Deadly Shadows

By Leslie LeBlanc

Gabrielle thinks she has finally escaped a painful past but witnessing a crime brings a whole new nightmare. She doesn't remember them but they certainly remember her and after finding her, terror follows. That's when her best friends' father, Victor, brings in Donovan, a man brought out of his regular routine to protect Gabrielle and help flush out her tormentors so justice can ensue.

Gabrielle doesn't expect this man with his devastating bad-boy looks to have an old-fashioned charm and thoughtful attitude unlike anything she's ever seen, and Donovan soon learns she's nothing like the women who have burned him before. Danger mounts when he discovers they share more than just a reason to distrust as part of their pasts collide. Now he must not only fight for their lives, but a chance at something neither thought they'd have.

• Language: English
• Publisher: leslie Carey leblanc
• Release date: Nov 14, 2015
• ISBN: 9780978385675

Book preview

Deadly Shadows

Deadly Shadows

Table of Contents

Deadly Shadows

Table of Contents

Copyright

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Deadly Shadows

by

Leslie LeBlanc

Copyright 2015 – 2016 by Leslie LeBlanc

All Rights Reserved

ISBN: 978-0-9783856-6-8

This book is a work of fiction.   Any similarities to people, names, places or events is entirely coincidental.  This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without express written permission of the author.

Author:  Leslie LeBlanc

New Brunswick

Canada

Published by Leslie LeBlanc

I would like to thank my husband for being one of my best sources of encouragement and for believing in me.

Prologue

Despite the weight of her black winter coat, Gabrielle hugged herself for warmth as she closed the distance from her green Buick to the store entrance.  It was an unusually cold day, even for winter, and the howling wind drowned out the sound of her black boots crunching in the snow. Waist long raven strands whipped about her face.  Her blue jeans may as well have been invisible against the stinging cold.  Her feet couldn't move fast enough.  Not a good day to run out of the fundamentals.

Her hand hadn't even reach the door handle when two men dressed in black rushed out, almost a blur as she struggled for balance.  Somehow her hand reached the handle and she righted herself.  She shook her head and spun around as they fought against the wind to get away.  They both looked back to her and she straightened herself quickly.  With a curious stare she pulled the door and walked in.

Despite the fact this wasn't a store she was familiar with, she could sense something wrong.  As she approached the counter she saw the pudgy woman who must have been in her thirty's crumpled on the floor in a blood soaked heap.  Her heart beat frantically as she rushed around the counter. Giving the area a quick scan she noticed the register open and merchandise strewn about the floor.  She was at the woman's side in seconds.

Oh God! Are you OK?  She felt the woman's shirt for the wound she knew was there.  It continued to pour, soaking through the already drenched fabric.  A moan was her only reply.  She pulled out her cell phone and dialed 911 as she struggled to remove her coat.

9-1-1, what is your emergency?  She barely heard the woman over the drumming in her ears.  She answered, her throat forcing out the words as she fought to keep calm.  She removed her shirt and placed the clerk on her back, using the article of clothing to try and stop the bleeding.  She struggled back into her coat, the receiver part pinned between ear and shoulder.  She covered up quickly, for the sake of self-preservation.  She didn't even want to consider what the security cameras would see.  Her stepfather had made it abundantly clear a long time ago she could never be a model.

Stay on the line. An ambulance is on the way.  She nodded into the phone, the shock too overwhelming to think clearly. She pressed the fabric more firmly on the wound at the right side of the woman's chest.  It had been years since the last time she had taken a First Aid course and hoped she was doing everything right. 

The victim groaned at the pain but didn't push her hand away, slipping from consciousness. Why couldn't they have just taken the money?  What sort of monster, monsters, would do this to someone? How unconscionable!

She peered down at the now unconscious woman.  She prayed for her life, hoped that she wouldn't be taking her last breath today.  She continued to answer the operators' questions while waiting with desperate frustration for the ambulance to arrive. 

Gabrielle held her breath as the warning jingle sounded someone's entrance.

Anyone here?  A deep voice rumbled from across the counter.  She raised a hand and offered a shaky wave before letting the operator know they were there and hung up.  More than one pair of boots stomped hurriedly around the counter, a stretcher between them, a third person following with equipment. They were on her in seconds. It was as though time froze as they placed the woman in the gurney, oxygen mask on, covered beneath a white blanket and pushed through the door.  She let out the breath she forgot she was holding.

Her whole body shook as she inched her way around to the front of the counter.  She stood before the counter, unable to continue any further.  Should she leave?  Follow the woman in the ambulance?  Wait to see if police show up?  As she stood there, the questions rolling through her mind, the sound of sirens grew louder.  Seconds later, an uniformed officer entered and the ambulance sirens disappeared.

She struggled to answer their questions, numb, like her body was there but her mind was on the outside, watching.  If you can think of anything else let us know.   The tall, muscular, uniformed brunette soothed. She nodded as he handed her his card.

She went back behind the counter and searched for the phone number of the poor woman's employer.  Once found she called immediately.  He wasn't long in arriving, his appearance similar to the woman's.

Is there anything I can do for you?  You may have saved my daughter's life.  She shook her head.

N-no, I only came here to buy some things.  If it's okay I just want to buy what I came for and go.  He smiled warmly, the corners of his lips not quite reaching his aged, cinnamon eyes.  She still trembled as she mindlessly got what she needed. An officer returned inside and began speaking with the owner as she approached the counter.

The store will remain closed during the crime scene investigation.  There's just something I need to do first.  The older mans' anxiety stricken voice sounded before turning from the officer to her.  Miss, what you did today was heroic. Please take your items and go. It's the least I can do.  She frowned. She wasn't after a reward.

Thank you but I'm not looking for anything in return.  I would really rather pay.  Her voice was small, timid, hoping it wasn't insulting, but to accept seemed wrong.  The officer eyed her with keen interest.

People never handed her things in life.  The only man who'd cared about her was her grandfather, who was constantly attempting to make up for someone else's bad fathering.  She was lucky to have had him.  It's hard enough when your real father abandons you at birth, but having to live with an abusive stepfather was no better.  Her grandfather had been her lifeline.  At least she'd escaped the over decade long nightmare before it happened.  Scars may fade, but they don't disappear.  She could never have thanked him enough.

I insist, please.  It's the least I could do.  I want you to take it.   She chewed her bottom lip nervously, hesitant.   The last thing she wanted to do was insult him and she sensed that another refusal would do just that.  The owner had taken her obvious hesitation as agreement and bagged the items.

Thank you.  She murmured, feeling like a heel.

You're welcome.  She nodded timidly and left, head lowered to avoid the intense stare of the officer as she passed him.  Once inside her vehicle she leaned back and released a sigh as she dropped her items on the floor of the passenger side.  Her body suffered the aftereffects of  shock.

Who were those men?  What possible reason could they have for trying to kill the poor woman if they were just robbing the place?   The fog of her mind prevented her from remembering what they looked like so any identification from her would certainly be useless.  If the supermarket hadn't closed for renovations, she could have avoided this.

She started the car and pulled around the police cruiser before exiting the parking lot.  She hoped the woman would survive and those men would be arrested.  They deserved to suffer the heaviest consequences of their actions.  With any luck, she'd never run into them again.

Chapter One

Gabrielle startled awake.  Holding her breath, the sound which woke her sounded again.  Go away!  Never before had she been afraid to answer the door but for the past month threatening mail and decapitated animals have arrived at her door.  Then there was the break in.  She didn't have any known enemies and didn't bother anybody or have many friends;  however someone out there saw fit to stalk her.  It terrified her but she refused to let it interfere with her life.  At least not completely.  Inside, panic roamed rampant.

It wasn't so much that she feared death more than the idea that some psychopath thought her worth the trouble.  What possible threat could she pose?  Someone confused her with someone else.  Nothing else it could be... right?

Gabrielle, it's me!  She looked at her alarm clock.  It was nearly noon.  She threw off her floral comforter and rushed down the stairs, not bothering to change out of her soft blue shirt and pant pajamas. She thrust open the door to see the tall boulder of a man she'd known for years. Silver sparsely sprinkled his chestnut brown hair and his soft gray eyes showered her with concern.

Behind him was his equally striking daughter, her best friend, Nisha, who had her mother's eyes and slender figure.  She was definitely model material but instead, she studied in law.  It was safer than her father's profession which was what he preferred.  A high ranking officer for decades, he liked his job and knowing he was making a difference.  He just couldn't bear the idea of something happening to his only daughter.  Of course, since they'd inherited the lotto winnings of his parents, neither of them really needed to work.

Victor, Nisha!  I'm sorry.  I worried someone was leaving another those things at my door. She backed up and ushered them in.

They entered and sat on the floral print couch.  She closed the door then followed, sitting across from them in her matching chair. Can I get you anything?

No thank you.  I'm actually here to discuss something important.  Her Siamese cat, Vilhelm, jumped up, purring as it slumped on his lap.  The cat trusted few people.  Whether he liked you or not, he let you know.  Victor continued as he scratched the ears of the clearly content animal in his lap.

You can't keep living like this.  I know you are a brave woman, and prefer your independence, but something needs done about this.  His voice was stern, echoing the dread and concern he felt.

I can just move if need be.  She rebutted.

I'm afraid that won't be enough.  He will just follow you there and the cycle will continue.  We need to catch him so he'll stop and will hopefully not do this to someone else.  Victor ran his free hand through his hair and peered over to his daughter who smiled warmly in return.  Nisha turned to her.

We're worried and care about you very much.  Please let father help you!  I would hate to lose my best friend because she was too stubborn to accept help when she needed it.  Didn't they realize her life wasn't worth that much?  But the look in their eyes told her they wouldn't take no for an answer.  Rather than insult them by refusing she nodded for them to continue.

I've hired someone to be first on  scene to take note of evidence the moment it happens and will double as security personnel.  Her brows arched in surprise.  Victor hurriedly continued before she could speak.  He's one of the best.  He'll help gather evidence as events occur.  He'll be staying with you.  Your own bodyguard.  We're also hoping his presence will cause the perpetrator to slip up.

She crossed her ankles.  This didn't sit well with her at all.  Someone, some... stranger who probably enjoyed using violence to make a living staying in her home?  No way.  That's not necessary.  Just send a patrol once in a while.  I mean, this seems like overkill, don't you think?  She couldn't keep the tremor from her voice.

The last time she felt this anxious was the convenience store robbery six months ago.  The incident had made the news but somehow she'd remained anonymous.  Her trip to the police station for more questioning was stressful and her memory of the people responsible remained lost in a mental fog.

It relieved her to know the woman survived, though the men remained elusive.  The security footage was useless because their faces remained covered until out the door.  Langley being a small town, it was a shock to everyone.

It's non negotiable Gabrielle, I refuse to lose my best friend!  We've known each other for so long you're like family to us.  You have to accept!  I want us to be able to go out and have fun again.  You can't hole yourself up here forever, letting this jerk control your life or cut it short, it's not right.  Nisha's voice was more than just a plea, as she was clearly referencing her cut brake line.  Also, Nisha's use of her full name instead of 'Gabby' showed just how serious she was.

She had realized only too late that it happened and narrowly avoided hitting someone before losing her car in a ditch.  She was lucky to survive but it left her without a vehicle.  She wanted to replace it, just not until she felt it was safe.  She didn't want the same thing happening again.  Victor nodded in agreement.

Gabrielle chewed her lower lip, nodding in reluctant acceptance.  She knew how stubborn Nisha was as well, and to refuse now would only encourage further argument.  Also, she didn't have a death wish, she just didn't want all this trouble.  Nisha ran over in relief and her father stood up calmly, causing the cat to jump to the floor with a meow of protest.

Thank you!  This scumbag will get his before you know it!  She exclaimed in obvious relief of Gabrielle's submission to their plan.  Gabrielle knew that nothing in life was certain, but she bit her tongue on the thought.  They were adamant and she didn't want to disappoint.  She didn't even want to know how much they were paying for this twenty-four hour a day babysitter.  The guilt would eat her alive.

I hope you're right.  I'd just rather not have an armed stranger residing in my home.  It's unsettling to say the least.

I know, but it's for your own good, trust me.  They made their way to the door.  We'll be back in an hour. You'll meet him then.  Don't worry.  As I said, he's good.  This will be over before you know it.  He turned the doorknob as Nisha spoke.

You should join us for dinner tomorrow.  Mom's making her delicious stuffed crust pizza and chocolate cheesecake tarts.  Gabrielle smiled.  That did sound good.

Sure.

Five o'clock.  Nisha smiled gleefully.

I'll be there.  Gabrielle promised as they left.

Not long after they left the doorbell rang again.  Cautiously, she opened it.  Seeing no sign of life she peered down.  Before her lay a brown box oozing crimson with a note taped to the top.

If you ever reveal who I am you'll suffer agony beyond your darkest imaginings.  Everything I've done thus far will seem like child's play.  No one will get me before you pay.  I won't go away.

Heated anguish consumed her.  Why do this?  It was stupid, pointless.  Gabrielle fought back the bile threatening to come up and ran her hands through her dark silken tresses in frustration.  She so badly want this to stop.  She also wanted to understand why.  She peered up.  The dark clouds on the horizon only mirrored her dread and darkened what would otherwise have been a beautiful summer day.  It almost looked like a storm awaited.  She only hoped she could weather it.

***

Victor stared at