Morgan Creek

By Jinger Jackson

In peaceful Morgan Creek Arkansas four people have been brutally murdered and it’s up to Sheriff Alvarro Schmidt to find the killer that can’t possibly be real.

Agent Sage Lee works for the DOSR, Department of Scientific Research and she’s been dispatched to recapture a secret weapon that isn’t supposed to exist.

Sage and Al work against the clock to find this particular science experiment gone wrong before anyone else dies—but how do you track something that was created for its agility, stealth, intelligence and strength?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Champagne Books
• Release date: May 13, 2011
• ISBN: 9781926996271

Book preview

Carnal Passions Presents

Morgan Creek

By

Jinger Jackson

This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Carnal Passions

A Division of Champagne Books

www.carnalpassions.com

Copyright 2011 by Jinger Jackson

ISBN 9781926996271

May 2011

Cover Art by Amanda Kelsey

Produced in Canada

Carnal Passions

#35069-4604 37 ST SW

Calgary, AB T3E 7C7

Canada

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Carnalpassions.com (or the retailer of your choice) and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Smashwords edition

Dedication

To my Best Friend K, who loved this story from its inception. To Lainey for being a GREAT help and Beta reader when I needed her. To the people of the Baxter/Stone County Arkansas region of the Ozarks and most especially the people who live in the real towns that I created the fictional Morgan Creek on.

Prologue

St. Louis, MO

March 1996

Marcus Lee rolled over and looked at the little firecracker curled up beside him. Who would have believed it was possible to love someone this much? He reached over to lift a piece of Sage’s raven tresses. The silky strands slid through his finger with ease.

Damn was she going to be mad when she learned that he was leaving tonight! If he’d been given a choice, he’d have refused the assignment but he was a soldier. It wasn’t up to him to question orders or decide where next to deploy. An order was an order.

He didn’t know how long he’d be gone or the details of the mission. The only thing he knew was it was a special assignment in the Congo. A handpicked team was moving out tonight and they would be gone until further notice.

He glanced at Sage. How long would it be until he held her in his arms again? When would he see her smile, hear her laughter, or fight with her?

It wasn’t possible that he’d ever have his fill of this glorious woman. She was everything to him. She was his lover, his confidante, his best friend and biggest ally. He could share everything with her; his pains, his fears, his triumphs, his joys and his defeats.

God how he loved her. He spooned into her back, moved her hair exposing her neck. He nibbled along her neck as his hands moved down the side of her body, caressing every inch of her satin skin.

She moaned in her sleep and arched toward him. The sheet slid off the bed exposing her perfect body. He reached for the mound at the center of her legs and slipped his finger into her folds, caressing and stroking the skin until the tremors began.

She moaned a little louder. Her eyes cracked opened. Marcus?

Quiet pet, he whispered, then bit into the sensitive flesh at her shoulder.

She purred like a kitten as his hands continued to stroke at her.

Her hands moved to his shaft and fondled him, turning the tables on his plans for the morning. She pushed up and kissed his mouth, her tongue licking at his lips, dipping into his mouth as her fingers alternately tightened and loosed around his hard cock.

She pulled away, smiled wickedly at him and changed her position, settling her pussy on his chest while her glorious mouth went to work on his cock.

She licked, and teased, sucking with just enough pressure to drive him out of his mind.

He lifted her hips and settled her over his face, surrounding himself with the scent of his woman. He feasted on everything she offered. Her juices flooded his mouth, and he savored every drop.

He groaned as she sucked him, taking him deep into her throat. God she was paradise.

Unable to control any longer, he let himself go and felt her swallow.

~ * ~

Sage curled into Marcus’ side, relishing the feel of his arms wrapped around her. His love making was different this morning. He hadn’t been satisfied with just once but had returned to her, desperation fueling his thrusts as he filled and spilled into her.

Marcus?

He stroked her arm. What?

What’s wrong?

He chuckled and kissed her. Nothing, why?

You’re different. What’s bothering you?

He sighed. "You can always read me Cara mia." He moved from the bed.

His distance chilled her. What’s wrong? she repeated.

I’m being deployed.

Her heart slammed into hyper drive. Deployed to active duty? Where? When?

He smiled and reached for her. I leave tonight. I’m headed for the Congo.

She jerked at the word and studied him closely. The Congo? What for? She tried to think of all the reports she’d heard on the news and all the rumors that circulated on base but there wasn’t a great deal she knew about the Congo.

I’m going because that’s where they want me, he reasoned.

She clenched her teeth and tamped down the frustration. Marcus wouldn’t tell her anything more, even if he knew it. He was military and he only shared what he absolutely had to let her know. When will you be back?

He shrugged. I can’t say, I was told it was an open ended mission.

No, she tried to fight against the tears. No… She gave up fighting and let them come as she pressed herself into his warm embrace.

Hey. He lifted her chin to look into her eyes. I’m a soldier. You knew what you were in for when you signed on for this hitch.

She nodded. She had followed him to Hawaii, California, Alaska and Georgia. For the first time he was going somewhere she couldn’t follow. I’m going to miss you.

He grinned. You’ve got plans of your own. Now there’s nothing to keep you from DC and Quantico.

You never held me back from that, she argued. I was willing to wait until the time was right.

That time is now Sage. You’re a great cop. The Feeb’s would be damn lucky to get you.

She was too miserable to think about anything but how empty her life would be with Marcus gone.

I’m not going to be in active service much longer. My hitch will be up soon then I’ll meet you in DC.

July 4, 1997

Sage held the letter in her hand. Marcus was coming home! A year they’d missed out on but they’d have so much time to make up for that lost year.

They had so much to celebrate this year. Her acceptance into the FBI, his homecoming and finally his service was up. He was coming home for good!

She danced around the kitchen while marinating the ribs that would go on the grill any time now.

King barked violently and she rushed to the living room. A large black car with tinted windows slowed in front of the neighbor’s house.

Sage stared as the sedan parked in front of the house. Her heart skipped several beats and for a moment Sage was certain it had stopped altogether, her palms sweated ice and she shivered with cold dread. She grabbed hold of the massive white German shepherd’s thick collar and held on.

Two men dressed in military green moved from the car to her front walk. With her hand still clutching the dog, she opened the door, watching them as they moved with precision drilled into them by years of service.

Mrs. Sage Lee? the younger of the two asked.

She nodded, unable to find coherent thoughts to string together.

Ma’am I’m Captain Bristol, this is Staff Sergeant Logan. May we come in?

Again she dumbly nodded and stepped back. They weren’t going to tell her those dreaded words. They weren’t! It wasn’t possible.

Ma’am? Captain Bristol interrupted her chaotic thoughts. Would you sit, please?

No-no-no-no she silently begged as her legs collapsed beneath her and she dropped into the chair opposite the captain. Can I offer you something to drink? she forced herself to say.

No thank you Ma’am, the captain dismissed her question politely. I’m afraid I’m here with news regarding—

She clamped her hands over her mouth. Distract them, make them say anything else but please don’t let them tell me he’s gone. Please…

I’m terribly sorry Mrs. Lee but Lieutenant Lee is gone. He was in chopper over the base camp when an onboard explosion occurred. The chopper crashed into the side of a mountain. All parties on board were lost.

This wasn’t happening. No, she choked out between dry lips. Marcus, you promised me you were coming home! Why? Why? Oh God, please come home to me. She buried her face in her hands and sobbed uncontrollably.

Is there someone we can call for you? Captain Bristol offered solicitously.

She couldn’t think. Marcus’s image danced through her mind. His tall lithe body, his perfect smile that seemed brighter because of his copper-colored skin. The way he held chairs for her, opened doors for her, stood up for her, backed down from her. God Marcus… Her chest constricted and she couldn’t breathe. It wasn’t possible to be a widow, not now, not yet. It wasn’t fair! God it wasn’t fair!

Captain Bristol made a small sound and through the tears in her eyes she watched him shift uncomfortably in the chair.

King’s chest rumbled with his deep growl. He knew she was upset, could sense the men in the room were the cause and he was on guard to rebuff the threat. The hair on the dog’s neck bristled.

Sage worked her fingers deeper into his coat and held on. She forced herself to breathe then glanced up at the men. No, please, I just want to be alone.

The men rose and moved to the front door. Again, our deepest condolences Ma’am. If you need anything, anything at all he handed her a card with his phone number before the door opened and they stepped outside.

King whimpered, squirming to fit his huge body on her lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck then buried her face into his warm body. The dog shivered and whined clearly picking up on her distress. She sobbed until there were no more tears inside.

The sun began to sink in the west when she finally found herself able

to stand again. She moved around the room, picking up the frames that held their memories.

She moved through the house like a zombie, uncertain of what to do, who to call, or where to go. She and Marcus had married so young but they were so in love. For nearly a year and a half of the five years they were married they’d been separated. Now he was never coming home.

She sat on the sofa and watched old movies as the day slipped away from her.

The sound of a ringing phone jerked her awake. Lee, she answered automatically.

This is Addams, we’ve got a job. Pack your gear and meet us at the airport in fifteen.

Yes, Sir.

As she threw her gear into her black leather duffle jump bag she was suddenly grateful for the interruption. Work was all she had now and she was going to focus her full attention on being the best agent in the business.

One

Morgan Creek Arkansas

May 2009

Ashley Peters sat down on a fallen log watching her fiancé Jules set up their tent. Camping in the wilds of Morgan Creek, Arkansas wasn’t something she’d ever envisioned doing. Ashley was a city girl through and through.

But Jules had a thing for being outdoors. Being such a love-struck fool, she agreed to go along when Jules’s best friend Bart Jacoby and his wife Margo headed for their annual final-fling campout.

Three days and four nights of burning alive during the day and freezing at night. Eating fish, berries, persimmons and whatever else they could forage was an unusual prospect. Besides, they couldn’t have actually meant it, right?

When they loaded up fishing equipment, what Jules had laughingly informed her were tackle boxes, and no groceries she realized they hadn’t been kidding.

Twigs snapped in the brush behind her and she jumped in place. What kinds of animals are out here?

Well, let’s see. There are lots of deer, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, and skunks. All things you’d see around home.

Ashley stood and inched closer to the brush. Gooseflesh rippled along her arms and she briskly rubbed her hands across the skin. So that’s it right? Nothing like, oh I don’t know, snakes or bears or anything?

Jules walked over and took her in his arms. Awe sweetie, don’t be ridiculous. Of course there are snakes. You’re in the woods. As to bears, well there may be, but we have them around us up in the city too. As well as bobcats, fox, raccoons. There isn’t anything to worry about though. After all there’s nothing out here that will hurt you. Not unless it’s cornered, injured, sick or starving.

She turned in his embrace and looked up into his light blue eyes.

Thanks Marlin Perkins. So all I have to worry about is something getting hungry and charging into our camp to eat me.

Margo Jacoby burst into peals of laughter. Ash, you’re five foot nothing, maybe one hundred pounds soaking wet. Whatever was hungry would eat us first and use you as a toothpick after.

Jules’ large frame shook with barely contained laughter. She’s got a point. You’re not exactly a meal. More like a bed time snack.

"Keep it up and