which means that well have to go house hunting.' Kris explained.

'It's funny that you should mention the subject of houses, Kris.' I said, ominously.

'Why?' asked Kris, his tone inquisitive, but also slightly guarded.

'Because...guess what I've got! Bergen Today's home supplement!' I revealed, producing a copy of the newspaper with a flourish, and with a triumphant 'Ta-dah!', I placed the newspaper on the table, and pushed it towards Kris.

However, it was his amused look upon my production of the homes section that puzzled me a little. 

I knew Kris well enough to know when he had something up his sleeve, and I was sure that this was one of those occasions.

'What? What is it, Kris?' I demanded, as I watched him leaf through the pages of attractive looking houses, with almost feigned interest, a smile slowly spreading across his handsome face.

At length, he folded up the newspaper, and pushed it back across the table towards me, and, annoyingly, still sporting that infuriating, smug look.

'Okay Kris! I give up! What's so funny?' I stated, resignedly, throwing my hands up in the air in an elaborate gesture of defeat.

'I find it rather odd, Haze, that you've known me for almost a year, you've been married to me for a week, and yet, you still don't seem to know how I operate, concerning matters of importance.' my husband observed.

'Yes I do! You're the person who invented the entire concept of advance planning and meticulous attention to detail, Kris...'

Then I realised what Kris was getting at.

'You're one step ahead of me, aren't you?' I guessed.

'Several, actually.  Haze, you've got to be up early in the morning to beat me, as you are well aware.'

'Too right! Although, if I were to get up earlier than you, Dearest, the rest of the world, in some geographical areas, would be preparing to go to bed.' I agreed.

'So...enlighten me.  What have you been up to this time, and, answer carefully, because, as I'm now officially your wife, all decisions made must be agreed upon by both of us.' I reminded him, sternly.

And then Kris shot me a slightly guilty look, and he was silent for a few moments before he started explaining himself.

'Okay...well, Hazel...' he faltered, 'I hope you won't be too cross with me, but...'

'Kris,' I cut in, 'considering that, only a week ago, you shot me, and I forgave you for that, what could be so bad that I'd be cross with you?'

'Well, I, er...made a decision without consulting you first, Haze.  Before you say anything,' Kris went on, holding up his hand to stop me from interrupting him (which was what I was about to do anyway),' I feel I should tell you that it was too good an opportunity to miss.'

Now I was really intrigued.

'And?' I prompted.

'And, Haze, do you recall, when I was away getting acquainted with my new working environment, you and your family spent some time seeing some of the attractions Oslo has to offer?'

'Yes, I guess you could say that, even though, to my family, it was more of a sightseeing tour.  To me, it was more of a, shall we say, reconnaisance mission?' I said.

'Ja, selvfolgelig, Haze.  Did you,er, like any places in particular?' Kris inquired casually.

Now, this particular question was a little unexpected.

'That's interesting. Why do you ask, Kris?'

'Oh, no reason, Haze.  I'm just curious to know what your first impressions of our fair city were, that's all.'

'Hmm.' I mused, sceptically, taking a sip of water from the glass that was next to my now almost empty dinner plate.

Secretly, I wondered why Kris was asking all of these seemingly inane questions.

But, I reasoned logically, it was not only natural for him to ask questions, as he was inquisitive in terms of character, but, because it was also a major part of his job.

So I decided to humour him (just to satisfy his immediate curiosity, of course!).

'Well, Kris, the art gallery was very nice, or, it would have been, if Mum didn't spend half an hour looking at every painting we saw.' I started, sighing, as I remembered just how much time we'd actually spent in the art gallery alone.'  At the time, I was thinking that we wouldn't get to see the rest of Oslo at the amount of time Mum was taking looking at the paintings.

But, I had to give her credit for the fact that she loved art, and no true art lover would ever rush round an art gallery.

'However,' I continued, noting my husband's amused look at this remark, 'We did visit a few other places, but, my favourite would have to be Frognerpark.  That park is beautiful, with its sculptures, the fountain, and the monolith.  The artistic symbolism of life was amazing, and reflected so beautifully in these sculptures.  And it was so peaceful there too.' I enthused, smiling as I recalled the walk we'd taken through the park after we'd done our rounds of the art gallery in the city centre.

'Tha'ts interesting, Haze.' Kris observed, repeating a comment I'd made only moments earlier.

'Really? How?'

'Well, Haze, not only did I get a better idea of the duties of my new job, while you were out gallivanting around Oslo with the family, but, I also took advantage of the new technology that was made available to me while I was there.'

'Kris!' I moaned, 'Stop talking in riddles and get to the point!' I added, running my hands through my hair in exasperation.

'All right,