The Last Hand

By Candy C Knight

Murder, betrayal, redemption! Stakes are high and emotions higher! It's the last hand. Who will be the first to fold?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Candy C Knight
• Release date: Jul 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386187714

Book preview

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:

I hope you enjoy this story

but consider yourself warned ...

my stories aren’t as sweet as my name.

A Friendly Game of Poker

CRAACCCCK!

The sudden bolt of lightning sent a shock of hot white across the graphite sky. The heavy rain had fallen so quickly the parking lot and nearby street flooded in a matter of minutes. Water gushed down the unlit parking lot and a brutal wind howled and shook the windows of every apartment.

Lucky for the residents of this expensive luxury apartment complex, the owners hadn’t cut corners and built the complex to withstand all manner of tumultuous weather.

The boom of thunder that followed only made him smile and he gazed upon the darken sky.

Wow, didn’t think she’d be so upset over this, he thought. Must remember to pick her up something nice before heading home.

He stood peacefully still and let the wild raindrops baptize him. For him, this wasn’t some ghastly storm, but a symphony being exquisitely conducted. The crash of lightning, the boom of thunder, the raindrops splashing  — all came together to create a sweet serenade that brought serenity to his chaos.

Another crack of lightening slashed the air and the systematic boom of the thunder reverberated seconds later. The man smiled again and tapped the rim of his fedora. He pulled his trench coat tighter around him and continued across the parking lot, dancing from puddle to puddle toward apartment thirteen.

Inside the apartment thirteen, three successful friends — Randy, Jim and Hank — were setting the table for their monthly poker night.

Hey Jim, when is this friend of yours gonna show? I want to get on with the game, Hank asked.

Don’t be impatient, Jim replied. Ain’t like you got somewhere else to be. He said he’ll be here and he will. And why are you in such a hurry anyway?

Yeah, you haven’t won since­ — Randy began.

Since the Cleveland Browns won the Super Bowl, Jim finished. Oh wait, the Browns have never won the Super Bowl.

Jim and Randy laughed.

Funny, very funny, Hank smirked.  

Jim grabbed two six-packs of beer from refrigerator. He twisted the cap off one bottle and took a long gulp before he sat the bottles on the table.

Hey Randy, why are you staring out the window? Jim asked. The rain isn’t going away.

Randy chuckled but continued to stare out the window. He had not been watching the storm, but the man in a trench coat and fedora, who, to Randy’s amusement, had spent the last five minutes dancing in the rain.

Well, I got a feeling tonight’s my lucky night. Are you sure about this guy? I mean is he a straight up guy? Hank probed.

Quit your worrying Hank, Jim said. He’s a straight up guy. Been working in the office six months now. We speak to each other when we pass each other in the hall. Other than that he’s kinda of quiet and keeps to himself mostly, but otherwise a decent guy. Anyway, doesn’t matter. With Rod down and out with the flu, we needed a fourth for the game tonight.

Sure, sure, he’s a decent fella. But can he play poker? Hank asked.

Hank, chillout, Randy said. You afraid Jim found yet another person to kick your ass in cards?

Randy and Jim laughed, while Hank playfully chucked some cards at Randy. They were still laughing when the shrill of the doorbell sounded. It needed a new battery because it sounded like Randy’s alarm clock, but in a more headache-inducing kind of way.

"Damn, I forgot