The Heirloom

By Beth Adet

Sam Parker is the owner of Warriors Path and a loving and devoted husband. He has just uncovered some news about his wifes childhood. However, this new discovery is also tied to his two best friends and business partners, John and Peter. Sam could not believe the extent of their involvement with his wife and he is determined to fight to protect his marriage. After Sam was approached by FBI agents, he knew he had stumble into something big and walking away from it might lead to his ruin. John and Peter both work together with Sam but they are always at each others throat. Sam could not believe that John and Peter both have secrets and these secrets bound them together in ways that are beyond the physical business relationship they are trying to pull off. With the help of his FBI friends, Sam confronted his best friends but this move led to his murder.
Unsuspecting Carol is left to find out who is responsible for her husbands death. Her journey led her to the secrets from her past. Her investigations also brought her to question the reality of Sams death. What role did Peter and John play in Sams murder? What ties does she have with them? Is Sam really dead? These are some of the questions Carol Parker is confronted with as she digs up some truth about the inheritance she did not know belonged to her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 9, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481761000

Beth Adet

Through the years, I have developed my passion for suspense novels. I have followed authors like John Grisham and James Patterson and I was drawn into the mysterious worlds created by these great authors. However, I yawned for something more. Born and raised in a Christian family, I seek for a suspense novel in its purest form with emphases on the thrill and keeping the moral tone it requires to reach readers of all age groups. I am a wife and a mother to two beautiful children. I aim to provide a safe harbor to all my readers. I strongly believe that God is interested in every aspects of the human life, especially the suspense and thrills. This book has given me the opportunity to explore my belief and passion. I have a refreshing view based on my background and education. I was born and raised in Nigeria up until the age of 15 and now live in Maryland, US. This book reflects my journey and what I have learnt so far. Beth Adet, Ph.D., Pharm.D.

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© 2013 by Beth Adet. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 07/22/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4817-6099-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-6100-0 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Preface

Chapter One   The Plot

Chapter Two   The Murder

Chapter Three   He’s alive

Chapter Four   The accusations

Chapter Five   The Decision

Chapter Six   The visit

Chapter Seven   Secrets Unfold

Chapter Eight   The truth

Chapter Nine   The revelation

Chapter Ten   The Confrontation

Chapter Eleven   The Comeback

Chapter Twelve   The Gift

I dedicate this book to the Living God, the Almighty; my loving husband, children, sisters, brothers (in laws), nieces, parents, uncles, aunties, friends, and my church—Overcomers Chapel.

Preface

Sam Parker drove into Willow Street and stopped at the end of the road where an old house was located. The old house had been abandoned by its owners who could not afford to pay a large sum as mortgage for a house that had lost its potential. The down turn in the economy was the cause of this unfortunate event for these owners and many more across the country. The street was dead and no other car drove pass him. He was reminded of the noisy, crowded streets he drove by in downtown Pittsburgh as he made his way from North Hills to South Hills Junction. Willow Street was the exact opposite of Woods Street where the night sky was filled with the aroma of a festive crowd. He parked his car behind the black cars that at scared him to dead couple of days ago. Sam was a simple man who was baffled at the thought that he had been followed by FBI agents. On the night of his first encounter, he was on his way home from work when all of a sudden two black cars stopped him in his tracks. One car pulled in front of him and the other car pulled up behind him. He was trapped with nowhere to go. He watched other cars move pass him and was amazed that no one had the courage to stop and find out what was going on. Sam Parker picked his phone to dial 911 but someone was on the line.

Mr. Parker, this is inspector Justus O’Brien on the line again.

Mr. Justus what do you want from me. I told you this afternoon that I want nothing to do with you and your investigations.

I am sorry but we need your help.

Find someone else. Are these your guys? You can’t threaten me this way. I have made up my mind.

Sam was frustrated with O’Brien. He was very clear when he turned down the inspector’s proposal this afternoon. After all, he was not expected to drop his career and family for a goose chase just because he had been summoned. Sam held on tight to his cell phone and wished he could just be left alone.

I want to talk with you privately. I am coming over, please let me in. Inspector O’Brien stepped out of the car in front of Sam. He was fully dressed in his black suit and a red shirt which complimented his stripped tie. His hair was combed back neatly, which further intensified his blue eyes that were fastened deep in their sockets. O’Brien could have passed for a famous movie star. Sam was overtaken with a strange thought that he might be in a TV prank scene with hidden cameras all around him. O’Brien walked slowly towards Sam’s car. Sam stared at his clock. It was eight o’ clock at night. He let the inspector in but rolled his windows down. He had made up his mind although he was fascinated about the intensity of this case.

So Mr. Parker . . . , take a look at these files . . . , read them carefully . . . , examine these pictures . . . . , Do you still want to maintain your current position on this matter?

Sam was shocked. He had been thinking all afternoon about the case. Nothing made sense to him. These accusations about his best friends and business partners sunk his heart.

But . . . , why? Sam said in disbelief.

We don’t know but we need you to find out. These guys have chosen you for a reason. Remember no one is to know that you have been contacted by us. We will contact you soon about the details of your mission.

What mission! I did not agree to any mission.

Mr. Parker calm down. We will be in touch.

Inspector O’Brien step out of the car without looking at Sam. Sam knew that the inspector was sure that he was finally on board. His drive home was solemn not minding the unusual traffic. Sam knew it was best not to involve Carol until he was sure of her safety.

This very night was just like the night of the first encounter. The atmosphere held a strange feeling that Sam could not get rid of. The old house was built with red bricks. The color of the brick was now ten shades duller than its original hue. The small patio in front of the house looked like it had suffered neglect from its owners and had been beaten up by the strange Pittsburgh weather. Sam noticed the electrical lines running over the house. Due to the reflection of the moonlight, the electrical lines added an eerie look to the house. He rang the door bell and the door was opened by a strange looking man in uniform. The strange man had a long beard with a curly ponytail pulled backward. He looked like a rock pop star and not a trained officer of the law. Sam followed the man with no words uttered until he was in a small crowded room. Inspector O’Brien signaled to Sam to join him at his table where two other well dressed men were already seated next to O’Brien.

Good Evening Mr. Parker. Thanks for coming. This is Inspector Christopher McKnew and Inspector . . . ,

Welch! Sam interrupted before O’Brien was done with his introductions.

I am glad you know inspector Welch. Both of these agents will be your close confidants as we proceed with this case. There is no time to catch up on the past. The case at hand is delicate and needs all of our attention. O’Brien looked at Sam and Welch whom nodded in agreement to his statement.

Good. We can proceed with the agenda. Mr. Parker, I assure you that we will try our best to resolve this matter as quickly as possible.

You cannot assure me my life or the life of my wife. I am convinced that this is what God wants me to do.

Well, I like your faith . . . , Inspector Mcknew added. We need all the help we can get.

Chapter One

(The Plot)

It was a strange afternoon.

Mr. Parker starred at the screen. His gaze froze on the computer screen like he had just seen a ghost. Sam Parker fidgeted with his computer screen, staring blankly at its content. These couple of weeks leading to this day had been very difficult for him. He was approached by men he had never meet before including a long time college friend he had not seen in years. The circumstances of this reunion were not appealing to Sam either. He had to make a decision that would affect his family and career. The most troubling part for Sam was that he did not fully understand the nature of the threat lying before him. He was sure of one fact, he had stumbled on wormwood and the consequences might be too bitter to bear. Sam prepared his mind for what was about to go down in his office.

I can’t believe what I am looking at. How could this be? Why didn’t I notice this before? I can’t imagine that this would ever happen to me. Oh Lord, it is real. I should have . . . ,

There was a knock at the door. He recognized that knock anywhere. There was only one person who knocks his door like that and he was about to turn the heat on him.

Come in John, I have been waiting for you.

John Benson walked in. He had no idea what was about to go down. Nothing seemed different to him. He was used to this. Almost every afternoon, he would come into this office to chat with his long time friend. He was about to yell out their famous greeting when he noticed the look on his friend’s face. Surprised and confused, he was compelled to find out what happened to Sam.

Hey Sam, what is wrong? Is everything okay? Why are you . . . , he was quickly interrupted by Sam who was very upset at this time.

Please come in John, I need to speak with you. John walked slowly to the long table in the middle of the office. Sam Parker was the founder of Warrior’s Path but his office had the same design as any other person in this building. The only exception was the long oval table in the middle of the room which he agreed with just because John convinced him that it was needed, especially for business meeting with their clients. The apple green and burnt orange colored walls accentuated the mounted portraits and the solid black chairs surrounding the oval table. At the end of the oval table is a small double deck with a rectangular extension where the computer and its accessories are placed. John pulled out a chair and waited for what Sam had to say. His slender body slid into the chair smoothly as if the chair was made for him. He was a tall, slender, built guy unlike Sam who was stocky and short. John wore a simple shirt, and black slacks without a tie. John could not imagine what made Sam so upset. He had never seen him as angry as he looked right now. Sam Parker had been a good Christian man for as far as he had known him. Things rarely moved him. John could recall many instances where he expected Sam to flare but instead got the opposite reaction. To see him this way must mean one thing; he must have discovered some terrible news. John analyzed Sam’s body language silently to himself trying to place Sam’s current mood with the underlying cause.

Does he know? It is impossible! How could he? John thoughts distracted him from Sam’s unusual mood. He quickly composed himself, not to jump into conclusions.

John, please tell me the truth, what is going on? John stood up at this time, surprised and confused, his emotions stirring up now.

What do you mean? John asked Sam bluntly. He was not about to let his dark secrets slip out of him so easily.

Exactly what I ask you. Please be honest with me. We have come a long way for you to hide this from me.

I don’t know what you are talking about. John waved his hands across his face in a swift motion to gesture his disapproval. He was finding it hard to control his emotions; however, he tried to control his posture in order to gain control of the situation.

Well, let me tell you. Sam composed himself a little. There must be a reasonable explanation for this, he thought. He needed to do this; he had to do this in order to get to the truth. He could only hope that he was doing a good job leading John on in this mysterious quest. This was the only way he could validate what he had heard and seen. He starred into John’s eyes for some seconds before uttering his response.

Sam, talk to me. We have been friends for a very long time. Sam softened his voice.

I know. This is why I am asking for explanations. Look at your accounts, things are not adding up here. How, what, where is all this money from. Don’t tell me that you have been hiding things from me. The estimate you gave me is quite different from what you got.

John was relieved but perplexed that Sam had found out about one of his minor flaws. The only question on his mind was how Sam got to know about the accounts. Sam Parker trusted him undoubtedly and he was careful about the details of his accounts. There was one question lingering in John’s thoughts. What gave Sam the push to dig deeper into his files. John was sure there was more to this story. He returned Sam’s stare to probe for answers.

Hey Sam, why are you checking my records. Don’t you trust me anymore?

I do not! Not after what I have discovered. How could you? Sam lost the fight against the urge to tell John exactly what he had found out. He was hoping for explanations that would override the conclusions made from his findings. Sam knew he must keep his word so he quickly retraced his thoughts back to the current issue.

What have you ever asked me that I have not given you? Everything in this business belongs to both of us. Why did you have to lie? What did you need the money for?

Sam confined his quest for the real truth to the space in his head. He was trying hard not to believe all of the accusations about his best friend. He had known John since they were in college. However, he had to uncover the real reason why John traded off his identity just to be his friend. Taking a break from all of the interrogations in his mind, he noticed that John was walking towards the door.

John, tell me the truth.

I have nothing to say. You have obviously made up your mind. This conversation is ending right now.

John walked out and slammed the door behind him. This was their first real confrontation. He was not disturbed that Sam found the accounts but curious to know which events or person betrayed his privacy. As he walked back to his office, he pondered on it. The scene in Sam’s office replayed itself over again in his mind. Suddenly he was overwhelmed by a strange thought, the thought that Sam was digging for answers for something else.

Someone one must have informed him. Who could it be? He spoke solemnly as he rocked the chair in his office. John’s office was located at the end of the hallway. He picked this spot for privacy. His office was the last on the floor away from the main office activities and secluded enough where at times he could hear private conversations of other employees who are unaware or forgot about his office.

Could it be Peter? Wel, I will find out later.

Meanwhile, he had to do something about Sam. He had to do something to stop Sam from going through his past. Things were going as John had planned and Sam must not ruin his efforts. He did not take the money for himself. He gave the money to Sam but Sam does not know when and how he did so. John was leaning on his desk next to his laptop. His slender body posture portrayed his emotions accurately. Usually he was very rational and cool tempered. Conversely, he was not sure of what Sam had discovered or what Sam’s informer knows about his hidden agenda. One thing was left for him to do. He and his partner had to get rid of Sam. No excuses would be made for his present action because Sam got himself involved in this matter. As a matter of fact, John was only using him to get something else. Sam was his way in but now John was willing to take another direction.

We have to take another step. I have to call Buddy to let him know . . .

John whispered to himself again planning the upcoming event for the rest of the afternoon. He felt sorry for Sam. They have been friends for over fifteen years. He knew he had to succor to his partners unyielding request. He tried desperately to keep his quest away from leading to death. He was after his inheritance. He had been punished for so long and for nothing. He had to make everything right, even if now it was leading him to murder.

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Sam could not believe it. He had just fought with his best friend.