Silent Sentinel - A Mini-Thriller

By Kelli A. Wilkins

Silent Sentinel

A Mini-Thriller

 

One afternoon, Valerie visits a flea market and meets a peculiar man who tries to sell her an ancient statue of Anubis—the Egyptian god of the dead. Despite her protests, the man insists that she must have the statue. Valerie gives in and brings her new "guardian" home.

 

Later that night, Valerie awakens to discover an intruder has broken into her house. She's forced to fight for her life and relies on Anubis to save her.

 

When the police investigate, they make a shocking discovery about her attacker and his motive. Only then does Valerie realize how lucky she was— the statue was the last thing she wanted, but exactly what she needed.

 

This 4,100-word thriller is a quick lunchtime read or after-work escape.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kelli A. Wilkins
• Release date: Oct 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201083380

Kelli A. Wilkins

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 19 romance novels, and 5 non-fiction books. Her romances span many genres and heat levels, and she’s also been known to scare readers with her horror stories. Kelli’s Gothic historical romance, Redemption from a Dark Past was released in June 2018. Her writing book, You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction is a fun and informative guide filled with writing exercises and helpful tips all authors can use. Look for more romances, horror stories, and an online writing class coming later in 2018. Kelli posts on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor. Visit her website www.KelliWilkins.com and blog http://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/ to learn more about all of her writings.

Book preview

- 1 -

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Greetings! How are you, my dear? What can I interest you in today?

The man’s cheerful voice broke Valerie from her thoughts and she turned. A seventy-something-year-old man stood behind a long table displaying all kinds of... stuff.

She scanned his display: sugar bowls and creamers, a collection of blue Depression glass, cake plates, mixing bowls, vases, a box of comic books... Most of it was similar to the other items she had seen for sale at the flea market. After a while, they all sort of blended together.

Sorry, I don’t really need anything, she said as she started to move off. I’m supposed to meet my friend here today and—

She cancelled on you, right?

Valerie scowled. How did he know that?

She had been looking forward to strolling around the flea market with Denise, then catching up over a late lunch. She wanted to get Denise’s opinion on the settlement offer Ron’s lawyer sent her last week. She was torn between giving in and getting the divorce over with, or sticking to her guns and insisting she get her fair share. But Denise had an asthma attack early this morning and canceled their plans.

The flea market closes in an hour. You still have plenty of time to browse, the old man said.

She took a closer look at him. He stood at least six-foot-three, had white wavy hair, a narrow face, thin lips, and a pointy chin. He wore black jeans