The Harbinger Of Retribution: The Reboot Files, #3

By C. L. Ragsdale

The Harbinger of Retribution is a thing of beauty and of nightmares. A seven foot tall statue depicting a cloaked woman with two swords crossed over her chest. It resides in a back room of a local church in the small town of Redemption which has seen more than its share of unfortunate events due to its mere existence. Truly it is a messanger of doom...
At least that's how the story goes, and why Irene's Eerie Adventures has come to town.
Cameraman Troy Stenson is elated to find that the object of their investigation does not disappoint in the sinister factor, and it even has a curse. His partner, Irene Waters, refuses to judge by appearances alone. To Troy’s chagrin she is proven right, again, when they find out The Harbinger doesn't have a curse, it has two, and they conflict with each other.
So the question becomes is it the statue that's causing the trouble? And is there any trouble at all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: C. L. Ragsdale
• Release date: May 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533746658

Book preview

THE REBOOT FILES

THE HARBINGER OF RETRIBUTION

BY

C. L. RAGSDALE

Copyright 2010 by C. L. Ragsdale

Cover Design by Mary Campagna Findley

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This is a work of fiction. All characters, places, and incidents are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, either living or dead, is completely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

About The Author

CHAPTER 1

The Harbinger of Retribution is a statue of unquestionable beauty, but also of a grim, dark countenance. She was sculpted after the turn of the last century by the famous, albeit unconventional, artist named Montague Montgomery.

Montague Montgomery? I’ve never heard of him.

Troy Stenson sighed heavily as he continued to look ahead on the highway he was navigating. He’d hoped that by having his partner, Irene Waters, read the account of their next assignment, they could get through it without the logic factor coming into play. Evidently it had been too much to hope for.

Neither had I, Troy acknowledged with a smile as he accepted the inevitable, so maybe famous is stretching it a bit, but he was very well known in his time.

Says who? the pretty blond asked skeptically.

Our research department.

Troy read a road sign indicating that the turn off for the town of Redemption was only a few miles ahead.

And you’re taking their word for it? My, you’re a trusting soul, aren’t you?

Troy decided to give her that one. Considering the accuracy, or lack thereof, from Reboot’s now infamous ‘research department’ on their last two assignments, who could blame her for having doubts?

You should know better than that, he said by way of an answer. I trust you and Bernie and that’s about it.

Thank you.

He waited for a moment, but had to encourage her when she remained silent.

Aren’t you going to reciprocate?

Sorry, I thought it was a foregone conclusion. I trust God, you, and Bernie. In that order.

Coming in behind God and ahead of Bernie, now that’s a compliment. Really, I did look the guy up before we started out. According to my own research, he was well known, so please continue.

Okay, as I said, I trust you, Irene acknowledged.

She brought up the paper and searched for her place. Troy gave her a brief glance and noted that she’d forgotten to push her glasses up her nose and was reading over them. Of course, they both knew she really didn’t need them. She only wore them to try to tone down her looks.

Fat chance of that, he thought with amusement.

He was getting used to it, but nothing could hide the fact that Irene Waters was a woman of rare beauty. Not the casual attire of jeans and a casual top, her glorious long hair pulled back into a pony-tail, or the inevitable cap she’d taken to wearing lately could overcome it.

It was part of her on-screen persona now, but originally it had been their boss, Bernie Youngstown, who’d come up with what Troy had dubbed ‘Irene’s disguise’. At the time it had made sense. After being involved in what he was now convinced was a bogus scandal, Bernie and Irene had felt the need to make her more authoritative looking. It also made her more comfortable, even if she was fighting a losing battle. Ever the pragmatist, Bernie just went with what worked.

As Irene began to read again, she periodically interjected bits of flippancy.

"Let’s see, where was I? Famous, unconventional, oh, here we go..."

He modeled his masterpiece after his muse, a local woman named Jane Trumble...

This time it was Troy who interrupted, You’re kidding?

Not according to this. Shall I continue?

Please do.

It was said she the love of the artist’s life. Tragically for him, however, she was married to another man...

Tell me, why is it considered acceptable for artistic types to be involved with someone who’s already married? Can’t they find someone of their own without messing with a family?

Troy shook his head ruefully and said disapprovingly, I should’ve read it. You’re just too logical and moral to make a good story out of it.

No, no I can do it. Let’s see, okay...

"When Jane was forced to relocate with her jealous husband, it was said that Montgomery nearly went mad from a broken heart.

Of course he did, after all, no artist worth his salt would just accept the inappropriateness of the situation and move on...

Irene...

Okay, okay.

His torment was only increased by the creation that bore her image. Finally, unable to bear the sight of it any longer, he donated the statue to the local church. A gift that some in Redemption say should never have been accepted.

Oh good grief, cue the violins. There’s a point here eventually, right?

Maybe if you read it to the end we might find out.

Fine.

For it was said that not only was his talent poured into his masterpiece, but also the madness caused by his inconsolable grief.

For goodness’ sake, can this get anymore melodramatic?

I don’t know, can you get to the end of the story? Troy retorted as he took the turnoff.

You’re sure there’s an end, right?

She took his eye roll as a yes and continued.

Over the years, many in Redemption have suffered personal misfortune because of that gift. Several tragedies have been laid at the feet of The Harbinger of Retribution. Broken marriages, miscarriages, bodily injury and financial ruin. To this day, it stands in its lonely vigil, neglected by time, but hardly forgotten."

Irene stopped, surprised at the abruptness of the ending she thought she’d never get to. She turned the paper over, convinced there must be more. When she saw that there wasn’t, she demanded indignantly, That’s it?

CHAPTER 2

Troy laughed, and gave what he thought was a reasonable response.

It’s a cursed statue. What did you expect? That it would get up and walk around?

I hope not. We had enough of that nonsense on our last assignment, she said, her large blue eyes looking heavenward, What with you running around the island chasing walking trees with your girlfriend...

I thought you weren’t going to say I told you so, Troy inquired with justifiable embarrassment.

I never said that, but being the typical woman that I am...

Troy gave a deep sigh. There was a time in his life, not so long ago, when he’d have fancied himself, if not the answer to a maiden’s prayer, at least a fantasy. He knew he wasn’t conventionally handsome, but with his fit build, dark hair, and brown eyes he’d never had any complaints.

Then he’d met Irene Waters, with her stunning looks and the brain of an evil genius. Except it wasn’t really evil, but she sure knew how to hold a grudge. Not that she did that either, but...oh forget it, he knew he’d never understand how her brain worked.

Bizarre as it was, she was the closest thing he’d ever had to a best friend. That was why she got away with stuff no one else could, not even Bernie who he owed more than he could ever repay.

One of these days, Miss Waters, you’re going to make a fool out of yourself, and I’m going to serve the same sauce to you.

And I’ll thoroughly deserve it.

There was a short silence, and then they both burst out laughing.

"How often do you plan to