Unexpected: A Novel

By Gene Ligotti

Once again, Gene Ligotti has taken ordinary people and placed them in extraordinary circumstances. This exciting suspense thriller continues in Ligotti’s special genre of presenting exceptional and unusual suspense thrillers. Picture this if you will . . . a husband and wife plan a vacation in Europe. They are a typical American couple who could be you and your spouse or anyone of your neighbors. Kathleen and Vincent Matteo saved and scrimped for a long time and truly looked forward to seeing the European countries and all they offered. What happened to them was totally unexpected. Landing at Heathrow Airport in London, Vincent has an odd confrontation that troubles him, but he puts it out of his mind. He hopes the incident is behind him. But three days later, when in Paris, Kathleen disappears. Vince spends the next couple of days in a frantic search for his wife, but he only finds out that she has been captured by terrorists, and for the most unusual reason. Working with agents of the CIA and Mossad, Vince, putting his life in danger while masquerading as the ISIS leader he looks like, travels through several countries visiting terrorist training camps and ISIS meetings in search of Kathleen. In turn, Kathleen, realizing her predicament, attempts to escape many times. You will sympathize with Vincent, our unlikely hero, as he is forced into clandestine activities he knows nothing about and is frustrated time and time again. The final exciting conflict with the actual leader is spell-binding. Can Vince prove he is the true leader and save his wife when confronted by the real leader? With his mind as his only true weapon, can he outwit those looking to defeat him? Gene Ligotti has created exceptional characters, and the character building of a young Arab girl is amazing. Once again, Ligotti has created a true page turner—a book you will not be able to put down.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 20, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543449976

Gene Ligotti

Gene Ligotti was educated at Adelphi University on Long Island and received his doctorate from New York University. After coming down with Rheumatoid Arthritis, he had to give up his successful thirty year practice of dentistry in Huntington, New York. After he retired, Ligotti began writing as just something to do, but it soon became a driving force. He is an American Revolutionary history buff, has given lectures about the impact the Revolution had on Long Island and he has written three novels of interesting characters of the American Revolution. Ligotti is also the author of the much acclaimed, Time Never Heals; the biography of the first battalion surgeon in Vietnam. He soon began writing suspense thrillers which has become his special passion. Each suspense thriller has a love story as a sub-plot, but Twisted Deception, the sequel to the much applauded, Incredible Deception, continues as a love story with the suspense thriller element as the sub-plot. As a freelance writer he wrote a monthly column for the Guide Magazine about the history of villages in the Catskill Mountains and of the romantic Hudson River. His widely praised articles on dentistry have been printed in various Dental Journals. Gene Ligotti lives in Smithtown, New York with his wife Corbina, where they can be near their family, Gina, Lisa, Nick, and their grandchildren: grandson, Gino and twin granddaughters, Gabrielle and Juliette.

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 by Gene Ligotti.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 10/27/2023

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

765716

CONTENTS

50525.png

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Prologue

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

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty Two

Chapter Twenty Three

Chapter Twenty Four

Chapter Twenty Five

Epilogue

DAGGER.jpg

DEDICATION

50394.png

N o man is complete, especially me, without his family. My family has granted me the time and given me the encouragement to write. I have been blessed with two daughters, a grandson and twin granddaughters who mean the world to me. So with great pride I dedicate this, my thirteenth novel, to my family: Gina, Lisa, Nick, and my grandchildren Gino, Gabrielle and Juliette. All are special; they mean the world to me and will always have my love. Also, this could not have been accomplished without my wife, Corbina, who is the basis of my strength and love. Corby is my biggest fan and greatest critic and so she shares this dedication.

DAGGER.jpg

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

50394.png

A s any writer knows, he or she may be many things to many people, but no one is completely knowledgeably in all fields. Therefore a writer must rely on those who do have such expertise in those special fields. The internet has answered many questions for me, but there are times when you must go to those who have gained the knowledge you need by living it. In one such case, I am grateful for the proficiency of Captain Joseph Cordaro for his assistance with aviation in general and the Cessna plane in particular. Joe, who happens to be my brother-in-law, is a retired Captain who flew executives of the General Electric Corporation all over the world. His more than capable knowledge is primarily in large jets, but he reached back into his memory to assist me with information regarding the small plane I used in this novel. I am grateful for his assistance and his friendship.

Writing is rewriting and any author will tell you that the same typo can be reread over and over without notice by the writer. Fortunately, my wife has become quite an excellent copyeditor and has patiently read and reread my novels finding the hidden flaws and made suggestions for their correction. Her patience with me and my writing endeavors is appreciated and has made my novels free of unwanted typos, misspellings and improper grammar usage. Her pertinent advice and encouragement have been paramount to any success I have had with my novels.

But, that said … any mistakes in writing or factual content … are all mine.

Beyond this vale of tears

               There is a life above,

Unmeasured by the flight of years;

               And all that life is love.

…. James Montgomery

DAGGER.jpg

PROLOGUE

50394.png

H e had always considered himself a simple man … an ordinary man. True, he had received some acclaim in the Academic world, but there was nothing that would set him apart as a special person … a celebrity … an extraordinary man. The Academic world considered him to be a language genius as well as a clever and brilliant man of letters. He had always known that he would never pitch and win the final game in the World Series, his country would never name a battleship after him, he would never save the world from alien invasion and he would never allow a thought that he could ever be president of the United States, let alone the president of the small northeastern college where he taught. Yet, he was quite comfortable with his lot in life.

Yes, he was a simple man and he reveled in it. As a professor at the college, his life was uncomplicated and unpretentious, but that never stopped him from dreaming about having some excitement in his life. Still, he was a happy man. He made enough money to save a little after paying all his bills, had a beautiful loving wife and two grown children. He had many friends and all would tell you that he was kind and considerate, warm, friendly and honest to a fault; a true gentleman. He knew he was all he would ever be, but his life was about to change and because of that change he would never dream of wanting excitement in his life ... ever again.

It was supposed to be a glorious vacation … three weeks in Europe ... a vacation long overdue. True, Vincent and Kathleen Matteo had taken weekends here and there and once, seven years ago along with friends, they had taken their children to Disney World for a week, but that was all for the kids. Now they were taking a vacation … just for themselves. They had planned very well … for all but the unexpected.

Although everything is relative, they were still quite young, Vince was just forty-four and Kathleen a mere thirty-nine, but both were healthy, strong, fit and ready to see the beauty of the European world. They never knew that it would be anything but a glorious stress-free three weeks of exciting fun as they traveled from London to Paris to Rome and Vienna with stops and excursions in between. They had planned an exhilarating itinerary and never knew that forces unknown to them, and completely out of their control, would soon change all that. As said, they planned for a three-week stay, but that would soon be forgotten as the vacation had an extension into the realm of the unknown, filled with fear, anxiety and the terrible feeling that he had no ability and no knowledge of how to correct what was happening. He would be like a fish out of water, floundering in his efforts to reverse all that had transpired. Vince had always been an unassuming man and had no extraordinary ability. He was of average size and strength, but had never engaged in sports with any success, nor had he ever been a member of the armed services. He was not physical in any way. The only thing about him that was exceptional was his brain and his keen razor sharp intellect, but he never was forced to use it in any but the most mundane ways. Perceptive in many ways, Vince had a clinical and critical eye and a fantastically astute memory.

Not once did Vince realize that all he held dear could be ripped from him and destroyed. At no time did it occur to him that he could be thrust into a situation where he was at a loss as what to do and how to do it; to be unfamiliar in the strange life he was forced into. He had to use all his intellect and strength of character as never before and come to grips with the fact that he would probably fail. He never knew if he and his wife would live to return to their home and family.

Nevertheless, they entered their vacation plans with all the hope and promise that the time would be well spent and enjoyed. Shortly into the first days of their vacation, uneasiness settled into Vince’s being and within days it exploded into an unbelievable quest to find and restore his life as he once knew it.

They looked forward to seeing the sights … as much as they could jam into the time allotted for their vacation. They anticipated seeing St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Cathedrals in London, the pomp and ceremony of the English castles and enjoy the British theater and fine dining afterward. In Paris: the Louvre, the Paris Opera, Notre Dame, Versailles, shopping, Monmartre and the Paris night life on the Left Bank. In Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica, the Spanish Steps, the Coliseum, and so much more. But, only a few days into their vacation things changed and they found trepidation, terror, mystery, clandestine affairs and outright fear. It was all ... completely and totally … unexpected.

Men are like wine, some turn to vinegar,

               but the best improve with age.

….Pope John 23rd.

A soul is only set free when it

               becomes constrained by the bonds of love

….. Steven James

DAGGER.jpg

CHAPTER ONE

50394.png

K athleen Matteo couldn’t sleep. She tossed and turned and finally woke up wholly annoyed that sleep had eluded her. She rubbed her eyes and reached out for her husband, Vincent, but his side of the bed was empty. Now alarmed, fully awake and alert, she sat up and saw him standing silently looking through the window out into the night.

Vince … is everything alright. Are you okay? Kathleen exclaimed in a soft voice.

Nick turned and smiled at his wife. Yeah, I’m fine, darling… everything is fine. I just couldn’t sleep and I thought my tossing around would wake you, but I see you’re awake as well.

Yes, I couldn’t sleep either. Come back to bed and we’ll talk until we fall asleep again.

Vince climbed back into the bed and Kathleen snuggled up against her husband. He pulled her close and kissed her cheek as Kathleen drew up the covers to ward off the slight chill in their bedroom. They talked about their schedule for tomorrow and things that Vince wanted to do around the house on the weekend. Kathleen wanted to bring up, once again, plans she had made for a possible vacation, but Vince had been so adamant against the idea, she decided not to mention it. She now understood what was keeping her tossing and turning instead of sleeping soundly. After a short time, she slowly, reluctant to leave the warmth of the bed, got up and went into their bathroom.

One of the benefits of their modest home on Olive Street in Steeple Hill, Massachusetts, was that the master bathroom was within their bedroom. From where he was on the bed Vince could see into the darkened bathroom through the door Kathleen had left open. There was sufficient ambient light from a street lamp coming through the plantation blinds to cast a ghostly image of a bookcase on the opposite wall. Vince’s brilliant, always active, mind had begun to count and memorize the pale ethereal books lying horizontally and haphazardly on that bookcase when the shadow of his returning wife canceled that order in his brain.

Moments later, she returned and slipped under the covers next to him. Her smile was engaging and warmth spread over him as her arms once again encircled him. They shared a unique glance, understood, unspoken and valued by lovers since the beginning of time.

Tell me Vince … are you happy?

Mmmmm … very, said Vince. "How about you? You happy?

Extremely so, answered Kathleen.

I hear a ‘but’ in there. Am I right?

Kathleen hesitated for a moment before speaking. I know it’s not the best time to bring this up, but okay … the ‘but’ is … I’ll be a lot happier … if, she added quickly, you agree to the vacation I’ve planned.

Oh, that again, my love? Now? Really? Couldn’t we talk about it tomorrow, or even next week? We’ve been on and off this discussion for about a month, said Vince with a touch of annoyance in his voice.

No, Sweetheart. We can’t put it off any longer. We’ve been putting it off for weeks now. It will be a perfect time for us. I’m able to get considerable time off from my job and the college is closing for the summer so you’re free from your teaching obligations, as well. Our kids are old enough and mature enough to take care of themselves and it’s only for two weeks. We can’t put it off any longer, so really, we can’t talk tomorrow or next week. We must make travel and hotel reservations and they can’t be done at the last minute. That’s why I’ve been pushing so much. So, if we’re going to do it, we must make plans now. Please, Vince, Honey? Can we talk about it … please?

Vince leaned over and kissed her quickly to diffuse her unease and said, Okay, okay, I give up. There’s nothing to talk about. Let’s do it! I’ve been obstinate and far too stubborn long enough. That’s probably why I couldn’t fall asleep. I know you want the vacation and I’ve been putting you off. I’m sorry.

Kathleen stared at her husband for a moment and then a smile spread on her lovely face.

You said ‘okay’ so quickly. Vince, are you sure? You’re not just saying that to put me off? You’re not going to change your mind, are you?

No. No, I won’t change my mind. We’ve been at this for weeks. Yes, I’m quite sure. It’s what you want … and you’ve convinced me that we can afford it … and, as you say, we have the time … so okay … Kath, why not. Let’s do it! It should be fun and besides … it’s what you want and I do want to make you happy. You know that.

I’m sure you will enjoy it and I want to make you happy too, said Kathleen, suppressing a giggle of delight.

It’s just that we’ve never taken more than a day or two for a mini vacation. You know me … I don’t like change and this will be a major change. You know how I feel about … strange places and … people I don’t know. It’s unsettling.

It’s all planned out for us. We’ll have guidelines throughout the trip telling us where to go and how to get there. And of course, we’ll have no trouble with any language in any country with you as an expert.

I suppose.

Okay, okay. This is good. Give me a moment and I’ll get the itinerary I’ve planned.

Kathleen flipped on the light on her end table adding brightness to the room that had only previously been dimly lighted by the diffuse light from a night light on the far side of the room. Vince gazed around the room which was not large but adequate and very comfortable. He was amazed that his wife had put so much love into decorating each and every room. She had created a perfect home for their family. Numerous family photos, especially of his son and daughter, were on the dresser and both end tables, in fact, they could be seen all over the house. Many would say that this is merely clutter, but to Vincent, they were wonderful beautiful memories.

Vince and Kathleen were well suited to and for each other. Their attachment to each other, although never tested, was as strong as steel bindings. Inseparable, their connection defied description and was so deep as soulmates that it sometimes took their breath away. They understood that they were made for each other by no other than the hand of God.

Vince glanced out the window. It was still quite early in the morning and he saw the pewter-gray light of pre-dawn advancing in the eastern sky of this early April morning.

Kathleen reached over and pulled a thick loose-leaf binder from a drawer in her nightstand. She set it on her lap and turned to Vince.

Now … before you balk again, I want you to know that we have all the money we need for the stay I’ve planned. I have not splurged on five-star hotels, but we can easily afford three and four-star accommodations and I’ve planned so much activity during the day, we’ll only be in our hotel rooms to sleep.

Yes, to sleep and for other more pleasurable things we can do, ventured Vince as he slid his hand under the covers and caressed her thigh.

Of course, but try to concentrate on these plans I’ve made, said Kathleen as an exciting warmth caused by his caress began to spread, so she moved closer to him trapping his hand from further movement.

We’ll fly from here to London; spend three or four days there. There’s so much to do and see: the Parliament building, Big Ben, the River Themes, Buckingham Palace … oh and the afternoon teas, the fabulous nightlife, the theater, dining out … so much to see and do. Then … we go on to Paris. Just think of it … we’ll be in … Paris, said Kathleen as she closed her eyes and sighed. I really want to make love in Paris.

To me?

Of course to you, Silly.

Kath again closed her eyes and seemed to drink in the feeling and then continued, I think it would be nice to get there via the Chunnel. And there’s where the fun starts. We will purchase a Eurail Train Pass and travel through all of Europe on trains. It will be a lot easier than renting cars and driving in strange countries … which, knowing you, I’m sure you would hate … or going to airports and using up our precious time waiting for planes and all the time that is, and can be, wasted in airports. Using the Eurail Pass, we’ll get to our destinations quicker and be able to spend more time at the locations we’ve chosen. From Paris, we go to Geneva, Zürich, Lucerne, then down to Rome and Florence, on to Venice and all the sights along the way. Perhaps even going into Austria to visit Salzburg and Vienna.

All that in two weeks? That seems a bit rushed. There’s just so much we can do within the measure of a day. After a couple of days, it’ll all blend together and we wouldn’t know where we are. Perhaps it’s too much and maybe we should cut it down a bit. After two weeks of rushing everywhere, I’ll be a blubbering idiot.

With that fabulous brain of yours, you could never be an idiot of any kind, but you’re right about rushing around through several major cities in just two weeks. I’m glad you brought that up. I’ve thought of that, too … so … now don’t be upset, but I was thinking … hear me out … we really should make it three weeks.

Three weeks? Geez, Kath … can we afford that?

Yes, we can. I figured it all out and when you consider that two days are lost getting to Europe and back, so with just two weeks that leaves only twelve days and to see all we want to see … well, we should plan on three weeks. Let’s face it, my love; we probably won’t take another vacation in Europe ever again ... so let’s do it right. It won’t cost that much more and we do have the money since you know I’ve been saving for years.

Vince closed his eyes and sighed. Opening his eyes, he smiled at his wife and said. I won’t say no. I can see you have your heart set on this. When would we be leaving? But please remember, I do have summer classes to teach starting in July.

Well, your regular classes end in May so I thought early June would be a good time to leave and we’ll be back in plenty of time for your summer schedule.

That sounds good. Okay, let’s do it, let’s go for three weeks. Wow, I don’t believe I just said that.

Wonderful. You won’t have to do a thing; I’ll take care of everything.

We have to tell the kids and set rules for them while we’re gone, said Vince.

Oh, they’re already on board with the whole three-week idea and they’re all for it.

A flicker of startled surprise spread across his face.

Really? So, I’ve categorically been kept in the dark about this … including the three-week idea I thought we just decided on. My whole family was conspiring to get me to agree to a long three-week vacation in Europe, said Vince as he faked pouting and becoming agitated and angry.

But … you’re okay with this … right? remarked Kathleen with concern on her pretty face. Her emerald green eyes flashed alarm as she brushed her vibrant copper red hair from off her face.

Vince turned to her and smiling he said, Yeah, yeah, just kidding, I’m okay with this, but you’ll need a little tickling as punishment for keeping me in the dark.

Don’t you dare, said Kathleen as she tried to scramble quickly to get out of their bed. She swung her long legs over the side of the bed, but Vince pulled her back and began to tickle her unmercifully. Kathleen began to giggle as she squirmed around under him and Vince soon stopped his tickling rampage and gazed into her animated emerald eyes before kissing her passionately. He covered her mouth with his own and within moments they were entranced in their love.

*

That very same morning, Vince Matteo woke early and after showering he stood looking at himself in the full-length bathroom mirror while he combed his hair and carefully trimmed his beard. He saw a forty-four-year-old man of average height and weight and he was pleased to see that he was still fit. True, he sported a small pot belly, but he was generally in good condition even though he never went to a gym. He still had all his hair and it was thick, rich and black matching his dark eyes which were full of expression and spoke of his vivid intelligence. Although now actually middle aged, not one gray hair had crept into his temples or his beard. That beard was full, meticulously groomed, trimmed, close-cropped and black against his olive Mediterranean skin. Vince prided himself as being an American citizen of Sicilian heritage, half Italian and half Greek.

Vince is a college professor in a small college in the Northeast where he taught languages. The college, Fairmount, is in the college town of Steeple Hill, near Boston in Massachusetts. Vince is loved by his students and he teaches a full schedule of classes. He speaks and is fully literate and fluent in several languages including Italian, Greek, French, Spanish and Arabic and, of course, English. He has a natural affinity towards language and can quickly understand and pick up dialects of any language he comes in contact with.

Although his features are pleasant, there is no way that he would be considered movie-star handsome, but he has a rugged honesty about his strong features that people instantly trust. His bright smile will warm any disbeliever. Vince had the face of a man you might pass on the street and not remember a moment later. He had the broad shoulders and a determined dynamic stride in his walk, but he was a gentle man and his interests were not self-centered. Family, friends and the academic world were his only interests. He was by nature a careful man who, planned well, never took unnecessary chances or risks and would not gamble even on a sure thing. Reckless was a word that would never be used to describe him and to say he was clever would be an understatement.

Kathleen joined him in the bathroom and quickly, after putting her bronze curls under a shower cap gave Vince a quick kiss and went into the shower as Vince’s eyes followed the movements of his wife. He admired the fact that Kathleen’s figure had never lost the ripeness of youth, but matured into such an exquisite beauty ... her delicate facial bone structure, radiant green eyes, flaming gold-red hair … she was truly a stunning sight to behold; especially with her entrancing smile.

Kathleen was a true Irish lass … a Colleen. Her red hair and flashing emerald green eyes verified that fact and she still had a slight smattering of pale gold freckles that roamed across the bridge of her nose; a far cry from the face full of freckles she had as a child. She was about five foot six inches tall and she was proud of her firm trim body. She had once studied dance and had the long legs and firm lithe body of a ballerina. Her smile was always warm and as bright as her vibrant hair.

Vince watched his slender wife as she showered and wondered, How could someone so exquisitely perfect love me?

What are you plans for today, asked Vince as he continued to trim his beard.

Well, I work this morning at the card shop, but I’ve got the afternoon off so I plan to go to the travel agency and finalized our plans. You’re still okay with our vacation plans? said Kathleen over the sound of the shower.

Yeah, I’m fine with all of it. I wouldn’t go back on my word to you. You know that.

My hero!

Oh, please Kath, don’t call me that. I’m no hero. You know Kath, from when I first met you, you have been like a ray of light that has brightened my life, sometimes so bright it startles me. I feel gifted by God that you are my wife, but a hero? Me? I know you enjoy those suspense thrillers you’re always reading and the men in those stories … they’re heroes. Me? I’m a stuffy old college professor.

Don’t you dare say that. You’re neither stuffy nor old. Vincent Matteo, you are my hero … so there and you’re my bright ray of sunshine. So please, don’t ever put yourself down. Okay? Now, to change the subject … you’re really attuned to our going on a vacation?

Yes, I am. In fact … I’m beginning to get excited about our trip. We’re going to find out if those countries really exist, said Vince with a little laugh.

Oh, they’re there all right.

*

Twenty minutes later the family was seated in the kitchen around the breakfast table. The morning was bright and brilliant sunlight shone through the kitchen windows. The kitchen was not large but adequate for a family of four. The cabinets were original as were the appliances and they were well cared for and sparkling clean. The small cozy breakfast nook held a Maplewood table and four captain’s chairs and the Matteo family was seated in that area. The pleasant aroma of bacon and eggs, along with freshly brewed coffee, filled the room. The happy chatter of a loving family was present and always as welcome as the bacon and eggs.

Anthony, Vince and Kathleen’s nineteen-year-old son … called Tony by family and friends … was the first to speak. Tony was about an inch taller than his father but had the same dark hair and eyes. So far he had not opted to copy his father’s beard, much to his mother’s pleasure.

"So, what’s the answer, Dad? I know Mom was going to speak with you again last night. Is