Clearwater Escape

By Al Rennie

Joe, Mia and their kids have gone to visit Frank to see where Joe spent his summer holidays at his grandparents cottage. Trouble is waiting for him in the person of Dep. Chief of Police, Jackson who takes his run at Joe right after a gang of terrorists take their best shot. Joe visits a local bar which leads to an unfair gunfight. Max, Jimmy and Doc find a missing little kid with Jeremy's help.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Al Rennie
• Release date: Nov 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311593993

Al Rennie

I was born and raised in Toronto. I attended Upper Canada College before taking a degree at Queen's University. I have worked as a lifeguard for the Toronto Harbour Police, a youth worker for the Toronto YMCA, and an English teacher in Lakefield. I am married with two great daughters and an extended foster family. My interests include Maple Leaf hockey - this is our year - New England Patriot football and writing.

Book preview

Clearwater Escape

By

Al Rennie

Dedication

For my wife – Marsha

My friend – Ken Jackman

And to all the kind and supportive readers of the Clearwater Series.

Copyright © 2015 by Al Rennie

All Rights Reserved.

Cover Credit: Rita Toews – probably the most caring, patient and inventive cover creator ever!

Photo Credit: Rita Toews

Formatting Credit: Lucinda K. Campbell – as always, just great … thank you!

Editors: The original three excellent editors, my wife, Marsha, my daughter, Jane, and Annmarie Schwanke have been joined by a fourth, Donna ‘Pinky’ Vandenbroek to make my life miserable but your reading experience better. I’d like to thank them all. Their efforts have made the story much better and the content easier for you, the reader, to decipher. The cheque is in the mail! Hold on … there is no cheque!

A very few Reader Responses to the Clearwater Series:

On the advice of critics including Ellen, I have limited the number of reader responses. The suggestion was that no one reads them anyway. I know that I do. Apologies to those cut.

Love the books, can’t put them down and I even find myself slipping into some of the phrases!!! Not sure that will always be a good thing though!

—Carol

I found you first on Smashwords; after that, I kept hitting the buy button in iTunes. I laughed, cried, and told my patients how I almost went to You Tube to look for your video. I see patients in long term care facilities. I have shared your stories and with my patients living on the seawall in Galveston, Tx. You have brought life, love and a bit of silliness into the lives of my patients and have made me a better practitioner. I am forever in your debt.

—Katherine

Thanks Al for another chapter (Clearwater Hustle) in the lives of my favourite imaginary friends. I'll go and put some stars and comments on iBooks which is where I get my copies.

—Graham Templeman

I love your books! I discovered Clearwater Journals while in the hospital. I downloaded every free mystery I could, and started reading. I thought your free book was a mistake because it was head and tails above the quality of everything else I’d seen! Once I started, I couldn’t stop and ended up purchasing every book you’ve made available on ITunes. Thank you so much for your work! However, it did create a little problem….Do you know how pissy world-famous heart surgeons get when you tell them to wait a minute, you have to finish your book before you will go to the operating room? It’s definitely not pretty! I’ve read the entire series Clearwater series twice now, and can’t wait for the next book to come out. Please, please hurry!

—Cheers, Sue

This series is the best!!!! I read each one as soon as it is published. Al Rennie, you rock!!!! 5 stars!

—Marianna Smith

Better and better! ***** by AuntSuze (copied from ratings and comments on I-Books)

OK folks, full disclosure here. I'm a big fan of Rennie's work. All of his work is more New York Times Best Seller List quality than an indie publication.

Double Cross is the most complex and surprising book yet. The plot lines completely surprised me and I loved the twists and turns. His ability to describe scenes made me feel like I was right there in Florida! Best of all, his ability to create in-depth characters and make me care about them is a rare gift and makes his books so much more enjoyable.

If you love slightly wacky mysteries, this book - in fact the whole Clearwater series - is a must read for you.

Carl Hiaasen meets Elmore Leonard and ‘Bob’s your uncle’…

Rationalization by Bearknoll

How does one know a great writer? When one studies a written scenario and agrees with it like was a real situation. I enjoy tearing apart his reasoning and putting it back together just like a study of Shakespeare or Confucius. Thank you for making your novels come to life. Write on, sir!

Congratulations Al on your 25th book in this wonderful series. I have enjoyed each and every one. It seems like I know the characters and can't wait for the next installment to see what's happening in their lives. There have been many changes since Clearwater Journals. You have to write faster Bubba. I just finished this one and I need more Joe and cast, eh.

—R.J.

Since this timeline is not the place for spoilers; I will refrain...BUT...Oh My Oh My. The tales you weave. You truly have a gift.

—Katherine on Facebook

Mr. Rennie I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for your wonderful books and the enjoyment you have provided in my life. In March of 2012 I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. In April I had a double mastectomy and began chemotherapy and radiation needless to say I spent a lot of time in the hospital. My wonderful husband who has been an amazingly strong individual bought me a Kindle because I am an obsessed reader. I was just learning how to download books on my new Kindle and came across Clearwater Journals and that was the beginning.... I now have all 27 in the series and can't wait for more. My husband and I have never been Clearwater and since I read him parts of the books he decided to surprise me and planned a trip for my one year cancer free. We went last September and I would move there in a minute; it is everything you described in the books. We ate at Frenchy's - best super grouper sandwich ever! We went to Wings and Pier 60. My all time favorite snack is now chocolate coconut patties! I just really wanted to say thanks. I love the Clearwater, the series, and the best vacation spot ever!

Sincerely,

Lorrie

For the music lovers out there:

If you want an idea of the pipe music played during the gunfight near the beginning of the story, go to You-Tube and enter pipe band rock Thunderstruck. For the incredibly sensitive and moving dance scene with Mia, as recalled by Doc, go to You-Tube and enter ‘Time of my Life’.

Dear Mia and Doc followers:

A few readers familiar with both of my series have suggested that it might be neat to have the two worlds collide. While that could never happen entirely, this is an attempt at a partial meeting of the ways. You will notice that Deputy Chief Ken Jackson of the Riverview Series has made the transition. His character is based roughly on another Ken who just happens to be a former English student of mine and also Deputy Chief of Police (ret.) for the City of Peterborough. He is my go to Bubba for all things ‘police’ and also a great friend. The following pages are a continuation of Clearwater Vice. I hope you enjoyed the teaser. Thank you all for your continued support.

Nancy’s Amendment to Annie’s Amendment – she’s blonde!

The Clearwater Series in the sequence the titles were written.

1) Clearwater Journals

2) Clearwater Diaries

3) Clearwater Ambush

4) Clearwater Abduction

5) Clearwater Heat

6) Clearwater Kiss Off

7) Clearwater Showdown

8) Clearwater Magic

9) Clearwater Intrigue

10) Clearwater Danger

11) Clearwater Predator

12) Clearwater Extortion

13) Clearwater Killer

14) Clearwater Oops!

15) Clearwater Crazy

16) Clearwater Undercover

17) Clearwater Hunter

18) Clearwater Justice

19) Clearwater Skip Trace

20) Clearwater Assault

21) Clearwater Folly

22) Clearwater Homesick

23) Clearwater Hustle

24) Clearwater Stakeout

25) Clearwater Fit

26) Clearwater Double Cross

27) Clearwater Vice

28) Clearwater Escape

Note to Joe and Mia fans

In today’s glutted writing environment, reader ratings and reviews can make a huge difference in the success of an indie author. If, as a reader, you have enjoyed a particular book, please take a few moments of your time to give it a favorable rating, and if you are so inclined, a positive short review. Your affirming assessment will mean a great deal to the author and to his or her chances of survival in the current literary marketplace.

Clearwater Escape

Chapter 1

Minus 24 Hours

The eight men and one woman dressed in Canadian summer vacation casual attire were listening carefully even though they had been through this material numerous times before. This would be the last time. Tomorrow night would be the real deal. The execution of the task at hand had to be absolutely perfect or they would pay with their lives. Each one of them knew that they would be outnumbered just like the sheep outnumber the wolves, but the element of surprise and their unwavering commitment to the cause was in their favour. Their knives and silenced small arm weapons would make the final difference during and after the attack. Their leader’s planning had been meticulous and the preparation had been demanding to the point of utter exhaustion, but the final prize would make it all worthwhile. This operation pay-day promised to be at least a minimum of forty million dollars for the cause.

In their leader’s hotel room, eighteen miles from their target, they sat or stood around the miniature mock up model of the old secluded Kawartha Academy grounds and buildings located on the south shore of Stony Lake. The leader of this attack was Abbas-el-Kadir, a forty-five year old warrior, who had been involved in planning these kinds of operations any number of times before. He knew the importance of a thorough preparation. He took them again, carefully, step-by-step, through their individual and collective roles. It was very important that they knew their own responsibility as well as what each other team member would be doing and where he or she would be at all times. Mistakes would not be forgiven. Their success and survival depended upon that collective understanding. Photos of the fourteen academy staff, four of whom were actually the private security team hired by the administrative board of the school, and the forty young male and female students were pinned on a makeshift cork board set against the hotel room couch. The pictures of the four security people and four other staff members were superimposed with red Xs. Those eight people would all be dead within twenty-five hours as they were potentially a threat to the success of the mission with no monetary value attached to their lives. The others, the sons and daughters of the wealthy infidels would die as well, but not until the ransom money for their lives had been wired to the bank account in Switzerland. That account had been set up specifically for this mission by their financier. The money would disappear from that account almost as soon as it arrived and be dispersed to several smaller accounts where it would be used to finance similar operations.

Abbas-el-Kadir or Andy, as he was to be called, used a short ruler to lead them through the early stages of their mission… the silent invasion from the lakefront. He would point at one of his followers and that man would describe, in English, what he had to do during that stage of the attack. The one woman, who was a part of this team, was present for one important reason only. She, with one younger male follower, was responsible for the control of the sixteen young teenage female students in their dormitory during the brief night-time occupation. Before that, she had been designated to stay close to Andy and communicate orders during the attack until the facility was fully secured. Then the round-up of the students, male and female, would be done and the phone calls would begin using the seven satellite phones they would bring on-site. To reinforce their message, video clips of the dead staff and security people would follow to personal computers via the social media. When the money started flowing into the Swiss account, she would stay in contact with their financier and liaise with Andy until it was deemed appropriate to retreat after they set the timed detonation of the explosives that would destroy the buildings and property and anyone still alive. After that, each one of the group had individual escape plans to get out of the cottage country area and back to their sleeper cells.

Are there any final questions? Andy asked expecting none. I believe that we have covered all eventualities. His voice had only the light trace of a French accent.

Will these brats have cell phones to call for help?

We have already told you the school administrator controls all cell phones except for the one hour before they have their dinner when the students are permitted access to them to make personal calls or send text messages. This is a very structured and disciplined school by Western standards. Is there anything else?

Are we certain the properties to either side of the Academy will be vacant? the one who was to be called Steven asked.

Andy glared at the fit, young, ugly man wearing jeans and a T-shirt. This follower was Syrian ex-military and had been a constant thorn in his side. Now another question … Andy managed a heavy sigh to make it crystal clear that he was rapidly running out of patience with Steven and his questions.

Yes, Steven … the property to the west is owned by the Government of Ontario and therefore, undeveloped. There are only trees and brush for a quarter of a mile in that direction. The family cottage or lake home to the east of the Academy is owned by a wealthy criminal who lives in Toronto. He is almost never there. A check was done a week ago. No one has been to the property throughout the entire months of May, June or July except for a landscaping company that cuts the lawn and tends to the grounds on Thursday or Friday every week. Occasionally, the property management people from Lakefield come by to check that the lawn has been properly attended to and the home has not been vandalized. In any case, there is a significant fence and tall hedge separating the two properties. We are far enough back from the road above to the south that, if we follow our plan as I have laid it out for you, we will not be noticed by anyone. We are operating in a ten hour window during the dead of night. Our presence will not be noticed even, if by chance, someone happens to be visiting that estate. Are you satisfied now, Steven?

Yes sir …

No, Steven … it is, ‘Yeah, Andy’. Remember we are all supposed to be Ontario vacationers. Act like it… Now, is there anything else …?

There were nervous smiles, but no one said a thing.

We will all meet at the rendezvous landing parking lot to the west of the target site at eight p.m. tomorrow. Go now and get some sleep. You will need it for the hours ahead.

Chapter 2

Friday, July 3rd, 2015 … Life Takes a New Direction

This was our crew and we were going on a family holiday escape to see where Frank and I had grown up. That might be an adventure in itself. And I was going to get to see Frank’s new Conquest Knight Fifteen whether I wanted to or not. I was thinking, ‘He’ll be as excited as a fat kid in a candy store.’

When we disembarked at Pearson International Airport in Toronto we had to clear customs through the building designated for those arriving in their private planes. The three separate letters Mia had from June Franklin at the Clearwater Children Services office were carefully perused by the duty-officer who then asked each of our three guys if they were here because they wanted to be. Self-appointed spokesman, Sean, piped back, Yeah, mister … Joe and Mia are our mom and dad now. That ended the officer’s line of inquiry with a quick smile although Amber drew a little extra attention. I figured that attention was because the custom’s guy was young and our Amber, who is a mature thirteen, is rapidly becoming eye candy with her dark Seminole Indian complexion and her brilliant green eyes.

When we were through the arrival and departure building and were heading off towards the ground services part of the airport, a humongous white Hummer stretch limo followed by Frank’s impressive black armoured, Conquest Knight SUV pulled to an abrupt stop beside us. Big Frank was out of the passenger door like a