Cassie

By Linda K Ladig

Cassie left her small farm life at 18, by her early twenties she was working as a companion body guard for a high end security company. When she questions the untimely death of a client she finds herself on the run. Laying low figuring her next move a blown out tweeker busts in screaming and demanding someone named Traci. Now she's on the run from two threats.
Sit back with a glass of wine and enjoy a woman underestimated getting payback. Her name is 'CASSIE'

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781312467354

Book preview

Cassie

Cassie

By Linda K Ladig

Cassie left her small farm life at 18, by her early twenties she was working as a companion body guard for a high end security company. When she questions the untimely death of a client she finds herself on the run. Laying low figuring her next move a blown out tweeker busts in screaming and demanding someone named Traci. Now she’s on the run from two threats.

PREVIEW:

It was easy to spot the out of place dark SUV parked just down from her house in the quiet neighborhood. Cassie left the car and knowing the surveillance cameras coverage she was able to get to her next door neighbors hedge that divided the two properties. She couldn’t see her house squatting behind the hedge but she did have a direct view of the SUV. The wait wasn’t long when she hears the familiar sound of her front door opening. The footsteps told her there was only one person coming out. They were halfway down the pathway when a male voice floated to her.

‘Well it’s not here either…of course I’m sure.’ Shock ran through Cassie recognizing the man’s voice.

She didn’t move until the man and the SUV were out of sight.

Copyright 2014 by Linda K Ladig

Cassie is a work of fiction.

Names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, locales, business establishments is completely coincidental and not intended by the author.

Cover design by: Ladig Photography

Cover Photography by: Ladig Photography

All rights reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned in printed or electronic form without permission from the author except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

www.ladigpubs.com

Sit back with a glass of wine and enjoy a woman scorned getting payback.

Her name is

‘CASSIE’

Cassie

CHAPTER ONE

Cassie was flopped all over the couch with the remote in her hand daytime television was boring. She was flipping through channels trying to find something she could be interested in. The infant she was watching was a good little one and sleeping in the back bedroom so entertaining herself was left up to the TV. Concentrating on surfing the channels Cassie was taken totally by surprise of the man bursting into the mobile home yelling.

OK…where is Tracy I’m here for Tracy, by God Bitch where is she?

Cassie with the shock of someone busting in had climbed up on to the back of the couch still holding the remote, knowing it was of no use tosses it onto the couch seat, her eyes never leaving the man yelling in front of her. She took a quick inventory he didn’t have anything in his hands, no gun no weapon, hopefully just him. Feeling no immediate danger other than a drug freak yelling at her Cassie spoke in a soft voice with her hands held out to show she had nothing to threaten him with.

Hey guy, there is no Tracy here, you have the wrong place…calm down and go back outside.

Looking into her eyes the man says.

I fucking know who you are and I am at the right place…I am here for Tracy, where is she…in the back bedroom…

The man stepping toward the back of the trailer Cassie beats him to the small cramped hallway. She pays no attention to his cussing for her getting into his way as she gets to the bedroom first grabbing an infant off the bed, holding it close to her chest with both arms. Turning around facing the stranger as he enters Cassie pleads.

It’s just me and the baby…there is no Tracy here, you have the wrong place.

The infant in her arms feeling the tension lets out a tremendous wail. The wail grabs the man’s attention, his face softens and his voice becomes gentle saying.

Oh…little one I didn’t mean to scare you, I’m sorry…

Cassie backed up as the man approaching her and the baby had one hand reaching out, Cassie didn’t know if it was to gently touch the child or to take it away from her. She felt her legs butt up against the bed, not thinking she sat back onto the bed holding the infant protectively close to her chest. As if mesmerized with the child the man was still coming. Seeing no safe way out Cassie laid back onto the bed raising her knees up to her chest and the infant. Just as the man brushes her feet still reaching for the baby, she shot her legs out sending him back. He would have kept standing but his head hit the door frame to the small bedroom causing him to stagger back into the hallway. Cussing and rubbing his injured head he trips on his own feet landing hard in the middle of the short hallway. The second exit door for the mobile was between them, Cassie didn’t hesitate to go out it. She could hear the man thrashing inside trying to get up. She had a minute if not seconds to get her and the infant somewhere safe. The close set neighbors kept to their selves just like Cassie did, that was why she was living there. Yelling fire might get a slow response but anything else would be ignored. Cassie didn’t yell fire or anything else as she headed for her car praying the idiot in the trailer behind her would stay confused long enough for her and the baby to get away. She didn’t want him to see her car. Holding the infant in one arm she dug for her keys from the tight shorts she was wearing, keys in hand she pushed the remote unlocking the car as they approach. Getting in she placed, almost tossing the baby, into the passenger seat as she jammed the keys into the ignition. Not looking to see if the man was right behind her she started the car, shoving it into reverse dust and rocks flew. Shifting into drive she looks into the rearview mirror, not seeing the man she said a quick thank you as she shoved the accelerator to the floor heading for the exit of the small mobile home park. Taking the exit with a sharp right hand turn Cassie’s right hand shoots out to hold the baby in the seat as she makes the turn with her left.

Ignoring the screeching tires behind them, Cassie brings the speed of the car down to the speed limit. Cassie tried to soothe the wailing baby in the seat next to her as they made their way down the four lane throughway. It took another five miles of driving and cooing for the child to relax and let the motion of the vehicle put her to sleep. Going to side streets Cassie drove on trying to figure out what had just happened. A quick glance to the child sleeping in the seat next to her she whispers.

What the hell was all that Traci? Why would that man want you?

Not expecting an answer but secretly hoping for one Cassie sighs turning her attention back to driving and where she should take her and Traci.

CHAPTER TWO

Cassie had left the farm life the day she turned 18 she hugged and cried with her mother when she told her. Her mother pleaded with her to wait until her step-father came home, Cassie knew it was her mother’s hope he would talk her out of leaving, and it was possible he could, he had taken her and her mother in with open arms and worked hard to give them a decent life. But Cassie couldn’t handle one more day of waking up to milking the cows, feeding the chickens and baling hay. Her being the only child and the only one to help with the farm a wave of guilt came over her as she drove away in the rattle trap truck her step-father had given her on her sixteenth birthday. Driving down the long driveway to the main road her step-father was coming her way with a smile he honked and waved as they passed. In return Cassie smiled waving back then after they passed called out the trucks open window.

I’m sorry, I’m so sorry but I got to get out of here.

Turning onto the main road Cassie turned up the country music on the radio singing along.

Waitress work was the main occupation for farm girls and that was the direction Cassie took. She worked cafes and restaurants in several towns the first year away from home until she came across a town she wanted to stay for longer than just a couple months. She was working in a local run restaurant and bar that brought in business from all over the county with their steak and potato menu. Cassie enjoyed her job and the little apartment the owners were happy to rent to her. With the apartment in walking distance of her work and downtown she sold her truck, not getting much but enough to get necessities and knick knacks for her new home. Cassie stayed in the mid-sized town and worked for the next three years saving every penny she could. She had kept in touch with her folks, her step-father was understanding the first time she had called telling her not to worry they would be fine, before they hung up he made her promise to keep in touch with her mother, with tears in her eyes Cassie had promised and kept the promise over the years, but she never went home for a visit.

Cassie was sitting at the small kitchen table with the inexpensive laptop checking on her savings and checking accounts. Taking a sip of the shot of whiskey sitting next to her she sets it back down saying.

Time to move on.

Next morning she spent purchasing a not too hard used Dodge Ram 4X, paying cash. Driving it to work she informed the owners she was moving on and she was giving them two week notice on her job and apartment.

Six months later she was working the bar in an upscale Bar & Grill for the area. This night was like any other for the most part, they were short one security guy but the crowd was small on a Tuesday night so the manager hadn’t bothered to call anyone in saying if needed he would cover. Cassie and the other bartender/waitress Maggie were working behind the bar and the new girl, Cindy, was working the floor, a little green but she was catching on. All three women got along, occasionally having drinks or lunch together around their work schedules. Cindy was serving drinks to two nicely dressed men sitting in a corner table when three men in dusty jeans, boots and hats came in. A quick look around they chose a table close to one of the pool tables, as they sat they yelled to Cindy they wanted three tap beers. Cindy called a mild ‘ok’ as she finished serving the drinks to the two men in the corner. Cassie had the beers poured and sitting on the bar as Cindy as approached. Beers on a tray Cindy headed to the three men, just getting to their table a chair or foot caught her and the beers fell onto the table spilling and breaking. Cindy and all three of the men jump chairs flew back as well as cuss words flying from the men. Cindy getting her composure stutters how sorry she was as she tried to salvage the mess. Jim the security guy, reached the table before Cassie, she didn’t hear what all was said but before she could get to the table one of the men had swung on Jim taking him down. The hitter standing over Jim yelled for him to get up and fucking fight. His two companion’s still brushing beer off their clothes verbally joined in daring Jim to get up. Cassie reaching the melee tried to calm the situation down but