The Sampson Project: The Sampson Project, #1

By Robert Steacy

The Sampson Project

As a scientist and graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, Robert Carlton pressed the limits of medical discovery, harboring secrets that could potentially redefine humanity and the delicate balance of world power. But without warning or provocation, his life was turned upside down, his research stolen, his Fiancé, Natalie Chapman, taken from his life without trace or reason. Did she betray his trust? Was she sent to destroy his life? Or was she only a pawn in a master plan to change the face of mankind?

Robert is unwittingly thrust into a world where nothing is as it appears, and his life seemingly rides on stolen secrets that may have been taken to the grave. Robert’s advisor, Professor Peter Gates, was a prime target by the investigating detectives; ruthless in his drive to exploit his discoveries. His work at the University was impeccable in design, earning him the highest awards for his achievements. But the investigative detective was not convinced. Could he have been a key component of The Sampson Project or just another diversion to keep Robert from the truth?

Secrets are uncovered as the curtain is pulled back on Taylor-Fiennes Industries, revealing the underbelly of a vicious plot to control and violently enhance the normal progression of life. Malicious Plans are undertaken, as the subversive interests of Jeremy Taylor continue to develop capabilities for a super-human race. Scott Benson, Robert’s trusted friend, provides a pathway of discovery to help guide his friend through the myriad of attacks and mistruth’s, allowing Robert the strength to find what he had once lost and expose his enemies before it’s too late. The consistent interweave of intrigue and suspense will drive Robert to the brink of having to choose between life or death… question is, who’s life and who’s death?

The Sampson Project is one of the most exciting mystery novels and suspense stories available in the marketplace today! If you’re looking for a refreshingly new slant on some of the great detective fiction books produced over the years, then look no further. Robert Steacy will take you on a ride across the globe that will mystify you and enchant you, as well as open your heart to new possibilities and adventure. You will lose yourself in Robert’s discovery as he begins to unravel the mystery of Natalie’s disappearance and slowly piece together the complex puzzle that has consumed his life. Captivating and mesmerizing classic thriller novels are few and far between, but this intriguing story will lift you to new heights of fascination.

The Sampson Project is that one great mystery book to catapult you to another place in time; an emotionally intense, heart rending modern gothic mystery thriller about the quest for truth beyond perception; and the man who is determined to save his one true love and reclaim his life from those he once trusted.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert Steacy
• Release date: Dec 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9781513091853

Robert Steacy

Robert Steacy As a writer of fictional work, Robert Steacy has challenged himself to produce wildly fun adventures in an intelligent and picturesque manner. No matter the project, Robert utilizes his extensive skills as a creative communicator and analytical thinker to lead the reader though their own emotional discoveries. Robert has written artistic storylines as well as edited technical works for many publications including his own advertising and literary company.?Writing is a passion that he is compelled to do while working in varied genres. In addition to fiction novels, he is the author of poetry, short stories and film scripts, as he enjoys diversifying his talents through various writing experiences. Robert understands how incredibly important the nature of information is and the resultant inspiration that comes from a good story or well thought out project. He achieves his imagination from his many years traveling the world for work and sport, as well as his time coaching, mentoring and partnering through artistic expression.?? Robert has published many articles and ebooks throughout his professional life, including technical writing projects involving business plans, contracts and proposals, in addition to his many adventurous novels and comical short stories. Robert has also involved himself as an actor on stage and in films for much of his life. His acting experience has included the role of Drosselmeyer in San Jose Dance Theatre's Nutcracker, Lord Capulet in "Romeo and Juliet" and Dr. Coppelius in "Coppelia", as well as performing off-Broadway in "Mr. Male America" as Mr. California. Robert was also a guest "Leader of the Gang" Mouseketeer for TV's "Mickey Mouse Club". Since then, he studied stage and film performance extensively to hone acting skills. He has had appearances in various television shows such as "I Almost Got Away with it", and recent films such as "Moneyball". He is currently shooting and co-starring in an independent film "The First Day of Spring", scheduled to be released in 2015. Robert has always been inspired by the many great artists he has had the fortune to work with that allow him to push the boundaries of performance and literary achievement.

Book preview

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Chapter I – Stolen Lies

Chapter II – Pier 21

Chapter III – Night’s Betrayal

Chapter IV – The Bell Tolls

Chapter V – Revelation

Chapter VI – Suspicions from Abroad

Chapter VII – Field Games

The

Sampson Project

*******************

For the Righteous, revelations is a joyous event as the realization of divine trust celebrated without thought of betrayal.

But for the wicked of heart and deed, revelation may impugn a terrifying apocalypse as dark secrets are exposed and sinners are punished for their egregious trespasses and immoral acts upon

the innocence of the world.

-  Unknown

Sampson is creation’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. He is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out his wrath on the wrongdoer.

-  Romans

-—Chapter I—-

Stolen Lies

Playing God almost killed him, should have killed him. Still, he pursued destiny as the dangerous truth he once knew to be righteous. But the truth he sought was not truth at all, only the price of arrogance stolen. Lies thrust upon him that had now become his life, his mission to unveil.

It was once said that to speak with certainty, we must seek out the value of truth with persistence and humility. But for those of us, who embattle truth’s value without grace or patience, shall experience a clear perception of lies untold as its own true punishment.

For Robert Carlton and the life he thought he understood and cherished, punishment was enforced through life’s inversion, without intention or provocation, caused by blinded sins of impaired judgment. He must now reach beyond a sense of shame and discovery, with willingness to subsume his opinions and preferences to a higher calling. Robert’s yearning for truth must exceed his yearning to prove himself right, if compassion is to guide his action, and reclaim his one true love.

It had been almost a month since she was taken from him. Even so, Robert could not stop thinking about the beautiful girl he once loved so faithfully, and what might have befallen her. For two years, his life was filled with happiness she gave so unselfishly. Without warning, everything changed. Nothing was as it seemed, not any longer. The girl he thought he once knew, had disappeared, and left few clues as to why.

She was presumed dead by the investigating detectives, but he knew there was far more than what the evidence revealed. Her disappearance became the nexus of the mysterious web of lies that followed. But it was what she took with her that caused him to rethink his own values. His medical discoveries had taken over his life, probably to the detriment of their relationship, but that could not be the reason she left without a trace... leaving so many unanswered questions. Over and over, he had gone through the possibilities, and nothing added up. Why would someone want his research so badly that they would stage such an elaborate scheme and take from him the only girl he had ever loved.

Some said that his cellular regeneration theories bordered on science fiction, but it was not complete. His results contained new revelations about the human body’s ability to heal itself, no matter the viral attack. The natural strengthening composition would make synthetic steroids mere child’s play and a thing of the past. Robert was on to something that could theoretically change the face of medicine. No one knew anything about his proposed hypothesis except for three people... Natalie Chapman, Professor Peter Gates and Professor Alfred Johnson. The question was... why would any of them want to sabotage his work?

Nothing made sense that day, the day she was taken. Never-ending questions haunted him relentlessly. Would he ever have the chance to share his life with the girl he once knew as intensely talented and passionately driven by her work as a scientist, but softened by her sweet natured character? Were the playful moments and endless emotional support she so selflessly gave all a fake? Would the time come when Robert realizes that she is someone other than his Natalie... the day he accepts that she is never to return?... or worse, never to be seen again.

It all began so normally, a day that he would never forget. That fateful day, the day Natalie disappeared....

************************

A glint of sunlight fell onto his face as he began to wake that beautiful late October morning. Blinded by the sudden glare, he sat up straight, taking his time to adjust his eyes to the brightness of the new day. As his vision slowly loosened, he realized something was missing from the normal ragged state of his bed. Just once, he would like to get up early enough to take over the bathroom before she did. But, like most days, Natalie was getting an early start; and as she had the habit of doing, formulating a sinister plot of hide and seek, the new day’s morning mission, just to irritate him. She was a playfully smart little vixen, but ‘fun as hell to be around’, as he would always say.

Natalie was a tall natural beauty with deep penetrating brown eyes and long brown curly locks that flowed endlessly like a waterfall. She was an extremely athletic young woman with a strong sense of femininity, and soft porcelain skin that rarely needed to be made up, always turning heads when walking on campus or entering a local night club. Robert was a gifted athlete but had a highly intellectual side to him as well. He was quite strong for his 6’1" svelte frame; a blonde handsome Nordic look that made most girls melt as he passed by, although usually unbeknownst to him and his oblivious nature. Somewhat shy and introverted, he felt extremely fortunate to have found someone like Natalie to have fallen so deeply in love with, as their relationship developed and blossomed quickly during the past year.

Although groggy from another long night of work, pouring over his thesis, Robert decided to drag himself out of bed and make his way to the coffee machine. That was when he saw the note. The beginning of another infamous Natalie adventure. Of all mornings to play games, this was not the one, as busy as his day was about to be. Her relentless need to play with his mind would never end, he thought. As much as he would fight it, there was no other choice but to give in to her devious ways and just follow the poetic instructions written.

Instruction #1 was easy enough... ‘the sweet smell under the well’. Found it, he proclaimed... a pound of coffee grounds stashed under the stair well. Always the rhymer, she was so very easy to figure out. Step one was now complete. But there were further instructions taped to the package where he would find his one and only coffee mug. This step was more complex, but then again, there were few places to hide in a one bedroom apartment, he concluded. After examining the misleading clue and investigating all possible areas, there was only one spot left unchecked. Feeling sure of his intuitive guess, Robert tip toed into the bathroom and pulled back the shower curtain, exposing his prey. There she was, wearing nothing but the necklace he gave her last Christmas... and, of course, his blue and gold coffee mug held securely in hand, ready to be served.

Your coffee Sir, she offered seductively.

Well, I hope you got my order right ma’am, because most don’t include the proper amount of cinnamon and spice; and by the way, I thought that I ordered a blonde this time? he joked, as he quickly undressed, slipping into the shower to join his future bride.

Well sir, I thought that brunette’s were the order of the day; and since blondes have that dingy stigma and all, well, I....

...no more talk missy... not my thing.

Pressing his body onto Natalie’s, his hands gently caressed her waist as he began to softly kiss her neck.

He then whispered... "What tremendous talents you have young lady, serving a hot cup of coffee to your customer while embraced in my arms.... all this without a stitch of clothing on, quite amazing.

"In fact, this could be the next craze... I can see it now... ‘Espresso it Bare’  topless coffee house."

Better be careful, I may just take that idea and run with it... which is what you need to do right now Mr. Carlton, since it appears you’re late for your meeting.

"Seriously unfair young lady! Actually, unfair does not even come close to covering your latest fun and games coffee hunt tease!" he exclaimed.

Well, knowing how strong you feel about my special surprise... if you get back early enough, maybe we can take this coffee house idea you have to the next level, she said with a playful wink.

Love to, but don’t you remember... we’re supposed to get together with Scottie for dinner at Blakes around five tonight.

Blakes, that’s right!...Blakes! I totally forgot. I need to get going if I’m to make that. I’ll have to finish up work at the lab early since I have a couple errands to run. I should be back to the apartment early enough though. Now, you need to get your cute little butt in gear if you’re going to be on time young man. You know how Professor Gates hates it when you’re tardy... his fangs and horns start sprouting out from his comb-over and he turns that funny red October color when he gets mad.

Yeah, yeah, as soon as I find my pants, which you probably hid as well.

Now, doctor, I don’t have a hiding problem, I just accidentally misplace your things once in a while.... well, maybe just a little on purpose.

Natalie cutely smirks, then quickly runs past, stopping momentarily with a light kiss on his cheek, still naked and wet from the shower.

You wouldn’t mind if I take a quick video of your running prowess before I leave, do you? he quipped. Just something to remember you by, and of course, all the guys at the lab would get a real kick out of the YouTube posting.

Will you stop it and get ahold of your maleness before I have to kick your ass. Oh, and I hope you remember, we have plans to meet my parents next week, they’re flying into San Francisco on the red eye.

Yeah, how could I ever forget that? Really looking forward to the Ukrainian invasion. Can’t wait!

Now, now, it’s just my family... they don’t bite and even speak pretty good English. Since we’re getting married in a couple months, they need to meet the wild and crazy man of my dreams, even though he likes to run around naked with his precious coffee cup in hand.

Natalie continued to laugh as she hurriedly pulled on her tight jeans and a stylish two piece top that Robert bought for her birthday.

And by the way, love the new shirt you got me, fits like a glove!

Just accenting that incredible hour glass figure of yours, he shot back, shaking his head in amazement at her toned athletic body. 

Always the slick schmoozer, you are... Now, I gotta go!

She reached for her keys and bag, then playfully skipped over for a kiss. As they embraced, she whispered a special phrase before leaving... Toujours Mon Amour. It was something that Robert had always come to expect, meaning ‘Forever My Love’.

Robert pulled back slowly after returning her sweet kiss, then smiled lovingly. "You always make me smile my Mona Lisa, no matter the insanity that constantly surrounds us.

One day young lady, when you least expect it, I’m going to surprise you... whisking you off to the Louvre in Paris on the most romantic trip ever, so that I can show you the real Mona Lisa.

As he spoke, his tone began to soften. He then reached over to gently touch Natalie’s face, gazing at her with tender reverence. Natalie instinctively returned his longing stare with an adoring smile.

Just make sure you marry me first before falling too deeply for this Miss Mona girl! Maybe we should rendezvous there after dinner and pretend not to know each other... then you can make your choice between us over a bottle of my favorite Bordeaux.

Sounds like a stellar plan, except for the 8,000 mile trip and all. But let’s definitely make it a date... hopefully sometime in the near future.

Alright then, it’s a date!... and believe me, I‘m going to hold you to it, she declared. We can engage in heavy duty people watching... you know how I love to give everyone their own cool story, well, as I see it anyway; and the French would be such an easy mark! Now, seriously, I really have to go, and so do you doctor!

Okay, okay... you can be such a little bully! Oh, and I’ll be sure to give your regards to Professor Gates, since I know how you love his sexy eye twitch so much.

Please do that for me, because as everyone knows, if I weren’t with you, I certainly would find that crinkly iron head face a huge turn-on, she said giggling. See you soon Mon Robare!

Always love the French side of you, he answered playfully.

She rushed out the door as he watched her run down the staircase with that familiar prance of hers; hair in a long thick pony tail bouncing like a little girl. Natalie always had a special innocence about her, even though she possessed one of the most talented medical minds at Cal, a combination of brilliance and charm that Robert could never deny or resist. She came to Berkeley only two years ago as a gifted Graduate neurobiology student to study the long term effects that modern chemicals have on the human brain. Since Robert and Natalie met in an advanced organic chemistry class only weeks after she arrived at the University, it had been a whirlwind romance of fun and excitement, considering Natalie’s quirky personality and twisted sense of humor. The never ending sarcastic wit was one of the special things that drew Robert to her in the first place. Her academic prowess was just an added bonus. And since she had a propensity for baseball, one of Robert’s passions, it seemed like the inexplicably perfect fit for two people driven to succeed.

Always running late, Robert checked the time, realizing that once again he would incur the wrath of his advisor. After downing his coffee, he threw on a pair of old jeans and a Polo shirt for that preppy look Natalie always kidded him about. Once he found his best cargo shoes, he carefully gathered his freshly printed out medical findings and detailed hypothesis for the short trip across campus. Clutching onto his paperwork like a new father, he hurriedly ran out the door to meet with Dr. Peter Gates, a well-known UC Professor and Robert’s mentor, for a thesis dissertation that could decide his future in medical research.

As a fourth year Graduate student at the University,