Beyond Tales to Intrigue

By Sharon Beza

In this exciting sequel to Tales to Intrigue, the author takes you to a place beyond belief. Follow Darlene through new adventures with her beloved Conrad.
Be fascinated by Curious and his new friends. It’s truly out-of-this-world reading to delight old and new fans!
God Bless,
Sharon Beza

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jun 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9781532077678

Sharon Beza

This is Sharon Beza’s third book. known for her amazing short stories she decided to write one complete story of a fan favorite, Conrad. Working full-time as a cocktail waitress she writes during her breaks. She wants this story to take her to new heights as an author but still hopes her readers enjoy her writing. As always she wishes to thank everyone who buys her books. God bless, Sharon Beza.

Book preview

Copyright © 2019 Sharon Beza.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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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 Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-5320-7766-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-7767-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019908418

iUniverse rev. date: 06/25/2019

Contents

Dedication

Army of One

Big Ed’s Revenge

Cat Calls

I Am

Laura

Love, Mom

See to Sea

Tiger Lily

What She Sees

The Law

Silent Enemy

The Good Fight

Acknowledgments

About the Artist

Dedication

I dedicate this book with love to my sister Amy my number one fan.

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Army of One

For Lucas

As the young mother paced around the kitchen, tears rolled down her face. She held the phone out and dialed a number. Across the house in the living room, a young boy played with a bucket of his favorite toys, army men. He painstakingly posed each two-and-a-half-inch-long man in various places across the floor. He placed his favorite man high on an end table so he could look over everyone. He carried the biggest gun.

You’re the bravest, Lucas whispered to the small plastic man.

His daddy sometimes had played with the young boy and used those words. Lucas had remembered. As his mom reached the person on the other line, she started to cry loudly, and her child looked up at her from across the room.

Yes! she continued on the phone. He left just like that! No warning at all. He just up and said, ‘I’m leaving.’ Of course I tried to talk to him, but he was already packed to go. I’m sure he had it all planned out!

Her crying got even louder. I don’t know what to do! she blurted into the phone. I feel helpless and afraid! We’ve had trouble in this neighborhood lately, and I don’t feel safe here at all now that he’s gone. I’ll have to figure something out. Okay. I’ll let you know. I will, the young mother said to the voice on the phone. I love you too. Bye now.

As she hung up the phone, she sat down on a chair next to the dining table. As she was wiping at her eyes, Lucas suddenly was standing right next to her.

Oh, my baby, I’m so sorry! Were you listening to Mama? I didn’t mean to scare you if I did. The mother reached out and brought her child close to her.

In a soft child’s voice, Lucas said, Don’t worry, Mama. I know Daddy’s gone. He told me he had to go. He said to take care of you. I will, Mom. My friend is gonna help. He’s strong and tough.

The mother was livid, but she didn’t let on to her son. How dare that jerk of a husband put this all on a child. Damn him! She bit her lip as she thought of it all. She then looked tenderly into her child’s eyes.

I know you will, son. We’re together, and together we’ll be fine. I love you so much, my strong little man!

Lucas smiled back at his mom. I’m still playing with my toys. And off he went.

Weeks went by, and things stayed the same. The woman’s husband, Lucas’ father, had moved on. On one windy night, mother and son lay upstairs watching a movie. They snuggled together under the covers while Lucas munched on a bowl of popcorn.

All of a sudden, they heard a rattling noise downstairs, followed by the sound of glass breaking and then some more noises. Someone was moving around downstairs. Quickly, the startled mom got up, locked the bedroom door, and called 9-1-1. She grabbed her son and huddled in the corner terrified, waiting for the operator to answer.

When they did, she fearfully whispered into the phone, Please help us! Someone is breaking into my home. I can hear them moving around downstairs right now!

Okay, ma’am, the operator hurriedly asked. Are you upstairs in a locked room?

Yes, yes! the woman answered.

Stay in there, ma’am. The police are on their way. Stay on the line with me.

All at once, the sound of gunfire erupted. Oh my God! the woman screamed into the phone. Are the officers here already? I hear gunshots!

No, ma’am. The officers aren’t there. Does anyone else live with you? Could they be shooting?

No, no! came the panicked reply. It’s just my son and me! Oh, God! Please help us!

Calm down, ma’am. I’m told the officers are arriving. Hang in there.

Knowing there had been shots fired, the policemen approached the house with extreme caution. The front door was locked. As they went around to the back door, a broken window showed them the intruder’s point of entry. They slowly entered the house.

Guns drawn, one of the officers yelled out, Police! Come out with your hands up where we can see them!

They heard no sound at all, but as they came around the corner, a body could be seen lying on the floor. One of the officers knelt down to feel for a pulse. He shook his head no as his partner called for an ambulance and then continued to check the rest of the house. As they made their way upstairs, they continued to call out, Police!

The bedroom to the left started to slowly open. The scared woman peeked out.

Halt! Slowly come out with your hands up! an officer yelled out.

"I live here, officer. I’m the one who called