United Against Terrorism

By Shirley J. Miller

Fiction Author Maxine Hart lived and wrote out of Chicago. She had just decided to use London as the location of her next mystery novel. Now paired up with a former friend and active CIA agent (Riley Perkins), together they go to London to get a feel for the city. They had both been there several years in the past. But there was so much reconstruction and new sites being built, they wanted to get an updated feel for London.

Their first tour was cancelled due to an Al-Qaeda attach on the Tower of London fortress. So, they detoured and walked over the Tower Bridge instead. There they found a dead body in the stairwell of the South Tower. They tried to report it to the police. But while they waited for the police to reach the body and file a report – the dead man went missing. Who took the body and why?

Curious as always, they go back to where they first saw the victim and were able to find two left behind clues that the quick clean-up crew had missed. Not finding the body themselves, the police never believed their story - so Maxine and Riley start their own search. Doing so, they attract the attention of the terrorist cell and become targets themselves.

They’ll need help from Riley’s London CIA contacts. Soon MI5 and the British Counter-Terrorism Specialist Firearms Officers (CTSFO or SCO19) have to step in to solve the mystery of where the next attack is planned – and stop it from happening.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shirley J. Miller
• Release date: Aug 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463514740

Shirley J. Miller

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~About Shirley J MillerAs a child, aptitude tests always suggested that Shirley Miller should go into writing. In actuality, she spent her career years in advertising and marketing for Fortune 500 companies, where most of her writing revolved around describing product attributes and persuading sales.She always dreamed of writing fiction books but never had the time. Upon early retirement, she decided to follow her dreams. You will love her simple and direct style while maintaining the mystique and action among characters from start to finish.Her work is mostly fiction, so be sure you check out The Chicago Series and the Maxine Hart Series. Ring of Deception is a book Shirley and her sister Betty dreamed up - while hiking, no less - follow-ups being considered.Shirley has also written how-to books on some of her favorite hobbies. Be sure to check out Beginning Golf for Ladies, Golf Tips Up & Over - For Intermediate Players, Freelance Writing, Owning a Silky Terrier which resulted from her love for the breed. Having owned eight Silky Terriers over her lifetime, she even hired a special dog trainer to come to her home twice a week to teach her how to train the dogs.Though she never wrote about it, she wants to Thank You for reading her books and following her writing adventures. Without you, none of this would be possible, So Thank You very much. And keep on reading. Find some of her other books on Amazon or Smashwords by checking the links below.Any reviews will certainly be appreciated. It always helps to understand more of what readers want to see, so she can speak more directly to you. To follow Shirley Miller, and be the first to learn of new releases, please check the ‘Follow Me’ Button on Amazon. For a full list of all her current works, check out these links:https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/LastFlightOut1

Book preview

Chapter 1

Finally, summer in Chicago. It was sunny and bright, 72 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. Maxine Hart’s idea of a perfect day. The summer humidly had not yet set in and it was a perfect day for walking along the Lake Shore. Something Maxine liked to do as she was working out ideas for her next novel. She had both silkies with her as she sauntered along waiting for the big idea to come. So far, it was alluding her.

As she walked, she thought about her recent months in North and South Korea and her unusual part in helping Seth Goldstein get his newly discovered sisters out of a prison in North Korea. Her CIA friend, Riley Perkins, had traveled with her and handled the most dangerous aspects of the assignment. She was there simply to provide cover for him and later write the story for Seth. Still, it had been quite an unsettling assignment.

Her mind was obviously wandering, and she wasn’t paying close enough attention to her two Silky dog companions. She accidently dropped one of the leashes and Nikki took off running as he chased the bicycles that had just past. With another big jerk, Casey was also loose and on the run to help. Maxine had her training whistle with her and gave it a quick blow. On cue, both dogs stopped, looked at her – and were supposed to come running back for a treat. But today, they were ignoring her. They gave her a ‘but hey Mom look’ and took off again running after the cyclists. What on earth had gotten into them, she thought to herself.

Finally, the cyclists stopped and waited for her to catch up. Both dogs jumped up on one of the boys as he stepped away and laid his bike on the boardwalk. I’m so sorry, Maxine immediately apologized. They’re usually much less aggressive. But don’t worry. They can be loud sometimes. But they don’t bite. Max smiled at the group of boys who were anxious to be on their way again.

The boys were all in their teens and seemed quite distressed at having their ride interrupted. Despite Maxine’s apology, the boys were rude and quite upset at having had to stop. As Max picked up both leashes, the teens started to get on their bikes and continue their ride, all of them giving her a dirty look. But Nikki was not about to allow it. He pulled away again and jumped at the saddle bag that hung on the side of one of the boy’s bikes. Growling, Nikki pulled on the bag, tearing it as two keys of coke rolled onto the cement walkway.

The teenagers panicked and jumped on their bikes to make a hasty retreat. Leaving the coke lying on the boardwalk. Maxine, flummoxed, sat down on a nearby bench looking down at the drugs.

What the hell, Nikki. When did you become a drug dog? Maxine was more than surprised at the dog’s quick reaction to trouble.

Moments later, a police motorcycle sped past and stopped the boys – arresting them on the spot. Soon the boys were handcuffed and led off the boardwalk and up onto the street towards a waiting police car. As the officer walked over to her, Max was surprised to recognize Jack Turner.

Hey Maxine. Didn’t know you were training those little guys to be police dogs, patting Nikki on the head.

My God, it’s you Jack. I can’t believe you’ve come to my recue again! Maxine laughed.

Just doing my job, Jack replied. As you can see, I’m still working as a Drug Enforcement Agent. But I’m certainly surprised to see you’re still at it. Wasn’t Colombia enough excitement for you? Jack teased her.

More than enough. I haven’t seen you in over a year. Fancy running into you just now. Maxine and Jack had remained friends after a friendly break up the previous year.

Well now I have to take your statement. You’ve just witnessed another crime. You’re getting quite good at identifying drug thieves – and I see you’re training your dogs to help out.

I really don’t know what got into Nikki. He just seemed to know those boys were doing something wrong. Wish I could take the credit for teaching him a new trick. But it’s all a surprise to me.

Maxine and Jack chatted for a few minutes. So how have you been? Still making all the single girls crazy? And what about Harry? Haven’t heard from him in a while either. Are you two still partners? Maxine quizzed him.

No. No. And No. Jack teased her. I finally found a girl than can put up with me. Her name is Cheryl. And Harry just got married. He married a rich white girl.

And I didn’t get invited to the wedding? Maxine kidded him.

No one did. They finally eloped. Seems her snobby parents didn’t approve of her having a black boyfriend. Let alone a boyfriend who was a cop. So, they eloped. And the final no – we’re no longer partners. He got transferred to a Drug Enforcement unit in South Chicago. And I’m still working the North Side. We’re both training new partners. We do get together to gripe about that every now and then. Jack finished his report.

Well let’s get together for lunch. I’d like to meet the lucky women who captured the hearts of my two favorite rescuers. Maxine laughed.

Let’s do it. Jack answered. Next time I talk to Harry I’ll set something up. In the meantime, you stay away from those drug gangs, you hear?

Well I’m sure trying to, Maxine answered.

Nice seeing you again, Max, Jack smiled back at her. Then he was off to take the teens into the station for booking. Maxine collected her dogs and continued on her walk. What are the odds, she thought to herself? She was enjoying her walk on this beautiful day as her mind wandered back to her latest writing project. The day was perfect, the lake water beautiful as ever, and all the activities of the boats docked along her way made for interesting viewing. She decided to sit in one of the many lakeside parks for a while, but her thoughts were more on this wonderfully gorgeous Chicago day than on her work. Her thinking was interrupted by her cell phone ringing.

Hi Riley. What are you up to today? Maxine greeted her friend.

Just thought I’d see if you were free for dinner next week. Tuesday at Chez Paul’s at about 7:00 pm? Riley asked.

I’d love that. Meet you there? Maxine asked.

No. I’ll pick you up. I won’t be back in town for a couple of days. I may be running a little late and I don’t want you to have to hang around the restaurant waiting for me. I’ll call you when I get to your building. Then you can just jump into the elevator and meet me at the front lobby. Does that sound okay to you?

Perfect. Look forward to seeing you again, Maxine was happy to hear from him. He’d been out of the country for the past few months on yet another CIA mission, and she was anxious to hear how his new case assignment had gone.

She thought about how they had met. Her publisher, Bob Olson, had introduced her just before her trip to Colombia a couple of years ago. Because of all the drug trafficking down there, Bob had been concerned for her safety and hired his CIA ex-navy seal friend to accompany her as a protection detail. Riley had actually helped her on two of her previous novels and they had since become close friends, which later developed into a more intimate relationship. She’d really missed talking to him when he was away on his secret missions. Glad he was home again, she looked forward to their date.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Chapter 2

A couple of days later, Maxine got together with Jack and Harry. They were bringing their significant others with them, so she also invited her publisher, Bob to accompany her.

They were all to meet up at Morton’s Steak House on East Wacker Drive. Bob and Maxine were