Deception: Dan Icor Trilogy — Book 3

By Travis Pearson

Dan Icor is a small-town banker with special abilities who is used to controversy. Now someone is attempting to destroy him, his family, and friends.

While Dan is subjected to physical, psychological, and regulatory attacks, he believes secrets with the potential to affect the outcome of the upcoming presidential election are hidden within his town. The stakes are high. The political handlers of one candidate, who they believe will transform the country into their version of Utopia, want Dan and his inner circle eliminated for the greater good—even if the entire town is annihilated in the process. Dan realizes that his only salvation is to find and reveal the secrets to a skeptical public before his ruthless adversaries carry out their plan. Despite his determination and resourcefulness, the odds are against him.

Deception shares the exciting conclusion of one man’s lengthy journey from bank executive to hero as he valiantly risks everything to transform the future of his country.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Sep 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781483457116

Travis Pearson

Travis Pearson is a retired bank chairman and chief executive officer, an accomplished marksman, pilot, sports car driver, martial artist, and sportsman who tells an interesting story. He currently resides in Lucas, Texas.

Book preview

TRILOGY

Deception

Travis Pearson

Copyright © 2016 Travis Pearson.

Cover Design: SelfPubBookCovers.com/Fantasyart

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

Second Edition

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-5712-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-5710-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-5711-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016913490

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 8/22/2016

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

The Dan Icor Trilogy:

The Detour

False Dialogue

Deception

Prologue

Jonathan Blank casually scanned his surroundings as he departed the airliner. He had just returned from the obscure, politically unstable, foreign country. As he entered the passenger waiting area, many noticed him. He was an imposing figure, a taut, wiry man who moved with surprising agility and grace. He possessed a unique skill set used to ensure a regime change in that remote country. If the deaths appeared nonsuspicious, he would receive a substantial bonus. Jonathan reflected, The deaths positively looked accidental.

As Blank navigated the airport corridors, mothers would instinctively pull their children closer to them as he walked past. Men would ignore inadvertent contact after experiencing his searing gaze. An accidental encounter with Blank reminded men of their own mortality; something about his aura, his persona, projected, Don’t mess with me!

He shunned normal interaction with ordinary individuals, which most consider important in their lives. His encounters were calculated and planned, followed by an aftermath of violence, destruction, and death.

Few knew of his existence, and no one was sure of Blank’s real name or identity. Even so, they understood his reputation as the best cleaner available. He earned legendary status as a killer, problem solver, and a scepter of death, on those targeted for elimination. Of those aware of his abilities, he was referred to as a ghost, the ultimate weapon to unleash against enemies. He dispatched his targets with absolute ruthlessness and efficiency. It was rumored that he did not possess any empathy or remorse, oblivious to the moral concepts of right and wrong. They considered him the perfect assassin. Talent like his did not come cheap.

He was obviously very different, a freak of nature. Thankfully, for humanity, there were very few sociopaths who walked among us. However, leave it to the world intelligence communities to utilize Blank’s unique abilities.

He glanced at the cab line as he departed the New Jersey airport. He completed his mental checklist on the few items he would acquire along the way necessary to accomplish his current assignment.

***

When Jason Hansen returned to the kitchen to join his wife for coffee, he was shocked to see her terrified expression. An instant later, he watched the scary man enter his sights. A brief glance at the soulless eyes told him all there was to know about his current predicament. He realized this even before he looked into the barrel of the semi-automatic pistol.

One hour earlier, it had been a perfect morning.

Jason Hansen filled his lungs with air as he puffed his chest. He did this because he’d recently secured his financing to become the proud owner-operator of Jason Hansen’s Chronicle, a local newspaper and website. After receiving the circulation figures of his dream project, he exaggerated his walk as he entered the room. He embellished his movements as he scanned the designer kitchen of their new home in the quiet New Jersey suburb. He watched the sunlight illuminate the small air particles as the light surrounded his wife. The sunshine emitted a backlit, halo effect on his beautiful wife, Samantha. She sat at the kitchen breakfast table, waiting for her husband to take his place at the quaint cherry-wood dining space.

Samantha genuinely smiled as Jason approached her, and he kissed her affectionately on her forehead. He briefly glanced into the most expressive blue eyes he had ever seen. Her magnificent eyes revealed a true window into a beautiful soul.

You look extra vibrant this morning, Samantha greeted her husband.

I certainly am! I reviewed our newspaper’s circulation figures for both the print and website. We are exceeding my forecasts and growing respectably! He beamed as he told her.

That is truly marvelous news! I am so excited for you. I know how hard you worked to attain your dream.

The breakfast area consisted of a cozy nook surrounded by extra-large windows. The scene from the kitchen table offered a stunning glimpse at the recently landscaped courtyard, easily visible through the bay windows. They enjoyed the serenity of this scene as they dined. Jason listened to a cardinal calling out, and another cardinal answered.

Jason’s face radiated his happiness as he watched Samantha purse her lips to simulate a cardinal’s chirp. The original cardinal responded. Jason chuckled as Samantha spoke to the birds.

When she finished playing with her yard friends, she returned her full attention to Jason. Thank you for going with me to my sister’s house today. You know Tanya and my niece think the world of you. Your little nephew, Aiden, enjoys playing video games with Uncle Jason, while Kylie shows you her latest dance moves.

Jason listened and nodded his agreement.

I know that Tanya’s husband, Cole, is annoying to interact with. He is a know-it-all, opinionated individual. He is always lecturing about topics he is not versed in. She waited for a response.

Samantha, it’s only a few hours, and then we sneak off to a very nice dinner. Cole will soon be forgotten as we indulge in fine food and wine, he promised his wife, the excitement showing on his face.

Jason glanced past Samantha and noted how the morning sun illuminated the manicured grass, while the neatly trimmed bushes accented the flagstone walking paths. They were both proud of their home and their added special touches.

Samantha cleared the table and carried the dishes to the sink. Jason beamed as he admired his stunning wife. He appreciated her warmth and splendor. He knew she was a strikingly gorgeous woman. She had just turned thirty-five. Jason thought about how everyone they socialized with complimented her tall stature and flowing blonde hair. She worked hard to maintain her models’ shape and firm physique—her primary goal being physical fitness, but she certainly appreciated the additional benefits.

Samantha glanced at Jason’s sandy-colored hair, which appeared to be slightly graying at the temples. Approaching forty, he looked a few seasons out of shape, but his carriage offered a confident impression. She thought, His easygoing manner, warmth, and charm has helped him earn friendships and trust.

These traits facilitated his rise through the ranks of the newspaper business. He started as a reporter who was given the most boring stories that others didn’t want to cover. Then he attained writer and editorial status. Finally, his demeanor and patience earned him the position as the newspaper editor.

Jason did not like the overbearing restrictions placed on his reporting. His bosses forced a slant on his writing that he considered disingenuous and manipulative. However, he also understood that to survive at the newspaper, he would have to write the stories in the manner instructed. He remembered schoolteachers he’d encountered from grade school through graduate school that had had very different views than he. At no time did he disagree with their interpretations on any topic. He always wrote to the teacher and never presented an opposing position.

Now his dream had become a reality. He’d obtained financing and started his own small newspaper. He hoped to achieve the success and notoriety of Rick Trent’s Town Herald. Jason agreed with the vast majority of stories and editorials that the Town Herald published. He hoped he could obtain a level of success equivalent to that of Rick Trent. He laughed to himself as he thought, Some want to be a rock star. I want to be Rick Trent!

He now owned Jason Hansen’s Chronicle. The media circulation was increasing daily, and quite importantly, most feedback he’d received on his reporting had remained exceptionally positive. A far cry from the Town Herald, but everyone starts somewhere, he thought.

Samantha interrupted his thoughts as she asked him, Jason, after breakfast would you like coffee outside in the garden?

That sounds wonderful. First, I have to write just one or two paragraphs of an editorial that I am finishing. I’ll hurry to my home office. Then I’ll be right with you, he said.

Samantha smiled her approval of the plan as she thought about her sister and her niece and nephew.

***

Jason, you were warned to stop writing specific stories and editorials for your newspaper. You were told to stop digging into the past of the president of the United States. In addition, you were cautioned about any negative stories pertaining to Bart Carter. Unfortunately for you and for her, he glanced at Samantha, you were warned more than once. Blank spoke without the slightest hint of compassion.

You will give me your stories and editorials in process. I stress this point: you will give me the entire backups on everything. If you cooperate, you will die quickly. If you do not comply, you will die horribly, as will your wife Samantha. It’s your choice. Your fate is completely up to you, Blank explained.

After Jonathan Blank killed Jason Hansen, he turned his attention to Samantha. He explained, I have complete discretion with you.

Samantha started whimpering as Blank studied her body. She knew that her final moments would be horrible. She had never looked into eyes so devoid of any empathy or humanity.

As Blank admired the destruction from a distance, he started mentally planning his next assignment: his skill required in small-town, rural America.

The local newspaper reported the gas explosion in the home that killed Jason and Samantha Hansen. The story was very matter of fact and did not contain the slightest hint of irregularities or foul play.

Chapter 1

Tuesday

Dan Icor wheeled his red Jaguar F-Type convertible into the bank parking lot. He let the headlights sweep away the predawn darkness as he scanned the area for any figures or unusual objects, as was the protocol each time he arrived. He often arrived early, frequently even before the bank guard. Dan gunned the auto and turned the steering wheel, which caused a controlled skid. When the skidding stopped, the Jaguar rested perfectly between the lines of Dan’s normal parking space.

He felt the cool morning breeze against his face as he departed his vehicle and then bounded up the bank steps. Dan had woken up feeling fine and looked forward to a normal workday.

After greeting the bank security guard at the entrance, he prepared a single cup of dark-roast coffee before heading for his office. He switched the lights on, activated his computer, and settled into his overstuffed leather desk chair. He grabbed his computer tablet and prepared to relax while perusing the morning headlines. Dan started his day with the current headlines and looked at the business and economic news, determining if any of the latest business or financial issues affected the bank.

Dan especially enjoyed reading the headlines and stories from Rick Trent’s Town Herald. He touched the icon for the paper’s app, and that was when everything changed.

The Town Herald’s headline read, Owner of Mary’s Restaurant Victim of Bushwhack Media! The next line, in slightly smaller print, stated, In another example of irresponsible reporting, an innocent business owner is put at risk.

While Dan read the