Pavlov’s Conditioning

By Denise Harrison

After the exhausting and personally costly aftermath of solving the Darwin Killer case, beautiful and brilliant FBI Supervisory Special Agent Emmie Blanchet was looking forward to a little down time. However, her tranquility is abruptly erased when she is assigned the lead position on an emergency task force created to stop a group of domestic terrorists. With her lover, Joel, the local police captain, and her father at her side, Emmie and her team work feverishly to stop these killers before more innocent lives are lost. When their investigations lead them to the Pavlovian Research Institute, founded by an ex-colleague of Emmie’s father, the team discovers that the perpetrators may, in reality, be victims of mind control themselves. As the plot thickens and becomes more complicated, Emmie and Joel’s relationship and passion grow to new levels, and the pair realize that they want to spend the rest of their lives together. Will Emmie be able to find the source of these crimes and bring the killers to justice? Or will more lives be lost? Will she be able to survive an unimaginable personal loss and still effectively do her job? Will her training and experience help her survive? Or will it be, as Pavlov theorized, that her conditioned responses will guide her?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Sep 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798889105534

Denise Harrison

Denise Harrison is a licensed clinical therapist and has been working in this field for the past 25 years. She is experienced with working with a variety of disorders, with one of her specialties being forensic counselling. Pavlov’s Conditioning is her second novel, continuing where her premier work, Darwin was Right ended. She is currently widowed and lives with her new puppy Loki. She divides her residences between Spruce Pine, NC and Punta Gorda, FL.

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About the Author

Denise Harrison is a licensed clinical therapist and has been working in this field for the past 25 years. She is experienced with working with a variety of disorders, with one of her specialties being forensic counselling. Pavlov’s Conditioning is her second novel, continuing where her premier work, Darwin was Right ended. She is currently widowed and lives with her new puppy Loki. She divides her residences between Spruce Pine, NC and Punta Gorda, FL.

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my departed husband, David. Without his support and belief in me, I never would have written my first story. Even though he is no longer with me, I feel his spirit continues to encourage and guide me to keep on writing. Thank you David.

Copyright Information ©

Denise Harrison 2023

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, 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.

Ordering Information

Quantity sales: Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the publisher at the address below.

Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication data

Harrison, Denise

Pavlov’s Conditioning

ISBN 9798889105527 (Paperback)

ISBN 9798889105534 (ePub e-book)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023914931

www.austinmacauley.com/us

First Published 2023

Austin Macauley Publishers LLC

40 Wall Street, 33rd Floor, Suite 3302

New York, NY 10005

USA

[e-mail]

[phone]

Acknowledgment

Great thanks go out to my two best friends, Tina and Pam. Your undying support means the world to me. Also, I have huge appreciation for my mom, who has encouraged and motivated me every day.

Chapter One

Perched on the rooftop of the ten-story building, the man peered through the scope on his assault rifle. He focused his sights on the masses enjoying their lunch hour in the park. Professional men and women in their neatly pressed suits held a sandwich in one hand, while feverishly making business deals on their phones and tablets. Lovers gazing into one another’s eyes, lost in their own private world of love and passion. Children running joyously in play, their laughter shrill with delight. Joggers racing along the smooth paths, keeping in time with the music coming through their ear pods. Students sitting on blankets on the grass, debating the philosophies of the world. Old men were playing chess at the tables, there for the banter and camaraderie more than for the game itself. He gazed at a wide array of people from every walk of life, just enjoying a lovely summer day.

His hands trembled with excitement as he continued to watch the crowd below him. They seemed so minuscule, so insignificant to him, like ants under his feet. The man pondered how so many could be so oblivious, so unmindful that in a few short moments, he could erase their lives forever. His AR 10 had a range of approximately 1500 yards, and with the elevation he was at, gravity could make that range even further. With a 30 round magazine, and with his sharp shooter skills, devastation would be within seconds. He flushed with excitement when he felt the power of what he could do rush through his body. His finger twitched on the trigger for a second, but with an audible sigh he lowered the weapon and laid it on the floor.

As he packed up his weapon and ammo, he once again checked his phone for messages. Shaking his head impatiently, he accepted that he had to wait for the command, whenever it would come. He hoped it was soon.

Chapter Two

As the sunlight filtered through the curtains, Emmie stretched and slowly opened her eyes. She could hear the sound of the shower, and she smiled when she thought of who was in there. She had been dating Joel for a few months now, since they worked together on the Darwin Killer Copycat case. The passion they experienced in the beginning only seemed to continue to grow daily, and they had become inseparable. Emmie had been reluctant to let her guard down at first, but her intense feelings had rapidly destroyed any reservations she may have had.

With a mischievous smile on her face, she slithered out of the bed and crept quietly into the bathroom. Opening the shower door, she stepped into the shower, announcing, Hello sir, I am here to wash your back.

Joel chuckled as he drew her close to him, their warm, wet bodies entangling in soapy embrace. I never knew that personal hygiene could be so much fun!

After showering and getting dressed, the lovers gathered in the kitchen to have some coffee and a quick bite before heading their separate ways for the day. Emmie was officially known as Supervisory Special Agent Emanuelle Blanchet, and she led an elite team of agents at the FBI. Behavioral analysis, especially of serial killers, was her forte, and a few months ago the team had solved a case in which someone had been copying the Darwin Killings that had occurred 30 years prior.

When she discovered that the killer was actually someone close to her and her family, Emmie had been stunned by the revelation. Although she had been advised to take some time off after the case was closed, she refused, feeling that work was the best medicine. When one of the killer’s victims was discovered on National Park land, Emmie met and worked in collaboration with Forest Ranger Chief Joel McNeil. The attraction was instantaneous and appeared to grow stronger daily. As Emmie mused nostalgically, she felt Joel gazing at her warmly. Smiling gently, she asked, What are you thinking?

With a gentle sigh, he replied, How I just love you more and more with every breath I take. As Emmie reached her hand toward him, Joel’s phone rang shrilly. As they laughed in unison, Joel held up a finger for her to wait, and answered the call as he walked out of the room.

Emmie was finishing putting their breakfast dishes in the dishwasher when Joel returned. He had a puzzled look on his face as he announced, That was your father. He wants to meet for lunch today. I wonder what that’s about?

Emmie replied humorously and with a shrug, Maybe he just wants to check in to make sure you are still treating his daughter right!

Joel roared with laughter and swept Emmie off her feet with a hug and kiss. If only he knew how well I am being treated, she mirthfully thought.

Chapter Three

After Joel pulled away in his truck, Emmie got into her car to begin the drive to her office. Since the Darwin copycat case, things had been rather quiet in her department. There had been a couple minor cases that were quickly resolved, and her team had been asked to re-examine some data from a cold case that had recently been under some scrutiny from her superiors. While she was glad for the break from the chaos and urgency that had surrounded the last case, Emmie secretively longed for some of the excitement and adrenaline fueled energy that always accompanied the high profile cases. Scouring over piles of evidence from a cold case from years ago simply left her feeling empty and rather bored.

As she pulled into her parking spot at Quantico, Emmie felt her phone vibrate, indicating an incoming text. Glancing down, she saw that the message was from the Captain Whitaker, of the DC police. They had worked together on the Darwin copycat case a few months ago, and developed a mutual respect and affection for one another. After turning off her car, she read a message asking if she was available to meet with him lunchtime. Well, I guess Joel isn’t the only one with a lunch date, she thought with a chuckle as she texted her acceptance.

Emmie spent the morning reluctantly poring over the cold case, feeling rather restless and uninterested. She felt a wave of relief wash over her when she realized it was close to the time for her lunch meeting with Whitaker. After stopping at the ladies room to freshen up, she left her office to meet him.

Arriving at the bistro, which featured cozy al fresco dining options, Emmie immediately saw Whitaker sitting at a table in front of the building. As he approached, he looked up and greeted her heartily, Hey kiddo. Glad you could make it! With a warm smile, she took a seat across from him.

After exchanging pleasantries and placing their menu choices, Emmie looked at Whitaker expectantly. He grinned and said, As much as I love having lunch with a friend, who also just happens to be a beautiful woman, as you can guess, I also have an ulterior motive.

Emmie laughed and replied, Yea, I assumed that. I mean, you do know what they say about no such thing as a free lunch, don’t you?

Whitaker chuckled and continued, Well, I figured when you need someone’s assistance, you go to the best in the field.

In a joking manner, Emmie gave an exaggerated sigh and exclaimed, You do not have to butter me up. What do you need?

Whitaker grinned, then his demeanor changed as his jaw clenched in earnestness. Ok, he began, This may seem a little different to you, and it may throw you off your game a little. He paused as the waiter brought them their food and refilled their glasses. After he left, Whitaker continued, What I am going to tell you must be kept between us for now, strictly between us. As Emmie nodded in agreement, he continued, Several of my officers have been telling me that they are hearing some rumors in the streets, and from their CIs. These accounts are of an alleged radical group that is forming and the hearsay from out there is that they have an extensive list of targets. I have a few guys working undercover right now to see if they can find a divergent cell, and infiltrate them, but so far without any luck. I think that there is more than what we are getting intel on, and I feel the need to stay on top of this.

Nodding in agreement, Emmie took a bite of her salad, and chewed thoughtfully. I am more than glad to help in any way I can, and I agree that time is of the essence. However, terrorist groups, domestic or otherwise, don’t really fall into my team’s expertise. Perhaps I could pass this on to the Counter Terrorism Division?

Whitaker shook his head impatiently, No, no, no! he exclaimed. I need YOU to look into this. You see, along with the other talk out there, we are also hearing that there may be some sort of brainwashing involved. Mind control. Hypnotism. Whatever psychological bullshit you want to call it. And that IS your area of expertise. Now, do you see why I need your help?

Chapter Four

On the drive back to her office, Emmie reflected on her strange lunchtime encounter with her old colleague. Before they parted, Whitaker had agreed to let her discuss his findings with her team, Joel, and her father. Emmie’s father, Andre Blanchet, had in the past an active career in Interpol, then in Homeland Security. He now owned a large private security company that catered to high-profile customers, and sometimes contracted with the government for top secret jobs. His years of experience, extensive list of contacts, and sharp mind often served as a valuable resource for his daughter. He had built a solid friendship with Captain Whitaker while working on the recent case, and the two often exchanged information, and banter.

By the time Emmie reached her office, her mind was reeling with thoughts and questions. While she was flattered that Whitaker had trusted her enough to ask for her help, she was also frustrated with the limited amount of information he had provided her. Unsure of where to begin, she went directly to her office and closed the door. Tossing her purse into a desk drawer, she plopped into her chair and ran her fingers through her long dark hair in exasperation. How can I assist on a