The Altar of Iphigenia

By marvin shaw

JJ Merrick, a successful businessman living in Northern Virginia, finds that when a casual acquaintance is abducted that he needs to do something. Using modern tech, the Internet, an array of resources that he has accumulated over the past 20 years, he searches for clues. His investigation carries him into the world of panhandlers and the nefarious dealings of thugs and gangsters as it travels from the heavily urban Metropolitan Metro DC area to the isolated mountain region of West Virginia.
Jim soon discovers that this impulsive need to find this predator has led him to a possible conspiracy, which could jeopardize his own secret, which he has spent a lifetime protecting.

• Language: English
• Publisher: marvin shaw
• Release date: Sep 22, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301552948

Book preview

The Altar of Iphigenia

Gentleman Johnathan Jim Merrick Affair

by Marvin D. Shaw

Copyright 2013 Marvin D Shaw

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All of the characters in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. The names, incidents, and opinions expressed in this book are products of the author's imagination and shall not be construed as real.

Thanks Hunter, Jack, Lori, and Rob.

If not for my wife I would not have the time nor the support I needed, thanks my love.

CHAPTER ONE

Abduction

Wisps of steam seeped from around the edges of the hood, as Cynthia took a glance at the temperature gauge dial, which now pointed at H on her 1995 red Saturn. She had hoped to get to her parents, so that her dad could look at the car, but she wasn’t going to make the 40 mile trip at this rate. Seeing the exit for Glebe road, she turned wanting to see a gas station. Pulling on to the road she encountered heavy traffic, and found that she was in the wrong lane for the only station she saw. Unable to get over, she passed it, and searched for a place to turn around.

The next light was the entrance for a shopping center. Waiting for the light to change, the car began to choke and sputter. The light turned green and the car barely moved as Cynthia pushed the accelerator to the floor. Not wanting to be stuck in the middle of the street, she slowly pulled into the strip center and crawled to an isolated parking space near a bank. Putting the car in park, steam flooded from under the hood, shrouding the vehicle. It violently sputtered and shook just before the engine failed.

An hour passed, and the temperature gauge showed normal, she turned the key, but only got the clicking of the ignition switch. Her head on the steering wheel, she continued to try to start the car, praying that somehow it would come alive. She couldn’t afford to be without a vehicle but there wasn’t any money for repairs, she had even given up her cell phone to pay other bills, something her mother had not approved of. All the negative thoughts of her current situation; short hours at work, bad grades at school, fighting with her parents, and hundred other little things, flooded into her mind and overwhelmed her with sadness, anger, and frustration.

She pushed open the door, and began lashing out at her car, her dad, and her life in general and for next few minutes she let them all have it. When the emotions had subsided, the tears rolled down her face and she sat on the curb and cried. Her outburst had caught the attention of a man pulling up to the bank. He walked over to her, Can I help, young lady? She looked up and saw a well-built middle-age man with blond hair and blue eyes wearing a jumpsuit.

I’m sorry? She said managing a smile.

Do you need some help? He smiled back, holding his hand out.

Yes, if you don’t mind, she said thinking what she might do now.

He pulled her to her feet, What seems to be the problem? He said with a genuine look of curiosity at the car.

My car took a dump, she said with a smirk while kicking the tires.

I’m not sure I know how to fix that particular mechanical problem, he said with a grin.

She nodded and snorted a laugh, That’s okay, but if I could use your phone that would be great.

I am sorry, I don’t have a phone, he said, his eye brows furrowed as if he was pondering something.

But my company does… and I am sure that they wouldn’t mind if we used it for an emergency, he said after a moment and with a reinsuring smile.

It’s in one of my bags, let me go get it, he said walking to the van and opening the side door.

She thought it odd, that he stared at the bank for a long moment, before opening the door but the thought of calling Merrick for help was more pressing. She hoped that he would remember her, and his promise to help if she ever needed it again. She watched as the man dug out a cell phone from a work bag and held it up for her to see. There was something off, she thought, about the way he held the phone, sort of the way you coax a pet to come to you. But she ignored the feeling and thanked him as she took the old flip phone. She punched in the number, placed the phone to her ear and heard the comforting dial tone. A shadow crossed her field of vision. Looking up she saw the man move closer. She smiled uncomfortably as he hovered over her. Starting to move away, she saw his arm extend behind her, the cool feeling of metal on the back of her neck, surprised her. A clicking noise seemed to echo in her head, then her world suddenly filled with intense light, quickly followed by total darkness.

The man pocketed the stunner and allowed the woman’s body to fall into the van. Effortlessly, he