Right in the Middle!

By Jeanne F. Weiers

Having finally received closure to the murder investigation of her family, Bridgett and Victor DeVeccio settle into the fun and challenging struggles of being a young married couple. Before they can become too content, those normal challenges are replaced with potential threats to Bridgett's safety. Her positive nature refuses to acknowledge the danger, even when warning signs are visible to everyone around her. How can she so easily diminish the memory of her former challenge to survive? At what point does her optimism make her even more vulnerable to menace? And, just who is the SHADOW?
While "Right in the Middle!" is a continuation of the lives of the engaging characters she introduced in her book, A "Beginning", all readers are brought into the storyline of this sequel seamlessly. Once again, Jeanne Weiers offers clean, encouraging entertainment and uses her unique writing style to tantalize readers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jan 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9781667871707

Book preview

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Copyright 2022 Jeanne F. Weiers

First Edition. All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Print ISBN: 978-1-66787-169-1

eBook ISBN: 978-1-66787-170-7

Book Baby Publishing

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

INTRODUCTION:

CHAPTER ONE ~

CHAPTER TWO ~

CHAPTER THREE ~

CHAPTER FOUR ~

CHAPTER FIVE ~

CHAPTER SIX ~

CHAPTER SEVEN ~

CHAPTER EIGHT ~

CHAPTER NINE ~

CHAPTER TEN ~

CHAPTER ELEVEN ~

CHAPTER TWELVE ~

CHAPTER THIRTEEN ~

CHAPTER FOURTEEN ~

CHAPTER FIFTEEN ~

CHAPTER SIXTEEN ~

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN ~

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN ~

CHAPTER NINETEEN ~

CHAPTER TWENTY ~

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE ~

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO ~

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE ~

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR ~

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE ~

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX ~

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN ~

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT ~

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE ~

CHAPTER THIRTY ~

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE ~

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO ~

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE ~

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR ~

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE ~

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX ~

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN ~

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT~

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE ~

CHAPTER FORTY ~

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE ~

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO ~

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE ~

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR ~

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE ~

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX ~

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN ~

Dedication:

This book is dedicated to my grandson, Joseph, with my unconditional love.

Acknowledgements:

Thank you to my husband, who has both enabled and encouraged me to appease my need to write. Thanks also to my wonderful son and his amazing wife for their support throughout the process of writing and publishing my books.

Relatives and friends, libraries and stores, as well as my publisher, have all added to the success of my efforts. I am grateful.

INTRODUCTION:

This much-awaited sequel to the book, A Beginning, is now introduced as Right in the Middle!. In its predecessor, Bridgett endured great personal loss followed by an underlying threat of danger. Her undaunted determination, as well as her strong beliefs, may have saved her life. Along with two steadfast friends, Dr. Victor DeVeccio offered constant support, playing an increasingly more important part in her life.

Right in the Middle! continues their life stories. It is a story of suspense, but also of love, friendship and perseverance. I trust that each returning reader will enjoy following up with their favorite character. For all others, I’ve brought you into my storyline without worries.

This narrative reiterates that when life gets tough, there’s a lot to be said for hope and a good sense of humor.

I’ve written to entertain. Enjoy!

CHAPTER ONE ~

Well, it certainly wasn’t the social event of the year in New York, but it was indeed an extremely happy occasion taking place in Manhattan. Time seemed to stand still when Bridgett Lisston exited the illustrious French doors of the Casablanca Hotel. She was about to meet her husband-to-be, waiting in the gorgeous flower gardens, for their outdoor wedding.

Those attending included 75 or so distinguished (as well as undistinguished) close friends, relatives and business acquaintances. Some guests had traveled a considerable distance for their special occasion.

Police Lt. Michael Gerald, who had investigated her family’s murder, Gus Dameson, her family’s attorney, and Father Michael, who was about to facilitate their marriage, all flew in from Minnesota. FBI Agent Thomas Blakely had arrived just in time from California. He had convinced Bridgett to take safety seriously at a time when she disregarded danger. It was important to Bridgett that he be invited.

Regardless of who they were, or where they had traveled from, at this moment they had one thing in common; they were stupefied by her beauty.

She wore a platinum colored, long-sleeved tea length silk dress, perfect for their cool June weather. Her long, thick auburn hair was a cascade of big loopy waves and curls, pulled back, then moving freely in the light breeze. Against the platinum-colored dress, it was stunning.

A small silk hat, with a wisp of short veil extending out in front of her smiling face, along with her emerald and diamond earrings, a treasured gift from Victor, were simple finishing touches. She was naturally beautiful and today, breathtaking.

Her favorite flowers: white tulips, daisies and purple bachelor buttons were simply arranged in a small hand-held bouquet.

At her side was Dr. Edward DeVeccio, Victor’s dad, thus her soon to be father-in-law, whose obvious pride put a long-lost spring back into his step. A very authentic smile flashed on his face as they proceeded toward the alter.

As they moved forward her eyes fell on Rita, her maid of honor, walking down the path just a short distance ahead of her. She was lovely in a long sleeved, powder yellow, tea length silk dress. A simple bouquet of white daisies and bachelor buttons was her only accessory. Rita was the best friend a girl ever had.

Bridgett’s eyes searched for Victor. He was standing next to their big friend Moselie, their best man, to the right of the tiny alter. She caught just a glimpse of him through the seated guests, as she proceeded toward Father Michael, who was anxious to bless their commitment.

They’d gone through an inordinate number of struggles during the past year; ones they didn’t believe they could have made it through without their faith. So, it was very important to both her and Victor that Father Michael, who had been her family’s pastor, marry them. He was willing to leave Minnesota’s fresh spring air and sunshine to come to Manhattan.

Not for the first time, when Victor spotted her, he found that she physically took his breath away. He felt like the luckiest man in the world. His father would absolutely agree with him, for that matter.

As he was finally allowed to take her hand in marriage he looked into her sparkling green eyes and laughed out loud. In fact, that stirred a lot of laughter in the small crowd, including the jolly laugh of Father Michael. Bridgett, all smiles, understood and shared his joy.

When the priest pronounced them man and wife there were cheers from the crowd. And, when he said Victor could kiss the bride…well, an outdoor wedding was a good choice to have made, as the roar of applause could have shaken the rafters. The kiss, well, let’s just say that it might have burned the house down.

THE SHADOW:

What phony, dramatic crap! They have no freaking idea what the future holds. The poor little rich beauty’s all mended up! She owes me BIG!

CHAPTER TWO ~

Torrence Moselie didn’t recognize the foreign feeling that had recently overcome him. On a day like today, it was pervading his entire person.

For those of you unfamiliar with him, allow me to introduce you to Moselie, as you’ll be hearing a lot more about and from this big guy. Moselie is now employed by a large-scale conglomerate called American Research Institute, or ARI, headquartered in Manhattan, NY. For the past five+ years he’s been a security agent there, and his job description has unquestionably been stretched far beyond its definition. For the past year he has been extremely busy.

His 6’ 3, 250-pound person is as dynamic as it might sound. Around the institute he’s been referred to as the Invincible and not easily Convincible" Moselie. It’s probably because of all that brawn.

So, OK, let’s get back to the story.

Moselie has found himself as best man at a wedding. It’s a position he would never have dreamed he’d be holding. He’d kept his private life a complete mystery to all his business and work-related associates throughout his several careers...until recently.

He’d constructed an invisible but strong line of division between himself and others. Because of that, the sensation of breaking his self-imposed barrier and getting close to people at 39 years of age left him clutching onto anything familiar in this foreign environment. Participating in a wedding was a marked departure from anything he’d had in mind.

Gleaning solace from protecting those in his surroundings from anyone or anything; THAT was both gratifying and familiar to him. By being receptive to the feelings of others he could be exposing himself to an occasional need from someone himself. In other words, darn it, he’d be vulnerable just like everybody else!

Standing up for a friend at their wedding was an event of real substance. He’d not before experienced the jitters, and just now understood what they were. He didn’t like the feeling, even a bit. He’d just bet there were more untried sensations in store for him too. May the good Lord help him!

So, who were the people who so strongly influenced Moselie that they could draw him out his shell into the unfamiliar, and how in the world did they accomplish that after all his history? Was it worth it to him?

The groom Dr. Victor DeVeccio, or Victor, played an immense part in Moselie’s transformation. He just happens to be an owner of American Research Institute (along with his father). As I said, it’s where Moselie works. He has not only a vested interest in the business, but in Moselie as well. Their paths had always run parallel until recently when they were destined to cross.

Moselie felt they’d as much as done battle together during the past year and it wasn’t always directly work related. They’d achieved a lot through teamwork.

His most recent battle scars were physical (mended bones and recovered muscles), while Victor’s were of the emotional variety. Oh, the shared memories!

Then there’s the bride, Bridgett Lisston (as of a few minutes ago, Bridgett DeVeccio); the most positive person he’d ever met. She was certainly a contributor to Moselie’s change of heart. She had gained his favor through a lot of extremely heroic behavior. If anyone could spring an unexpected emotional change in someone she certainly could; and she had.

Bridgett is also employed at ARI, as a research scientist. She’s definitely a lot cuter than Victor (ha). She is effortlessly persuasive……and she kind of got to him!

So, to answer: What could he gain, he found real, honest-to-goodness reliable friends; these two, as well as others. They were worth everything to him!

That takes care of all but one of those who were part of the nuptials, and pretty much explains Moselie’s change of heart. He is an extremely interesting man.

Some glowing recommendations had assured Moselie’s hire. He’d been a fighter pilot while in the US. Air Force. Later he worked as a security agent for a large corporation. Next, he worked the streets in law enforcement, soon being promoted to police detective, where he then used the latest technology to track down hardened criminals. Working security at ARI these past years had allowed him to use his learned skills and the instincts that had served him so well within a much safer environment, or so he had believed.

Yes, this new him was possibly an improved version of himself that he’d have to ease into. Admittedly, it stirred a part of him that he thought had died off years before. He was still a little bit hesitant to dive right into its unpredictability.

Believing that he’d seen way too much of both life and death in each of his professions, as well as the loss of loved ones in his youth, he’d long ago closed off the part of himself that would be called emotional attachment. He’d substituted an extreme ability to focus outwardly; one that he thought of as a second sense.

It had seemed astute to build a life based on the well-programmed use of his independent nature and his developed ability. So, this recent warm feeling just felt darned peculiar. Hmm...He thought he could get used to it.

THE SHADOW:

That big guy tries to look so formidable. Were he to get in my way, he’d fall just like anyone else...just create a louder thud.

CHAPTER THREE ~

Rita, who was maid of honor and the last of the wedding party for the DeVeccio wedding, believed with all her heart that this was the most loving couple she’d ever known. Kindness and understanding were prominent in their daily interactions and in their wedding vows, which they’d written and expressed to one another at their very relaxed ceremony. Their sincerity moved everyone.

Early that morning Rita had taken a sneak peek at the intended ceremony area. Everything was so full of life. Spring gardens of daffodils, iris, pansies and tulips were in full bloom. Ten-foot-tall white shepherd hooks held hanging baskets overflowing with white tulips, delicate purple bachelor buttons and deep green ivy. They edged the entire pathway, leading to a small alter where the couple’s framed, hand-written marriage proposal and nearly illegible acceptance (from Bridgett’s hospital days), were proudly displayed.

(Here’s an interestingly note from Rita.) Bridgett loved bachelor button flowers, as she and her brother Mathew had planted them as children. It was also her mother’s favorite flower. So, she’d insisted that they be incorporated into every flower arrangement. This, to her amazement, created