Liar's Paradise

By Steven Hartman and Eddrick Bedford

A serial killer with powers will harm again, if no one stops him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Aug 20, 2014
• ISBN: 9780980223828

Book preview

Christopher Anderson stood on the edge of the Buckingham Fountain in the middle of Heroes Park. Its massive display of water shooting from dozens of jets provided an awe-inspiring backdrop to the fiery speech he wanted to share with the legion of supporters who had come to celebrate victory.

A light breeze off the Arlexo River tossed his feathery blonde hair. His thin frame masked his tyrannical devotion to ridding the world of chemicals and corporate greed.

His followers were tree huggers and environmentalists. Tourists snapped pictures on their phone, wondering if this scene was par for the course on a sunny Liar’s Paradise afternoon.

He put the bullhorn to his thin lips and allowed the dozens of onlookers the opportunity to launch into a series of applause. He spoke with passion, like a preacher to his megachurch on a Sunday morning.

My fellow citizens of Mother Earth, no goal is beyond our reach.

A zealous round of cheers followed.

The roaring ceased, and Christopher started again.

No goal is beyond our reach. Not three years ago we set out to challenge the polluted souls of the tobacco industry and succeeded magnificently. It’s our dedication and determination that made these laws come into effect, essentially ridding the city of the big-boy companies that sought to sell their poison to our mothers and brothers, fathers and sisters, dearest children and loved ones.

The seductive rants of Christopher Anderson weren’t lost on his lot of followers. They cheered and congratulated themselves for their efforts.

But today we face a new challenge, a bold challenge that will test our will and determination without mercy. But we meet this challenge head on. Dear friends, we will now go after the energy-sucking light-bulb companies that fill our world with this chemical compound tungsten, making us slaves to the energy industry. What are we going to do?

Ban it! the tree huggers shouted with raised fists.

What are we going to force our politicians to do? he hollered.

Ban it! they shouted back.

Will we give up?

"No!"

Will we give in?

"No!"

What are we going to do?

"Ban it! Ban it!" his minions screamed it in unison over and over as Christopher joined in the chant.

Amid the crowd, a man scratched the stubble on his unshaven cheek. He was watching with boredom as the crowd played into the palm of this weird guy’s little hands.

Lex Tennessee was a straight-up criminal.

Was.

After serving a few years for aggravated assault and grand larceny, he’d taken hold of his life just before turning thirty and become a contributor to society. He was handsome, tough, and legitimately employed, having learned a long time ago that neither muscle nor looks will get you to the right place in this world. Hard work and determination helped him become a good man and husband.

His wife, Peggy, stood beside him. She was on the cusp of thirty years old and watched the performance from Christopher, enthralled at his command of the audience.

Ban it! Ban it! she shouted with her fellow eco-friendly audience.

Looking at her husband, Peggy could see his patience waning as the crowd chanted on.

Come on, she said, nudging Lex. Don’t knock it till you try it.

He smiled warmly but refused to be part of the display.

Why was he here? he thought. But the answer was a simple passionate love for his wife and enchantment with her dark, long-flowing hair and piercingly beautiful eyes. He fell in love more and more each time he looked at her. Lex knew she could do much better than him, so he kept reminding himself how lucky he was and how he refused to lose her.

The chant seemed to ebb and flow like a never ending series of waves; Lex couldn’t help suppressing a yawn.

Benjamin, an older gentleman, sidled up next to Peggy. He was in good shape and had grit. At sixty-five he ran a multimillion dollar corporation and had an office with a view of the city. Retirement wasn’t a word in his vocabulary. His disappointment in his daughter’s choice of Lex as a suitable husband and potential father was never concealed.

Did you hear his speech, Dad? Peggy asked.

Yes, I heard it while walking back. He pointed back toward the fountain. It looks as if he’s going to continue.

What the hell is tungsten anyway? Lex inquired.

Benjamin looked at him with disdain.

Didn’t they have a library in prison, criminal?

Lex bit into his cheek, holding back any snide remarks.

Peggy said, It’s a filament in light bulbs. It makes them bright.

Right … uh … OK. And why do we want to ban ’em again?

The crowd began to quiet down as Christopher Anderson prepared to continue his speech.

Shh, Peggy insisted.

Lex shoved his hands into his pockets and stared at the thin, enthusiastic man who held the audience in the palm of his hands. In a way, Lex envied the man. Christopher was passionate about a cause and wasn’t afraid to rally the troops in order to fight for what he believed in. Lex worked at a recycling plant and had trouble imagining doing anything of value, of importance, in his life.

He lowered his head and shuffled his feet.

I’m going to walk around a bit, he mumbled to Peggy. Maybe go to the car or something.

Never one to leave an insult toward Lex unanswered, Benjamin said, Shall I tell security you’re casing the parking lot for a car to steal?

Lex opened his mouth to respond but decided to be the bigger man and just nod his head a bit and walk away. He frowned, wondering whether the mistakes of the past would always be reflected on his character.

He approached a vendor and ordered a hot dog with mustard and relish.

What the hell’s going on over there anyway? the vendor asked.

Lex looked over his shoulder to the crowd surrounding the fountain.

He chuckled and turned back.

A bunch of tree-hugging hippies trying to ban tungsten.

Ban tungsten? the vendor shot back in disbelief. He added sarcastically, Well, it’s good to know that all world problems have been solved and we can finally move on to tungsten.

They had a laugh.

Thanks for the dog, Lex said as he started walking away.

Thank you.

The winds were starting to pick up as Lex made his way toward the car. The warm, humid day was expected to end with a few storms, and the shifting atmosphere could be felt from above.

Lex entered the dusty sedan—it was normally black, but it was overdue for a washing. The interior still smelled of the bag of burgers and fries he’d brought home for dinner the previous night. Cracking a window, Lex started playing on his phone and scrolling through articles on the L. P. Tribune’s mobile home page.

South Side Sentinel Wrangles in Dirty Dozen

Lex clicked on the article and read how the superhero had busted up a drug-smuggling ring on the south side of Liar’s Paradise.

Related articles centered on other superheroes utilizing their powers for justice: the Buffalo Soldier using his strength to stop a runaway commuter train from careening off the tracks, and the Cadet saving a woman from falling off her apartment balcony.

Superheroes, Lex said shaking his head in disbelief. He was envious of their mutant powers and felt slighted at having to roam the world as just another mere mortal. They helped clean up the city, but they also bred supervillains whose desires often brought on devastation and chaos.

Lex tossed his phone aside and decided to take a little cat nap, hoping that Peggy and Benjamin would return soon so he could get the hell out of here. He had better things to do than attend a hippie rally or sleep in a car.

Ooh. Peggy gawked at the lightning that flashed across the darkening sky.

The storm was approaching quickly, but the rain had yet to start.

Lex had his hands wrapped around the steering wheel of the car as they sat idly at a red light. He glanced into the rearview mirror at Benjamin, who was studying his phone and scrolling through e-mails.

Peggy told you about us closing on the house, right? Lex looked smug at the accomplishment.

Benjamin never lifted his eyes. He continued scrolling through his phone.

It’s gorgeous inside. The kitchen is open and there’s so much counter space that I’ll actually be able to cook an incredible meal from scratch. Her voice squeaked with excitement.

I like your cooking now.

Oh, you haven’t tasted anything yet.

How many cars did you have to steal for the initial down payment? Benjamin finally looked toward Lex. God knows what your interest rate is with the credit you have.

Dad! Stop it! Peggy ordered.

You and I both know you should’ve never married this asshole. I’ve had this bad taste in my mouth since the first time I met him. Once a criminal, always a criminal.

Lex chimed in. You know, Dad, I’ve paid my debts to society; I get W-2s now.

"Don’t ever call me Dad. I’m not your father. Your father is probably some drunk that abandoned you when you were a baby."

Dad! Please! Peggy begged.

A rumble of thunder echoed amid the downtown buildings.

Let him talk. He’s never been this close to an ex-con—let him have his moment, Lex responded to Peggy, eyeing her with a smile. He took a peek back into the rearview mirror. I know who I am. I’m comfortable with the person I’ve become. I’ve been down the dark road, and I have no intentions of going back.

Uh huh. Just don’t procreate with this criminal. I’d hate for you to have to move home because you’re stuck raising a child on your own. Guys like him either run away or get put away.

Lex slowly closed his eyes and shook his head. He felt Peggy’s soothing hand rub up and down his arm.

Hey, car thief, green means go.

Lex opened his eyes, saw the green light, and started accelerating through the intersection.

Out of nowhere, a pickup truck, horn blasting, flew through the intersection and T-boned Lex’s car, sending it spinning out of control and into a light pole.

The passenger side was so badly damaged that pedestrians who witnessed the accident wondered if there could be survivors. They whipped out their phones to take pictures of the wreck.

The light at the top of the pole suddenly burst, sending glass shards down to the street. The pole wobbled before collapsing next to the sedan.

Disoriented, Lex shook his head, trying to clear it, then looked over at Peggy. She was hurt but conscious.

You OK?

She nodded groaning as she tried to move.

Dad? she weakly called out.

Lex turned his head toward the backseat, but his neck was stiff.

Benjamin was bleeding from the head and unconscious; his chin nestled on his chest.

Lex pushed at his driver’s side door, opening it up. He lifted himself out of the vehicle, feeling each achy bone and tight muscle in his bruised body.

Sir, maybe you shouldn’t move, someone called out, but Lex ignored him.

He hobbled to the passenger side of the car.

A flash of lightning illuminated the dark, cloudy sky above and was followed by an earth-shaking rumble of thunder.

Weak and dazed, Lex pulled at the passenger car door but couldn’t budge it.

It’s the Cadet! someone hollered.

Lex turned his attention away from the door and watched as the Cadet made a grand entrance from the sky.

The Cadet was an icon, a superhero of Liar’s Paradise, and everyone knew and adored him. Men wanted to be him, and children eagerly dressed up like him on Halloween. Cell phone cameras clicked as he approached the car. He walked with an authoritative swagger, as if he owned the city. He was basically the king, and everyone eagerly gawked when he made his appearance.

Although no one knew his age, the Cadet had a perfect body and a head of golden-blonde hair. There were no wrinkles. He wasn’t a boy but a young man, confident and cocky.

He sported freshly polished gold epaulets that glimmered under the city lights.

Lex was happy to see his arrival.

The Cadet, his blue eyes reassuring, placed a hand on Lex’s shoulder.

Move to safety, citizen, he said in a baritone voice. I’m here to help.

Star-struck, Lex smiled and shuffled away.

With one quick motion, the Cadet gripped onto the car door and tore it off. As if he were saving his own child, the Cadet gently took a hold of Benjamin and cradled him as he