Janice Spina is an award-winning author
with nine children's books, Louey the Lazy Elephant, Ricky the
Rambunctious Raccoon, Jerry the Crabby Crayfish, Lamby the Lonely Lamb, Jesse
the Precocious Polar Bear, Broose the Moose on the Loose, Davey & Derek
Junior Detectives, Book 1 and 2, Sebastian Meets Marvin the Monkey,
copy editor and writer of novels and poetry. Hunting Mariah is her first novel
to be published under J.E. Spina. A new novel, paranormal/mystery/romance
coming soon, How Far Is Heaven.
Janice's children's book, Lamby
the Lonely Lamb, received a
Silver Medal from Mom’s Choice Awards in Picture Books Category and Davey
& Derek Junior Detectives, Book 1, The Case of the Missing Cell Phone won
the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award in Preteen Category.
She is working on two more children's
books and books 3 & 4 of Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Series
for publication. Janice will eventually
publish these books over this year and next.
Her logo is Jemsbooks - books for all
ages! Her motto is - Reading Gives You Wings to Fly!
Janice's hobbies besides writing are
crocheting, exercising to keep in shape, going to the movies with her husband
or out to lunch or dinner (reason for all the exercise), reading, book
reviewing, blogging, traveling, and spending time with her five grandchildren.
Janice can be followed on her blog: http://jemsbooks.com
Website: http://jemsbooks.wordpress.com
“Move
the body now and take me back to my hotel room. I don’t care what you do with
him. Just make sure he disappears forever. You know who to call. He will know
what to do.”
“Okay
Boss. Is the pit okay?” The driver of the limo, Ned, looked up at his boss in
the car’s mirror waiting for an answer.
The
boss just looked at him but didn’t answer and added, “Did Buzz call back yet
with the reports I requested?” The boss, a very distinguished older man in the
back seat of the limo, asked his driver, irritation evident in his voice, while
he completely ignored the question that his driver had just asked him.
“Um,
well, no I haven’t heard back from him. Do you want me to call him for ya,
Boss?” Ned’s voice audibly betrayed his fear of this man for whom he worked. He
had seen Boss in action and knew what he was capable of. Boss had dismissed
other drivers for minor infractions and they were never seen or heard from
again. He knew he had to watch his back or he would end up like the others,
gone forever.
“No,
but I want to hear as soon as he does call. I gave him a job to do. Now take me
to my hotel.”
“Yes
sir, Boss, right away,” Ned was relieved that his boss’ anger was directed
elsewhere. He only hoped Buzz would call or the boss would become more ornery
until he did.
As
they arrived at the hotel the boss turned to Ned before getting out of the limo
and instructed him in a stern voice, “The packages I gave you must be delivered
to the drop off today. I want you to get them there as quickly as possible. Do
you understand, Ned, or do I have to spell it out for you?”
“No
sir, Boss. I’ll do exactly as you say. I’ll get the packages there for you by
FedEx ok? I’ll make sure they go out today. Is that ok? Boss?” Ned was never
given his boss’ name, just told to call him Boss. Ned never asked why because
those who did…well, they just disappeared.
Ned
was getting more nervous by the minute and just wanted to do these two jobs and
then go home and drink himself to sleep as he usually did. Ned hoped that Buzz
would hold up his end of this job and not screw up. If he didn’t it could be
the death of both of them. Ned just couldn’t understand why Buzz hadn’t called
back by now. What was taking him so long?
He
knew why Boss kept Buzz on the payroll, he was the boss’ cousin’s son. Boss
knew Buzz was a loser but thought if he taught him the ropes he would come
around to his way of thinking and doing things. Ned didn’t think so. He had
covered once before for Buzz but got no thanks from him for doing that. Ned
decided to cut ties with him and let him hang himself this time.
***
Back
in Maine Buzz was driving around Leah Mills to do his boss’ bidding. He had
been requested to check out the JemsWorld store and see what he could find out
about its location and how profitable it was. The boss had designs on it and
wanted to know square footage and accessibility to highways and airports.
Buzz
walked through the store taking notes and asked to speak with the manager.
“Yes,
sir I am one of the managers. How may I help you?”
“I
am from the Department of Sanitation and want to see your warehouse.” Buzz
quickly flashed a badge he had made for the occasion and put it away before the
man could take a closer look at it.
“Is
there a problem?”
“Well,
not yet but after I take a look at it I will let you know.” He smiled as the
manager readily agreed to take him on a tour. Buzz could see the fear in this
man’s eyes and this fact only made Buzz feel more powerful and in control.
***
The
movement of the vehicle woke him. He tried to sit up but found he couldn’t move
in the confining space. His hands and feet were fastened with plastic ties
which rubbed painfully against his skin. He looked up and around him but it was
too dark to see anything. His head throbbed and he felt as if he was going to
be sick. He tried to clear his head to remember what had gotten him into this
predicament. He suddenly remembered and said a silent prayer.
The
vehicle came to a stop. He could hear footsteps coming closer then stopping at
the back of the car. The trunk was opened and a large figure loomed over the
man. The night sky was dark but the full moon was bright and the man had to
blink in order to make out a tall and wide silhouette leaning over him. He
tried to fight and was rewarded with a punch to the face knocking him out
again. The man’s last thoughts were of his family and his prayer for God to
watch over them.
The
body was heavy but the man was strong and he hefted the body over his shoulder
and headed for the pit. All he had to do was throw the body into the pit but
the boss told him to shoot first and then dump the body and cover with enough
dirt until the cement was scheduled to be poured the next day.
Thank you Janice for sharing an excerpt from your newest novel.
Next week on the Scribbler, come visit Peru with me. Land of the Inca. A history of stolen gold and Spanish Raiders.
The names of the winners of two copies of Dark Side of a Promise will be announced.
