Be Not Afraid: Samantha Cain Mystery Series, #1

By Deborah Lynne

A scream pierces the darkness…

Samantha Cain isn't the type of woman who gets unnerved easily. After all, she's the widow of a policeman and a single mom. Now she works the midnight shift, all alone, at a large trucking terminal close to the Mississippi River. One night she hears a strange rustling outside, and then a strangled cry. Racing out of her office, she witnesses a terrifying scene on the nearby levee and interrupts a killer at work. Now the killer is after her. Whom can she trust? Certainly not the police, who didn't protect her before….

Detective Matthew Jeffries has been on the trail of a twisted serial killer who preys on older women, leaving no evidence behind. But this time he has a witness—the wife of his dead ex-partner, Martin Cain—if he can keep her alive.

A suspenseful page turner, with a twist of romance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sand & Sea Publishing
• Release date: Nov 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386850618

Book preview

Chapter 1

Ascream pierced the darkness outside the office.

Samantha Cain’s head popped up as she glared out the big window.

What was that?

She froze. Her heart pounded as an icy chill slid slowly down her back. Glancing at the big clock on the wall, she saw the minute hand sat three notches past the twelve and the little hand pointed straight up. Who would be out there this time of night?

Had she heard a woman scream? Or was it an animal crying out?

Sam thought she had heard a woman, and that was what scared her.

Maybe it was merely two cats fighting over a dead skunk in the road. She could only hope. Breathing in a deep breath, the options battled in her brain. Should she call the police and hope she hadn’t imagined the scream? Or should she go outside and see for herself?

What if it wasn’t a woman? What if it was merely two or more cats running wild. She needed to be sure.

Slowly, she rose to her feet. Maybe she could tell without stepping outside. Leaning over the desk toward the large picture window, Sam searched out in the work yard and then the street using the night skylight in a futile attempt to find the source of the scream. A black void filled her view as the moon hid behind a large cloud. Only the lights at the gate’s entrance into the parking lot did she see anything, and it was an empty graveled opening with nothing there. From her view looking through the front window and scanning the area, she saw several cars parked along the fence that separated the highway and LBT’s truck yard.

She studied the backs of each of the vehicles looking for any sign of an animal loose on the yard. None were seen.

Standing upright, Sam listened for another scream. Almost perfect silence flooded the room. Neither the hum of an occasional tugboat chugging down the Mississippi River nor the steady rhythm of a train crossing over the bridge on elevated tracks was heard. Only the country music that played softly in the background filled the airwaves. And the music, she had to admit, was barely audible over the pounding of her heart.

Normally, she didn’t scare so easily. When she first took on the night shift several men had tried to frighten her in to turning down the job, the promotion to dispatcher from head clerk. She knew then the night time was filled with people who had no business staying out so late. Many times over the years drunks had dropped by the terminal asking for another drink, or wondered where the crowd disappeared to. Night dispatchers had told her several stories that would turn most people away from taking the promotion since it meant being out there alone for several hours during the night. But Sam needed the increase in pay. Besides, she didn’t worry because she knew who took care of her.

Her thoughts continued to twist in her mind. Had she heard a scream, or was it her imagination?

It could have even been the squeal of tires. Kids raced their cars along the River Road all the time. A third option. She liked that as long as those kids didn’t hurt each other out there driving like maniacs.

A relief tried to settle over her thoughts, but the back of her mind wouldn’t let go of the thought a person could be in danger. A woman. She’d been in that place herself and no-one around to help her. But that didn’t mean someone was in the same situation.

It could have been anything. Why am I over-reacting? I’ve worked nights too long now to start jumping at every sound—Fear comes from the devil. Peace comes from God.

That wasn’t a straight quote from the prophet Isaiah, but Sam got the message her mind had just sent her. Taking in a deep cleansing breath, she calmed her nerves and then slowly released it.

A moment later, the scream replayed in her mind. She shivered. Not afraid this time, just concerned. Someone could need her help. With unsteady hands, Sam reached for the knob on the radio and turned it off. Straining, she listened again. Nothing. Only silence filled the airwaves.

That was what unsettled her nerves. It was the silence that followed the single scream. She knew now, it wasn’t tires squealing or cats screeching. She knew deep in her heart what she had heard the first time was a human’s scream...a woman’s scream.

Could she ignore a woman’s cry for help? Wasn’t that why she took those classes, to learn defense? So she would never have to be beaten down again...never be another victim. And she knew in her heart she couldn’t stand by and let it happen to someone else.

With thoughts to run out into the night and save someone, her fingertips iced over and goose bumps lined her arms. Could she do it? Would she be woman enough? A dash of that bitter taste of fear settled unnaturally in her mouth. She used to live in fear, but for the past year she’d grown stronger and stronger in her faith and in believing in herself.

Alarm bells rang in her ears as well as her heart. She needed to move, and move quickly, not stand frozen in fear.

Fear not. I am with you always.

Those words of peace crossed her mind and her heart-rate slowed to a strong steady thump.

Maybe she had imagined the scream, but there was only one way to find out!

Boldly she unlocked the double locks on the wooden door to her office and stepped out into the entryway of the lobby. Looking at the glass door, she first saw her own reflection looking back...a woman barely over five feet tall, with long brown hair cascading down her shoulders, and bangs almost covering her big green eyes. Moving closer to the door, she leaned toward the glass and scanned the front area of the building one more time.

Cupping her hands over the sides of her face, she tried to block out the fluorescent light from indoors. She saw only vague indistinguishable shadows through the glass.

Pushing the front door open, she stepped out into the night air and listened again.

Still nothing.

Sam’s eyes adjusted to the semi-darkness. The one streetlight near the gate’s entrance to Liquid Bulk Transport still only exposed an empty highway.

The clouds shifted slowly, unveiling the moon one slice at a time. Patches of grass-covered ground became apparent beyond the road where the levee rose to contain the flow of the mighty Mississippi River. Tracing the now moonlit summit of the levee in both directions, Sam saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Confident now she had imagined the scream, she relaxed, unclenching her fists. A slight breeze stirred strands of her long hair, blowing them softly across her face as she turned back toward the building. Grabbing the door handle, she started to pull, but then a rustling sound touched her ears.

She stopped and turned in her tracks. What was that? Was it the wind? Or was it something...or someone?

Sam perked her head up, twisting toward the highway as she strained to listen again. She heard scuffling. A couple of dogs, maybe? She wasn’t sure what or possibly who, but she knew she heard something and she needed to know what and where it was now.

Turning her whole body around, she faced the levee full frontal. Staring hard, she scanned back and forth across the levee, the area in front of their property, searching for something, anything, that made that sound.

Not seeing anything, she strained harder to hear. No movement sounded any more. If only she could hear it again and it be distinct. She would find it, identify it, and maybe be able to help what ever or whoever. If nothing else, she could get back to her work at hand and quit fretting over nothing.

Suddenly another scream filled the air, followed by struggling sounds as well as grunts and groans. She moved a little closer to the opening by the gate and looked harder up and down the levee.

Two silhouettes popped up over the hill, heads barely visible on the other side of the levee. But as they moved their visibility became more clear. She saw a large form struggling with a small figure of a woman. The shapes appeared for a second or two and then vanished on the other side of the levee again.

A woman was being attacked. No doubt in Sam’s mind now. With heart pounding she swiftly turned on her heel and ran back into the building. Through the glass door and past the wooden one, she rushed to her desk and picked up the phone. She punched in 9-1-1. As it started to ring, she glanced out of the window and back at the door to the office.

Oh no! She forgot to shut and lock the door behind her. Her stomach knotted as panic choked her, like fingers tightening around her throat as her chest constricted.

It’s not about me. I’m fine. And there is no time for fear.

Besides, she was going right back out and try to slow things down until help arrived.

This is the 9-1-1 operator. What is your emergency?

In a rush she said, This is Samantha Cain at Liquid Bulk Transport at 9669 River Road. I heard a scream and saw two people fighting on the levee. By the shapes and sizes of the shadows it looked to be a man attacking a woman. Get help here quick!

Stay calm, ma’am and stay on the line. I’m dispatching help right away. Operator’s voice shifted. All cars in the vicinity....

Sam listened while the operator broadcast the situation and location to deputies on duty.

What if help doesn’t get here in time?

She glanced out the picture window peering toward the levee. How can I stand here holding a phone while someone is being attacked? Can I let her be a victim too?

I’ve been trained, she reminded herself aloud, thinking of all the self-defense classes and emergency courses she had taken over the past year. She slammed the phone down on the countertop. I can’t just sit here. No way! I’ve got to try and help her.

Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

With that Scripture in mind, Sam grabbed her purse and pulled out a small black container of mace.

Help me, Lord, she prayed within. I can’t stand by and let him hurt her. I need to slow the man down, distract him, or something, until help arrives. Please help me to make smart moves.

Now she knew exactly what to do, and she knew she wasn’t alone.

Racing out the door, across the graveled parking lot of the trucking company toward the levee, she didn’t give herself time to worry about the consequences. She hastened toward the fight, holding the device tightly in her grasp, ready to spray the attacker when she reached him. If nothing else, it should buy time.

As Sam rushed closer she could see them at the top of the hill. She noticed that the woman’s hands hung limply at her side. It appeared all of the fight had gone out of her. Was Sam too late?

Hold on, her thoughts whispered. Aloud she screamed, Leave her alone! Let her go! Sam closed the distance between them as she started across the highway toward the levee.

The man’s head snapped up, and he peered in her direction. Even from this far away, Sam saw his eyes. They blazed with a sick, detached, almost possessed look. His hands stayed locked around the woman’s neck.His grip tightened around her throat. Sam knew she had to be crazy to continue toward this crazed maniac, but she couldn’t stop now. She had to do all she could do. It took all the courage she could muster to keep moving forward and not run back to safety.

As she started up the levee, less than fifty feet away, Sam shouted again, I said, leave her alone!

The attacker’s eyes widened as he slowly turned completely toward Sam, twisting the limp body still in his grasp in the same direction. The woman wasn’t fighting back anymore at all; nor was she standing on her feet. He was holding her airborne by the neck.

Sam slowed her steps as her grip tightened on the mace can in her hand.

Suddenly, the attacker released his hold, and the victim crumpled to the ground like a fallen leaf. His gaze locked on Sam as he took one step toward her.

Sam’s heart skipped a beat.

I’m next. He’s going to come after me now. Am I strong enough to hold him off till help gets here?

Her heart pounded like a big bass drum.

Then she heard that still small voice in her head: I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

There was no turning back now. She gripped the can tighter and her fingertip felt for the button ready to spray him, to stop him in his tracks, bring him to his knees as she moved closer up the hill toward him. 

Chapter 2

Slowly, he moved towards her. One step after the other. His crazed gaze locked on Samantha all the while.

A lump caught in her throat. Sam tried to swallow it, to push it down so she could breathe freely. Instead, she held her breath and squeezed harder on the can in her hand. She was ready for him. A couple more feet and she’d be close enough to spray him fully in the face.

Suddenly a shriek of sirens filled the air.

For a moment, the crazed man hesitated. Looking past Sam, it was as if were estimating the time left before her help arrived. Almost like he wondered if he had time to kill another and still get away. Sick, so sick. Her stomach churned.

She wanted to turn and look for herself. She wanted to see what he saw...to see how close the lights were...to know help was almost at her feet, but she couldn’t. She didn’t dare take her eyes off the enemy as she continued to approach him.

Flashing lights filled the semidarkness. Even without turning she could see the lights in the sky. They appeared in all the dark shadows. Help was close. They had to be!

In an instant, the sick smile on that man’s face wiped clean...for only a brief second, maybe two. Then his brow flicked. He changed his expression. Suddenly, he eyed her with what seemed like a dare.

Dare she think she would get away from him? Maybe. Maybe not.

His face changed as he glared into her eyes. He wanted to speak, but didn’t. She knew what he wanted to say. She felt it in her gut. ‘Until next time,’ she heard, only not aloud in his own voice. In an instant, he turned and fled.

For a second or two after he had gone, she stood frozen, in mind and body. When the high shrill of the sirens sounded like they were on top of her, she managed to release the breath she had been holding, and turned looking toward the highway. There they were—sheriff cars and an ambulance all pulling to a stop at the bottom of the levee. Help was here.

The woman! Her mind screamed and she jerked back facing the river. Over her shoulder she hollered, Hurry!

Instantly, she rushed to the victim’s side. The first thing she noticed was the woman’s face. Eyes closed. Skin tinged blue and swollen. Blood oozing from her nose and dripping out at the edge of her mouth with lips slightly parted.

Was she dead? Was she too late? Was the help too late? She prayed not. At a closer look, she detected a slight rise and fall of the chest...very slight.

There was still hope.

Hurry! She screamed again in the direction of the lighted vehicles.

Quickly, Sam fell down on her knees next to the woman. She touched her cheek gently saying, Stay with me. Open your eyes. Help is here. Instead of trying CPR, she stroked the side of the woman’s face as she heard doors slamming and feet running. They would be here in time to do the right thing to help her. She didn’t want to chance hurting her more. You’re going to be all right, she whispered. Just hang on. Can you hear me? Help is here.

As she tried to rouse the woman to consciousness by calling to her, Sam was vaguely aware of a sudden commotion all around her. In a heartbeat, the help arrived and surround them, but something was terribly wrong. Instead of looking for the attacker who ran off, the officers’ guns were drawn and pointed directly at Sam.

Was this some kind of sick joke? She glanced around. The EMT guys were still at the bottom of the levee. They needed to be up here working now. She needs—

Put your hands up and step away!

But...but I’m the one who called for help. I’m Samantha Cain. The guy who did this is getting away, she cried as she pointed behind them, further down the levee.

Nothing had changed. Three years later and they still don’t know what they are doing. Get the emergency guys up here. She needs help now. The woman is barely breathing.

I said, get up slowly and back away. Hands on your head. Now! The guns continued to point in her direction emphasizing his words.

Sam’s heart raced. Help her, she whispered. It was bad enough she could have gotten herself killed by a crazy man, but now are they going to let the woman die? She tried to scramble to her feet so she could back away.

Move slowly! He shouted. Put your hands up where I can see them, then place them on your head. Now! The voice barked.

She stopped fumbling, trying to get to her feet. Dropping the can of mace, she slowly raised her hands in surrender and backed away. For what, she did not know. She wasn’t guilty of anything. This is ridiculous, she muttered, and then placed her hands on top of her head, clasping her fingers together.

Step back. He waved his gun in one quick jerky motion. When she moved away, the one who seemed to be calling the shots, kept one eye on Sam, leaned over the woman’s body and took a quick glance. A second later he motioned for the paramedics to approach. She’s still alive.

Not if you don’t hurry. Sam shook her head as those thoughts raced through her mind. Shaking her head slightly in despair, she realized the sheriff’s department was just like the policemen she had to deal with when her husband took his own life. Incompetent and quick to make a wrong snap decision in assessing the crime scene.

After the paramedics moved in to stabilize the victim, the officer turned his attention back on Sam, motioning her to move further away from the victim. It was all she could do to contain her annoyance of the men in blue.

I’m telling you, I didn’t do anything wrong, she tried to explain. I’m the one who called 9-1-1.

He didn’t seem to be listening, nor did he seem to care.

The officer led Sam further away from the woman on the ground. Keep your hands up over your head. Stop. Spread your legs. He quickly patted her down.

Keeping his gun trained on her, he said to the others, I’ll take care of this one. You three spread out. Canvass the area. See if someone else is hanging around like she claims.

It’s about time.

With the barrel of his gun steadily pointing at her, he used his radio and called in to headquarters. Sam was terrified. Angry but terrified. How could they hold her here like a common criminal? All she had done was try to help...try to do the right thing.

You can turn back around now. What did you say your name was?

Samantha Cain. Sam started to put her hands down.

Slowly, he said.

I told you I was only trying to help. My purse is over there. She pointed in the direction of the yellow metal building across the street. At my office. I’m a dispatcher at the trucking company right there. The building sat in the midst of one very large parking lot. The lot was filled with many tanker trailers and several bob-tailed tractors around the sides of the building and around the back of the yard. And who knows, maybe by now even that sick man who hurt this woman. She fumed within at the thought they had moved so slow.

My license is over there if you need proof of who I am. I’m the one who called for help like I said to begin with.

If you’re telling the truth, you have nothing to fear.

Only that the attacker got away, she mumbled slightly under her breath, and is now hiding over at my workplace. These guys are ridiculous.

At that moment, she heard her name confirmed by the emergency caller over the two-way radio, then the officer peered around one more time, as if scouting for trouble hidden in the darkness.

All right, Ms. Cain. You appear to be the one who called it in. You should have stayed in your office like they told you. You could have been hurt too. He slipped his gun back in the holster and pulled out his pad and pen. I’m Deputy Langlois, and I need you to start from the beginning. Tell me what happened.

She breathed a sigh of relief. Finally. I heard a scream. I saw the woman being attacked by some man. I called for help. Then I came and tried to distract her attacker until you guys got here.

Again, that was a foolish thing to do. You could have been killed. What if we had been delayed in getting here? Do you think you were big enough to take down this man you saw? He shook his head, as if disgusted, and didn’t wait for a reply. What did the man who attacked the woman look like?

As he mentioned the victim, Sam cast a glance at the paramedics still looming over the woman. Is she going to be all right? Sam asked.

They’ll do all they can for her. Please. Give me a description of the man.

It was dark. She shifted her feet. I couldn’t see him clearly. He was wearing one of those wooly hats, kind of like a ski cap. It covered his hair and ears and even part of his face. He was tall compared to the woman, but I was walking up the hill toward the top of the levee and they were at the top, so I’m not sure how tall he really is. His hands wrapped around her throat, so he has big hands. The whole time Sam talked her hands were moving as if trying to do the talking for her, making her description clearer for the deputy, hopefully.

And the look in his eyes— She cut herself off as shivers raced across her shoulders and down her back and arms.

"You