Targeted

By Michelle Denier

Samantha (Sammy) McCabe, a local travel agent, is being targeted by not one killer but two, with separate agendas but based on greed.  Surviving a coma and waking up with no memory is just the beginning of a sequence of seemingly unconnected events that begin in Cairo and end in her hometown and show whoever is after her they have underestimated her will to live and her determination to find out why.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michelle Denier
• Release date: Jul 2, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386540373

Book preview

Chapter 1

It was one of those nights where it felt like everything had died. The moon was hidden between the clouds, so not even a glimmer of light shone through. Police and Fire truck sirens went off all around, but too far away to stop what was about to happen.

Six foot and dressed in a black sweatshirt, black pants and black gloves, he emerged from the old Ford truck that he stole just an hour ago. He looked down at his arm and realized how thin he was. He was getting too old for this lifestyle. There was no wind, just one of those hot humid nights that made you feel like you’re in hell. Unfortunately, Cincinnati has too many of them in July. Good thing this payday would let him retire to Mexico and live on the beach and enjoy his golden years in luxury, he thought. No more running cons and hiding from the mob. The first thing he would buy is a Jaguar XJ6, something he had been dreaming about driving his whole life. A black one with all the bells and whistles. Slow down, you have to find it first and then you can spend it, his thoughts went back to what he was doing. Quietly slamming the door, he heard a police siren. No panic, he was an expert and knew the police were too far away to catch him. Before he left the car he checked his old gray backpack. He needed to make sure he had everything he would need. He knew that no matter what else happened tonight, he would kill, never leave a witness. Killing wasn’t new to him; he had started with his own dad. His thoughts went to his 15th birthday when his dad came home drunk and started beating his mom because she had spent $5.00 on a birthday cake for him. Seeing his mom on the floor bleeding made him feel such rage he tried to pull his dad off and then saw the knife. Screaming" you bastard she bought it for me" he kept stabbing him over and over and over until he knew his dad was dead. Afterwards his mom helped field next door and told everyone that his dad had ran off. The worthless, low life, alcoholic bastard. He grinned as he thought about that night. Stop thinking about the past and concentrate on what you are doing, he thought. Going through his backpack to make sure he has everything he will need, rope, duct tape, cutter, his 45mm Glock, ski mask and flashlight, has always been part of his routine. He heard a crushing sound and looked at his foot, he realized it was just a branch he had stepped on thoughts went to how it felt to have his hands on his daddy’s white throat and the pleading look in his daddy’s eyes when he took his last breath. At that moment Peter finally understood what real power felt like. Little goose bumps appeared on his arm as he remembered how invincible he felt at that moment. After killing his dad he understood the thing he loved about killing was the moment when his victims realized this was their last few seconds on earth before they died. Their eyes pleading for help made him feel like a god. He knew most people would think he was a sociopath and maybe he is but it was how he survived. Killing his dad at 15 was a way to survive the beatings. Becoming a killer and an expert on conning people became his way of life. Having an innocent look and smile helped him con so many women like Janelle. He knew he was smart, maybe even a genius, and it helped him survive all these years. He heard a crunch, he thought just another branch, have to be more careful. He turned on his flashlight but didn’t really need it, his eyes could see just as well without the light.

Okay, he thought now all I have to do is break in pretty Sammy’s house, find it, and all my dreams will come true. He knew transferring it into the $2 million would take a few weeks and he would need Janelle’s help. Sneaking through the back yards which led to the woods behind Sammy’s house, he was careful not to make a sound. With the blackout he could not see

in front of his hand but he was used to the dark. Thanks dad, I guess all those times, you

locked me in that dark closet paid off, he thought.

Walking through the woods he couldn’t help thinking how he got here. In his heart he believed his mom, who died 5 years ago, was guiding him from the grave. There were too many coincidences without someone helping him from beyond. As he thought this, he was grinning. His mom was the only person who ever cared or loved him and she may very well be the only person that will ever matter to him. Meeting Janelle in the bar and making her believe he cared was a stroke of luck. She had been with a group of women friends who were more attractive but he focused all his attention on her.

I saw you from the other side of the bar and I had to meet you. I know I am being forward, but can I buy you a drink? he said in a sexy deep voice loud enough all her friends could hear. My name is Peter

Sure, my name is Janelle. I would like a gin and tonic.

Of course, Peter wasn’t even his real name, just the one he had been using. He hadn’t used his real name since it had become too dangerous to use. On his last con, he had made a few bucks and betting with the local bookmakers seemed like a good idea at the time. In the beginning he was winning but then his luck changed. He ended up owing a bunch of money and the last time he saw them, they really wanted it back. In fact, bodily harm was threatened. He wasn’t too worried until he found out they were part of the Batalgio Family, one of the biggest mob organizations in the US. He knew from past experiences fighting the mob would be a deadly mistake so running sounded like a good idea. That is how he found himself in a local tavern in Cleveland looking for his next victim and a place to hide. Then he spotted Janelle. He had done this so many times, he knew by ignoring the other women at the table he would feed her ego, since her friends were prettier and sexier than her, it would make her putty in his hands. After they danced and talked all night she invited him back to her apartment. He remembered when he saw Janelle, he sized her up immediately. She was a 55years old divorcee, severely overweight, mousy short brown hair, with minimum makeup. He knew the type, a lady who was looking for her prince charming and it would be easy to con her into believing he was interested in her.

When Janelle told him that she was leaving for Cincinnati in two days to cat-sit for her cousin, he formatted a plan.

I had so much fun with you last night I am so sorry you are leaving he whispered in her ear.

You know you could come with me if you want. My cousin, Michelle, lives in Mt. Adams, a ritzy neighborhood in Cincinnati. He didn't know at the time but Mt. Adams is a 100year old historical village with its tree lined streets and colorful seasonal flowers. Houses are close to each other so it gives the appearance of a close-knit community but the reality is everyone is too busy to notice what is happening next door. The perfect place for him to put his plan into action. She is an interior designer and is loaded so there is always lots of good wine in the house. It would be fun. It is only for two weeks and you said you are just driving across the country. We could have a lot more fun." Janelle grinned as she was touching his shoulder.

Since he needed to get out of town quick he knew this was his opportunity. Janelle told him that she and her cousin weren’t close, Michelle always made Janelle feel like she wasn’t as smart

as she was. Her cousin has a gorgeous house in a ritzy neighborhood and is only letting her stay there because Janelle’s mom asked her.

I would love to come with you; I will get my stuff and be back in a few hours.

He had planned to use her, kill her and rob her cousin’s house, but everything changed after hearing Sammy’s message. Sammy’s message changed everything and brought him here tonight.

He and Janelle were sitting on the white leather couch at Janelle’s cousin’s house, a 100years old Victorian, when all of a sudden, they heard a message on her cousin’s home phone. Hearing that message was just unbelievably lucky and it confirmed to him his mom was helping him from beyond. The message was from a woman named Sammy and she was very excited. She told her friend Michelle the universe just gave her a gift worth $2 million dollar. I couldn’t believe she kept talking about how she wanted to help her friend and set up some stupid college scholarship to honor her parents and how this would get her out of debt. She was talking about her neighborhood being in a blackout and this was the last call she could make before her phone died, so no one but her friend will know about it. That she was going to hide it, take a sleeping pill and deal with her new life tomorrow.

After hearing the message, Peter knew this was his chance, to be rich. Two million dollars would buy everything he always knew he should have had, and since the bitch wanted to help people, he thought she would want to help me with my dreams. Thinking this he started to laugh.

Janelle told him I know her it was her cousin’s best friend Samantha McCabe. Janelle had even been to her house last year."

She remembered a conversation with Sammy about her being addicted to sleeping pills and all the funny things she did while she was sleeping. She lives alone, not even a dog, in an old farmhouse with 2 ½ acres of woods behind her house and no neighbors. Peter remembered he actually started to get sexually excited when he heard the message. He immediately started making plans to break into Sammy’s house and steal it. First, he had Janelle call the electric

company and say she lived on Sammy’s street and find out how long the power would be out.

The electric company employee said a truck hit the power line on her street and it will be out until at least 7am tomorrow.

Next, he had Janelle tell him everything she remembered about Sammy. It was so easy to get Janelle to tell him everything he needed, all he had to do was to tell her it was for them. They would get the money and disappear to Mexico and get a little house on the beach. He then grabbed Janelle and held her close and started massaging her body, which always led to sex. Sometimes when he touched her, he wanted to vomit. He had spent his life learning how to fake desire for a payday. He never dreamed that he would get a gigantic payday of $2 million when he met Janelle. Of course, after they got the money, he would make sure she had an accident in Mexico.

The last thing he told Janelle was that he was doing this for them, for their future. Seriously, how stupid is she? he thought. He couldn’t believe his luck meeting Janelle and having this dropped on his lap.

As he was walking out the door Janelle was yelling, Peter promise me you won’t hurt Sammy.

I told her I promised, as I walked out the door. The dumb bitch believed me.

Concentrate, he thought.

Sammy said she was going to hide it and take a sleeping pill hopefully she won’t wake up until I want her to, remember never leave a witness.

Janelle had showed him a picture of Sammy from her cousin’s desk. Peter liked what he saw, 45, lots of blond hair, and a tiny throat that he would be able to squeeze the life out of her.

I remember that Sammy owns a local travel agency in town and she was talking about all her jewelry she has collected over the years.

Then Janelle told him she really loved jewelry.

He remembered thinking taking the jewelry would make the police think this was just a local burglary and give him and Janelle time to get away with all the money.

Sure babe, you can have the jewelry, he told her.

He was only 3 feet from the back door when he heard another police siren. He knew it was getting closer and he knew he had to move quickly. He pulled the ski mask over his rugged face, which only showed his devil eyes. Next he wedged the knife in the old farmhouse window and it surprised him when he heard a scrape until he realized it meant the window was opening and all his dreams were about to become a reality.

Chapter 2

Sammy heard a sound, it sounded like she was in a tunnel miles away. She knew something was different, she thought she heard her name but it was hard to recognize it. She tried to open her eyes to see who was calling her, but her eyes felt like they were glued shut. It seemed like she was trying to open her eyes for hours, but in reality it was only a few minutes. She kept hearing the person calling her name.

Samantha it is time to wake up she heard.

The sound was getting closer. The next time she tried to open her eyes, it took all her strength but she was able to. As soon as she opened them, she had to close them immediately; the bright light felt like it was burning.

She heard Samantha take your time, open your eyes slowly. the voice said. Sammy opened her eyes and this time she only saw a dim light. A few seconds and her eyes became used to the light; she was able to open her eyes. The first thing she saw was a chubby man with black hair and a beard, wearing a white doctor’s coat.

Welcome back, he said in a low soothing voice. I am Doctor Hernandez and you are in St. Elizabeth’s hospital. You have been in a coma for the last three days, but we’re very glad you are waking up. Don’t try and talk because your throat will be sore, just blink once for yes and twice for no.

Sammy proceeded to blink once.

Good, the doctor said.

The doctor proceeded