Returning Harm

By C.K. Carlton

Returning Harm is book four in The Cal O'Connor Series (the first book in Season Two). It picks up where Guarding Harm left off, with Cal O'Connor lying on the motel room carpet with a gun in his mouth, his mind swirling with what happened in the Levin mansion. Will he find the courage to deal with his repressed memories, or will he end it all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: C.K. Carlton
• Release date: Feb 18, 2014
• ISBN: 9780989085366

C.K. Carlton

I began my professional career as a U.S. Navy intelligence officer. I spent six years in the Navy, making three tours, including a tour to the middle east in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.I left the Navy at the culmination of that tour, and after a few years in business school, I landed at The Martin Agency, an advertising agency in Richmond, Virginia.It all seemed like the right trajectory, but, as the story so often goes, the stress of hiding what I went through as a boy eventually caught up with me. So, one day, I walked away from my career and decided to focus on me. (quitting your career is never recommended)I got a low-stress job and began my recovery, and as I did, I journaled. That work became my first book, Nice To Meet Me, an often humorous and relatable book for anyone who struggles with their past.So, after a few decades of searching, here I am enjoying a career doing what comes naturally, writing fiction.I live and write in Richmond, Virginia with my wonderful wife and newborn son.

Book preview

RETURNING HARM

By C.K. Carlton

Books by C.K. Carlton

Returning Harm (The Cal O’Connor Series: #4)

The Cal O’Connor Series: Season One (Books 1-3, Boxed Set)

Guarding Harm (The Cal O’Connor Series: #3)

Wandering Dagger (The Cal O’Connor Series: #2)

Saving Chase (The Cal O’Connor Series: #1)

Nice To Meet Me (A Memoir)

Returning Harm

Copyright: C.K. Carlton 2014

Smashwords Edition

Published: February 2014

ISBN: 978-0-9890853-6-6

Publisher: Mugwump Publishing

The right of C.K. Carlton to be identified as author of this Work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the publisher. You must not circulate this book in any format.

For the millions of men and women suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD.

Introduction

What readers are saying about The Cal O’Connor Series:

"Absolutely hooked!"

"Great thrillers that really suck you in. I read all 3 stories in just a couple of days and I can’t wait for the next book. I also love the short format which makes for a very quick read but packs more punch than a lot of full length novels I have read."

"I love these books! Saving Chase has a great hook, backed up with rich characters and really incredible detail. Cal O'Connor is a fantastic hero; C.K. Carlton is my new favorite!"

Thanks for downloading Returning Harm, and for being one of the loyal readers of The Cal O’Connor Series!

Before finding out what happens to Cal in the motel room, I want to quickly remind you to sign up for my email newsletter at http://ckcarlton.com/contact-c-k-carlton/email-list/. All you need to do is enter your email and you’ll be kept up to date on new book releases and special offers. It’ll take ten seconds. You can trust that your email will be kept confidential and never sold or shared with another party.

Also, if you want to learn more about what Cal might be going through, take a look at my memoir, Nice To Meet Me, which was referred to by one therapist as one of the best books ever written on the subject of childhood sexual abuse. The book is very insightful; an easy read given the subject matter, even funny at times.

I’d love to hear from you. My email: [e-mail].

Thanks, and I hope you enjoy Returning Harm!

C.K. Carlton

Chapter 1

Cal pushed the Beretta past his teeth until his tongue met the cold, acidic, almost sour taste of the steel muzzle. His salivary glands reacted, flooding his mouth, forcing him to swallow. Blood from his broken nose flowed down his throat, causing him to lift his head slightly and swallow again to clear his passageway.

The distraction led him to open his eyes. He blinked repeatedly, his vision too blurred to draw the water-stained popcorn ceiling into focus. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes again, shifting his head further back. He re-positioned his hands on the weapon, sliding his left thumb to the trigger. His right hand would serve a better purpose steadying his left as he fired. He couldn’t afford to shoot through the side of his throat.

The musty, baking soda-masked stench from the stained nylon carpet beneath his head entered Cal’s thoughts. What a fitting place for it all to come to an end. His career was over; he was nothing but a marked man now. The only woman he ever loved had jettisoned him just like everyone else he ever cared about. From the time he was born, people had taken things from him, betraying his trust and obliterating his sense of security. He had always fought back, but he was finished fighting. It was time for him to take something and the sordid carpet beneath his head would provide a fitting backdrop.

Cal’s spiraling thoughts eventually delivered him to the point of action. He grasped the weapon tighter in his hands and took a deep breath.

Just as he began to depress the trigger, just as he found his nerve, a faint, hollow sound of footsteps from the hallway diverted his attention. However distant, the rhythmic tapping grew louder as the seconds passed until the noise was within yards of his doorway, until it abruptly stopped. Cal paused. His eyes fluttered open. His mind churned. Judging by the long strides, it was a male someone. Must have been the man in the motel room next to him. Cal closed his eyes again to concentrate on his task.

Like an unexpected clap of thunder, a pounding at the door snapped Cal from his mortal state. His senses sharpened. He removed the weapon from his mouth, rolled over to his side, and propped himself up on his elbow, waiting to see if the visitor would leave or knock again.

Another rap at the door, louder this time.

Cal wiped his eyes. He could make out the shadow of two feet through the crack at the base of the door. Likely a man’s feet. Whoever it was, he was alone, and wasn’t being discreet about his presence.

Instead of standing up and allowing the person at the door to see his movements through the peep hole, Cal low-crawled along the base of the bed, across the carpet to the side of the door, then slowly stood. He readied his weapon. The effect the whiskey had on him moments earlier seemingly vanished as adrenaline coursed through his veins.

Cal’s eyes dropped to the decades-old doorknob. He watched it slowly turn, but the deadbolt prevented the door from opening. The knob returned to its original position. He listened as the person at the door stepped back, but didn’t walk away.

Several seconds went by. Cal could hear the thumping from his own heartbeat in his inner ear as he anticipated what was happening only twelve inches away.

Without prompting, he heard a key slide into the deadbolt. Cal readied himself.

The deadbolt latch turned and the door immediately swung open. As soon as he saw the silhouette, Cal front-kicked the figure as it crossed the threshold, catching the man in the shoulder, causing the intruder to let out a deep, raspy groan as he was tossed into the far side of the doorframe.

Jesus Christ, said the man in a booming voice. "Cal, it’s