Shay's Revelation - A Prequel Novella to the Shay's Rebellion Trilogy

By Sydney Archer

A young prosecutor's dream-come-true of working in the West Wing turns into a desperate race to save her job, the President, and the country.

In this exciting prequel to the Shay's Rebellion trilogy, Shay Richardson finds herself working just down the hall from the most powerful man in the world. But working in the West Wing becomes more than she bargained for when political enemies scheme to entrap the President and remove him from office. Shay goes to work to uncover their plot and expose the coup before it succeeds. But first, she must overcome her biggest challenge – figuring out whom to trust in the corrupt world of DC politics.

If you enjoy political intrigue among the trappings of the White House and the halls of Congress, you will love this political thriller and wild ride that leaves a young woman wondering why she ever wanted to leave her peaceful small town for the raw, bare-knuckle, political-power struggles of our nation's capital.

Get Shay's Revelation and discover the adventures of this remarkable young woman today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sydney Archer
• Release date: Apr 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215314227

Book preview

Chapter 1

Why would she lie? That’s the question we all have to ask ourselves. Why would this young woman, Abigail Cargill, lie about being raped by the defendant, James Lester? The defense has no answer to this simple question. They don’t accuse her of being a scorned lover. They don’t accuse her of attempting bribery or extortion. They don’t even accuse her of being crazy. Nothing.

The young prosecutor paused for a moment as she slowly scanned the jury for their reactions. She knew she had them. There is only one reason the defense cannot answer this question. It’s because Abigail Cargill is not lying.

And now the petite prosecutor with blonde bangs picked up her pace as the entire courtroom could hear the contempt in her voice intensify with every word she spoke. That man, she said pointing at the defendant. That man asked this poor unsuspecting woman for a date, brought her back to his apartment, and when she said no, he attacked her, overpowered her, and raped her. And when she was finally able to get away she did what many young women do. She ran away and hid. She told no one. Not a soul. Not until her best friend forced it out of her two weeks later did she finally reveal the secret she had locked away inside her."

This case is like too many rape cases where the victim is too ashamed, too scared, too emotionally traumatized to come forward immediately. And so there is no rape kit. No DNA. None of the forensic evidence we often see in our favorite TV shows. We just have Abigail’s word -the truth of what happened that night at James Lester’s apartment. The same story she told her friend, the same story she told the police, and the same story she told you all here today. Her story has remained the same because she is telling the truth.

But the defendant’s story has not remained the same. You heard the differences between what he bragged to his friends and then what he told police. His story even changed while he was talking with police. That is what we expect from someone who is lying. They can’t keep their story straight. But Abigail has told the same horrific story of what happened to her that night time and time again. That is what we expect from someone who is telling the truth.

And since we know she has no reason to lie and her story is consistent every time while at the same time Mr. Lester’s story changes with every telling, we know there is no reasonable doubt that James Cargill committed this vicious crime and is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. I ask you to find the defendant guilty of all charges and give Abigail Cargill the justice she and our entire community deserve. Thank you.

With those final words of her closing argument, Shay Richardson, the Assistant District Attorney of Warren County, Virginia, sat down. For the next several minutes she listened to the defense attorney make his best argument. The judge then read the instructions to the jury and dismissed them to deliberate and find a verdict.

When the jury left the room, Detective Hayes, seated next to Shay turned to her. Nice closing. I didn’t think we had that won until your closing.

Shay gave a polite smile. Thank you. We’ll see how it goes. You never know for sure what a jury will do.

No. You had them on the edge of their seats. You got them, he answered.

All we can do now is wait and see. If they reach a verdict soon, I’ll be in my office. Shay stood up, nodded to defense counsel, and walked the one flight of stairs down to the District Attorney’s Office.

She went to her corner office, flung the heavy file on her desk, and sat back in her chair. She swiveled and looked outside at the traffic and people going by in her hometown of Front Royal, Virginia. She would normally be excited about having completed a big trial. But today was different. Too many other memories invaded her thoughts this day.

The peace and quiet of the moment were broken by a familiar voice. Hayes said you crushed your closing argument.

Shay looked up to see Zack Evans, one of the Sheriff’s deputies. I guess so, she replied without a trace of enthusiasm or appreciation for the compliment.

Zack walked around the desk to where Shay sat, leaned over, and gave her a kiss. Shay looked up and returned the kiss.

You okay? he asked his voice not more than a whisper.

She whispered back. I’m okay. Just thinking about Mom and Brandon. That’s all.

You heading out to the cemetery after this?

Yeah. Picking up Dad first.

You want me to come with you?

No. I’ll be alright. It will be good to spend the time alone with Dad.

Okay. I’ll be at home tonight. Stop on by if you want, or just give a call if you need to talk.

I will, she answered softly. Thank you.

Zack went back to work, leaving Shay alone in her office. Twelve years, she thought to herself. Mom and Brandon have been gone for twelve years. She, now twenty-seven, sat there contemplating what those years might have been like had her mom and brother survived the car accident. How different life would have been. How much more joy and happiness she might have experienced. But that life had been ripped from her twelve years ago today.

She sighed to herself. She just wanted the day to be over. But her dad insisted that they go to the cemetery together. As soon as the jury came back she could pick up her dad and get it over with.

Chapter 2

Thirty minutes later the jury was back with a verdict. Guilty on all counts. Abigail Cargill gave Shay a big hug as tears streamed down her face. Shay smiled a warm smile as she held the young woman, not much more than a girl, in her arms.

Thank you, Ms. Richardson! Thank you! Abigail beamed.

Thank you, Shay replied. For having the courage to speak up and tell the truth. You made sure that Mr. Lester won’t be able to victimize any more women. I’m proud of you.

The young girl wiped the tears from her eyes and gave Shay another big hug. These were the best moments of being a prosecutor.

As Shay walked out of the courtroom, her mind quickly turned to the heaviness of the day’s anniversary that weighed upon her. Back in the office she quickly packed up her files and headed south out of town. After a few miles, she turned onto a side road and then another until she was finally turning into the long driveway of the family farm.

As she drove up the quarter-mile length roadway, she saw Dodger, her dad’s yellow lab, come running up to the car. She stopped in front of the big white farmhouse with a wrap-around porch. She got out and the big dog jumped up on her and began to lick her face.

Yes, I’ve missed you too boy. She said while petting his ears. Now get down.

She walked up the porch steps and opened the door to the house. Dad? she yelled. I’m here! There was no answer. She looked around Dad? she yelled again. Where could he be?

She