Sample Platter

By Lana Grimes

SAMPLE PLATTER showcases five original stories written by Lana Grimes.

IN PLAIN SIGHT the story of Darren Love the head security guard in charge of finding missing precious artifacts. Not all is as it seems with Darren. The things he loves, or has loved, turn out to be his downfall.

Davis Cartwright is struggling with writer's block in DRINKING TALES. A night out with friends turns Davis' mind into a constant trip down memory lane. Where he finds his story.

THE FLASK is an important artifact to the Bailey family. When Jason finds his ill elderly mother at a roadside hotel just outside of Atlanta clutching it tightly; he knew this adventure would be different.

Alyssa Brooks' last-minute change to her vacation itinerary doesn't go over well with her boyfriend Kyle O'Connor. When he shoots down her dreams Alyssa's final straw snaps. She puts one foot in front of the other and proves her boots are made for walkin'. All the way to NASHVILLE.

Dive into the mind of a serial killer in A DARK PLACE. Where a sadistic being finds beauty in murder. He'll even leave you waiting for more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lana Grimes
• Release date: Mar 1, 2020

Lana Grimes

Lana Grimes is an author of romantic and suspenseful young adult books. She's studying for her bachelor's degree in creative writing and will receive her master's in public relations. Her story "The Flask" Is published in Scarlet Leaf Review. Lana once considered acting but found creating the stories much more satisfying.

Book preview

Sample Platter

By: Lana Grimes

Copyright

Thank you for downloading this e-book. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Table of Contents

Title page

Copyright Page

Table of Contents

Dedication

In Plain Sight

Drinking Tales

The Flask

Nashville

A Dark Place

About the Author

To Jeff, thank you.

You've been my biggest supporter and encouraged me to following my dreams.

I wouldn't be where I am today without you.

In Plain Sight

(This story I inspired by the art heist that took place in Boston on March 18th,1990. Read more)

Home, Edward, Darren Love said with a sigh as he slid into the back seat of the sleek sedan waiting for him. He shook his head and sighed, television interviews always gave him a headache. 

Everything okay boss? Edward asked. He momentarily turned his eyes away from Boston traffic to the rear-view mirror.

It’s the same thing every year Edward, Darren said. Outsiders unfamiliar with the art world, pretending to care about a robbery that happened twenty-eight years ago.

Edward’s focus returned to the Boston traffic. 

It must not be easy. But, you’re close though, to finding the missing paintings?, he asked.

Darren simply smiled and shrugged his shoulders. The sedan came to a smooth stop outside a brownstone surrounded by purple and yellow iris’. Nodding his head at Edward, he made his way into his home; he kneeled to meet his hyper Alaskan Malamute puppy; her sandpaper tongue lapped at his face making him laugh. Darren raked his fingers through her soft fur to calm her, then pressed his lips to the top of her head. Upon standing, he hung his coat in the musty closet then mumbled: I’ve got to clean this thing out.

Christine, I’m home, he called out.

Good! was his wife’s reply. There’s a message for you on the machine I think it’s Agent Noel again.

Darren turned the volume up on the dinosaur of a machine that sat on the entryway table, then pressed play. While the robot voice informed him of the new message’s time, date, and phone number, he walked into the living room. His eyes cut instantly to the Kinkade above the mantle. Beacon of Hope was what it's named. Thomas painted it just four years after the theft. Christine slipped into the living room and placed a tumbler with amber-colored liquid on a table next to a soft leather recliner.

"Do