Thunderbolt Glance: the Glance Series, #2

By Sharon Bailey and Kinderd Productions

Who Will Survive This Diabolical Plot Twist?

In this sequel to Tragic Glance, the Clark and Russell families persevere in navigating through murder and terror that continues to plague them. Through loss and horror, the chance happening of a thunderbolt glance, an interaction that brings euphoria between two people offers a glimmer of hope, or does it? Even though subjected to many horrendous events, this gripping tale still offers a remarkable chance for the power to forgive. Will they live long enough to embrace it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sharon Bailey
• Release date: Aug 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223332565

Sharon Bailey

Born and raised in Ottawa, and now residing in Eastern Ontario, Sharon Bailey loves crafting Christian tales to entertain and draw in her readers. With her first published book, Given Up, Sharon delved into the depths of non-fiction in this riveting autobiography of an adult adoptee finding her roots and healing the wounds of her past through rediscovery. Having a remarkably positive experience in reconnecting with birth family members, she shares her harrowing journey in hopes of inspiring others to seek their biological truths.Having won an International Poetry Award in 1988, Sharon sometimes shares portions of her poetry in her stories, adding even greater elements to her work. Getting the taste of penning her innermost thoughts, she quickly dove into the fiction world of Christian suspense and mystery where she released her second novel, Tragic Glance and continues to write additional stories to this new series.

Book preview

Chapter One

I

t was nine o’clock on a cold February evening in 1994. The wind was blowing the snow-filled air down Callowhill Drive in Weston, Ontario, while the flakes reaching the ground multiplied. Eric Russell was interrupted by the singing doorbell chimes as he sat engrossed reading the latest Clive Cussler novel. Making his way to the door, he wondered who could be visiting at such a late hour with a snowstorm brewing outside. Opening the door, Eric experienced quite a jolt as he looked into the face of Detective Hugh Morris. He’d met the detective the previous year during the time of a murder trial in which his daughter Susan had been involved as a witness. Ushering the detective into the living room, it was obvious to Eric by the look on the other man’s face he was about to hear bad news.

I’d like to speak to everyone in your family, Mr. Russell. I was hoping, because of the nasty weather outside, they’d all be at home this evening.

I’ll get them rounded up, Detective, but it’ll take a few minutes. My wife, Betty, is visiting the neighbour next door and Susan is taking a bath. Can I get you anything while you wait?

No, thank you, Hugh Morris said before Eric exited the room.

Eric wasted no time calling Betty at the neighbours, alerting her to the fact Detective Morris had made an unexpected visit.

I’m worried about why he might be here, Betty. Can you come home right away?

S

teven Clark, Eric’s son-in-law, was upstairs working on a project for university. He and Susan were living under the Russell roof until Steven graduated from Toronto University.

Eric’s son, Kevin, was in the basement doing some wood carving. He’d developed the hobby over the years and created beautiful but unusual works of art in his spare time. As he also attended ‘U of T’, spare time was a luxury for him.

Eric rapped on the bathroom door advising Susan she should hurry with her bath as Detective Morris was downstairs waiting for the family to join him.

Meanwhile, Hugh Morris sat quietly reminiscing about the last time he’d been at this particular house only seven months previously when Susan had almost been killed by a stalker in her backyard. He thought back even further to the first time he’d met the Russell family when Susan had witnessed a murder in a subway car. Her view of the killer had only been a fleeting tragic glance, but it was a look that changed many lives. He’d actually had to go to the hospital to interview Susan about what she’d seen because she had been very uncooperative at the site of the murder. All the other witnesses had given full accounts of what they had observed before being transferred to the hospital, in case of stress, but Susan had refused to talk. It was a brutal murder.

A trial ensued after the murder causing life-changing situations for many who were called to testify. Detective Morris himself had testified at the trial. The person Susan accused of the murder was found not guilty, however, once the guilty man learned of the acquittal, he decided in his twisted mind to stalk Susan until he had the opportunity to kill her. He knew she was the only one who could identify him, and he didn’t like loose ends.

Everyone had breathed a sigh of relief when Susan was unharmed during the potential threat on her life by the stalker.

At the time of the trial, Steven Clark, who was soon to be Susan’s husband, was shocked to find out he’d been adopted as an infant. His birth mother, Jane Alexander Marshall, and his biological brother, Jonas, also testified at the trial. Seeing them both had added to the blow he experienced regarding the adoption.

Detective Morris continued to patiently wait for everyone to appear. He felt bad for the Russell and Clark families, knowing these unsuspecting people would once again be caused emotional pain because of the news he was about to disclose. The past couple of years had been a roller-coaster ride of unbelievable circumstances affecting all their lives. He could only hope this news would put an end to the insanity they’d been living.

Finally, fifteen minutes after his arrival, Detective Morris was joined by the five residents of the home.

They all shook the detective’s hand and then took seats around the room.  No one could fathom why he wished to talk to them as they sat with puzzled looks on their faces.

Their curiosity was soon to be addressed.

Detective Morris began by placing his attention solely on Steven while everyone focused their attention on the detective. It was now obvious to everyone that Detective Morris had arrived at the Russell house to personally give Steven some sort of bad news, making the younger man very uneasy.

"I know you’ve been visiting your brother Ren, Steven, as he serves a life sentence in the Kingston Penitentiary for killing Mario Fuentes. A very disturbing fact has just come to the attention of Warden Taylor. Antonio Fuentes, who is a brother to the deceased Mario, is also incarcerated in the Kingston Penitentiary. The prison is having a difficult time attempting to unravel how the two men could possibly have been placed in the same prison. Apparently, Mario Fuentes had been a good family man who was well thought of by his friends and co-workers. Antonio on the other hand managed to get involved with street gangs at a young age and continued to live that lifestyle becoming a jaded human being. He was found guilty three years ago of committing a number of Al Capone-type murders. It’s believed he started a gang of his own many years ago in the Toronto area, referred to as The Cobras.

"Late this afternoon, while the inmates were enjoying their outside yard time, Antonio Fuentes killed your brother, Ren. I was contacted by the Warden because my name appears a number of times in Ren’s file due to the work I did regarding his past crimes. Warden Taylor asked me to contact Ren’s family personally, so you could be told about this terrible happening instead of learning about it over the telephone, and to express his condolences. I don’t know all the particulars, Steven, but I’m sorry for your loss. I’ll let you inform your birth family. I assume you’ll want to have a burial for Ren, however, I’m not sure if the prison will insist on having an autopsy before releasing his body. I’ll call you tomorrow with all the necessary information once I’ve spoken again with Warden Taylor. If there’s anything I can do, you only need to ask.

I’ll let myself out, the detective said, totally aware the five people in the room were no longer focusing on him but on Steven, who was absolutely devastated as he sat in disbelief, tears slowly making their way down his face.

What can I do for you? Susan quietly asked, moving closer to her husband, and taking him in her arms.

She could feel him trembling and his pulse rapidly beating as she held onto him. Sadness was cursing through her veins knowing words couldn’t help.

I feel disconnected to my life right now, Steven stated. It’s as if a part of me died with Ren. How could this have happened when we were just starting to understand each other? I’d been adopted as an infant, but he was in foster care for years. Then those horrible people adopted him, forcing him to live such a terrible life until he fled from their home. When he arrived in Toronto and began living on the streets, I can’t fathom the years of loneliness he must have endured.

Everyone in the room could sense Steven’s heartfelt pain as they sat speechlessly. No one moved or spoke while listening to his suffering. Steven needed time to process the death of his brother. Tears continued to flow as he lowered his face into his hands and his shoulders drooped. Minutes passed until he finally rose out of his seat and walked to the huge bay window where he watched the snow falling. He thought about the thousands and thousands of snowflakes that made no sound when they landed. He wished with everything in his being he’d not heard the words spoken by Detective Morris. He didn’t want to remember the sound of the man’s voice as he spoke about Ren’s death, Ren’s death, Ren’s death.

What was he supposed to do with such gut-wrenching information? If only his ears had not heard the sound of those words, then Ren might still be alive. ‘I want him back among the living,’ he mumbled to himself, not realizing he’d mouthed the words loud enough for everyone else in the room to hear.

Finally, Eric asked a sensible question.

Would you like me to call your brother Jonas in Ottawa?

It’s late, Eric, Steven softly said as his throat was beginning to swell from all the emotion. Until I have more information, I really don’t see the point in contacting him. Detective Morris promised he’d call tomorrow. I need the long night ahead of me to try and understand this shocking news myself.

Tomorrow will be another day in which we can sort out all the dreadful details, Eric admitted. I think we should all call it a night and try to get some sleep. Daylight will be here soon enough.

Chapter Two

T

uesday, February 22nd, 1994, the Kingston Penitentiary was in total lockdown due to the murder of Ren McClure. Once the Warden and forensics team had conducted a thorough investigation of the crime scene, and all the necessary pictures had been taken, Ren’s body was moved to the morgue. Even before Ren took his final breath from the fatal knife wound inflicted into his abdomen, guards were upon Antonio Fuentes, hand-cuffing the prisoner and escorting him out of the courtyard. It was only minutes before they reached the wing where Antonio was placed in solitary confinement. He would remain there pending a full inquiry so a report could be filed with the criminal justice department.

Warden Taylor was angry, frustrated, and puzzled. It was late in the evening. His Deputy Warden, Glen Harrison, sat quietly listening to his boss vent. Warden Taylor fired rhetorical questions at Deputy Harrison not expecting to receive any logical answers.

Glen, how could this have happened? Where did that huge knife come from? Did you see the length of that blade? It wasn’t a weapon Antonio could have hidden easily on his person. Why wasn’t I informed Antonio Fuentes was Mario’s brother? Ren McClure was in this prison because he killed Mario in 1992. Ren McClure should never have been sent to us to serve out his time. How could such an oversight have escaped the many eyes which viewed both their files? I know inmate files are checked regularly because I insist on knowing everything about the men I’m charged to protect while in custody. Tell me, Glen, how in the world this tragedy happened on my watch.

I can’t help you, Warden, because like yourself I haven’t any answers.

M

eanwhile, Antonio Fuentes sat in his solitary cell thinking and smiling, knowing he’d at last been able to execute his plan regarding Ren McClure. It hadn’t taken very long for Antonio to be informed of Ren’s arrival at the penitentiary the previous October. He devised a plan and then waited for the perfect opportunity to accomplish his scheme. Finally, on this Tuesday afternoon, his patience was rewarded when the plan came to fruition. Sitting in the cell he said to himself out loud over and over, ‘An eye for an eye, brother, with one down.’

Antonio sat remembering his brother Mario. He’d always thought of him as the lucky one who managed to stay away from the wrong side of the law. His pride for his sibling had stretched even further in their youth when Mario continued to be an A+ student in school until he finished grade thirteen. He thought about the smile Mario had been blessed with, like a magnet attracting people from different walks of life. He’d married a lovely woman named Rachel and fathered three children.

Antonio was seven years older than Mario with five siblings in between them. By the time Mario was six years old, Antonio had already been introduced to the rougher side of life by teens he went to school with. Dropping out of high school in grade eleven, Antonio never looked back.

A life of crime was the path he chose.

When he reached the age of twenty-two, he decided to form his own gang. They sold drugs, committed robberies, and performed the occasional murder. Some had confrontations with the law and even on occasion spent time in jail. He did visit Mario periodically at his brother’s home, meeting Rachel, his two nephews, and one niece. Antonio had asked Mario to never tell his family what he did for a living, wanting to disassociate his career choice from Mario’s spic and span lifestyle.

Mario had always held out hope Antonio would one day leave the life he was living, get a job and become a normal human being. He often told Antonio he prayed for him.

Mom and Dad raised us to be good Christian people. Maria, Josephine, Marcus, Roberto, Silas, and I, have all stayed true to our Catholic faith. None of us can understand why you are the way you are.

I’m just a bad penny I guess, bro, was the answer he always gave when cornered.

Antonio remembered the moment when he had picked up the Toronto Star newspaper in the penitentiary’s library the day after Mario’s murder. The article mentioned Mario by name and showed a recent picture of the victim. Antonio had been so upset he couldn’t eat for days. When someone was arrested and put on trial for the murder, Antonio followed the court proceedings in the paper searching daily for whatever new information was supplied to the reader. When the accused was set free at the end of the trial, Antonio could not believe the injustice for his brother. He swore revenge for Mario’s death not having any idea how he would accomplish such a pledge.

When Ren, because of another incident, was finally arrested for Mario’s murder, the paper revealed the accused would not be put on trial, as he’d pleaded guilty to this crime and a number of other law-breaking activities, including other murders, and was prepared to be sent to prison, especially since there’d been an eye-witness to Mario’s violent death.

Ren waited only a short time in jail before going before the judge to be sentenced to life imprisonment. The paper had not reported where Ren was being sent to serve out his sentence without parole.

There were three other inmates at the Kingston Penitentiary with the surname Fuentes when Ren was first incarcerated there.

Warden Taylor presumed it was because of this odd circumstance the connection between Ren and Antonio had been overlooked.

With Antonio and Ren both being ‘lifers,’ the word used for inmates who would never be free again, it hadn’t taken long for Antonio’s ears to hear of Ren’s arrival.

Since the start of Antonio’s incarceration four years previously, he’d only had one visitor who arrived like clockwork on the first Monday afternoon of each new month. Liz Calder had known the Fuentes family since her childhood growing up with Antonio and his siblings in the same neighbourhood. Liz had been raised in a very dysfunctional family, the members of which often committed small petty crimes. When Antonio decided to bring a number of friends together in order to form The Cobras, Liz was one of three females who joined the gang in the 1960s. She never looked back at her former life. Liz could ride a hog as well as any man and had demonstrated her worth in gang life many times over. Antonio and Liz’s relationship, though very close, was totally platonic, making it easy for all the gang members to regard Liz as just one of the top members and not as someone being given preferred status because of a romantic connection. When driving a motorcycle with full helmet and gear on, it was impossible for anyone to see the very beautiful woman who sat in the saddle.

When Liz travelled down Highway 401 to Kingston in order to visit Antonio, she always drove the Mustang muscle car the gang had obtained through ill-gotten means. The paint colour had been changed, the VIN number eliminated, the licence plate replaced, and a couple of dents added to take away the pristine look. Everyone who drove the car did so with great care not wishing to be stopped by a police cruiser.

Cleaning up before the two-and-a-half-hour drive, Liz always dressed in a skirt and blouse, wearing high heels and jewellery. With make-up on and her gorgeous black hair trailing down her back, she was admired by the guards at the Pen who looked forward to seeing her monthly. They were not sure of her connection to Antonio as she always indicated on the sign-in visitor sheet she was just a friend. All the guards would have been flabbergasted to learn Liz should also be an inmate because of all the crimes she had committed. Helping Antonio with murder, although not committing it herself, would be at the top of that list. Unlike Antonio who had been finally caught and was now paying for his crimes, Liz had evaded the police, never seeing the inside of a jail cell.

Although Antonio was in prison, he was still regarded as the head of The Cobras, giving Liz the task of being the go-between for Antonio and his gang with his monthly instructions.

When Liz visited Antonio in October 1992, it was the only time she witnessed him shedding tears. Mario had been murdered in September. She saw the great sadness in his eyes and knew his heart was crying although soft emotion was not a trait he ever displayed to others. Liz was the only person he would allow to see a softer side of his personality. He would confide in her about many things when she visited twelve times a year. He trusted her implicitly.

As he sat in solitary with his mind in overdrive. Antonio was conjuring up a new plan of death and destruction. The elimination of Ren had given him such a boost he could hardly sleep. Once he was returned to his old cell and Liz was able to visit again, his plan of revenge would be put in motion.

His assignment to Liz would be simple. He wanted to eliminate Ren’s brother, Steven Clark, who he’d read about and seen pictures of in the paper during the murder trial for his brother, Mario. Steven looked so much like Ren, Antonio had decided he didn’t want anyone who resembled his brother’s murderer to be allowed to walk around on this earth.

On the first Monday of March, Liz was refused entry into the penitentiary until the powers that be were satisfied with the inquiry into Ren’s death.

It would be April before Liz and Antonio saw each other again.

Chapter Three

W

ednesday morning arrived with the sun shining so brightly on the snow around the Russell’s home it appeared to be sparkling. It should have been a day to brighten any mood but it was apparent by their bloodshot eyes and tired-looking faces, Steven Clark and his wife Susan had not slept well. Sitting at the kitchen table with Susan’s parents and brother, everyone was still processing the news from the previous evening while they waited for the phone to ring. The silence was palpable. The dark shadow of stubble on Steven’s face combined with his uncombed hair was an unfamiliar sight. Steven always took pride in his appearance, being well-groomed at all times.

The consensus at the table was for everyone to remain in the house until the call came from Detective Morris. No one wanted to go to work or be off to university feeling they needed to make themselves available to Steven, assisting him in any way they could.

Finally, at two o’clock in the afternoon, Eric Russell answered the long-awaited call.

Hello, Detective, Eric said when he realized who was on the other end of the line. I hope you have news for us! Poor Steven is having a hard time accepting this incomprehensible fact that his brother’s been murdered.

I’ve been in touch with Warden Taylor. He’s confirmed to me that Ren’s body will be released tomorrow. It would have been sooner but as I suspected an autopsy is necessary. It will be performed later this afternoon. Did Steven decide which funeral home he’ll be using so I can inform the warden where to send the body?

Steven will be contacting his biological family today. The three of them will have to decide on a funeral home. I’ll call you tomorrow, Detective, with the details if that’s okay?

Did the warden explain to you how the murder happened? Eric inquired. I’m sure Steven would appreciate knowing if his brother suffered or if his death was quick.

Antonio Fuentes stabbed Ren in his abdomen with a very large knife. Warden Taylor informed me Ren was already dead by the time the guards reached him. As you know I was the detective on the scene when Ren stabbed Antonio’s brother Mario. The warden has no doubt this was a crime of retribution especially since both crimes were committed with a large knife.

Hanging up the phone Eric located Steven who was laying on the couch in the living room. He felt sorry for the young man who again was being forced to undergo a terrible experience through no fault of his own. After enlightening Steven about the detective’s phone call he suggested they contact Steven’s two families, biological and adopted, after the dinner hour to inform them about Ren.

With Jonas in Ottawa attending Carleton University and your birth mother in Winnipeg, they’ll both need time to travel to Toronto for the wake and funeral, Eric mentioned.

When Steven contacted his brother Jonas, he could hear the gasp of disbelief while his sibling listened to the explanation of how Ren had been killed. Jonas kindly told Steven he’d reach out to his mother in Winnipeg to give her the terrible news. Jonas had been raised by their mother, giving the two a closeness Steven did not have with her.

After the call to Jonas, Steven knew it was time for him to go to the house of his adopted parents so he could tell them face-to-face about his brother’s brutal murder. He was not sure of the reception he would receive as he had distanced himself from Paul and Vera Clark. He was still in turmoil as to why in his twenty years of life, they had never once mentioned, he was their adopted son.

Eric volunteered to accompany Steven. There had been so much ill will between the Russell and Clark families since the trial the year before, Eric thought it would be best if Steven had an ally. Arriving at the house where Steven had called home for many years his father Paul opened the door and motioned for the two men to come inside. Vera had been upstairs when she heard the voice of her son in the vestibule. The acoustics in the house permitted sounds to be heard reasonably well in the upstairs bedrooms. Quickly she hurried down the seventeen steps, which arched up the wall from the foyer to the second floor, displaying a beautiful cathedral ceiling which graced the home.

As happy as she was to see her son a frown suddenly furrowed in Vera’s forehead when she noticed he’d brought Eric Russell with him. Paul was alerted immediately to the change in her demeanour and tried to make light of the situation as he suggested they all make themselves comfortable in the living room.

It’s wonderful to see you, Steven, Vera said, as she sat down on the same couch he had chosen. It had been a couple of weeks since his last short visit with his parents. Steven had ultimately forgiven his folks for not telling him about his adoption as an infant even though it had been a terrible shock. He had forgiven but knew he would never forget. Steven’s wife Susan had helped him through his dissolution and doubts. After his birth mother was located,