A Dark Sun Rises: The Anna Series, #4

By Renney Senn

Redd Riddick's tortured existence begins when his parents are killed in 1897 on their way to their new son's christening. Raising him falls to his twisted and brutal uncle, whose ghastly treatment of the hated child produces a bizarrely disturbed adult.  Many years later, Malcolm and Anna Tilner and the extraordinarily gifted Eva Hauser are brought together once more when a mysterious and elaborate series of executions threaten the Tilners and other powerful people. A complex skein of relationships and compulsions for revenge gradually surface as evil from long ago explodes in a monstrous conspiracy uncovered by the brilliant Anna and her miraculous partner, Eva.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Renney Senn
• Release date: Oct 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201070991

Renney Senn

Born in San Diego, California, I attended Brown Military Academy and then San Diego Military Academy (SDMA) for my college prep education. I still correspond with a number of my SDMA classmates. I attended The University of the Seven Seas (now Semester at Sea) in 1965 as a freshman. On the third day of the trip, I met my future wife, Susie Orr. My sophomore and junior years were spent at the University of California at San Diego where I founded and edited what is now UCSD’s official university newspaper.  I found the newspaper considerably more exciting than UCSD’s then hardcore-science undergraduate curriculum. Needing clinical courses for my career as a psychologist, I finished my senior year at UCLA. My graduate work was completed at Chapman University where I received my master’s in counseling psychology in 1971. Susie and I had now been married for two years and fortunate enough to take a second around-the-world tour, but this time as staff; I was doing my master's internship and she was the secretary to the dean of the ship. Despite my expectations of completing my doctorate and becoming a clinician, I was suddenly redirected to a career in business when my father urgently needed temporary help with his real estate development company.  This led to my founding a small venture capital company that funded the television production side of the David Frost – Richard Nixon Television Interviews in 1977. Since then I have founded seven other companies involved in real estate, television post-production, manufacturing, telecommunications, and software. Upon reflection, I can only attribute this repetitive, feverish effort to some genetic defect. Two of these companies became public entities and all of them provided a wealth of experiences that I feel very fortunate to have enjoyed and, in several cases, survived. Now in retirement, I have returned to what I first experienced at the Triton Times, writing. After completing a manuscript that tells the unbelievable story of my telecommunications company, I decided to write a novel, The Turncoat. I had the germ of the idea many years ago but only recently decided to return to it and finish the story. The electronic book is to be released in late March 2018. I am currently developing other novels that should be forthcoming soon.

Book preview

Acknowledgments

While the story of A Dark Sun Rises is mine, my better part, Susie, was invaluable in copyediting and proofreading the manuscript. She would have cogent reasons why a character would not react the way I had written it, or how an important element should occur earlier or later in the story. Simultaneously, she would spot errant commas and grammatical problems. Her ability to detect minute logical and sequential errors I found very impressive. I am also profoundly grateful to our son, Christian, who has again created a masterful cover design. The writing and publishing of The Turncoat , Hidden Insight , Cathedrals of Venom , and now A Dark Sun Rising , have been a true family affair and deeply satisfying for each of us.

Prologue

Montgomery, Alabama - 1897

NOBODY COULD HAVE FORESEEN that what began as a promising and cheerful event of spiritual welcome would be forever looked back on as a dark day that doomed so many innocent people. The least suspecting would have been Redd Riddick’s parents who were good and decent people.

On this fateful day, Todd and Laren Riddick were on their way to a joyous occasion, the christening of their two-month-old son, Redd. As they rode along in their horse-drawn phaeton, eagerly anticipating the ceremony, Todd’s and Laren’s sudden violent deaths would lead to what would become a hideous stain on Alabama’s history. A faulty road, a husband and wife instantly crushed under an overturned carriage, and a baby thrown clear raised the curtain on a nightmare that would claim its first victim decades later.

1

Montgomery, Alabama - 1889-1897

LONG BEFORE REDD RIDDICK entered the world, his mother, Laren, and her brothers, Terrence and Fred, had grown up under an oppressive father who had become successful in building a Southern industrial supply empire. He was a tall, portly, imposing figure and, in addition to harboring a deep and intense hatred of people having skins darker than his own, he was driven by a single, primitive motive: domination in all matters. His obsession never permitted ethics, integrity, fairness, or any other higher human trait to interfere with crushing all those who were in the way of his success. He was born believing that he won only to the extent his opponents lost.

Laren’s brother, Terrence, was a genetic copy of his father and blossomed in his family’s business, Byers Industrial Supply, while taking his father’s worst traits far beyond anything Laren could have imagined. As a female, Laren was regarded by her father and then by Terrence as a worthless addition to the Byers family. After years of ridicule and abuse, Laren fled her hellish existence the minute she was old enough to survive on her own.

In a different universe, Redd Riddick’s father, Todd, came from a benevolent and distinguished family that owned a respected but controversial Montgomery law firm. Its practice focused on protecting black people’s constitutional rights by often representing former slaves at risk of being dragged back into their pre-Emancipation status. When Todd graduated from the University of Alabama law school, he was intimately aware of the risks of fighting racism in this time and place.

Shortly after passing the Alabama bar, he met another newly minted lawyer, Ross Martin, a graduate of Harvard law school. Ross was one of the first blacks to achieve such a professional pedigree and was dedicated to improving the lot of his racial brothers and sisters. For him, there were few better places to engage that battle than in the racially explosive environment of Montgomery, Alabama in 1889.

Deeply impressed with Ross’s intellect, drive, and courage, Todd persuaded him to become his law partner in their own firm in Montgomery, Riddick & Martin Attorneys At Law. It was not long before it became widely known as a place where determined but usually uneducated blacks could make their voices heard. They were also approached by prominent black and white clients who sought to underwrite legal battles that held the promise of eventually overcoming the nation’s original sin. 

Soon after Riddick & Martin opened its doors, Ross noticed a Louisiana lawsuit that had potential significance for the firm’s fortunes. Homer Plessy, a New Orleans octoroon, which Ross knew to be a snide term for someone who is one-eighth black, committed the crime of deliberately boarding a whites only railroad car. The resulting uproar led to lawsuits fought all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court where its 1896 decision in Plessy v. Ferguson would impose the separate but equal relationship of the two races. Riddick & Martin was contacted by dozens of wealthy northerners who saw this being nothing but a pretext for white supremacists and their sympathizers to construct an immense American racial underclass. In the months following the decision, wealthy clients flooded Todd’s and Ross’s office to fight the ever-expanding effects of the infamous ruling. Things were looking bright for the future of Riddick & Martin Attorneys At Law. 

Barely a year after the Supreme Court’s Plessy decision, the Riddick family would be overturned as catastrophically as their ill-fated carriage.

2

Over the eight years of their association, Todd and his wife Laren had become exceptionally close friends with his partner, Ross. It was this bond as much as his professional responsibility that made Ross the person to deliver to Laren’s brother, Terrence, the shock of learning of his sister’s death.

If there was anything that most people knew about Terrence, it was that equal parts family relationship, ruthlessness, and a volcanic temperament had catapulted him to the head of his father’s industrial success, Byers General Supply, which had become the core of his life. His natural, merciless ability to grind success out of his competitors and the souls of his employees, especially if they were black, had become central to his character. Apart from the occasional roll in the hay with any number of young ladies, there was little room left in his life for anything but his two obsessions, wealth and domination.

Begrudging any time he was forced to spend away from his office, Terrence was fidgeting almost convulsively as he sat in the small lobby of Riddick & Martin. He barely knew his brother-in-law’s first name and had never met Todd’s partner, Ross, not that he cared about either. As Ross emerged from his office to greet his new client, Terrence looked as if he had just confronted a hideous beast. 

Ignoring Terrence’s shocked expression, Ross said warmly, How do you do, Mr. Byers. I’m very sorry to have kept you waiting. Please come into my office.

Wait a minute, wait just one goddamned minute! Who the hell’re you?! I don’t need my shoes shined, boy. Now ya just run along and get my brother-in-law’s law partner, ya hear me?!

My name is Ross Martin, Mr. Byers, and I am Todd’s law partner.

"You?! You?! You’re a ... a real lawyer?! For God’s sake! What the hell’s the world comin’ to when a damned nigger’s a lawyer?!"

Yes, Mr. Byers, I’m an attorney and the one who requested to see you today. As a matter of record, I was awarded my law degree by Harvard Law School, perhaps you’ve heard of it?

You?! You got me here?! God ’n all the angels! I wanna know right now why the hell I’m here, goddamnit, especially if there’s a nigger involved! Now look, boy, this better not take any time. I’m too busy to be here and t’be seen with you! said Terrence as both men entered Ross’s office and the door closed quietly.

Please have a seat, Mr. Byers. I’m afraid I have some very distressing news, said Ross calmly.

Well, then, get on with it, boy. Why ’n the hell’m I here? said Terrence as he pulled at the chair, took out a handkerchief and swatted at the seat, before eyeing it carefully and sitting down.

I regret to have to tell you that a few days ago your sister and brother-in-law were killed in a carriage accident outside Montgomery.

Having just been told that his sister had died violently, Terrence showed no sign that the news had made an impact on him. His sole response was to look at his watch.

Is that it?! Y’ain’t sayin’ that’s why I’m here?!

Despite his bafflement at such a heartless response, Ross shelved his emotions and instantly shifted into the mode he used when cross-examining a hostile witness.

There’s more, Mr. Byers, he said stonily. Based on your reaction so far, it would appear that what I’m about to tell you won’t be welcome news.

Then out with it, boy! What’s this bad news?!

You may remember that Laren and her husband had prepared a will and trust years ago in which you agreed to be named trustee in the event she and her husband died simultaneously.

Well, then. This’s startin’ to sound more promisin’. How much’m I gonna get?

You’ll receive the income from the entire estate, which, all things considered, could be ample.

Ample?! Only ample?! Ain’t this so-called law firm of yours generatin’ enough money to make it a success?! You’ve been at it now for what, eight years now? Y’ain’t  tryin’ to hide from me what they’re worth, are ya?!

As the executor for the Riddick’s will and as a matter of professional ethics, to say nothing of my integrity, I’d never mischaracterize, let alone withhold the assets of anyone’s estate entrusted to me.

Yeah, yeah, whatever ya say. Sure thing, you’re as honest as the day’s long and all that crap. Anyway, now that’s out of the way, what’m I gettin’?!

Laren and Todd have bequeathed to you something infinitely more important than money, Mr. Byers.

That’ll be for me to judge, ain’t that right, boy?!

As it states in their trust, you are, as of this moment, responsible for the health and welfare of any issue of their union. This means, Mr. Byers, that you’ll receive income from the estate so long as you’re the guardian of their two-month-old child, Redd Riddick.

For the next several moments, Terrence sat in stunned silence, the first time Ross saw him show any reaction to the conversation.

What?! Preposterous! Just preposterous! I ain’t takin’ on no baby, goddamnit, whether it’s my sister’s or anybody else’s! I ain’t got no interest in such an outrageous responsibility! None! You kin just stuff that idea where the sun don’t shine, boy! Ya hear me?! Ya hear me?!

I see. Then I must inform you that you’ll be forsaking a fair amount of income as the trustee.

Hold on! How much money we talkin’ about?

The annual income would be generated by their interest in this law firm, their real estate holdings, investments, and cash, and totals somewhat more than $50,000.

What?! That’s all?

The potential value of the income from their real estate investments alone could easily double or triple that figure in the next few years. As I said, their estate is ample.

But yer sayin’ that I have to take on raisin’ this goddamned kid if’n I’m gettin’ anything?

That’s correct.

Oh yeah?! Well, if I refuse, what happens then?

As it clearly states in the will, if, for whatever reason, the guardian, that means you, Mr. Byers, refuses to assume all the responsibilities to provide for their son and his welfare, their entire estate will be transferred to their executor.

And who the hell’s that?!

I already told you, Mr. Byers. That would be me, a black man.

Ross’s statement hit Terrence like a lightning bolt as several of his convictions collided. His compulsive need to win, his creed that he would lose to the same extent that his adversary won, and his drive to dominate crashed headlong into something else that instantly rose from a much darker, deeper place. In an instant he recognized that refusing his sister’s and brother-in-law’s bequest would mean the most horrific and insufferable of all defeats—he would be losing to a black man.

3

Federal Prison Camp, Montgomery, Alabama - 1940

AGGRAVATED BY HAVING had his break interrupted, the prison guard led his first guest of the day into the visiting area. He stood by the door impatiently as Redd Riddick walked into the center of the large, sterile room, sat down on one of the flat wooden benches, put his forearms slowly on the pockmarked table, and folded his hands. To pass the time waiting for his Uncle T, as he had called him for so many years, his mind wandered as it always did before his former guardian was shepherded in to see him.

His recollections usually involved the events that had occurred long after the sudden death of his parents in a carriage accident. From that day on, he had lived under the control of the man who later would become known throughout the South as T. S. Byers, the widely feared head of Byers General Supply. Most of the dread surrounding Byers came from his having been the KKK’s regional leader, the exalted cyclops.

Redd’s first vivid memory was when he was about eight years old. He had never been able to recall much of anything earlier than that, which had always puzzled him as he grew into a young man. Oddly enough, having grown up in the luxurious circumstances of the Byers estate, this first memory had not involved Byers but instead a young boy he had befriended at school. The two had been talking about their lives at home and Redd remembered how the conversation had shaken him to the core. This was the first time he recalled having had a peek into another family’s life and how it stood in stark contrast to the existence he knew while innocently assuming that every other child faced something similar.

Yeah, Redd, I guess it was a few o’ months ago I got into a fight with some other kids, his friend explained casually. I was kinda dumb ’cause they were bigger’n me. I guess I musta been beat up pretty bad ’cause they called my mom in to take me to the doctor. She was upset, all right, cryin’ ’n carryin’ on all the way to the doctor’s office. When the doctor looked me over, my mom was still pretty shook up until the doc said I’d be okay. Then she finally calmed down. It was real embarrassing, ya know what I mean?

No, Redd had no idea what he meant. None of what he had just heard was anything remotely like his own experience. As long as he could remember, Uncle T had always been the one whose violent temper had sent him to the doctor, which was not infrequently, and while he was being examined, little Redd was the only one crying and carrying on as the doctor checked for broken bones and worse.

Throughout all these experiences, Uncle T had never been there except to inflict pain; he seemed to enjoy the sight of Redd bleeding and distraught. He never seemed to care whether Redd lived or died. It was only years later that Redd learned that what had kept the doctors silent was their fear of Uncle T’s pervasive influence. For young Redd, this constant violence was what he thought family life was, although he often wondered why more kids lacked the bruises and cuts he wore constantly.

As he sat on the hard prison bench, his musings moved on to something that he had found curious ever since it had happened. Not long after the talk he had had with his school friend, he recalled venturing into Uncle T’s study with a question about his homework. He remembered the big man reading a letter and being very agitated by what he was seeing. The second Byers caught sight of the boy, he jumped up, rushed around the desk, and began yelling at the child. You’re a worthless little piece of shit! I shoulda never, ever given in to this! My God, you shoulda been killed with your parents, goddamnit! He remembered the big man raising his hand and then, as it always did, the memory ended abruptly. As the years went by there seemed to him to be an increasing number of such events where he had no memory of what had occurred before he was startled to find himself in a different part of the house, outside, or even in a strange place while having no recollection of having gone there.

Just then, he saw the thick door to the visiting area open from the cell blocks and a handcuffed, frail Uncle T enter the room with a guard close behind. Seeing him prompted Redd’s recollection of his having finally been able to escape the man’s brutal clutches when he turned eighteen by escaping to college. While Byers had succeeded in keeping Redd largely isolated from his father’s law partner, the impact of his father’s early work to protect Redd was his salvation. When Redd was born, his father had established a trust account for him that slowly doled out funds for the child’s benefit until he reached his eighteenth birthday, at which point he alone had access to the trust’s sizeable assets. This permitted him to escape the torture of living under the thumb of his brutal guardian.

Despite his hellish home life, Redd had always been good at school and was able to be accepted by the University of Alabama. Seven years later he graduated from the university’s law school and passed the Alabama bar exam.

As Byers