The Timing of Revenge

By J. L. Bircher

If you have already read J L Birchers first two books in her series, Strategy Murders and A Radical Sacrifice, you are not only ready for but have been waiting anxiously for book three entitled The Timing of Revenge to hit the sales market.
A Radical Sacrifice ended with a serial killer earning the trust of Josh and Mindy Nicholson. Topping this phenomenon is that the serial killer has his case dismissed at the end of his initial hearing. Why? Because he was given to the Ku Klux Klan at his birth to be raised in their ways via brainwashing techniques.
Ask yourself who would not want this killer to go free and read The Timing of Revenge to find out if you
are right!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 14, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503594319

J. L. Bircher

"A Radical Sacrifice" is being published on the heels of "Strategy Murders" simply because Jean enjoys writing and being creative. Since her husband retired, he has become an avid golfer which gives Jean private time to concentrate on making her characters come alive for her readers. The time she spends with her husband when at home involves watching movies while sharing a "large" bowl of popcorn. They also enjoy camping, but leave their two dogs and two cats at home in the care of a "sitter". Evenings spent in front of a wood fire provides the time for Jean and her husband to share and communicate as they believe this is what keeps their marriage healthy and loving. Currently they are planning an eighteen-day cruise in October that will include spending time enjoying the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands. Much of the time will be spent on the ocean and Jean hopes to begin her next book in the series she has created.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Josh and Mindy Nicholson arrived at the airport at 11:00 the next morning in Kansas City, Missouri. Josh had reserved a Honeymoon Suite at the Chateau Avalon. He had also hired a limo and driver that would be at their disposal from the time they arrived at the airport until they were to be taken back to the airport in two weeks for the trip home. The limo ride from the airport could have been a scene from a movie. Josh had instructed the driver to take two hours in driving time before he took them to the Chateau. As the driver pressed a button, a soundproof panel the length of the seatback in front of them surged upward and stopped when it touched the top. The windows were darkly tinted to almost black so no one could see in, and a mini-bar miraculously appeared from the back of the seat in front of them when Josh pressed the button labeled bar.

The champagne was chilled to perfection. He uncorked the bottle and poured them each a glass. As he handed Mindy her glass he said, Mindy Nicholson, you know I have never been one for fancy words so this comes straight from my heart. You have made me the happiest man on the face of this earth. I will cherish you every day and do my best not to take you for granted. The dangers that we have faced together the past couple of months have bonded us in a way that other married couples will never share, well, except for Brice and Kendi and Hunter and Melody, he said sheepishly. I love you! Thank you for becoming my wife, he said as he leaned to her and kissed her.

Mindy was touched by Josh’s tender words. As the beautiful kiss ended, she answered, Josh Nicholson, you are the very breath I take. You are my knight in shining armor, saving me from one dangerous situation to another. I love you, and thank you for loving me, my wonderful husband. For the next hour they made love in the limo. The driver buzzed the intercom and told Josh they were about twenty minutes from the Chateau. They dressed and Mindy freshened her makeup. Looking in the mirror, she saw it was obvious that she had just been made love to and her face turned red with embarrassment.

As Steve, the Secret Service Agent Josh had hired, pulled the limo up at the front of the Chateau Avalon, Mindy stared at the French design and the perfectly manicured gardens. The front was made with bricks surrounded by a light lavender and delicately pimpled concrete. The entry door was nestled between what appeared to be the fronts of two homes with pointed roofs. The circular drive was nice, but there was no canopy from the circle to the door. From the car, up the few steps, and to the door, it was all open to the weather and the patrons would get wet if it were raining. She said as much to Josh and he just smiled.

Steve got out and came around to open the door for them. Before they could depart the limo, two men dressed in uniforms came down the steps, each opening a huge umbrella. Mindy and Josh were escorted up the steps and inside protected from whatever the weather might be at any given moment. She looked at Josh sideways with a smile and asked, You knew, didn’t you? He just smiled that smile that melted her insides and made her knees weak.

Once inside, they stared and the divided stairway leading to each side of the Chateau. There had to be at least twenty stairs to climb, not including the ten in the middle! They looked at each other and headed for the elevator. Steve took care of their luggage. Josh didn’t want anyone touching their personal belongings that had not passed a criminal background check. He had been impressed with Steve and was thankful that he could be trusted.

The Chateau’s concierge, Armand, had also agreed to a background check. Armand was pleased to have passed the American’s testing and had pledged his undying loyalty. His first task was to go to go to a prominent jewelry location and purchase a dainty diamond necklace with matching earrings and bracelet. The card was to read, Your beauty will out-sparkle these diamonds, but they will go great with that light green and tan dress you wore after the wedding. Your Loving Husband, Josh. Armand placed a green bow around the black case that held the jewelry, secured the card, and locked them inside the suite’s hidden safe. Agent Nicholson had been very detailed with the instructions and generous with the gratuity.

Armand was always one to notice unusual things and to see a black man near the Chateau Avalon was highly unusual. He had been out shopping for some decorations for the Chateau and gone into Pier One Imports to find a vase of a certain color and design. It was a large facility, but Armand saw him on the other side looking at a small antique vase. Armand’s eyesight was 20/20 and he moved himself into a position to see that the black man was dressed in a tailored suit with shoes that looked to be made of leather. He didn’t care how much money the black man appeared to have, this area was not accustomed to his personage venturing into an area that only whites frequented. Armand told the desk clerk that he had forgotten his wallet and would be right back. There was a Mercedes parked out front and, on a guess, he took down the license plate number. He went back into the store making sure he was seen with his wallet in his hand. The black man saw Armand watching him and left the store without making a purchase. Armand went to the window and watched as the black man got into the Mercedes and drove off.

Upon his return to the Chateau, Armand saw Josh’s limo driver in the garage wiping down the limo. Josh had shared a little bit about Steve with him and he knew that Steve was more than just a driver. Armand approached Steve and introduced himself. Sir, my name is Armand and I am the concierge of the Chateau Avalon. I am aware of your status with the Nicholson’s and have come to you with an observation. Steve put down the waxing cloth to give Armand his full attention. Yes, Armand, thank you and my name is Steve, but I suspect you already knew that? Armand smiled and nodded saying, Yes, and I also know that you are held in high esteem by the Nicholson’s. Your background, I believe, includes one who is on loan from the Secret Service?

Steve was surprised that Armand knew this information and was a little unnerved by it. He asked, How did you know about me, Armand? Armand smiled and said, Josh mentioned to me that there had been some dangerous situations for them during the past couple of months and he wanted me to share with you anything I believed to be pertinent. You should also know that I carry a weapon in case you should need backup. I am well trained so your back will be safe. Steve would check with Josh, but Armand seemed to be trustworthy.

May I call you Steve? Steve nodded and Armand continued. Steve, I saw a black man in Pier One Imports earlier. It is unusual for one of his, uh, color, to be in this area. I thought it was pertinent to mention this to you. Let me know if there is anything you need. Steve asked, Did you happen to get the license plate number of the truck he was driving? He handed Steve a piece of paper, told him it was on a Mercedes, and went inside. Steve called Josh and it went straight to voicemail. He went out onto the grounds on the pretext of jogging and surveyed the entire property. There wasn’t a black truck, a Mercedes, nor was there a black man on the Chateau’s property. Steve would wait awhile to approach Josh.

*    *    *

Mindy could not believe the luxury of the suite they were to enjoy for the next two weeks. She looked at Josh and asked him, Are you used to this kind of thing? He laughed and said, No, this is the first time in my life I have ever done anything like this or spent money like it was water. I have always respected money and have never felt the need to spend it, until now. I want to spoil you rotten, Mrs. Nicholson! He picked her up and swung her in a circle as she squealed for him to put her down. He put her down, but so slowly that he let their bodies touch completely as she slid down him. Their kiss was even more wonderful than all of the others had been.

Mindy whirled away from him, making the teasing last longer. The sitting area was plush with a wood burning fireplace and a bearskin rug. She walked over to the thermostat and turned the air-conditioning as low as it would go. Josh asked incredulously, What are you doing, Mindy!? She laughed and told him she wanted to have fire in the fireplace later and sleep naked on the bearskin rug! Josh started laughing and realized there would never be a dull moment with this woman he now called his wife around!

After two hours of Josh’s complete attention and both being satisfied completely during the limo ride, Mindy was starving! Having first class seats on the airplane had provided a very nice fruit plate with cheese and wine, but that was several hours ago. She asked Josh, Honey, I am very hungry. What did you have in mind for lunch and dinner? He replied, We can have a light lunch from room service if you wish. Dinner reservations are for 8:30 at an elegant steakhouse not far from here. As she was ordering room service, Josh went to the safe and found exactly what he had hoped to find. He took it to the suite’s sitting area while Mindy had her back turned away from him and hid it under the couch cushion.

She hung up the phone and turned around to see Josh just standing there looking at her. She smiled and asked the question all men hate to be asked, What are you thinking?

I was wondering what you planned to wear for dinner tonight? he answered. She said she hadn’t really thought that far ahead so he asked her if she would wear that dress she wore after she had changed from her wedding dress. She smiled and told him it was her favorite and she would love to wear it for him. He reached under the couch cushion and pulled out the velvet black jewelry box with the green bow and said, I would like you to wear what is in this box with that dress, please. He handed her the box and she read the card.

Nervously, she took off the bow and opened the box. Josh was amazed at Armand’s excellent taste. The jewelry was perfect! He watched her and was pleased that she liked them. Oh, Josh! They are breathtaking! I have to try them on! She kissed him on the cheek before she flew into the bedroom and came out soon after wearing them, her eyes bright with tears. They did look beautiful on her tiny frame, not overpowering, but delicate, just as he had requested. She went to him and put her arms around him, thanking him for such a thoughtful gift. All of sudden, she began to laugh, Now, I know you didn’t pick out these lovely pieces even though your instructions were followed to the letter. Armand, right? He nodded and said, I am new to this and I wanted them to be perfect for you. She hugged him and said that she had never owned anything so lovely. A knock on the door announced their late lunch had arrived and they shared a delicious meal with a comradery that most married couples spend years to acquire.

CHAPTER 2

Mindy had fallen asleep after lunch so Josh left her a note that he was going for a walk. He was walking by the pool and Steve saw him. Steve thought it would be a good time to discuss the black man now since Mindy wasn’t with him. He called to Josh from the garage and asked for a word. Josh was a bit nervous because he had asked Steve to pretend that he was just their driver unless something came up. What is it, Steve? Josh asked.

Josh, Steve began, "there may be a situation that needs attention. Yesterday, it appeared that we were being followed from the airport by someone in a