Life's Written Past

By Amy Shannon

Updated: 2023
Life's Written Past
Volume 5 of 67

Secrets, lies, loss, and tragedy hit Sars Springs. Alex struggles to save everyone she loves as she battles betrayal from those whom she loves the most. As she is pushed away by the man she loves, Alex finds solace from an unlikely source.

When death is within reach of the O’Roarks, Jim’s mind falters. Jim also finds the answers for his closeness to Matthew Garris. Death and revival are all part of Life’s Written Past and future of the O’Roarks. Can the revelation of the ultimate secret bring the O’Roarks closer together or tear them apart for good?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amy Shannon
• Release date: Sep 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215564295

Amy Shannon

Amy Shannon is an author, professional book reviewer and literary consultant. Amy is republishing and publishing some for the first time, her MOD Life Epic Saga, which has over 67 volumes, and 9 bonus books.

Book preview

Life’s Written Past

Amy Shannon

A picture containing graphical user interface Description automatically generated

Essence Publishing

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

https://essenceenterpriseus.com/essence-publishing

2023 Edition

Copyright © 2023 by Amy C Shannon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permissions of the author, except by a review who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, or journal.

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.

Credits:

Cover Illustration Copyright © 2023

Cover design by Amy Shannon

The Entire MOD Life Epic Saga

1 Unwritten Life

2 Rewritten Life (Best Read after Unwritten Life)

3 Unwritten Life's Paths to Destiny (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

4 Written Life's Past Meets Present (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

5 Life's Written Past

6 Life's Unwritten Future

7 Another Written Life

8 Life … Rewritten

9 Unwritten Life & Death

10 Life's Healer

11 Life's Hindering Hope

12 Life's Binding Ties

13 Life's Resurrection

14 Life's Infiltration

15 Life's Revival

16 Life's Depths of Souls

17 Life's Explosion in Time

18 Life's Connections

19 Life's Collision

20 Life's Intersection

21 Life's Final Destination

22 Life's Generations

23 Return to Life

24 Life's Resolution

25 A New Unwritten Life

26 Life's Dissolution

27 Life's Linear Souls

28 Life's Choices

29 Life's Passions

30 Life's Awakening

31 Life's Vengeance

32 Life's Heartful Depths

33 Life's Quaking Souls

34 Fractured Life

35 Life's Drowning

36 Life's Exploration

37 Life's Curative

38 Thicker than Life's Blood

39 Life's Salvation

40 Capturing Life's Midnight

41 Life's ReEvolution

42 Life's Soulful Intentions

43 Life's Jagged Flames

44 Life's Rising Depths

45 Life's Doomed Immortality

46 Life's Raw Enforcement

47 Life's Deemed Corruption

48 Life's Inherent Immorality

49 Life's Retrospective Legacy

50 Life's Torturous Souls

51 Life's Passages

52 Life's Tribulations

53 Life's Spirituality

54 Life's Revitalizations

55 Life's Rapture

56 Life's Sacred Retaliation

57 Life's Fiery Resuscitation

58 Life's Experimentation

59 Life's Redemption

60 Life's Humanity

61 The District Life: Districtive

62 The District Life: Disarray

63 The District Life: Disassembled

64 The District Life: Disapparent

65 Life's Return: Home Sweet Sars Springs

66 Life's Return: The Practice

67 Sars Springs: The finale

Bonus Series:

B1 Life's Perspective: Matthew Garris (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B2 Life's Perspective: Bill Wheeler (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B3 Life's Perspective: Perspective: Mike Dix (Best Read after Life's Connections)

B4 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Rewritten (Alternate Path Parallel to Unwritten Life & Death to Life's Binding Ties)

B5 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Crossroads (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Resurrection to Life's Depths of Souls)

B6 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Intertwined (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Explosion in Time to Life's Connections)

B7 Sars Springs Handbook (Best Read after Life's Torturous Souls)

B8 The Interview: Life's Revelations (Best Read after Life's Fiery Resuscitation)

B9 M.O.D Life Epic Saga Character Guide

Introduction

Secrets, lies, loss, and tragedy hit Sars Springs. Alex struggles to save everyone she loves as she battles betrayal from those whom she loves the most. As she is pushed away by the man she loves, Alex finds solace from an unlikely source.

When death is within reach of the O’Roarks, Jim’s mind falters. Jim also finds the answers for his closeness to Matthew Garris. Death and revival are all part of Life’s Written Past and future of the O’Roarks. Can the revelation of the ultimate secret bring the O’Roarks closer together or tear them apart for good?

1 Siblings

ALEX O’ROARK TWIRLED her long blonde hair around her finger as she gazed out her office window. She turned around when she heard Steven Welch’s familiar sigh. What is it, big brother? What’s wrong?

Oh, nothing. Everything’s fine, he said, sitting down.

Steven, tell me, Alex said, sitting down behind her desk.

Lex, everything’s fine. Please, don’t worry about it.

She smiled. If you say so. So, where’ve you been? I’ve been trying to call you all day.

Had some boring hospital business. You know, a CEO’s work is never done, he smiled.

Yeah, as if I don’t know about that, she laughed.

Lex, are you OK? he asked.

Steven, I’m fine. I’m pretty much my old self again.

I just worry about you. I’m sorry for always asking you that, he leaned back in the chair. So, any special plans for tonight?

Jim and I are just having a relaxing evening. He’s been so busy at the agency. I hardly ever see him. Emily’s taking Raina tonight, she smiled. What about you?

Oh, I have a date, he laughed slightly.

Why is that funny? she leaned forward.

Her name’s Linda Marion, he grinned. She’s an FBI Agent.

You know her? Alex laughed.

Yeah. How do you know her? Steven asked.

Oh, she was my detail during the Chief Robertson incident, Alex rubbed her forehead back and forth with her hand.

Oh, I didn’t realize, he stood up and touched her face. I’m sorry.

Don’t worry about it. How’d you meet her? Alex asked.

Well, she actually lives not too far from me. I bumped into her in the Middleburg diner, he laughed. She dropped her badge, and I picked it up for her. Hank Marshall was there, and he introduced us.

"Wow, from cops to agents? Now that’s cool," Alex laughed.

Lex, do you know how long it’s been since I’ve even had sex? Let alone a date?

"Come to think of it, I don’t remember you ever having a girlfriend," Alex said.

I’ve been just so busy with business and never thought about it. Actually, I haven’t been with a cop since Vegas, he stopped.

Really? Do tell.

Yeah, that’s when I met Evan, Steven laughed. Yeah, it’s so funny, he laughed harder.

What’s so funny?

I never told you how I actually met Evan, he continued to laugh.

How? Always wondered about that, she leaned forward.

I was, well, um, just finished my date with a lady cop. I actually went to the convention for that purpose.

Badges. I know the feeling.

Yeah, well, um, anyway. I was in the lobby, and I noticed this redhead talking with Evan.

I see, Alex smiled.

Yeah, I felt this weird feeling. I couldn’t shake it off. So, I walked up to Evan and asked him who she was.

What’d he say? Alex stood up and walked over to Steven.

He said that she used to be Alexis Garris, Steven cleared his throat. He said that she was now on her way to disappearing. Then we got to talking. I mean, once I knew who she, I mean, you, were, I figured my weird feeling was just because we had met before. I knew you were looking to get lost. Paul had told me. That’s why I never went up to you, he explained quietly.

Steven, it’s OK. Don’t be so sad. I know with Evan and Paul gone, it’s hard on you. I understand the feeling that death brings into our lives. We’re strong. Don’t be sad. Just think of the times in our life that we got to spend with them before they died.

Is that how you do it?

After my baby died, I lost it. I completely lost it. But, I also learned that just because someone dies in your life doesn’t mean you have to die inside, too. We’ll make it through this. Just because they’ve been dead for over six months, doesn’t mean the grief goes away.

Does it ever, Lex?

No. No, it doesn’t. It just gets put aside so life can be lived. I still have the deep loss of Matthew and my baby and all those lives that have touched me along the way, but I’m living. That’s what we all need to do.

I wish that I could find my destiny, Lex. You have yours. The love you share with Jim, he stopped and sighed.

What? What is it?

I want to find what you have. I want to have that someone special like you have with Jim, he leaned back. You never know what destiny will bring you.

Well, that’s true. I don’t know how I got led into Jim’s arms. To be honest, if Matthew never died, I’d still be with him. I know that Jim is my destiny. I love him with all my heart, she smiled. I hope you find your destiny.

Well, little sister, finding you helped me realize what mine is, he kissed her cheek. Can I ask you something, though?

Anything, you know that, Alex stood up. I knew something was bothering you.

"No, um, but I’ve been thinking about this. How’d you know that Randy wasn’t your destiny?"

Alex’s eyes saddened. Oh, well, I don’t know. I just felt it, she wiped the oncoming tears.

Lex, I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry.

No, we were just finding our friendship again when he died. I do miss him. I wish we had stayed close, but things happen. We can’t change the past.

Lex, he would’ve just continued to hurt you and now… Steven took her hand. He can’t.

I guess. When he wasn’t the cop with an attitude, he was a nice, a very nice, man. I cared a lot for him.

Yeah, Steven said. I’m sure that Joanna could use him now.

I heard about her. Has there been any change? Alex asked.

Well, her chemo didn’t work. She’s been released from the hospital, but I’m sure it won’t be long before she’s back there. She’s staying at the hospice since she has no family.

Well, I hope that she can find the strength to fight it, Alex said.

Lex, she’s going to die. Probably soon, Steven said. Honey, I better get going. I’ve got some things I need to take care of before my date, he grinned.

I’m heading home myself. I’ll see you later, Alex followed him out of the office.

Alex pulled into the driveway and noticed Jim on the front porch. Hey, Babe. You OK?

Angel, can I ask you something? Jim smiled.

Sure, she took his hand and led him into the house. Did Emily pick up Raina yet?

Yeah, it’s just you and me tonight, he kissed her softly on the mouth.

So, what’d you want to ask me?

I know that you and the twins have been friends for a long time, but what do you really, really know about them?

Jim, I don’t understand the question. What do you need to know? I only met them a few times when Matthew was alive. Then Emily got them to investigate the murder. So, it was that issue that connected us, she sat down on the sofa. What’s going on?

Well, he said. It’s this thing between Rose and Mark.

Jim, they’ve only been dating a month or so. What’s the problem? I thought you liked Mark.

I do. It’s just that, well, she’s my sister, he dropped down on the sofa. "My baby sister."

Jim, she’s old enough to choose who she wants. She and Cody love Mark. He’s good for them and they’re definitely good for him.

"I guess, but what do you know about them? What are their secrets?"

Alex laughed. Mike’s a widower. His wife, Gloria, died in a car accident years ago. Mark’s never been married. Mark’s been taking care of Mike since she died. They’ve always worked with each other. They were both good friends of Matthew and Emily’s. If you want to know more, ask Emily. She’s knows more about their past than anyone.

I think I just may do that.

Jim, let Rose make her own mind up. She didn’t butt in when you and I got together.

I guess, he held her close.

Babe, we have the whole evening to ourselves. Let’s not worry about anyone’s love life but our own, she sat on his lap. Let’s just see what our love life can be like.

I’m sorry, Angel. I do love you, Jim said. I guess I’m just tired.

Oh? Too tired to make love to your wife? Alex took his hands and stood up.

Never too tired for that, he scooped her up and carried her upstairs.

2 Secret Love

JIM POURED HIM and Alex both a cup of coffee when the phone rang. Hello? he answered. Hey, Chris, what’s going on? he nodded to Alex.

Alex smiled and watched as he left the room. Boy talk, she whispered.

Jim walked into the living room with the phone and sat down on the sofa. So, what’s up? he asked, putting his feet up on the coffee table.

I wanted to talk to you about something that happened a few years ago, Chris said.

Big brother, what is it now? Jim laughed.

Very funny. JC, I need your police expertise on this one.

Must be serious. I haven’t been a cop in over six months.

Yeah, yeah. Just listen, he laughed. I’m working on this strange case. It reminds me of what you told me about that guy Shapone and what he did.

Greg Shapone? He’s been dead for almost two years. What’s this about?

Before he died, you told me that he went on a murderous spree of killing all those blonde women. Right?

Yeah, he killed six that we can confirm. From here all the way to Pennsylvania. He was killing anyone who resembled Alex. Why?

I’ve been assigned a new case. Two blonde women were killed here in Boise and the cases match several murders in other states and the last place there was a victim, was, well, Pottstown.

Jim stared at the phone. Chris, is this a Shapone copy-cat?

Looks that way. I think that the MO’s are similar to Shapone’s. I’m going to Pennsylvania in a few days.

Is there anything that I can do? Jim asked.

Well, as you reminded me, you’re no longer a cop, Chris laughed.

Chris, I’m a P.I, though. And I think I still know how to be a cop.

"Well, of course you do. Alex just loves the cop in you," he laughed.

Do you want me to help you or what? Jim laughed.

Yeah. I know that the investigating officer on those cases was primarily Randy Harrison, oh, um, sorry.

That’s OK. He shouldn’t have died, but he did. I hate that he died, but he’s one last person I have to worry about around Alex, Jim said bluntly. What do you need me from me?

See if you can dig up the files on those cases. I’ll call you when I get to PA and we’ll compare notes, Chris said.

Not a problem. Talk to you soon, Jim hung up and walked into the kitchen. Hey, Angel. Sorry about that.

Alex smiled. I know how it is when siblings get talking. Especially you two. Cop business? she laughed.

How’d you know? he asked, sitting down.

It’s always cop business. I thought you got away from that.

Well, as Chris put it, since you love the cop in me, I can’t be too far away from it, he laughed.

Very funny. I’m just glad that you’re a P.I now. It’s safer. P.I’s don’t get shot or killed, she touched his face. Are you sure you’re all right?

Yeah, one of his cases matched one we had a few years ago. That’s all.

Emily walked in with Raina. Hey, guys. Here she is.

Mommy, Daddy, Raina ran up and hugged her parents.

Destiny, go put your stuff away. We want to talk to Emily, Jim said, as he kissed her cheek.

Emily sat down as Alex poured her a cup of coffee. What’s going on?

"What do you know about Mike and Mark?" Jim asked bluntly.

"Jim! Alex snapped. Em, what he means is, we don’t know much about their past and he’s concerned about Mark dating Rose."

Emily stared at the two of them. Um, well, I don’t know what to say, she stood up and walked over to the window.

Em, Alex stood up and walked over to her. What’s wrong? Is it something we said?

Emily turned around. "Mike’s wife is dead. That’s it. Mark was never married. There! Why do you need to know? They’re not sleeping with you!"

Alex and Jim stared at her in shock. Em, what’s going on? Jim asked. "Is there something that you’re trying not to tell us?"

Emily wiped her angry tears. I don’t want to talk about it, she stormed out of the house.

Alex looked at Jim. I’m going after her. I’ve never seen her this upset, she ran out to the driveway and found Emily sitting in her car. Alex opened the door. Em, you know you can tell me anything. Please, honey, why are you so upset? I swear. I won’t tell anyone if you don’t want me to.

Alexis, I’m so happy with Tony and Anthony. I don’t want to lose them. I just don’t know what to do.

Em, why would you lose them?

Because, because, I just would, Emily shook her head. Alexis, I’ve known the twins for so many years. When I moved to Pottstown, Matthew introduced me to them. He was so close to them.

I know. I met them briefly before the trial. I knew the three of them were good friends. I had never met Mike’s wife, though. I heard her accident was terrible.

Yeah, it was. You were gone by the time she died. Alexis, it broke their hearts when she died. But, Alexis, even before that, we were close friends.

I know, honey. That’s why they took on my case. They knew you and Matthew, Alex said. Your brother was such a wonderful man.

See? Now, I’m getting you upset. Just forget it.

No. I loved Matthew very much. I know you two were so close.

I felt him, and he felt me. I guess it’s just like you and Steven, Emily wiped her tears. "When Matthew, when he was killed, I turned to them for help. I turned to Mike."

Em, what’re you saying?

Mike and I had an affair, she sobbed.

Oh, Alex said quietly. How long did it last?

Emily looked up. It never ended.

Alex shook her head. You’re married to Tony. You’ve been married to him since right before Matthew and I got married.

I know. I know. I love Tony and little Anthony. It’s not like I sleep with Mike every chance I get, but when we need each other, we’re there. After I moved here, we both thought it was over, but it wasn’t.

"Em, I’m not about to judge you. I just didn’t realize that Mike was involved with anyone after his wife. He never talks about his personal life."

Well, he’s had his girlfriends over the past years, and I’ve led my life with my family, she said. I’m sorry, Alexis. I should have never told you. Please, forgive me.

There’s nothing to forgive. I would never, ever say anything to anyone. Honey, you’re my sister. It doesn’t matter that it’s marriage related, you’re still my sister. I love you. I just want you to be happy. Em, are you happy?

I actually am. But, there’s only one problem.

Only one? Alex laughed slightly.

Yeah. I don’t know which one is Anthony’s father, she looked down.

Was Mike even around when he was conceived?

Um, well, no. But, do you remember about a month or so before I told you I was pregnant, that I went to our Pottstown store?

Alex nodded. Oh, yeah. Saw Mike, didn’t you?

Um, yeah. I actually stayed with them, she cleared her throat.

Em, this is just between you and I. Jim’s just worried about Mark dating Rose. That’s all.

I can understand that. Mark’s never been married. He’s had a lot of women over the past few years. Some married. Some not, Emily sighed.

Is Mark going to hurt Rose?

Emily shook her head. No. Mark wants to settle down. He and Rose have been together for so long. He loves her. He’s such a good dad, Emily sniffed.

Excuse me? They’ve only been dating a month, Alex said.

"Um, no. They’ve been together since before Rose moved out to Ohio."

Alex just stared at her. I guess Rose does like keeping things from her family.

Damn. I need to learn to keep my mouth shut, Emily said.

How do you know all this? Alex asked.

Um, Mike. Alexis, don’t tell Jim.

"Wow. I don’t know what to do. I can’t keep something like this from him. He’d never forgive me if I did that. I need to talk to Rose. She has to tell him. I can’t do it. She has to tell him."

Alexis, what about, well, um, Mike?

Em, that’s your business. All I can recommend is that you decide what you really want. I can’t tell you what to do. I do love you, Alex hugged her. I’ll see you later. Drive carefully. Please.

I will. It does feel good to tell someone, Emily said, as she started the car.

Alex watched as she pulled out of the driveway and then walked into the house. Babe?

Up here, he answered.

She went up the stairs. What’re you doing up here?

"Raina wanted me to read to her. So, here I am, being a good Daddy," he laughed.

Alex walked into Raina’s bedroom. "The Miranda Warning?" she asked.

Yeah, Mommy. We finished the other books, Raina’s eyes smiled.

Jim?

"Oh, Angel, she wants to be a cop. I’m not going to persuade or dissuade her. We already went through the Police code book, now she wanted me to read her the MirandaWarning."

Alex shook her head. Carry on, I guess, she headed downstairs. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, there was a knock on the door. Hey, Terry. Come on in.

Hey, honey. Where’s the big guy? Terry smiled running his hands through his thick, black hair.

Upstairs. He’s reading Raina her rights, she laughed.

Oh, got through the code book, huh? Terry asked, as he followed Alex into the family room.

Yeah. He’ll be down shortly, Alex said, sitting down. So, how are things going?

Not too bad, Terry said weakly.

Terry, what’s going on? Are you and Lana having problems?

No, it’s not her. It’s me. Alex, you’re a woman, right?

Last time I checked, she laughed. What’s up?

Well, I’ve been in love with two women in my life. Lana is one of them, he sighed.

Terry, is this about the love that you gave up on?

Yeah. How’d you know?

Something you said to me a while ago. Terry, someone broke your heart.

Terry looked up. Yeah, she did. But, I was so stupid.

Why?

She was married, and I was friends with her husband. But, Alex, I just loved her so much.

What happened?

She couldn’t bring herself to leave him. I know she loved me, but she just couldn’t leave him. I couldn’t live my life waiting for the moment when she would just show up at my door.

Why are you thinking about this now? I thought Lana made you happy.

She does. She does so much. It’s just that, well, Terry looked up as Jim walked into the room.

Hey, partner. What’s up?

Oh, nothing, Terry said. Just wanted to see what you two were doing today. I closed that McCarthy case yesterday. I just need a little break before I look through any more files.

I completely understand. I have to look into something for Chris, Jim looked at Alex.

Alex stood up. I can take a hint, she kissed Jim’s cheek and looked at Terry. Terry, we can finish this later, if you want.

No, that’s OK. Thanks, Alex, Terry and Jim watched her leave the room.

3 Undying Love

ALEX SAT ON the front porch and tried to review her work files. She couldn’t keep her mind on her work. She tried to focus, but her mind drifted. She closed her eyes and leaned back, how could Emily keep this from me? What am I going to do about Rose?

Raina walked out on the front porch and sat down. Hi, Mommy. What’re you reading? she smiled.

Work stuff, Alex touched Raina’s light brown curls. What’re you doing, Destiny?

I want to see Uncle Bill today, her blue eyes smiled brightly.

Bill? Why? Alex smiled. What’s it about Bill that you love so much?

He’s special, Mommy. He’s your best friend. You know he’s special, Raina kissed her mother’s cheek sitting on Alex’s lap.

"Yeah, he’s special. Special to all