Daylight at Morgan Manor

By C.G. Standridge

The owner of the estate, Isabella Morgan, is in deteriorating health. As her condition worsens, so does the hunger for her legacy. With a successful business leader of the Triads rising in the political polls, any upset to his rival can carry the vicious gang into a level of governmental control that they have only dreamed. A secret society learns of the Triad plot, and extorts a shady deal with a retiring Colonel. The tactical team is sent to collect valuable information that can unravel the plot. Various underworld factions learn of the potential accolades, which may be determined by the contents of a secret envelope. The envelope holds the true history behind the estate, and may pose a substantial threat, or a large advantage, to the highest bidder. Unsuspecting persons are collected for various roles in the night to come. Their actions, or lack thereof, may decide the fate that awaits the nearing dawn. As a surprise twist, a psychotic young man has secretly taken residence in the mansion. The rival factions, save for one, have no knowledge of his presence.

• Language: English
• Publisher: C.G. Standridge
• Release date: Aug 28, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465880673

C.G. Standridge

I am from Hazen, Arkansas. I grew up in Prairie County, attending Hazen High School. I am inspired by real life, as much as by my own dreams. I hope to share my imagination with the world, and someday be a well-known author with numerous fans. I have written several stories, ranging from sci-fi/fantasy to fiction/suspense. I have yet to publish any of that work in print. I'm using Smashwords.com to establish myself as an author, and to share my short stories for your enjoyment. If drama isn't your thing,I have also been reformatting some of my original sci-fi tales for Smashwords. The futuristic, fantasy-type adventure 'New Earth Stories' will be available as a trilogy, soon. I hope you find these tales to be interesting, fresh and entertaining. Sincerely, C.G. Standridge

Book preview

Daylight at Morgan Manor

(The revised and extended version)

By C.G. Standridge

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2011 Chris Standridge

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 Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This ebook is a work of fiction. Any references to real events, situations, organizations, or locations are only intended to give the story a ‘sense’ of reality. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or deceased, is purely coincidental.

*****

In loving memory of TD Standridge.

My father, sportsman, mentor and friend.

1935-1998

*****

Acknowledgements:

Cover concept by C.G. Standridge and Tina Weatherley. Story by C.G. Standridge.

Special thanks to:

Tina Weatherley, for inspiration and patience, and for helping this project come together. Dro, for being there every step of the way. Mark Coker and Smashwords, for the help required to make this publication possible. My Dad, for the determination to see it through.

I would also like to thank my fans for providing the constructive feedback on how to improve the original version of the ebook ‘Daylight at Morgan Manor’.

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1-The Beginning

Chapter 2-Workout

Chapter 3-Continuity

Chapter 4-Fine Dining

Chapter 5-Notification

Chapter 6-Anonymity

Chapter 7-Collections

Chapter 8-Modus Operandi

Chapter 9-Friday Morning

Chapter 10-Arrival

Chapter 11-The Pieces

Chapter 12-Countdown

Chapter 13-Last Chances

Chapter 14-Beating the Clock

Chapter 15-Unwanted Surprises

Chapter 16-Trapped

Chapter 17-Looking In

Chapter 18-The Vault

Chapter 19-Confrontation

Chapter 20-Strategy

Chapter 21-The Safe

Chapter 22-Compromise

Chapter 23-Raising the Stakes

Chapter 24-A New Bag

Chapter 25-Beautiful Chaos

Chapter 26-The Situation

Chapter 27-Out of Time

Chapter 28-The Brink

Chapter 29-Daylight at Morgan Manor

Chapter 30-The Psycho

Chapter 31-Saturday

Epilogue

About the Author

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Preface

On September 15, a bizarre discovery was made. A lone investigator had unveiled a secret cover-up that could seal the fate of Senator Bailey, as well as the rest of the United States. The evidence, allegedly hidden in a secret place within the mansion of the Morgan Manor Estate, is the only proof of his findings.

Word has leaked. Various factions have become aware of the valuable evidence, and strive to acquire it. Although none are aware of the actual contents of the safe, each has their own reasons for becoming involved.

Isabella Morgan, the only remaining descendant of Archibald Morgan the Second, is in poor health. As her condition worsens, others become involved, taking advantage of her ailment. The tangled web of deceit begins to unravel, proving more purpose to those who desire the confidential files.

The elections are nearing the final lap. Senator Bailey is barely keeping the pace with his peculiar rival. The remnants of the Morgan legacy are locked into a legal battle for the estate. Now, the government as become interested in the files.

Shady practices, old rivals, and a past that refuses to be forgotten surfaces in this race for closure. The level of secrecy and conviction escalates as diverse factions quest to obtain the truth. None are safe, and none can be trusted. The final motions commence…

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Chapter 1, The Beginning

Colonel Wesley pulls into his garage. His tough hands have gripped an imprint on the soft steering wheel. He peels his right hand from the firm grip to place the car into PARK. He groans while killing the engine.

He remains in the seat, contemplating the tough decision at hand. The old Colonel has seen a lot of action, and has made difficult calls in the past. Perhaps, more than his fair share. Still, this task may have stressed his resolve, pushing his devotion to its limits.

He had seen field combat first-hand. Several assignments later, he had toured Afghanistan. Twice. Then, Iraq. Kuwait. Four years of being stationed in Germany, and three years spent in South Korea. He hadn’t been back stateside for any more than two months.

He is glad to be back. He is looking forward to his nearing retirement. His children are grown. His grandson has just started middle school. So much time has already been lost. All he wants is to make up for the lost years of separation.

Of course, it is never that easy. Not for a seasoned Colonel. One last assignment awaits his steady hand and experienced mind. One last task before the uniform is done with him. A single phone call. It should be simple. The others had been.

He swallows hard, as though to deepen his own heart, distancing it from his mind enough to quell its comments. He tries to think of the near future. The next five days. In less than one week, his thirty-six years of service will finally reward him with a long stay at home.

His wife is excited about it, as are his children. Until four hours ago, so was he. Four hours ago, he had plans. He had ideas. He felt the stress of it all fading into the bleak past where it belongs.

He reaches for the handle. His trembling hand grasps the cool chrome lever, and slowly eases it back. The door releases, gapping enough to permit a warm breeze from the outside air.

He lazily pushes the door open with his left foot. The light, synthesized female voice chants, "Key is in the ignition. Key is in the ignition." The Colonel groans as he reaches for the keychain. He removes the key and drops the keychain into his shirt pocket.

He exits the sedan and closes the door. He slowly makes his way to the door of the house. On his way inside, he reaches out and presses the button for the garage door. He places his hat on the small table just inside as he closes the door.

He removes his wristwatch and places it inside his hat, along with his wallet and keys. He unbuttons the top three buttons of his shirt and unfastens his belt. He slips his shoes from his feet and kicks them beside the door. Again, he sighs.

Bonnie, his wife, greeted him as she passed by with the laundry. Hello, dear. Tough day? The Colonel groaned. His wife pauses for a kiss. He presses his firm lips against her cheek. I’ll take that as a ‘yes’, she says.

I’ll just be glad when it’s over, dear.

Five more days, sweetie, she replies.

Under his breath, the Colonel says, That’s six days too many.

Did you say something?

He shrugs before moping into the living room. He falls into his old leather recliner and makes himself as comfortable as possible. The evening news is on the television. He sluggishly grabs the remote and carefully increases the volume.

Two hundred miles to the east, Susan awaits a call from Mac. They have been friends since the third grade. Throughout the years of school, they had become quite close. It would be easy to assume that they are more than friends, but that would be wrong.

They have never dated. They have never shared in any form of romance. They both had dated other people, often joking about their own friendship. They are very close, and have always been, but they have never braved that one final step.

Thoughts of college quickly vanished as the reality of living costs struck them both. A few of their friends had gone to various universities. Some had even been accepted into Hoffman University. But, Mac and Susan had decided to stay near the old neighborhood and work full-time.

Susan, the mythical ‘cute girl from next door’, has made a career for herself as a full-time babysitter. The slender nineteen-year-old, brown-eyed brunette currently watches five children. Mac usually calls her from time to time, typically while the children are asleep.

She sits in the chair nearest the hallway. From here, she can hear the children, should any of them awaken. Right now she is caring for only two of them. Little Bethany, the five-year-old daughter of the Morris family, and Mikey.

She has cared for Mikey for the past three years. He was her first full-time sit. She has grown accustomed to his mannerisms and favorite foods. She calls him her little man. His bright blue eyes always light up when she enters the room, no matter how cranky he seems to be.

Mikey is the son of a divorced couple. His father, Wade, lives in Detroit now. He rarely visits. Sadly, phone calls from him are almost as rare. He is a successful ad executive for a popular advertising agency. For him, the child support payments are nothing more than a mild drain on his four digit weekly salary.

Anna, Mikey’s mother, is currently working two jobs to keep the house and pay the bills. Her friendship with Susan has developed into a reasonable business relationship. Anna gets a substantial discount, and Susan gets to see her little man almost every day.

Susan lazily flips through the channels, finding nothing of interest. Her cell phone awaits quietly on the end table. She glances at it anxiously. No vibration. It remains still and unlit.

*****

Chapter 2, Workout

Mac grabs a fresh towel while encouraging Jim to pace. It’s all about control, Jim. I know that Rob says it’s the reps, but seriously. Look at Rob. He breaks a sweat tying his shoes.

Don’t make me laugh, man, Jim says while straining to place the bar back onto the rack. He sluggishly releases the bar and lets his arms fall along his sides and to the floor.

What was that?, Mac asks.

I can’t crack a smile while sporting the spaghetti arms, bro. It just isn’t safe, you know?

Mac shakes his head while tossing the towel onto Jim’s chest. "You