7 Rooms

By Joe Rendace

Arthur Reed has returned to the mansion where he was born, married, and had his beautiful daughter. This will be the concluding chapter on his life, once the overdose of pills swallowed kick in. When lightning from a ferocious storm strikes the satellite dish on top of the mansion, Arthur’s plans take an unexpected turn. Before he can close his eyes for the final time, he enters his bathroom to find his wife showering. Normally, that would not be a problem, except for the minor detail that she died ten years earlier.
With a heavy cough and blood forming in his mouth, Arthur realizes that regardless of unexplained time shifts happening in his home, he is dying from the pills. Now up against the clock, he realizes that six more rooms hold portals to various past decades and the precious opportunity to change the most important moment of his life-- the tragic death of a loved one. All he must do is find the right room, bring the killer to justice and avoid changing any prior timelines before the fading glow of the satellite dish closes the portals.
That is, if the drugs don’t kill him first.
7 Rooms, is a riveting thriller that follows one man’s race to save all that he held dear in his life, long after he originally failed to do so during his life. Rare is the opportunity to have a second chance to make a first impression. For Arthur, time just may heal all wounds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joe Rendace
• Release date: Nov 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463191781

Joe Rendace

Joe Rendace was born in Brooklyn, New York. For the past thirty years, he has traveled the globe for work and pleasure, enhancing his tales of mystery and intrigue with real situations that “need to actually happen to be believed.” Though his first love was pursuing a career as a cartoonist, he found his niche as a novelist and screenwriter. His first novel was published in 2002 and he continues to put out new work periodically.

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7 ROOMS

By

Joe Rendace

Book Title Copyright © 2018 by Joe Rendace. All Rights Reserved.

All rights reserved. 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. 

Cover designed by Joe Rendace 

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. 

Joe Rendace

Printed in the United States of America 

First Printing: December 2018

This story is dedicated to my true love and our children, for whom I would alter time to protect.

CHAPTER 1

Jan 6, 2005

Each year the cold January winter killed its fair share of organisms at Reed Manor. Another casualty was vying to make its list.

For Arthur Reed, it was strange to see his property grounds again through the taxi’s window after so long a period. Born and raised at Reed Manor, the last ten years spent as a resident of the Springwood Nursing Home had taken its toll on the sixty-five-year-old native Georgian. His father Thomas, a scientist who had divided his time working at the Brookville Lab in Atlanta and in the basement of their sprawling Victorian home, had wanted a piece of property that would provide both privacy and serenity. The ten-acre lot was perfectly situated four miles from the closest mountain and two miles from the local town. Just married in 1935, the Reeds’ dream home was constructed within three years of their vows.

Pregnant a year or so later, Betsy Reed bore her only child with the aid of a midwife in the winter of 1940. So, sixty-five years after his birth, it only made sense that Arthur return home to die. He stepped from the departing cab, staring at his family home. The structure had not changed much since its concrete foundation poured, though the same could not be said for its surroundings. At least a mile separated the house from the fences protecting the sprawling acres, but the Swim/Tennis community neighborhoods had spread like chicken pox just on the other sides. The Victorian mansion stood tall and proud, alone in a sea of imitations.

With a deep breath of invigorating air, Arthur took his first step and tripped, falling right down to the ground. If he was unconscious for a period, it was too early to tell. The voice addressing him was the first recollection of his surroundings.

Sir? Sir, are you all right?

Arthur’s eyes opened without much trouble. He thought he was paralyzed, which would have explained the absence of pain. He moved his arm and felt no pain. By the second request from the man, Arthur had his functional legs pushing him off the ground. He fingered an abrasion on his forehead, though no blood responded.

Yes. I am clumsy at times. My home has its share of bumps in the road.

The young man, garbed in an all-white jumpsuit, black cap, and a black utility belt, nodded.

No worries. I’ve fallen off that ladder once too many times.

Arthur looked at the ladder on top of the Surreal Satellite van behind the worker. Before he could ask, the guy handed him a pamphlet.

Well, you’re all set here. Enjoy 755 channels of pure entertainment and fantasy!

Arthur glanced at the paper, but his concern was on more pressing information.

Wait, who ordered satellite TV?

Already behind the wheel, the worker glanced at the order and noted that it was pre-paid but could not find the name of the person who had placed the order. He motioned to phone HQ, but the bright sunshine from a moment earlier disappeared behind a sky of approaching dark clouds. A distant rumble of thunder convinced the worker of one thing.

My signal is gone. Looks like the weather has me on hold. I can call you later.

He was gone in a flash. Arthur wondered if he even remembered seeing the truck there when his cab stopped. He assumed his attention was just on his house.

Welcome home, Arthur!

Still a bit befuddled by the quirky worker, Arthur nevertheless turned back toward the porch to warmly receive the greeting.

Kano, my friend. It’s great to see you.

The two senior citizens embraced before walking up the steps of the wrap-around porch.

The 74-year-old Asian man, caretaker of Reed Manor for the better part of a half century, opened the front door just as the rain made good on its ominous approach.

No, Arthur, I did not order the satellite TV. I thought you had? Kano’s walk toward the fireplace slowed during his reflection.

"I thought the worker said, ‘Mister Reed.’ Though,