Grave Danger

By Juanita D. Houston

Be a chaperone they said.
It'll be fun they said.
They lied.
Someone died.
When Gwen agreed to accompany her son's History class to Elmwood, the city's largest Active Historical cemetery, She never dreamed that her day would end with getting stuck with a know it all parent, finding a dead body, above the ground or becoming a hostage to a killer.
Can Gwen save her son and his friend? Can she stop the bad guy from escaping the forty acres of burial grounds before her detective husband can get there to save them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Juanita D. Houston
• Release date: Dec 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393950127

Book preview

One

Todd paced and ran his hands through his unruly hair. There was no one to hear them out here, in the middle of the city’s oldest cemetery and very few visitors at that hour.

I want out. I can’t do this. Todd told the other man as they stood up on the hill near the columns. Todd realized his mistake and knew he had to fix it.

You came to me. Not the other way around. I gave you what you wanted. The huge man growled at him. He clenched his fists in anger. I’m not running a charity boy. This is a business, and you owe me ten grand.

I don’t have that kind of money. Todd challenged; eyes wide. I don’t make that kind of money. What had he gotten himself into?

You’d better figure something out right quick boy, he pushed the younger man’s shoulder. I told you up front how much this was going to cost you.

Nah, you said five thousand, not ten. I’d have remembered if you’d said ten. The younger man paced between the markers. I need out. He stopped when his phone buzzed. I’ve got to answer this, he glanced at the man, otherwise she’ll call the cops.

Fine answer it but don’t tell her anything. He folded his arms and stared at the kid.

Hey babe, what’s up?

Where are you? she asked.

The school, he lied. where are you?

The cemetery where we agreed to meet before the field trip, remember? The panic made her voice an octave higher than normal.

I’m sorry, had to talk to a student’s parents. Todd closed his eyes, I forgot.

Then why is your car in the parking lot of the cemetery? she accused. I know you’re here somewhere, if you don’t want to talk to me fine, but don’t lie to me.

He glanced at the big man a couple of feet away, I have to take care of something, and I’ll tell you tonight, okay? He whispered.

Okay, but you have to tell me everything, agreed?

Agreed, I gotta go. I love you. he pushed the end button and pocketed the phone.

How sweet, the man sneered and grabbed the kid, now back to business. I want my money.

I told you I don’t have that kind of cash.

The man jerked him around to face him. Why did you get into this if you didn’t have the money? the bald man demanded as he glanced around. He didn’t want any witnesses.

We needed the best team, or I would lose my job.

You shoulda thought about that before you called me for more.

I called you for more time, not drugs. You insisted on meeting here, not me. This was a mistake! panic sent in and Todd took off towards the street, winding his way through the head stones. He had to get out of there before anyone showed up for tours.

Hey kid, where do you think you’re going? The bald man caught up to the younger man and snatched the back of the Todd’s jacket to stop his flight. Should have thought about that before you went looking for steroids. The man jerked Todd around and got in his face. You ain’t going anywhere ‘til I get paid. He snarled.

I’m telling you I don’t want to do this anymore, and I’m not paying you anything. Todd jerked out of the man’s grasp, but not before the man’s fist connected with his jaw. The younger man stumbled back for a moment but then charged back in again. I want out of this arrangement. The bald man grunted as the kid took them to the ground and jabbed at the burly man’s gut.

There’s no getting out until I get my money. The dealer said taking a punch to the ribs with a groan, before shoving the kid backwards off of him.

Todd stumbled to his feet and got a jab in to the larger man’s chin before taking one to the jaw.

I’ve had enough of you! the dealer growled, jerking a gun out of the waistband of his jeans.

Whoa man, are you seriously gonna shoot me? he held up his hands.

"I don’t want to, but you owe me. Here’s what’s going to happen, we’re going to