Paranormal Investigations: Project Pisces

By Jason Phelps

If Truth is in the mind of the beholder; what if the mind of the beholder is flawed?

Federal Investigated stumble into strange case that appears to have abduction written all of it. But what if that is more to it? When Russian ties to the cases begin to surface, a mystery will take the investigators into the backwaters of elite espionage and secret activities dating to the 1950's.

 

In the style of 1990's Sci-fi Investigation, this story will have you guessing the who, whats and whys of the mystery.

• Language: English
• Publisher: CDH Publishing House
• Release date: Nov 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215898079

Jason Phelps

Jason Phelps is a Police Officer in Dallas who dreams of otherworldly creatures, mysterious alien planets, and fantastic adventures. He is also an indie author with many stories in the works.

Book preview

MAY, 2006

The deafening sound of the late spring snowflakes falling on the  dacha  drowned out the pounding of his heart. This is silly, he thought. He's nothing to me. Nothing.

[Is it over, Vlad?] Her Russian was halting and heavily accented. Bright copper hair framed the gleaming green eyes.

He pulled her close and his tears fell like the snowflakes in the gathering storm. "Da."

Michelle Harris stared at her phone long after the call disconnected. She recognized the boot step on the asphalt tile without turning around. Is it over? he asked.

Yes, she replied. Her face was haggard. I should know what to do next . . . she started.

I have a copy of the arrangements. She looked puzzled. He asked me to take care of them for you, he explained. We'll have to wait for the doctor on call to pronounce him before he can be released to the funeral home.

A nurse approached them. Is there anything we can do to help you?

No- he started.

May we wait with him? Her voice was husky and hesitant. "He really hated being alone."

Of course. The nurse consoled. You can stay until the doctor comes and after that until the funeral home arrives.

He opened the door for her. She stopped just inside. Harris, it's OK if you want to wait outside. I'll stay with him.

I'm fine. She approached the bed and took the now-still hand. His moments of clarity diminished steadily in the last few days. The hallucinations became more frequent and lengthened. It was like wave upon wave of nightmPisces storming through his mind. Early this morning he lapsed into a coma, but the seizures continued-increasing in severity until the last one. She swayed slightly and Peterson pulled a chair for her to sit in. So what were the arrangements?

Peterson pulled another chair close to her. He asked that there be no funeral or memorial service. And he wanted to be cremated; he said you'd know what to do after that.

She smiled wanly.

Where's Max? he asked. Do you want me to tell him?

No. Thank you. She looked at her watch. He's at my mother's. Let him sleep until morning.

Peterson touched her arm. The door cracked open and, instead of the doctor, the troll-like form of Arlovski appeared. Haltingly, with his hat in his hand, he shuffled to the bed. He paused for a moment then said, "Sweet dreams, my friend. Sweet dreams." With a nod to Harris he scurried out the door just as a white-frocked figure strode in.

Miller? the doctor asked.

Peterson nodded and extended his hand. I'm Alexander Peterson, a friend of the family. This is Michelle Harris.

Harris stood and creased his forehead. Sweet dreams. She lightly kissed his forehead, her lips lingering next to his for the last time. Sweet dreams.

CHAPTER 1

Amber Hess must have poured a million cups of coffee in her lifetime. She poured Alexander Peterson number one-million-and-one. Is there anything to be done?

Peterson sipped from the steaming cup. Miller had me take care of the funerary arrangements some weeks ago.

So he knew this was coming. Amber Hess stirred her coffee.

"I think he hoped this was coming. Three years is a lifetime in that place," Peterson said bitterly.

Well, Eric and Charles can't come right now. They can't get emergency leave since there's not going to be a funeral. Peterson remained silent as she continued. Katrina and Alex should be here late this evening. They'll leave Seattle about 11 this morning.

Alex. Peterson didn't trust Alex Ivanov. He didn't know why; the guy had been great to Katrina and the Harris family. How long will they stay?

Katrina said that Alex is between assignments so they can stay until his next one comes through.

He rubbed his eyes. Tell me again what he does.

Katrina says he's an international security consultant. He travels all over the world.

Peterson resisted the urge to laugh. International security consultant? Spook was more like it. You say he's ex-Navy?

Ex-SEAL. He never talks about his service but Katrina once said he was on the first team. She said it with total innocence.

SEAL team one? No wonder he doesn't talk. Peterson regretted it the moment he said it.

Amber Hess looked puzzled. What do you mean?

Peterson searched for a polite way to tell Amber Hess that her son-in-law was a stone killer by trade. SEAL operations are usually classified. Team One gets the most, uh, sensitive and difficult missions.

Oh, so they're the most skilled. Eric Harris must have kept her quite insulated.

Yes, ma'am. Peterson chose his words carefully. "They are the most skilled."

Whatever was it that made Allen ill? Amber Hess was the last living person Peterson had ever heard call Miller by his first name.

They never found out. He sloshed the last of his coffee. Well, I have to get to work.

Peterson nearly stumbled over three-year-old Max Miller as he raced through the house, cheerfully calling, Amber! Good morning, Amber! He found Michelle Harris at the foot of the stairs.

Her eyes were red-rimmed and her knuckles white as she gripped the newel post. I don't think he understands.

He's too young. Peterson said consolingly.

Yes, he is, isn't he? She looked around the room as if searching for words. I don't think I've thanked you for everything. You've really gone above and beyond-

His huge hand completely covered both of hers.

I'm sure my good Irish Catholic mother will have enough food to feed the Washington Bureau tonight. Harris offered. You'd be welcome.

We'll see.

CHAPTER 2

Cigarette smoke announced the visitor before the door opened-without so much as a knock. Rough night, Assistant Director Peterson?

Agent Miller died early this morning. But I suspect you already know that.

The visitor took a long drag. "Yes. It had come to my attention."

So what do you want? If you've come here to gloat-

The man seemed surprisingly flustered. No, no. I, uh- He took another drag. Did Agent Miller suffer at the end? he asked, almost solicitously.

Peterson was shocked and puzzled. No. Well, no more than he's suffered for the past 3 years.

I see. He stubbed out his cigarette in a coffee saucer on Peterson's desk. Good day, he said curtly and was, in an instant, gone.

CHAPTER 3

Washington was a spectacular sight from the airplane-bathed in gold by sunset. While Alex Ivanov traveled through here often on business, Katrina had not returned in nearly a year.

[Is anyone meeting us?] Her Russian had improved much since she had first come to live with his family at their dacha.

"Nyet, he responded quietly. [We'll rent a car. Do you think you can still find your mother's house?]"

[Of course,] she said, feigning insult. [I can find my mother's house-] she tried to remember the Russian word for 'blindfolded' but settled instead for, [with my eyes closed.]

[Do you wish we'd brought Honey and Leonid?] he searched her face for her answer.

"Nyet, nyet. She fiddled with the wedding ring on her right hand. [It's too much of a trip for them.] Her face suddenly darkened. [We can call them every night, can't we?]"

He took her hand in his, [Of course. They'll hardly know we're gone.]

As good as her word, Katrina found her mother's house. It was brightly lit and surrounded by cars-more the look of a party than a wake. They pulled into the driveway behind the sedan with the FBI plates. Alex took the large suitcases and handed Katrina her carry on bag. [Are you ready for this?] he paused outside the door.

"Nyet." She laid her head briefly on his shoulder before Amber Hess's small form appeared in the open door.

Katrina! she hugged her before Katrina even could set down her luggage. Alex! Come in, come in!

His mouth went dry the second Ivanov stepped across the threshold. The room was packed with